Zen looked through his scope over the horizon. Nothing. They only knew the direction it had been heading in, at the time. Even when Shirayuki was kidnapped, he was able to maintain his composer. This was different, this was his daughter. He slammed his fists down on the side railing of the ship. 'if they stayed going straight, they could maybe find them. The pirates could have changed direction, at any time.
"Zen, if we keep heading in this direction..." Mitsuhide tried to warn Zen, before Zen cut him off.
"I know, we will enter enemy waters. That is all the more reason why we need to catch up with that ship. There is no time to lose." Zen expressed the importance of their next move. How will need to find her quickly, if she ends up in enemy territory, things will get more difficult.
"We don't even know if they continued this way." Mitsuhide pointed out.
"I know." Zen balled his fist. "But if we change direction now, we will never find her. We will be chasing our own tails. If there is any hope, it's on our present course."
"I know you're worried about Obi too, but he is in good hands."
"It isn't just that... I had a dream that Shirayuki had disappeared from the castle. Later on, Shirayuki was taken prisoner on board a pirate ship. When we left the castle the other day, I had a dream that both Shirayuki and Miko were taken. Now Miko is prisoner aboard a pirate ship, too. What if this wasn't just a coincidence."
"Those dreams obviously, are because of stress. You're worried about their safety." Mitsuhide was thinking that Zen might be looking too deep into it.
"That's what I thought too... until now." Zen revealed his distress.
"Well, if you are worried about her, why don't you send her a message?" Kiki cut in.
"Good idea, Kiki. I will do that now."
Back at the castle, "Excuse me for intruding, Your Highness." Shirayuki opened her eyes lazily, to see a messenger standing at the door.
"What is the matter?" As she was rubbing her eyes.
"You are needed in the medical wing, it's an emergency."
She wasted no time, she sprung out of bed, grabbing her herbalist uniform, as she ran out the door.
"Shirayuki, I am sorry to call you out so late. With Ryuu and Yatsufusa, away from the castle grounds, I need your help."
"What is the situation, Chief? They said it's urgent?"
"It's Obi." Garak informed her.
Shirayuki's heart sank.
"After looking at him, my diagnosis is, a poison tipped knife wound. And this poison isn't in any known castle records." As she spoke, she lead Shirayuki to the room he was in. "We will need to work fast."
"Yes, of course. Let's first treat the symptoms, that should buy us more time."
A man walked in and knocked on the door. "I have a message for Princess Shirayuki. The message was sent by Prince Zen."
Shirayuki took the message.
Shirayuki,
What is Obi's condition? Please send a report to me, as soon as you can. Also, you need to know that I am pursuing a ship that most likely, has Miko captive aboard it. I promise I will do everything I can, to get her back. I know you feel restless upon learning this information, however, Obi needs you right now. Please forgive me, but I have ordered the guards to secure your safety at the castle.
Zen Wisteria
Shirayuki dropped to her knees, face covered in tears. The chief didn't even bother to ask, she knew it was really disturbing.
"I need your help, Shirayuki. Please be strong, for a little bit longer."
The man left with her report. As he excited she noticed the posting of three guards outside the room... 'I see, this is what he meant'.
"POISONED?!" Zen dropped the message that had been delivered by a bird. 'I should have known, these pirates play dirty.' Zen scrunched the paper in his frustration. "I knew Obi wouldn't go down that easily."
"I am still curious as to why you brought a merchant ship along."
"Because, Mitsuhide, we are getting closer to enemy waters. If we have to get to land. We will need to disguise ourselves as merchants. It will be the only way, if we don't catch up to them, in time.
"Clever, They will never know we were ever there." Kiki then mumbled to herself, "It's perfect." Kiki had grown very close to Miko over the years. She never worried about anyone this much, before.
I sat, cramped in a small closet like, room. My hands, arms and legs, all bound, due to all my failed escape plans. Now, I was alone. I thought about the previous captives, already sold down the river.
"This woman is your mother? Desti... I... look I know why you did what you did... I forgive you... okay."
"No mother, No! You can't take her! No Mom..." Desti screamed.
"DESTI! No!" A man restrained me, as I struggled to save Desti, even though I needed rescuing, although I would never admit it.
Ever since then, I have been brought from port to port, shown to one noble after another. They put a price on me so big, that the nobles would have to choose me over their greed. They must be confident that they will find a buyer. Both ports that my friends were sold at, I clung to every word, hoping I would be able to find them again.
Now arriving at another port, I was shown to another noble. Surprise, surprise. I had expected the same outcome as all the other ports, but I was mistaken. This man said he would take me.
"And you will meet our demands?"
"Yes, Yes." He hand over the money. He then walked over to me, and whispered in my ear. 'If you try to pull anything, I will sell you to an even worse home, do you understand.'
"So, why do you want me anyway? If I am your pocket book."
"Watch your tone, when you're speaking to me! Next time, I won't be so forgiving." He decided to answer my question anyway, it isn't like he cared to hid it. "My wife prides herself on having the rarest possessions, from jewels, to fine clothing, to pottery, you name it. The rarest addition to her collection, will be a young pink haired rat! Now get in the carriage! Or I will drag you behind it"
Not having to be told twice, I took the seat across from him. I was surprised at how long it was taking to get there. I can't believe he came all that way, for me.
My father's words resurfaced in my mind.
"People will want you, to line their own filthy pockets. You will always be safe, as long as you stay here, with me."
"Yes daddy. I will never leave."
"Don't start making any promises yet, you have a lot to learn, and you're far too young to understand what you are promising anyway."
My eyes shimmered from the tears I held back. Will I ever see them again? What will I do now? I have to get away, somehow. I can't accept this as my fate.
The carriage entered through a gate, this must be their residence. As I got out of the carriage, the man took my arm. "Don't get any ideas of running! I own these men, and they won't hesitate to kill you, if that is what I ask of them." He threatened harshly, wrenching on my arm.
"Wouldn't that be the same as burning your money." I was greeted with a slap across the face.
"I warned you not to mouth me off!" He pulled me to the front doors. They opened, revealing a boy, who was a bit older than me, and a woman I assumed to be his mother.
The woman reached out to touch my hair, she was still stunned. "It is really pink." She looked at me, as if she were holding the crown jewels. I was nothing more than a collectors item. "Please come on in precious girl, I would like you to wash up, and wear the dress I picked out for you. You will find it in your room."
The boy showed me up to the attic. He locked the door behind me. I examined the room, boxes of dusty old trash, barred windows, and an old mattress, that they must have been too lazy to get rid of. There was a bath in the centre, an over glorified bucket really, and a dress as promised on the bed, simple, but yet elegant.
The lady left, already planning to rub her new collector's edition, in everyone's face. Immediately after being released from my confinement, the man through a bucket in my face, with a cloth.
"Doesn't matter what she says, you are a servant, now go clean the floors, walls and shelves in the whole house!"
Down on my hands and knees, scrubbing the floors. I let out a groan in frustration.
The boy threw a large rock into the bucket causing it to spill all over the floor.
"You come back and clean that up!" I yelled, not planning on trying to impress anyone here. How dare he treat me like that. He wasn't going to get away with that.
"Not my job, not my problem. Sucks to be you." He left me alone to clean it up.
I have already been here too long, I need a plan.
"Alright we are entering their waters. Kiki! Mitsuhide! With me! We are going to board the merchant vessel. The rest of the ships, spread out, keep a keen eye on the horizon, look for that ship! In a week's time, return to Clarines! We aren't looking to start a war, remember that! The castle guards will accompany us! I will have need of you, when we get to land." Naturally the bird handler came too.
"Of course, Your Highness."
They all left with their instructions.
Everyone who transferred to the merchant vessel was given a new outfit, so they would blend in. And the merchant vessel headed straight for shore.
"Obi's fever has broken. Also, I think I might have identified this specific poison. It is made from plants that grow in Tanbarun. That is probably why it isn't in our castle records." Shirayuki searched through the drawers in herb storage.
"Do you think you can make an antidote?" Garak asked.
"Yes, as long as everything I need is right here."
"And is it?"
"I think so, in this case... it would be better to have the plant itself, but we won't have that luxury."
"Yes, I will go check on him. I will leave you to work this out."
Shirayuki, remembered the experience that the chief had, treating Zen's poison cases.
"Actually, I could use your help, Chief. You have a lot more experience in dealing with poisons than I do."
"Not being familiar with the plant in question, does give me a disadvantage. I think you are more qualified to handle this. Don't worry, you can do this." Garak reassured her.
I was locked in my 'room' again, in which the guards would believe I am secured. This would make a good time to make my escape. The walls will be a breeze, so the only challenge is getting through this door. Assuming the boy might be up to some tricks, he will probably come back up here at some point, so I will bide my time.
Sure enough, I heard someone coming up the stairs. "Do you have a problem with me? ... Hey, I am talking to you, Jefith!" I yelled.
"Ya, I do! And how did you know I was here, anyway?"
"Let me guess! You're in the shadows, aren't you? Mommy's got a new child to dote on. I am now more important to her, than even you! That has got to suck for you." I taunted. He did not betray my expectations.
The door flung open, "How dare you! Hold your tongue, when you speak to me, peasant! I am nobility, more than you'll ever be!"
I could not help but laugh at the irony of those words. If only he knew, I was a princess. Let him gloat, he would not enjoy it for long.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"You... are soo clueless." I waited for this moment, where he ran at me in a rage.
I effortlessly, swung his arm behind his back, grabbed the keys, abandoned him on the floor. "How do you like being locked up?" Locking the door behind me.
"Come back here!"
"Ya, not going to happen." I darted down the stairs, utilizing my stealth to evade all the guards, without much effort. It didn't take long before I was over the walls and running through the forests of a foreign land.
Zen and his men, had arrived in Taurialle. After making their way into the forest, where they could meet in secret, Zen started to explain the plan.
"All guards will split up into groups of three! I want you each to travel a different direction, to cover more ground. I will give you each a bell, that way we can keep in touch. I want you to go to all the towns and see what you can find! Do not mention me, her hair or title, nor anything about Clarines! We need to keep a low profile. When you receive the bird, I want a detailed report of your findings. Do not spend too much time in each town! If anyone has seen or heard of her, I am confident you will hear about it. If you find her, I am trusting that you will do what is necessary. Assess the situation, before jumping in blindly! Any questions about the plan?"
"No sir!" they said in unison.
"Very good, then I trust you will leave immediately." The men took their new horses, and followed their orders.
"So, what now?"
"The thing I hate the most... we wait."
"We could at least check out this town, while we wait?"
"Of course, that is a given." Zen sighed before climbing onto a horse's back. What will he do if he never finds her…? He couldn't afford to think like that.
"Shirayuki, it seems to be working, the symptoms are lifting. It is a good thing you were here."
"That is wonderful news.." Shirayuki seemed distant. So Garak left her alone with the three guards, protecting her. Ru Ru flew down, landing on her shoulder, snapping her back.
"You miss her too, don't you?" The bird chirped in response. It seemed depressed, as if a part of it, was taken with Miko. "Don't worry, your friends will find her, and then Zen will bring her home." She was talking herself down, more than she was encouraging Ru Ru. "Would you like to come for a little walk? I could use the company." Ru Ru didn't seem to object.
When they returned, she saw Obi, standing with his back against a tree. "Oh, thank goodness. You seemed to be doing well."
"It's all thanks to you." She recognized that same drowned look on his face, as when he failed to protect her, some time ago.
"You couldn't have known that the knife was poisoned. We all fail sometimes, but we learn from our mistakes, we keep pressing forward. I trust you to give your best, and that is all that can be asked of you." She mustered her best smile.
Obi could see the concern, she was feeling. But, graciously accepted her words. "So any word, yet? From the Master?"
"Only that he is pursuing the ship, that took her. I am trying to be strong, but every passing moment, brings more unease than the last. Hasn't he found her yet? Why not? I can't stand being left in the dark." She released the tears, she held captive. Ru Ru flew off, grabbing their attention. "Even Ru Ru is upset. And what of Zen? Is he alright? What if something..."
"The Master will be fine. I wouldn't worry."
"Obi, I am so scared..." She was not usually very open about her feelings. This must mean, she is starting to burst at the seams.
I sprinted until I was so tired, I could barely stand, not to mention, hungry. I rested under a tree, but not for long. That lord was going to turn this place upside down, looking for me. I saw a few horses tied up, it was perfect. The black horse reminded me of Beauty, so I mounted him, riding full speed to the border crossing. After I crossed, I felt victorious, for two seconds, until my stomach screamed at me. I stayed off the trails, because I had not yet found anything to conceal my hair. Besides, being a young girl by herself, could look like easy pickings.
I fell asleep, but the stallion kept on it's present course.