Liam stepped into the warm familiar kitchen of home greeting Mrs Bristol with a kiss on the check then a hug. He was glad to have made it here an afternoon earlier than anticipated and relatively dry before the pending rainstorm visible to the north.

"Liam this is a lovely surprise to have you home so soon, how did you manage it?"

A momentarily shadow passed over the eighteen year olds handsome features.

"The fleet has recalled all the ships that it can to the naval ports, our King is not long for this world I'm afraid. My captain has given me a few days shore leave while we await news."

Mrs Bristol frowned as the unwelcome tidings marred Liam's being home.

"Well I guess you best get settled then and enjoy the respite."

"Where's that little brother of mine?"

"He's up in his room, go on up and see him Liam he has been unusually quiet all day and you will cheer him up no doubt. I'll bring you up a hot brew and food."

Liam bounded into his brothers room clapping his hands and shouting "Little brother!" in glee. He was surprised to see it quiet and unoccupied. On the floor was some torn up paper with gilded lettering on it that Liam barely looked as he deduced there was no Killian to greet him.

After calling and searching the upstairs rooms and the communal rooms downstairs Liam sought out Mrs Bristol.

"I cannot find the little mischief maker anywhere in the house. Where is he?"

"He's not upstairs? It's not like him to leave the house without coming to me first."

They looked out the small kitchen windows as the rain began to fall in earnest.

After an half hour of searching Liam was getting truly concerned. The rain had become cold and heavier, the skies darkening with a coming storm. Several of the staff had helped search the manor thoroughly again and it was clear Killian wasn't indoors.

Liam and Mr Bristol started arranging a search of the immediate grounds with the staff and had sent the youngest off to get reinforcements as Mrs Bristol was getting anxious

"This is not like him at all, he has been quite sullen all day and yet he knew you were coming home Liam." She fretted.

Suddenly Liam remembered the torn scraps by the bed so went to retrieve them.

"Mrs Bristol what is this?" He asked bringing the scraps down to the kitchen.

"Why it's Sarah Pennington's birthday invite."

"They are close those two" Mr Bristol added as he donned his layers of waterproof clothing.

"Aiming high above his station already is he?" Liam said dryly at the prestige of the Pennington name.

Mrs Bristol gave a small smile at the quip "He went yesterday with Dr Williams to the party. He came home in good spirits, though like I say a little quieter today than usual. I don't know why he ripped this up. He loves this kind of artistry and penmanship."

Contingencies were made for a search of the coastal cliffs and estate in the darkening conditions, a sense of urgency settling in with the impending tempest. Once the search parties were organised and the signal fires set to recall them when Killian was found, the men headed off. Nobody wanted to think about what if the boy were laying injured somewhere unable to respond to them, a very real possibility on such large grounds and treacherous sea cliffs. Mrs Bristol and Alice her capable assistant, set about preparing the necessary hot foods in case the search took all night, both knowing the men would not give up until Killian was found.

Tobias cursed to be caught out in the rain as the borrowed horse plodded along the coastal roads towards home. He thought he could beat it but this was not his sure footed steed so he had to be patient with the slow pace. The sound of a horse and carriage rose over the patter of the rain.

"Why Tobias Jones, a bit inclement to be out taking in the scenery don't you think?" Nathaniel smiled at him in welcome from his small warm carriage.

Tobias smiled back at his good fortune and friend's timing. Once settled into the Doctors drier transportation with horse tethered behind them, the men caught up on news and gossip. Nathaniel had to attend to a woman with heart spasms and was on his way home. Tobias explained the gravity of the impeding King's death with still no named heir and hence his being in port at short notice.

They arrived at the estate in pouring rain and to a warm kitchen full of unexpected bustle and noise. Several neighbouring men and boys were in the courtyards with torches.

"Mrs Bristol, Mrs Bristol!" the captain called in his deep voice. "Are we preparing for an invasion?"

"Captain! Mercies I am so glad you are here."

"What's the meaning of all this?"

"It's Killian, Captain he's gone missing," she sat the captain and doctor down placing hot brews in front of them as she explained Liam's return and Killian's disappearance.

Tobias had immediately wanted to go out and search but Mrs Bristol said there were plenty of men out there with clear instructions from Liam what part they were each searching, so nobody else got lost in this foul night. It was best he save his energy if needed for reinforcement and be here with the doctor when they found the boy.

As a man of action and command it was hard to sit and do nothing so the men retired to the study out of Mrs Bristol and Alice's way. Nathaniel stoked the fire as Tobias sat heavily down on his desk chair. Letting out a sigh he went to unlock the draw with his wife's picture. He pulled and was puzzled to find what he thought was unlocked was locked. Trying once again he opened the draw pulling out her image. His heart heavy with fear as he sought comfort by staring at her image.

Mrs Bristol came in with some hot food and some scraps of paper on a tray.

"Dr Williams I was wondering was everything well at the Pennington party yesterday?"

"Yes it was a fine and elegant affair. Killian enjoyed himself immensely," he smiled ruefully.

"It's just Liam found this on Killian's bedroom floor," she handed over the torn invitation.

Nathaniel scrunched his forehead up in confusion unable to give an answer. "He was in high spirits all day Mrs Bristol, though a little worn out at the end of it."

His train of thought was interrupted as Tobias exclaimed searching the back of the draw "Where is Esmeralda's garden key Mrs Bristol, has someone borrowed it?"

"No sir we use the spare one, it's still hanging up in the key store." Mrs Bristol declared.

Suddenly Nathaniel snapped his head up "Oh, oh bloody hell."

"What Nate?"

"I think I know what this is all about. Oh Killian! I didn't think he had heard but some women were carelessly talking about you, Esmeralda and well...his birth …oh Tobias I think I know where he's got to."

Nobody would think to search within it because everyone knew Killian didn't know about it's purpose and nor was it a place he could get into with its securely locked door. But they shouldn't have been too surprised. He's always loved a challenge.

The two old friends and one of the young searchers headed across the lawns at pace. Tobias used the key to open the hidden garden door to find once again it locked when it should unlock. Finally inside, they headed through the pitch dark evening to the chapel, their torches barely casting enough light to see through the rain. The chapel doors were open wide to the elements. Frantically searching its interior there was no sign of Killian though it was certain he had been here.

Tobias looked up at his wife's painting "Oh Esmeralda what have I done?" he pleaded.

The men were defeated and puzzled "Could he have snuck back into the house?" Nathaniel asked as he looked at his stricken friend.

"Sirs over there!" the young helper cried out.

The men turned around to see where he was pointing. Barely visible, a small heap was curled up at the base of Tobias' belated wife's statue, the boy's black coat contrasting to the white marble.

"Killian, Killian!" Tobias rushed over and picked up his cold, soaked son off his wife's grave. "My boy Killian, answer me."

Slowly the boy opened his eyes in response to his father's desperate shaking and looked at the man that was the center to his young world, tears mingling with rain down his pale young face.

"I'm sorry ….I'm so sorry I killed her father," he whispered.