Ryon and Yamae were riding back to the castle when a group of rebels suddenly appeared.
"Hello. Is there something we can help with?" Ryon looked at them quietly.
"You're coming with us," one answered, a bow aimed at them.
"May I ask why? The war is over." Ryon dismounted, motioning for Yamae to follow.
"Yeah, it ended and we won. Why are you guys still around?" Yamae raised his hands slowly after getting to the ground.
"The war might be over but the kingdom still hasn't paid for all the pain they put us through. You're traitors, loyal to the Queen. You deserve death, but we may be able to use you for a ransom," another rebel sneered.
"If it wasn't for us, you would all be dead!" Yamae protested.
Ryon glared at him before looking back. "The Queen only discovered the war's injustice because we were given to her as slaves. There is no reason to do this. The war is over, go back to your homes and families."
"How do we know you aren't trying to lie to get free?" A third growled.
The first nodded, "We're still taking you with us."
The second got off his horse and went to tie up Yamae.
"Ride! Get to the Queen!" Ryon pushed the man away, tumbling to the ground.
Yamae hesitated until Ryon scrambled to his feet and pushed him to remount his horse. "Go! I'll be right behind you!"
Yamae kicked his horse forward, knocking rebels aside as he disappeared.
The rebels shot at Ryon to keep him from escaping.
He raised one hand in surrender as one arrow embedded itself in his shoulder.
The second rebel grabbed him, tying his hands behind him before pushing him up on a horse.
Ryon grimaced, forcing himself to stay conscious as the horse started to move. His shoulder burned, blood dripping down his arm. He waited for a chance to escape.
He was led to a building, thrown on the floor and his wrists tied to the wall.
He took a shaky breath, testing his bonds. Finding no give, he laid his head back. Soon he was unconscious, his head falling to one side.
The rebels discussed a plan, drafting a letter and sending it off to the castle.
Andy was swimming when Yamae showed up.
"You have to help...rebels..Ryon said he'd be behind me, but he isn't…" The words were garbled as Yamae panicked.
Andy got out of the pool quickly and went to him, "Deep breaths, okay? What did the rebels say?"
"They called us traitors, said something about ransom.." Yamae shook with exhaustion and fear. "Ryon distracted them so I could get here. He said he'd be right behind me.."
She wrapped her arms around him, "It'll be okay. We'll figure this out and get him back. If they mentioned a ransom, they won't have killed him so he's still alive. Let's get the others together and make a plan."
The letter arrived at the castle soon after, a servant bringing it to Andy.
"They are requesting money in return for Ryon," Andy sighed. "Money is easy. Let's set up a meeting to get him back."
"Can we trust them? They did call him a traitor. We never let traitors go during the war." Tet was pacing back and forth worriedly.
"If we don't pay, they will definitely kill him. At least this way, there's a chance." Tsukasa said quietly.
Andy nodded, "We'll have to pay and pray they give him back. If they don't, at least we will know more about them and can fight them.."
"Alright. We'll get the money together. Does it say where to deliver it?" Kiba finally spoke.
She nodded, handing the letter over.
He scanned it, then nodded. "They want the money by tomorrow morning, so we better get started."
The other men followed him out, leaving her and Yamae alone.
"It's going to be okay," Andy said softly. "I can feel it. Even if he's hurt, he's going to make it back."
Yamae gave her a nod, then left the room.
Ryon jerked awake, eyes searching the darkness in confusion until his memory returned. He shifted, hissing as the arrow was jostled and the wound began to bleed again. He stopped as he sensed someone near him.
"Is someone there?" He strained to see.
"Just me," he recognized the voice of one of the men.
"Why don't you let me go? Don't you have a family to go back to?"
"They were killed. All of our families were killed."
Ryon sighed, nodding in understanding. "Mine as well. But I made a new one. You need to forgive and move on." He prayed the man would listen.
"Don't worry, kid. You'll be free as soon as we get our money."
"I fear you are mistaken. Your leader does not seem the type to let a so-called traitor live. Otherwise, my wound would have been taken care of."
The man nodded, lighting up a lantern. He grabbed a couple things and went to Ryon's side. He pulled out the arrow, wrapping a bandage around Ryon's shoulder.
"Thank you. Can I have some water?"
The man got up and grabbed a small glass and filled it, holding it up to Ryon's mouth.
He drank slowly, feeling his body relax. He took a deep breath after the glass was moved. He watched the man quietly, his fingers working at the rope behind his back. "The Queen is a good woman. You should not hate her. The war was not her fault and she surrendered as soon as she was able."
"Wasn't she raised with it though? Most people don't change that easily."
"My friend, she was as much a victim as we were. She was kept caged in the castle, little more than a prisoner. Her father told her nothing. She learned what the war was from us. She offered us kindness when she didn't have to. She freed us and told us to go home if we wished."
"Why didn't you?"
"Same reason as you. We had nothing left. We chose to rebuild our lives with the woman who gave them back to us. Of course, the rebels helped aid our decision when they attacked the castle and tried to kill us even after we revealed ourselves." He winced as his fingers slipped and his shoulder moved.
The man was quiet for a while, the only noise was the wind hitting the side of the building.
"Money will not wipe away the past. This is not the way, my friend. Release me and consider rebuilding your life before you become a murderer." Ryon prayed his words were being heard.
The man rose slowly, going to him and untying him. "Just go before I change my mind."
Ryon climbed stiffly to his feet. "Thank you." He headed for the door.
Soon after he exited, a couple arrows came flying at him, hitting him in the chest. The two other men in the group laughed cruelly, "You thought you could escape us?"
One reloaded his bow, shooting at Ryon once again. It hit him in the abdomen and he stumbled, falling as his knees buckled.
He lay on his back, fighting to breathe as the pain threatened to overwhelm him. He tried to roll away from the men, but his body wouldn't respond. His eyes watched the men, hoping they'd leave.
They looked over him before one laughed, "He won't last much longer. Let's go get the money before they find out."
The other kicked Ryon hard before leaving.
Ryon stared at the sky, saying a silent apology before the darkness swept him away.
Tet looked over at Andy with annoyance. "You should not have come."
She shrugged, "Their issue is with me. If I show them I'm willing to work with them, they might be more likely to release him."
"Or they may cut your head off as a trophy." He scowled as several men came into view. "Here goes disaster."
"You bring the money?" One of the men looked at them.
Andy nodded, "It's here. Where is he?"
"He's being held at a building not far from here. We'll point you in the right direction once we have the money."
Andy glanced at Tet.
He dismounted, leading the pack horse forward and handing the reins over. "Now where is he?"
One of the men pointed west.
Tet remounted his horse and rode away in that direction.
Andy quickly followed along. She spotted a building in the distance and rode faster to get to it. She climbed off her horse with a small sob when she saw Ryon on the ground. She quickly removed the arrows and focused her healing energy into him.
Tet growled curses as he saw how much blood was on the ground. "I'm going to kill them all.."
Ryon lay limp on the ground, not responding. His loose hair fluttered in the wind, obscuring his face.
Andy looked at him sadly, brushing the hair from his face and placing a kiss on his forehead before focusing harder.
One hand twitched, his chest rising slowly. His eyes opened, then closed again.
She let out a small sigh, looking over at Tet. "Let's get him back. He's going to need a transfusion."
Tet nodded, gently lifting the man onto his horse and swinging up after him. He waited until Andy had mounted, then kicked his horse into a gallop.
Andy followed again, hoping Ryon would stay alive until they returned.
Tet rode ahead, pulling his horse to a stop as he arrived at the castle. He dismounted and reached for Ryon. He froze as he realized the man had once again stopped breathing. He bowed his head as Andy arrived moments later.
Andy gave him a sad look, "Let's get him hooked to some blood and I'll try reviving him again.."
"Andy..maybe we should let him go." Tet gently brought him down, forcing tears away as he gazed on the pale face.
Yamae came running out, skidding to a halt and letting out a deep sob as he saw them.
"I'm not letting him go!" Andy said with a cry. "Get him to the infirmary."
Tet sighed and disappeared into the castle, passing the frozen Yamae.
Andy entered the infirmary, waiting for the doctor to set up the transfusion before focusing on Ryon. She forced the energy into him, covering him in purple light.
"He suffered severe damage and shock." The doctor watched her.
"I don't care! I'm not letting him go," she continued on, not letting up on the power.
Ryon jerked, sucking in air like a starving man. He trembled as he regained consciousness. "C-c-c-cold…"
Andy went and grabbed some heating blankets, covering him gently and tucking them around him. "There, that should help."
"They..shot me...I thought I was dead.." He looked at her through glazed eyes.
"You were but you should know that wouldn't stop me. I refuse to give up on any of you."
He smiled gratefully, then grew alarmed. "Yamae! Did they get him?"
"Yamae's safe, don't worry."
"Thank the gods…" He blinked slowly, his trembling starting to disappear. "So weak..and tired."
"Just get some sleep," she kissed his forehead. "Everything will be alright."
He nodded, his eyes sliding closed.
Andy left the infirmary to go find Yamae.
He was huddled on his bed, shaking as he sobbed into his pillow. "I shouldn't have left him…"
Andy went and wrapped her arms around him, "Ryon's alive. Don't worry."
He lifted teary eyes to her. "He looked so bad.. And Tet.."
"You know I'd never give up though," she said softly. "He's weak but he's alive. He even woke up and was worried about you. He's asleep now though if you want to go see him."
He wiped his face. "Let him sleep. Thank you."