It was no use. Arthur tried every back alley he could think of. He knew these streets by hand, but no matter how many corners he turned, there were guards blocking all the market's entry ways.
Perhaps he should turn around and retrieve Kiku. Then they could try to find a new town to take refuge in.
"No use." He mumbled to himself. No doubt they'd blocked the city's walls.
"Halt!"
"Oh no." Arthur turned around. "Can I help you?" He tried to play casual to the guard who'd addressed him.
"It is you!" The guard recognized him right away, and blew his whistle. Every other guard in the area was alerted, and now blowing whistles to attract further attention.
"Oh no, oh no." Arthur turned to see guards rushing in all around him. "Oh no, oh no, oh no." He had no time to react. Even if he did, no reaction could have helped him in this situation.
"you are to report to the castle. Come quietly." Two guards took hold of him, each by an arm, and dragged him out of the allies. They took him onto busy streets where many people stopped to watch the display. Many looked on with confusion as a figure they knew to be respectable was dragged away like a common criminal.
When they reached the castle, Arthur was greeted by a delighted prince. "Hello." He hummed.
"Here I am." Arthur said simply, "Kill me if you must." He bowed his head. For now he'd play submissive. He doubted the prince would kill him right away.
"Oh, you know how much I'd love to do that. But you also know that I can't." He said, "If you die, I have no one left alive with information on your accomplice."
"And you know we're not criminals." Arthur muttered.
The prince shook his finger at Arthur, "Is that any way to talk to me when I'm the only one keeping you from the gallows?"
"And how long will that last?"
"Write this down for fliers to be sent around tomorrow." The prince said to a scribe next to him, who quickly pulled out writing material.
"High noon Today. Execution of former soldier Arthur Kirkland. For high treason and withholding valuable information to the whereabouts of an international spy. And for playing accomplice to the murder of the queen."
Arthur's eyes widened. He had not expected such a quick response. Oh no.
"What's the matter? Know your fellow rat will find it? Know this is the perfect plan to draw him out?"
Arthur's head bowed again. This time he hid a smile and a soft snicker. He doubted Kiku would get the flier, and even if he did, he'd stay low as he was told. He just hoped he would be alive long enough to know Kiku was safe.