Chapter 6

Jeb already had the horses ready by the time Cain reached the stable. So it wasn't long before they were on their way. Since they both knew that their objective wasn't going any where anytime soon they took the time to talk while they rode out to the place where they left Adrian Zero.

"So, Jeb, what do you think of the Princess?"

"Well she's different. But she learns quickly and is a natural leader. She inspires those around her and is kind and fair. I think that she will be a great Queen."

"I'm glad you said that. She's a good kid. Unfortunately she has to learn everything that would have been taught to her over the past 15 annuals in only a few months, just to get caught up. But she's not backing down. She's… amazing."

Jeb figured now was as good a time as any to get in to the issue so he steeled himself and said, "Dad, you sound like you have feelings for her." Jeb glanced at his father and saw that Cain was trying to look anywhere but at Jeb and his fair complexion was sporting a red tinge.

"Oh my gods, you do! Have you lost your mind? She's a princess! And not just any princess, she's the Crowned Princess!! She's going to be Queen!! Not to mention she's only 23 annuals!! Damn it, Dad! What are you…? " Cain cut off his tirade.

"Jeb!" Cain shouted. "Do you really think I haven't gone through all this myself? That I haven't tried to talk my self out of loving her? I have. From the moment I met her I tried to keep my distance, to stay cold. To get the job done and walk away, like I was trained to do. But she wouldn't let me. She's the reason I'm alive. She's the reason I found you."

Jeb looked at his father and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "She's the reason you took off your ring. Dad, are you sure about this? I mean; you have to know that it is going to be a battle."

"Yes, I know. In fact the battle has already begun. Hold up, Jeb, we're here." Cain stopped his horse with Jeb not far behind him. As he dismounted he knew something didn't feel right. He couldn't tell what was giving him the bad feeling in the back of his mind but it did put him on edge. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Yes, sir."

Slowly they approached the Tin suit that Cain had put Zero in 3 months ago. Cain noticed that the ground was freshly trampled and that only heighted his unease. Upon inspection of the suit the latches had been opened. Cain threw open the suit and his fear turned to reality. Someone had let Adrian Zero out.

"DAMN IT!!! ZERO!!!" he let out a roar of frustration. Cain was running back to his horse when he suddenly felt like someone had hit him in the head with a hammer. The shock was so great that he fell to his knees holding his head. Then he heard DG's frantic scream, --WYATT!!-- Cain fell backwards on to the ground as he yelled, "DG!!"

Jeb rushed to his father's side, "DAD!! What is it? Are you hurt?" He helped Cain to his feet seeing a look of pain lingering in his eyes.

Cain groaned, "DG, she's hurt, scared. I felt a wave of fear and pain and then I heard her voice screaming, calling to me. I heard her as loudly and clearly as if she was right here next to me. Mount up, we gotta get back now!!"

"How do you know that? What do you mean you felt pain and fear?" Jeb asked as they ran back to their horses.

"I don't know!" Cain growled. "I just know that she needs me." They mounted and took of at full gallop riding hard and in silence back to the palace at Central City.

It was still early in the afternoon when they left the horses with the stable had and ran to the audience chamber where they were told to meet with the royal family. They reached the audience chamber and were met with the scene that Cain feared most. Raw was healing Glitch while Queen Lavender and Consort Ahamo were huddled together with Azkadellia. Both women were sobbing and DG was no where to be found.

Cain approached the distraught family, "Excuse me, Your Majesties, Your Highness. What's happened?"

"Commander Cain, DG has been taken. She was out walking in the gardens with Ambrose when they were attacked by remnants of the LongCoats. When Lord Arom informed us that DG had not arrived for their lunch we searched the usual places that she likes to hide. Ambrose was discovered unconscious in the east garden with this note." Ahamo handed him a piece of paper as he spoke. Cain read the note then looked up at the Royal family then Jeb. He read it again.

"Cain, if you want to see your precious Princess alive again, then I think it's time for you to go home if you catch my meaning. Just you and the boy. If you bring anyone else I'll kill her. You have until tomorrow if you are not here… well I'll leave that to your imagination…

See you soon, Cain. A. Z."

Cain saw red. His rage boiled till he couldn't contain it, so he released in a mighty roar filled with pain and rage, "ZERO!!!" This time he was going to kill Zero. He turned to Jeb, face hard as stone and rage shining bright in his icy eyes. "You were right, son, we should have killed him. I'm going as soon as possible. The choice is yours, Jeb. You can come with me or you can stay here. As long as he gets me I don't think he'll care if you are there or not."

"I'm going with you. You can't do this alone. Besides he said me as well so not going would risk him killing the princess." Jeb argued.

"Thank you, son. Glitch, how are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks to Raw."

"Raw, glad to help. Want help find DG. DG scared. Need Tin Man." Raw looked at his friend, Cain.

"I know, Raw, and I'm going to find her. I need you to stay here with Az and her parents they need your comfort. Glitch, how many attacked you?"

"6. One grabbed DG and the other 5 took me out. I want to help, Cain. You two can't just go on your own. He'll kill you then he'll kill DG, or worse."

Cain glared at his friend, "Thanks, Glitch, I did not need to think about that right now. I know you want to help but if Jeb and I take anyone else Zero will kill her before we have a chance to rescue her. I'm sorry, my friend, you are staying."

"Commander, I am curious. How did you know to return to the palace so quickly?" the Queen asked him.

"To be honest, Majesty, I don't know. I felt like I had been struck. I felt this wave of pain and fear and then I heard her call to me. She was screaming for me and I could here her as clearly as if she had been standing right next to me."

Jeb stepped forward next to his father. "Majesty, what does that mean?

"What it means, Captain Cain, is that I have made a terrible mistake and possibly jeopardized my daughter's life." The queen then turned her gaze to Cain. "I will have to look in to it but I believe that you were able to hear her call because you and my daughter share a Soulbond. When you return with DG I will explain in more detail to the both of you."

"I thank you, your Majesty. I will bring your daughter home." Cain turned to his son, "Saddle up. Lock and load." He walked out of the room with Jeb not two steps behind him. As he walked toward the armory he concentrated on DG, and tried to send her a message. --DG, I love you. I'm coming. Hold on.--