Second Incident-Breach of Trust Jerrod

In the quiet times allowed, the king found no greater joy than watching his daughters. Their budding personalities, how they interacted with the small world around them, and each other. Every laugh and cry, tugged on the strings of his heart in ways he didn't think possible.

"Leena, help." Kitana held her tiny arms up to someone barely bigger than her. They had decided his throne was the perfect place to settle down after running around the castle halls all day. Her slight height advantage made the small climb a breeze for Mileena. For some reason, it gave Kitana much trouble. "Up, help please."

So small, yet so smart, and perceptive. Mileena stared at him with her golden brown eyes. A defiant and powerful glare, as she hopped down and began picking her sister up.

"No Mileena. Put her down. She has to learn." Just when he thought he would be obeyed, Mileena hoisted Kitana as high as her little 3 year old arms would allow. From the way she rocked backwards, he knew it was only a matter of time before they came crashing down. Were they in any real danger, he would be beside them with lightening speed. However, he sought to utilize every moment he had with his girls, to the fullest. The warm fun times, and cold lessons.

Kitana cried out first. Mileena tumbled back, slamming her into the plush mat as she fell. That little worried face wouldn't hurry his feet. Taking a knee beside his wailing child, he comforted her with words, until she was calm enough to be received. "That is why it is important she learn to do things on her own Mileena. I know you want to help your sister. Kitana, are you hurt? Or are you startled?" She continued crying into the rug. "Come now, let father see." Pulling her to her feet, he quickly looked her over. "What's wrong love?"

"I want to sit in your chair."

"Not a chair Kitty, a throne."

"Very good Mileena. You can sit on my throne, if you can get in it by yourself." Picking up Mileena, he sat them down on his throne then held out his hand for Kitana. "You can do it." She gave two decent attempts, but ultimately failed, both times landing back on the soft rug. By the third attempt, he was ready to help her, to reward her effort, but she ran off to his disappointment. He tried not to judge her during her infancy, but sometimes, he was grateful Mileena was the oldest. She, as a baby, was already showing great promise. She was kind, capable, headstrong. If only she'd been born a boy.

"One day, this won't be father's throne. It will be yours." She smacked the arms and sides of the chair, checking its quality, in her childish way. "You will sit here, and make decisions for us all. You will be the queen."

"Mother?"

"At some point, you will be. But, no, you will be the queen. You will sit here and rule Outworld. You will keep the peace and help the people prosper. I pray you find someone who can help you, as your mother helps me. Someone who brings you balance."

"Is that person not right here?" His wife came around the corner with Kitana beside her, clutching a book to her chest. Mileena slid off his lap, and joined her sister on the ottoman across the room, easily accessible to them both. "Were you in here, boring our poor child with lectures of responsibility again?"

"She has the mind for it. She listens, she's perceptive. I want her ready for this task. Prepared. Unlike me."

"I'd say you did pretty well for yourself, for being, unprepared. I'm guessing things didn't go, well? You know I'm coming to wring you of all the details."

"Yes, yes. Maybe that's why I'm so glum. I've been constantly replaying the event to remember every detail for you." He smirked. "Things actually went, well, as they could. I couldn't bring an end to the internal warring. But they have agreed to cease battle, and behave civilly."

"Which is, at current, all that matters. Then why does my king look so, bothered?"

"The, Umgadi." He didn't miss the rolling of her eyes. "Things are still, sensitive. They claim the distance and lack of support they've been giving us is not intentional, it's more a result of our actions. Consequence."

"Lies. But go on."

"I don't think they are. They said there has been a reluctance from the people. Word traveled fast about the honorary Umgadi. Of course such a thing is unheard of. They're struggling to secure new recruits. I'm sure the people would be much more giving with their futures, if Mileena was a true member. Of course we'd want the best for her, and would have given the Umgadi more support, both in praise and monetarily, if they had our daughter."

"We can do those things now Jerrod. They rejected us. The king and queen of Outworld. They haven't even tried to work things out. They have refused meetings. With us, who employ them, who they took a vow to serve. If they think they can throw a hissy fit and command me, I'll disband them myself. Their behavior is unacceptable."

"Where would that leave all those girls? Should things take a turn for the worse again, and we need what the Umgadi offered? I need you to start thinking as though they did have our daughter, because they do. Those girls are the daughters of Outworld, they are all ours. Where will they be without them? No family, no home? Outworld is better than it once was, but there is still so much evil and corruption out there. I'm sure people are afraid now. Afraid to hand their children over. Our selfishness has caused a dip in their growth."

"Have they provided any proof of this?"

He exhaled heavily. "The other races have completely denied them access to their children, and demanded the ones currently residing with them, be returned. I overheard a Naknadan talking about the birth of his first child, a girl. He said he was glad they were exempt from Umgadi tradition now, as he couldn't imagine parting with her."

"The, the people cannot just make up their own rules. We have not decreed,"

"And how could I, while my daughter is here with me? As it stands, there is a segregation of the sorts, between the more bestial races and ours. The nations want to keep their children, understandably. We are for the people, they are for themselves. The Umgadi ways are largely born of our gods, and culture." Saying it back like this was making him feel just a bit better, since it wasn't solely because of his actions. These feelings had been building for a while, they had logical reasonings behind them.

"It's, unfortunate, but to be fair, it makes sense. It was kind of them to offer stability to let's say, a Centaurian girl child, but they are in no way equipped to properly care for her. Many of them know nothing about the needs of a Centaur. In time, I wouldn't put it pass them to use the children as mules. If that made it back to the Centaurs, our daughter would be the least damaging blow to their image." The light laugh at the end of her statement had to be for her own benefit, because he saw nothing humorous about her comment.

"I'm glad you can find the humor in all this. That would be catastrophic for us all. Either way, they wanted to speak with us about, remedying and solidifying the issue, so at least, our people don't force them to disband from lack of growth."

"You know my feelings on the matter." Both their attention was drawn to their daughter. "I'm not giving her to anyone. Outworld could return to war."

"Is that, better for her? Is that better for anyone? We are together in this, I value your input and share many of your opinions. But on this issue, if it came to it, one child's living situation over the survival of an entire realm."

"You'll crush her under all that weight Jerrod. It's not time for her shoulders to bear it. This is our problem. Pardon my frankness but, the Umgadi are not exactly, fearsome."

"My queen." He hated to have to get uncouth with her. His tone was enough to let her know not to continue her line of speaking. "They will be arriving shortly. Try and be, more understanding. I'd like to have you in the room too, so I don't have to repeat what is said and done."

"I'll...do as I must. Come girls. If we're to have guests, you should be properly dressed."

He knew of his queen's mistrust and dislike of the Umgadi, and he trusted her to keep those feelings to herself during the meeting. Rather or not her draping the sash they'd gifted Mileena at birth was done in kindness, or mockery, he was unsure. Knowing her, that's exactly why it was done. So she could slyly provoke them while claiming it a sign of respect.

"What are our goals with this meeting? What are you willing to give, how do you want to achieve that? Knowing what you know of their goals."

"I don't really know, as I don't have the full scope of how they feel and what they would like. I know I would hate to use force. I don't want to push the people to do something I wouldn't."

"I'm not so sure you wouldn't. I know it's me Jerrod. It's my fault."

"There is no fault. Nothing too drastic has happened yet. All I ask from you, is you be behind me. We should appear as one. No one benefits from us being divided."

"Understood. I shall bite my tongue to please the people."

"That tongue of yours could start and end wars. You bite your tongue so our children and everyone else in this realm can sleep peacefully. Remember your power and place my queen."

No sooner had he finished reprimanding his wife, did their honored guest arrive. A sizable group of Umgadi warriors marched into the grand hall, led by their high priestess.

Already he felt his words leaving his wife. The second she laid eyes on the woman, she lifted Mileena into her arms, making sure she was seen, then she turned to leave. "Sindel," He grabbed her arm. "Remember what I said. Please."

"I will not be intimidated in my own home. I am the queen. Come Kitana."

Praying to Argus all went well, he readied himself to greet the women. They were adjourned in the throne room, standing at attention. "Ladies," He bowed. "You have brought quite the crowd. I can have a meal brought out for you all if you would allow me. I expect this meeting to be thorough. I don't think you'll want them to stand the whole time."

The fresh faced youths behind them were all licking their lips and whispering to each other. They had spears and swords, but they were still children. "You are very kind, king Jerrod. We will accept the offer." A couple girls cheered from the back. The woman who spoke for them blushed. "They are still but children, sire." Her superiors were not as lighthearted as she was about the outbursts, but they said nothing.

Since it was such a lovely day he invited them to the celebration pit, a special section of the garden made for quiet after party discussions. Made to accommodate food, drinks and relaxing. With any luck, it would make this possibly dreary conversation more positive.

"I was hoping to wait for my wife, but she may decide not to join us. If you would like to start now, we may. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't get your name." He addressed the only one who had bothered speaking with him.

"I'm Li Mei, your highness. I have been asked to speak with you, as I have been following the situation intently."

Right on time, his wife joined them, with the girls obediently walking at her heels. Every eye in attendance, but Li Mei's seemed to be drawn to Mileena. "I'm sorry for my tardiness. Please, continue."

"Right, good evening my queen." Li Mei extended her greetings to his daughters as well. "As I've been told you're aware, our numbers are already seeing unprecedented decreases. We've already investigated and know it's not from lack of girls being born. The Shokan, Centaurs and Naknadans have all withdrawn their children, and refuse further interaction. While we would have liked the king's intervention, we realize how that may have compromised an overarching relationship."

"Thank you for your understanding. I wasn't privy to their decision until after the fact. I surely would have tried to promote the union. The Umgadi have just as much to do with bringing us together as I. What you've done is invaluable."

"You speak too kindly of us my king. The elder priestesses feel it would be in our best interest to remind them of your vested interest in us. Perhaps, have the princess visit or even, possibly, attend some training sessions?" He didn't even bother looking at his wife. The face Li Mei was making, was enough to let him know she was obviously not looking agreeable. "Not to stay of course. We understand her situation is, different. She is of royal blood. Having her in our ranks would be nothing but a show. We do regard her as Umgadi, but her protection would still be our highest priority."

"For show? What would her being there do for your reputation? Are you expecting rumors and hearsay to travel? Wouldn't that put her in more danger?"

"No, no, we weren't going to rely on such, unreliable means. We hoped you would promote it. Even if it was just having her wearing Umgadi robes during her outings."

From her wavering speech, he could tell she was going way off script. She was reaching. Whatever for, was dangling much higher than she could grasp.

"Her location would never be disclosed. So, if you decided to accept our offer of training her, she would be in no more danger than usual." She stiffened, sitting up as straight as possible. "Not that she would be in any, surrounded by the Umgadi. Even our youths are well trained in many forms of combat."

"That seems very, charitable. Accommodating to all parties. Wouldn't you agree, Sindel?"

"I suppose so. They seemed so against the idea when I, the queen proposed it."

Li Mei swallowed hard before replying. "I am aware there were hurt feelings between the two. It was highly inappropriate of us, and I'd like to apologize on our behalf. I can only speak from the side of an Umgadi warrior. Not from a mother or father's position. Especially not the king and queen's. It's no excuse, but they were more surprised and unsure of how to proceed, than angry. The idea of an honorary membership is, unheard of. Umgadi have a strict way of life that we believe builds strong, loyal fighters."

"Separating children from their families? Is that what it takes to build a strong warrior?"

He felt the words before he heard them. The second he grasps what Li Mei was saying, he knew his wife would have that reply waiting.

"It is part of the ancient teachings. To remove earthly attachments. Each one of these girls are willing to forfeit their lives to protect this peace, that you have brought. We existed before the peace. Now we exist to sustain it. Should anything happen, Argus forbid, we will be here after."

"Lady Iona please. We just wanted to extend this offer, formally. And to let you know there is no ill will between us. You and your family are our top priority. We still try to make ourselves available to Outworld when we can. We get stretched thin at times."

"We, could offer you soldiers, women of course."

"No, your highness. Only those brought up under Delia's teachings can fight under the title of Umgadi. Should her will see us no longer exist, we will not fight it."

"You would rather fall on your sword, to spite us, than accept our help? Help from your emperor?" Sindel scoffed.

"Sindel!"

"Of course not my queen. It is just, our way. We are nothing without our tradition. It's part of the discipline."

"Please, don't do that princess." A young girl was stooping down in front of Mileena, trying to coax her sashes out of her little hands.

"She's the princess Tanya, you have to let her." Another girl laughed while keeping herself away, safe from the toddler's grabby hands.

Mileena went from unwrapping the girl's sashes to reaching for the accessories in her hair. Kitana was sitting on the floor watching her.

"Mileena, stop misbehaving, leave her be."

Grateful his wife was dealing with it, he reeled Li Mei's attention back on him while she was distracted. "I understand how important tradition is to you. It was never our intention to add to the strain, or to disregard your ways. It is just, this is a complicated situation. With her being the princess."

"Yes, we know my king. It would seem like her joining would be counterproductive." Li Mei's warm smile was comforting. She was coming off very understanding.

"There may have been strain before, but her joining was more to aid in your public relations." He recognized the speaker from the girls' birth. "Our numbers will increase in time, but you have driven a wedge between yourself and the people. Something Outworlders don't take kindly too. It was a great flaw with the last king. One could say, it was what made it possible for you to take over."

There was no missing the threat in her voice. "Yes. One could say it attributed something to my ascension."

"And as I recall, you vowed to be everything he wasn't."

"You recalled correctly. I think I've done well so far and somewhat achieved that goal."

"We will see."

"Kendappah, that is enough."

"She has not said anything untrue Li Mei, mind yourself. She is above you." Said Lady Iona.

"She was asked to speak because she is agreeable. My king, this could be the start of a decay you can't control. The fact they've already begun to make moves without informing you, shows they are losing respect for you. I hate to speak out of turn but I for one do want to preserve this peace you've helped us gain. Peace is worth more than your feelings, or ego, am I correct?"

"What do you mean?"

"We do not overstate our importance to boast our worth. We do it because the scales were tipped in an unfavorable way. The streets are laced with Umgadi, we are within the fabric that binds Outworld. When things are unwell, we are some of the first to know. Once we've assessed the legitimacy of the threat, should it be outside our capabilities, it is then passed off to you. We can't do that, without your support. She," her voice softened when she turned to his daughter. "She is a physical representation of your unwavering support of us. For you to deny her to us, and expect the efficiency we once offered, that's a bit, unrealistic, right? Considering the damage it caused? Yes, these problems were there before, but you can't believe your actions didn't greatly impact it?"

"We are not here to point blame, just fix the issue."

"What is the issue, exactly?" His wife returned with all three girls in tow. Mileena, Kitana, and the blushing Umgadi youth.

"The issue is, the existence of this honorary Umgadi. It must be publicly revoked and she should be officially initiated into our ranks. She's missed valuable time. But she's still young. If we do this now, she could still be molded into a great fighter. Our young ones aren't nearly as...unruly."

"Valuable time? She's three. The only valuable time she's missed is nap time, which she should be getting to now."

"I think we're all getting a little, ahead of ourselves. It's all in your hands my king. We're just explaining the situation to you."

"There are talks of rebellion."

All heads turned to Kendappah. "Once, they were negligible whispers. That is how they all start. Now, they are talks. Then, they become plans. Hopefully, you don't find yourself needing what we offer."

"Is that a threat?"

"NO, no, certainly not. Matron Kendappah please." Li Mei rose and bowed. "You have been an excellent host. Now that we've made our opinions known, please take time to consider what we've discussed, and maybe reach some undiscovered option. We will await your word."

At his feet, his daughters were oblivious to the war raging above. They were enamored with the bright red flame the girl named Tanya had conjured. She twirled it around for them, broke it into three small balls, juggled it, then swallowed them.

"Come, we are leaving. Although I'd like to wait for your decision, we are needed at an encampment a few days away. Should we not be done with our task before you have an answer, we'll be east of the Sun Do village. If not, we should be back in a week or so."

"Understood. Thank you."

Nary a word or glare was had between him and his wife. The moment the Umgadi warriors had retreated from the castle walls, they went their separate ways. He tried to calm himself, he tried to be understanding. He even tried to find sympathy for her actions. He had none. He would not let his anger down. She needed to feel his frustration. Marching through his domain, he sought her like a beast did prey.

He found her on the veranda. Unfortunately the girls were with her. He would not let their presence shield her from a rightful scolding. If she was going to act like a child, he would treat her like one.

"Sindel, if you wish to see this kingdom fall, why did you work so hard to build it up with me? You give me pleasantries, but when the time comes for you to show your heart, it is cold and covered in thorns."

"And you show your tail. It seems we're both not really putting our best foot forward."

"I am trying to keep this fickle scale balanced. What is it you want? Even when they are more than fair with us, you bare your fangs at them. Are you ill, are you suffering Tarkat?"

Something about that statement felt a touch too far. He wouldn't wish such a fate on his worse enemy. To speak it over his beloved, he was almost his own undoing.

"I'm surprised one of them hasn't come sobbing to you, asking for permission to live in the city. If they had, we'd surely all be bloodthirsty monsters, wouldn't we?"

Just like that, his anger was renewed, with a hint of humor. "Your attitude is much more fearsome. I don't understand your aggression toward them. They have serious grievances. They are in danger of falling apart. When you were in danger of losing Mileena, you did what you had to."

"And I'd do it again Jerrod. I don't know what implications you are making with this comparison, but I'm not giving her to them. Why is it so important they have her now? She already knows us. She already lost this, valuable time, as they see it. How does denying her a family make her a better warrior? Our army is made up of many men and women who have parents and children of their own. Do you believe they lack the skills to fight and protect? Do we?"

"In theory,"

"The only difference between our warriors and theirs, is choice. They are proud to serve us, not forced. Our army is made of the people, by the people. We give back. The Umgadi only takes. Maybe they help with petty squabbles and mercenary work from time to time, but what else? And I swear to you Jerrod, if you say one word about this over inflated bond they have, this symbolic tie to the people, I'm going to throw you or myself over this railing."

Having no more to say, he left it alone. One of them was bound to say something they'd both regret. There was just no point in it. He couldn't come to her for another opinion, understanding or advice. He already knew how she felt. So did they. He would once again have to figure out how to fix this problem on his own. Leaving it alone had proven a horrible idea.

He spent the night in his study. Surrounded by all the knowledge of past kings might help alleviate this pressure. Not only was this Umgadi situation adding unnecessary weight. He had the rest of the kingdom's woes on his shoulders too. The increase in crime in the more rural areas. Traveling merchants peddling faulty medicines, promising cures while spreading disease. Ancient feuds reigniting every couple decades when the beasts weren't being watched. The never ending call for violence from those who missed Outworld's older ways. His plate wasn't full, his table was. He was the only one who could finish this meal.

"Father." A helpless tone, and wavering uncertainly made it clear which child was intruding on this solemn time. Kitana immediately tried to climb onto his lap. No lecture or encouragement this time. He just wanted to hold her.

She was a little sponge for his sadness. In his solitary moments with her, he never felt the need to talk, or explain his irritation to her, like he did Mileena. She simply existed as far as they were concerned. She was the one allowed to be a child. She was loved, but ultimately...

"Oh, there she is. You know it's passed your bedtime." Kitana nuzzled into his chest and wiggled her arm into his robes. "So the both of you are going to sleep in here? That's fine I guess."

"Where is Mileena?" At the sound of her name, she came wobbling out from behind her mother. Just as he did with her sister, he lifted her onto his knee, where she then snuggled herself up on his chest.

"What do you feel Jerrod?"

"I can't let tender moments blind me to my duties."

"Whenever we argue about them, times like these remind me why I can't let her go. There is no shortage of orphans. If the Umgadi opened themselves up to accepting boys, or if they just took all the girls, like they used to, they would grow. She knows you, me, her sister. And you would see her ripped from her family now? From her home?"

"I can't have this conversation with you. Your ears are open to everything, but this. I'll think of something."

"When you used to ask if I thought you loved them as much as I do. I used to believe you did. Over time, it pains me to say, I started saying yes, because I felt I should. I didn't want to hurt you. But sometimes, I feel you might, love Outworld more." He said nothing. "Just promise me, you'll never stop talking to me. Put your foot down, argue, do whatever you have to. I don't ever want to wake up to changes I wasn't prepared for."

Catching her meaning, he tried not to come off so rough. "I would never."

"This issue, I'm tired of it. I'm tired of them."

"I am too. I will try to have my answer by, tomorrow, to bring us both peace of mind."

"I hate to make you worry like this Jerrod. I really do. I just think...you may be more cut out for this than me."

"Maybe. Why don't I take the girls with me tomorrow? I'll just be going around the city, there's nothing exciting going on. It will be fine for them to get out and see the sun."

"They will enjoy that."

"You can get some rest. Maybe it will give you a chance to level your attitude."

That upward turn at the corner of her mouth when she came over to them, chiseled away at his stony heart. "Perhaps. Goodnight my loves."

Left with his daughters in hand, he was drawn to Mileena. As much as he loved his wife, he prayed his teachings would overpower her mother's attitude. She could have her mother's fierce love, so long as she had his mind to control it. She would be unstoppable.

"Father what is that?"

"Bug?"

"No Kitana. They are people, just like us. It is unkind to call them bugs." He waved to the people beside his carriage, hoping they hadn't heard his daughter's offense. It would be quite the scandal for the king's child to speak in such a way. No doubt she'd learn that from her mother.

"Kitten?"

"Kytinn Mileena. Good job." They bounced around the carriage, running from side to side, stumbling over each other, nearly falling out on more than one occasion. They had barely left the castle gates and they were already wearing him out. "You girls must have had a good night's sleep."

Without warning, Kitana began slapping the outside of the cart. Only when Mileena joined in, did he stop to investigate what had caught their attention.

Off to the side were two young centaur children being dressed in festival armor by an Edenian woman. The twins whined and screamed begging to be let out. They had been riding for a while, there was no harm in mingling with the subjects. It was after all a casual stroll.

There was already a respectable space made between them and the rest of the people. The royal guards stood on the outside of that barrier, keeping them within their reach and sights at all times. He was an approachable king, one couldn't be too cautious though.

"My king, it is an honor. What can I do for you?" The woman and children bowed.

"Nothing. The princesses were drawn to these lovely outfits. Are you two going to be joining in the parade?"

"Yes your highness." They excitedly trotted in place. His daughters hopped and squealed along with them. "Will you and the queen be there?"

"Of course. We wouldn't miss it. Every year the people outdo themselves with the decorations and performances."

"This year, there will be a Centaurian in the sky!" The child puffed out his chest proudly. "It will bring us glory in battle."

"Yes, you do come from a proud and powerful clan. A glorious asset to Outworld." Both the kids faces lit up.

Hoping to get back in the carriage before he was forced to talk with anyone else, Jerrod attempted to usher his children away from the Centaurs. They refused. They hugged them, latched onto their legs. He could tell the Centaurians were being extremely careful not to step on them. Eventually they simply lied down and let the girls sit with them.

"They are lovely king Jerrod. They favor the queen in looks. But your open kindness."

"Thank you. I hope it persists. I want them to grow up keeping everyone in mind. We need each other to make this work."

More people from the crowd began approaching. Most just wanted to give pleasantries and thanks. Others were asking for blessings and prayers. Maintaining this relaxed relationship with the people made him wonder just how true any of the Umgadi's claims had been. People inside the central city were still beholden to their ways. No one here had expressed regret or anger at giving their daughters away, nor had they spoken ill of him for refusing.

As the people spread out once more, he went back to his daughters to see if they were ready to finish the journey.

"Naked pony?" Kitana was sitting on the back of one of the Centaur children. She was slapping the child's bare human half. "Pony?"

"No Kitana." He snatched her up and set her down. "No. They are Centaurs." The young child had a saddened scowl on his face. "Apologize."

Tiny brown eyes pivoted between the horses hitched to their carriage and the children. Kitana pointed at the children. "Horsies."

Squeezing her arm enough to get her to calm down and focus, he made her bow with him. "Forgive her ignorance. Please accept my apologies on her behalf." Their little faces rose again. They thanked him, then galloped off, likely not wanting to risk suffering such an indignity again. "Kitana, you do not call Centaurs ponies. It's very rude. They are people. Why do you not grasp these things? And you are not to hop on their backs. It is disrespectful. If you can't behave yourself, you will remain in the cart. Or would you like to go back home with mother?" She continued squirming, trying to wiggle out of his hold. "Fine then, I guess it's time for you to return. Mileena, lets,"

She was gone.

He stared after the Centaur children, wondering if she'd chased after them. "Kitana, where's Mileena?" His first thought was to shout her name. She couldn't have made it too far. Before he got the first syllable out, paranoia silenced him. He was the king. If she had just wandered off, no one needed to know the princess was unattended. If she had been taken, he needed to act quickly.

After informing the guards of the situation, he instructed the coachman to rush them home. Right now finding her was of the utmost importance. He could be without security. In case this was an attack, he needed to get his other daughter to safety. His eyes were pealed the entire way, barely blinking while checking every alley and doorway he could quickly peer into. He wished he could trust the driver to see Kitana to her mother. He was wasting valuable time.

At the door, he handed her to one of the girl's handmaidens. He gave her a brief explanation for the queen, then bolted back out. Taking off on his own mount instead of a carriage, he was back where she'd disappeared from in a matter of minutes. From the looks of it, his guards were already spread far and wide. They were moving quickly, covering a lot of ground, which meant they still hadn't located her.

"My liege," Two guards approached him. Between them was the woman he'd spoken too earlier. "We questioned her and, we don't know what to make of what she says. We think you should hear it. Speak woman."

"Please," He urged them to release her. She looked terrified. "Ma'am, what is it you have to tell me?"

"I, saw a guard walk off with the princess. He was near us, watching over her and the children. When you were speaking with everyone, he walked away with her."

"And you're sure it was a guard?"

"Yes, he was wearing armor just like theirs."

"Can you describe him? Could you point him out if you saw him again?"

"I only briefly saw his face. I believe I could."

Immediately he had the guards round up their comrades. Possibly whoever it was had returned to avoid suspicion. Maybe they had stored Mileena somewhere, or handed her off to someone. He would have answers if they were foolish enough to stick around.

Despite knowing it was a man they were looking for, he had them all stand together while he gave them new instructions. The witness stood off to the side, eyeing the group, pretending to just be a nosy observer. When all was done and they were dispatched, she regrettably denied having seen the man who'd walked off with his daughter. He did normally like to travel with an even number of guards, today, they were odd. It was possible someone had been masquerading as one of his men. If that was the case, he would have to find out when he'd done it, who might have known of his plan, and if any more dissenters were among them. Now he had enough to relay to the queen.

Considering the woman hadn't shown any hint the men who'd brought her were the culprits, the king put them personally in charge of weeding out any suspicious behavior while he returned home to gather more help and confer with the queen about what they should do next.

The castle was in a calm uproar. Carriages were whooshing passed right and left. Droves of men and women marched down the city streets. Inside, his wife was barking orders, with a death grip on their remaining daughter.

"I want every home inspected! Leave no rock unturned."

He knew she was in pain, he knew she was angry, he expected some resentment. The hatred he held for himself as every horrible possibility raced through his head was enough to make him resent himself. The look she was giving him now, was well beyond that.

The way she held Kitana tighter when he approached broke his heart. "Have you heard anything?"

"Not of her specific whereabouts but we have some new, troubling information, I was coming to get your input on how we should proceed but you have things taken care of I see. I wish you would have spoken to me first."

"We don't have time for that Jerrod. What have you learned?"

She wouldn't allow him to touch her, so he motioned toward the study. "Someone says, they saw a guard walk off with her. One of our men."

"What? Did you question the guards? Did you,"

"Yes, I did all that. I had her look through them and try to pick him out. It seems he wasn't there."

"What if she was working with him? You don't remember any odd faces?"

"No. She was just some woman I randomly stopped to speak to while the girls played with some Centaurian children."

"What, what happened Jerrod?"

Recounting every detail brought a wave of guilt over him. So many instances he dropped his guard. So much room for something to go wrong. He had grown too relaxed inside these walls. The inner city was so peaceful, it was like a whimsical dream compared to what lie just outside it. The idea something terrible could happen here was unfathomable. Because of his idiotic way of thinking, his little girl was gone.

"I think, we should scale back the search party. We need a quiet elite squad."

"Why?"

"By now they'll already know we're onto them. We don't want them getting scared and doing something reckless."

"Or release her? We already know for a fact she was taken. She hasn't just gotten herself lost. Someone has deliberately taken our daughter. We aren't even sure if this person was inside the castle, or simply obtained official robes and blended in with them momentarily."

"Let us hope,"

"Hope for what Jerrod? Who should I hope has taken my girl? A random deviant or some political radical? She's a baby. We cannot yield to threats. If we cannot recover her, she will just be lost to us. What good is she if she cannot be used to bargain? I don't want to hope. I want her home."

He wasn't even sure what he was going to say anymore. There was no pleasant outcome to be had. If Mileena wasn't found by them, she would be lost forever. He could not negotiate. He'd seen kingdoms fall from this very thing. There was no way to recover. Either they gave into demands and lost their right to rule, or they didn't and lost someone they loved. He couldn't see himself being who he was today if he was forced to make that choice.

A trespass of this magnitude meant whoever had taken her wanted something big. The risk was too high for a petty criminal. The simplicity of it hurt him the most. A simple disguise, a mundane distraction, a careless father.

"Should she not be returned by the end of the day, we will recall the group and have things return to normal. I have faith in the people inside these walls. There are eyes on every inch of these grounds. A lot will need to be done. I'm going to mobilize another, smaller team to search."

"What should I do Jerrod? I can't just sit here."

"Well, a little prayer might do a world of good."

If only he was a witness, his wife prayed daily. And for weeks, they saw no results. The princess had seemingly vanished. No one had reached out to them with demands. News had spread far and wide. Outside of the normal unrest, no one was particularly displeased with them enough they could speculate them the culprits. Even those who had lost family to banishment after contracting Tarkat. He had done his best to be a fair, kind king. The ones who thought him weak, this was beneath them. They were more likely to storm the castle and challenge him directly.

The more he thought about who would have her, what they might want, he almost found himself hoping it was someone who had something to live for. Ever since his wife had brought up a simple deviant, horrors beyond imagination were flocking to his head. Filling his dreams, when he was even able to sleep. Someone had his daughter. Someone who didn't want to be found, who didn't want anything from them? Did they want them desperate? To destroy his will and break down his resolve? They had already brought a dark cloud above his home. Driven a wedge between him and his wife. Isolated him mentally and emotionally from his remaining child. Did they care? This may have been the furthest things from their mind, but they were all he thought about. This invisible, imaginary enemy who had taken his future.

Nearly two months had passed since Mileena's disappearance. He had just returned from another false sighting. Two days there and back, for the same thing. A dead end. A lost little girl vaguely resembling his daughter. No one had seen anything, knew anything, heard anything. She was gone.

Kitana had stopped coming to greet him. She was just as tired of disappointment as he was. It was bittersweet. Saddened by her broken heart, but glad to not have to be reminded of Mileena every second she was away. It was the torture his mind inflicted on itself. Telling him Mileena was actually there, safe at home. If she was truly lost, he would soon have to start molding Kitana into her replacement. They would have to pick themselves back up somehow.

He stumbled upon the queen, sitting in the library with Kitana wrapped up in a blanket beside her. In her tiny arms she held one of Mileena's stuffed animals.

"I tried going over a small lesson with her today. I fear we may have a time with this one. She's...very behind. She doesn't catch on as easily."

"How long have you been awake? You look tired my love. Come now, you should go to bed."

"I'm fine."

"Sindel, please. We both can't be burning the candle at both ends. These, tired aching bones would like some company. Warm your king."

Her smile chipped away at some of his pain and weariness. Until he learned it was just for show. "I'm tired of holding her in my dreams and waking up with empty arms. When it truly needs to happen, I won't fight sleep. But my heart can't take it right now. Please, let me keep myself busy. We still have to function."

Eyeing Kitana he held out his arms for her. "I'll take her, she doesn't look comfortable there."

"She's fine."

"Let me take her. So you can focus."

Her hand went out over the sleeping girl. "I need her with me. You just got back. You are the one who needs rest and focus. I can feel your fatigue from over here."

"Very well." It was good Kitana had one attentive parent. Dead on his feet, he turned to leave.

"Your highness!" A young woman's frantic call awoken reserves of energy he didn't know he had. Throwing open the door leading out of the library he nearly collided with her. "My lord, I'm sorry. The princess, the Umgadi, they've found the princess!"

"What?"

"They are on their way, they sent word ahead. They are already in the city walls."

"Jerrod, what did she say?"

The three of them were waiting at the entrance, at the top of the grand stairway. Between receiving the warning and seeing the first line of Umgadi soldiers marching up the path an hour had passed. An hour of him and his wife silently standing side by side. An hour of her clutching their sleeping toddler for dear life.

A vast number of warriors overtook the front yard. They broke off and line up in a protective formation, shielding their inside from even the guards of the court. It was deathly quiet when they were all stationed in position.

Deep in the soldiers still walking forward, three women were given priority. One was easily identified as Li Mei. Another appeared to be an elder, and lastly, a strikingly beautiful woman, carrying a veiled child on her hip.

In the eternity it took them to reach him, he'd been holding his breath. His lungs were burning.

"King Jerrod. Queen Sindel." On the final steps, the crowd opened up and Li Mei knelt at their feet, along with the woman holding the child. "We are honored to present you, princess Mileena."

The veil came off, revealing their beautiful chubby faced marvel. Sleeping just as her sister was.

Had he not been right beside her, Sindel probably would have thrown herself and Kitana down the entire flight of stairs. Her legs buckled. She physically couldn't hold herself up anymore. When Mileena was finally in her arms, all her strength went into holding both the girls. She had none for herself and thus had to rely on him to keep them all stable.

The suffering was finally over. Even in sleep she refused to let either of the girls go. He laid them down in the master bedroom, lined the halls with Umgadi and castle guards, half a dozen soldiers on the balcony. They would all rest easy now.

While his family was getting some much needed rest, he was being filled in on their heroic and unbelievable rescue of the princess.

"I hope the king doesn't find it boastful for me to reiterate how integrated the Umgadi are with Outworld."

"Not at all. And even if you were to be, it is well deserved."

"We found her, in the company of this man. She speaks of a woman we don't know, but the man was who had her when we found her. They were in a small nomadic village near our eastern encampment. We tried to question him. He chose to fight. Not wanting to endanger the princess, we saw no choice but to kill him. She appeared unharmed. So we aren't sure of his intentions. He seemed simple, no political affiliations."

"And this village you found him in?"

"They welcomed vagrants. They didn't know him personally."

"How did you find him though?"

"The second we were alerted, we began gathering information. A traveling merchant told tell of a nomadic village he had visited, they were speaking of the missing princess, they had just left the area a day after her disappearance. It seemed worth checking out, even with our limited numbers."

"Our family, no this kingdom owes you a great debt. The Umgadi need not, and yet they continue to prove their worth. I couldn't think of a proper way to accommodate you before. But now, surely the praise from this will help ignite the people's faith in you. My support is unwavering. I am eternally in your debt."

"Do not bow to us your highness. It is our duty, and honor. Seeing the princess safely home was a joy for us. A highlight sure to be told for eons to come. In the short time we had her, on the journey back, we saw great promise in our next leader. She kept up with our younger girls nicely. She's attentive, strong, capable. She's a very gifted child. She'll make a fine warrior, should you choose to nurture that fight in her. I hope whoever becomes her teacher can keep up with her, as she kept up with us."

"I do not mean to sound, ungrateful, but why didn't you send word sooner?"

"We were still investigating. While we're now sure there was no political motivation, we weren't before. It was best to not draw any unwanted attention to her. Our warriors are strong. But from time to time, bandits will attack our couriers. Word of her disappearance had reached far and wide."

"You truly are invaluable."

Assured the danger had passed, he arranged a banquet in their honor, at the behest of a conservative Li Mei. He sung their praises and had all those in attendance raising their voices in appreciation.

They deserved every bit of it from bringing his family back together. The girls were once again, inseparable. Mileena had been missing Kitana just as much as Kitana missed her. Every time they'd wake up for a nap, they'd reach for the other and only fall back to sleep after making sure the other was there. Anything that didn't involve the girls was beyond their mother at this point. If her eyes were open, they were only on the children.

Once the commotion had relatively died down, they tried to return to a state of normalcy. Outside of extra security measures, and common sense realizations about his openness, things were more relaxed. It had become easier to breathe without needing the girls in sight at all times. They had been permitted to return to their own rooms. Even the girls had gone back into the swing of things. No longer breaking out in tears if they woke up alone.

Just when things were moving forward, they were leaving that horrible time behind them, a revelation was about to be made that stripped away the happiness he had so desperately wanted from the start.

It had been months since Mileena's return. He could think of no better way to reward the Umgadi than to allow what they'd always been asking for. Mileena was gifted, she had a talent that would aide her in not only ruling, but protecting herself. It was never too early to start training. She was realistically in danger. The first, and hopefully last time, she was kidnapped could have been avoided with the skills she had now. The little she had picked up from the Umgadi warriors had kept her father from picking her up and walking her away in their mock kidnapping attempts. Their little demonstrations were enough to win her mother over, despite hating the idea of Mileena having to go away for so long. Luckily her training grounds weren't going to be that far from them. Just a little three day journey.

This was going to be her first trip. An escort was supposed to show up any day now and show them the route. They weren't comfortable enough to let her go alone. It wasn't practical, to have them all go together like this. He couldn't continue these trips. But, it was one week, he would make time for her first week.

An unexpected, but most welcomed visitor came in the night, after everyone else had gone to bed.

"We had been expecting a letter first, but I'm guessing your arrival means we should be leaving in the morning?" Li Mei's tame smile dimmed his own. "Is something wrong?"

"It, my king."

Her pauses, and timid groans worried him. Whatever she wanted to say must have been serious if she was acting this way. Til now, she had always been a straightforward, open book, kind of person. It wasn't like her to fumble and be withdrawn.

In the privacy of his private study, she at least looked more relaxed.

"Things, there are certain things the Umgadi do, that while I understand, I don't agree with."

"Is this about Mileena joining?"

"No, not necessarily. I mean, we were not involved. But we are not without our...unwell members." Another long pause passed before she spoke again. "When we returned the princess. The woman she spoke of, we weren't exactly truthful about who she was. We knew her. And the man."

"What?"

"The princess was never in harm's way."

"Li Mei,"

"What I am going to tell you, it's cowardly I do it this way, and I don't mean to put you in an awkward position with the queen, I just wanted to let you know first. You are...more reasonable. You are more understanding."

"What are you saying?"

"The one who took the princess, she was, an Umgadi member. She has been taken care of. Our loyalty to each other will never get in the way of our loyalty to the royal family. We only concealed this truth to protect the rest of the girls. She hired a man to help lure the princess away, then she took her out of the city, to a distant camp. One of the girls recognized her from our visit here. Children speak. Once it reached the ears of a matron, she was apprehended." Sighing she held her tongue for no less than a second. "My king, I understand this may be hard to hear. I just wished to be honest with you. I would hate for the consequences to be the end of everything we've worked for, so, if you could do me just one kindness. Punish me. Put all your frustration and mistrust on me. I will suffer any discipline you see fit, even if it is the forfeit of my life."

If there was anything on his face other than shock, he wasn't aware. That's all he felt. He thought he should be enraged. He felt he should be disappointed. He knew at the very least he should be angry. All he could manage was shock.

"What of the woman who did this?"

"She...has been disposed of, the man too. I know we should have told you, but the queen, the other girls, they would have no one. We truly do stand by our vows of protecting all you've done here."

"The fact you came here and revealed all this, knowing what was at stake. This is, serious. But your devotion to what's right is, inspiring. How would you proceed Li Mei?"

"I, can't honestly answer that. I am not a mother, and I cannot speak against the survival of my sisters. It is a grave offense."

"Carried out by one. One who you all swiftly and justly dealt with. If I can trust you to uphold that level of self regulation, I see no reason things can't move forward as they are. I would like to meet with your superiors and we discuss our openness, so things like this don't happen in the future."

"Of course, my king."

To some, it might have seemed he was letting them off too easy, to him, he was rewarding behavior he wanted to see more of. They were willing to weed out their own bad seeds, and dole out harsh punishments. They handled everything properly. Given his wife's aggression towards them, he more than understood their predicament. They had thought this through so everyone came out in a better position. Trust in the Umgadi, faith in their force behind the king. Everyone was elevated. As long as the queen never found out, peace could be maintained.

He was the king. Only he need know everything.