(Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet; just Maryam Weller and my other OC's.)

(Authors Note: Hello dearest readers and fellow writers! Thank you all so much for reading this latest chapter and for giving this story a chance :D I'd like to start by saying that the reason I haven't updated recently is because I started a new job roughly a month or so ago and I've been getting used to the schedule. But note that I've been working on my stories a little bit at a time whenever I have time to do so. Regardless, feel free to leave a comment and enjoy!)

(Warning: This chapter contains brief depictions of sexual assault.)

Chapter 15

"Wake up, Miss Weller. Tis yer wedding day and Master Swift wants you lookin' yer best," a female voice spoke up as the young hybrid opened her sapphire eyes to see a petite zirrelian woman drawing back the large curtains, illuminating the large bedroom.

Wincing at the sudden burst of light, Maryam pulled the covers over her eyes as the maid approached her bedside with a robe in hand. "Come on now, I've already drawn out a bath as per the Master's request."

With a painful sigh, she slowly sat upright and removed the covers, revealing her marred, naked body to the strange woman: she had multiple lacerations across her arms, legs and torso, while dried blood framed said wounds. Aside from the blood, dark bruises dotted her thighs and pelvic region, suggesting that she had been sexually assaulted multiple times recently.

With an audible gasp, the zirrelian woman eyed her with a sympathetic expression lining her face. No words were needed as she knew exactly what had occurred last night. Helping her out of the bed and into the adjacent washroom, she led Maryam over to the bath and aided her into the tub, where she then gently began to clean off her wounds. Yes, the bedding would need washing, but that would be dealt with later. Right now, her main focus was getting Miss Weller clean and ready for her upcoming wedding.

Was she upset at Maryam's current predicament? Of course! However, while she pitied the younger woman, there was little she could do to help as she feared for her own safety if she were to disobey Mr. Swift. While she sympathized with the younger woman, she couldn't risk her own well-being, nor put her own family in danger.

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-Meanwhile-

Will awoke to the familiar warmth of Scrapper's little body as the sabermink was peacefully lying atop his chest. Reaching up and stroking his soft fur, he glanced over to see a familiar woman sitting in a nearby chair.

*sigh* "Thank the stars, you're awake. You had me worried there for a while."

"..Mm sorry."

"No, you needn't apologize. I'm just glad you're alright. By the way, who's Mary? You were muttering something about her before you passed out last night."

At that, his eyes widened and he sat up with a pained grunt, "..Mary! I-I need to save her.." He was about to step out of the bed when the young woman approached and held him back:

"Easy now! Easy. You're in no condition to help anyone. Tell me who she is and I'll do what I can to help."

As much as he wanted to protest, the young canid knew she was right: he wouldn't be of much help in his current condition. Although it was extremely risky to involve Miss Tiller in this whole scenario, he didn't have much of a choice. *sigh* "..Her name is Maryam Weller."

"..Wait, isn't she the young woman who's engaged to Edmund Swift?"

"Aye. Do you know where she might be?"

"Well, I know their wedding is supposed to take place today at the Interstellar Church. After that, I'm not entirely sure. More than likely, he'll probably take her aboard his ship, the Blue Diamond."

"Do you know where that ship will sail to," he asked with a hopeful look in his eyes, to which she sadly shook her head:

"I'm sorry, but I don't. Perhaps one of the dockworkers could tell you."

He laid back down upon the bed with a pained groan before gently placing his hand upon hers, "..Miss Tiller, would you do something for me? Please?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"I need you to go to the end of the docks and find a calyan named Mr. Sterneck. Tell him that I've been wounded and that Maryam has been taken. And tell him everything you told me about her whereabouts. Will you do this for me, please? I know I'm asking much for someone you just met, but I wouldn't do so unless I had no other choice."

"I understand, Mr. Doggerson. You just lie down and rest, and I'll seek out this friend of yours."

Reaching into his vest pocket, he then pulled out a small brass compass and handed it to her, "When you see him, give him this so he'll know you're trustworthy."

Clutching the compass to her chest, Ophelia nodded and headed out to begin her search. Fortunately, the docks weren't too far from the clinic where they were currently at, so she didn't have far to travel.

As she walked, she soon spotted the Blue Diamond and noticed dozens of crewmen loading cargo onto her, which meant they would be shipping out soon. With that thought in mind, she quickened her pace and focused on her search for the calyan in question.

XXXXX

-Swift Manor-

Upon finishing her bath and drying off, Maryam was led back into her bedchamber where several women were now standing nearby, awaiting to dress her and prepare her for the ceremony. Although she was capable of dressing herself, she was forbidden from doing so and just went along with whatever these women asked of her. She honestly had no say in anything anymore, so she kept her head down and allowed them to dress her up like a doll.

As she felt the corset being tightened around her waist, Maryam emitted a sharp wince of pain as her wounds from the night prior were rather tender; however, her discomfort was ignored by the women as they had been ordered to prepare her for the ceremony. As much as they wanted to stop and properly treat her wounds, they had a schedule to uphold.

Once her undergarments, garters, bustle, stockings and shoes had been adorned, Maryam was fitted into her wedding gown before one of the ladies (a calyan) began brushing and styling her hair. Few words were exchanged throughout the process as she kept her head down as her mind continued to process everything that had happened the night prior and leading up to this point. As her mind reeled from last night's unfortunate events, she suddenly realized that her Mother's ethereal opal pendant was no longer around her neck! Panic settled within her as she tried to think of how she could have lost it, but nothing was coming up as she knew she hadn't taken it off since receiving it for her birthday, and it wasn't likely to have just slipped off from around her neck. No. Someone had taken it from her!

XXXXX

After walking for nearly half an hour, Ophelia Tiller finally reached the end of the docks and spotted a three-armed calyan casually sitting in a lifeboat and smoking a pipe. Swallowing her nerves, she approached the man:

"..Excuse me, Mr. Sterneck?"

Raising a brow, the man warily eyed the young (human) woman, "Do I know ya?"

At his question, she shook her head, "No, but I'm here on behalf of Fitzwilliam Doggerson. He sent me to find you." Pulling out the brass compass from her dress pocket, she then presented it to him, "He told me to give you this."

Glancing at the familiar device in her hand, the old calyan's eyes widened, "By the stars…so the lad really did send ya."

"Yes. He's been severely wounded, but should recover in time; however, he wanted me to tell you that Maryam Weller has been taken. She's due to marry Edmund Swift within the hour, upon which they'll then likely depart on his ship, the Blue Diamond. I'm not sure why all this is important, but Mr. Doggerson was very adamant that I inform you."

"And I'm glad ya did, lass. Now, ye can take that compass back to the lad and tell 'im not to worry as I'll make sure the Captain knows of this information. By the way, what's yer name, lass?"

"Ophelia. Ophelia Tiller."

He gave her a faint smile and tipped his hat before starting up the engine to his lifeboat, "Take care o' the lad, Miss Tiller. And tell 'im we'll be in touch shortly."

"I will, Mr. Sterneck," she nodded and watched as he launched off from the docks and began his ascension towards the cosmos and, unbeknownst to her, back to the Walrus where the notorious Captain Nathaniel Flint and his crew were lying in wait.