Disclaimer: I do not own KKM or any of its characters
This chapter was updated and reviewed in January 2021.
Please enjoy!
Chapter two: One more makes two
(2 weeks later – Shinmakoku)
Yuri stared at the two letters before him with a heavy heart. He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead on his office table. He had been expecting this result but even so a small flame of hope had burned inside his chest. But he couldn't deny it anymore. Yuri raised his head and once again read over the letter he'd received from King Saralegui of Small Shimaron. The King told him that he had sent Berias out to Big Shimaron but after two weeks of searching his body guard had not located Wolfram nor confirmed his fate one way or the other. Yuri knew that Sara could be lying. Maybe he never sent Berias or maybe Berias found a body and Sara didn't want to report it? But the letter from Lady Flynn Gilbert of Caloria crushed those faint hopes. Yuri dropped Sara's letter on the desk and turned back to Flynn's letter. Flynn had sent two of her best trackers to search for Wolfram and she had forwarded a copy of their report with her letter. They had found nothing. The bandits seemed to have vanished into thin air taking any evidence of what they did to Wolfram with them.
Flynn's letter was more detailed than Saralegui's but it painted a more depressing picture. Apparently the locals knew of the band of bandits that had attacked Yuri's group and they had created quite the name for themselves. The leader was ex-military serving under the previous King, and he had been high up the military ranks. He had at least twenty to thirty men under his command. Most of the leader's group were former members of the leader's platoon with a rag-tag of general thieves and criminals making up the numbers. They were loyal to their leader and answered only to him. Some thought the leader's name was Rick but others thought it was Thomas. Yuri couldn't care less what the guy's name was he just wanted to know what he had done with Wolfram. Flynn said that many of locals had been terrorised or killed by this group but with the general disorder running rampant in the country, no one was strong enough to oppose them. The leader was clever and powerful, no one knew where their hideout was. He covered his tracks well.
"Damn it!" Yuri cursed slamming his hand against the pile of papers on his desk sending them flying to the floor with a thump. Yuri braced his hands against the desk his breathing heavy. Papers fluttered to the ground as Yuri trembled silently. He had wanted so desperately to hear some good news. He had hoped that someone, anyone, would have found something. Even Cecile seemed to be having difficulties finding her son despite her contacts. The last letter she had sent had been four days ago. Saralegui's letter had arrived two days ago and Flynn's arrived that morning.
"Damn," Yuri slumped in his chair drained of all his energy. He didn't want to give up on Wolfram but it had been three weeks since Wolfram had gone missing and no one had heard anything. There were no ransom demands from the bandits, assuming they even knew who Wolfram was. But neither Flynn's guards nor Berias had found a body. Saralegui's letter stated that Berias had searched the whole area where Wolfram had faced the bandits but he had found nothing. No clothes, no body parts (Yuri had turned green when he read that) nothing to suggest a dead body had been there. Of course wild animals may have dragged the body away or the bandits could have kidnapped Wolfram and killed him somewhere else. Yuri dropped his head into his hands pressing his palms against his eyes.
Colours flared up and spread against the darkness of his eyelids as Yuri rubbed his eyes tiredly. He hadn't been sleeping well lately. He 'h been too worried about his missing friend. If anyone had told him three weeks ago that he would miss Wolfram so much he couldn't sleep at night he would have laughed. He used to think the blond fire starter was a nuisance and an annoyance. Now he would have given anything to hear Wolfram call him a 'wimp' or a 'cheater'. Nothing could take away the guilt that he felt inside. Yuri didn't care what other people said; he just knew that all this was his fault. A knock on the door jolted Yuri out of his thoughts.
"Come in," Yuri called and the door opened to reveal Greta standing in the doorway. Losing a parent had been tough for Greta. She had lost her happy smile and the light in her eyes had dimmed. Yuri felt his heart contract in his chest but he forced a smile onto his face. He tried to be cheerful and optimistic around Greta but the girl was old enough to understand the seriousness of the situation.
"Yuri, I heard you received a letter from Lady Flynn today about Wolfram?" Greta shifted from one foot to the other as if she wasn't sure she should be asking. Yuri sighed and beckoned Greta over. Greta shut the door behind her and walked over to Yuri. She gave the fallen pile of papers a surprised look before going to the other side of the desk. Yuri picked Greta up, sat her on his lap and hugged her tight. Greta knew what the news was without Yuri having to say a word. She sniffed and buried her face in Yuri's chest.
"I'm sorry Greta, no one has found anything." Yuri ran his fingers through Greta's brown curls. Greta nodded against Yuri's chest even though those weren't the words she wanted to hear. "I wish I could give you some good news."
"I know Yuri," Greta's voice hitched, "I want Wolfram back too." Yuri rubbed Greta's back in small circles trying to comfort his adopted daughter. While Greta was not his biological daughter Yuri still cared deeply for her. It hurt him to see her so sad and lonely. He'd never realised before just how much she loved Wolfram or how much interaction they had together. Greta felt Wolfram's disappearance as deeply as anyone.
News that the third son of the previous Maoh had gone missing had spread all over the kingdom. The ten nobles had sent Yuri letters saying how sorry they were that he had lost his fiancé before they could marry. Yuri hated those damn letters. They didn't even know if Wolfram was dead but the nobles spoke as if there was no doubt. Yuri had burned them all without responding. Waltorana was the only one who hadn't sent Yuri a letter so far. He had been travelling when news of Wolfram's disappearance spread but Yuri expected to hear from him soon. Yuri knew how much Waltorana loved his nephew and he didn't look forward to telling Waltorana what had happened.
"Yuri, are you ok?" Greta pulled back from Yuri's embrace to look into his eyes. Yuri snapped out of his thoughts and forced his lips to form a smile.
"Yeah Greta I'm ok," Yuri lied.
"No you're not ok, you're sad." Greta touched Yuri's face her brown eyes shining with tears. "You miss Wolfram." Yuri felt a lump rise in his throat and his eyes began to itch.
"Yeah," Yuri's voice hitched and he swallowed, "I miss Wolfram."
"Me too," Greta whispered and before he could stop himself, Yuri was crying and his daughter was the one comforting him. Yuri hugged his daughter hard as he felt her tears fall on his shoulder. "He's not coming back is he?" Greta hiccupped, her hands fisting her father's jacket.
"I don't know Greta, I just don't know." And that was the problem. If Yuri knew Wolfram was dead then he could move on, he was sure of it. If he knew what had happened then at least he could morn his best friend. But he didn't know. He didn't know anything at all and it was killing him. He had dreams of Wolfram chained in some dark dungeon calling for Yuri to save him. Yuri would wake from those dreams his face wet with tears. How could I leave him there? Yuri asked himself for the countless time.
"Yuri, are you going to marry someone else?" Greta asked her voice thick with tears. Yuri blinked in shock and pulled back to stare at Greta in surprise.
"Marry? Who said anything about getting married?" Yuri asked.
"Some of the maids were saying that now Wolfram is gone you would need to find someone new to marry." Great answered wiping away her tears. Yuri sat back completely stumped. He had never even considered what would happen to his marital status. He and Wolfram had been engaged for so long it had just become a part of their relationship. Yuri had never entertained the notion of marrying Wolfram but he had never thought to marry anyone else either.
"I…" Yuri stopped talking. He had no idea what to say.
"I wish you and Wolfram had gotten married," Greta admitted in a small voice, "Then we could have been a real family."
"Oh Greta, Wolfram and I didn't need to be married to be a family." Yuri said gently. "Wolfram and I didn't love each other that way but we were still your family."
"But Wolfram loved you, he said so." Greta argued her face screwed up in thought.
"Um…that…" Yuri rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"In normal families the parents are married." Greta continued making Yuri flinch.
"Greta, normal families have a mummy and a daddy, not two daddies." Yuri laughed nervously but Greta shook her head.
"I didn't mind having two fathers," Greta mumbled but Yuri heard her anyway. Yuri looked away unable to answer her. Greta hugged Yuri tightly before getting off his lap and scrubbing her face with her sleeve. "I better go I have homework to do." Greta turned and walked out of Yuri's study without looking back. Yuri sat back with a heavy sigh as the door clicked shut.
Should I have married Wolf? Yuri wondered to himself. They had been engaged for four years. Yuri shook his head, how can you marry someone you don't love? That wouldn't have been fair on either of us. Wolfram deserved someone who would love him the way he deserved to be loved. Yuri knew he couldn't be that man. Yuri closed his eyes and saw Wolfram standing before him wearing that ridiculous pink nightgown of his and he smiled. Wolfram was special and he deserved someone special to love him. But thanks to you Wolfram will never know true love, will he? A voice echoed in Yuri's head. Because of you Wolfram is dead. He has no future while you sit here feeling sorry for yourself, stupid wimp. A lone tear slipped down Yuri's cheek.
:-:
"So is there no hope at all?"
"I didn't say that," Murata sighed and ran a hand through his black hair. "I just think that if Lord Bielefeld was able to he would have sent us a message by now." Yuri stared down at his shoes turning Murata's comments over in his mind. He was sitting next to Murata in the courtyard of Shinou's temple. The sun was shining brightly and the stone walls glowed as if alive. A light breeze lifted Yuri's hair and rippled the surface of the pond.
"What if he was captured and is being held prisoner?" Yuri protested but his voice was weak.
"Why would the bandits keep him prisoner? There hasn't been any ransom demand. Shibuya, Bielefeld has been gone 21 days." Murata put a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Murata is correct Yuri; if Wolfram could have he would have contacted us by now." Yuri glanced up to see Shinou standing before him.
"I'm going around in circles aren't I?" Yuri sighed and dropped his head into his hands.
"I understand that you don't want to give up on Wolfram," Shinou's voice was gentle but firm, "But you can't spend the rest of your life searching for someone who is already gone."
"But I don't know if that's true!" Yuri exclaimed his voice muffled by his hands. "If I had a body at least I could let this go but I don't! I don't know anything. He could be in danger or in pain and I can't help him!" Yuri sucked in a shuddering breath his shoulders shaking from the emotions running through him. "I just want to know what happened to him." Yuri said his voice softer now.
"We all do Shibuya, you think you are the only one morning his loss?" Murata stood up and walked over to the pond and stared down at his reflection. "His brothers, his mother, Greta, they all feel his loss but they seem to manage to keep going with their lives. Why are you so different?" Murata turned and the sunlight reflected off his glasses turning the lenses into pools of molten gold.
"I…" Yuri stopped and paused. Why did it matter so much to him? Why did he care so much about finding out Wolfram's fate? The answer was obvious. Yuri met Murata's gaze, "Because it's my fault." Murata said nothing.
"Your fault?" Shinou repeated and Yuri nodded.
"If I hadn't gone to Big Shimaron then Wolfram wouldn't have gone either. Wolfram only went to Big Shimaron because I wanted to go with Conrad and Josak. It was my selfishness that caused all of this." Yuri looked down again. There was a long period of silence that steadily became more uncomfortable until Yuri was squirming in place.
"Yuri, Bielefeld was a soldier. He was his duty to protect you whether he liked it or not. He didn't defend you out of some selfless act of love. He did so because that was his duty." Murata watched Yuri flinch without moving. Shinou glanced at his Great Sage but made no comment.
"What do you mean?" Yuri asked confused.
"You should stop thinking like a teenage boy and start thinking like a Maoh. Your soldiers will die for you because that is their job. If you start moping about like this every time you lose one man then you are not going to be of much use to those still living, are you?" Yuri gaped in shock at his friend. The sun was still hiding Murata's eyes from view and his face was expressionless.
"Wolfram is not just 'one man'!" Yuri argued.
"So what makes him so special?" Murata challenged. "Was it because you knew him better than the other soldiers or because he was of noble blood?"
"No it's because he's Wolfram!" Yuri jumped to his feet and glared at his friend. The sunlight was still hiding Murata's eyes from view so Yuri couldn't tell what Murata was thinking. As suddenly as the anger rose up it faded away leaving Yuri feeling tried and drained. "I know everyone expects me to accept that Wolfram is dead and move on but I can't." Yuri said softly his eyes pleading with Murata to understand his feelings.
"Why is that?" Murata's voice was cold. Yuri sat down heavily and rested his arms on his knees.
"Wolfram was always there," Yuri said slowly, "he has been a constant presence in my life since I arrived here. I just can't accept that he's gone without some sort of proof. How can someone with that much life, that much vitality, just die like that?" There was a long silence following Yuri's small speech. Yuri remembered the way Wolfram's eyes always burned so brightly reflecting the fire that lay inside him. Wolfram did everything in extremes with a passion that took Yuri's breath away. The only time he'd seen Wolfram cry had been when he thought that Yuri would never be able to return to Shinmakoku two years ago. Those tears had been for him and only him. How come he had never seen the meaning behind those tears before?
"It's a shame," Murata commented suddenly making Yuri start.
"What is?" Yuri asked confused.
"It's a shame that you lost your chance." Murata lowered his head and his eyes could be seen. They were full of sympathy and Murata gave Yuri a gentle smile. Clearly he had been baiting Yuri in order to force him to face what he felt inside and, possibly more importantly, voice them. He stepped up to Yuri and put a hand on his shoulder.
"My chance for what?" Yuri asked but Murata just shook his head and squeezed his shoulder before walking away leaving Yuri to his thoughts.
-:-
(Big Shimaron)
Well Casper you've certainly done it now haven't you? Casper Falken thought to himself as he was half-dragged down underground corridors by two huge hairy men. The one on his left had short black hair and black stubble over his face and neck. The other was just as ugly with a patch of ginger hair and watery blue eyes. Father told you not to go to Big Shimaron didn't he? He told you it was a dangerous place for Mazoku right now but did you listen, oh no. You were going to prove yourself to your father weren't you? Casper glanced around once more at the stone walls and flicking lamp light. The sparse lighting did nothing to make the place any less frightening or intimidating. Well Casper, you've certainly proven something alright. You've proven beyond all doubt that you a pig-head fool. Congratulations, Casper sighed as he tried to memorize the twists and turns of the passageways. Casper pushed a lock of his short, thick brown hair out of his bright violet eyes only for it to fall back into place again. He was certain that in all his 70 years he had never been in as much trouble as he was in now.
Casper stumbled on the uneven dirt path and was shoved roughly by one of his captives. Casper shot the man a glare before walking onwards. Casper had no idea where these men were taking him but he had concluded that fighting would just be pointless. Casper had been trying to sell some of his father's horses in a human town not far away when a group of bandits attacked the town. Chaos had broken out as people scattered left and right and before he knew it, the four horses he had come to sell had broken their ropes and run off. At that moment Casper had naively thought that things couldn't get any worse. He had tried to sneak off quietly, hoping not to be spotted in the mad rush of bodies, but unfortunately one of the bandits spotted him. Casper hadn't even made it out of the town before he was captured. He had tried to put up a fight but his skills with a sword were somewhat lacking. After all, he was a horse breeder not a soldier.
After being captured the bandits had covered his head with a black sack so he couldn't see where they were going. Casper hated to admit that it was a smart move. He had no idea where he was in relation to the town. Even if he escaped, a big if, he would need time to get his bearings by which point he would likely be captured again. Casper knew he was a good 20 minute ride outside of the town where he was captured. From what he could hear through the sack the hideout was located inside a forest. The bandits had removed the sack after they were inside their hideout so Casper had no idea where in the forest the hideout was located. He knew he was deep underground as he could feel the oppressive weight of all that earth and stone bearing down upon him. Casper could tell that only part of this cave system was hand made. In fact most of it looked like it had been cut by an underground stream that had since dried up or been diverted. Flame torches were bolted into the wall in metal brackets at short intervals but their flickering light only made the shadows seem darker.
"In here," the man with the stubble grunted shoving Casper towards a large wooden door with large nails set into the wood.
"What have you got in there? Dragons?" Casper joked eyeing the thick door with not only a lock but a bolt as well. The same man just grunted as he pulled a large iron key from his pocket and unlocked the door. The lock turned over with a rather ominous click and the bolt slid back with a snick. It seemed the locks were kept in good order.
"In," the man pointed inside the gloomy looking room and Casper gave him one of his best smiles.
"That's ok I'll just stay out here if it's all the same to you." The man growled and grabbed Casper's jacket before practically throwing him into the room. Casper only just managed to stay on his feet, which was impressive in itself considering his hands were bound in front of him.
"You stay," the man pointed a threatening finger at Casper. The other man had yet to say anything at all.
"I get the impression that you are a man of few words." Casper commented lightly and the man sneered, his lips twisting up to show yellow rotted teeth.
"Just you wait till the Boss gets a hold of you. You'll be singing a different tune then." Before Casper could comment the door was slammed shut. Casper stood still and listened as the lock turned over and the bolt was shoved back in place. Soon the heavy footsteps of the two men faded into silence.
"What a charming couple," Casper said to himself as he took in his new surroundings. He was standing in a room that was roughly rectangular in shape with stone walls, floor and ceiling. Obviously hand cut. Two flame torches were set opposite each other, one each side of the room, but the torches were bolted into their brackets so they could not be removed. There were some evil looking manacles hanging from the ceiling and they were covered in what looked horribly like fresh blood. Casper felt his stomach turn and he pushed the sick feeling away. He didn't intend to stick around long enough to find out what those manacles were used for.
Casper turned back to the door when he heard a soft groan. Casper jumped and brought his hands up to defend himself although what he hoped to accomplish with his hands bound he didn't know. For the first time Casper noticed a pile of rags on the floor opposite the door. Casper took a step forward and almost had a heart attack with the rags moved slightly. Heart hammering and his palms sweating Casper edged towards the rags. Please, don't let it be rats. Casper hated rats. It was their creepy little beady eyes that did it. Casper stuck his foot out and quickly kicked one of the rags to the side. His jaw dropped as he stared at the human figure huddled beneath the rags.
"Holy hell," Casper muttered as he knelt down beside the horribly still person. Casper removed some more of the rags to get a better look at his unfortunate roommate. It was a boy; that much Casper was certain of. Casper gently rolled the boy onto his back but he began whimpering and crying at the movement so Casper hurriedly rolled him back onto his side. The boy muttered something but settled down again. Casper leaned over the boy and pulled back the rag that was his shirt and froze in horror. The boy had been brutally whipped. Some of the wounds looked a few days old but others were open and bleeding fresh.
"No wonder you don't want to lie on your back." Casper muttered before checking the boy over for any other injuries. There were too many to count. The boy had been beaten, whipped and stabbed to within an inch of his life. It was clear he hadn't bathed in days, maybe weeks. The boy stank of sweat, fear and his own waste. Casper wrinkled his nose in disgust and pity for this poor wretched creature. What kind of person could inflict such pain on another? This did complicate matters rather a lot. Casper couldn't just leave the poor kid here to die but escaping with him might prove to be impossible. The boy was clearly racked by fever and malnutrition. There was no way the boy would be able to stand on his own let alone escape.
The boy muttered something and Casper gently eased a lock of greasy hair from the boy's face. Under the dirt and blood, Casper could tell that this boy was beautiful. He guessed his hair would be a pale golden colour but the dirt made it hard to tell. Casper was wondering what colour the boy's eyes were when he heard footsteps approaching the room. Casper covered the boy up again and made a silent vow that he would not leave this place unless he could take the boy with him. He would not leave this person was alone to die in this horrible place.
-:-
(Shinmakoku)
Yuri didn't know what to think anymore. He groaned and put his head in his hands and squeezed. He dimly wondered if it was possible for someone's head to explode from thinking too much. The thoughts would just pile up and up and the next thing you knew, bang.
Yuri had gone back to his room shortly after his talk with Murata earlier that day. He doubted Murata would say something like that unless he had a good reason. But Yuri just couldn't figure it out at all. What was he supposed to do? He had pleaded to his allies (some might successfully argue that Sara wasn't really an ally at all) for help and they had come back empty handed. Even if Sara was plotting something again Yuri didn't think he would allow Wolfram to be held captive if there was something he could do about it. Sara wasn't a bad person really he was just a lonely kid with trust issues.
Yuri sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. He just didn't know what to do or think anymore. Cecile hadn't found anything either and Yuri was sure she above all others would be searching under every rock for her missing son. Maybe I should just accept it, Yuri thought mournfully. Maybe I should let him go. That thought hurt more than Yuri thought it would. Then again, Wolfram had been his trusted ally and friend almost since the day he arrived here four years ago. It wasn't hard to believe that they had developed a bond after all they had been through together.
"Sir you can't go in there!" Yuri jumped at the sound of his guard's voice just outside his door.
"Get out of my way! I demand to see him at once!" Another voice shouted. Yuri gulped. He knew that voice. Yuri stood up and walked over to his door. His hand shook slightly but he forced himself to turn the handle and face his fear. Outside the door two of Yuri's guards stood blocking someone from entering his room.
"It's alright, I will speak with him." Yuri said and the guards turned in surprise before bowing and stepping aside. "Good afternoon, Waltorana Von Bielefeld." Yuri gave the noble a smile but the thunderous rage in Waltorana's eyes made the smile slip away.
"Good afternoon?" Waltorana seethed. "My nephew is missing and all you have to say is 'good afternoon'?!" Waltorana's face was red and his voice rose in volume as he spoke. Yuri flinched. Waltorana had never liked him and he seriously doubted the green eyed man would soften up to him now.
"Perhaps we should talk in my office?" Yuri suggested timidly. Waltorana's nostrils flared but he nodded anyway. The walk to his office went painfully slowly for Yuri. Waltorana was glaring holes into his back the whole way there. His rage poured off him in waves threatening to drag Yuri into their turbulent depths and drown him. By the time they reached Yuri's office, Yuri was a nervous wreck.
"Where is my Wolfram?" Waltorana seethed the second Yuri shut the door behind them. Yuri jumped slightly at the anger in Waltorana's voice. His green eyes; similar but also different to Wolfram's; burned with anger. But there was another emotion hidden within those pools of fire, an emotion that struck Yuri harder than any blow. It was sorrow, a deep soul numbing sorrow that made Yuri feel more pathetic and worthless than he had ever felt before in his short life.
"As you already know, Conrad, Josak, Wolfram and I went to Big Shimaron 21 days ago. Our objective was to find out how the rebellion against King Lanzil the Second was progressing. I believe Conrad has written a report of our time there and what we found out."
"Enough! I know of this already, tell me what happened to my nephew." Waltorana cut in. Yuri paused then took a deep breath.
"We were on our way back to the boat to leave Big Shimaron when a party of about twenty men attacked us. We ran and they chased us through the forest. They were armed with cross bows, swords and many had Houseki stones in their possession. We were out-numbered and the horses were tired from the long trip. I believed it was only a matter of time before we were caught." Yuri licked his lips remembering the mad dash through the forest and trying desperately to stay in his saddle.
"So you told Wolfram to stay and fight?" Waltorana asked his voice deadly and calm. Yuri jerked in shock and stared at Waltorana in surprise and horror.
"No! I did no such thing!" Yuri protested.
"Oh yes how foolish of me." Waltorana sneered, "You ordered Wolfram to stay and fight!"
"No Waltorana I can assure you I gave no such order!" Yuri shook his head. "I didn't know what Wolfram was planning and by the time I realised it was too late. I tried to go back for him but Conrad refused to let me."
"Oh so it is Lord Weller's fault is it?"
"I didn't say that!" Yuri exclaimed exasperated. "Conrad was trying to protect me. He was afraid that if I went back the bandits would capture or kill me."
"So you, the mighty Maoh, sacrificed my Wolfram so you could escape?" Waltorana's voice was quiet but Yuri flinched as if he had yelled at him. The way Waltorana said it made it sound true.
"I would never sacrifice anyone to protect myself." Yuri argued but Waltorana shook his head. The fight seemed to drain out of him as his shoulders slumped but his eyes were still bright with anger and sorrow.
"Wolfram loved you and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you. He waited four long years for you to marry him when he could have easily found another. He protected you, fought for you and you never gave him a second glance did you?" Waltorana gazed at Yuri his voice accusing. Yuri flinched but he couldn't deny what Waltorana said. "Did you even care about Wolfram's feelings?"
"Of course I did! Wolfram was a dear friend to me!" Yuri shouted in a sudden burst of anger. "I know I didn't love him the way he wanted me to, but…" Yuri broke off and bit his lip. "I couldn't marry someone I didn't love."
"I never realised you hated my nephew so much you would kill him just so you didn't have to marry him." Waltorana turned and marched to the door. Yuri reeled backwards as if Waltorana had dealt him a physical blow. He was so shocked he couldn't even voice a protest before Waltorana swept out of the room.
Is that what people think of me? Yuri felt his knees give out and he fell to the floor in a heap. Do people really think I left Wolfram there to get out of marrying him? The thought was so terrible and so painful it made it hard to breathe. Yuri stared at the floor without seeing it for what felt like hours but must have only been minutes before the door flew open.
"Your Majesty!" A concerned voice broke into Yuri's mind and he looked up to see Conrad crouched in front of him. "Your Majesty, are you alright? Did Waltorana hurt you?"
"Conrad, do people really think I abandoned Wolfram just so I didn't have to marry him?" Tears gathered in Yuri's eyes. "Do people really think I would do such a terrible thing?"
"No Your Majesty, people do not think that at all." Conrad placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder. "Waltorana is just upset and he's saying things he doesn't really mean. He was very fond of Wolfram."
"I can see why people would think that," Yuri spoke as if Conrad hadn't spoken, "I mean we were engaged for four years and I made it pretty clear I didn't want to marry him." Yuri sucked in a breath so sharp it hurt. "Oh God, he didn't…" Yuri gulped, "Wolfram wasn't trying to commit suicide was he?"
"Yuri, there is no way someone like Wolfram would try to kill themselves." Conrad soothed ignoring the voice in his head that had been wondering the exact same thing. "He did what he did to protect you. He knew that the peace we enjoy would only continue with you as our King." Yuri gave a watery laugh.
"I'm no King. I'm just a pathetic and worthless wimp who, when push came to shove, couldn't save the life of one of his dearest friends." Yuri sighed. Conrad frowned at Yuri's words. This was not the Yuri he knew and had come to respect.
"Snap out of it Yuri!" Conrad shook Yuri hard making the black haired boy jump. "What would Wolfram say if he could see you now? He didn't die so you could just curl up on the floor and give up caring!" Yuri stared at Conrad in shock. It was the first time he had heard Conrad say that Wolfram was dead.
Conrad glared in frustration at the boy before him. Yuri looked broken and weak and that was not the boy Wolfram sacrificed himself for. "Yuri, you should honour Wolfram and his memory by being the best King this world has ever known. You must continue to be strong and bring the humans and Mazoku together under one banner. That is what Wolfram would have wanted! That is what he died for." Conrad squeezed Yuri's shoulders. "You dishonour his memory by moping about feeling sorry for yourself."
"But Conrad…" Yuri's voice was barely more than a whisper. Conrad pulled the boy he had come to love as a son into his arms. Yuri sniffed and returned the hug although his body shook like that of a scared child.
"If you want to honour Wolfram's memory, honour all that he was and what he stood for, then you must release this guilt and sadness and step forward. I am not asking you to forget about him. I could never ask that of you." Conrad pulled back and gave Yuri a gentle but sad smile. "I know you will always miss him and I feel the same way. But ask yourself this: what would Wolfram want?"
That question haunted Yuri the rest of the day and well into the night. Conrad's speech had really knocked some sense into Yuri's head. All the thoughts that had been muddled and twisted were suddenly clearer. As Yuri lay in bed that night turning over everything Conrad had said, he realised the older man was right. Wolfram would be furious if he saw him like this. Yuri felt a smile curl his lips as he imagined Wolfram bursting in through the door demanding to know why everyone was being so pathetic. The smile faded though as Yuri realised something else. All those times Wolfram called him a wimp or mocked his decisions or his lack of sword skills, was just his way of trying to make him a better King. Wolfram's goal had always been to make Yuri stronger and more confident. He pushed Yuri to make Yuri push back. Wolfram's teasing made Yuri want to improve so he could show Wolfram that he could do it regardless of what Wolfram said. Everything Wolfram did was for him. It may not have started out that way that but that was the truth of it. Wolfram was just too proud to have shown his affection any other way.
Yuri rolled onto his side and stared at the empty space in his bed that Wolfram used to occupy. Yuri had never realised before how much Wolfram did for him, how far Wolfram would go for him. The realisation hit him like a ton of bricks. Now he felt horrible for not showing Wolfram how much he cared about him. What if Wolfram had died thinking that he thought of him as a burden? No, he's not dead! I still have a chance I…Yuri cut himself off. It was as Murata had said to him earlier that day. He has lost his chance and he will never get it back.
"I really am an idiot and a wimp." Yuri said softly to himself with a sad smile. "I'm sorry Wolfram. I will be a better and stronger King, just for you, even though you won't be here to see it. I promise I will make you proud."
-:-
(Big Shimaron – Two Days Later)
"So your name is Casper Falken, only child of Raoul Falken the famous Mazoku horse breeder?" Casper scowled at the man in front of him in distaste. The leader of this petty gang of bandits, who called himself Rick, was a large man with thick bulging muscles under a tatty brown coat, with brown hair streaked with grey and sharp hazel eyes. Those eyes were focussed on him as Rick finished writing something down on the piece of paper before him. Casper knew he was writing to make him nervous so he refused to try and sneak a peek at what was written there. This was Casper's fourth visit to the leader's room to be asked question after question about who he was and why he was in the town.
"That is what I said." He had realised that stalling for time was his only option at this point. The boy in the cell was steadily getting worse and Casper feared if he didn't rescue the boy soon he would die.
Most of the boy's cuts had become infected due to sleeping on dirty rags and an appalling lack of clean water. Casper had tried to negotiate with his captures for some clean linen and water in return for information about himself. He was so far proving unsuccessful in this venture. The boy hadn't eaten anything since Casper arrived two days ago but Casper had been successful in making the boy drink some water. Casper didn't blame the boy for not wanting to eat as the meat he was given was chewy, tough and grisly. Casper was sure the dogs on his father's stud ate better than this. They were only given two cups each of water a day and Casper had used his morning ration to clean the worst of the boy's cuts. It was a small thing but Casper hoped that it was having some positive effect.
"Indeed. You said you were selling horses in the town." Casper nodded. "Now why would a handsome young mazoku like you come into human territory to sell horses?" Rick leaned back in his chair which squeaked in protest at the movement. Casper glanced at the leader examining him before answering. As the leader Rick enjoyed the best of everything and anything his men had. He got first pick of the food, clothes and, Casper suspected, the women too. Although Rick was lean Casper could tell he was well fed. Rick had a mouth full of teeth for starters. His hair was brushed, clean and tied back with a ribbon. He didn't stink the place out which indicated he bathed far more frequently than his men, who smelt like they hadn't seen soap in years. Rick's furnishings also spoke of his privileged place among his men. There was a carpet on the floor. A faded and rather dirty carpet but a carpet all the same. Before him was a huge wooden table made out of a dark coloured wood. An inkwell filled with black ink sat on the desk and a feather quill rested beside a stack of paper. Casper had the feeling that Rick was the only one who could read and write.
"Answer him!" The same brute who had thrown him in the cell days earlier smacked Casper over the head. Casper hissed in pain and glared at the man as his head throbbed.
"I didn't realise there was a law forbidding mazoku to sell horses in human lands." Casper said coolly.
"Oh there isn't," Rick smirked. Casper didn't know why but he felt suddenly nervous. "It just seems strange that one of your kind would come here of all places, considering the fact that you're not welcome."
"It is my business to sell horses. The quality and breeding of my animals speaks for itself. My parentage does not come into it." Casper replied before the oaf could hit him again.
"Come now, not even a boy of your tender years could be that naive surely." Rick chuckled. Casper bristled at being called a boy by a human man who was likely younger than him. To a human he would appear around 18 to 19 years old.
"I came here to sell horses." Casper repeated. "I had no other purpose."
"I don't believe you." Rick stood up so suddenly that Casper took an involuntary step backwards.
"And I really don't give a flying fuck what you believe." Casper spoke before he had time to think through his choice of words. Insulting the leader of a group of ruthless bandits who made a pastime out of beating people unconscious was likely a very foolish idea. His mother once warned him that his sharp tongue would get him into trouble. As usual, she was right. At least she was no longer alive to see her only child in this predicament.
"People usually address me with more respect." Rick said softly. His voice carried the promise of pain and the threat of violence. Casper gulped. "You would do well to remember your place, maggot." Casper said nothing. "I take it you have met the other sharing your accommodations?"
"Do you mean the defenceless boy that you've cruelly beaten half to death, you sadistic prick?" Casper bit his tongue. Damn it all why couldn't he just pander to the man's ego instead of riling him up? Rick stepped around his desk and advanced on Casper. Casper froze as Rick's cold hard eyes held his own. Suddenly he was horribly aware of how vulnerable and defenceless he was.
"Good," Rick hissed menacingly. "I wanted to be certain that you understood me when I told you that if you don't start telling me what I want to hear, I'll do things to you that will make what was done to him look like child's play." Casper swallowed. He had to give himself credit for remaining upright. His knees were threatening to give way at any moment. "Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes," Casper nodded. He wondered if his fear showed on his face. If Rick's smugness was any indication then Casper must have looked like a terrified mouse before a hungry cat. Rick turned and walked sedately back to his desk and sat down. He leaned back in his chair and eyed Casper as if he'd come in for a job interview.
"Do you know the name of the other boy in your cell?" Rick asked. Casper shook his head. "Answer me!" Rick barked making Casper jump.
"I don't know him. I've never seen him before." Casper stammered out.
"Really," Rick hummed looking suspicious. "I guess it is just coincidence that you, a mazoku, just happened to be in the town while I have a valuable mazoku prisoner in my cells?"
"My father very rarely allowed me outside of the stud," Casper hurried to explain. He had a horrible feeling that he knew where his line of questioning was leading. "The only mazoku I really interacted with were the farm hands. My father wouldn't even permit me to travel with him to sales or markets. I know hardly any mazoku my age."
"Daddy doesn't trust you eh?" Rick sneered. Casper said nothing. The jibe hit a nerve but Casper didn't want to give him the satisfaction. "Let me tell you want I think." Rick sat forward. "I think you are a spy. I think you were sent here to kill me."
"No I –"
"Did you really expect me to believe some nonsense story about selling horses?" Rick fumed his eyes flashing. "Don't make me laugh, boy! What possible reason could demon blooded vermin have to come here unless it is to spy on us? It is just the sort of cowardly act I would expect from your treasonous race."
"But –"
"First they send those human fools to try and sniff me out." Rick growled. "But I fooled them all. They found nothing. Nothing!" Rick grinned in triumph. "And now that pathetic demon King has the nerve, the cheek, to send a weedy little boy after me!" Rick roared, spraying spit across his desk. Rick's sudden mood swings made Casper's head spin. "Well, boy, you will find it much harder to kill me than you planned."
"But I don't want to kill –"
"The longest a person can survive without water is three days. No water for two days should loosen your tongue. If not I will flay the skin from your back myself. You will admit to being a spy and then I will personally chop off your head!" Rick slammed his fist on the desk with a bang. Casper leapt backwards in fright knocking into the bandit behind him. The bandit grabbed him roughly by the scuff of his neck. Casper wondered if he should point out that threatening to behead someone wasn't much of an incentive but thought better of it. "Take him back to his cell." Rick snapped at the bandit.
The ugly oaf with the black stubble almost lifted Casper off his feet as he heaved him towards the door. Casper chocked as his jacket caught under his chin forcing his head up. The bandit grinned at Casper's discomfort before opening the door and half throwing him out. Casper allowed himself to be manhandled back to his cell. His head was spinning with Rick's threats and he knew the man would carry them out in short order. It was just his luck to be mistaken for a spy.
The only benefit of his meetings with Rick was that he was starting to get an idea of the layout of the bandits hide-out now. He was pretty sure he knew were the nearest exit was and the best time to sneak away would be after a raid when the men would be too busy enjoying their spoils to notice anyone sneaking past. Casper had listened to as much gossip as he could while being dragged here and there. It seemed there was a raid tomorrow and Casper knew he didn't have long. Rick was giving him two days to admit to being a spy, which he wasn't, and he would either be whipped or beheaded depending on his answer. Casper wasn't sure which outcome would be worse. At least death by beheading was generally pretty quick.
The bandit reached Casper's cell and unlocked the door. Casper shot inside before the bandit could toss him in like a bag of trash. He received an ugly sneer in return. Then the door was slammed shut. Knowing what would happen to him in two days' time made the cell feel even more oppressive and suffocating than before. Casper shivered and forced unpleasant thoughts from his head. He still had two cups of water left from today's ration and if he rationed it he could keep hydrated. It would mean no more water for the other boy though.
Casper walked over to where the boy was lying and knelt down. He gently pulled the filthy shirt off the boy's back to check on his wounds. The whip lashes were the worst infected injuries. The more recent cuts were swollen and an angry red colour. Casper held his hand over the cuts and he could feel the heat coming from them. Casper sighed and let the shirt fall back into place before sitting back on his heels. He'd seen plenty of wounds, on farm hands and horses, and he knew when infections were getting to the point of no return. The boy didn't have much longer to live.
Realistically Casper was better off escaping on his own and bringing back help for the boy. He had no idea who had the military might to take on the bandits however. They were very well organised and led. Maybe he should just run for it and leave the boy to his fate?
The second that thought crossed his mind Casper was shocked at himself. What would his mother say if she saw him considering to leave a defenceless boy in the hands of one so without compassion as Rick? Casper looked down at the boy and was filled with a sudden resolve. They were getting out of here, together. He would solve the mystery that was the boy's past at a later date. For now he had to do something about the worst infected wounds.
Stealing himself, Casper withdrew a thin blade that had been concealed in his boot. The bandits had missed it due to the blade's small size. Casper wrapped some rags around the end of the knife. He rose and stood before one of the flame torches. He held the blade inside the hottest part of the flame for as long as he could bear. The rags protected his hand from the heat.
Once the blade had cooled enough to touch, Casper unrolled the rags and advanced on the boy. He rolled him onto his stomach and removed his shirt. Casper took a deep breath. He had to cut open the worst infected wounds and release the build-up of pus and fluid under the skin. The pain from the pressure must be torturous. "This will hurt," Casper spoke aloud. "But I have to get the pus out otherwise you will never heal. The wound must breathe." Casper's hand shook but he steadied it with a stern thought. With a deep breath, Casper started to cut.
:-:
(Next Day)
Casper had a feeling the raid had gone very well. True to his word there was no water for them today and no one had come to their cell. Casper pressed his ear to the door and worried his bottom lip. He could hear the sound of drunken singing through the thick door. He guessed it would be late evening about now and he wasn't sure if he should make his escape now or wait till later. Right now the men sounded drunk and happy but that could all change if just one of them recognised him. If Casper waited they might fall asleep but it may well be getting light by that time and Casper needed the dark of night to cover their escape.
He was thirsty and had a headache coming on. He had to make his escape while he was physically able. The boy's breathing was becoming worryingly heavy and Casper knew that if an infection made its way into his lungs the boy was done for. The debriding of the wounds yesterday had been disgusting and horrible but already the wounds looked less red and swollen. But the boy needed powerful drugs to stop the infection.
The escape was already all planned out in Casper's mind. They would steal two horses and make their way to the port. The port couldn't be far away, it was only a day's easy ride from the town Casper had been captured in. They would ride hard and fast until abandoning the horses just outside the port town. From there it was easy enough to sneak onto a ship heading for the Mazoku kingdoms. Casper doubted the ship that had brought him and his father's horses would still be waiting at the dock for him. He and Captain Horace had never gotten on in fact Horace was most likely delighted to hear of Casper's misfortune. Once they were safe in the Mazoku Kingdom Casper would charter a carriage to take them to his father's farm. Since he had no idea who the boy was it would be easier to take him home with him. There were doctors on the farm who could tend to the boy's wounds until he was strong enough to make his way home.
The whole trip should take seven days at most. The night to travel to the coast, get on a ship that same day and four days to cross the sea and another three to get to his father's farm if the horses were fast. Casper glanced over his shoulder at the boy. He was tossing and turning in his sleep and whispering feverish mutterings. Casper walked back over to him and pressed a hand to his forehead. The boy's forehead was hot to the touch. If I wait any longer then the boy will die for certain. Casper straightened up his mind made up and strode back to the door. After listening for a moment Casper pulled the lock picking wires out of their hiding place in the lining of his clothes and got to work.
-:-
(Shinmakoku)
"Do you have any idea what they want?" Yuri asked.
"I think they want to discuss Wolfram's disappearance with you." Conrad sighed. Yuri took a deep breath and nodded. It was only two days ago that he had made himself a promise that he would be a better King. He was doing his best to keep his promise but whenever someone mentioned Wolfram's name he felt that dark despair reaching up to grab him again.
The ten nobles had called for a meeting with Yuri but they had not told him what they wanted to discuss. Yuri knew Gunter and Gwendal were in on it but they had been avoiding him for some time now. This greatly concerned Yuri. He hadn't noticed their actions while drowning in his own sorrows but now he wondered what they were up to. Gunter usually couldn't leave him alone for five seconds let alone days.
Conrad stopped and Yuri realised that they were standing outside the door leading into the chamber where Yuri received important guests such as the nobles. Yuri took another deep breath to steady his nerves. He glanced at Conrad who gave him a watery smile. Yuri admired Conrad ability to stay strong in the face of his little brother's disappearance (Yuri refused to think of it as anything else). Yuri walked forward and pushed open the doors. Seated around the table were the ten, or nine in this case, nobles. There were people who Yuri knew well; Gunter, Gwendal, Waltorana, Stoffel, and Julia's younger brother Lord Von Wincott. There were also the others Yuri didn't know as well; Lady Von Rochefort who remained the only woman present; Lord Von Gyllenhaal with his long pale blond hair; Lord Von Radford who peered at Yuri over the top of his glasses; and lastly Lord Densham Von Karbelnikoff who was of course Anissina's older brother.
"Welcome Your Majesty." Stoffel greeted but his usual smile was gone. Yuri nodded his greetings to everyone and everyone except Waltorana nodded back. Yuri took his place at head of the table and gazed around the watching faces. No one was wearing a smile. In fact everyone looked as if someone had died. Suddenly Yuri was feeling very nervous.
"I am afraid our meeting will not be a pleasant one Your Majesty." Lord Von Wincott said sadly.
"But it must be done." Gwendal rumbled on Yuri's left. Yuri glanced at Gwendal but the man's face gave nothing away.
"What is going on?" Yuri asked sounding a lot calmer than he felt. His heart was beating so hard and fast Yuri feared it would jump right out of his chest. His palms were sweating and it was suddenly hard to breathe.
"Wolfram Von Bielefeld has now been missing for 24 days with no word from him." Stoffel said his voice still sombre. "We are in agreement that Wolfram is to be considered killed in action." Yuri couldn't stop the gasp from forcing its way out of his throat.
"As a result your engagement to Wolfram is hereby void." Lord Von Gyllenhaal said softly but Yuri flinched as if struck. There was a heavy silence while Yuri processed everything that had been thrown at him.
"So there is no hope after all." Yuri spoke softly. He blinked tiredly surprised he had said that thought aloud.
"Oh, Your Majesty!" Gunter wailed, "How tragic to lose one's fiancé so young!" Yuri glanced at Gunter then looked at Gwendal. Gwendal had his eyes shut and his face betrayed none of his feelings on the matter.
"Are you ok with this Gwendal?" Yuri asked and Gwendal opened his eyes and glanced at Yuri. Yuri saw a great pain hidden deep in Gwendal's dark blue eyes and he felt a surge of pity for the man he feared more often than not.
"If Wolfram was alive he would have contacted us by now." Gwendal said gruffly. "There is no point you being engaged to a phantom."
"I thought you would be pleased," Waltorana spoke his voice bitter. "Now you can choose who you wish to marry rather than having it forced upon you."
"Waltorana, how dare you speak to His Majesty in that tone?!" Gunter scowled but Yuri shook his head.
"It is alright Gunter." Yuri said quietly.
"But Your –" Gunter was cut off by a tired glare from Yuri. Gunter closed his mouth and looked away.
"We understand that this may be hard for you," Lord Von Wincott spoke breaking the tense silence, "Please take as much time as you require finding another bride."
"Another bride?" Yuri echoed with a frown. Suddenly everyone looked uncomfortable glancing at each other as if looking for someone to speak. "You want me to find someone else to marry? So soon?"
"Your Majesty, please do not think we are asking you to ride out today and propose to the first girl you meet." Lord Wincott spoke hastily. "But sooner or later you will require an heir. Under Shinmakoku laws a child born outside of wedlock cannot inherit their father's wealth, position or possessions of any kind."
"Don't worry Your Majesty I'm sure we can help you find a suitable woman who would make a fine wife and mother." Stoffel said with a large grin that always spelled trouble. Yuri sighed. It seemed Greta's worries about Yuri having to find someone new to marry were not as unfounded as he first thought. Yuri stood up and all eyes turned to him.
"Very well, if you are all certain that Wolfram will not return –" Yuri's voice caught slightly, "Then I accept that my engagement to him is now void. If that is all you wish to say then I will take my leave." Yuri stood and walked around the table towards the doors. No one stopped him or called him back. Yuri opened the doors and shut them behind him. Conrad was waiting outside. He stepped forward and seeing the almost blank look on Yuri's face, became worried.
"Yuri, are you alright? What did they want?"
"They wanted Wolfram to be officially listed as killed in action. They also said my engagement to him is now void." Yuri said dully. Conrad blinked in shock his heart contracting painfully in his chest. He understood why the nobles would say such a thing but it still hurt. If it had been anyone else then Conrad would have supported the move himself. But it wasn't just anyone. It was Wolfram. "They want me to find someone new to marry." Yuri spoke getting Conrad's attention. "Isn't it a little soon to be thinking that?" Yuri almost whispered as if uncertain.
"Yuri, you are very young. Don't feel pressured by the nobles to find a lover so soon after losing Wolfram." Conrad soothed and Yuri nodded.
"I guess it's time to say goodbye."
-:-
(Big Shimaron)
Casper couldn't believe his luck. He had just started to pick the lock when a very drunk bandit had unlocked and unbolted the door for him. Casper had backed away as the man swayed in the doorway. He wasn't much taller than Casper although he was thinner due to a bad diet. Casper's mouth dropped open when the bandit stepped forward then fell over in dead faint. For a moment Casper had been too shocked to move then a light went on in his brain. Casper had shaken himself out of his thoughts then dragged the bandit into the cell. Closing the door so no one would notice it was open unless they looked closely, Casper stripped the bandit and threw on his clothes. Casper pocketed the key to the cell before heaving the unconscious boy over his shoulder and walking out of the cell. Casper locked and bolted the door behind him and set off down the corridor.
Many years ago an old horse master had once told Casper that if you had the right attitude and clothing then you could go anywhere without being questioned. So far that advice was proving to be true. Casper had passed no less than five bandits but not a single one had even given him a second glance. Casper had a vague idea of the layout so he picked what he hoped was the right direction and started walking. After a few minutes of aimless wandering Casper felt the tunnels start to rise under his feet and the sound of drunken merry making began to recede. Now Casper could feel a fresh breeze on his face and he felt like skipping. We're going to make it! Suddenly a huge shadow fell across Casper and he jumped back quickly. A bandit, easily twice as tall and wide as Casper, stood before him baring his way.
"Where are you going?" The man slurred peering at Casper's face. Casper seriously hoped the man was too drunk to recognise him in the dim light.
"This one had a bit too much," Casper made his voice gruff as he slapped the boy's ass. "I'm taking him outside to cool off." Casper laughed and hoped it didn't sound as nervous as he felt. The boy chose that moment to groan loudly. Casper got such a shock he almost dropped him.
"Ha, not the only one I'm sure." The bandit snorted. "Go on then but don't go far. The Boss doesn't want anyone going out while the townsfolk are out looking for us."
"You got it," Casper saluted and the bandit frowned at him. Gulping Casper hurried outside. He breathed out a sigh of relief as he stepped into the cool night air. Casper glanced up and soon found the moon. It was full and heavy in the sky casting a sliver glow. Casper guessed it was around midnight. Casper took in his surroundings to get his bearings.
They were surrounded by thick forest and on the far left was a low wooden building that looked like a stable block. Casper glanced behind him and blinked in surprise. There was what looked like a featureless stone wall behind him, most likely the base of a cliff. Casper stepped left and he eyes went wide. The entrance was so well hidden you wouldn't know it was there unless you already knew about it. The natural ripples in the stone created an optical illusion making it seem like the wall just continued on into the forest. One of the bandits, most likely Rick, must have known about this place before the rebellion started. The natural clearing had been widened to make room for the stable block where horses were quietly munching hay. Casper hurried towards it and several horses snorted in surprise. Casper set the boy gently on the ground on his side before hunting for some tack.
After selecting two horses that didn't look dead on their feet Casper tacked them up and tied them up outside the stable block. Casper had been riding since he was crawling so he knew his way around horses. He soon figured that the pale grey was the gentler of the two so he picked up the boy and laid him across the saddle on his stomach. The poor kid would have bruises all over his stomach but there was nothing Casper could do about that. They would move faster with two horses and there was no way the boy could sit up on his own in his condition. Casper tied the boy's hands and feet to the stirrups as gently as he could to hold him in place. The boy's wrists were already rubbed raw and bleeding so Casper used strips of cloth to bind his wrists instead of rope.
Casper hurried to the bay who snorted at him and laid his ears back. Casper slowed down and spoke softly to the animal waiting until his ears came forward before heaving himself into the saddle. Casper untied his horse and grabbed the grey's reins. It was then Casper was struck with a sudden thought. Glancing around Casper saw that there was no one in sight. He nudged the bay forward with his legs and unlatched the gate holding the horses in. The gate swung open slowly with a loud creak making the horses prick their ears. Casper smirked and turned the bay's head around and gave him a small kick. The bay set off in a brisk walk the grey following behind. Casper knew there had to be a way out of this clearing somewhere. It was difficult to see anything in the monochrome sliver light of the moon.
As it turned out it was the bay that showed Casper where the trail was. The gelding had been ridden out many times and he knew the way. Casper spotted the narrow trail leading out of the clearing and into the forest just as the bay turned automatically to follow it. Casper patted the horse's neck with a smile.
Casper ducked under low hanging branches and let the bay pick his own way along the narrow track. It was pitch black under the trees and Casper hoped the horses knew the trail well enough not to trip and break a leg. It was barely wide enough for two horses and the grey kept pulling back on her reins wanting to walk behind the bay but her reins were too short.
There was a loud shout behind him and Casper turned to see the other horses come flying towards them. They had figured out that the open gate meant freedom but a bandit had spotted the bolder ones making a break for it and tried to stop them. Casper kicked the bay hard making him squeal. The bay took off into a canter forcing the grey to follow. Both horses stumbled over tree roots but made it out onto a proper track without falling. Casper glanced back; the narrow track leading to the bandit's hideout was almost completely invisible just like the cave entrance. If Casper hadn't just cantered down the track he wouldn't even know it was there.
Turning his attention back to the wider track before them Casper asked for a gallop and the horses obeyed. Without the thick branches overhead the moon's silver light lit up the path like a floodlight. Casper glanced at the boy and was relieved to see that he was still on the saddle and not bouncing around too much. Casper knew that these moments were crucial. Soon the bandits would be after them and they needed to put as much distance as possible between them.
Casper turned the bay's head and breathed in a deep lungful of fresh air. He felt like he had been stuck in that hellhole for years. Now he had the wind on his face and the taste of freedom on his tongue. Savagely repressing the urge to shout aloud, Casper forced himself to concentrate on the track ahead. They weren't safe yet. Casper tightened his grip on the reins and urged the horses on. All they had to do was get to the coast and they would be home free!
:-:
Rick stared at the unconscious man before him in disgust and anger. His two prisoners had escaped! It was only because one of the man's friends mentioned that his friend had gone to see the prisoners that Rick had even bothered to check on them. And now his second in command had informed him that the horses had escaped from their pen. Rick knew that the horse breeder's son and the Maoh's fiancé had somehow escaped. Rick snarled in anger. He was right! That damn skinny brat was a spy! And he'd gotten away with Rick's prize. Rick curled a hand into a fist. He should have seen this coming! He should have put the second kid in a different cell. Rick cursed loudly making the bandit next to him start in surprise.
"Um Boss…?" The bandit asked timidly and Rick turned and strode out of the cell.
"Leave that man here. I will deal with him later! Now find me a horse! We have some hunting to do!"
*End Chapter*
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