One Half of a Whole

Chapter 14: The Return

The message in the last chapter says:

"Communicator in well in all villages"

Austin

It is currently 3am and I can't sleep so I am in the communications room. I hope the princess gets the message. I have been by the communicator almost the whole time since we dropped off her PAC. I just want to know she is okay.

Gosh, I'm such a sap. What have I become? I had dreams of fighting wars out in the battlefield and now I can't sleep thinking the princess could be hurt.

I lean back in my chair and move my shoulder around. It has almost completely healed since the kidnapping. It has been six weeks, last week we dropped off the PAC. Suddenly I realize how hungry I am. I haven't eaten all day so I decide to go to the kitchen to get some food. I grab the communicator and stuff it in my front pocket just in case Kamara finds it and tries to reach out.

As I make my way through the halls I hear someone talking. It is 3AM so I am confused.

"Today? Don't you think that is a little soon? Has the replica even arrived?" Someone says around the corner. They pause for a few moments. "I understand. Thank you Liam."

My curiosity gets the best of me and I turn the corner to see who was talking.

I see Tyron, one of the butlers, leaning against the wall with a communicator in his hand. Now I understand how he was talking to someone but how did he get a communicator? Those are very limited and you need special permission to use one.

"Austin!" He says surprised as he looks up at me. I return a small wave. "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep so I was heading to the kitchen for a snack." Tyron begins to regain his composure when he sees me look at the communicator in his hands.

"Ah this is...my family's. They live far away and I can't see them much so I talk to them with this."

Something isn't right.

"I'm surprised anyone in your family is even awake at this hour."

"Yeah..um... My brother Liam works the nights as the doctor for his village so he is up now."

"Cool, alright I better get going." He waves goodbye and I continue down the hallway. That was odd. I have never seen Tyron so nervous before. Something about that conversation doesn't seem right to me. I keep that in the back of my mind as I continue the journey to the kitchen.

(10AM)

"Austin, wake up!"

I groggily open my eyes to see Noah standing over me.

"What do you want?" I say turning over to face the other direction.

"They found the princess."

I shoot up out of bed and grab a shirt to put on. I grab my shoes and rush out of the door. Noah runs with me to the communication room. Inside the room is packed. However I spot Jordan in the middle of the room and I head towards him.

"What's going on?" I ask no one in particular.

"Guards in the village of Timmurori said they found the princess. They found her at 8:19 AM and they are currently on their way here. She is apparently very shaken up and exhausted. She hasn't spoken much but she is currently stable." One guard says. Noah looks pleased at that information.

"ETA?" I ask.

"Roughly 2:30 PM."

"What's next Prince?" I ask.

"Be prepared for her arrival. Extra security is needed while the Princess is getting into the castle. Do not let the news of the princess's arrival spread. It is a threat to her safety. Prepare the infirmary that is where she will head as soon as she arrives. Austin you will lead a team of four to make sure she is safe. Keep track of the transportation of the princess and check in regularly. I need reports every hour on their progress. I am going to alert the King and Queen of the news." Jordan heads out of the room and everyone springs to action. Commands are being barked out left and right. Noah runs out to prepare the infirmary for any possible thing Kamara could need and I head out to gather my security team.

*****

We all wait anxiously while we watch the carriage pull up. Noah and Dr. Swin at the first ones to get a hold of Kamara when the carriage door opens. When I get my look at the princess, the first thing I notice is how frail she looks. Dr. Swin says she needs to be taken to the infirmary right away so another guard and I reach under the princess and carry her to the infirmary. As we make our way past the Royal family, I see the King and Queen looking in shock. Jordan looks relieved but concerned and starts to follow us as we head to the infirmary.

We lay Kamara down on the bed set up in the infirmary. The rest of my security team is ushered out of the room to give the princess some privacy. I take a few steps back away from the bed to let Jordan stand by her side. Noah and Dr. Swin begin to hook Kamara up to machines and stab her with needles. I see her squirm. Her eyes are closed and have been since I have seen her. Jordan grabs her hand and she opens her eyes to look up at him.

"I'm right here Kam." He says.

"Jordan." She says quietly. "I'm scared."

"It's okay now. You are safe. You are home." He says reassuringly.

"She is stable." Noah says. "But she needs to rest."

Jordan gives me a nod to head out and I return to my post outside the infirmary door, eavesdropping on their conversation. I don't know what it is but something about this situation feels off in my gut.