Kidnapping the King

No Time for Empathy

As the village came into view, Emilia felt her heart race. He was in that pub, she sensed it. But he was her's to take and torture, not theirs. She had trained and waited for most of her life, for this moment. One thing she could not understand, was how they had held the king for so long without the entire infantry showing up to search for him. There was no way he could ever be released now, they'd surely burn the village to the ground as punishment. He'd have to be killed and simply disappear.

Emilia pushed open the door of the pub, the familiar creaking of the door caused the men in the pub to stop and meet her gaze. They had been on edge all week, as they were all aware of the stranger that had been housed in the brewery upstairs for the past week.  But Emilia was a familiar face. Living in such a small village meant everyone knew one another and worked collectively to protect and sustain the village. Emilia was instantly greeted with several hearty hellos. Emilia responded with smiles and nods, as she made her way to the bartender.

"Hello Alfie." She smiled brightly.

"Emilia!" Alfie's face lit up and he immediately set down the wine goblet in his hands. "I have not seen you in quite some time. I was just down at your home the other day buying soap from your grandmother. She said you were visiting family." 

"Ah. Yes." She replied. "I was off seeing an aunt."

"Have you heard?" He said, nodding towards the stairs.

"Yes I have." Emilia said. "In fact, that is why I am here."

Alfie raised his eyebrows at her. "You're here for that grub?"

"Yes, yes I am." Emilia smiled. "But I'll take an ale before I go."

Alfie snickered and reached for a mug. "What business do you have with the stranger?"

He pushed the fresh glass of ale towards her. Emilia dragged the mug towards her and took a sip. 

"We have unfinished business that needs to be addressed." She said, her face going stony.

Alfie did not question her, he simply nodded. "Well, they are voting in an hour as to what to do with him." 

Emilia did not respond, she simply took another sip of the beer as her eyes darted to the stairs. She placed a single silver coin onto the bench top.

"Thanks for this Alfie." She walked towards the stairs, Alfie's confused eyes following her.

                                                                                       *

Grant leaned back against the wooden rafter that he had been tied to for the last week. His stomach growled and his mouth was as dry as sand paper. They'd given him a sip of water once a day and maybe three bites of stale bread the whole week. Maverick had been right, the villagers were not what he expected. Grant had to admit, the coordination it took to capture him and tie him to this rafter was impressive. The villagers were loyal to one another and had forged a network of protection. It must have been difficult for Faris to give Emilia up, but I suppose he simply could not allow his wife and children to be harmed for the sake of one woman.

Grant had contemplated telling these villagers that he was indeed the king and then ordering them to stand down. He doubted they would believe him anyway. Regardless, this was his best chance at drawing her back in. He had been gone one week, so he knew that soon the alarm bells would be ringing and they would see that he had gone missing. Before he left, he told Maverick exactly what he was doing and had asked him to hold off the guards for at least 7 days. He was sure Maverick had found a way to convince the castle that he was in his room, planning and scheming against his brother. But it would not last long, particularly because he would have two guards standing outside his room, even now. Maverick must have gone into his room to "visit" him throughout the week, convincing everyone that he was indeed inside.