Carried Away

Chapter 5

The four of them stare at the two wanted posters and the picture of Rain in amazement and horror. The two wanted posters were of Sky and Prapai and both read, "Wanted for the abduction and possible murder of Prince Rain." Rain's picture had the caption, "Our beloved Prince".

"No one can possibly believe that." Rain says. "Sky and I have been raised as brothers from the time we were four, and Prapai is my head guard."

"People believe what they see," Phayu informs him. "It looks like the word is out that Prapai and Sky are lovers. You disappear while in the company of both of them. It's not hard to twist the narrative to make it look like the two of them plotted against you." He frowns at the three of them. "Keep your hoods up and your heads down, it would be a disaster if anyone recognizes you before we figure out what to do."

Rain adjusts his hood to make sure it covers his whole face and the other two do the same. At least no one seems to know about the alpha's part in his kidnapping so Phayu can act as a scout for them finding out what is going on in the city.

"Where are we going to stay?" Rain asks.

"I know a place." Phayu says. He leads them to an abandoned house on the edge of town.

Rain sees there is an old, burned store nearby and puts two and two together.

"Is this?" He starts.

"My parents' house," he says, "I bought it back from the debt collectors in their memory as soon as I had saved up enough money. I just never felt comfortable living here."

"We could try to find somewhere else," Rain says, unsure.

"No, this is perfect." Phayu says, "even if they somehow connect me with you, no one even knows I own this house. It was bought through a third party with no connection to me."

"Oh, I guess then." Rain says, but he knows it hurts Phayu being here, that this place is full of memories for him both good and bad.

They go to the back of the house where the small yard is surrounded by a wooden fence, broken in places. There are no close neighbors so it's just a matter of not being spotted entering from the street.

The inside of the house is dusty and in poor repair. They also can't risk lighting a fire because of the smoke.

Once they are settled into the house they sit around the table drinking water and eating dried meat and fruit while they discuss their plans.

"I'll scout out the city tomorrow." Phayu says. "Also get an impression of the mood of the citizens."

"We need to let people know Rain is alive and well." Pai says, "but if he just reveals himself he will be in danger."

"Can we raise an army?" Sky asks.

Pai shakes his head, "I can get a certain number of soldiers on our side but Rain 4taking his throne by force is out of the question. No matter how many we can put together, the king and his brother have ten times more."

"What about the counselors?" Rain asks, "I know most of them well and they have always seemed decent."

"Maybe, but they are walled up in the palace, getting to even one of them would be very dangerous." Pai says. Even if they met one in the street they couldn't exactly just walk up to them and talk to one.

There is something bothering Rain at this, like a word caught on the tip of his tongue but it's a thought. Then suddenly it hits him. "Ple and Som."

Pai and Sky stare at Rain with understanding but Phayu just looks confused. Rain explains, "Ple and Som are councilman Phayan's children." Rain explains. "Illegitimate but they are much beloved by him. They aren't allowed to live in the palace because of their status but he had them a house built on the outskirts of town. They are good friends with Sky and myself. It would be much easier to get word to them."