Bloodtide

Part 6

"Let me go!" I shouted, struggling against the grasp of the pirates who held me tightly, their grip unyielding as they attempted to drag me away.

"This is the child!" one of the pirates exclaimed, his voice filled with both surprise and triumph.

"I thought he had a son?" another pirate questioned, confusion evident in his tone as they stumbled over their own assumptions.

Before they could decide on their next move, I was abruptly thrown to the ground. As I hit the dirt, Henry appeared at my side, his presence a welcome sight amidst the chaos.

The pirate who had identified me as "the child" suddenly turned and fled, disappearing into the alleys like a coward. Left behind were those who remained, eyeing us with uncertainty and hostility.

"Which one of you is named Henry?" they demanded, their voices gruff and suspicious, their weapons still held ready.

I struggled to make sense of their words, confusion clouding my mind. "Wait what?" I repeated, trying to buy time and gather my thoughts amidst the tension.

Henry stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "I am Henry," he stated firmly, his gaze steady as he faced the pirates.

The pirates exchanged wary glances, clearly uncertain of how to proceed. They had expected a son, not the man who now stood before them.

"How do they know you, Henry?" I asked, my confusion deepening as the pirates continued to eye us with suspicion, their rough demeanor unsettling.

Henry remained composed, though tension lined his features. "I'll be alright," he murmured, his voice tinged with concern.

The pirates, undeterred by our confusion, gestured for Henry to come with them. Panic surged through me as I instinctively lunged forward to stop them.

"No!" I shouted, desperation lacing my voice, but before I could reach Henry, the pirates reacted swiftly. Strong hands shoved me forcefully to the ground, knocking the breath from my lungs as pain shot through my body.

I struggled to regain my footing, but the pirates were already dragging Henry away. "Let him go!" I cried out, my voice cracking with emotion. Tears stung my eyes as I watched helplessly, realizing my strength was no match for the ruthless determination of these men.

"Henry, no!" I pleaded, my heart wrenching with fear for him. The sound of my cries echoed through the emptying streets, unanswered as the pirates disappeared around a corner, taking Henry with them into the unknown.

Alone and shaken, I staggered to my feet, my mind racing with fear and determination. Henry had been taken, and the weight of his absence bore down on me like a heavy burden. But before I could gather myself to give chase, a group of military men arrived, their uniforms a stark contrast to the chaos around us.

"Lady Ella, are you alright?" one of them asked, concern etched into his face as he extended a hand to help me up. Tears streamed down my cheeks, a testament to the anguish and frustration that consumed me.

"I... they took him," I managed to say, my voice trembling with emotion. "Henry... they took him."

The soldiers exchanged a quick glance, their expressions hardening with resolve. "We'll do everything we can to find him," another soldier assured me, his tone firm and reassuring.

Gathering my composure as best as I could, I nodded gratefully, grateful for their assistance in my moment of despair. "Thank you," I whispered, wiping away tears with the back of my hand.

"We must take you back home," they instructed gently, their voices a mix of sympathy and authority. I nodded numbly, too overwhelmed to argue or resist. My heart ached with worry for Henry, but for now, I had to trust that the soldiers knew what they were doing.

As we walked through the now eerily quiet streets, I couldn't shake the image of Henry being taken away from me. The tears continued to flow silently down my cheeks, unnoticed by the soldiers who maintained a respectful distance.

Upon arriving at my home, I found the familiar surroundings oddly comforting yet painfully empty without Henry's presence. The soldiers ensured I was settled in safely, their professionalism tempered by a sense of compassion.

"Please rest, Lady Ella," one of them said softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We will keep you informed of any developments."

I nodded gratefully, though sleep seemed impossible in the midst of such uncertainty. Alone in my room, I paced restlessly, my thoughts consumed by Henry's fate and the inexplicable events that had unfolded.

Hours passed in agonizing silence before a knock at the door startled me from my thoughts. It was one of the soldiers, his expression grave yet determined.

"Lady Ella," he began, his voice steady. "We have a lead on Henry's whereabouts. Please come with us."

Hope surged within me as I followed the soldier back into the night, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead in my quest to find Henry and bring him safely home.

Inside my father's study, the atmosphere was tense yet oddly familiar. The Duke sat with my father, their expressions grave as I rushed in, seeking answers amidst the turmoil that had engulfed us.

My father enveloped me in a warm hug, his presence a fleeting comfort in the midst of uncertainty. "What have you heard?" I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Henry is gone," my father replied softly, his words heavy with sorrow. "The pirates took him, but we will ensure they pay for their actions. I promise you that, Ella."

Tears welled in my eyes at the confirmation of Henry's abduction, my heart wrenching with fear for his safety. "What does this mean? Are you going to save him?" I demanded, my voice rising in desperation.

The Duke regarded me with a measured gaze, his tone calm yet tinged with authority. "Dear, there are more pressing matters at hand," he explained, his words cutting through my anguish. "Chasing after your blacksmith isn't that serious..."

His casual dismissal of Henry's plight ignited a spark of anger within me. "He's not just a blacksmith!" I protested, my voice trembling with indignation. "He's my friend, and he needs our help."

My father placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his expression pained yet resolute. "Ella, please trust us," he urged gently. "We will do everything in our power to bring Henry back safely. But right now, we need to focus on stabilizing the situation and ensuring the safety of our people."

I struggled to accept their reasoning, torn between my loyalty to Henry and the weight of their responsibilities as leaders. But deep down, I knew that my father and the Duke were right. As much as it pained me to wait, rushing into action without a plan would only jeopardize Henry's chances of rescue.

With a heavy heart, I nodded reluctantly, accepting their guidance even as uncertainty gnawed at me. "Please," I pleaded quietly. "Bring him back to me."

The Duke nodded solemnly, his expression softening with understanding. "We will," he promised, his voice steady and reassuring. "Just not now... but when we capture and rid all pirates I will be sure to ask of his whereabouts"

My eyes burned into his as I held my tongue. Marching out of the study, emotions churned within me, a mix of fear, anger, and hope. If the Duke wasn't going to help me save him then I would find somebody who can.