The Prince and the Slave: Book Two

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

William could feel the confused and curious stares in the back of his head as he rode through the square. The people of Kerryton had not been expecting a Royal Visit for another couple of months, and were surprised to see the Prince there unannounced and looking like he hadn't slept in days.

This was partly true. William had spent the entire night travelling back to Kerryton, and realised as he felt his eyelids drooping that he hadn't slept since Abey had been taken.

Since Abey had been taken...

That one phrase was enough to make William jolt awake. When he said he wouldn't stop until he found her, he had meant every word; and he was determined that he would at least find some clue as to where she could be, or who had taken her before he rested.

He ignored the hushed gossiping of the crowd as he lightly jumped down off his horse and walked towards the familiar doorway. This was the last place he had seen Abey, and was sure it was the place of her capture, so he was hoping there might be some kind of clue or information from whoever was on the other side of the door.

He took a deep breath before firmly knocking the sturdy wood. After a pause he heard a bolt being scraped back and the door open an inch. A pair of disgruntled squinting eyes looked up at him.

“What do you want?” A rasping voice hissed at him.

“Excuse me, my name is William, I am the-”

“Yes I know who you are. I asked what do you want?” William was taken aback by the abruptness of the voice.

“I want to know if you can help me” He said, trying to peer into the darkness and see who the strange voice belonged to.

“I cannot help you”

“You haven't even heard what I have to say” William pleaded as the door slowly began to close. “Please! The girl I love has disappeared and I think you may be able to help me find her.”

The door paused, but didn't open any further. “And what makes you think I can help you find this girl?”

“The last time I saw her we were standing in your doorway. I left and came back a few minutes later to find her gone, and evidence of a struggle or a fight. I believe she was kidnapped and as this is your house I thought you may have seen something.” William rushed, he didn't want the door to close on him. He held his breath during the silence, waiting for whatever the occupant had to say.

“Yes. I know the girl you speak of. Young, very pretty.”

William couldn't help but sigh in relief, finally he was getting somewhere. “Yes, yes that's her.”

“She was a slave, was she not?” The voice sounded cautious.

“Yes. Can you tell me where she is? Who took her?”

“And you said you love her?”

“With all my heart. That's why I have to find her, why anything you say can help me” William could feel a warm glow of hope rising in his chest.

“I can help you by giving you some advice.” The voice said, a hint of pity in their words. “Find someone new to love. When those people take you then you're lost for good. You're never going to find her” And with that they slammed the door shut.

“NO!” William yelled as he flung himself at the door, trying to force it open, but the bolt had been scraped back securing it in place. “Please! You have to...you have to help me” He fell to the floor and leaned against the wood, banging it feebly with his fist.

He ran his hand through his hair and swallowed a lungful of frosty air. He wouldn't take the advice. He wouldn't give up. He couldn't.

He stood and brushed himself down, a new plan forming in his head. He was going to talk to every single towns person if he had to, the strange voice couldn’t be the only one to have seen anything, and he was running out of time.