Lost and Found

Iris ran up to the carriage. She saw the same thing as Lamelie.

"She's not here."

Lamelie contemplated for a moment. What do we do now? She turned around.

"Gather everyone nearby. Victoria Lofyete must be nearby. She might not recognize us," Lamelie commanded.

Victoria Lofyete glanced at the group. She resisted the urge to scratch. It was so stuffy to wear her dress and the pilgrim's cloak. She put her head.

I have to get out of here, she thought, but how. She took note of their prowess with weapons. It would be better to slip off somewhere but she was under constant watch. She glanced at the girl with brown hair and freckles. She recalled the one with an icy stare and black ponytail had called her Rianna.

Rianna was tending to a wounded man. He had hurt his ankle somehow. Brian walked up behind her and rested his head on her shoulder. She blushed but continued to work. The man chuckled.

Several of the pilgrims were shifting nervously. A group of six strangers had stopped a bandit attack after joining their party. It was probably better to not ask questions.

Iris sighed. "We can't spend too long looking for Victoria Lofyete."

"I know," Pixie said," But I don't want to give away too much information by asking them."

Lamelie clapped her hands and smiled. The pilgrims and servants were startled as were Iris and Pixie.

Lamelie said," I'll ask. Victoria Lofyete knows things about the mission. I can ask about those without giving away too much."

Iris smirked. Leave it to Captain Lamelie to figure something out. She wanted to forget her stupid outburst from a few days ago.

Pixie looked at Iris's face. "Do you regret it?" she asked.

"Big time."

Pixie smiled faintly.

Lamelie approached the crowd of pilgrims and servants. She kept her hand resting on her sword. The servants gulped and wondered what Duke Lofyete had gotten himself mixed up in. The pilgrims shuffled around nervously.

"I'm looking for someone." Lamelie glanced at the servants. "Someone you probably know."

"There's a snake in the burrow." Lamelie blushed. It was so embarrassing to say the code phrase aloud.

The crowd shuffled a little, confused. But Iris saw Victoria's head flip up and her eyes go wide. They had eye contact for a moment and Iris suspected. Victoria withdrew from the crowd and Iris sprinted towards her. She pushed aside the crowd until she saw Victoria running around to the other side. She waved her arm and instructed Pixie to go after her.

Victoria's breath became ragged. She had a terrible feeling something was wrong. But was it these people or something else? How did they know the code phrase? She stopped. Maybe, hopefully, it's Lamelie.

The pilgrims moved to the side. As she had run the hood had slipped off and the clasp that held the cloak on had fallen off. The cloak still rested on her shoulders, but it had fallen back to reveal her golden dress and figure.

Victoria's ruby-colored hair and her golden dress were dirty but she did her best to exude confidence. It was shameful to run, she thought, I should have stood my ground.

Lamelie approached her and made sure to keep her hand off her sword.

Lamelie took a knee and bowed, placing one hand on her chest. "My lady."

Victoria Lofyete withdrew a bit and glanced around. Of course, there were too many untrustworthy eyes watching.

"Thank you for the rescue, gallant knight. May I ask who sent you?"

"Duke Lofyete, your father, hired us to ensure your safe return."

"Oh," Victoria sighed and said," It was very brave of you to come to our rescue."

Axel, Iris, Pixie, Rianna, and Brian took a knee and placed their hands on their chest. "It was our duty, my lady."

Lamelie smiled. They caught on quickly.

"May I suggest we leave now, my lady. Your father is expecting you soon," Lamelie said. Too much time was wasted. Leaving sooner would help ensure the safety of the pilgrims and Victoria.

"Yes."

Lamelie dismissed the pilgrims."Sorry, for the inconvenience. Carry on with your pilgrimage. We will take back the wounded as best we can."

Lamelie entered the main carriage with Victoria. Rianna and Iris joined them. Axel and Pixie drove the cart. Brian had departed to follow close by and scout the area and surrounding terrain.

Lamelie promptly interrogated Victoria. "Why did you run?"

"I was unsure of who you were, friend or foe."

Lamelie nodded. "Are you aware of what this mission entails?"

"My father entrusted me with this mission, so yes I am."

Victoria glared. Does she think I can't do this?

Lamelie smirked. "That's good because a lot is riding on this mission."

The carriage jerked forward and stopped moving. They stood still for a moment and heard a light scuffle happening outside. Pixie? Axel? It was silent.

Raphael lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Why wasn't he chosen for the crown?

"I have to stop these half-assed attempts," he muttered. He frowned and sat up.

"Adrien's guard will be up," Raphael said. He scratched the top of his head. Then he remembered the day he shaved his hair.

"Mother said my black hair was so beautiful. She said it looked good."

Raphael frowned. "I won't think of that bitch."

Raphael got up and paced around the room. He thought for a bit. What was Adrien doing or going to do? What was the business with that missing captain? How can I prevent a political alliance?

He frowned again. "It would be easiest to assassinate Adrien. But it would draw too much suspicion."

Kawne should report back soon, he thought. His information would be useful.

Raphael thought for a moment and left his room.

"I should visit mother," he muttered.

Emperor Ezra had walked to Empress Emmeline's grave. She was buried under the lone peach tree. Peaches were her favorite. He smiled as he fondled the small bouquet of carnations.

A few steps away from the spot, he stopped. Noises were coming from the area and the old man snuck closer.

"I hate you!" Raphael stomped on the ground in front of her grave. "You were a whore who let father have his way with you. You've done nothing your whole life!" He spat on the grave. "Fuck you, you evil bitch! You sorry excuse for a mother!" He kicked the tombstone too hard. He bent over huffing. He shed a few tears. "Even in death, you hurt me."

Raphael wiped away his tears. "Ah fuck, why am I shedding tears over a heartless bitch like you." He glanced at the grave.

"If you had just loved me." He spat on the grave and limped away.

Ezra waited a couple of minutes and then walked over to her grave. He smoothed the dirt and laid the carnations down. Then he wiped the spit off with his sleeve.

"Don't mind our boy too much, Emmy. I'll do my best to take care of him. He is my son too." The old man took her picture out of his pocket and kissed it.

"I love you, Emmy."

He sat down in front of the grave and reminisced about the days he had spent with her.

After a while, he returned to his room and wept for his lost son.