Chapter 31: Captured

"The night gave me a great feeling of accomplishment. I fulfilled my end of the deal as the king did for me. I won the knight's tournament, and now I know where the last world gate stone is. Once we wrap things in Lyos, it's back to journeying the unknown to find my way home,"

The three moons rose above the night sky as the party was closing to an end. Jushiro was shaking hands and saying his farewells to his fellow competitors as they left the palace halls. He shook hands with William Meer of Cardaloth, who introduced Jushiro to his youngest son Zion.

Jushiro knelt, reaching his hand out to greet the boy. Feeling nervously tense in meeting him for the first time, Zion hesitated out of anxiety.

Jushiro recognized the boy's feelings and chose to back off.

He instead said to him in a soft tone, "It's a pleasure to meet you, young man. My name is Jushiro Motoshita,"

The boy didn't respond, only clenching tight to his father's coat.

"I apologize for my son's behavior, sir Jushiro. I don't know what's come over him since he wanted to meet with you," William Meer said.

"It's alright, sir. I'm sure it's anxiety as I know it can be common among the youngsters,"

Jushiro assured them that all is fine and took his leave to join with the rest of his team in the palace courtyard. There, princess Lashida informed him that they're leaving the following day after the rain. Jushiro acknowledged and followed the group out the palace gates until a guard ran up to Jushiro, imploring him to meet with king Amirur in the throne room.

He looked to Lashida, who nodded her head yes for him to go. Jushiro entered the inner palace as he looked back, watching the rest of the guests leave for the night.

He followed the guard into the palace but noticed something odd about him. Trying to keep himself calm, he asked why the king has summoned him. All the guard did was repeat that the king wished to see him. Jushiro followed the man through the palace until Jushiro noticed two shadows following him from behind. He asked the man where the king is waiting.

The man remained silent until he told Jushiro, "The throne room, sir knight. His majesty awaits in the throne room. That is your destination,"

"Is that so, mister. Because I'm certain, we passed the throne room on the way," Jushiro stated in a suspicious tone.

The man stopped in his tracks, believing to be found out by Jushiro. He swiftly pulled a knife and lunged at Jushiro! Jushiro immediately countered and immobilized the man, plunging the knife into his lower spine. The man laid down on the floor in agony.

The two men from behind sprinted from the shadows heading for Jushiro. He took to his feet and ran toward the cloaked men. With one leap, he slipped through the two men running toward the palace courtyard.

He queried in curiosity, "Why are they after me!? It hardly makes sense,"

Minutes later, Jushiro was nearing the courtyard gates until he felt something sharp pierce the back of his neck. Soon his body felt heavy, and he blacked out, collapsing on the ground, unconscious. The hooded men grabbed and carried Jushiro back inside the palace, where one of them looked at him with perverse satisfaction.

He commanded the others to take him to the dungeons, where he awaits them. They headed to the lower halls of the palace carrying an unconscious Jushiro.

At sunrise the next day, the tavern was turbulent. Bronir restlessly searched nearly every room in the place. He barged into Vinbror's room, startling him to the point he was about to kick him out.

He asked Vinbror in solicitude, "Shiro! Vin, where is Shiro? I can't find him anywhere!"

Realizing he hadn't come back from the palace, they, along with Hakbrand, rode with haste through the city, hoping to find answers. They arrive at the palace gates to find king Ericeth and the princesses in the courtyard with prince Kaseth. They approach to tell them Jushiro is missing. Hearing those words shocked Lashida in horror. She grabbed Bronir by his shoulders, intensely looking him in the eye.

"What do you mean, Jushiro's missing? Tell me, what happened?"

Her words of fright caught the attention of prince Kaseth.

Bronir elaborated how Jushiro never came back from the palace last night. He remembered overhearing the guard telling Jushiro that king Amirur wished to see him. Lashida wrapped her mind and concluded that the king would never. However, when she thought of the possibility of the second prince, she was in a near panic. She pressed her father to speak with the king to see if he would know while they search for Jushiro.

The king lowered his head, feeling discouraged. He told them to stand down, stating there will be no searching for Jushiro.

"I forbid any investigating into Jushiro. I will not risk raising any suspicion that will draw Aredain into another conflict. I will speak to the king of Lyos about this matter. But, if necessary, we may have to give up Jushiro for the sake of the realm. I know, and you have every right to hate me, even after I was the one who begged him to partake in the games. The blame for this will solely be mine to bear. Though for the great or good, we must leave him, I'm sure it's what he would want for his friends,"

He turned his back and left the courtyard. Lashida collapsed to the ground in terrible stress, fearing Jushiro's fate, wherever he is. Prince Kaseth approached and offered his help in aid to her. He expressed his desire to help his new friend, Jushiro, and stated that he might know of his whereabouts.

He explained to the four how Kvelyja did not attend the party last night, unaware of what he was up to at the time. After hearing Jushiro gone missing, he knew his younger brother would be behind it. Vinbror suggested heading back to the tavern where they could talk further, fearing too many eyes are watching. Prince Kaseth agreed and followed them outside to their abode.

Elsewhere in a dark, dimly lit room, Jushiro woke up to the feeling of metal chains on his arms and legs. He looked around, seeing nothing but pitch black. He started realizing a cloth was covering his eyes while hearing the sound of footsteps entering the room. The door opened as a cloaked man stood before a chained Jushiro. In a sinister tone, the cloaked man said to him, "Hello, damn peasant!" He punched Jushiro's face so hard he spat some blood and a tooth. The man took the cloth off Jushiro's face, revealing himself.

"Well, here we are, Motoshita. Was it worth it, humiliating me? You may have won the battle but lost the war. Because today, you'll die as slowly and as painfully as I can inflict. You peasant, you should've allowed me to sever your head to spare you the pain. But now, that ship has sailed," He said, smirking and snickering while throwing a few more punches at Jushiro.

Jushiro remained silent, not looking Kvelyja in the eye. Despite being repeatedly punched by the prince, Jushiro remained undaunted. Kvelyja grabbed his bloodied face, showing him the desk of glass bottles containing a red liquid inside them. He told him that they're healing potions and that he'll give him one if he apologizes and grovels for mercy.

Jushiro didn't answer, only to spit blood on Kvelyja's boot. He kicked Jushiro's face as a result. He then pulled a knife from the desk, threatening to do the worst to Jushiro if he doesn't concede and beg. Jushiro, still unwavering and stubborn, doesn't utter a word. Kvelyja held the knife at his face, slowly slicing it into his cheek.

Back at the tavern, the group prepares to infiltrate the palace and rescue Jushiro. Lashida and the rest of the Aredain team don their gear and equipment while prince Kaseth goes over the plan. Kaseth handed them Lyos uniforms to help them sneak into the palace. He told them how there is one possible place within the castle where Kvelyja is holding Jushiro, stating they will only get one chance at this. With everyone fully prepared, they ride toward the palace to save their captured friend.