"I see. Well let's see what I can do. However I need you to do me a favor, little One." Kyera said softly still picking her steps carefully. Raina nodded looking at the tigress with trusting eyes. It was surprising just how much this little one trusted her. Kyera almost couldn't believe the affect that afternoon had on this child. "Climb onto my back. We can make better time." Kyera explained leaning down into a crouching position. Her pain was tollerateable, but the child was exhausted and wouldn't be able to make it too far.
Uncertainly, the little girl bit her lip and looked at Kyera for a long moment. After seeming to argue with herself for a few moments the child seemed to let exhaustion win out. She carefully climbed onto Kyera's back and let her body lay against her soft, warm fur. "Thank you… What are you called?" The girl asked and Kyera thought for a moment.
"Shade of the Moon. You can call me Shade or Moon, whichever you prefer." Kyera replied as she shifted her weight and began down the path again. The muscles of her shoulder hurt under the extra strain, but she shifted and pushed forward. It was nothing more than she could handle, pain wise. The little girl seemed to think as Kyera slowly picked up speed leading through the woodlands.
**********************************************
At the Palace Treasury
The Elders of the high families, the generals and the merchants all sat around a table arguing their plans. They were fighting over the budget while Prince Clovis sat quietly, waiting for a chance to speak. A little maid poured him tea and he thanked her quietly, the first thing he had spoken all morning.
When he had suggested taking over the kingdom's budget for something to do he had no idea these vultures could be so shameless. No wonder the Emperor bad been so happy to give up this duty. Clovis had finally had enough, and set his tea cup down. He cleared his throat and the men ignored him.
"Enough." Clovis spoke clearly, but without yelling out at them. The men continued to bicker and yell at each other over his protest. The Fourth Prince's eye began twitching as he realized how engrossed in this they were.
The door to the servants stair opened and Mally ran to his side. She bowed low once and his eyes instantly lit with concern. "Why are you here? I sent you to watch the garden meeting?" he asked his heart beating hard in his chest.
"The Princess is missing." Mally uttered between shallow ragged breaths. He pushed Mally gently into a chair.
"Take my place, it's not like they are listening anyway." Clovis was gone seconds later. Mally picked up a brush and started out taking notes. However when the discussion turned into the same people spouting the same arguments in circles she began to draw humorous little sketches of the generals and merchants bickering like children. It took nearly 2 hours for the gathered men to realize a petite little woman had taken the place of their crown prince.
Clovis walked down the hall at a brisk pace, motioning his two bodyguards to fall into step beside him. "Send out the feelers. Find out if she was taken out of the palace. I swear to all that is divine that if something happened to my daughter on that Witch's watch…" he growled letting the words hang on the air. The bodyguard dressed in black nodded and ran off toward the court yard. The second man looked at his master waiting for instructions.
"Go speak to my mother, she knows Raina best. Maybe she knows where she was taken." he ordered him without pause continuing to the garden gates. The sun was starting to set now. And most the search party had returned.
The Grandsons were sent home, and the Emperor was standing in the Garden talking with several of his men. The two lions at his side and a little fairy in a cage. Clovis was noticed by a guard who pointed him out to his father. The Emperor's face turned pale.