The team rode into the compound, the gates swinging open to reveal a well-appointed space, replete with a stable, two-story hall cottage, and watchtowers flanking the entrance. Derek's gaze drifted to the vibrant cherry tree at the center, its petals dancing in the wind, a group of guards chatting and laughing in its shade.
"So much for keeping the compound safe," Derek muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing at the sight. But what troubled him more was the fact that not a single male guard stayed back to protect Lady Sai.
Following the maid's guidance, the team tethered their horses in the stable and offloaded their packs. The maid led them up the winding staircase to the second floor, its passage shaped like a long rectangle, with rooms on either side and a gap in the middle.
Taven, Liam, and Ivan swiftly secured rooms on the longer side, leaving Derek and Alexander to claim the remaining rooms at the ends. Derek stepped into his chamber, a cozy respite from the day's events, a large bed in the corner, its brown fur sheets inviting, a clean tub by the opposite wall, a lantern providing a warm glow above.
In the spacious hall, Team Twenty sat around a long table, their uniforms crisp and their demeanor refreshed from the day's travels. On one side, Derek and Alexander reclined in easy conversation with Lady Sai, while on the other, Liam, Taven, and Ivan relished the steaming plates of sauce and beef, washing it down with mugs of wine.
Lady Sai daintily bit into her cheese, followed by a delicate chew. "I'm guessing there's a plan in progress?" She inquired.
Derek, his mouth full of sauce and cheese, glanced at Alexander, seeking approval. Recognizing Derek's cue, Alexander narrowed his gaze and sipped his wine, signaling his assent. With a gulp, Derek swallowed and turned to Lady Sai.
"Tomorrow my team will observe the town," he began, his tone resolute, "there's no mistake, either those involved are part of the town or fled. If the former, we'll use the children."
Sai's brow quirked, amusement coloring her expression. "You amaze me, Derek. One moment you stand up for the weak, the next you wish to put them in harm's way."
Derek smiled, unfazed by her words. "Children play during the day despite the danger, girls can't easily be taken then. The kidnappings happened by dusk or night. I'll assign groups of children to hang around specific parts of the town, listening for certain words, reporting back to me if they hear them."
Sai stared at him, impressed. "How did you come up with this?"
"My friend Alex is a sharp thinker." Derek tapped Alexander on the shoulder, who raised his mug with a hearty cheer.
"A nice plan indeed," Lady Sai praised.
Derek's gaze then shifted to Taven, his mouth full of sauce and beef. "And it's good we have a tracker on our team," he added, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Surely you'll need backup," Lady Sai interjected, her concern tangible.
"It's fine," Derek reassured her. "We're just scouting. Once we find anything, we'll report to Commander Kanlor, who will take over."
Sai nodded in understanding. "That's a wise plan."
Derek stood by the window, his gaze surveying the town's tightly-packed houses, creaking wood audible over the silence of the night. Torch-bearing guards patrolled the streets, their presence a flickering beacon in the darkness.
A knock on the door startled Derek, his hands instinctively folding across his chest. He swiveled on his heels, the voice that answered his "Come in" recognition dawning on him.
"Does Lady Sai need something?" he inquired, his brow furrowing.
"Not at all," the guard replied.
Her voice finally came in remembrance, it was the guard who interrogated him for holding Laura.
Her amethyst eyes pierced through the room's dim lighting, her cherry-red hair framing a heart-shaped face.
"Pardon me, I am Catherine Louis, Commanding Guard of Lady Sai."
As Derek gestured to the bed, Catherine made herself comfortable, a knowing smile curving her lips. "I admire your bravery, squad leader," she remarked, her gaze locking with his.
Derek, slightly flustered, responded, "I didn't do much, just the right thing."
Catherine's gaze lingered on Derek, her eyes piercing deep into his soul. "In your eyes, you might not have done much, but you did the right thing," she replied, her voice lilting with admiration. "Your stance has touched my sisters, and I thank you for that."
Derek, caught in the depths of Catherine's gaze, managed a polite response, "If that helped, I'm glad."
"I would love to know your plans, so I can help." Catherine replied.
"Thank you, Commander Catherine, but my team and I are handling this alone."
A playful grin spread across Catherine's face, her gaze lingering on Derek. "You were pretty free around that little girl, maybe you like little ones?" she teased.
Derek hesitated for a while, "Little ones?! Not at all! Absolutely not!"
"You were totally oblivious, weren't you?" she giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But that's what makes you fascinating, Derek. Brave, courageous, caring for the weak...yet terrible at the jest of a lady."
She rose, stepping towards Derek, peering into his eyes as if searching for his soul. "If you need any assistance, I'll be more than happy to help." With a wink, Catherine turned, leaving Derek to process the entire exchange.
Left in the dimly lit room, Derek leaned against the window frame, allowing the night air to wash over him as his thoughts danced around Catherine's visit.
Shaking his head, Derek sighed, "Cuss the years I wasted playing guard."