Back at the castle, in the King's Office, Ansel stood, going over the map that sat on his desk.
He felt his legs shake, exhaustion eating away at him.
Knock, knock
Cobsworth and a doctor entered the room.
The doctor was in his late 40s and wore a pea green button up shirt with a plaid green vest, tan khakis, and black shoes. His red auburn hair was styled in a curly quiff.
Worry overcame their hearts as they rushed over to Ansel.
"Your Majesty, you need to rest and eat for another 2 days before attempting to do any hard work! You need to go back to bed right now," The Doctor worriedly stressed.
"I can't now," Ansel muttered, "Lady Gabrielle is still out there. She needs me and I won't rest until I find her."
"The entire Florian Royal Army is looking for her along with all the subjects. You need to rest," The Doctor insisted.
"Not until I find her," Ansel pushed back, "I don't care about anything else. She needs me more than ever and until she's home I won't stop, I won't rest, I'll keep pushing until I find her."
"Your Majesty, as your doctor I can not permit you to continue to work. It's not good for your health! This could take a serious toll on your body, and…."
"You know you should really listen to him," The Brown Haired Man interjected, entering the room.
He walked over to Ansel watching as Cobsworth and The Doctor bowed to him.
"What are you doing back, Your Highness," Cobsworth inquired.
"Well I was half way back to Charbs when I heard of the Kingdom Priority Decree, so I had to come back and help my best friend," The Brown Haired Man responded, resting his hand on Ansel's shoulder, "And might I say you should really listen to your doctor because you look worse than when I left and it's only been four days."
Ansel glared up at him, his eyes filled with annoyance, "Thanks," He snarked.
"I'm just teasing," The Brown Haired Man chuckled, giving Ansel a light pat on the back, "And I'm here to help. I know you're pretty smitten with that girl. Have to say she's pretty brave too. Any woman willing to risk her life without a second thought instantly earns my respect. So if you need some extra eyes I can send word out for Charbs Royal Army to get involved in the search."
"I appreciate that Christopher, but I know how hard it is for you to get a decree like that put in. Even though you're the crowned prince, next in line for the throne you'll have to go through your Royal Counsel and petition your King, your father and we all know how he is. It'll take you months just to get it approved and I fear I'm running out of time."
"Well at least let the men I came with assist. I see you need all the help you can get for this search and I'll never let my best friend go through something like this alone," Christopher insisted.
"Alright," Ansel agreed, pointing to the map, "Everywhere you see crossed off are places my men have already checked. I've sent some of my men to the southern part of Florian in hopes they'll find her. I also have some men rechecking places just to be sure she isn't there. Now we need…"
"Your Majesty," A Royal Guard interrupted, running into the room.
Ansel looked at the guard, feeling as if his heart stopped.
"Yes, what is it," Ansel questioned, urging for an answer.
"The owner of The Trader Shop in Central Town City has described the ruby ring. He said a young woman tried to sell it 4 days earlier," The Guard informed.
Ansel's eyes widened as realization hit his body.
"Cobsworth ready up some men and prepare my horse," He commanded.
"Yes Your Majesty," Cobsworth nodded, leaving the room.
"I'll come with you," Christopher added, "You'll need all the help you can get."
"Your Majesty, you really need to rest," The Doctor interjected, "It's not safe for you…"
"I told you I will not rest until I find Gabrielle," Ansel scowled, walking up to the doctor, "I will not repeat myself. I'm going to find my wife."
The Doctor looked to the floor, bowing to Ansel, "Yes, Your Majesty," He nodded.
Ansel left the room, Christopher and the Royal Guard following behind him.
'I'm coming Gabrielle… Please wait for me…'
The hours rolled by and Auggie made it to Central Town City.
He looked at the teddy bear, pain striking his heart.
'She only has one item and I'm taking it away from her for personal gain… It just doesn't feel right…. Maybe I'll lie and say that the Trade Shop Owner wouldn't buy it… We wouldn't have gotten much for it anyways…'
He began walking through the city, taking in the silence around him…
'It's so early in the day… Where are all the people…'
He made it down the street from the Trade Shop, seeing three horses saddled up and Royal Guards sitting on horses, standing outside of the Trade Shop.
He hid back around the corner, curiosity filling his mind.
'Why are they here,' He wondered, listening in.
He peeked his head from behind the corner, watching as the door to the Trade Shop swung open.
Ansel, Christopher, and Sir Darce, left the Trade Shop talking amongst each other.
Ansel looked at his men.
"Lady Gabrielle was here," Ansel announced, "The shopkeeper informed us of a group of unidentified men that left shortly after she did so the entire city is on lock down, I want every house searched, I want all borders secured. Every subject in the city is confined to their homes until Lady Gabrielle is found. Now start the search."
"Yes Your Majesty," The Guards nodded, following Ansel's commands.
Auggie looked at the teddy bear, thoughts of Gabrielle played through his mind.
'I have to get you home.'
He left, heading back to Thieves Forest, avoiding the guards that patrolled the city.
He stood at the entrance of Thieves Forest, looking at the tall green trees ahead of him.
He looked down at the teddy bear, taking a deep breath.
'I hope he finds this… Then maybe it'll give my brothers enough fuel to let her go without a fight… If anything I'm going to make sure she gets back home.'
He dropped the teddy bear on the ground, going into the forest, heading back to his home.
'Gabrielle I'll get you home… Even if it kills me…'