Chapter 7

The wanderer pause for a brief moment, not sure of how to take his words, but knew what he meant by them, as he chose to brush it off, and focus on confirming the safety of the princess instead. While getting Olamide to answer questions he seeks answers too in the process.

As they stood on the roof of a mansion not too far from the palace gates, granting them a clear view of the palace gates to the entrance doors of the palace. Marking the start of the nobles' resident in the right lane from the palace gates. And the end of the left lane, if taking the rout from the market square to the nobles' resident.

"Hmm… I'll take that as a compliment… However, as excited as I am to see you, I can't help but wonder why you're here… Given how I made sure, to give no prior notice of my arrival, am certain you're not here to welcome me... And given the venue we found our self, a stroll is unlikely... So pray tell, what business do you have here?"

"I'm just verifying intel to fulfil a request for the old man, sire"

"I see… Does it have anything to do with the lady then?"

"Unfortunately, yes, it does… The request was to aid in the search and rescue of the princess, or the lady as you called her… The order was given, moments after we got word the general of the kingdom had declared her abducted, late in the afternoon today, in request of the king, upon the report of her absent in the palace for the whole day…"

"I just came by to confirm the report of her being with her knight... Given how disappointing the event turned out for us…"

"Sensing your absent of present in the area might be the only positive side of the whole ordeal" Olamide said, stating how he came by his location, in a bit of sarcasm of him being the silver lining of the event of the day. A bit disturbed by the state of things, with little to no trace of disappointment, as to how things were, while sharing certain related content of his request to the wanderer, in respect to answering his question.

As he walked towards the edge of the roof of the building of where they stood, which the building was not too far from the palace gates, to gain a better view of the scenery, while the wanderer was unfazed by his words.

But was a bit impressed by how he was able to notice his absent of present, as he notes the sarcasm in his words. Sensing more of disturbance than disappointment from him, as his emotions piled up.

"I would be touched by your words, if there wasn't a hint of sarcasm in it… However, I can't help but notice how you, who utter words of disappointment, seems to fall short of its expression, instead you seemed more disturbed than anything else… Why is that, I wonder?"

"I see, your senses are as sharp as ever… But I'll admit you're right… I do find the result of the event rather concerning, and disturbing… Given how he was able to find her in the kingdom… In the market square of all places, when we couldn't even get a lead of her present… It's probably nothing, but I just can't shake the thoughts off…"

"Especially, how she got to the market square without anyone of our people gaining sight of her, and your business with her" Olamide said, sharing his thoughts of things, as he stood beside the wanderer, looking at the palace. While the wanderer stood watching the progress of the lady, and her knight, as they passed the palace gates and the guards standing in front of it.

"Nice work… That's quite the observation, and are good contenders to work with, if you want to ignore the fact that his her knight… And that it's only natural he'll be aware of her habits, and places of interest, which will narrow down where to look, as it gives him an advantage of things, especially, if he suspects she was not abducted, which I believe is obvious, due to the outcome of the event…"

"However, as for the other thoughts, I'll advise that, you keep the thoughts to yourself, given how you said, you had no interest in my business" the wanderer said, after sharing his thought, in a bit of sarcasm as to how the knight came to finding the lady. While requesting he keeps the thoughts of the abnormality of her whereabouts, and his business with her to himself, in order to further preserve the secrecy of the secret path.

"But do Tell, if you don't mind me asking, has there been previous attempt of abducting her? Or is the palace defenses that weak for one to enter and grab someone...? Because it seems rather odd for the general to just conclude such, if otherwise" he asked, curious of the reason behind the general's conclusion.

As he faced the palace, placing his hands behind his back, one holding the other. Sensing, if there was anyone with hostility within the palace, just in case, if the danger of the day still had something to offer. But glad he found none.

All he could sense from the palace at the time was a mixed of anger, agitation, and anxiety amongst the people in the palace, which made him relieved that she was not in any actual danger, other than probably being scolded.

Olamide felt puzzled after hearing his words. Uncertain of how to take his words, but in a weird way, he felt not surprised, as he recalled his young master previous statement of him giving the princess an escort. The thought left him puzzled, curious of if that was the case, then what made things as it is.

As the advice his young master gave him was starting to seem suspicious, but he was unsure of how to respond. While curious of, if the young master had fallen for the princess like most, or something else was in play that he was unaware of. But knew asking him of the reason was out of the question.

"I'll do as you advised, sire… But to answer your question… Yes, there has been past cases, or attempts to be precise... However today's case, is nothing more than the presumption of the general... Nothing has been discovered as regards to the reason behind his acts… But based on his acts, it's safe to say it's not because of the princess being a royal magnet to a certain set of abductors for a while, if not months now... The event has been a bit unnatural…"

"Given, how it's like the abductors are obsess with her, or are highly paid for their dedication… But little is known as regards to that too... At least, nothing to pinpoint anyone to be the culprit yet…" Olamide said, sharing all he knew as to his question, since he believed he would find out sooner or later.

He went further stating that, the attempted abduction, timing was what makes it hard to catch the abductors, especially when they were unable to even witness the act, let alone see the face of the abductors. Since they appear at venues during times one least expected, and disappear, almost instantly when they fail.

He explained that, the only witnesses, were a few bystanders, and her knight, in most case. And the reports of the event gave no lead to work with. Adding that the knight has been the only fence blocking the abductors from getting their hands on her. As he tend to make it rather impossible to even come close, or touch her, which normally would be enough to kill their drive, but instead it seems to have the opposite effect.

As the abductors attempts only became bolder. Making the act of crime most alarming for the folks of the kingdom, especially for merchants. And her stubbornness, and resolve seems to be adding, quite a negative impact to the folks, especially the nobles and chiefs, even as she aid in the decreasing of the high cost of living in the kingdom. And at the same time boosting the economy of the kingdom.

At the current state of things, the Radiant kingdom is a place where commoners could make something of their lives, but at the risk of it as well, due to the crime rate that keeps climbing, he concluded.

"In other words the corrupted people in power are out to get her, while making efficient use of their failed attempts, to rally the people against her… How interesting... The orchestrator and the abductors must be quite something leaving no visible clue, or trace behind to follow, huh?"

"It's a shame to say, but that's the truth of it, sire"

"Noted… But how is the king reacting to all this? Or is he just turning a blind eye to it all?"

"Well, judging by everything that is happening in the palace… It will be safe to say the king doesn't have much authority, to do much… The general is the one that seem to be in charge, he does as he please and mostly turn the king's decreed, or orders to a shit show…"

"An example is the current case of the princess, the chief of the royal guards was originally, the one assign to quietly look for the princess… But instead, the general stepped in, took the case, and then turned it to an abduction…"

"Raiding certain parts of the kingdoms for God only knows why, while using the excuse of being family, as most of the chiefs supported his course, and the king is left powerless against his rain and actions… At this rate his probably lucky, he hasn't been dethroned" Olamide answered, explaining all he knew about the king's actions, with a stain of anger.

"If what he said his true, I guess he might not be the actual culprit behind the attack… Hmm... I still need to confirm it though... But for now, I should probably clean up the mess i partly caused" the wanderer thought comprehending Olamide's words, as it made him aware that the king might not be his target, but felt he still needs to confirm it, either way.

However, he couldn't help but felt partly responsible, for the acts of the general in the kingdom, as regards to the raids in search of the lady. Due to him believing he was partly the cause of her lateness, as he stood watching the princess, as she paused for a moment whispering. Granting him the suiting sound of her voice, one more time, before passing through the palace doors, after the guards at the post opened them for her, and her knight.

"Let's go, Olamide, am done here" the wanderer said, concluding their talk, and his escort, after he had watched the princess entered the palace. And saw the doors closed, while certain the princess was safe.

"Huh…? Okay, but where too, sire"

"Not far… I just want to check something up southeast of here"

"Southeast? There is nothing up there right now, due to the… No way… Wait, sire…" Olamide responded, thinking of why he would want to go to such area at the time. But recalled that was the same location that was being raided by the general at the moment based on his intel.

Puzzled as to why his young master would want to visit such area at the moment. He stuttered, as the thoughts of if he was going there, because he knew the general was there frightened him, but was cut off at midsentence, by his young master.

"Judging by your reaction, something grand must be going on there… However, you don't need to worry, it's not like I plan on causing any problem there… I just want too… Clean up a mess I partly made…"

"But you don't have to come, if you don't want too, though" the wanderer said, about to leave the roof, to head towards his desired direction, as his voice hold only that of sincerity, while Olamide was puzzled, as to what he met by his words.

"Sire, what is this really about? Judging by your appearance, it doesn't seem like you've been in the kingdom for long, nor does it seem like you've been in the stated region... So, how? How could you have caused anything? Darn it… Ugh" Olamide thought, as he rushed to follow the wanderer, curious of what he still meant by his words, and what was going through his head. While annoyed by the change of event.

They jumped heading towards the desired location of the wanderer. With the wanderer taking the lead, as Olamide followed in silent. Believing there was nothing he could say, or do to change his young master's mind.

He contemplated on the reasons behind his action, as the thoughts of, if he was influenced by his words, or the case of the princess, plagued him. While horrified by how things might play out, at the scene when they arrive, as they leaped at an incredible speed, and precision covering the distance to their desired location. Neglecting the view the night had to offer, as they move in a bit of haste.

In a matter of moments, they made their way to the south part of the kingdom. Using the rooftops, as their pathway, without making a sound, or their present known, as they move. They leaped a bit further in, to get to the southeast, of the south region of the kingdom.

Upon arrival in the resident area of the region. That was when they saw the source of the darkness the young master sensed, while in the market square. To be the negative emotions of certain citizens, of one of the relatively large community in the region, as their eyes feast of the show, of abuse of power.