Chapter 23

The girls' panic flared up. If The Prince were to die, they would face a death penalty and their parents would be prisoners until death.

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Earlier in the afternoon, before the bandit situation. Buhle did in fact leave with the other group of maids and manservants, and headed to the market place. Lebo ditched work and followed to the market place.

The group split up at the market place; each one went on to admire items they liked on the vendors' tables.

At the market place, some people sold sacs of rice, corn, wheat, corn flour, different kinds legumes and vegetables. Others sold live chickens, ducks, birds, pigs and different kinds of water body creatures. There were those that sold fabrics, clothing, animal skin, and jewelleries. There were neck jewelleries, arm and hand jewelleries, waist jewelleries, ankle jewelleries and hair jewelleries. There were also vendors who sold farm, architectural and kitchen materials and equipment.

Lebo lurked around, spying on Buhle. She figured that getting Buhle to get farther away from the group would not be easy. So, she went and made a deal with a stranger. Letho offered that man some money so that he could abduct Buhle and tie her up at a hidden place. The man managed to abduct Buhle and was led by Lebo to an abandoned bar. Buhle was tied, blind folded and her mouth was covered. The man got his pay and went his way, so did Lebo.

On her way back to the palace, Lebo whispered to herself; "I will come back for her."

Lebo arrived at the palace and informed the others that she succeeded. It was wonderful news; in fact, it was perfect news. The girls jumped up and down rejoicing. However, that happiness became panic and anxiety within minutes.

A commotion broke in the middle of the girls' celebration. A ruckus spread across the palace. An army of guards exited the palace, gates were closing, everyone not serving as a guard was ordered to lock themselves up in their room. Every head-maid and head-manservant went and checked the rooms to see if all the servants obliged and went to their rooms.

Head-maid Kamva checked all the rooms she was responsible for. They were all in order except room 112.

"One is missing. Where is she?", asked the head-maid, panting from running up and down checking rooms.

Lebo, Sana and Letho kept quiet.

Head-maid Kamva thought for a while, trying to figure out who was missing. "Buhle!', she screamed. "Where is Buhle?!"

Seeing how serious and scary head-maid Kamva was, Lebo thought of something; "She is not here!"

Losing patience and with tears glistening her eyes, the head-maid asked; "Where is--?"

Sana interrupted; "At the market place! Some of the maids went to the market, but Buhle has not returned!"

The head-maid stormed out of room 112. She chased against the wind trying to get to The Prince before it was too late. Her heart pounded and tears ran down her face; she knew how violent bandit situations could get.

In fact, she remembered how she lost her parents in a similar situation in the past. While being chased, the bandits took her mother hostage and killed her father, who was trying to save her mother. Meanwhile, she hid behind a wall, as told by her parents. The bandits had managed to get the palace guards to drop their weapons, but they killed her mother still and then ran away. That was back when she was 9.

The head-maid badged into the Prince's palace. When Lwani tried to block her, she pushed him to the side and walked into The Prince's bedroom.

The Prince turned to face the door when he heard it bust open. He was shirtless. He covered himself up with his arms.

"Put on your clothes!", head-maid Kamva yelled at the Crown Prince Abasi. Lwani, who was right behind her, could not believe that a servant dared to yell at The Prince.

"Buhle! She is missing! Buhle is out there!", she yelled.

The Prince quickly got dressed. He questioned her; "Where exactly?"

"Market place!", head-maid Kamva answered.

The Prince ran out of his palace, Lwani followed behind. The Prince raced on his horse's back, hoping he could get to his subordinate on time.

Prince Abasi and head-maid Kamva were not the only ones hoping for Buhle's safety. Lebo, Letho and Sana too were hoping that Buhle would return unscathed. They felt remorseful for conducting that plan of theirs and thus, possibly endangering Buhle's life.

The Queen was on her way to the Prince's palace when she saw head-maid Kamva walking by. The Queen signalled her maids to call on head-maid Kamva. Head-maid Kamva came and bowed to The Queen.

"I saw The Prince leave on a horse, where is he going?" The Queen wanted to know.

She was concerned about her son. Head-maid Kamva remembered The Prince, right before he left, telling her not to tell anyone about what he was up to. The head-maid quickly thought of a lie; "He has gone to witness the combat. He specifically said that he will be watching from out of sight, your Majesty."

Most of The Queen's concern subsided.

"Oh, he said he will only be monitoring? From afar?", asked The Queen, seeking assurity.

"Yes, my Queen", responded head-maid Kamva.

Meanwhile, Buhle had managed to free herself. She heard noise and also saw some suspicious-looking people who were seemingly being chased. She hid in the bar for a shot time and left after there was silence outside. She tiptoed around town, trying to find her back to the palace.

The town was dark and cold, and the streets were empty. People did not even light up their homes. They stayed locked indoors with their candles unlit. The only light source present was the stars. Although, it was unclear how the situation would turn out, Buhle found hope and strength in the brightness of the moon. It was full and healthy. It seemed happy.

The Prince's search continued, with Lwani riding right beside him. The Prince's main concern was to protect his staff. The Prince had always felt responsible for his staff. As a matter of fact, he was always irritable about The Queen or The King punishing his staff. If any of his staff were to get harmed, he would take it personally. Thus, even though his staff feared his title, they feared the rest of the royal family even more.

After almost an hour of not finding Buhle, The Prince was getting even more worried and panicky. Meanwhile, Buhle was losing her strength by the minute, trying to find her way back. The cold weather was weakening her. Breathing was getting difficult as she staggered ahead against the wind pushing back at her. Slowly she could not find the strength to look up at the moon for hope anymore. And the empty streets seemed to mock her lonely life. Her will to live began leave. She descended to the ground, torso leaning against a wall. Her eyes shut.