A Rescue Request

" My prince, I beg your forgiveness. We were cowards. We ran for our lives…" His tears streamed down his face, weighed by the knowledge of his failure and cowardness.

" There is no shame in running from a stronger opponent. You fled to fight another day," Harun tried to comfort him, yet the man shook his head.

" I ought to feel ashamed when the youth risked their lives to save our fellow soldiers. I wish to find a burrow to crawl into and hide my face from the sun forever." His grasp of Harun's robes tightened. " I won't live with myself if I don't ask you this. I beg you, my prince, save the young ones who were taken by the thugs."

It took a moment for his words to settle in their minds. " Come again?" Sindbad asked him impatiently.