Playlist: The search by NF

The very next day, a meeting was called upon with the members of the Royal council. The message has been passed across to the them and they habe spent the last few hours arguing back and forth, telling the king not to do it but was he listening?

The letter had confirmed two things. One, the Queen was still alive and well and Gavin had indeed betrayed the kingdom and wants a war unless the king fulfilled his requirement. He had already sent a scroll requiring the king's signature to passing the kingdom to him for the Queen.

"We can attack him! No need to listen to that idiot's threat!" The minister of defense roared, glancing at his colleagues. A few of them nodded in support while the rest of the groaned in disapproval.

"If we do that, the queen will die." Another noble shot back, countering him.

"We've already found their base, we can have someone sneak into there and rescue the queen, no need to sign that stupid thing." He stressed again.

"This is not a decision we can make in a hurry! We need time to think about this! We don't know how powerful the enemy we're facing here is." Someone spoke up and there was another uproar among the council once again.

"Silence. All of you." The king's voice boomed over the uproar and everyone stopped talking. This is the first time in hours that he had spoken. They exchanged glances at themselves before looking at the king.

He turned to Geoffrey who was standing by his side. "Hand me the scroll."

Geoffrey bowed and did as he was told. The nobles watched in surprise and confusion. What was the king about to do? Once geoffrey returned with the scroll, Dexter collected it from him, rolling it open.

He placed a feather on the ink bottle in front of him and began writing something into the scroll. "Your majesty!" The minister of defense let out in a strangled voice. "You can't possibly be doing this! You're going to offer the whole of Madonia to that man? That is preposterous!!"

Dexter barely listened to has he continued with his scrolling. Once he was done, he rolled the scroll back up and glared at the minister who spoke. Placing his hand on his chin, he started to speak.

"You all claim to die for your kingdom if the opportunity arises, yet we've been here for the past five hours and none of you have to come to any conclusion of what step we should take. Instead, you've all been requesting for more time to think things through."

Leaning forward, he narrowed his eyes. "I don't have that. Every second I spend here knowing Maya is in danger is torturous. You have no idea how painful it is to sit down here and listen to all of you speak."

Dexter stood up on his feet. "Tomorrow, we march down to battle. And yes, I'm exchanging the whole of Madonia for her. I will not be listening to anymore suggestions. This meeting is over. Just pray she isn't dead before I get there, of you are all in trouble." On that note, Dexter stormed out of the room, flanked by guards, leaving all the nobles present in complete shock.

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Maya laid on the ground, curled into herself as she shivered uncontrollably. She had cried herself to sleep the night before and was the feeling the consequences at the moment. Apart from the body numbing cold, her head was pounding and it was a struggle to keep her eyes open. Every time she tried to move, her lower body will begin hurting, making it impossible to even stand. She turned around on the floor, staring at the entrance of the tent, tears welling up in her eyes. Blinking them back, she forced herself to sit.

Soon a soldier walked in, bringing in a tray of food. Lowering it to the ground in front of her, he started to leave when Maya called him back. "I c-can't." Maya forced out, her voice scratchy. "My hands are tied."

"Well, too bad." The soldier said, sounding apathetic.

"Please, just help me get out of this ropes. I can't feel my hands." She said, stretching her still bound hands forward.

Maya watched him hesitate before returning to cut of the ropes. She mumbled her thanks as he strode. Massaging her wrists, Maya stared at the food in front. It was a soup of some sort with pieces of meat floating above it and a hard bread with a cup of water.

Despite it's weird smell, her stomach growled loudly making it impossible to resist. She pushed the tray closer to herself and used the bread to eat the soup. It tasted as bad as it smelled but Maya wolfed it down, shocked at how hungry she was. Once she was done eating, she drank the water finishing it halfway and used the rest to clean her face.

She brought out the dagger from it's hiding place and unsheathed it from it's cover. Staring at it angrily, she placed it back in it's hiding place. With the meal, came some strength. Maya stood to her feet and started searching the rundown tent for materials she could use to protect herself. After minutes of searching, she found a huge stone and a slightly sharp stick.

Since there were people guarding the tent from outside, it would be useless to run. She needed to make sure she can protect herself now. The dagger would be for later when she can ascertain her escape. Keeping it close to her, Maya sat back on the ground, watching the tents entrance with a bated breath, her senses alert. As she waited, she kept herself busy by thinking of Dexter and what he was possibly doing now. Clasping her hands together, she closed her eyes and started to pray.

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The day slowly drifted by and soon it was evening. Maya stayed where she was, except for occasionally moving around when her legs became stiff. No one had come to see her and it felt like she had been forgotten there. Maya watched at it grew from dusk till stars began appearing in the sky.

That's when she heard footsteps approaching. At alert, Maya stared at the entrance of the tent, her heart racing. She heard voices and speaking and soon shadows began to move, the tent flap opened and Gavin walked in. Clenching her teeth, Maya turned hateful eyes at him, not saying anything. Gavin was forced to speak up at the suffocating silence.

"How are you?" He asked in a slightly taunting voice, his speech slurred.

"What are you doing here?" Maya asked instead, ignoring his question.

"I came to see my hostage. Maybe even keep her company. Last night must have been too cold for you, hasn't it?"

"I'm fine. Thank you very much." Came her clipped reply.

He sauntered closer to her. "Now don't be like that. " Stopping right in front of her, he raised her head up so she was looking at him. "In case you've forgotten, you're at my mercy now." He taunted.

The smell of alcohol emanating from his body told her he was drunk and there was no way he would be in his right senses. Alarmed, she scurried away from him.

"Get back!" She screamed, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

Gavin chuckled, stalking up to her. Maya continued to take steps back, until she hit the far end of the tent, nowhere to run. Gavin saw this and a sinister smile worked it's way to his face.

"Nowhere to run, eh?" He muttered, pulling at her hair. "That's good to know."

"Get your hands off me!" Maya screamed as she pushed him back. He stumbled backwards, surprised at the force of the shove. Anger overrode fear as she picked up the sharp stick she had found, swinging it at him. Gavin had charged towards her so the stick went through his palm, coming out at the other end. He groaned in pain. Not done yet, Maya picked up the stone and slammed his head with it. Gavin fell to the ground, clutching his head in pain as he twisted painfully on the floor.

"Don't you dare lay your hands on me, you bastard!" She gritted out, angry tears filling her eyes. "Mark my words Gavin. if you don't stop now, I will kill you before Dexter does."

Gavin struggled to his feet, grabbing his bloodied forehead. His painful groans had attracted the soldiers and they had come rushing into the tent. The stick was still embedded in his palm, he pulled it out and slapped her across the face with the same hands.

"You bitch!!" He seethed, trembling with rage.

Maya fell to the ground, her ears ringing. She snapped her head up to glare at him however. "Go to hell!!" She yelled at him. His soldiers tried to attack her but he stopped them, holding out a hand.

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy ruining you." He growled, blood dripping from his face. "No food and water for her from now on!" He yelled to his soldiers before stumbling out of the tent, his guards not far behind him. Only when her heart rate calm down did Maya realize what had happened.

What has she done?

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