where are you Himari

It had been a week since they had returned from Dausland Auseis back to Imponini. It had been fun exploring and she had enjoyed getting to know the king and queen. She even felt like she had formed a friendship with the queen. She enjoyed their girl trips to the hot springs and their talks and the laughter they had shared. She had loved the one on one time her and Duncan had spent together and treasured those memories. Then there was little Iris. Himari felt Iris was the best thing that came from the trip. Himari knew the trade agreement was important to the kingdom and very necessary, but she still felt like Iris was the best part. She had brought so much joy into the castle. Arturo and Jameson doted on her as did the maids. Himari, Duncan and Iris spent time together every day just the three of them. They had taken her exploring and spent time with her in the castle reading and playing with her. They felt like a family. Watching Iris open up and loose that haunted look she had first carried made Himari happy. Duncan’s adoration for the child shined through his and Himaris connection. Iris adored Duncan in return. Iris would search for him to tell him about her magic lessons with Himari and Cedric and to tell him about her sword lessons with Joan. Iris loved to Duncan and Himari all the details of her day. They would both listen enraptured. Duncan would get on the floor with Iris and play. It was sweet and adorable. Watching Iris and Duncan together melted Himari’s heart. Sometimes Himari was jealous of their bond and found herself wanting to form a closer bond with Duncan. Himari kept scolding herself and telling herself that she was being ridiculous, but she refused to look into herself why she felt that way. She knew she was being silly and a coward for not looking at her feelings head on. Anytime she thought about trying to figure out her emotions she always found a reason not to. She knew she had to face them at some point. Iris ran up then interrupting her thoughts. She smiled down at Iris danced excitedly beside her “Is it time yet? Do you think Lena and Karen will like me?” Himari brushed her fingers through Iris hair fondly and said “They should be arriving soon with their moms and they will adore you.” Himari saw both Ann and Beth walking to the castle. The day before had been their off day and they had promised earlier in the week to bring their girls to go on a little excursion so the girls could get to know each other. She didn’t see Lena or Karen with them though. Once the women were closer Himari asked where the girls were. Both women had strange expressions on their face and shared glances before saying in practical unison that each girl was sick. Himari offered to stop by and check on the girls and heal them but both women had said no quickly and emphatically. Beth said while wringing her hands “No it’s just a cold. We couldn’t ask you to do that over just a silly cold. We will bring them up another day to meet Princess Iris.” Himari found their behavior odd, but couldn’t figure out what was going on with them. Maybe they felt like it would look bad if Himari, the future queen visited their home. Or if they didn’t want people to think they got special treatment from the Demon Lord and his Fiancée. She didn’t dwell on it long since she looked down and found Iris’s face had fallen and she looked sad. Himari told the women she hoped both girls got better. Before combing her fingers though irises hair and saying “Come on we can still have a blast. We will go get the supplies for me to start teaching you and we will get treats from the bakers, and go to the library. How do you feel about going to the trading grounds too and practicing magic?” Iris started bouncing on her toes excitedly and said “Can we stop and bring some desserts back for after dinner for everybody?” Himari laughed and said “Of course.” Iris grabbed Himari’s hand and started dragging her toward the door. Himari couldn’t help but chuckle at Iris’s excitement. She held Iris hand and let her drag her all the way to town as the girl chattered excitedly. Himari listened happily and asked questions and Iris would respond happily, thriving under the attention. They stopped at the store and bought the supplies they needed and chatted with the shop owner before heading to the bakery for some bread. Iris had talked Himari into getting more sweet breads than she had intended to buy. Maybe she was spoiling Iris like everybody said she was, but considering how hard the girl’s life had been up until now, she felt the child was owed some spoiling. They then headed to the library with Iris skipping ahead and turning to chat and walk backwards. Iris was a few feet in front of Himari when she saw movement in the shadows of an alley. She tried to catch up to Iris and move her, but before she could a man grabbed Iris and held a knife to her throat. Himari looked back at their guards who were also being held captive with knives to their throats. Himari glanced around and found more had come out of the shadows of the alleys and now surrounded them. She could use magic, but they probably could too. They might accidentally damage buildings with people in them, or cause to much noise and draw people out and that would put more people in danger. Any wrong move on her part could risk Iris and the guard’s life, so she couldn’t risk magic. Something was nagging at the back of her mind but she couldn’t figure out what and she needed to try and figure out what to do. She figured the best thing to do was to try and talk and see what they wanted. Himari asked “What do you want?” The man gave her a bone chilling smile and said “We want you little miss. We are under strict orders to get the Demon Lords Fiancée.” He looked down at Iris and said “Now come along and don’t make a scene and I promise to let the brat go without a harming a single hair on her head.” Himari didn’t believe him for a second but hoped following his instructions would keep them all alive. She didn’t know if him not knowing that Iris was being adopted by her and Duncan put Iris in more or less danger, but she kept her mouth shut. She hoped staying silent would keep Iris safer. She did as he told her and walked up to him with her hands held up in surrender. She tried in vain to reach out to Duncan through their connection but couldn’t. She felt panic rising in her, but didn’t want to show it. Himari hoped her attempt at an indifferent demeanor was working. These men looked like the type to enjoy striking fear into people and she didn’t want to give them a single emotion. She also needed to remain calm so the soldiers and Iris did. Any of them panicking or getting upset now could spell disaster for all of them. She took calming breaths and said in a conversational tone “I am coming peacefully and without fighting, why not let everyone else go?” The man gave a derisive snort and said “Lady you aint running the shots here I am. And I have been thinking since you seem so interested in the safety of this brat I should bring her along to make sure you stay in line.” This entire encounter Iris had been standing stock still staring at Himari with wide terrified eyes. Himari tried to convey with her eyes to not move or make a sound. Iris seemed to understand and stayed quiet and still. Himari promised herself she would keep them all safe. Himari tried reasoning with the man that held Iris captive since he seemed to be the leader of this group, “Why don’t you let them all go, having more captives is messier and harder to deal with. Where a single defenseless woman will be way easier to manage.” The man gave a dark chuckle as a man stepped up behind Himari. She felt and arm wrap around her and a prick at her neck. I’ve been drugged. Her eyes began to feel heavy and her vision blurred. She struggled against the man and whatever they had drugged her with. If only she could use her powers to undo its affect or on how long it lasted, but she was so tired she couldn’t concentrate. She was struggling to stay awake. The last words she heard before she fell into dreamless sleep were the man saying in a cruel tone “Sleep well little lady.”