~~~~~~~~~~
Drum beats were everywhere as was singing and dancing. Laughter erupted from the crowd and as Gorham watched from where he was sitting, he knew denying them a reason to celebrate because he himself had been in grief had been wrong. And as this was the thanksgiving festival, everyone had a reason to celebrate. He looked around again and saw Jared arguing with another guard then he dispersed them. He turned and headed to Gorham's direction. Immediately he could sense that something was terribly wrong.
`Your Highness, there is a problem,' Jared said into his ears. `Sidney has just been abducted.'
Gorham felt his head go down into his hands. `Is she fine?'
`According to the two survivors, they took her alive. It seemed that she was the target of the ambush and they succeeded.'
`Only two survivors?'
`Yes. Their methods were foreign but they did succeed in their quest, assuming that Sidney was the target.'
`How could you let this happen?'
`Sir, we had no idea of any attack planned and we thought that we had the highest confidentiality on which carriage was which...'
`So you are telling me that they only attacked Sidney's carriage?'
`Yes.' Gorham started standing up. `Your Majesty, you need to be seen here with the people.
If you leave now they will know something is wrong.'
`But something is wrong, Jared.'
`Yes, your Majesty. I'm asking you to give us an hour and let us see how much we can come up with.'
`Where is Victor?'
`The last time I saw him, he was talking to Sidney at the castle.'
`Find him and interrogate him. He has to know where she is.' `Why would Victor do that?'
`Just do it!' Gorham almost shouted.