Chapter 39
Chapter 39
“ F ather, the men have escaped,” Dakar stated as he rushed into the parlor where his parents and Jabari sat.
King Kobi stood. “When?”
“What men?” Jabari inquired.
Dakar kept his attention on his father. “Some time during the night. They overpowered the guards and escaped through the back of the palace. According to the men, they were heading towards the riverbank. Two of our men were tossed into the river. One was pulled free. I am afraid the other was lost.”
“What of the two Americans?” King Kobi asked.
“Americans?” Jabari stood. “Explain all, Dakar,” He ordered.
Dakar glanced at Jabari then looked to his father. At a nod of his head Dakar explained. “The American who is involved with Princess ZsaZsa came to Emure to prevent the marriage from taking place. We…I secured them at the airport and brought them here.”
“You kidnapped two Americans?” Jabari growled.
“I detained them,” Dakar responded.
“Have you taken leave of your sense? Your actions could cause the United States government to declare war against us. Where are the guards who held the men. We must find them and return them to Emure immediately.”
“We have searched through the night, Jabari,” Dakar shook his head. “I fear they may have perished in the river.”
“You should pray to the gods you are wrong!”
“Your Highness.” A guard hurried into the room then bowed his head. “A contingency of military guards wearing the colors of Emure have arrived at the front entrance. There are a number of Americans with them. They appear to be very agitated. Shall we hold them off?”
“The Americans are here?” Queen Ada stood.
“Dakar, go below,” Jabari ordered. “Do not return to this level until I send for you. Secure Mother with you.”
“I will not run and hide,” Dakar huffed.
“Do as your brother ordered,” King Kobi shouted.
Dakar huffed.
“Come my son,” Queen Ada, took him by the arm.
“Protect our mother Dakar,” Jabari stated.
Dakar nodded then turned and left the room.
“Father, allow me to handle this. You go below with Mother.” Jabari urged.
“Son, I will not leave you to deal with this alone.” King Kobi stated.
“We will take a stance together,” Jabari nodded then turned to the guard. “Alert the guards, then allow the men entrance.”
Douglas and Brian were waiting at the entrance when James and LaVeré reached the grounds of Zyrier. It took them a few hours to cut across Asmere to get to the border.
“Joshua is doing recon,” Brian informed them. “We have advised the guards who we are and who we are looking for.”
LaVeré walked to the entrance. “I am Prince LaVeré Ashro of Emure. I need to gain entrance to the palace.”
“I am Prince Jabari, this is my Father King Kobi. We have been advised of the situation with your sons.”
“What in the hell did you do with them?” Brian huffed.
“Brian,” LaVeré cautioned. “Requesting your permission to enter your grounds.”
“Of course,” Jabari nodded, and the gates were opened.
“Were the young men here?” LaVeré asked point blank.
“Yes, they were.” Jabari answered. “I was not aware of this. However, it is my understanding that I am the reason they were taken.”
“I want the man who took our sons,” James demanded.
“I cannot turn him over to you,” Jabari stated. “However,” he held up his hand as the men began to advance, “I will join you in the search for your sons. It is my understanding that they may have attempted to cross the river.”
“Into Asmere?” Joshua asked from behind the men’s back.
Jabari and Kobi looked back stunned.
“Yes,” Jabari stated as he took a second look at Joshua. “If they did, there may be an issue. Many of my countrymen have died attempting to cross the river at the point my men indicated.”
“Take me there,” James demanded.
“Stay here, Father. I will take them.” Jabari offered.
“Follow your Prince,” King Kobi ordered. “Protect him with your life.”
“That is not needed Father. Prince LaVeré will see to my wellbeing.” Jabari stated. “It is this way.”
“He has a trusting nature,” James said to LaVeré.
“That could be deadly,” Douglas said.
The men turned to look at him. Douglas kept walking, unbothered by their glare.
Jabari led them to the back of the palace where Dakar indicated they escaped from. He was shocked to see the hole in the wall. He shook his head and walked towards the wheat fields.
“According to my men, they ran into the trees to the right to the fields.”
“What’s on the other side?” James asked.
“The riverbank,” Jabari replied.
“And Asmere,” Joshua added as the band on his wrist blinked.
The band was his communication device used between him and Teddi. He could not respond to her at the moment. He would know if it were a real emergency, Teddi knew the code for that. For now, he needed to focus on getting a good location on James and Elliott. When he looked up, he realized he should have warned the men. Several of the guards walked into the chopper he had in stealth mode.
Joshua pushed a button on his wrist. Suddenly the chopper came into view. “Didn’t you see the chopper there?”
LaVeré simply shook his head as he reached down to help the men up.
Jabari glanced at them with a look of confusion.
“It was there you just could not see it,” LaVeré explained. “How dense are the woods?”
“Not very. It is the river that separates us from Asmere.” Jabari explained.
“May I ask who approached who about the arranged marriage?” LaVeré asked as they walked through the trees.
“Your brother, King Raheem of Asmere approached my father. He then introduced King Aswan to my father and the arrangement was set.”
“You had no hand in the contract?”
“No, as our tradition dictates, my parents handled the details.”
“They were here,” Joshua stated as he stood in front of the river.
“This direction,” Douglas pointed. “They went up stream.”
“Searching for the low point of the river,” James continued.
“It would not matter,” Jabari advised. “If they attempted to cross at any point, it very well may have been fatal.”
“It was not,” Brian argued. “Let’s go across.”
“How can you be certain?” Jabari asked.
“Because it’s Elliott,” Brian responded.
“Let’s take the chopper across,” LaVeré suggested.
They all hurried back to the chopper. All of them hopped in leaving the Emure and Zyrier guards on the ground.
When the chopper landed on the other side, they all got out and walked the area.
“There is blood over here.” Joshua looked at the ground. “They walked then stopped here to doctor an injury.”
“Yeah, but who was injured,” Douglas asked. “Both or just one.”
“Just one,” Brian stated as he looked around.
Joshua stood on the grounds looking into the wooded area. His wrist beeped again. The signal indicated Teddi was contacting him again. He could not stop what he was doing to call, but knew he was only minutes away from her. He would see her soon. He then turned back to LaVeré.
“LaVeré, take the chopper and Prince Jabari to the palace. We will follow the boys’ path from here and will meet you there.”
LaVeré hesitated, knowing Joshua did not like anyone flying his chopper. But he was certain there was a reason for the request.
“Very well,” LaVeré responded then took Prince Jabari up in the chopper.
Joshua waited until the chopper was out of sight then ran into the woods. James, Brian, and Douglas followed him.
It was a fifteen-minute run in the daylight and for someone who knew where he was going. When they reached the tree. Joshua placed his hand on it and the tree trunk opened.
“What the hell?” Douglas mumbled.