The Hathway Kingdom (Book 2)

Thirty.

"How far are we from the palace?" he all but demanded and the Professor gave a quick scan of the area before he replied.

"If we ride fast...A couple of hours in that direction. It's the quickest way, Your Imperial Majesty," he said quickly when Romulus shot him a glare. Romulus sighed before he looked at Lizbeth and Theodoras.

"Let's go," he said before they all urged their horses on again.

They reached the palace in record time, even with a brief stop to allow the horses another break and a drink. Several stableboys hurried over, taking hold of each of the horses reins so that they could all get down from the saddles. As he landed, Romulus looked around as a voice called out to the Professor and he saw Larissa's personal guard running towards them. He all but skidded to a stop when he saw Romulus and Lizbeth, giving them a quick and polite bow before he returned his attention to the Professor.

"Is there news, Tristan?" the Professor asked, and Tristan nodded his head.

"His Highness sent word. They've found Lady Akira, but they need help. I was just going to get a horse and go to them," he explained before he frowned as the Professor went paler than he already was. Lizbeth hurried forward quickly, taking the Professor's arm.

"I am sure that Romulus and Theo would be more than happy to help you, General. I think I will stay behind and take care of everything here," she said, taking the Professor's arm tighter as he swayed slightly. Tristan glanced at Romulus who nodded his head, to which Tristan nodded his own in return before he barked out an order for his horse and for new ones to be brought out for Romulus and Theodoras. They mounted their new horses before following Tristan as he led the way through the forest to their destination.

They reached their destination, all three men pulling on their horses reins roughly. The horses neighed and stomped their hooves as they eventually stopped, and Romulus' heart leapt to his throat. Pacing in front of what looked to be nothing but a giant pile of rubble and debris, Iovianus held a battered and bloodied bundle in his arms, which he realised was a child. Hearing the horses, he looked up, his eyes widening before relief washed over his face. He fell to his knees as Tristan leapt down form his horse and ran to him, catching the bundled child before he could drop her. She wrapped her tiny arms around Tristan as she sobbed, and he stroked her hair to soothe her as Romulus and Theodoras came over to them.

"What happened, Your Highness?" Tristan asked as Iovianus did his best to calm himself. Romulus frowned as he looked around before he looked back at Iovianus.

"Where is Larissa?" he asked, his voice as calm as he could make it.

"Your Imperial Majesty..." he began to say before the child pulled herself away from Tristan long enough to speak.

"She's...She's in there. Lassy...Lassy saved me but before she could get herself out...Oh! Your Imperial majesty! The cave collapsed!" she barely managed to exclaim before she burst into tears and buried her face into Tristan's shirt again and sobbed as Romulus froze.

All four men looked towards the entrance to the cave, which was covered in any manner of rocks and boulders. Romulus could feel his heart beating harshly against his ribcage as he stared at it, barely daring to breathe as he swallowed heavily. He was vaguely aware of Iovianus getting to his feet before he approached the taller man.

"I...I moved what I could out of the way, Your Imperial Majesty, but...But I am not strong enough to do it on my own. My abilities run to water not earth like my father, so I can't use them to help," he said before he fell silent as Romulus raised his hand.

"You have done the best that you can under the circumstances, Prince Iovianus and I thank you for it. Now, I suggest you take the Lady Akira back to the palace and have Lady Cooper tend to her. Generals Xun, Grey, and I will take it from here," he said, his tone calm despite the emotions that were raging through him. Iovianus looked as if he was going to say something but the small whimper that Akira gave drew his attention and he turned to her. He walked back over to her, and Tristan handed her own to him as he got to his feet.

"If you will excuse us then...Your Imperial Majesty. Generals," he said as he bowed his head before he left in the direction where he had tied his horse. Romulus turned to the mess that was the cave entrance before he took in a deep breath to calm himself as he began rolling up the sleeves on his shirt.

"Come, Generals. Let's get started before it becomes dark," he said, and the two men leapt to help him remove the rocks and boulders from the cave entrance.

By the time that night fell, they had cleared away half of the rubble and all three men were sweaty, dirty, and irritable. Lizbeth had come to try and convince them to come back to the palace but none of them budged. They only stopped long enough to eat and drink the supplies that Lizbeth brought with her before they went back to their work. Finding that all three of them were just as stubborn as the other, Lizbeth sighed and as soon as she returned to the palace, she sent as many people as she possibly could to help them.

Daybreak came and Romulus bit back a curse as he dropped a rather heavy rock on his fingers. Quickly throwing it away, Romulus shook his hand to ease the throb of pain from it.

Midday arrived with more supplies and men to help. Some of them had the ability to manipulate the earth and so, moving the rocks and boulders became a little easier. By the time that most of the debris had been cleared away, night had fallen again, and the moon was high in the sky. The moonlight twinkled off something shiny off to his right and Romulus frowned before he walked over to it. Seeing what looked like a blade sticking out of the rocks, Romulus frowned before he leant down and moved some of the rocks out of the way. Reaching down, he grasped the shining item before giving a gentle pull, freeing the blade from the earth. He titled his head as he examined the sword, he had just pulled free from the debris. As his eyes fell on the hand and pommel, his eyes widened before he looked down at where it had been. Swallowing heavily and holding his breath, Romulus brushed more of the dirt and such away before he let out a yell as he stood up suddenly.

"Here! She's here!" he yelled out, drawing everyone's attention to where he was as he began to move rocks, dirt and soon, boulders, out of his way. He was joined seconds later by Theodoras, Tristan, and then the others. With their combined efforts, they managed to get enough of everything out of the way for Romulus to scurry forward and put his arms around her torso.

"Tristan! Come and help me get this last boulder up off Her Majesty's legs so that His Imperial Majesty can pull her free!" Theodoras shouted and before long, Romulus gave a grunt as he gave one last pull and Larissa was free.

Everyone scrambled about, shouts going up to send for a carriage and water and whatever else would be needed to help Larissa.

"Larissa? Larissa, my love. Answer me...Please..." Romulus said in a worried voice as he held her close before she frowned as he found a large wound, which had all but laid her back open to the world. Breathing heavily, Romulus began to examine her carefully, finding other wounds, none of which were worthy of notice except for one on her shoulder. There was a single trail of blood running from her temple and Romulus clutched her closer. Holding his breath now, his fingers searched for a pulse, praying that he would find one. He let out his breath in a single sharp one before he raised his hand to her mouth and nose to check if she was breathing. His heart skipped a beat as he found that she was, albeit shallowly.

"Oh, thank God!" he exclaimed before he held her close, Theodoras and Tristan calling for a carriage to be brought as soon as possible.