I don't want to be seperated from Bastian, but they keep insisting I come look, come see the next and the next and the next one. By the time I realize I can't hear Bastian's voice anymore, it's to late. Fear grips me, and I turn to run back to him, and strong hands grip me, cover my mouth, grab my hair and pull me back. I fight, I bite, and kick, and try to claw at anything near me. A bag is put over my head, my wrists are bound, and I'm carried, struggling and fighting.
Before to long I feel myself being lowered, far, then set on a curved surface. I realize it's a boat when I hear the sound of the oars on the water. The mercantile had been nowhere near the port, how...? The underground! The system of tunnels that kept the city from sinking into the ocean when the snow melted by siphoning all the water to the ocean, they'd taken me directly underground!
The boat rocks, and I hear hushed voices, then hands grab me and pull me to my feet. I'm lifted and set down on my feet, on solid ground, and promptly released. Not expecting to be released, I stumble forward, only for more hands to catch me before I fall with my hands bound.
"Watch it! This is a queen, not some merchants wife, she will be treated as one!" A rich male voice growls near me. The hands that caught me pull me close, and I feel a warm body pressed against me.
"It's alright, you majesty, you are safe now. We've finally got you, everything is going to be alright." He says. He guides me forward, leading me blindly. "I'm sorry for the secrecy, my queen. It's essential for your safety, until we know if the demon has a tracer sense on you.
When I am finally allowed to stop, the rope is removed from my hands and the bad lifted from my head. Look at my captor. I'm surprised to find a very attractive man my age, maybe a bit older, looking at me with concern.
"Are you hurt?" He asks.
"I... No... Take me back to my husband this instant!" I demand.
"I can't do that. I'm sorry, my queen, I know you won