"Well, as a prince, he had many tasks and responsibilities concerning the towns across the nation. Four of the men are royal gaurds and the other two are governors from local towns that decided to do their best to help the king and his queen in their time of need"

She sighed softly. " How will they help me find him? "

"Well, last night I searched the town,so there is no point in doing it again. These men will take you to the next most suspected hide out of Temorin's captors."

A distant yell caught his ear as he began to trot off.
He knew the real royal gaurd wasnt far behind.

"We must make hast. My men wont wait long."

" ..." She didn't say anything, but began following him.

He steadily picked up his pace till his horse was at nearly a gallop.

"Its not very far, in fact, it should be a little past the bend up ahead." He called, ensuring he could see Xolia at all times.

She nodded, not saying anything.

Men were waitimg just where Garth had said, and there were indeed six of them. They smiled welcomingly at the two.

"Finally. Atlas would have our throats if we woyld have taken any longer," one said with a laugh.
A secong man pulled ropes from his satchel as Garth clung tight to Bangle's lead.

"I'm sorry fireball," he whispered with downcast eyes.
"I have a young one to protect...this is the only way for me. You have to understand, its not my call."

The men eagerly approach Xolia, surrounding her as best they could, reaching to bind her wrists. Due to Garth holding bangle's lead, the horse could not assist in Xolia's escape. The men had to move quickly since the royal gaurd were on the way.

Xolia shot a glare at Garth, then turned back to the men. " I don't plan on going down easily. " She quickly moved her wrists away, kicking the nearest one in the face.

Garth released Bangle's lead to one of the men, backing up a bit. He really did feel as though he had no choice but to hand Xolia over to Atlas. The good news was that Atlas didnt plan to kill her like he had tried with Temorin, but he had no clue what else he might have in store for her.

The man that received a blow to his face backed up a bit, touching his busted lip.
"Oh, I've got it in for you now lil'princess. You're just luck Atlas wants you alive, else I'd have killed you already."

While two of the men went to hold her legs down, two more began trying to bind her hands. There were two left, so one man stood gaurd and the other moved to press a drugged cloth on Xolia's mouth and nose.

She struggled the entire time, her movements slowing as she inhaled the drug on the cloth.