I watched a pretty peaceful period, and multiple days had passed, which was signalled by Larana and the changing light.

Dad was outside the bakery talking to mum. I had watched him making plans and working out what to say to mum as he was about to ask her out.

“Amora you’re cooking is getting much better,” commented dad.

“I’ve learnt from the best,” she smiled.

“We’ve known each other for a long time…” he took a big gulp, this was it. “I’ve grown very fond of you through the years and…”

“Yamato!” Alton came running down the corridor, so close.

“What is it Alton?” Dad was not happy to see his friend so close to asking.

“I haven’t seen Daz since yesterday,” he answered panic rising in his voice.

“Is that it?” question dad, seeming unconcerned.

“Yamato.” He grabbed his friend’s shoulders. “She never misses a day of dancing for everyone.” Dad stared at him. “She loves to dance, never stopping, even when she had a cold or sprained her ankle.”

“Okay, I get it.” Dad brushed his hands off him. “We’ll search for her.” Dad glanced back at mum. “I’ll be back later to finish what we were talking about.”

“No rush,” she smiled.

They both headed off in a rush, checking multiple locations for her, places she’d usually dance, the markets, near the palace and by some of the bridges.

“Alton, do you know where she lives?” panted dad after they checked the last location.

“No.” Alton shook his head, sat on the floor leant up against a wall. “But I think Amora does.”

“Let’s go then.” Dad was on the move again.

“Wait for me!” cried Alton, barely able to keep up.

Dad headed back to the bakery where mum was just heading out with her dad. “Amora.”

“Back already Yamato,” she said.

“Can you take us to Daz’s home?” asked Alton, gasping for air, he was clearly not the warrior everyone knew he was.

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Mum glanced at her dad, then nodded. “I can, but why?” She looked at Alton suspiciously. “Want to take your stalking to a new level?”

“No!” cried Alton as dad let out a little snicker. “I haven’t seen her since yesterday,” he quickly explained, his voice filled with complete panic. “She would never miss a single day to dance, the only thing in this world she loves so much.” Amora stared at him.

“Beth did threaten to do something to her, if she did not receive the betrothal sword from Alton,” mentioned dad, his eye betrayed just as much concern as Alton.

Mum sighed. “Alright, I’ll take you.” She then looked seriously at dad. “Is she the one you mentioned?” He nodded. “Follow me.”

Mum led them both to a little alley on the outskirts of the city, right next to the river that surrounded Cathopia, she led them to a rundown building with broken windows, discoloured walls, to be honest the place looked abandoned.

“She lives here?” Alton was shocked.

“Not everyone lives in a nice home Alton,” responded mum. She stared at the door, then rushed forward in a panic, something happened.

“What’s wrong?” questioned dad chasing after her.

Mum barged through the door to see the place had been completely ransacked, everything was torn apart, damage everywhere. I had already guessed as to what had happened. Daz had been attacked here in her home. The place was filled with the signs of a struggle even blood across one of the walls, who’s it was I did not know.

“She was followed home, attacked.” Tears filled mum’s eyes.

“No!” cried Alton.

“Amora, can you tell where they went?” asked dad, touching mum’s shoulder as she knelt on the ground in complete shock. “We need to find her.”

“Please, I know you can track her down,” said Alton. I wasn’t sure what kind of power mum held, but I knew it was her I inherited my clairvoyance from.

Dad brought over a cloth that belonged to Daz, he handed it to mum. “I know you don’t like doing this, but please.” Mum stared at dad, then nodded.

Mum held the cloth in her hands, closing her eyes her whole body began to glow. “I see Daz suspended in a tube of water, they are using her power to create more clones our kingdom struggles to defeat.” Mum began to speak; she was clearly seeing the room I had destroyed. Her voice remained calm, but her body tense. I could sense this power put a lot of strain on the body. “Beth is there, she is the one who put her there, the one who hired her captors.” The glow was getting faint, her breathing quickening.

“A little more,” encouraged dad. “We need a location.”

“North of Cathopia passed the orchard, there you will find a path that goes up the mountain range.” Mum’s power was fading, but she fought to find out the last of the information they needed. “West across two peaks, you’ll find a cavern.” The power dispersed as she slumped forward. Dad caught hold of her, lifting her up in his arms. “You must hurry, before her power is gone, then it will take her life force.”

“Thank you,” he placed her on the sofa. “Rest.”

“It is well guarded inside, be careful.” Dad nodded.

“Let’s go.” Dad moved towards the doors, Larana’s wings forming on his back.

“Right,” nodded Alton as a seriousness came across his expression. He had a glint I often saw as he stood as Cathopia’s king.

They both headed out the doors at a sprint. Alton focused now more than ever, easily keeping up with dad. I could feel all this emotion, I knew it was from dad as he shared a close connection with Larana. What was happening now was quite serious.

I quickly ran after them; I would now find out what happened there within the walls of the cavern.