Lawrence ran back to the Western Temple, passing soldiers running to and from the battlefield location in the harbor.

Commander Arduani agreed to my terms, he thought. But I need to be careful.

The failed mage wasn’t entirely certain he could trust her. She was an honorable woman, but if she had to make a choice between following through with her agreement and saving the royal heirs, she would choose the later.

He came to the tent where Sakura and her family had been staying and went inside. He was not expecting to see Yukio crying in the arms of Sakura’s younger sister Yoko. The other two Akaima dancers were there.

He knew something was wrong.

“Where is she?”

Yukio looked up. There was surprise there, and the disapproval had evaporated. Only a beseeching expression remained. “They took her,” she sobbed. “They took my daughter.”

Lawrence looked over the women. Kaiya had a purple bruise around her left eye, and Yuko a bloodied lip with a large bruise on the side of her face as well.

“Who took her?”

“We don’t know,” Kaiya said. “Some man. A swordsman. He wants you.”

“Me?”

“He asked for you specifically.”

“Did he say why?”

Yukio shook her head furiously. “He wants a woman. He called her the White Feather? He said you would bring her.”

Lawrence narrowed his eyes. Why would he take Sakura and demand that I bring him Haku?

“Please,” Yukio begged with hands clasped. “Do as he says. Bring back my daughter. Bring Sakura back!”

Lawrence put a hand on her shoulder. “I will. You have my word.”

She nodded, tears still streaming down her face. She was desperate, and hopeful. “Arigatou! Thank you!”

“Now,” Lawrence commanded, “the four of you need to get to the ship. Commander Arduani is going there now with the royal heirs and I don’t know if she will wait until I return. The battle has stopped, so it’s safe. For now.”

“But Sakura—“ Yukio began.

“I will bring her back,” Lawrence promised. “And if the ship departs before we get back, then I will get her out of Mikuma.” Wrist on her forehead, Yukio looked like she was about to faint as her younger daughter held her by the shoulders. Lawrence turned to the stronger among the women. “Kaiya. See that they get to the ship.”

The dancer nodded. “Bring her back, mage!”

He nodded solemnly one last time, then left the tent.

Lawrence gritted his teeth. He was furious with himself. It made him run faster in the direction of the ship where he would find Haku. He had no time to wait for the women. He had to make it to the Akaima Dancing Fan to ask the White Feather for her assistance, and to assure himself that Arduani wouldn’t set sail until he had brought Sakura back.