Well, I have finally found some inspiration for this story. I promise I haven't forgotten it. RL has just been crazy hectic the last few years. Enjoy! Please let me know what you think! Sorry this is just kind of a filler to get back into writing this.

Chapter 8

That's New...

Loveday continued on fussing over Jacob as he insisted he wasn't as bad hurt as he looked. However, when he tried to remove himself from the dining table, he grudgingly admitted defeat. Jacob sighed and laid back, conceding to Loveday's fussing.

"Jacob, you did your best. You tried to help Maria, and that's all we could ask for. Is there any more details you can think of that might be useful? Marmaduke is planning on leaving shortly to see if he can help.

"The only thing I can think of is that…thing… it moves through the shadows, but it doesn't seem to have any thought but pleasing his master."

Loveday smiled and told Jacob that they would get him moved to a room soon so he could rest.

Benjamin galloped through the forest, intent on arriving to the De Noir's castle as swiftly as possible. When he did finally reach the gates, he immediately sounded alarm, rousing the guards. He explained what he knew, having some of the clansmen sent to his home to help with Jacob, and others to form a search party.

"Benjamin, if Robin is on the search for Maria, we have no doubt she will be found. That boy would move Hell's gates, if she but asked." The older man attempted to soothe his son-in-law.

"I thought we were done with the business of those damned pearls. It makes no sense for her to have been kidnapped." Benjamin told him.

Together, Benjamin and Coeur, along with several volunteers, spread through the woods. Creating an arc to sweep through the forest, they searched for every possible clue. All De Noir men were amazing trackers. Surely, with as much fuss as that girl would stir, there should be something that showed signs of struggle.

"We will find her." Coeur told the worried man. Though deep in his own gut, he felt that something was off about this kidnapping.

He thought back to the creature that attempted to ruin his son's ball. It was apparent the two were connected. Though, he wasn't quite sure why they would want the girl. The power of the pearls now belonged to the sea. The girl no longer contained their powers.

He perused every avenue of his mind, thinking of anything that could connect the strange figure to Moon Acre or even the De Noir clan, and he just couldn't think of a thing.

Robin had been following the trail his necklace showed him, while marking the path subtly for his reinforcements that would come should he be gone too long. Finally grateful that his father had instated that silly rule, he whispered a prayer to the moon.

''Please let her be alright. Please let me get to her in time."

Out of seemingly nowhere, Wrolf appeared before him, as if beckoning him to follow. Nodding to the dog-turned-lion, Robin followed. Between Wrolf and his guardian necklace, the man would find his beloved.

After what seemed like hours of trekking, they did happen upon a small alcove. Following Wrolf into the rocky hollow, he quickened his pace. Taking care to breathe slowly, allowing his pulse to calm, he let the instincts of a hunter take over.

He listened on as two voices seemed to drone on. He had to stifle a snort when he heard Maria was being an unpleasant captive.

I know the feeling. She can be quite aggravating when she wants to. The little witch.

He endearingly smirked. He just knew she wouldn't go easily. After all, her spirit is what first drew him to her. He could only bet that Maria had been giving her captors as much hell as she had given him those three years ago.

Feisty thing, she is.

One voice boomed through the cavern, "NO. You will NOT be released. Stop glaring! You and your little woodland prince will die tonight. In fact, you won't just die. No! You will be sacrificed to resurrect my dearest from the world beyond."

Well, that's certainly a new one. Robin thought to himself. Now that he knew what was going on, and that he was also going to be targeted, he would be able to plan and figure out a way to debunk this whole thing.

He slipped in a little further, finding himself easily hidden. The strange creature sat against the innermost cave, unnervingly still.

From his vantage point, he could see the workings of the cavern, unbeknownst to the other occupants.

Maria sent a scathing look towards the crazed, cloaked figure. She turned her nose up in the air, almost intentionally irritating her captor. Though no sound came out, one just knew she was scoffing at the thing.

Robin could hear the implied 'as if' in her features. There was no way that was going to happen. When her jailer turned towards the thing in the corner, he bade it rise.

"Stand, my golem and go forth to do my bidding."

Benjamin and Coeur found the spot that Robin had mentioned. They could see Jacob's blood on the ground. Stepping away from the site, Coeur began to inspect the surroundings.

"Robin is an excellent hunter. He knows how to leave an almost indiscernible trail. That will lead us to them."

Benjamin agreed with the man. Though he had traveled the forest many times, he knew that the De Noir men held more knowledge of this forest than he could begin to fathom. After all, they spent their lives in it. Though he was anxious, he kept a calm face. It wouldn't due for him to become hysterical, as was typical for the women in his home.

"I fear there is something different about this. There is something about this entire place that feels wrong." He stated out loud.

"Indeed, I do agree." Coeur's voice gravelly as ever.

"There is something strangely familiar about this energy. And that thing from last night. I just can't quite place my finger on it.''

"I was thinking the exact same thing. I, for the life of me, can't seem to figure out what or why though. Like there is something important that has been forgotten."

Both men silently followed along the trail Robin left. Each contemplating just what could have been forgotten.

Loveday motioned for the burly men to follow her.

"Come, come. Jacob is in here. You can move him to one of the guest rooms on the first floor. He just needs to rest and heal."

The men didn't say a thing, only carefully lifted the younger man and hefted him down the corridor. Ms. Heliotrope had been damn near hysterical at the sight of the young lad. Knowing that he was injured because Maria was in trouble only worsened her nerves. She fretted about, causing the men great unsettlement.

"Marmaduke, please be careful out there. I have a bad feeling about this entire thing." Loveday told the little chef.

"Indeed, madam, but not worries with Marmaduke Scarlett leading the case. I have a few tricks up me sleeve. Trust I will escort them home safely." He grinned, twitched his nose, and disappeared.

It was easy enough for him to follow Robin's trail back to the place Jacob had been injured. Scouting through the foliage, it was easy enough to see the direction the others headed. Figuring that was a good place to start, Marmaduke continued on in their footprints.