290 What About Cari?

"I can't believe I had her and just a little slumber took her away. How do I report this to her highness?"

While Cari was still pondering on his issue, he decided to hide very well to avoid being spotted by the guards.

When he got himself settled and away from where anyone could see him, he watched closely their movements and tried to grasp what they were discussing when the mark on his left hand suddenly lit up.

It was the one person he never wanted to see or talk to at that point in time. At least till when he could figure out where Astrid and Jareth had disappeared to.

At the same time, he could not ignore her. If he refuses to answer her, his hand would hurt him, as a form of punishment, till he answered her transmission.

He sat down with his back resting on the dirt and touched his mark. Immediately a blue light pooped up from his hand and he could see Princess Marin swimming straight up in the water.

"Your highness," Cari greeted in a low voice.

"Hello, Cari. What is the update?" Princess Marin asked.

"Ahem!" he cleared his throat twice, bracing himself up for her yell. "Your highness, I apologize but she escaped."

"WHAT!"

"The hybrid and the elf, alongside the mythical beast all escaped."

"Cari! What kind of nonsense is going on?" Mari yelled again.

As she shouted at him, Cari could see the water vibrate, causing bubbles to float all around her. He could also see the two mermaid guards at her back, tremble from the vibrations in the water.

He was lucky enough that the guards had not gotten to where he was, if not, they were no telling that they wouldn't hear her yelling.

"Your highness, please calm down," Cari begged her.

"Give me one good reason why I should?"

"I am currently in a situation where I cannot speak. I am being chased by the human guards and in hiding. Once they leave, I would better understand my current situation and position and try to trace the hybrid."

He could see the veins that popped out at the side of her head and knew she was mega mad.

He himself was also angry but at this point in time, there was little or nothing he could do about it. But since he could not get them, the least he could do was not get caught by the humans, lest his current situation is dire.

"Please, your highness. Give me some time to get this right and figure out where they are."

Princess Marin took in a deep breath, trying her best to calm down and not risk exposing her spy.

"Fine, Cari. I give you a day to find their position. But I suggest you get going now. If you still cannot locate them, then your mission would be considered off and you must return back to Alacia."

"Yes, princess. I will go after them now."

"I wish you luck."

"Thank you, your highness."

****

Although he knew the humans wouldn't be able to keep up. That wasn't his main concern though. His main worry was the merman, Cari.

And so they went on, with their journey going further in the direction Fortland once was.

It was already evening time and they needed to rest so that their bodies could recuperate. Once again, Jareth was at it, making them push past their limits.

"Jareth, please can we catch our breaths first? We need a little rest. No matter how small," Astrid complained.

"I understand, Astrid but I need to keep you away. Take you from here entirely."

"If we encounter another danger at this point, we all would be too tired to defend ourselves," Astrid argued. She understood his intention but he was missing the bigger picture here.

"I would rather think of that later, than delay and let Cari catch up with us."

"Oh, is it because of Cari you are this worried?"

"Shouldn't I be? Who should I be worried over if not him?" Jareth questioned her. 

'How can she not think about him as a possible threat or danger? Sigh, I think Cari captured her heart and gained her trust and friendship all too well. Her guard is literally down against him.' Jareth said in his mind.

"I thought you would be more worried about the human guards from the outlaws' village."

"And why should I be worried about them?"

"I don't know, you tell me why you shouldn't be worried about the."

"Simple. They do not have the stamina to chase after us for such a long time. Besides, by the time they notice we were gone, it was too late. And I do not think they would be very prepared to pursue us over a long distance, especially if it is Brad that gave the orders. They would forget supplies and all that."

As he spoke, Astrid began to weigh the possibilities. He indeed has a point based on what he said.

They would be alarmed at their sudden disappearance that they would forget to prepare just in case they had to chase them too far and to an unknown destination for that matter.

"Apparently, after a day or two of searching, they would return to the village and report to Clive that they lost us. Even if he gets angry, there would be nothing he can do by then as we would be too far gone. They would have no lead whatsoever."

"Okay, I understand their part. What about Cari? What are you so worried over him?"

"Isn't it obvious? I told you, he wants to separate us and he succeeded before but thankfully that did not end up happening."

Astrid narrowed her eyes at Jareth. She did not know what he was getting at.

"What are you saying, Jareth?"