Sage nodded with a sigh, letting her take his hand and wipe it off before tugging him down. He went willingly, curling up into her lap with a yawn. "I know," he sighed, shaking his head. "I just hope it doesn't get worse from here," he noted. He wanted to believe they weren't dangerous....that this was a one time deal. But he couldn't. He'd seen too much, done too many things for him to believe that, no matter how hard he might try. For now, though, they were safe at least, and he just closed his eyes, wanting to take a good long sleep without it being interrupted by....well, anything really.

Mari wrapped her arm lightly around his side as he curled up, nodding in agreement. She hoped so too... she hoped these people got what they wanted, whatever it was. She sighed slightly and leaned in to press a soft kiss to the top of his head. He'd done a good job of looking after him, but she didn't want anything to get any worse than it already was. She held him tight for a few moments before letting him go. "We'll be alright. It's over now, for us at least," she murmured hopefully. Her brows furrowed slightly as she let out a soft breath. "Come on, lets get you to bed," she murmured.

Sage had nodded in response to her comment, her kiss curling his lips upwards into a faint smile before he nodded along to her mentioning getting to bed. He was tired, he supposed ....it would do them some good to get a good night's rest. It didn't take them long to get ready and curl up under the blankets, and it didn't take much time for him to pass out either. Of course, nightmares woke him around two in the morning, so he moved to the kitchen to get some water, since his mouth had dried out despite it all being a dream. He froze when he heard something, frowning and turning, eyeing the house wearily. Something felt....wrong. He set the glass of water he had down, moving to peer around closer. It seemed fine, but he still wasn't convinced. He stood still for a moment, brain working, and then spun around when he heard something behind him. The man there was quick though, and doged his first punch. Rage flared up in him, and he lunged at the guy, knocking him over and rolling around the floor as they wrestled. He heard another person run though the door, and before his brain could catch up, they and some sort of bag over his head. He let out a growl, turning to launch himself at the second person, but the first finally landed a good hit in his ribs, knocking him into the counter, the class of water falling and breaking on the floor. they fell on him then, and since he couldn't see, there was little he could do about it. He wound up passing out after a while, hearing something about 'taking him to her' before his eyes fluttered shut.

Mari helped him upstairs to bed, not that he really needed it. She was exhuasted, too... she hadn't slept for a good two days now, and while she was tired, the events of the days before were still rushing around her head. She ws still nervous, still waiting for something to go wrong. But, thankfully, Sage had delt with it. The kids were comfortable, they were asleep, and they could afford to try and relax now too. She got changed quickly before settling down in bed. As suspected, she couldn't sleep all too well, but it was nice to relax and at least try and sleep. Although, by about midnight she managed to curl up into Sages side and drift off into a fairly deep sleep. She didn't wake up until maybe... three the next morning since her routine had been fucked up, but she couldn't help the slight panic when she realised Sage wasn't there. She'd woken earlier to a little commotion downstairs, but it hadn't lasted long enough to cause her worry... it had probably been Amber messing around or something. She let out a soft breath and settled back down to sleep... Sage would be fine. He was probabaly just seeing to the kids or something, and she was still too sleepy to think that something may be wrong. So, she drifted back off to sleep comfortably.

Sage had woken up sometimes later, though he was slow to do so. His head was pounding, no doubt the result of one or two nasty blows to the head. He scowled, attempting to peer around, but he was somewhere pretty dark, and the bag was still over his head. He let out an annoyed huff of air, attempting to sit up and gritting his teeth together at the sharp pain in his side. He definitely had a broken rib or two. A spark of panic ignited in his chest, and he had to force himself to take breaths that didn't hurt him quite so much. Had he really been taken out that easy? He should have suspected something was wrong ...well, he'd down that, but apparently hadn't been awake enough to notice multiple people in his own damn house. And were there more of them? We're Mari and the kids ok? That scared him most ....with him gone, they'd have almost no defenses. They were vulnerable, as were all the animals that kept their family running. He forced himself to calm down, to try and think logically. He wasn't moving, which meant he was likely in a cell somewhere. His hands were bound behind his back, and there was something heavy around his neck too.... probably something connected to a wall by a chain, given the noises he got from moving. A bit of painful twisting and turning got the bag off from around his head, though it didn't do very much. He was in a small, dark room. No windows, and he could barely see the outline of a door. Shit. His claustrophobia kicked in right away, and now he was wishing he'd just kept the bag on his head.

Mari slipped back off to sleep after a little while, although a sort of nagging feeling started biting at her within the hour. She woke up rather suddenly, and when she clocked thst Sage wasn't in the bed with her she couldn't help the worry that coursed through her. She climbed out of the bed after a moment, slipping on a gown as she wandered around the house... she went past the bathrooms and kids rooms before she sped up, her steps a little more frantic as she looked for her husband. She didn't fully panic until she wandered down the stairs and turned the lights on. Broken glass, blood... her heart thumped hard in her chest, closing her eyes tight as she rushed out the kitchen and into the stables.. It was all too quiet. Her eyes widened when she realised he wasn't there at all, and she all but sprinted to the kids room. Something had to have happened... but their children were okay. She needed them out the house and somewhere safe. Her mothers, maybe? Yes. She rushed them out the house and towards the cottage, banging on the door as her worry built up. Sage wouldn't have left them himself. He couldn't have. Someone must have done something... did they know he was friends with their soon to be crowned Queen? Had they taken him as a threat? How had they managed? She explained it to her mother, trying her hardest not to just break down and just trying to think.

Sage had panicked pretty quickly, but whatever he was in was sturdy, and he wore himself out after a while. Once he was too tired to fight anymore, he just went limp on the floor, muscles burning and body aching as pain rolled over his body as he tried to catch his breath. It wasn't working very well, since his claustrophobia was making his chest feel tight and he figured the broken ribs probably wasn't helping. He wasn't how sure he lay there, half conscious, and panicking but unable to move before the lid was shoved open. The harsh light caused him to shut his eyes instinctively, wriggling around when he was grabbed by two different people and dragged off. He had already used his energy though, so he didn't get very far. He was just focusing on staying upright so he didn't pay attention to where he was even going....but that was to no avail anyway when a hard strike between his shoulder blades and a kick to the back of his leg sent him to his knees with a grunt. His vision was swirly, but he was dimly aware of a woman moving towards them, circling him like some sort of predator. He kept his head high and shoulders back, lips twitching into a sort of snarl, but this woman, whoever she was, didn't seem phased.

(What if it's just the slave traders? Like they're just expanding their operation with this new and supposedly weak queen? Idk exactly where I'm going here haha)

(Yeah no worries! If we make a bit of a plan I can play the trader person, I just need to know what I'm doing xD)
Mari left the kids fairly quickly, but not before making sure Anthony would look after the horses while Sage was... wherever he was. She needed to make sure he was safe and... well, just okay really. She needed to find him, fast. Her heart was beating out of her chest, and she really was just terrified about the whole thing. She needed to make sure he was okay. She had to find him. If he'd been taken, if she couldn't find him, she wouldn't know what to do with herself. She found herself walking mindlessly towards the castle, hoping to find some form of help. Maybe the doctor? or Anya? She couldn't do this alone. If she somehow did find him, she wouldn't be able to fight for him. She knew her skills, or rather lack there of in that department. If Sage hadn't managed to fight these people off, she wouldn't be able to fight either. She felt her eyes starting to water as she made it to the gates, forcing herself into the castle and towards the doctors ward. It was so early in the morning, and the whole place was nearly empty. But, she was sure the doctor would help... he had to.

(lol, alrighty! I was thinking theyve just started collecting as many people as possible, including you get adults since there's not as much of a threat from the new queen etc etc. I'm thinking sage is just being stubborn about obeying so he's just getting continuously beat up cuz they're trying to break him, idk)

Sage did his best to peer around the room he was in. It was large, but dimly lit, and there were various bits of machinery and such scattered around. That was all tossed to the side though, so he wasn't sure if it was being used or not. He turned his gaze to his attackers, and he frowned slightly when he didn't recognize any of them, and they all sort of looked the same. Of course, his vision was still slightly off, so that may be part of the issue. He turned his gaze to the woman in front of him, then, sensing she was the one in charge here. She was tall, and looked like she could take anyone on in a fight. She looked older than he and Mari, though still fit enough to run an empire. Great. He scowled at her, opening his mouth to demand where he was and what had happened, but she'd swooped in and grabbed his face, tilting his head from side to side. That shocked him into silence. She was examining him like some sort of livestock....like the women at the tavern used to do. If she's done anything else, he'd have fought her about it. But this had caused him to freeze up, panic twisting his insides into a knot again.

(Yeah cool! I may play mari for a bit longer then swap over just before they find him? Makes it easier on me cause i'm awful at playing aggressive roles 😭 Side note, i've stolen the doctor off you for a moment lol)

Mari found her way to the doctors ward quickly, her eyes welling up and tears soon starting to dribble down her cheeks. Sage wouldn't have left. He couldn't have - he wouldn't leave the kids, so someone must have taken him. Judging by the state of the kitchen they'd taken him. Why? she didn't understand it. Her mind raced for what seemed like hours until she saw the doctor walking from his room and into one of the room. She damn near screamed his name, and he looked like he'd seen a ghost for a moment. "Mari - what on earth-" he was cut off rather abruptly by the sobbing woman, who'd just started reeling. "I- Sage- we- he-" she gasped for breath, trying to put words together but failing dramatically. The doctor, of course looked concerned. He walked over and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Breathe. What's wrong with Sage?" he asked calmly... well, calm for a normal person. The old man always seemed to have that calm demeanour about him, and she only knew he was worried by the pitch of his voice. "I don't- I don't know- he's gone! Sage is gone!" she sobbed, her eyes closing as she tried to calm herself but was clearly just getting more and more worked up. The doctor looked horrified for a split second. Gone. Wrong word. "I can't find h-him," she sniffled. "He's not in the house or the stables - there was glass! there was broken glass in the kitchen and.. and..." she trailed off, her crying only getting heavier. "Someone must have broken in again... or..." or what? He'd staged s kidnapping for himself? Totally not Ssge. The doctor just nodded, trying to figure it all out but struggling. All he'd gotten was Sage was missing. The boy wouldn't have ran off from his family, and if he needed help he would have gone to Mari. So, this was probably worse than what Mari was even thinking. "It's alright. Its okay, sit down and calm yourself. I'll speak to the princess," he told the woman, patting her shoudler and striding off with unusual pace towards the princesses room. Something was very wrong here... and he didn't want Sage out anywhere for too long.