Chapter Text
“Lord Sapnap” the butler called.
Sapnap was sitting in his study, reading a book about the magic of the land when he heard the butler from far away.
“What is it?” Sapnap called back.
“The guard came with an important message, Lord Sapnap!” the butler said back now that he was face to face with his lord.
“If Dream escaped again I’m actually going to murder the guards of pandora’s vault” Sapnap grumbled as a joke but when he saw the butler’s face his face fell.
“You won’t have to Lord, Dream already took care of that.” The butler said in a sad voice.
Sapnap jumped up and ran towards the door of the study. The loyal butler following him.
“How long ago did he escape?” Sapnap asked while running. “The guard said he came here immediately so it can’t be longer than 30 minutes ago.”
“Shit… he’s long gone than…” Sapnap said and started slowing down again. On the way more of his staff collected around him, knowing that Sapnap would need them right now. It wasn’t there first rodeo and by how fast Dream escaped this time, it wouldn’t be their last either.
“Someone get Bad and Sam, make sure they are ready to go within 30 minutes. Someone go to George and tell him I’m ready in 30 minutes. Jack get my horse ready. Thomas grab my order from the armour smith and get back as fast as you can.”
As soon as they heard their tasks, the staff started running. Sapnap himself went to his private armory and collected his sturdy gear. It was made of netherrite, the most valuable resource out there. The King had gifted it to him after capturing Dream the first time. Sapnap had tried to give it back when Dream escaped the first time because it felt like he had failed his task but the King had refused to take back his gift. On the basis that if Dream could escape prison this fast, he would need the armor to take Dream on a second time. Now Sapnap was happy with the King’s forthsight. Without his netherrite armor he would never be able to take on Dream. Dream had always been a fantastic fighter and Sapnap would only win from him every once in a while during practice but ever since Dream had been on the run, his fighting had become absolutely incredible. If the reason for Dream’s fall hadn’t been as serious as it was, Sapnap would have been impressed. Instead it was worrying. Over the past two years they caught Dream three times, and he escaped twice from prison within a day. This time it had taken them the better part of the year to catch him and they put him to the highest security prison in the Kingdom. He had gone to both his trails and was sentenced to death. Nothing surprising for the biggest criminal in the Kingdom. Nothing surprising for the criminal with the highest bounty in recorded history. However, it still hurt Sapnap to see his former friend that way. By law and tradition, death sentences were always preformed three days after the sentencing. Three days for the criminal to think about what is the come, three days for the criminal to ask for forgiveness. If they asked it they would be given it but they would still be executed. Dream hadn’t asked for forgiveness. Sapnap hadn’t expected him to do so. He also hadn’t expected Dream to be able to escape pandora’s vault however. Three days had been three days too many. But somewhere, deep in his heart Sapnap was relieved, relieved to know he wouldn’t have to watch his former best friend die.
“Lord, I don’t understand. How can this happen?” Bad asked Sapnap.
He and Sam were sitting on their horses, both in diamond armor and with the same tools and supplies ready as they had been carrying a week before. Only this time replenished, resharpened and cleaned. They had only been home a week but already they were looking towards a future than existed of camping, chasing and fighting. Neither for them look particularly forward to this but both knew just how important this was.
“I don’t know Bad… he’s a psychopath, he doesn’t shy away from killing an entire guard just to save himself.” Sapnap answered bitter.
“It’s just… Pandora’s vault… it’s inescapable… I just don’t understand how.” Bad mutter to himself but shut up when he saw George and Antfrost coming their way.
George was just like Sapnap wearing his netherrite gear and Antfrost next to him was shining in his diamond armor. Together the 5 of them were looking like the most dangerous warriors out there. Which, to be honest, they were. Since Dream’s fall, Sapnap was the best warrior fighting under the King. George was also an above average fighter and their squires were the best squires in the Kingdom. However, what made them so much better than the rest wasn’t pure their skill, it was the way they trusted each other blindly. Ever since Dream betrayed the King, and his best friends, Sapnap and George had been forced to trust each other ever more than before. When they got the news of Dream’s betrayal both had hurt immensely, but both also immediately volunteered to search for Dream and bring him back to the King. The King had accepted this offer because he knew that in the whole Kingdom there was nobody who knew Dream better than Sapnap and George. Especially when Sam, Dream’s former squire, joined them in their search.
“So, what’s the plan Sapnap.” George said when he was next to Sapnap.
“Same as always, we track him down, catch him, bring him back to the King.” Sapnap answered and George nodded along.
“I guess we start at Pandora’s Vault this time then.” George said and he spurred on his horse. It was clear that George didn’t want to talk about what happened. Sapnap understood this, nobody really wanted to talk about it. Ever since that day 2 years ago they had all lost their joy. Instead they had become the black finders. Named after their armor and their goal.