Chapter 107. To the Northwest

Ainslee

“We have to help,” I say desperately to Rafe. “We have to go along with the search parties.”

It is near sundown the following day, and the guards told us just an hour ago over the mind-link that they’d lost the trail at a large lake a few miles from the Rallegrad border.

“I’ve written to King Maximus. That done, I think you’re right. We should join the search parties.” He sets down the royal seal and hands the letter to Zeke, his second in command. “See that this gets sent off. And hold down the fort while we’re gone.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zeke replies, looking sleep-deprived and mournful himself.

Rafe alerted citizens all over the kingdom of Drake’s kidnapping as soon as he knew he was missing. Now, everyone from the highest-ranking soldiers to young children are combing the shoreline of Fang Lake and the woods surrounding it.

“In case they doubled back, I’ve also told our people who do not live near the lake to be on the