It was some time before the three returned out of the darkness and rain that had resumed. Mullen and Pip were silent and grim as they went directly to the kitchen to finish preparing supper. Belloc replaced his staff in the corner and seated himself at the head of the table. The others joined him, waiting for him to speak. The news was not good.

"We found The Guardhouse empty," he said quietly. "There was no sign of violence, not that that means anything. With any luck, they are off someplace."

Hardly a word was spoken during supper. Anest wanted to tell Belloc what had happened between Lily and himself earlier, but decided to wait until after they finished. Caspar's sons were just about to clear the table, and Anest was readying himself to speak when a noise, a faint rumbling, caught their attention. Reaching for staff and swords that were kept ever close at hand, they headed for the back door, with Mullen, who had brought a lantern, leading the way.

Out of the darkness came riders, men and elves. There were sixteen of them, and they rode as if the night itself pursued them. They pulled up and dismounted without so much as a hail. They were led by a tall man dressed in rain cloak and armour, who came directly to Belloc and bowed, fractionally. "I apologize for this disturbance, master Belloc, but I must know . . . have you seen . . . anything out of the ordinary?"




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