Quite a few people were waiting at Sir Hofengart's office on our return. Even Vice-Administrator, the marshal and Prince John (the one I raced against), Equerry Kendrick, and Freya with Senior Healer Yutan. Together with the three clerics who had accompanied us back, it was quite an assembly. Sir Hofengart still had enough collapsible chairs inside for everyone to form a circle.

Freya was at my side and translated what was spoken to her best capabilities. First, it was easy. Sir Hofengart summarized what we knew so far. Then Equerry Kendrick confirmed that three horses had been taken with tack and saddle. One belonged to the emissary but the other two were from Krenburg. Larina had been awake, still full of energy after the soul merging, and thus had seen the emissary but not the mage. And that was probably the last time the emissary had been seen in the castle.

The guards had not opened the gate at night, the key was still in their room. But of course, a medieval lock is not too difficult to open from the inside, especially when the mechanism is in plain view. But I bit my tongue and anyway, the marshal pointed out the same.

Thus, the emissary had left with Tarik and probably a third person far after midnight. And somehow he was able to lock the castle gate after letting themselves out. "But Tarik not liking the emissary," I blurted out. It turned out that nobody liked him.

So Tarik has been abducted. But how?

"Countess Kiara had noticed a smell of incense," said Sir Hofengart and took the bottle from his cabinet. "The incense has been identified as this, Catiara fir sap. Really potent, not like ours." He handed it around.

Now Frya had trouble translating while following the agitated discussion. Some suggested magic. But one soon it narrowed to masking a scent. But why?

"Countess, did the emissary know about your sense of smell?"

I thought for a moment. "I not knowing. But I not telling. If the marshal not knowing, no person knowing."

The marshal shook his head. "No, I didn't know. How good is your sense of smell? Like a tracking dog?"

I shrugged. "I not knowing. Most of the time I rather try hard not to sniff. You know dung hills, and so on." That got some laughter and nodding after Freya's translation.

"Countess, do you think this incense could mask the scent of an unknown person?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Sir Hofengart, the emissary was leaving in the night. The night prayer had seen him shortly before midnight," added a cleric. "But it was not the first time that he left so late."

"But in the mornings, I always meeting him when going to Tarik," I said.

"That sounds like he has met with someone outside before tonight," the marshal said, "and that person has likely a key or other means to open and close our gate."

"I can follow your train of thoughts," said Sir Hofengart, "even if I do not like the direction it goes. But why did he expose himself? The emissary could have stayed another day and then gone back for further instructions after seeing the soul magic and next the mage amiss. He wants us to know he has the mage."

"He wants us to follow him," said Vice-Administrator, "probably the Nuncipal wants to wage war. Now, that he is in the custody of the last practising soul mage."

"But it is at least twelve days to Lomaho, maybe more, depending on the weather. And the land between is either barren or belongs to other kingdoms. How could he wage war on us? Even more, one would need to cross the desert in summer," spoke up the prince.

"If he intended us to follow, should we stay put?" asked Sir Hofengart.

"No," said many, my "no" was late since I waited for Freya's translation.

The marshal smiled. Yes, of course, the man of war had been close to becoming obsolete after the victory.

But Vice-Administrator spoke first. "If we had to wage war now, how are we?"

The marshal's smile faded. "The army is in the northeast. It would take the better of two months to get it to the southwest close to the desert. And then there is the issue of logistics so far away from the mainland. And by then it's harvest time. After last year, we really need a good harvest. So no conscripts." He now looked rather miserable. "However, the Loma army would need to cross the desert first and that would make their logistics even more difficult. Thus, they would wait for the autumn to plunder the few settlements north of the desert. And also just when we need everyone for the harvest."

"Great, harvest time to start the war. Marshal, please get as ready as we can without sending too many people down there"

"But Mage Tarik," I shouted, "What doing now?"

"Dear countess," said Vice-Administrator, "thank you for reminding us. Marshal, can we catch up?"

The marshal shrugged. "Maybe. We have the countess and Prince John. They can probably catch up with any horse."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"Marshal," said Sir Hofengart, "why not send a few mage birds ahead to stop the emissary?"

"Magister Seran retired on New Year after the war was over and Magister Karl will be back tomorrow from his New Year break. In short, I have no mage to send them. We can send normal birds." The marshal sighed. "But stopping random followers of the Nuncipal on a whim sounds like an invitation to war. Still, we could send at least a bird to Ratern."

"So we have to follow them," stated Vice-Adsministrator. "Can the countess and prince catch them up?"

"And Larina," I added. She would be probably now faster than me.

The marshal shrugged again. "And some more guards with fast horses because the emissary will likely be joined by others."

Vice-Administrator nodded. "A small party to follow them."

"And seize the mage if they have a chance."

Sir Hofengart spoke up. "I think this is wishful thinking. We should assume he escapes and reaches Loma, given that he is more than half a day ahead with a carefully planned route. The Nuncipal matter is best resolved without violence because we are at disadvantage. And the Nuncipal is not as popular as he had been. I think the clergy can play its part to avoid a war. I would like to ask Brother Rene and Brother Tsuwangli to accompany any party going to Loma. Brother Tsuwangli speaks Loma."

Vice-Adminstrator looked at him. "Who to go? Prince John, Brother Rene and Brother Tsuwangli, then. Doesn't seem likely that they could overwhelm whoever is accompanying the emissary."

"I, I going too!" I shouted. "Mage Tarik is my father!"

Freya sighed. "No, this is really stupid and dangerous. Please not!"

The marshal looked at me. "You said yourself, you are not a fighter."

"I sparring with Larina all mornings. And smelling mage."

"No," cried Freya in mindspeak. "Please, Kiara, do not go to war. Please, I beg you." Tears started to form in her eyes. But I had to do this.

"I see." The marshal actually smiled. "Thus, Prince John, Countess Kiara, the centaur, and Brother Rene and Brother Tsuwangli, huh." He sighed again. "If the emissary was subtle to be noticed, we could as well send some trombonists too."

"Marshal," scolded Sir Hofengart. But then he sighed too. "The emissary would certainly not expect this. So we would have the moment of surprise."

"If it comes to battle, just hope they will be surprised enough to laugh to death," muttered the marshal.

"Marshal! Please stay on topic. Can we plan this properly?"

"Thank you, Sir Hofengart," said Vice-Administrator. "I would suggest not to pursue them if possible but if they get into Kwal then rather go directly to Loma. Let's pretend this was a diplomatic mission from the beginning."

Sir Hofengart nodded. "Yes, instead of pursuing them, let's try diplomacy. A price, a countess and two clerics. Actually, maybe also a white cleric? I think there might be a volunteer."

"We have the moment of surprise with whoever we send because I doubt there are any other spies for the Nuncipal here," said the marshal, now back to tactical planning. "But even for a diplomatic mission, we need a guard of honour."

"Excuse me," said Brother Tsuwangli, "I have crossed the desert a few times. The fewer people, the better."

"One honour guard," sighed the marshal, "and the party should leave as quickly as possible. Hopefully in the afternoon. Prince John, we will go to the armoury. Kendrick, get four horses ready. And maybe send the centaur to the armoury as well, we may have some gear for her too."

All nodded and stood up and stored the folding chairs away. Freya was sniffing openly. "Kiara, you are stupid," she said aloud and then ran out.

Senior Healer Yutan looked at me and nodded. "Sorry, Sir Hofengart," I said and ran after Freya.

* * *

Freya was in her bunk, crying. I stood before her, panting heavily from rushing down the stairs, including the detour via the straight stairs.

"Freya, please, talking."

"First Count Radel, now this," she sniffed. "Do you hate me so much?"

I put my hand on her back. "Freya, you know, Tarik is like a father or rather a god. He created me. How can I be not concerned?"

She just sniffed.

"But now I came for you. Only for you."

She turned on her back. "Thank you," she whispered.

I hugged her. "Sorry, you really deserved better."

She snorted. "No, you are right. I understand, not with my heart, but I understand. However, whatever will be, do not try to fight. Promise me. Run away if there is fighting."

Didn't Freya try to convince me back then to train with Larina? Because fighting cannot always be avoided? "If I can avoid fighting, I will avoid it," I said and meant it. "Come to my room/ I will order a large lunch and we can hug there without getting cramps or strange looks."

* * *

Freya was lying on my underbelly and I hugged her with my paws while I sat at the wall and ate the last remains of my last meal from the wonderful Krenburg castle kitchen. I had also some cabbage, carrots and other greens with me for the road.

When it knocked, Freya jumped to her feet. I opened the door. Larina stood there, in a red army uniform which somewhat fit her. She had two swords in scabbards at each side and a saddlebag on her back.

"Lady Kiara, we are ready to leave."

I was not ready but buckled my saddle bag and put the provisions and my original shirt in no time. In this summer weather, the red jacket was more appropriate and also fit better with the others. "Here!" I gave Freya my purse with the signet ring and the gold earring and put the necklace into her other hand. Before she really understood, I kissed her on the forehand, "Keeping for me," I smiled, "I will return!" and then raced away. Freya could not follow with all the jewellery in her hand. Thus, I avoided more tears from us both.

The rest of the party waited at the gate. They were exiting the castle when they saw me emerging from my room. I was with them before the last of them was even outside. Outside the wall, I was waved forward until I walked next to Prince John on his black stallion. In front of us was only a single soldier, the honour guard.

We went down with a brisk trod and soon passed through the town. The people wondered if there would be another race since they recognized the prince and me. But then there were three clerics and in the back the centaur in uniform, but not banners, not coat of arms, only our little party. Still, somebody shouted "Lady Kiara" and I waved back. But we were fast enough that the children running alongside could barely keep up for a few metres.

Despite my flimsy jacket I started to sweat. And the stupid cobblestone hurt already. But that could not be helped.

Just before we reached the southern gate we turned right. There was a wooden quai where two boats were unloading. Since the River Kren here is shallow enough to cross on a horse, the boats were shallow too and rather narrow.

Prince John shouted for the harbour master. He asked about the emissary. And indeed three people had left with a boat and three horses in the middle of last night. I was given some coins to sniff, and apart from the ugly smell of the leather pouch, there was a faint smell of the incense from the emissary. Even though there was no doubt who left in the middle of the night, I was again lauded for the confirmation.

But we did not take a boat, we turned back and left via the south gate. I walked as much to the side of the cobblestone road as possible. Due to the dry weather of the last days, the sand was softer and I could walk long stretches without hurting my paws.