44. Keelan

Chapter forty-four

Keelan

A tikus and I stood before a table in our new room on the upper floor of the inn. Once we'd agreed to enter his service, the King had welcomed us into his fold, with the exception of the lone guard assigned to follow us everywhere.

"That's where the Constables say the Princess was taken. The road makes a slight bend at this rise. The other teams were positioned here and here." I pointed to the map splayed across the table.

"Looks like they had Jess and Danym surrounded."

I nodded. "The team behind them fired the whistler. According to their report, it took no more than five minutes to get to where the Princess was spotted, but she had vanished. Neither of the other teams reported seeing them again after the whistler was fired. "

"And they found the Triad's seal exactly where the Princess was spotted? Convenient, don't you think?" Atikus crossed his arms, brows raised.

"If I'm going to do this investigation right, I can't rule out that the Triad—or anyone else—might've been involved; but no, it doesn't make sense." I thought a moment. "Set aside that we have high confidence that Melucia wasn't behind this kidnapping; that seal was precious, worth a small fortune. I have a hard time believing someone just dropped it, even a kidnapper in the heat of the moment. More importantly, what would the seal have been doing with a kidnapper?"

I stepped away from the map and began pacing. "Do you remember where they took that seal? Who has it now?"

"No. The report didn't say. I would assume the High Sheriff's people have it, but who knows?"

"We need to examine that seal. It's our only real clue right now." I stopped and looked up. "I want you to inspect it, see if there's anything unusual about it, if it's been altered."

"What are you thinking?"

"I don't know. Something doesn't feel right, and that seal bothers me. It may be nothing, but it's worth checking out." I stepped back to the map. "Something else, all these other kidnappings can't be a coincidence. The Kingdom is huge, but this kind of crime is as rare here as it is back home. I think we need to pay the Children another visit. Do you think the King's men kept those robes and masks?"

"Assuming the soldiers who arrested us didn't destroy them or keep them for themselves, I would think so."

"I don't even know where to start looking for the Queen. If she used an Enchanted item to transport herself somewhere, she could be anywhere." I reached across my cot and retrieved my scabbard, strapping it on. "I can't help thinking her disappearance is wrapped up in all of this somehow."

"You don't buy the frantic mother story?"

I shrugged. "What mother wouldn't move mountains to find a lost daughter? But for a queen to disappear like that, with no guards or anything? By all accounts, she was level-headed, calculated even. My Gift isn't much help without meeting her, but my gut says we're missing a lot." I started toward the door. "Let's ask our shadow to take us to the High Sheriff and get our robes and masks back, then we can figure out how to take another look around the Children's building."

As we entered the common room, we found the King, Justin, and the High Sheriff sitting at their usual table. Captain Proctor took two steps toward us, cutting off our path to the table.

The guard escorting us bowed hastily. "Your Majesty, forgive us for disturbing. "

"It's all right," Alfred said, motioning us to approach. "Come, sit. We were just finishing breakfast. Are either of you hungry?"

Atikus looked up at me and spoke in my mind. "He is far too friendly now. Tread carefully."

We sat, and the innkeeper appeared with fresh rolls and steaming tea. Atikus lost any sense of caution when fluffy rolls and butter landed on his plate. I shook my head and smiled. Justin chuckled.

I broke propriety by speaking first. "Your Majesty, is the Triad's seal your men found at the kidnapping site here?"

"Sheriff?" Alfred turned to Wilfred.

Wilfred nodded. "We have it secured."

"Good. I'd like Mage Dani to examine it for alterations or magical Enchantments. There's no evidence to suggest either, but I want to rule them out."

The King nodded. "Fine, but I want to be present when you do this. Understood?"

Atikus's eyes widened. "Of course, Your Majesty."

"Sheriff Wilfred, one other thing, do your men still have the robes and masks we were wearing the other night when we escaped the Children's compound?" I asked.

Wilfred's face gave nothing away. "I believe so. Sergeant, go find out."

A man I hadn't noticed sitting at a table by the fireplace leaped to his feet and scurried out the door .

"What are you planning? What do the Children have to do with the Princess's kidnapping?" Wilfred asked.

"We have no direct evidence to link the Children to her, but kidnappings are rare in the Kingdom, right? Now you've had, what, four, five in the last eighteen months? After what we witnessed, my gut tells me there's a connection here, and I want to check it out."

Wilfred was silent a moment before turning to the King. "I do not like it but suppose it is worth ruling out. If our evidence is correct, the trail will lead much farther east than the Children's complex, but we are here now and may as well let them take a look. I'll send some of my men to assist."

The King started to nod, but Justin's voice turned his head. "I want to go with them, Father. If Jess is in there, I want to be part of the group to rescue her."

Alfred's nod turned into a stern shake, but he was again preempted, this time by me. "Absolutely not, Your Highness. Those people killed a member of my team last time and nearly slaughtered us all. It's too dangerous to risk another member of the royal family, especially the potential heir."

"He is right, Justin. Sometimes the hardest thing for a king to do is let other people do their jobs."

"And sometimes we have to lead from the front. That's what you've said since I was little, isn't it? I want to be there, Father. I need to be there." Justin sat up straighter. " You keep telling me to think like a ruler, to make strong decisions. I choose to go. Will you let my decision stand?"

"I was stubborn when I was your age, too. Issy says I still am." Deep lines creased Alfred's forehead, and a long moment passed before he conceded. "Fine, but three of the Royal Guard will go with you."

Alfred turned and addressed the Captain, "If this one comes to any harm, you'll answer to me."

The giant nodded once.

"Sir, this isn't a good idea—" I stammered.

Alfred cut me off with a wave of his hand. "Noted. Now, do as I command, Lieutenant."

I started to protest again, but Atikus cleared his throat.

"The King has decided. Let it go."

I nodded, more to myself than to Atikus or the King. "We should breach their compound after dark. Sheriff, can someone repair those robes, make them look undamaged?"

"We'll see to it. Our men will meet you at the dock at midnight. I'd suggest landing on the southern end of the lake and hiking up the coast. You won't be able to approach directly by boat without being spotted."

"Agreed. Atikus, why don't we go take a look at that seal. Prince Justin, you may want to get some rest. It's going to be a long night." There was no joy in the tight smile I offered the Prince.