Chapter 21: Homecoming
Once safely inside the guard's room, he and Thalia had explained why local ruffians chased them across the square. Disbelieving, the captain questioned them closely until Lord Ericsson turned up moments later with one of the kidnappers in tow. The dim-witted fellow came to his door making demands for the safe return of his daughter, and soon found himself bound and on his way back to the village.
The guard locked the villain in a cell, where he was questioned. Not satisfied with the answers given to the captain, Lord Ericsson also took it on himself to grill the man. Both times he refused to name any of the others involved in the kidnapping, and he looked genuinely surprised when it was suggested Duke Pierre might be the leader of the group.