Chapter 16

Efren closed his eyes, shivered, and mentally pushed down the more negative possibility—twodead bodies, if their plan had failed as miserably as Gagel’s bid to frame Zioneven with an attempt on Princess Marcela’s life.

Efren sprang into action. For speed, the searchers would travel light. He would commandeer one of the small, lighter-weight tents and bedrolls that could easily be carried on a horse, and fill a small pack with a change of clothing, a minimum of personal items, and food for himself and Marcelo. And he would find Marcelo. Everything else could stay with the caravan.

He collected a few items from the tent, then strode to the wagon he knew contained their supplies. Dru leaned against it, offering comfort to Erich, Marcelo’s longtime personal servant. Apparently, the news of Marcelo’s kidnapping had already spread.

Erich looked up at Efren’s approach. The older man’s eyes reflected a level of grief that said much about Marcelo’s treatment of him.