Prince to the rescue

Leon looked around outside the horse stables to look for clues. That was when he saw the dagger he gave Alicia a while ago was lying on the ground not far. He kneeled down and took the dagger from the ground.

"There's fresh blood." Leon said while examining the blade of the dagger.

'Alicia might have wounded her attacker.' Leon thought.

"Dimitri!" Leon called.

"Yes your highness?" Dimitri arrived with Midnight in tow. "I have told our shadow guards to scout the area."

"Alicia and her kidnapper cannot have gotten that far." Leon said. He showed the dagger to Dimitri.

"This is your dagger your highness." Dimitri said. He knew that the prince's dagger is coated with poison. Even just a prick from it's blade can endanger your life. The prince always carries this dagger for protection.

"I have handed this to Alicia a while ago for protection. I am sure Alicia wounded her kidnapper and by now he is feeling the effects of the poison. Tell the shadow guards to hurry." Leon said.