One of them gave a half bow from his saddle. “Forgive us, sire. When the attack started, we thought ... well, we thought it was a betrayal.” He shot me an apologetic look. “We urged Pagiel to leave since we knew he was the target. And ... we, uh, encouraged him to take the Lady Jasmine with him.”

“He didn’t run away,” added the other guy hotly. “He’s no coward. He would’ve stayed if not for our insistence.” His friend nodded fiercely.

I stared in disbelief. “He took Jasmine as a hostage?”

“Smart thing to do when you’re scared and think you’ve been set up by those you trust,” muttered Dorian. “I doubt he’ll hurt her.”

“He’d better not!” I exclaimed. “How’d he even subdue her? She’s strong.”

“And he’s stronger,” Dorian reminded me. He turned toward Pagiel’s compatriots. “I trust you’re convinced we’re on his side now. Which way did he go?”

They hesitated only a moment. “I believe he cut across the woods, Your Majesty,” one said, pointing. “I think that way.”

“Then that’s the way you and I will go,” Dorian told me. “Nonetheless, we can’t be certain he didn’t change course. The wounded will go to my castle. The rest will split up and fan out in other directions to find him. If you do, convince him of our support and bring him back.” He gave a sharp look to those gathered. “Do you understand?”

There were meek murmurs of agreement. They might support Pagiel, but most were Oak Land subjects. Dorian was impressive, and it was hard for them to refuse him.

“Damn it,” I muttered, once Dorian and I had split from the others. “And damn me for not thinking Maiwenn and Kiyo might do something like this. I should’ve known they wouldn’t take the proactive approach. They’re riding off of our success.”

“Well, they were proactive enough in setting up these ambushes,” Dorian pointed out. “I’m guessing similar parties are waiting elsewhere on our borders. This group got lucky.”

“Not lucky enough,” I realized. “Kiyo and Maiwenn themselves weren’t here. They were only guessing at which group might catch Pagiel on his return.”

Dorian nodded agreement. “Their presence would have added an extra complication. Ah, this is promising.” He stopped and pointed to where some grass and bushes had been recently trampled.

“I wouldn’t have even noticed that.”

He flashed me a grin. “That’s why I’m here. An excellent hunter of all manner of difficult prey.”

I rolled my eyes at the double entendre, and we continued on. Joking aside, Dorian did have a good tracker’s eye for small signs of Pagiel’s passing. And, the farther we journeyed, I began to notice some signs of my own.