Miro didn't know how the Dunfolk healer had found out about Amber's abduction but as he'd left Ralanast she was suddenly there beside him. He'd tried thanking her and releasing her to go home — it would be dangerous, heading into enemy lands, he told her — but Layla had said she owed him a debt for helping her people against the nightshades.

The soldiers who had taken Amber had found a way down to the Azure Plains from the tall cliffs above. It was tough going and Miro's heart reached out to Amber; the journey would have been a nightmare, and she would have been filled with constant dread about what would happen at the end.

Why were they so interested in her? Miro was thankful that they hadn't just killed her and left her by the side of the road, but he realised there must be some reason for the special interest these soldiers had taken in her. What would happen to her once they reached the Black Army's encampment?

"There it is," Layla pointed.

From their rocky trail still high above the plains Layla was pointing at a cluster of black spots against the blue haze on the horizon. Miro realised it was the enemy encampment. There was no doubt the soldiers had taken Amber somewhere Miro would never be able to free her.

"Stop," Layla said, holding Miro's arm when he tried to continue forward. "There is nothing for you here."

"She's in there somewhere!"

"There is no way for you to get in, and you have no way of knowing if her journey ended here. You do not keep your prisoners with your soldiers, do you? They would have sent her away, wouldn't they?"

Miro knew he couldn't answer Layla's questions, because he didn't know why they had taken Amber in the first place. Layla was right though; it stood to reason that she would have been taken to another prison camp rather than being kept with the men. Miro had a duty to his command, back with the army. Every part of Miro's reason told him to turn back with Layla.

But his heart told him he had to try.

"I need you to go back," Miro said. "Go and see Marshal Beorn, and tell him I'll be behind you."

"There is a big battle coming," Layla said. "You might be too long."

"I know," Miro said. "But I can't leave her. I have to try."

"I understand," Layla said, "but if the battle is fought and lost, without you there, you will never forgive yourself."

"You're right," Miro said, "but if I don't try to find her, I'll never forgive myself either."

~

MORAGON sat in a throne-like wooden chair, broad and high-backed, discussing the coming battle with Dain Barden.