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.The retinue stopped a respectful distance away, but two men continued forward until they were within a single pace of their monarch.One was Bjordrek, whom Tavis had spoken with on two occasions, but the other the scout had never seen.The fellow was portly and bald, wearing so much gold jewelry that he sparkled like a sun dog in the afternoon light.He carried a silver staff shaped liked a fork of lightning, the symbol of the god Stronmaus.Camden motioned the bald man toward Morten's floating form."Simon, see to Morten."Calling two assistants to help him, Simon slipped past Tavis and took charge of the floating bodyguard.The trio pulled Morten down the road to an area of level ground in front of the watchhouse, then pushed him to the ground.As the cleric rubbed the rune off Morten's chest, Tavis turned his attention back to Camden."Your Majesty, have you received other reports of ogres?""Of course not!" the king snapped, his eyes narrowing."Why ask such a thing?""Because it didn't surprise you to hear there were ogres in the kingdom."Camden's face reddened, and he clenched his fists."What are you saying?" the king yelled."That / allowed my daughter to fall into ogre hands?"The scout quickly shook his head."Not at all," he said."But I thought that might explain why Runolf—""Runolf was here?""He stayed the night at my inn," Tavis replied, frowning.Runolf was a good soldier, and it wasn't like him toneglect reporting his arrival to the king."Weren't you expecting him?""Not.yet." The king's voice was weak, his lip trembling.He seemed lost in thought for a moment, then focused his gaze on Tavis."His report wasn't due until summer's end."Though Tavis felt certain Camden was lying, he knew better than to say so.If the king wished to keep his business with Runolf secret, it was not a scout's place to interfere."Your Majesty, perhaps I should finish my report," Tavis suggested.Camden nodded, and the scout continued."Originally, there were between eighteen and twenty-two ogres, but Morten put up a good fight and now only ten to fifteen remain.Their leader's a shaman— probably a cunning one—and he came specifically to abduct Princess Brianna."The king raised his brow."You seem to know quite a lot about these ogres.""Even ogres leave a trail," Tavis replied."I should also mention that it appears one of your subjects helped the ogres."The king's eyes widened."Do you know who?""Not yet," Tavis replied."But it won't take long to catch them.I've a fair idea where to pick up the trail.""You?" Camden asked."You're no longer one of my scouts.""Under the circumstances—"The king shook his head."No.Tend to your other duties," he ordered."I'm sure that's what Brianna would want"Hauk stepped to the king's side."Your Majesty, my duties keep me well informed of people's comings and goings," the sergeant said."There aren't any other scouts here, at least none of Tavis's experience.He's your best hope."Camden replied without looking at the sergeant."Itwon't delay us to summon another scout," he said."I'm afraid it will take a few days to organize our pursuit.""A few days!" Tavis burst out."By then, the ogres will be deep in the Ice Spires! Give me a company of your guard, and I'll have the princess home by dawn!"Camden's eyes narrowed."You forget yourself, innkeeper," he warned."I am the king, and you have heard my command."Behind the king, a distressed murmur rustled through the entourage.One of the earls, a rough-featured man named Wendel, even dared to step forward."Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty," Wendel said."But most of us up north are old enough to remember fighting ogre raiders, back before you bought them off." He ran a nervous hand over his gray-streaked beard, then continued, "Tavis is right.If we don't go after the ogres now, they'll disappear into the mountains.We'll never see Brianna again."Wendel's concern sprang from more than fondness for the princess, Tavis knew.Brianna was an only child, and so far Camden had failed to produce an alternate heir to the throne—this despite a series of ever younger and more beautiful queens.Romantically inclined courtiers whispered that the king's failure was caused by grief over his first queen's death.Whether or not that was true, Brianna's disappearance would have grave results for Hartsvale.It seemed every power-hungry earl could boast some tenuous claim to the throne, so the princess's well-being was all that stood between the kingdom and a struggle for succession that would make the War of Harts seem a skirmish.It was several moments before the king faced the earl."I appreciate your concern, Earl Wendel, but we have little choice." The gentle words were a surprising contrast to the anger in Camden's eyes.He ran his gaze over the entire group of earls, then continued, "Before anyone goes after these ogres, I'd like to know why theytook my daughter.If any of you can answer that question, then we can send our armies after her."The sour tone in the king's voice made it clear that he had no true wish to hear suggestions, so the earls offered none.Camden gave them a patronizing smile."This is the answer that comes to my mind: The ogres want us to give chase, perhaps so a larger group can catch our armies in the open, thus weakening the defenses of Castle Hartwick."Earl Wendel's cheeks reddened, as did those of several other men old enough to have fought beside the king during the War of Harts.Camden had used his ogre allies to execute a similar ruse against his brother, with the result that Dunstan's castle had been captured and his forces driven from the land."But we must do something!" Wendel said."We can't let them take the princess!""Perhaps Morten will know something useful," called Simon.The priest was kneeling at Morten's side, ready to cast his spells.His assistants had shaved the bodyguard's heavy beard away from the horrible gash on his neck
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