Lon, Eli, and Imogen raced along the western trade road at about twice the pace of a galloping horse. Trees whizzed by in a green blur. Lon kept his senses fully alert for any sign of corruption. The shadows were getting long and soon they’d either have to stop or travel by conjured light. That wouldn’t be a problem, but it increased the risk that they’d miss something. From her position in the front of the group Imogen must have come to the same conclusion. She slowed then guided her construct into a cutout on the side of the road.

“Let’s camp here for the night,” she said.

No one argued so while his apprentice set about collecting firewood Lon and Imogen placed wards to secure the campsite for the night. Lon set twice as many as he ordinarily would have. Since Maria had disappeared somewhere in the area, extra precautions were in order.

He and Imogen finished side by side facing the road. “Looks pretty secure,” Lon said.

Imogen nodded, but her mind seemed far away. She stared off into the twilit sky, an almost wistful expression on her usually stern face.

“Crown for your thoughts.”

“I was just wondering what Damien was doing right now.”

Lon cocked his head. What an odd thing for her to be worried about. “I’m sure he’s fine. The list of things that boy has to worry about is a short one.”

She actually managed a smile. “I didn’t think he was in danger. It’s just he only lost his father a couple weeks ago and now he’s gone with his sister to hunt down the creature that killed him. That kind of thing has to take a mental toll regardless of how strong a sorcerer he is.”

Heaven’s mercy, she sounded genuinely concerned about Damien. Lon never expected to hear such a thing from her lips. “You care about him.”

“You say it with such surprise. Damien saved my life. I don’t mean just from the trap. I was in a dark place, maybe the darkest place I’ve ever been and he reached in and pulled me out. It wasn’t even anything big, just a kind word and a hug. But the fact that he made the effort despite how I’d always treated him gave me a little hope. I’ll never be able to repay him for that.”

She didn’t just care about Damien, Imogen loved him. Lon couldn’t wrap his mind around what he’d heard. Associating such an emotion with the hard-edged woman he knew stretched his mind too far.

“Damien’s engaged to the princess, isn’t he?”

Imogen waved a hand. “That’s a sham. He doesn’t love that girl, he’s just helping her out. I’ve read the reports on his missions and considering how many people he’s killed, Damien’s quite a sap for a woman in trouble.”

“So speaks the voice of experience.”

Imogen’s expression hardened. “Yes. I’ll thank you to keep this conversation to yourself.”

Lon nodded. Who would he tell? Anybody that knew Imogen even a little would think he made the whole thing up.

“You know, I never had a chance to thank your late partner for saving my grandfather’s life.”

“Your grandfather?”

Lon nodded. “Fo Shen, Grandmaster of the Iron Path. Alden healed him. I wish I had a chance to thank him myself.”

Imogen made no reply. Behind them the snap and crackle of a fire spared Lon from further conversation. He needed food and sleep. Perhaps he could convince himself he’d dreamed the conversation.

Nothing disturbed their wards in the night and when the sun rose they polished off the leftover stew from dinner and set out. They hadn’t traveled more than a mile from their campsite when Imogen drew up short. A second later Lon sensed it as well. A lingering hint of corruption.

“Master, what is that?” Eli asked.

The boy’s face had a green tint to it. Was this his first exposure to corrupt energy? No, Eli was there when the librarian went insane and killed several students and masters. Perhaps he simply had a greater sensitivity to dark energy than some. Lon had built up a considerable tolerance for it after his exposure in Port Valcane last winter.

“This is where it happened,” Imogen answered for him. “Maria was attacked here, whether by a demon or warlock I can’t tell. Whoever did it ambushed her so she didn’t have a chance to counterattack.”

“How can you be sure?” Eli asked.

This time Lon answered. “Look around. Does it look like a battle took place here? No trees are damaged, there’s no sign of blood. No, Imogen’s right. Whoever attacked took Maria out with the first blast. The important question is: is she dead, captured, or in hiding?”

“Dead or captured,” Imogen said. “Even in hiding she could have gotten out a message calling for help.”

“Agreed, but now what? There’s no point heading on to the village.” Lon scratched his chin. “Should we just move on, look for the next person on the list?”

“Unless you have a better suggestion.” Imogen took a strip of paper out, wrote a quick note, and sent it off with a conjured messenger.