I lead the way, pushing the juntta as much as I can without overtiring it. I cannot help but dwell on the time wasted going to House Saren. The idea that I am too late, that Ling may already be...

No. I refuse to think that. She is alive and I will find her.

I push the juntta just a little harder.

I turn as we enter the cavern that leads down to House Caffaar, Elorshin and Drevakin just behind, the other Princes leading their own forces.

I am scanning the area as is habit, the dangers that lurk in these caverns nothing to trifle with, when something catches my eye. It is not a rock or an uneven section of the path.

What is it?

As we draw nearer, I smell the unmistakable scent of blood and gore. Of death. Heart beating faster, I bring the carriage to a halt a small distance away from the scene, taking it in.

The bloody remains of a juntta and a broken carriage some distance away, roof side down. If it began where the juntta is, it traveled some distance, most likely rolling.

Pushed by something large.

I climb down from the carriage, taking in the marks on the juntta skeleton and the large dent in the side of the carriage. The only creature large enough to do such damage is a mooli.

My mouth is dry, my heart beats faster.

This is a road one would take from Caffaar to Viir. If Ling managed to escape, she would have taken this path. Hardly breathing, I crouch down next to the carriage and look inside, bracing myself for whatever I might see.

It is dim. I can make out a crate of some kind, but it is obscuring my vision. I need to go inside.Forcing the door open, I crawl inside as Drevakin and Elorshin speak in low voices behind me.

"Mooli."

"Yes."

"Do you think...?"

"Perhaps."

I ignore them, digging through the debris, obviously wares that had been taken to market to sell. I search the carriage from top to bottom.

Nothing.

If anyone was here, they either were well enough to walk away, or... I shut down that line of thought as I crawl back out from the enclosed space.

"Anything?" Drevakin asks, scanning the area, making certain the beast does not reappear and surprise us.

"No," I say grimly, leaving my fears unspoken. "Let us keep going."

If Ling was in that carriage... There is nothing I can do but continue on to House Caffaar. Neither Drevakin nor Elorshin say anything, simply nodding and climbing back onto their carriages.

As I urge the juntta forward once again, I deliberately keep to a slower pace, my eyes scanning our path and the surroundings as we travel. There is a small possibility that Ling is on this path.

We travel for quite some time and I find nothing. This is far to go on foot. I do not know why I believe Ling may have been in that carriage, but I cannot shake the thought that she was. I start to lose hope once again as we travel even farther with no sign of anyone.

Perhaps I am mistaken.

Fear.

Disbelief.

A hesitant relief, beginning to blossom.

I frown, feeling...

My head snaps up and to the right, as if my body knows exactly where to look without any conscious thought.

My eyes collide with familiar dark ones.

I do not remember bringing the carriage to a halt.

Or leaping from it.

I am in front of Ling, gathering her slight body against mine, breathing in her scent, her heart beating against my chest.

"Ling," I say hoarsely. "Ling."

She makes a sound, her arms and legs wrapping around me tightly as she clings.

"Naefaren..."

"Are you hurt?" I demand, leaning back so I can search her dirt smeared face. There is a bruise blossoming along her jaw on one side. "Were you in that carriage?"

She nods, her eyes beginning to water. "There was a male...he helped me get out of House Caffaar. But then there was a..."

She shakes her head, ducking her head in against the side of my neck and I hold her close, rubbing her back. Relief and joy combine in a cooling wave inside me, banking my rage for the time being. I blink back my own tears as I sit on the ground, not caring who sees or what they think. I need a moment to just hold Ling. To just hold my Pari.

After her body stops trembling and she relaxes against me somewhat, I speak. "We were going to House Caffaar. To find you," I murmur. "But now, perhaps we should—"

"No," she interrupts fiercely, pulling back so she can see my face. Hers is grim, her gaze sharpen. "No. We need to go to House Caffaar. They killed my guards in cold blood. We can’t let them get away with that. We can’t!"

"Alright. Yes," I say soothingly, sliding my hands down her sides. "We will continue. But we have been traveling for some time, as have you." I cup the side of her face, taking in the marks of exhaustion. "We need to recuperate. After we rest at House Viir, we can travel to House Caffaar. It will still be there."

It is true our forces could use rest but I push for it because I know how much Ling needs it.

She searches my face, layering her hand over mine. "Yes. Alright. Yes."

I stand with her in my arms and turn towards my carriage, seeing my allies. Not seeking redress for our wounds is not an option.

Franean will know every bit of the hurt he has dealt to Ling.

And more.