The boy pushed a long iron into the coals of the fire to heat, and then moved quickly to pour a cup of wine for his master. "Has anyone thought to question the good Humphrey as to Isabelle's whereabouts?" Moorcroft asked the captain.

"Uh...Sir Humphrey is apparently...missing as well, Your Grace," Goetz said, softly.

Moorcroft dropped his chin to his thick chest in resignation. "I am surrounded be fools," he muttered, then whirled to face the captain, his cheeks flushed with anger. " Find him, captain," he said, fuming. "Find them both! Report back to me at dawn, with some positive news," he growled, then waved him away and turned back to the fire.

Marc took up the heated iron from within the coals and plunged its red hot tip into the wine, where it sizzled for a few moments. Moorcroft accepted the cup of warm wine from his boy, as the captain bowed and backed out of the room. "Bring me something to break my fast, dear one," he told the boy after Goetz was gone. "Make it something hot," he added softly, stroking the boy's beautiful, flaxen curls. "You know how I hate anything cold," he purred, and then sipped at his wine, wondering how such a simple plan--securing a ten year old girl--could have gone so exceedingly wrong.

Two hours later, Moorcroft was fed, dressed and almost warm. He now sat in his study, with a huge fire burning in the hearth and looked out a tall window, watching as the sun began to brighten a new day. When Marc announced the arrival of Captain Goetz, Moorcroft turned his chair, which sat behind a wide table, to face the door. There were no other seats in the room.

"What news have you, Captain?" the minister asked, as Goetz entered and took up a position a few feet in front of the table.

Goetz cleared his throat before speaking. "Princess Isabelle and Sir Humphrey left the castle some four hours ago, Your Grace," he said, his eyes fixed on the wall behind Moorcroft.

"How is that possible, Captain?" the minister snarled, his anger rising once again. "I ordered that no one be allowed to leave the castle."

"Um, it seems that Sir Humphrey managed to obtain horses and left by the Village Gate, Your Grace. We found the bodies of two of my men in the stables, killed by a blade, and our guard at the Village Gate was attacked and rendered unconscious."

Moorcroft sighed. "You were supposed to bring me good news, Goetz. Might you have some?"

"Reports state that horses were heard moving quickly through the village during the night," the captain said, "and they then crossed the Green River heading east, Your Grace. I have sent a squad of men at arms to follow their trail."

"Excellent work, Captain," Moorcroft said, sarcasm dripping from his words. "And tell me, pray, why do you think Humphrey would ride toward the east?"