THIRTY-EIGHT
The king maintained a slow but steady pace that drove Vasco mad. Every moment, Bianca could be in more danger, yet the king seemed to be in no hurry. More than once, Vasco found himself drifting off to sleep, but he knew he could not. Bianca depended on him to bring help, and he would. He rode with an army at his back and her father, the king...well, he didn't ride precisely at his side, for the king's personal guard surrounded him, but Vasco was still close.
Finally, Vasco started to recognise the trees along the way. He knew they were near the Summer Palace when they passed Kun's cottage. Night was draining away, as the predawn light began to illuminate their path. One by one, they extinguished their torches, but still they rode. There would be no stopping until they reac
