At midafternoon the next day, Searon stood on the tallest hilltop, looking south. The scouts from the north and east had already returned. They had no news from anyone from the south or west. Searon expected Starlyn and Sh’on to remain in Sudegam for a bit to visit with other kheshlars, yet the scouts from the south should have returned soon after dawn. He ordered more scouts be sent, one from each captain’s party, to find those who traveled south. No word had come from those scouts either.
“What do you think is keeping them?” Searon asked.
“I do not know, my lord; those are my best men. I am afraid there is a reason they haven’t returned,” Leinard said.
“I should ride south to find them,” Searon said before whistling to his horse.
“No, my lord, let me send someone.” Leinard grabbed hi
