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Algar leaned forward in his seat. “That’s madness. Why would a noblewoman journey without an escort?”
“That I do not know.” Gibing bowed again. “There was said to be an escort, but it had vanished. Most likely at the hand of those same thieves.”
The crowd began whispering to one another.
“Do we know who it is?” Yutrik asked. “The noblewoman.”
Gibing shook his head, a look of sadness in his eyes. “It is unthinkable, My Prince, but...”
Algar rose to his feet. “Speak, I demand it!”
Gibing nodded. “The noblewoman is said to be Princess Mina, the only daughter of the Rhine King.”
The quiet hall erupted in uncontrollable chatters and even some cries from a few of the women.
“He will punish us for this crime!” a knight shouted.
“His army will kill us all,” a noblewoman whimpered.
“We have to write to him and explain,” Yutrik advised, frantic as he took his seat next to his father again.
“Quiet!” King Algar yelled as his fist hammered onto the table. The room fell silent again. “The Rhine King is as wise as he is fair. He must know we are not to blame for his daughter’s attack, especially given the unusual circumstances under which she was traveling.”
More controlled mumbles echoed through the crowd.
“I shall send men out in every direction to find her. No effort will be spared to return her to the Rhine King in good health. The North has no quarrel with the South. Please, enjoy your meals and drink, I shall take care of the matter right away.”
King Algar pushed his mighty wooden chair back and walked around the long table. He stopped when he noticed his son wasn’t following. For once, Yutrik was clever enough to do the right thing and was by his side instantly.
“Gibing, follow me,” Algar demanded.
The three men walked out of the hall with fast and urgent steps, but it wasn’t until the doors to the dining hall were closed that King Algar stopped and leaned over to Gibing.
“Gather every single one of my black knights from every whorehouse, tavern, tent, or battlefield and send them into the forest at the border. Those woods stretch to the Rhine Princess’s relatives’ lands. She will try to make her way north from there to her cousin’s.”
Gibing nodded. Yutrik adjusted his golden tunic. “You know where she is? Why didn’t you say so?”
Algar sighed. Frustrated. Tired of his own flesh and blood. May the gods have mercy on him and kill Yutrik as soon as he sired heirs.
“Because they want to find her. We”—he leaned in closer to his son—“want to kill her.”
