Mobilize

Rastaban was on his feet to meet all seven scouts as they dashed into camp. The leader flung himself at Rastaban’s feet, gasping for breath.

“What news?” Rastaban demanded.

The scout’s eyes were wide. “They’ve vanished, sir.”

“What?”

“We tracked them as far as the Steppes, and made camp, so we surrounded them and waited, watching in shifts. The next thing we knew, we were waking up and they were gone. Somehow - somehow they drugged our canteens, sir.” The scout ducked his head, trembling.


Rastaban’s hand went to his sword, but he wouldn’t draw it. He turned to Khouri. “Mobilize.”