The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 390: The Relentless Search

Chapter 390: The Relentless Search

The horse galloped towards the forest. Upon reaching a crossroads, Eric raised his hand, signalling the search party to ease into a trot before coming to a stop.

"It might be best to split up," he proposed, his team attentive to his every word.

"This path leads north while the other heads south," he explained, gesturing in the respective directions. "Having two teams searching simultaneously will expedite our mission. Given the uncertainty surrounding the situation of our lady and His Highness, we must find them swiftly," he instructed.

Noah interjected, "Let me lead the other team. You can lead yours. Take Armel with you. He can assist with tracking."

"You’re injured," Eric pointed out.

"I’m fine. It’s just a minor injury. Don’t worry about it," Noah reassured.

Armel then raised his hand, seeking attention. "May I suggest splitting into three teams instead? The northern path will eventually divide into two. The area is broader than the southern route, so three teams would be more efficient."

"I don’t recall this path splitting," Eric remarked, furrowing his brow.

"The other path isn’t a main route. It’s typically used by foragers or pedestrians and is unsuitable for horse travel. It would be prudent to have two horseback teams and one on foot heading north," Armel elaborated.

"How do you know this?" Damon inquired.

"I’ve been in this forest before. During my time in Mistdale, my brother, neighbour, and I frequented Gantz to sell our foraged goods," the teenager explained.

"Very well. Let’s proceed with this plan. Sir Mills will follow Sir Brooks. Sir Parker will lead the on-foot team comprising Sir McQuinn, Sir Henderson, and Armel. Sir Skyler will accompany me," Eric decided.

"Why does our team have more members? It seems unbalanced," Eli queried.

"Searching on foot poses more risks," the second-in-command knight clarified.

"Exactly. Even during foraging, we always went in a group of at least three," Armel added.

"Why is that?" Damon asked, his curiosity piqued. "Because if anything happens, one person will stay back to help while another will get the support. There are wild animals in the forest, and we must always remain vigilant. Also, during foraging, we will look out for each other to ensure safety," the teenager explained.

"I see..." Damon nodded understandingly.

"I may not have been tracking for a while, but my skills are not that rusty. Besides, Sir Skyler’s keen observation will surely be handy," stated Eric. "It would be best if he accompanied me."

"Agreed, Sir Navin," Garin concurred.

"I concur as well. Shall we proceed?" added Luke.

The group then divided into two and set off on their respective paths. As planned, the team heading north split once more. Armel, Luke, Damon, and Eli tethered their horses to a tree and began navigating the rugged terrain on foot, guided by the trail they had discovered.

As Armel had warned, the path was steep, lined with towering trees, and strewn with rocks, making it unsuitable for horses. The teenager recommended using long sticks as trekking poles to enhance stability and reduce strain while traversing the challenging terrain.

Their progress came to an abrupt halt when the teenager raised his hand, signalling for the group to stop. Seated on the ground, he carefully examined footprints imprinted in the wet, muddy ground, a furrow forming on his brow as he studied them intently.

"Someone has been here before!" Luke exclaimed, interpreting the marks quickly.

"Are these their tracks?" Eli inquired with anticipation.

"I can’t tell. But these are unmistakably the footprints of a man," Armel confirmed after contemplating. "However..."

"However, what?" Damon questioned.

"Those are definitely not human’s!" the teenager pointed out to another set of distorted spoor in the mud.

"Not human? You mean... from a wild animal?" Damon asked.

"These signs are scattered all around... It appears to be the aftermath of a struggle," Luke observed, his gaze scanning the tracks.

Armel nodded. "I believe it’s a bear."

"Search that side, Sir Henderson and Sir McQuinn. See if you can find anything further. I’ll investigate this area," Luke directed.

The knights acknowledged his orders and set off on their respective paths while Armel resumed his search. Suddenly, a cry rang out.

"Sir Parker! Sir Henderson! Sir McQuinn! Come quickly!" the teenager’s voice carried urgency.

The three knights hurried to his side.

"What’s wrong?" Damon asked.

Armel’s hand trembled as he pointed towards the luxuriant shrubs.

"Oh, God!" Eli gasped.

Splashes of blood stained the foliage... and amidst the grim scene lay a discarded ribbon – the very one that Anna used to tie back her hair.

***

Noah slowed his steed, his gaze scanning the ground intently. Drystan, riding alongside him, matched his pace, tagging along.

"Notice anything unusual, Sir Brooks?" the knight inquired.

"Not entirely certain," Noah replied, furrowing his brow in concentration.

Coming to a halt, he dismounted, with Drystan following suit. Noah approached a set of tracks crossing the path, studying them with a focused gaze.

"Seems like someone passed this way," Drystan remarked.

"It’s hard to discern. The tracks are muddled from the rain. They could be from animals," Noah observed. "But one thing is clear..."

"What’s that?" Drystan prompted.

"They belong to a single entity, be it a person or creature," Noah stated, drawing from his experience.

"Considering Prince Kiev and Lady Raychard... that would be two individuals. These tracks likely aren’t theirs," Drystan suggested.

"There’s a possibility that His Highness Prince Kiev might have carried Lady Raychard in case of an emergency. Imagine... our lady is delicate. If His Highness had managed to vanquish the dark spirit, she would have reverted to her normal self. They’ve been in the woods overnight without adequate provisions. She would likely be weakened by now," Noah speculated.

"You’re right. And we can’t also push aside the chance of His Highness being injured. We witnessed Lady Raychard’s formidable strength yesterday due to the possession. He might have sustained injuries while combating her," Drystan added.

Noah sighed, his concern for Anna’s safety evident on his face.

"What’s your take? Should we follow these tracks?" Drystan inquired.

After a moment’s contemplation, Noah nodded decisively.

"The tracks are passable for horses. Let’s pursue them and delve deeper into this. We must hurry!" Noah resolved.

Determined, Drystan nodded in agreement.

***

"Are you certain this is the right path, old man?" Brone questioned Derek, who was being carried on his back due to his weakened state.

After expending much of his magic to track Anna, Derek’s physical condition had deteriorated significantly. His face wrinkled horribly, and his once-white hair fell away, leaving him almost bald. Freckles filled his pallid, aged skin, making him look like a hundred-year-old being. His mana was nearly depleted.

"It’s... it’s definitely... this way," Derek replied, struggling to catch his breath. "And please... don’t call me... old man."

Brone grunted in response.

"It better be accurate, Derek! Casting those spells to locate her has drained you, and it’s been a while since your last incantation. If we get it wrong this time, we will both die!" Brone warned.

With weary eyes, Derek gazed ahead, his head held high. The dense forest enveloped them, devoid of any signs of life along their chosen path.

It was unusual for the fragile princess to be found here, but the mage trusted in his magic. It had not led him astray and had been correct since he first sensed her presence.

"Just... keep moving!" Derek commanded the Bargesian leader.

Brone grumbled under his breath. Perhaps he could just throw away the annoying mage in a ravine or something...

However, Derek had not been entirely mistaken. Most of the mage’s predictions and magical workings had been accurate and effective. Moreover, he was the sole surviving Bargesian by Brone’s side. If their mission succeeded, the Bargesian leader could gain the upper hand again.

Suddenly, Brone’s dark eyes caught sight of an unexpected find – an old cottage nestled in the heart of the forest, isolated from any neighbouring settlements.

"A cottage!" Derek exclaimed upon noticing the same.

Struggling to raise his voice, the mage’s excitement grew, urging his companion to approach the shelter. As they drew closer, Brone advanced cautiously, scanning the surroundings for any signs of other occupants.

No movements or traces of additional individuals were evident, casting doubt on their discovery.

"I can sense her! She’s inside! Get in!" Derek commanded.

Filled with determination, Brone kicked down the door, ready to face whatever was inside.

’Blaam!’

The door splintered, wooden shards scattering across the ground as the strong kick blew it. Eyes wide with anticipation, the two Bargesians peered into the cottage.

***

The forest grew denser as Eric and Garin continued their search. The trees closed in around them, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

"Anything so far, Sir Skyler?" Eric inquired of his companion.

"None. I see nothing out of the ordinary," Garin replied to his superior.

The second-in-command knight let out a sigh. Despite their thorough search, there had been no sign of the Mederian Prince and the princess. Their efforts to scour the area had yielded no clues.

"This is strange. Even the eagles couldn’t trace them. It’s as if they’ve vanished into thin air!" Eric lamented.

"They can’t have. They must be somewhere close," Garin reassured, attempting to ease the concerns of his fellow knight. "The forest is dense, and with last night’s heavy rain, it’s understandable that tracking would be challenging. Let’s remain patient."

Eric nodded. He fervently prayed nothing untoward would happen to the Mederian Prince and their lady.

"I hope the others will find them," the second-in-command knight expressed.

"I wish the same," Garin agreed.

Suddenly, a faint sound reached their ears.

"Wait... isn’t that..." Eric’s words trailed off.

The two knights exchanged glances, both with surprise and anxiety. They fell silent, focusing intently on the sound, which echoed once more through the air.

"That’s it! You heard it too, Sir Skyler?" Eric sought confirmation, ensuring he wasn’t mistaken or hallucinating.

"Yes! Affirmative, Sir Navin!" Garin replied.

"Let’s move!"

Turning their warhorses around, the knights spurred them into a gallop, hastening towards the elusive signal.

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