Under my nose

ROME

The sound of the door opening drew my attention from my murderous train of thoughts. I looked up to see Teriel and Higuain, one of our top trackers.

"What did you find?" I asked impatiently.

"Your majesty." Higuain greeted bowing before going to the map. "We found tracks leading west but later curved south starting behind the castle walls by the lake."

"South?" He asked, fisting his hand on the table. "How far along before it curved south?"

"About 10 miles."

"Alkarod." He stated rising from his seat, murder singing in his blood.

"Yes, your majesty." He nodded. "The first tracks appeared masculine but were deep. Either he's a heavy weight or he was carrying someone else. Then it changed to horse hooves. Single horse. A few miles out. We almost missed it because it was deep in the tree line. I had my men follow the trail as far south as they went. They should be sending a bird any minute now."

His beast stirred violently within him and in the far reaches of his consciousness, he c