Back in the present, Charles lay back on the training ground, staring up at the open sky. The grass was cool beneath him. Around him, the yard was quiet. It had been a month since the search warrant was issued. All four kingdoms were looking. There had been no progress. Not a single credible lead.
He didn't want to go out drinking tonight. Not when Benjamin was out there somewhere. But he was certain Sofia was going anyway, especially if Lyra was going to be there. He couldn't let her go alone. He would have to go. He closed his eyes.
He has to be alive.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
The road to Xian Yang took four days.
