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She had hoped they wouldn’t bring that up, but now that they had, she faced it. “No. He doesn’t know. I’m just a very good jewelry designer.”

Caro gave a low chuckle at that, and Melodie shot her a smile.

“Melodie has answered enough questions.” Theo chopped his hand downward, as if cutting off any more discussion. “We need to catch up to the trader who tied me to the bridge. He can’t be far. He told Melodie he was going to spend the night just outside the city, and then he was headed for Taunen. I don’t think he planned to take the main road.”

They all looked toward Taunen, and Melodie saw Theo rubbing the back of his neck in agitation.

“You couldn’t have gone after him last night,” she said. “You needed to recover.”

He glanced at her as if to deny it, then gave a tight nod.

“You think he spent the night right here?” Caro asked, looking at the thin strip of grass they were gathered on.

“I do.” Theo slid off his horse and crouched by the blackened stones surrounding a small fire pit. “The stones are still warm, and the horse droppings are fresh.”

“The first turn-off to a minor road is at least an hour’s ride from here,” Victor said. “If he’s in a slow cart, we can catch him.”

Theo swung back into the saddle. “Then let’s catch him.”

CHAPTER 11

They caughtup with the trader after forty minutes of hard riding.

He must have been on the road since before sunrise to have managed to get so far, but their horses were well-kept and fast, and his donkey was old, and pulling a heavy caravan.

Theo could see he looked confused, until he saw Melodie, and then he went white.

He jumped down from the driver’s bench and ran off into the field beside the road.

The group converged, horses blowing from the hard ride, some dancing around in agitation.

“We going after him?” Ivan asked.

“I will.” Melodie slid off her mount and tossed the reins to Jacinta. “I’m the one he knows.”

“I’ll come.” Theo had no intention of letting her go alone.

“Me, too.” Gallain dismounted.

“No, keep watch on the road, and maybe search the caravan while we’re gone. He won’t be any trouble,” Theo said.

Gallain looked like he wanted to argue, but he wasn’t in charge and he gave a reluctant nod.

Melodie crossed to the side and hopped over a narrow ditch, then started off through the long grass.

Theo followed close behind.

The old man stood watching them from a small copse to the right of the field, waiting but tense, as if ready to run again. That would not do.

Theo caught up to Melodie and reached back to grip the pommel of the sword Draper had given him from the armory.

The trader saw him do it, and Theo could tell the moment he gave up all thoughts of running.

He looked down, then slumped against the tree and let his knees fold and take him to the ground.

Melodie glanced back at Theo in surprise, as if trying to work out why their quarry had surrendered, saw his grip on his sword, and gave a tiny nod of comprehension.

“I don’t know what it does,” the old man called out as they approached. “I should have destroyed it.”