Michael cursed, and wheeled his horse around, doubling back the way they had come.He must have missed something.But what?
The captain of the guard approached.“Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.I believe we should spread out our search in a different direction.”
“She can’t be much farther.The clothes were hers—I’m certain of it.And I’m not leaving her alone.”He touched the revolver at his side, hoping he found Hannah before anyone else did.
The night had begun to fade with the rising of the sun.Amber rays slid over the horizon, the sky dipped in shades of violet.
Michael spurred his horse faster, searching along the edge of the road.He studied the carriage tracks for anything out of the ordinary, wishing to God that he could find something.Anything.
And then, it was as if the Almighty answered his prayer.He pulled his horse to a stop and saw it.There, in the dust, he saw the fragment of a violet gown.Just a small tear, but he knew without a doubt that it was hers.It lay near an open meadow, and he noticed tracks leading away from the road.
“This way,” he commanded the men.
As he tracked her through the field and east of the city, he kept the scrap of fabric clenched in his palm.I’m going to find you,he swore.And God help the man who took you.
Michael increased the punishing pace, relying upon the bent grasses to guide him.Then, only a few miles east of Vermisten, he sighted a single horse carrying two people.The woman wore a violet gown, leaving no doubt it was Lady Hannah.
Michael rode as fast as he dared, the palace guards joining behind him.With the company of these men, he was certain they could intercept the rider.
But something made him pause.His soldier instincts told him that this was too easy.A trap, perhaps.
He decreased the pace, only slightly, and the palace guards joined him on either side.
The first bullet struck a guard on the outer perimeter, dropping him from his horse.Michael spied the glint of a rifle from behind them.A small group of six men flanked them on both sides, and his own soldiers were within range of the gunfire.Michael charged his mount faster, and the guards followed.
It reminded him of Balaclava, in that fatal moment when he’d tried unsuccessfully to lead his men out of harm’s way.And right now, their opponents were gaining on them.
He wasn’t going to reach Hannah in time.
If he didn’t get these men away safely, all of them would die.And he’d sworn he’d never let anything happen to her.
The leadership of these men was on his shoulders, all of their lives dependent upon the decision he would make.And though doubts rose up, strangling his confidence, a sudden clarity emerged from his fear.He couldn’t control the outcome, but he could give an order that might save them.
One of the men turned and tried to fire back, but his shot flew wide.Time to act before anyone else was shot.
Michael signaled them closer.“Four of you go to the left and take cover near those rocks.The rest of you go to the right and leave me here.I am their target, and it will give you a better chance of picking them off.”
“We can’t leave you unguarded,” the captain argued.“Our orders are to protect your life.”
“I won’t remain on horseback,” Michael countered.“If we fire from three directions, we’ll get them.If we try to outrun them, Hannah will be caught in the crossfire.”
“Your Royal Highness, I’m not certain—”
“Do it,” Michael commanded.“If you don’t, we die.”
With a quick nod of his head, the captain gestured for half of the men to follow.The other four went right, and Michael wheeled his horse around, reining the animal to a stop.He dismounted, taking cover on the ground.
In this position, he was reminded of the battleground again, surrounded by the enemy.It was familiar, and yet different, for he had given the orders this time.Not for the glory of war or the honor of a country—but to save the men.
No longer was he afraid of failing them, of being responsible for their deaths.Instead, he’d given them the chance to save themselves.Their fate lay in God’s hands and in their skill.
His guards fired from both directions, and Michael took careful aim at the center rider.His first shot was out of range, but the second struck its target.They kept up a steady stream of gunfire, but in the meantime, he was losing Hannah while the rider was taking her farther and farther away.With a glance behind him, Michael saw her disappearing on the horizon.
He expelled a curse, forcing himself to concentrate.The attackers attempted to scatter, but three more shots ended the battle.
Afterwards, the men rejoined him.The captain looked shaken, but thankful for his life.“Your Royal Highness, are you all right?”
Michael nodded.“Send two men to retrieve our fallen man.The rest of you, follow me.We still have to rescue Lady Hannah.”
