Chapter Sixteen
By midday, worry consumed Willow. Sage’s trail had gone cold. Many tracks had trodden through the path along the river, effectively eliminating any trace of Sage’s route. Frustration, worry, and unease warred within her.
She stopped her horse and desperately glanced behind her, hoping to spot something she had missed in the trees or mud.
When nothing materialized, she turned to look in the opposite direction. Finally, hopelessly, she lifted her gaze to Christian. He sat atop his horse, staring down the river. “We’ve lost Sage’s trail,” she announced dismally.
Christian turned to her. “We’ll find it. Keep searching.”
He seemed distracted as he again turned to the path.
Willow swiveled her head, tracking his stare. “What is it?”
He pointed to the muddy ground. “These wagon tracks weren’t here this morning,” he said, indicating lines in the dirt amidst foot and horse prints.
Willow inspected them. She had noticed them but hadn’t thought anything of them because Sage was on horseback.
“Why would someone take a wagon through here?” Christian wondered. He spurred his horse, following the tracks.
Willow scanned the area. The rocks and slippery dirt would make it hard to pull a wagon. Was it a merchant or farmer selling goods? It was strange, and that was why they needed to investigate it. She followed Christian.
He reined his horse to a stop farther along the trail. “The tracks head into the forest here.”
Willow gazed at the lines cutting into the tall grass and brush at the side of the road.
“There,” Christian said, pointing through some trees. “Someone is there.”
Two men worked in the shade of the distant trees, their movement shrouded by the tree branches. What were they doing? They must have maneuvered the cart through the trees to the site.
Christian dismounted, tying the reins of his horse to a tree. Willow followed. They walked through the grass toward the men. As they neared, she saw the men wore brown tunics and breeches. Crickets chirped in the distance, and birds cawed. One man bent over while the other strolled about five feet away and stooped. Together, they lifted a body from the ground, carried it to the wagon, and hefted it up into the back.
Dread swelled inside Willow. Chills rained over her. Was that Marcus’s body? Her gaze scanned the wooden wagon and noticed another pair of booted feet beside the first ones at the back. Another body.
Christian reached out and grasped her hand. He squeezed reassuringly before releasing her and stepping forward. “Good day!” he called.
The two men turned to him apprehensively.
Willow couldn’t move. And yet, she wanted to investigate the wagon. Was it Sage in the wagon?
“What happened here?” Christian asked.
“Don’t know,” the younger of the two men replied, glancing at the ground.
The other walked toward Christian, rubbing his gray-streaked black beard. “Me boy was playing, and he found ’em.” He indicated the ground. “We’re loading ’em up and bringin’ ’em into town.”
Christian’s gaze swept the site. “How many bodies?”
“So far, four,” the second man answered.
“Do you need help?” Christian asked.
The younger man stepped forward, spreading his arms protectively. “We discovered this site. Anything here is ours.” His hand dropped to his belt and the handle of the dagger.
Christian held up his hands. “Agreed. I was just asking if you needed help.”
“No. Move on.”
Christian nodded and turned away.
