south and Alleon gave the order to follow.
They had traveled for a few hours when the scouts rode back to report that they had found some tracks leading off on a forest road that branched to the east, apparently by a small group that broke away from the larger. They had stopped and searched the area.
"We found this at the intersection of the two roads." The lead scout said as he handed Alleon a small reddish bead. "We went up both roads a ways, but could not find any others. However, the carriage tracks continue to the south."
"We have to assume that the princess was with the carriage." Alleon stated. "We will continue to follow it."
However, when they reached the intersecting roads, Dominic asked for a halt. He went to look at the tracks himself, the lead scout at his side, and went up the side road, disappearing for several minutes. He returned and called Alleon over. Jonas, Jake and Marcus joined them.
"It looks like a small group, maybe fifteen or twenty horse." Dominic said, frowning. "I found several demon prints, as well. Something about that bothers me. If it was simply a group of half-men, I would only expect to see one demon, if that."
"Do you think the princess went that way?" Alleon asked, concerned.
"I don't know." Dominic replied, shrugging his shoulders. "It just doesn't seem right."
"I can't turn aside from the larger group to chase this down." Alleon said. "We would lose precious time if it turns out to be wrong. I have to assume that she is with her carriage."
"I agree, Alleon." Dominic said. "I will ride out to track this down while you continue after the main party."
"If you think there are demons, Dom, I will come with you." Jonas said. "There are enough clerics with the soldiers to meet any challenge without me."
"I want to go." Jake said quickly. "I can help if there are demons, as well."
"I go where he goes." Marcus said, nodding at Jake.
Dominic stared at them, apparently weighing his options. He turned back to Alleon. "If you are willing, task out four soldiers to come with us. They can help guard Jonas' wagon and act as messengers if we find something. We will ride until we know that the princess did not go that way. If there is nothing, we will return and follow your trail."
Alleon quickly agreed and selected four soldiers to go with them. Jonas called over some of the clerics and distributed most of his medical supplies to them. Jake saw Jonas and Hailyn discussing something, both of them looking at him. Jonas nodded and Hailyn joined him on the wagon.
They quickly gathered some extra supplies, food and water, then moved off the road. With a final farewell, their small group headed off on the easterly road, the rest of the soldiers and clerics continuing south.
They made their way along the road for the rest of the day, Dominic tracking their quarry's passage. Jake rode next to the wagon, talking with Hailyn while Marcus rode on the other side. As the sun was getting low, they came upon a fork in the road. Dominic stopped, dismounted and looked around the area, checking the roads and surrounding areas while the rest stood by.
"Our trail still leads east." He said. "I can't find any evidence that they traveled down the side road."
"However, these markings indicate that a mining camp is down the side road." Dominic continued, pointing to some carvings in a tree near the fork. "They may have information. We should probably go down to ask if they have seen anything."
Jonas glanced at Hailyn, a frown on his face. "These camps are rough places, the men suspicious. It may be best if we only send a couple of riders. I should be one since clerics are generally welcome."
"I agree. I will go with you for protection." Dominic said, catching his meaning.
"We need to stop for the night anyway." Jonas said. "Maybe we could set up camp here and then go talk to the miners."
Dominic nodded and went into the woods. After ten minutes, he returned to lead them to a clearing he found, set back in the woods. The sun was setting by the time they finished making camp. Dominic assigned the soldiers guard duty, then went over to where the rest were sitting next to the wagon.
"Jonas will need to take Dontas." He said to Jake. "I don't want to take the wagon or the soldiers' mounts. He