"What? What is going on? Explain yourself." Lord Falco seethed in anger.
The captain swallowed, recounting the events quickly. "My Lord, two mages—a battle-mage and a shadow-weaver—approached the main gate. Joric refused them entry, as per your orders."
"Then how did they get in?" Falco demanded.
"It was Young Miss Marci, my Lord," the captain explained, his head bowed. "She came from the garden and reprimanded us for our... lack of courtesy. She insisted they be allowed in. We could not disobey a direct order from her."
The captain swallowed again, his gaze fixed on the floor. "My Lord, we heard a crash from the guest suite. We responded immediately. The room was empty, save for a spilled tray. The balcony doors were open."
"And?" Falco prompted, his voice dangerously quiet.
"We searched the grounds, my Lord. They are gone. And... and the new attendant, the one who owned the donkey... he is gone as well."
