The carriage clattered through the dark, empty streets of the city, the sound of the horses' hooves echoing like an agitated heartbeat. Inside, Eric sat stiffly, his hands clenched into tight fists, his gaze scanning every dark alleyway, every shadowed corner they passed.
They stopped by each post, at every point where a patrolling watchman stood with his lantern, a lonely point of light in the vast darkness.
"Have you seen a young woman?" Eric would ask, his voice tight with a desperate urgency. He would lean out the carriage window, his eyes pleading. "She has long, dark curly hair, and the most striking blue eyes you have ever seen. She was wearing a pale blue dress. Have you seen her?"
Again and again, the answer was the same. A shake of the head, a sympathetic but unhelpful look. "No, Your Grace. Haven't seen anyone like that tonight."
