"You'll do what?" Naaz tilted his head.
"I'll go look for them. I can't go too far since I have dinner plans tonight, but at least I can see if they are within a day's walking distance." Noble continued to think aloud. "Granted, it would only be in one direction, but I assume most caravans would come from the south, would they not?"
"That is true…" Naaz nodded.
"Wait, I reported an abandoned caravan beyond the ash plains a while ago. Did it belong to one of these missing people?"
"Ah, I think I remember this." The government agent stood and sifted through a large filing cabinet behind his desk. He pulled out a few pages and nodded slowly. "Mhmm. It belonged to Ancho's group. The cargo and wagons were brought into the city but were never claimed. Ancho is still on my list of those unaccounted for. I don't suppose you have any more information to add to that report?"
"I doubt it. I gave all I had, and the friend that gave it to me told me all he knew." Noble had mentioned the incident to Chip a couple of times since it happened, but he never had any news. She had nearly forgotten about it until this moment. "When I go out, perhaps I could…"
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter," the dark-haired man called to the visitor.
Noble shut her eyes, knowing who it was before he came in.
"Forgive the intrusion, Awakened Naaz. I just found out my wife was here."
"Darling!" Noble flashed a brilliant smile. "I was going to say hello on my way out. It seems you found me first!"
'That Phil snitched on me!'
Fort seemed to read her thoughts. "Phil is instructed to let me know any time someone of interest to me stops by, and who could be more interesting than you?"
"Well, I am happy to see you. I am basically finished here." Noble rose from her seat.
Fort glanced at the package as the smell of sweet fruit wafted through the air. "Were you here on bakery business?"
Noble pursed her lips. "Not exactly. I was here to report some missing merchants in the hopes that there was a reasonable explanation."
Fort glanced at Awakened Naaz. "More missing travelers?"
"I'm afraid so, Ambassador." The hazel-eyed man passed over his list. "Soon, I will need a new page if the list continues to grow."
Fort scratched at the stubble on his chin absentmindedly. "That is concerning."
Seeing the Ambassador's troubled expression, Naaz smiled. "Don't be too alarmed, sir. Master Noble has volunteered to conduct a search."
"What?" Fort's voice was inquisitive, but his emotions spiked.
"There is no one else able to go, and I have a bit of time left before dinner. I won't be gone long." Noble assured him.
"I see. Well, if your business is complete."
"It is…" Noble smiled at Naaz. "I will check the spot we discussed while I am out."
"Thank you, ma'am." The agent bowed, another section of his tattoo showing from beneath his collar. That part looked distinctively like the Hollow Mountains. Surely he hadn't been there!
"Let me walk you out then." Taking his wife's hand, Fort pulled Noble from her thoughts as he led her to the door. He nodded to the other government agent. "I'll return this list to you shortly. Please keep me updated on any developments when you have the time."
"Yes, sir!" Naaz gave a modified salute. "Thank you both!"
Out in the hall, Noble narrowed her gaze at her husband. "I know that look. You are about to try to talk me out of going."
"Of course not," Fort smiled innocently as he walked down the hall. "I know that telling you about how increasingly dangerous it has gotten out in the wilderness and mentioning that there is little to no chance that you will find anything in a short time will only fuel your resolve to go. If I ask you to reconsider and go another day, you will just tell me that you won't have another day off in a very long time. Every reason I will give, you will give a beautiful counterpoint. So, I concede in advance."
"But you think me going on my own is a bad idea; I can tell." Noble could feel her husband's emotions, which only made his words more confusing.
"If something is breaking up the supply lines, be it human or monster, then I think you going by yourself is not wise, no." Fort shook his head slowly. "It's possible that we are just paranoid and things are really fine. That is the best-case scenario. It's also possible that the one causing the problems can be easily dealt with by someone of your fighting caliber."
"But if it should be more than one powerful somebody or a particularly vicious creature, then it might land me in the same trouble as our merchants." Noble could follow his line of thought. "Well, if you don't plan to stop me, what are you..."
Fort held up a finger to beg her silence and then tapped lightly on the door.
"Come in," a melodious voice practically sang.
Noble felt a tug to obey. With no intention to ignore it, she and Fort immediately found themselves in a stylishly decorated office. The walls were painted cream with accents of color around the window frame that matched the sleek moulding, and sheer curtains seemed to wave subtly behind what looked like a mahogany desk.
The red-haired man sitting in the oversized chair smiled at them as they entered.
"So, Ambassador Fort, it seems Phil's message was indeed accurate. Hello, Master Noble!" Kai's grin would have sent most women weak at the knees, but Noble simply dipped her head and nodded politely.
"Hello, Saint Kai."
"My wife came to report more missing merchants. It seems our concern might not be unfounded." Fort got straight to the point as he handed over the page of names.
Looking at the document, Kai's smile faded. "Why is there never any good news anymore?" He sighed.
"Ah, but there is," Fort continued, "Noble has said she is going to spend a couple of hours looking in the wilderness to see if she can spot anything. If anyone can find signs of trouble, it is her."
Saint Nightingale frowned. "A couple of hours is hardly enough time to search the wilderness." A spark of recognition dawned in the man's eyes. "Ambassador Fort, are you telling me this because of our earlier conversation?"
"What conversation?" Noble had been following things until this point.
"I was just saying a moment ago that it has been too long since I was able to take a proper flight. Between here and the waking world, I've been cooped up in an office for weeks." Kai tapped the desk lightly. "This is a good opportunity to get some work in and get out of the office. If you'll have me, Master Noble, I would like to go with you."
"You...would like to go with...me?" Noble felt like the words were inevitable as soon as she walked into the room, but they still surprised her.
'He couldn't stop me, so he got me a babysitter?!' Noble caught herself. Fort had found her a formidable companion to complete a task. It was actually very thoughtful.
"I would be grateful for the company if you can spare the time." Noble nodded..
"Excellent. This way we can go farther because we won't have to travel back. I can just bring us to the Waking World, and then we can return to the citadel instantly." Kai's smile widened.
Noble coughed. "Oh, of course, thank you."
Although she could have done that herself, this way would protect her secret sainthood more easily.
Pushing back his luxurious chair, Kai rose from his desk. "I am ready when you are, ma'am."
"Oh!" Noble realized she hadn't really thought the whole situation through. She looked down at the box in her hand. "One moment."
Turning to her husband, she smiled guiltily.
"I don't suppose you would bring this cake home for me for dinner?"
Fort reached for the box and took it happily. "Of course! That's no problem at all."
Noble took the bag off her shoulder. "And this too. But be careful! They are fragile."
"They?" Fort raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I'll take good care of them."
"Oh! Before you head home, can you stop by and get our pan from the tinker and let him know I am still investigating the incident?" Noble nodded.
"What happened to our p–" Fort put the bag on his shoulder and sighed. "Yes, I can do that. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, I left some meat with Diego. It's already paid for, so you just have to let him know I sent you." The woman nodded.
"Meat…got it. Is that it?"
Noble tapped her chin lightly. "Yes, I think that's it. Thank you, dear!"
She kissed her husband on the cheek.
Fort shook his head sadly. "Carrying my wife's shopping purchases, running her errands, and also letting her run off across the countryside with one of the most handsome men in two worlds. Maybe I am the real Saint."
"I've always said so." The woman winked at him. "Don't worry. We will be careful."
"I'll make sure she's safe," Kai promised.
The Ambassador smiled. "I know. I'll see you both later."
Once outside, Kai inhaled the cool air as the breeze tousled his auburn locks. "What do you say? Ready for a flight?"
Noble nodded. "Let's go!"