"Where is the worst possible place that Henry could be? I think we should start there, if we can." suggested Delilah.
"On the Predas estate." said both Danny and Charlie at the same time.
"I'll send Rachel there to look for him. She can also collect reports at the same time." Danny said, suddenly his old self now that a plan was forming.
"Mirabel, are you able to sense Amber?" Delilah asked the sleepy cat.
"No, Dear. She is too far away. I have no better of a lead in finding Henry than you do." she replied mournfully.
"Then I guess the only thing we can do is go look for him. Let's start where I left him? suggested Delilah.
Danny Rupert, completely in his element, said "Yes, I think that's the best course of action. I will also send Barry to Frederick's. If Henry does eventually make it home, I want to know. You, I, and Tolcetta will go to the old manor house, perhaps we will get lucky and find Henry as well as interrupt another meeting.
Charlie will stay here. His skills in the kitchen are irreplaceable. I will send out my best eyes and ears to search every other possibility."
"Hey, don't I fit in that category?" asked Charlie good naturedly.
"You know you do! But you're not getting off that easily, I want a piping hot pizza when I get back." laughed Danny.
Mirabel stirred. "Delilah, would you mind opening the door? I need to see someone. It won't take long, I'll be back in a few minutes, I promise." she purred lovingly.
"Of course." she replied, rising to do as requested. Although curious, she knew not to ask - it was obviously personal.
After she received her orders, Rachel set off at once to find Bucephalus. She was not surprised to find her waiting at the edge of the meadow, near the keep. She was however extremely surprised to find a bridle grasped firmly in the mare's teeth, and a saddle in the lush grass beside her left front hoof.
"Where did these come from, old friend?" she asked, perplexed.
"The stables! There's no time to lose, the fate of the world may very well be determined by this mission. I brought them myself. Please, let's get ready as I explain."
"But you are... Talking?" asked Rachel. She had always known her horse was special. Which was why she had given her the name of the most famous horse in history, even though he had been a stallion. But a talking horse? No, not really. The words just seemed to flow from Bucephalus' head into hers.
"Let's go!" The impatient animal said, stamping her foot hard at the woman who was standing motionless. For once, Rachel was as firmly rooted to the ground as the grass.
Rachel shook it off when Bucephalus gave her a gentle head butt, and obliged. Soon they were eating up the miles.
"Bucephalus, why haven't you ever spoken to me before?" she asked, feeling hurt now that the initial shock had worn off.
"Words were never needed. We are so close, that our teamwork was always seamless. We are only allowed to speak to our charges if absolutely necessary."
"I'm glad we can talk to each other now, friend. But I probably didn't get you saddled any faster for it." the master spy admitted reluctantly. She had always considered herself a woman of action, fully capable of reacting instantly to any situation. Being shocked to such an extent that she just stood and stared, mouth wide open, was a new experience.
"I know, but that wasn't the only reason I revealed my ability. I need to prepare you for what you might be up against. And I need to fill you in on some details that Danny didn't have time to share.
Didn't you ever wonder why I insisted on waiting outside of the city gate when you went into Slickville? Rachel, I could feel something miles before we could even see the cursed place. If I got any closer than the farmland surrounding it, we both would have been discovered."
"Why didn't you warn me?" she asked, feeling betrayed.
"It wouldn't have cared about you. You are human, and I must say, very capable. And I don't even know where it is in the city. I have my suspicions, though. And if I am correct, then you were already well aware that it should be avoided."
"Why do I need to know now?" she asked curiously.
"I heard from an old friend exactly what is going on. She said that both a young man and a friend of mine might be prisoners in that city. If my friend is there, she has surely been discovered, long before she arrived. I can't for the life of me imagine why she would go there. She would feel that evil as strongly as I did every time I got near the place. But if she is there, you have to promise to come get me, so I can help you break them out."
"I don't understand. Wouldn't it be better to do this without alerting it - whatever it is?" she asked.
"Yes Rachel, infinitely better. But this thing will be keeping track of my friend. If she begins to move away from her prison, it will know immediately. And I can help you in a confrontation. More than you know...
Now before you ask more questions, let me fill you in on the details Danny left out, including who my friends are."
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