Delia sees them first and gets up asking, “Any luck?” Cassie stands up with her and they go over to them as they enter the room.

With a look of disappointment, Jiron replies, “No, and I looked everywhere.”

“I’m sorry,” Cassie says.

Jiron comes over to James and asks, “Can you help find her?”

Shaking his head, James replies, “Not unless you have something of hers I can use?” The look on Jiron’s face tells him that he doesn’t.

Feeling bad for the boy, but unable to help, he says, “She may still turn up.”

“I doubt it,” says Jiron, “I went to everyplace that she would’ve gone and she wasn’t there. I can only assume that they found her and she’s one of the thousands of slaves they captured.”

“Slaves?” James suddenly interrupts. “Where are they being kept?”

“They had a big encampment outside of the walls for them,” Tinok says, “but sometime yesterday, they started marching them south.”

“South?” James asks.

“Yeah,” Tinok replies. “Looks like they are taking them back to the Empire. Your friend is most likely with them.” He looks over to Jiron and adds, “As Tersa may be as well.”

“Can’t we do anything?” asks Cassie.

“Like what?” asks Tinok, “Chase after and rescue them?” He looks at her incredulously, “They have hundreds of guards, not to mention their entire army occupying the city. It would be suicide!”

Jiron had been studying James’ face while the others had been talking. When James glances over at him, he asks, “You’re planning on going after your friend aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” James replies, nodding, “just as soon as I feel better. Miko is a smart kid, he knows I’ll find him. He’ll do what he needs to in order to survive until I get to him.”