Two of the silver-eyed men set off into the night and Silus moved to go with them.

“No,” Illiun said. “They will find them. There’s no sense in you going. The sentinels are far better equipped to deal with any dangers they may face out there.”

“But Zac’s my son, Illiun. I can’t just do nothing.”

“Illiun is right,” Shalim said. “The sentinels will find our children.”

Though astonished at the seemingly calm and accepting manner of Shalim and Rosalind, Silus decided to put his trust in their leader. After all, these people were more familiar with this world than he.

After an hour of waiting, staring into the campfire and gripping Katya’s hand, Silus was becoming restless.

“Let me go and help look for them,” he said, getting to his feet. “Illiun, trust me, I can fight.”

“I have no doubt of that, Silus, but can you see in the dark? Can you scan miles of terrain while moving just a few yards? The sentinels will find them.”

In the third hour of waiting, several other members of the camp were growing restless, some whispering to each other and looking over at Illiun with expressions of concern. Their leader, however, did not stir. Instead he sat and waited patiently, as though utterly certain of the children’s safe return.

In the fourth hour of waiting one of the silver-eyed men knelt down and conferred with Illiun. Silus was close enough that he could hear what the sentinel said.

“Units four and seven have stopped reporting in.”

“‘Stopped reporting in’?” Silus said. “What does that mean? You said that we could trust these things, Illiun.”

For the first time since Silus had met him, Illiun looked unsure of himself.

“Fark this,” Silus said. “We’re going after them. Kelos, Dunsany, Bestion, Katya — you’re with me. Anybody else who wants to help, you’re very welcome, though I suggest that you arm yourselves first.”