Castellaine's investigation bore fruit on the fourth day.
The deployment of the royal warrant had created ripples across the kingdom in the preceding days. Church investigators ...legitimate ones, unaware of the Covenant's true agenda ...had fanned out across every major settlement between the capital and the eastern border. At roadside shrines and Church outposts, they posted notices offering rewards for information about four missing soldiers. At border garrisons, they questioned sentries and reviewed travel logs. At inns and way-stations, they showed sketches and asked careful questions.
