Ludwig decided not to waste more time in the capital.
The Shrike had escaped. Van Dijk had already taken pursuit. The Emperor had his Tower Masters, his priests, his embarrassed sons, and enough political rot to keep the palace choking for weeks. None of that needed Ludwig standing in the corner pretending he understood the civilized art of waiting.
The Fourth Princess was cursed.
The answer, or at least the nearest thing to one, was in the forest of the elves.
So Ludwig went.
