The Knights, after inspecting the site where Sir Rob had found the wagon tracks, determined that it was the left rear wheel that had the chip missing.
They thought that this would be an easy track to follow.
They mounted and started off slowly following the tracks. They had to proceed at a walk as there had been traffic on the street this morning.
Several times, Sir JonPop dismounted to walk ahead of his horse as the tracks had been erased, but was able to pick up the trail further on.
When they got onto the open road away from town, they were able to make better time as they had the direction of travel.
It took the Knight's about an hour to find the wagon, it was parked beside a farm house. The Knights surrounded the house, front and back and Sir Sonic, with sword drawn, banged on the door.
A small, older woman answered and was startled to see the Knights and Sir Sonic with his sword ready to thrust. She jumped back and tried to close the door but Sir Sonic, pushed his way in, followed by Sir Uberschwanz and Sir Sikdogg, ready to do battle.
The old woman screamed and tried to run but Sir Sonic caught her by the arm and held her saying, "Where is Sir Stud and where is Lars?"
The woman, shakily, said, "I don't know anyone of whom you speak, Sir Knight, it is just me and my husband who live here and he is in the field and has been since early morning."
Sir Sonic said, "Where is the owner of this wagon?" The woman replied, "Three man came just after daybreak and offered my husband three gold coins if he would let them leave their wagon for the day and tend to their horses in his barn."
Sir Sonic conferred with all of the Knights that by now had filled up the small room and they made a thorough search of the small house. They then proceeded to search the grounds and the barn. They found the two brown horses but no sign of Sir Stud, Lars or his men.
Sir Rob had been inspecting the wagon and found a note that had been tucked into the seat, he read it to the Knights, the note said, "We have your Knight, and we also have Miss Betsy. We will kill them both if our demands are not met. You have until sunset this evening to leave, now, 150,000 gold coins in this wagon. If you do not leave the gold, I will personally cut off Sir Stud's head and Miss Betsy's breasts and you will find them in this wagon in the morning. You will leave the gold and depart because as you can see, there is nowhere for you to hide. If you try and trap me, they will die. Signed Lars."
The Knights looked around and saw that it was flat land as far as the eye could see, with indeed, no place to hide.
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I've got a Tiger by the tail.
Beauty is in the eye of the Beerholder.
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