Bardulf had a long three days of trying to track down Jaqueline's scent, ask other villages if they saw anything, and figure out why someone would want Phillips to see such a thing. He spent very little time resting and didn't let himself think about the consequences of not finding the princess. He had to find her. For Philippa.
But Leon had demanded they go home and regroup, demanded Bardulf spend a night with Philippa who would be worried about him. Bardulf knew Leon was right, knew Philippa would be begging Flik to know what was going on.
He looked forward to seeing her. He looked forward to her smile and her calm presence. He looked forward to holding her at night. It was the only bright spot in going home.
