Flying unit retreat

[Cainehill]

When recalled, the pretender will appear outside the capital province if the capital has been captured (pretender _always_ recalls to the home province). As far as it only taking two turns, that isn't at all unlikely, especially for nations with sacred mages such as Vanheim, Niefelheim, Last of the Tuatha, etc.

[Agrajag]

The easy way to check which is it is attacking him and checking out his magical paths, if he lost 1 in each path than he was recalled, otherwise he was routed. (Unless he was Empowered, but I doubt that)

[Ironhawk]

Also, if he is a melee unit, like a dragon, he is likely in the hall of fame. There you can check if an additional cross (indicating death) was added to him.