Firebrand

by Kristen Britain

  Zachary was on his way to speak to her when Treman intercepted him and said, “You should probably get some rest while you can, Majesty. We had a long night of planning, and will have a longer night, tonight. Of course, if the rest of us had our way, you’d be traveling to Sacor City already.”

  “We’ve been over this,” Zachary replied.

  “I know, I know, and I saw you in action last summer. You are an able warrior and leader, but we shouldn’t take chances.”

  “I have made my decision, Captain. I have promised to stay out of the thick of it, and I’ll have two Weapons with me.”

  “No offense to the trainee, but that is one Weapon, not two.”

  “A well-trained trainee. Now, if you will excuse me.”

  Treman bowed.

  Zachary resumed his course. Karigan was now sitting alone, and at his approach, she started to rise.

  “No, Rider, stay seated,” he said. “I am very glad to see you up and about.” It was an understatement, but he was too aware of listeners and how they would construe his words.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she replied. There was an actual glint of humor in her eye. She no longer looked haunted, and he saw, with pleasure, that she wore the horsehair bracelet he’d made for her.

  “I would return your sword to you,” he said, “as I have been offered another by the River Unit.”

  “I think you should keep it for now,” she replied, “as I am still unable to use it. I’d be honored if you did. Perhaps it will bring you luck.”

  “I thank you. I will use it then, and return it to your keeping when you are ready.” He cleared his throat. “There is another matter we should discuss, and Enver and Lady Estral should be part of this.”

  When requested, Estral and Enver joined them.

  “Tonight we attack Second Empire,” he told them. “It is my desire that the three of you retreat south, behind the River Unit’s intermediate camp. There is no telling how this will go, and I’d rather the three of you were out of harm’s way.” His words were meant mainly for Karigan, but he hoped she’d find them more palatable if she didn’t feel singled out. Enver looked thoughtful, Estral was impossible to read, and Karigan stared at the ground. To his surprise, it was Enver who spoke up first.

  “Firebrand, your scouts are very good, but perhaps I will find the traps of Second Empire more easily.”

  “This is not your fight, Enver of Eletia.”

  “Is it not? These people claim themselves to be the descendants of the Arcosian Empire, and adhere to its ways. Should they gain the upper hand, will they destroy Eletia as their ancestors destroyed Argenthyne? I would rather not find out.”

  “Then we are honored to have your help.”

  “I go where Karigan goes,” Estral said. “I’m of no use in a fight.”

  Zachary gazed at Karigan. “Then perhaps the two of you should prepare to leave.”

  Karigan shook her head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I realize I’m not much good to anyone right now, but I’m not sure I could ride even a short distance.”

  It was something that she admitted her limitations. Zachary glanced at Enver for his confirmation as a mender.

  “It would be better for the Galadheon to not undo the healing to her back. This place is protected by wards and illusions. They should be safe.”

  “Besides,” Karigan said, “Enver and I haven’t found the p’ehdrose yet. I haven’t completed my mission.”

  He stared in disbelief at her. “Karigan—Rider, I don’t expect you to seek the p’ehdrose at this point. Not after what happened to you.”

  “I would like to continue. I can’t imagine it would hurt to have more allies.”

  “We will discuss it later, after we take the Lone Forest. In the meantime, I won’t ask you and Lady Estral to move. I will ask Captain Treman to post guards to this site to ensure your safety.”

  Again, Karigan did not argue when he expected her to. But then, she was intelligent, and even with her stubborn nature, common sense prevailed. He hoped that was what it was and that she wasn’t giving up. But she smiled and there was that spark in her eye. Much relieved, he nodded to her and the others, and turned to resume preparations.

  The black the king wore transformed him, and it startled Karigan. From rugged man in buckskin, to stern king in black. She watched him now as he consulted with Captain Treman, his intensity, the barely contained energy. If she were not such a liability in her weakened state, she would go with him into the Lone Forest, make sure he came out alive. But she could barely sit up for any length of time. The soak in the hot spring had been wonderful, but exhausting.

  Lieutenant Rennard approached Estral almost shyly. “My lady,” he said, “this may be a bit forward of me, but seeing as no one knows how a battle may turn, I was—I was wondering if I might have some token of your kind regard to carry with me. For luck, of course.”

  Estral’s cheeks grew red. “Uh . . .”

  “I’m sorry,” he said hastily. “It was wrong of me to ask. Please, forgive me.” He started to turn away.

  Karigan shot Estral a significant look. “He’s going into battle,” she whispered.

  “Wait!” Estral cried. He paused, a hopeful look on his face. “You took me off guard. Of course I’ll give you a token. I, er, just have to find one.”

  Rennard gave her a most gentlemanly bow and turned to attend the captain, a broad smile on his face and a certain bounce to his step.

  Estral sat beside Karigan and groaned. “What am I getting into?”

  “You are putting him in a good frame of mind for battle,” Karigan replied. “You can put him off after, if he returns.”

  “If? I hadn’t considered that he might not.”

  “There is always the risk that no matter how well trained, no matter how strong, or how much experience a soldier has, he may not come back.” It was not Rennard whom Karigan watched as she spoke, but her king.

  Estral followed her gaze. “They’ll come back. They have to. Even my foolish father, who insists he must go.”

  Karigan had lost enough Rider friends to know they did not always return.

  “I asked Connly if he’d been in communication with Trace at all,” Estral said. “If he had news of Alton and the wall.”

  “And?”

  “Days before he and the River Unit found us, Trace told him all the Riders, except Alton, had been ordered to return to Sacor City. Trace and the others had already left the wall and were on their way. Trace guessed they were needed to supplement the search for the king.”

  “Even Dale?”

  Estral nodded.

  “Oh, dear,” Karigan said. “That can’t have made Alton happy.”

  “Apparently he was furious.” Estral frowned. “First me being gone, then his losing the little help he had? I hope he does not become angry again like he was.”

  Karigan knew exactly what she was talking about. The wall had changed Alton, made him volatile, obsessed with its repair. But when Estral had entered his life, he had changed again. She eased his fury. Estral had told her that sometimes the old anger simmered, but it dissipated quickly.

  “I am sure he misses you very much,” she told Estral.

  “You don’t know how much I’ve wished to have him here.” Estral shook herself. “Now I need to find something for Rennard. Any suggestions?”

  “Usually a handkerchief will do.”

  “Just like the old ballads.” Estral grimaced. “I don’t think he’ll want one of mine. They’re all rather . . . used.”

  Karigan smiled. “You’ll come up with something. I am worn out now. Going to go rest.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. You find something for Rennard.”

  Karigan marked the king’s gaze following her as she rose and trudged toward Enver’s
tent, until Treman drew his attention back to the map they had been examining. She would be sure to get up and see them off, if nothing more. In the meantime, she would seek a white mare in a starry meadow.

  TOKENS OF ESTEEM

  Estral pinned her harp brooch to Rennard’s tunic. “There, that should do it.”

  “You honor me,” he said with a bow. “But is it not too much?”

  The brooch represented her affiliation with Selium as a minstrel. It was all she had, but she would not tell him that. “May it bring you success.”

  He bowed again, this time with a kiss to her hand, and when he turned to prepare for departure, his back was maybe a little straighter, his chin up. Karigan had been right—who was she to deny a soldier going off to battle some small token of esteem? When he came back safe and sound, that would be soon enough to break his heart.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw the king slip into Enver’s tent. Karigan had not awakened to see him off, so he must be making a farewell of his own. When this was all over and they returned to Sacor City, it would also be a return to reality, and she grieved for her friend. Grieved for both of them.

  Her father came to her, and she helped clasp the gray and green cloak the River Unit had given him over his shoulder. Under a matching tunic he wore a breastplate. He bore a helm beneath his arm.

  “You will give Karigan her saber back when she awakens, won’t you?” he asked. “The longsword Captain Treman has lent me is much more suitable for what lies ahead.”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “I’d find it much more suitable if you weren’t going with them.”

  He tugged gloves on and flexed his fingers. “I should not worry. I will be in the rear, with the king and his guard. I aim to get my hands on Lala and bring her back so you can regain your voice.”

  “I’d rather have you. We’ve only just found you. Besides, didn’t Captain Treman say it appeared there was an exodus of civilians from the forest?”

  “For the first, you will have both. For the second, even on the off-chance that Lala is there, I am going.”

  Despite his brave words and outward lack of fear, she was afraid. No matter how many times he had left on his far-ranging wanderings, no matter how many dangers he’d faced before, this was different. This was purposely walking into a situation where the object was to kill or be killed.

  “I would be content to live without my voice if only you would stay,” she said.

  “When you have your voice back,” he replied, “you can berate me, call me names if you like, tell me how angry you are about this mess I got caught up in. We must not forget this is bigger than the both of us. Didn’t you just tell me a little while ago that your singing was helping with the mending of the D’Yer Wall?”

  She nodded. How selfish she must sound.

  “For now,” he continued, “I am doing my part, just as the king is, just as young Rennard and so many others are.”

  “You’ve already done your part,” she whispered, tears threatening.

  He held her close. “I am very proud of the woman you have become, first traveling to the D’Yer Wall to help there, and then coming north to find me. I know it is not your natural inclination to do such things, but you’ve been very brave.” He stepped back, his hands on her shoulders. “In fact, Rider Oldbrine is riding not just with messages for the queen from the king, but with one from me to go to Selium, to Dean Crosley and your masters. In my message, I have explained to them that you have exceeded the requirements for your master’s knot.”

  Estral’s mouth dropped open. “I—I haven’t even been thinking about that.”

  “I know, which makes it all the more deserving. You had passed all your tests and just needed the travel portion of the requirements to achieve master. I believe the experiences you’ve had, true life experiences, have more than met expectations. I am proud of you, and love you, daughter mine. You are a true Fiori.”

  They hugged again, she now overwhelmed by the significance of what he had done. Being raised to master would be life changing. She could be the teacher she’d always wanted to be. But first, there was the wall . . .

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He grinned. “It is the best part of my position, you know, raising journeymen to masters. But now, as your father, I must ask what is this between you and Rennard? He is wearing your brooch. I thought you were rather serious with Alton D’Yer.”

  He’d heard? Of course he had.

  She glanced at Rennard who was in deep conversation with some of his soldiers.

  “I, uh . . . Alton and I . . .” This was, it turned out, awkward to explain to her father. “I love Alton,” she said finally. “But Rennard seems to like me, and he wanted a token. Karigan said I should give him something since he is going into battle.”

  “Ah. Karigan has grown very wise, and that was kind of you. Either man would be a fine match for you, and I think your mother would agree.”

  “Father . . .” Her cheeks warmed.

  He grinned again. “Now that all is settled, it appears it is time to go—they are waiting for me. I’ll be back soon.”

  He turned and strode toward those who awaited him, and she watched as they departed, stepping through the illusion that protected the campsite. As dusk deepened, she realized she had failed to tell him that she loved him, too.

  Into the evening dark, Zachary trotted with the others over the uncertain terrain, relying on perceptions other than sight to sense his footing. They had departed the campsite at dusk to allow their vision to adjust to nightfall, but without moonlight, it was impossible to make out all the details of the rocky plain. The soldiers were forbidden to use light of any kind since this was to be a mission of stealth. Any armor was shrouded beneath tunics, and bucklers held only dull finishes. This was not the River Unit’s first night raid, and its soldiers moved with catlike assurance through the dark.

  Fiori breathed hard beside him, but his long legs helped him keep up. Zachary, while not breathing as hard, was pressed to maintain his position, for he had not quite recovered from all he had endured as a captive. The soldiers were younger than he and Fiori, as well, but Treman, who was of an age, did not labor at all and, in fact, had increased his speed to move among the ranks.

  Donal ran a few yards ahead, and Rye took up the rear. Rennard held a position to his right. The soldiers were spread out and silent, so it was difficult to make out their positions. Zachary knew he was somewhere in the hindmost ranks—Treman, his Weapons, and Fiori had insisted. Enver, in contrast, had been enjoined by the captain to move with the forward scouts to help pick out and disable traps.

  The order to walk came down the line. After a time, they’d pick up the pace again. It would go on like this until they entered the forest. It was impressive that no one had turned an ankle or worse on the uneven landscape.

  He caught his breath as they trudged on, his hand wrapped around the hilt of Karigan’s sword, reassured by its weight at his hip. He considered it a token, much as that of the harp brooch Estral had given Rennard to wear. He was sorry Karigan had not awakened in time to see them off, though it might be for the better. Such partings were not easy. He had not dared interrupt her slumber. She was, Enver had told him, making up for the poor rest she’d endured until now, which she dearly needed if her wounds were to heal properly. When he thought no one was paying attention, he had stolen into the tent and knelt beside her. In the dim glow of a moonstone, he saw her face was peaceful, her breathing deep and regular. She looked much more herself, but he was not deceived, for he had seen her wounds.

  Brave lady, he had once called her, and it was still apt, a thousand times over. How much could she give of herself? He would do her sacrifices honor in battle. He had kissed her cheek light as a feather so as not to disturb her. She did not stir, and he backed out of the tent in silence.

  Stars winked in a vast arra
y over the plain, though was that a cloud bank rolling in from the north? The night had turned sharp and biting, as though winter threatened to make a resurgence—not uncommon for the north in the early spring. As he gazed at the stars, he wondered, as he often did, if the gods resided among them, or if the stars were simply gaseous bodies as the star masters said. In any case, he would not rely on the unknowable, but on the leadership and skill of the River Unit and the steel of their blades.

  “I should have listened to my daughter,” Fiori said in an almost-whisper, though unnecessary chatter was forbidden.

  “How so?”

  “She asked me not to do this. Said she’d only just found me.” He chuckled. “She was onto something—I’m getting too old for such adventures.”

  Fiori was considerably older than he appeared, and it was said that his unnatural appearance of youth was due to his Eletian blood.

  “You could head back,” he replied.

  He perceived, more than saw, Fiori shaking his head. “I’ve come too far. Got to see it through. Most of all, I’ve got to find Lala so Estral can have her voice back.”

  The order was passed back to pick up the pace once more. As they ran, the darkness of the Lone Forest ahead blotted out the stars on the forward horizon. Their approach went on like this, walking, then running, and then taking short rests to drink water or to eat some small provision to maintain their stamina. When the Lone Forest loomed just ahead and its verdant scent drifted to them, they halted and a runner came back to confer with Rennard, then hurried back the way he had come, disappearing into the dark.

  “What is it?” Zachary asked.

  “Our lead scouts have been clearing the way, and first ranks have entered the wood and engaged the enemy,” Rennard explained. “Second Empire’s soldiers have helped to make targets of themselves for our archers by keeping watch fires. We will advance after second and third ranks.”

  There would not be much left for him to do, Zachary thought in disappointment, but then he recalled how wily their enemy was. Outside the forest, it was difficult to believe there was a battle going on, for the night remained quiet, but for the scuff of boots on stone, and someone coughing in the distance. He paced in impatience, waiting for the order to move. When finally he entered the forest, he would take on Second Empire however he could, and cut off its head.