Firebrand

“Lord Fiori explained to us a good deal of what happened to you,” Captain Treman said, “and how you were freed from Second Empire. It would seem the realm owes a great deal to Enver of Eletia and Rider G’ladheon.”

“Yes,” Zachary replied. “More than you know.”

He learned how, before Fiori had arrived at the River Unit’s encampment, the Weapons and Green Riders had shown up in search of him.

“It was the queen’s idea to send such configurations of searchers throughout the realm looking for you,” Treman explained.

“And she did so without leaving herself or the royal tombs unguarded,” Donal added. “As an additional benefit, our trainees are receiving some real world experience.”

He also learned how the aureas slee had been overcome at the castle.

“The ash girl?” he asked.

“Yes, sire,” Donal said from where he kept watch. “Captain Mapstone says the girl has been training with Green Riders, though she has no special ability. Something of the Riders, especially Sir Karigan’s quick thinking, seems to have rubbed off on her.”

The girl, he thought, deserved some commendation. If all his servants were so brave, Second Empire would not stand a chance. He thanked the gods, also, for Laren identifying the elemental.

“The ash girl also helped the captain after her accident, running errands and the like,” Donal said.

“Accident? What accident?”

Donal explained.

“Good gods.” Zachary shook his head. “I thought she would have learned the first time she was thrown into a fence.” He was relieved she had not been hurt worse.

“The queen managed to salvage talks with the Rhovans,” Treman told him.

The Rhovans. In all the crises, Zachary had forgotten about the Rhovans, and as they talked, his pride in his queen swelled, and he was humbled by her abilities and accomplishments in a time of duress.

Connly soon emerged from Enver’s tent and joined them by the fire; his expression was disturbed.

“How did Rider G’ladheon look to you?” Zachary asked.

“I did not see her wounds,” Connly replied, “though Lord Fiori told us what happened.”

“I am not speaking, precisely, of her wounds,” Zachary said.

“She is not well,” Connly replied. “Dark, like I have not seen her before.”

Captain Treman, who had been listening, asked, “Should I have our mender come?”

Zachary knew who that mender was since he had assigned him to the River Unit himself. His immediate inclination was negative, to not let a traitor near Karigan, but that mender had been one of the finest in the realm. Still, Enver had done very well by Karigan.

“Firebrand,” the Eletian said, “I have done all I can for the Galadheon. Perhaps the mender has lore that I do not that will help her.”

“Very well,” Zachary said.

The captain nodded. “Lieutenant Connly, head back to our intermediate position and bring Destarion to us.” Most of Treman’s complement had hung back in the cover of the Green Cloak as Zachary had wished, but he’d also set up a small intermediate camp about halfway from there.

Connly rode out immediately. Zachary was relieved that the River Unit had arrived at last and he could take action—no more waiting or wondering. He turned back to Captain Treman to talk strategy.

EXTRACT OF POPPY

When Destarion arrived in the evening, Zachary hardly recognized him. In Destarion’s time with the River Unit in the northern wilds, he’d become trim, and his face was stubbled with beard growth. Rough attire had replaced his mender’s smock and tailored city garb.

“Your Majesty,” Destarion said, going to his knee. “It is good to see you and learn that you are well.”

Zachary, still not past his anger at those who had betrayed him, answered coldly. “Rise.”

Destarion obeyed, could not look him in the eye.

“Rider G’ladheon has not been well. You have heard what has befallen her?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Enver thought it would be beneficial to have another set of eyes on the situation.”

“I will do whatever I can to help.”

Destarion looked like he had more he wanted to say, but Zachary turned away to resume talks with Captain Treman. From the corner of his eye, he watched Destarion pick up his mender’s satchel and follow Enver into the tent. He tried to concentrate on what the captain was saying, but his attention kept straying toward the tent.

Estral, who had been sitting with them and adding any details about Second Empire’s encampment that she could think of, said, “I believe, Captain, it is perhaps past time to start preparing that brace of grouse you so kindly brought us.”

“Ah, yes—we were lucky on that count,” the captain said. “The birds are just starting to thrum with the season, and Lieutenant Rennard here has an excellent eye with bow and arrow.”

Rennard rose to help Estral with the grouse, and Fiori engaged the captain and Connly in conversation, leaving Zachary to rise and pace. While the young Weapon trainee, Rye, kept watch somewhere on the perimeter of the campsite, Donal stood near the entrance to Enver’s tent, which was a little odd. Did Donal not trust Destarion? As much as Zachary was still angry with Destarion, he did not believe he would do anything to worsen Karigan’s condition, much less actively harm her. Besides, Enver was there with her. But, then, the Weapons had a very curious relationship with Karigan, and he couldn’t say he entirely understood it himself.