Firebrand

“Curtsy,” Sir Karigan whispered.

Anna obeyed, hardly breathing.

“What is your name?” the queen asked.

Anna was aware of the king standing behind the sofa, a large and forbidding presence. She lived and worked in the castle, but rarely saw the king and queen, and always at a distance and surrounded by Weapons, courtiers, and aides. Anna found she could not speak and just stood there slack-jawed.

“This is Anna,” Sir Karigan said. “She takes care of the hearths and stoves in the Rider wing, as well as other parts of the castle, I imagine.”

“You are very brave,” the queen said, “and build a fine fire. It held those creatures at bay.”

“Yes,” the king added in a grave voice. “You helped protect the queen. We are very grateful.”

Anna blushed furiously and could not believe she was the object of their words. They were expressing their gratitude to her, a nobody! The king continued to speak, but this time to Sir Karigan.

“And yet again you have prevented disaster,” he was saying. “Where would we be if you hadn’t come when you did?”

“Uh . . . ?” Sir Karigan shifted on her feet. So, it wasn’t only Anna who got nervous under the attention of the king and queen. She had not expected it of Sir Karigan.

“You may refuse to give yourself credit,” the queen said, “but we know better.”

“I believe I need to have a look outside,” King Zachary said, “to see the state of things. Fastion?” he called. “Would you please come stay with the queen?”

The Weapon returned and said, “Those who were frozen are thawing out, Your Majesty. There are some, however, who have not made it.”

The king left them, and Sir Karigan bowed to the queen. “With your leave, I would like to help where I can, and check on my family. And I think Anna might be needed to help warm up the castle again.”

“Of course, Karigan, and thank you.”

It did not pass Anna’s attention that the king and queen spoke to Sir Karigan familiarly, without title. Anna bobbed a curtsy once more to the queen, who smiled at her. Color had returned to her cheeks, but her face still looked drawn.

Sir Karigan tapped Anna on the shoulder and beckoned her to follow. In the outer corridor, Weapons, soldiers, and Riders were stirring. They had been statues of ice, but now after the battle, the ice was all gone. Those who had been frozen were soggy and stiff, but they were coming around. Sir Karigan paused to help her Chief Rider sit up. She was still flushed beneath her burn scars, but conscious.

“Leave me be,” Mara Brennyn said, slapping Sir Karigan’s hands away. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Go check on the others. I’ll find the captain.”

Sir Karigan led Anna on, checking on people as she went. At one point, she abruptly blocked Anna’s view by stepping in front of her. “You don’t want to see this.” She walked so that Anna’s gaze remained blocked, though she could still see blood on the floor filling the cracks between flagstones. Sir Karigan did this more than once to spare her the sight of the people who had fallen and shattered, their remains now thawing. She was grateful, for she did not wish to see the carnage.

Smoke filled the area where Sir Karigan had dropped the chandelier, but others had put out the fire it had caused. Still, she looked chagrined. As they continued along, people clamored for answers. Sir Karigan told them the castle had been attacked, but all was well now and there would probably be more of an explanation later. Many people had been injured with bites from the creatures, and some also with stab wounds, but menders were beginning to emerge from the mending wing to provide aid.

When they reached the Rider wing at long last, Sir Karigan took a deep breath before they entered, seeming to steel herself, but everyone they found within appeared to be up and about, and greeted her with cheery voices. A Rider hopped down the corridor on one foot, a blood-stained bandage tied around the thigh of the leg she favored.

“Daro!” Sir Karigan said, relief in her voice. “You’re all right.”

“Mostly,” the Rider said.

“Uh, here’s your sword.” Sir Karigan handed her what was left of the saber.

“Karigan G’ladheon, you broke my sword! Do you know what the quartermaster is going to say?”

Sir Karigan grimaced and said, “Actually, I have a pretty good idea. Sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.”

Anna knew that Daro’s accusation had been good-natured. Green Riders seemed to have a lot of camaraderie, much better than among the servants, where there was a lot of petty gossip and people divided into factions.

Sir Karigan gave Daro and the other Riders a quick rundown of what happened, then suddenly said, “This is Anna. She takes care of our hearths and stoves, and she helped keep the queen safe.”

“Hello, Anna,” the Riders said.

Anna could only stare wide-eyed, but the Riders did not seem to mind.

Sir Karigan briefly described the scene in the queen’s sitting room, then said, “And we should probably see what we can do to help, except you, Daro, and any others of you who’ve been injured.”

“But—” Daro began.

“To bed, Rider. You aren’t helping anyone if you fall over from blood loss.”

“You owe me a sword,” Daro said as she hopped away.

“Wish I had one of my own,” Sir Karigan muttered. The Riders dispersed, and she turned to Anna. “I’m sorry, I should have asked, but do you have anyone you need to see to?”