Firebrand

The sluggish symbols, she thought, were the weak point, and she’d have to find a way to exploit it. The longer she stared at the seal, the more she sensed the dark spirits clawing at its underside. They seemed to know she was there, and they were ravenous. Ravenous for flesh, ravenous for souls.

She smiled. There was no time like the present to begin. “Cole, could you please send for my basket with the great working in it?”

“Yes, Grandmother.” He turned up the passage and left her alone.

Once she had the trap set in place, she would bait it by weakening the Aeon Iire. She would need Terrik, and others, for that task.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE

Events were in motion. The best scouts of the River Unit had already been monitoring movements around the Lone Forest. They’d taken out some of Second Empire’s own scouts and messengers who either fought to the death or killed themselves rather than face capture. It meant, Zachary thought with displeasure, that Second Empire was aware of them, expecting them. No matter, it was the new moon, and in the deep of night they would advance, and strike.

He decided he’d wait at the campsite where he’d already spent so much time with Karigan, Estral, and Enver, and use it as their command position. So he rode forth on a sturdy horse of the River Unit, with a borrowed helm and light breastplate, and accompanied by his Weapons, Fiori, Connly, Captain Treman, and Lieutenant Rennard. They left behind a few officers and soldiers to coordinate the advance. It was all carefully done to prevent Second Empire from knowing exactly how or when the Sacoridians would attack.

They rode through the illusion that guarded the campsite, which was dappled with gentle morning light, and Condor whickered a greeting. Zachary gazed apprehensively at the blue tent. Even though he’d poured all his energy into strategy sessions, concern about Karigan still chafed in the back of his mind. Had Enver been right that Karigan would benefit from the soporific she had swallowed? Or, had she . . . ? No, he dared not think it. The campsite was quiet, but for the arrival of him and his companions. Condor had not sounded distressed, and nothing seemed out of place. He dismounted and Connly took his reins.

Enver emerged from his tent and greeted the arrivals. He looked unperturbed, but he always looked so.

Zachary tried not to sound too anxious. “How is Rider G’ladheon?” After his quick conversation with Estral the other night, he was determined not to sound overly familiar with Karigan in the presence of others.

Enver’s neutral expression could have been read in many different ways, and Zachary’s apprehension only intensified.

“You may see for yourself, Firebrand.” Enver gestured toward the path that led to the hot spring.

Estral, and then Karigan, stepped from the trees and into the campsite. Karigan’s hair was wet, her cheeks flushed. She no longer wore Enver’s shirt and slippers, but her own Rider garb, her greatcoat draped around her shoulders. Relief flowed over Zachary, and he watched her move stiffly and slowly, with Estral at her side to help, but she was alive and up, and the despair that had all but emanated from her appeared to be absent. They stared across the campsite at one another. Her one eye was bright and animated in a way he had not seen in so long. He wished to go right over to her, but he restrained himself.

Horses were led between them, and when once again he could see her, her vibrant gaze was turned away as she and Estral spoke with Fiori, Enver joining them. Zachary removed his helm, and Donal came to help him unbuckle and remove his breastplate. By the time this was done, Karigan was sitting on a log by the fire, and Enver was talking with her. She nodded at some question.

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.