Firebrand

Yes, the old slee was gone, and so were Grandmother and Immerez. She could hardly believe it, and while it brought relief, she knew it would not be the end of their troubles with Second Empire. Perhaps she’d feel more optimistic once she got some rest.

They left the woods, at last, just as the first fingers of sunrise crept over the eastern horizon. If she had managed this far, she could make it all the way to the campsite.

She continued reflecting on her experiences of the night, of being an avatar. This time, her memory of it had not been taken away, though much of it felt like a dream, of having that power flow through her, and not just to contain the dark ones. The keep and its surrounds had been full of the newly dead as well as those of a more ancient time. It had been overwhelming. Most spirits, she knew, would pass on in their own time to whatever the afterlife held for them. Others would continue fighting, unaware they were dead. She had helped as many as she could with a whisper as she rode by.

She couldn’t resist dwelling for some time on the kissing, which made her cheeks warm and filled her with a keen thrill that made her shiver. But there was also much remorse. She shouldn’t have let it happen, and yet another part of her could not help but give over to desire. How would it play out, she wondered, when they were back home, out of the wilderness and away from battle, and sharing the same roof as Estora? Estora did not deserve this. It should not have happened, and could not happen again. Yet, every time she tried to prevent her feelings for Zachary from growing, they only deepened.

The hardest part of the night had been looking upon the body of Lord Fiori, and then seeing his spirit form also gazing at it. His expression had been grave, but when he glanced up at her, he looked confused at first, perhaps recognizing that she was not just Karigan.

Look after my daughter, he had told her.

She’d promised she would with a whisper, then wished him sleep, but it was unnecessary for he’d become surrounded by starshine. A look of joy crossed his translucent face. There is music! he exclaimed. Then he’d turned and vanished forever into the light.

Why her? she wondered. Why was it she who could do this thing, this seeing of ghosts and commanding them? Intellectually, she knew it was because of her special ability to cross thresholds, but still, why her? Why did her life have to be so strange? She did not wish to contemplate the possibility of Westrion calling on her again to perform the role of avatar. She hoped he did not.

In the distance, they spotted support troops of the River Unit moving in the direction of the Lone Forest with pack mules. Karigan did not know if they intended to hold the keep, but it was looking that way.

By the time they encountered the guards at the campsite, she was slumped against Enver’s back and barely aware when they passed through the wards and into the camp itself. Connly came to help her dismount, and she could not keep to her feet when she did. Connly placed his arm around her to support her.

“Are you injured?” he asked. “New injuries, I mean.”

“She needs rest,” Enver said. “A great deal has happened.”

“Estral,” Karigan murmured. “Need to see Estral.”

Estral appeared out of her tent, rubbing her eyes. “Karigan? You’re back!” She rushed over and looked as though she wanted to hug her, but held back. “Are you all right? What happened?”

“Estral,” Karigan said. She was so tired that just speaking was difficult. “Must tell you . . .”

“Did we win?”

“Yes,” Karigan replied, “but, I’m sorry . . .”

“You’re sorry? For what?” Then Estral’s face clouded. “My father?”

“I’m so sorry. He was killed.”

“No,” Estral said, “that can’t be right. No . . .”

Karigan tried to reach for her so she could provide comfort, but she was assailed by dizziness and all went dark.

• • •

When Karigan stirred again, she was in Enver’s tent lying on her stomach on her bedding, her back bare.

“Ah, Galadheon,” Enver said, “you are with us once more.”

“Estral,” she said, trying to gather her strength to rise.

Enver placed his warm hand on her shoulder and eased her back down. “Connly is looking after her. Please remain still for now. Your deeper wounds have taken longer to heal and were not fully knitted back together when your god sent you to the forest. Some have reopened yet again.”

She groaned in frustration, frustration at her injuries, frustration that she hadn’t been able to break the news more gently to Estral and be there for her.

“There are marks on you,” he continued, “like mild burns in different places. Do you know what caused these?”

It took Karigan a moment to remember. “Grandmother’s knots. They breached the avatar’s armor, but something protected me, I think.”

“Yes, something did. When you appeared outside after imprisoning the dark ones, silver-green light shone through the breaches of your armor.”

“Laurelyn?”

“Yes, and Nari.”

“Nari?”

“It appears she left you a gift, to strengthen whatever was left of Laurelyn’s.”

“I would thank her if I could.”

“Do so when winter comes and the north wind blows. She will hear you.”

It was like living in some sort of fairy tale, where the elements were personified and a merchant’s daughter could command the dead.