He left Laren much to think about, not the least of which that Karigan had been, potentially, pregnant. A curious thing that, since female Riders did not become pregnant. Oh, they could after their brooches abandoned them, and they went on with their lives in the outside world. And some bore children before they were even called into the messenger service, though it was rare. But never while they were Riders. The belief that had come down the generations was that after the time of the First Rider, some magic had been instilled in the brooches to prevent pregnancy as a practicality.

Had Karigan been in a time and place that lacked magic?

She would not know until Karigan told her tale, but she had no doubt it would include heartbreak, and that this “Cade” had played a crucial part.

• • •

Morning light woke Laren again. She yawned and stretched muscles cramped by a night spent in a chair. She realized with a start that Karigan was no longer beneath the rumpled covers of her bed, but standing at the window peering through the frosty panes, her breaths fogging the glass.

“Karigan?” Laren rose, took a step forward.

Without turning, her Rider said, “How can it be winter? It was just summer.”

Before Laren could speak, the door opened, and Vanlynn entered. “Good morning,” the master mender said.

Karigan turned, the bandage over her eye once again taking Laren aback. Of course, Karigan would not know Vanlynn. “This is Master Mender Vanlynn,” Laren said, “who has taken over for Destarion.”

“We have already met,” Vanlynn said, “while you slept in your chair, Captain. It did not seem necessary to wake you.”

“Not necessary?” Laren demanded.

“No. Your Rider has had a cup of broth, and now I’d like to examine her.”

“But—”

“Please, Captain, if you would step outside. I will report to you when I’m done.”

Laren obeyed. Vanlynn was a bulwark of a mender and would not be countermanded, especially not in her own mending wing. It did not make Laren any less irritated.

Her irritation was somewhat ameliorated by an apprentice mender who brought tea and biscuits to the waiting alcove. Neither Fastion nor Donal remained. Either they’d been ordered out of the mending wing or had returned to their scheduled duties. Her Riders remained absent, as she requested. There was little to tell them anyway. Ben was nowhere to be seen, and she wondered if he was still with Estora, and how Estora fared as well as the child she carried. There were no Eletians in sight. Perhaps Fastion and Donal had escorted them away.

When Vanlynn eventually emerged from Karigan’s chamber, the master mender settled in a chair across from Laren. Tea was brought for her, too, and Laren noticed for the first time how tired the mender’s eyes looked. She must have had a long night. Being the master could not be an easy duty for one of her years.

Vanlynn told her that Karigan was in good form. She’d an old broken wrist and lacerations that had healed well some time ago. The newer lacerations from the mirror shards, she thought, should heal without problem.

“The only question is the eye,” Vanlynn said. “We removed a piece of mirror from it, but some particle remains. It irritates her, but she will not lose her eye.”

“What of her sight?” Laren asked.

Vanlynn sipped tea before answering. “I am unsure. I’d like to have Ben look at it after he recovers from his work with the queen.”

There was more that Vanlynn was not saying, but before Laren could pursue it, Vanlynn continued, “I would say right now the most difficult thing for your Rider is what’s going on in here.” She tapped her temple. “She is disoriented, and from what the Eletian said, it’s not at all surprising.”

“You spoke with the Eletian?” Laren demanded. That would teach her to doze off.

“Of course. He told me about your Rider’s travel to a future time.” Vanlynn said it like it was an everyday occurrence. “In any case, whatever befell her there occupies her a great deal. She will not speak to me of it as she does not know me. It will be up to her friends to draw her out, to listen. But for now, let her rest. She’s been through unknown trauma.”

At that, Vanlynn set her teacup aside and stood, abruptly ending the interview.

“What of the queen?” Laren asked before the mender could get away.

Vanlynn grinned. “The queen and the babies she carries are, thanks in no small part to Ben, just fine.”

“Babies?”

“Twins, Captain. She’s going to have twins.”

Mara Brennyn headed toward the mending wing, assigned to keep an eye on Karigan for the time being. The captain wanted her to have a friend there to talk with, to be comforted as needed. Mara was one of Karigan’s best friends and agreed gladly to go. When Mara had been healing for so long from her burns, Karigan had been a frequent visitor, offering company and cheer. Now Mara would reciprocate.

She left the Rider wing abuzz with promises to bring greetings and well wishes from many of her fellow Riders. After Karigan had been declared dead four months ago, a new Rider had been given her room, so now the Riders threw their energy into clearing out the cobwebs from another chamber. Garth, back from the D’Yer Wall for a time, had taken charge, hunting for furnishings in obscure storerooms of the castle. Mara was all too glad to escape the dust and labor.

The news that Queen Estora was expecting twins was like adding cream on the pudding. They all deserved some good news.