“Er, yes? Sir?”

“Your captain says you’re an able cartographer. I will expect detailed renderings.”

Yates looked pleased, and now Karigan knew, beyond the fact he’d volunteered to join the expedition, why Captain Mapstone agreed to let him go. And like it or not, it was true he was a good draftsman. With all the new Riders that had joined their ranks, Yates had busied himself copying extra maps for them, and even instructing the Riders on how to read them. He’d in fact been, before the Rider call, an apprentice at his father’s press, which printed, among other things, maps.

“Lieutenant Grant here is also experienced at documenting and surveying. He will assist.”

“Yes, sir!” Yates replied.

“That’s what I like,” the general said. “A good show of enthusiasm. Now perhaps Sir Karigan can provide us with some insight about what we might expect in the forest itself.”

Everyone looked at Karigan and she looked back at them, surprised to be suddenly put on the spot.

“You were briefly in Blackveil, were you not?” the general asked.

“Yes, but ... but I don’t recall much about it. It was ... it was a difficult situation.” She was not ready to explain to the strangers in the room that she’d been possessed at the time by the spirit of the First Rider. And Mornhavon the Black, too.

By the way the soldiers gazed at her she could tell her stumbling response did not impress them one bit. The forester’s regard was different, more intense. The general’s expression changed as he seemed to remember the nature of her one foray into Blackveil. Surely he’d been informed of the details. He cleared his throat.

“Then perhaps the reports from Rider D’Yer will prove more instructive,” he said. All of them had probably heard rumors about the forest. Since rumors were not the most reliable source of information, the general briefed them on the little that was truly known, relying heavily on Alton’s reports. He explained that some of the creatures within the forest had been magically modified by Mornhavon, changed into monstrosities more perilous than any natural creature. Even the plant life had grown dangerous with thorns that held poisons. The ground they walked upon could prove unreliable, full of quagmires and misleading paths.

“You will be using all your skills to safely navigate the forest,” the general said. “I do not know precisely what attributes the Eletians will be bringing to the expedition, but I think you must assume you’ll have to watch out for yourselves.

“Lieutenant Grant will command. Rider Lynx is second in command. Is that clear?”

This time Karigan was expecting the loud confirmation from the soldiers and steeled herself for it.

Afterward, the general sat quietly regarding them for several moments with a solemn expression, then said, “His Majesty is well aware of the gravity of this mission. He is deeply confident you will succeed in bringing back useful intelligence. He expresses his gratitude for your service, and he salutes your courage. May the gods look out for you on your journey. For king and country!”

The soldiers leaped to their feet. “For king and country!”

The general then excused all but Lieutenant Grant and Lynx. Karigan filed out into the corridor with the others. Without a word, the second soldier, Private Porter, marched off to whatever duty awaited him.

For an awkward moment, Karigan and Yates stood there outside the general’s door with the forester.

“This’ll be some job, eh?” Gillard Ardmont said.

Karigan and Yates had to agree it would.

“Friends call me ‘Ard,’ ” the forester said. “Don’t know whether it’s short for Gillard or Ardmont, but there you are.”

They laughed and shook hands, and Karigan and Yates formally introduced themselves.

“You I’ve heard of,” he told Karigan. “I know my Lord Coutre holds you in some regard.”

“He awarded her the Order of the Cormorant,” Yates said with pride. Karigan felt her cheeks warm.

“Did he now. Well I look forward to traveling with you both and learning more.” He touched his forehead in a sort of salute and wandered off.

“Pleasant enough fellow,” Yates said, “but I’m surprised the general didn’t just pick another soldier.”

“I suspect Lord Coutre suggested him,” Karigan replied, “to ensure our future queen’s interests are looked after.”

Yates stared at her.

“What?” she demanded.

“You’re getting pretty good with the politics.”

Karigan sighed. “I don’t know if good is the right word.” And she and Yates struck off down the corridor toward the Rider wing. She certainly didn’t feel any good at politics, and she did not want anything to do with politicians, but there were going to be times when it couldn’t be avoided, and after everything Captain Mapstone had told her during their conversation about the masquerade ball, it appeared it would be more difficult than ever to steer clear of the machinations of the court.

When she was in Blackveil she didn’t expect she’d be worrying much about politics. No, she would have bigger problems to contend with. Politics, at least, didn’t like to eat you.

With this cheery thought in mind, she and Yates arrived at the Rider wing, only to find half a dozen Weapons blocking the way like an impenetrable wall of black.

BONEWOOD

“Whoa,” Yates intoned beside Karigan.

Karigan could well appreciate Yates’ reaction. One Weapon alone was imposing enough, but a whole group of them was positively formidable. She wondered what had brought them to the Rider wing.