Aloud, she said, “It is a worthy profession, but I’d make a poor Weapon.”

When the party rode away and the Weapon trainee was no longer in earshot, Anna turned and socked Gil in the shoulder.

“Ow!” he exclaimed. “What’d that be for, eh?”

“For asking me that question in front of Weapons.”

He rubbed his shoulder. “You afraid they’d stick you with their swords? It was a good question.”

“Do I look like a Weapon to you? Can you see me like that?”

“Weeell, I s’pose not.”

She noticed, abashed, that Mara was watching their exchange with her hands on her hips.

“If you two are done,” the Chief Rider said, “Hep could use Gil’s help inventorying and cleaning tack.” When Gil groaned, she pointed toward the stables. “Now.”

“Aye, Chief.” He flashed Anna a smile and trotted toward the stables.

Anna then found Mara’s attention entirely on her. She swallowed hard.

“You don’t have hearth duty till this evening, right?” Mara asked.

“Yes’m.”

Mara looked relieved. “I am running all out and someone needs to check on the captain. Sometimes she works too hard and forgets meals. Think you could look in on her for me?”

“Yes’m.”

Mara smiled. “Good. And make sure she’s resting her shoulder, or Vanlynn will have my hide.”

• • •

Instead of going directly to officers quarters, Anna set off for the castle and its kitchens. She figured that even if the captain had remembered her midday meal, a snack would not be remiss. The cooks gave her a full basket to lug back to officers quarters. Apparently they were aware of the captain’s habit of missing meals.

She tapped softly on the captain’s door, and entered at the sound of a weary, “Come.” She found the captain crouched over her work table, brow creased in concentration. She barely noticed Anna. Anna carried the basket in, using her skill as a servant to move as silently and unobtrusively as she could. There was a small table that could be used for dining, but presently it was covered with ledgers, papers, and an old glove. On top was what appeared to be a personal letter, its blue seal broken. Her reading skills were still nascent, but she was able to make out the name “G’ladheon” in the signature, and she realized it must be from Sir Karigan’s father. She did not dare try to read it. She moved the items aside into a neat pile, the glove splayed on top, and started unpacking the food.

When she turned to announce that the meal was ready, she observed the captain gazing into space, her expression decidedly sad. She was worried about King Zachary, Anna guessed. She had been around the Riders long enough to know that the captain and king were very close.

“Captain?” she said quietly.

Captain Mapstone sat up in her chair and blinked at Anna as if startled to find her there.

“I’ve brought something for you to eat.” Anna lifted the lid off chicken soup and uncovered freshly baked meat rolls. Steam plumed from the food.

The captain smiled. “That smells good. Thank you, Anna. Is it midday already?”

“About an hour past,” Anna replied.

“I am always losing track of time.”

The captain rose to take in the food and Anna noticed she was not using her sling. It hung slack across her shoulder. Anna did not want to have to say something. She didn’t want to annoy or anger the captain, but Mara had instructed her to say something. She cleared her throat.

“Yes?” The captain held a spoonful of soup before her lips, and gave Anna a sideways glance.

Anna quailed, at least inwardly, and said, “Chief Rider Mara asked me to remind you to use your sling, or . . .”

The captain crooked an eyebrow. “Or?”

Anna held herself steady under the regard of those sharp hazel eyes. “Or else Master Mender Vanlynn will have her hide.”

The captain’s mouth twitched. Was she trying not to laugh? She set the spoon back in the bowl, the soup untasted, and straightened. “Be easy, Anna. You have done your duty by Mara.” She did not put her arm in her sling. “All is healed.”

Anna bit her lip. She did not want Mara angry with her, or for Master Mender Vanlynn to be angry with Mara. She cleared her throat again.

“Yes, Anna?”

“It—it would be best if you rested your shoulder properly.”

The captain’s mouth twitched again, but this time she obeyed. “Very well, but my shoulder is fine. Really.”

Anna, not sure what to say, just stood there.

“Are you returning to the castle?” the captain asked. “I have some papers that need to go to—”

A pounding came upon the door, which made them both jump.

“Come,” the captain called.

A Green Foot runner poked her head in. “Captain, Counselor Tallman requests your presence in the queen’s apartments immediately.”

“Did he say why?”

“No, ma’am, but he’s also summoning Master Mender Vanlynn.”

“Oh, no,” the captain murmured.

Anna helped her with her coat.

“Come along,” the captain said. “I don’t know what this is about, and Mistress Evans might need all the royal household staff at hand.”

Anna rushed out the door after her, the food she had brought left to grow cold on the captain’s table.