It shone as an emerald glow about her hand, the essence of the living forest, which coalesced and melted into the Galadheon’s temple. It had sustained Nari in the cold, barren environs of the cave for all those years, and now, she hoped, it would sustain the Galadheon in need.

Nari watched in satisfaction as her piece of Argenthyne bolstered Laurelyn’s mark of favor. Silver-green flared all around the Galadheon before finally fading.

She had, she thought, given the gift well, for she sensed the Galadheon had a part to play not only in the preservation of her own realm, but also in the fate of the world.

In the end, Nari did not feel emptiness as she thought she might. Only peace and satisfaction.

AUREAS SLEE

Slee had drifted to the arctic north after its fight with the gryphons. Wounded, it was a frosty haze that floated among the clouds. The milder weather of the changing season made it difficult for Slee to heal, to reconstitute itself, and it feared it would take another winter to do so, which meant a very long summer even in the arctic, and its revenge delayed.

It drifted for an unknowable time, dreaming of vengeance. If the gryphons were anywhere to be found, they’d be frozen and broken. There was the girl who had thrown fire at it, and the Weapons who had forced it to leave without the Beautiful One. They would be dealt with, as well. It reserved its greatest fury for the Zachary, and revenge against him would also allow Slee to deal with the one who had cut off its arm the first time it sought the Beautiful One. Afterward, it would return to the castle and claim what was Slee’s.

But first it must heal. When it did, it would be stronger than ever, and nothing would get in its way. Not even Narivanine, who, it sensed, sought her own vengeance.

FIREBRAND

The next morning, Nari was gone before Zachary awoke, and Fiori had ridden out on Coda with the messages not long after. He was still exhausted from his captivity and had slept hard, but he was restless, too, so he hiked out some distance from their camp to look upon the Lone Forest from afar. He kept low to the ground, should there be watchers, but little stirred on the rocky plain between him and the forest.

He recalled something of a dream or notion that had told him to think, observe, protect. He could not recall the source of those words, but they had been wise, and he’d done his best to memorize what he could of the keep and its surroundings. Those memories would help in an offensive against Second Empire. They would have to overcome the traps set in the forest first, but the advance scouts of the River Unit could eliminate that threat. He was certain the keep would not stand up to a siege. Its walls were ruins, and Second Empire’s people mostly exposed. He would, of course, discuss strategy with Captain Treman and his officers to come up with a plan that would preserve the lives of his people while securing their freedom.

How far had they gotten with the dig? he wondered as he stepped back through the wards of their campsite. Was it actually possible for Grandmother to break the seal and lure the avatar of Westrion?

“Ah, Firebrand,” Enver said. “I was growing concerned and was about to go search for you.”

“I took a look around,” Zachary replied. “Back toward the forest.”

“Not too closely, I hope.”

“Trust me, I did not dare.”

There was a hint of a smile on Enver’s lips. “That is good. I do not think we would be able to mount another rescue.”

“How is Karigan this morning?”

“Still sleeping,” Enver replied. “Her dreams are quieter for the moment. Lady Estral sits with her now.” Zachary thought that was going to be all, but Enver said, “One moment, if you please.” He ducked into the tent and returned with Karigan’s longsword. “The Galadheon wished for me to give you this.”

“She did?”

Enver nodded. “She cannot use it until her back heals, so, as she says, you might as well have the use of it.”

Zachary took it into his hands, the sword he had secretly given her when she obtained swordmastery.

“I fear it will be some time before she can properly wield it again,” Enver said, “or any other sword.”

“Her injuries—they’re that bad?”

“Yes, Firebrand. It will take time and work for her to restrengthen that which was hurt. But to my thinking, the greater challenge may be overcoming what is in her mind.”

“Is there anything I can do that will aid her?”

“You are in a position to understand what can haunt the mind after one has been cruelly treated. Tortured. Use that understanding with her.”

“I will,” Zachary said. “I would, that is, if she’d let me see her.”

Enver glanced at the tent. “Seeing is not everything, and she is not surrounded by stone walls.”

Now Enver did start to walk away, but Zachary called him back.

“Yes, Firebrand?”

“I want to thank you for all you have done. It has been beyond any duty required of you by Prince Jametari.”

“It is not duty that compelled me. Would you not render aid were our roles reversed?”

Zachary nodded. “Still, you have performed a great service for me and mine. If there is anything you wish of me, you need but name it.”

Enver bowed his head. “It was not done for reward, and you are welcome all the same.”

“There is one other thing . . .”

Enver gazed at him curiously. “Yes?”

“You and your people call me ‘Firebrand.’ I realize the firebrand, the burning torch, is one of Sacoridia’s sigils, but I still find it curious you should call me that.”