Anna’s eyes widened, disbelieving her good fortune. The prospect of attending the queen both thrilled and terrified her. What if she made a mistake? And if she was here, she would no longer be able to tend the Rider wing, would she?

“The Riders,” she blurted, then clapped her hands over her mouth.

Sir Karigan looked like she was trying not to laugh. Mistress Evans appeared confused.

“Riders? What about the Riders?”

“She has been doing a very expert job of tending the hearths in the Rider wing,” Sir Karigan said, “and we’d be lost without her.”

“Surely,” Mistress Evans replied, “she’d not be that difficult to replace . . .”

Sir Karigan exchanged a meaningful look with the queen. The queen smiled. “Do you suppose, Mistress Evans, that in addition to serving here, she could continue to tend the Rider wing?”

Anna’s hopes surged and she crossed her fingers behind her back.

“It is somewhat irregular,” Mistress Evans replied. “I would have to work it out with Master Scrum, and it might take some creative scheduling, but if it is what you wish, it will be done.”

“It is what I wish.”

Mistress Evans bowed her head.

Anna almost danced she was so happy.

“Congratulations, Anna,” Sir Karigan said. “It’s nice that we’ll still get to see you in the Rider wing.”

“Now, lass,” Mistress Evans said, “we’d better go break the news to Master Scrum, and move you to your new quarters.”

Anna could not believe it and almost forgot to curtsy to the queen. Then she said, “Thank you, Sir Karigan!”

The Rider looked genuinely surprised. “It is nothing I did. It was all the queen’s idea.”

Anna curtsied to the queen once more, then followed Mistress Evans out. Sir Karigan had helped without knowing, not realizing she’d shown Anna that she could be proud to be an ash girl, and that if she worked hard, and she determined she was going to work very hard indeed, and please the queen as best she could, that almost anything was possible. Even becoming a Green Rider.

“That was very kind of you,” Karigan told Estora.

“I found I could not get her out of my mind. She has a spark to her.”

“Yes, I agree, and her being stuck in the general servants quarters much longer might have snuffed it out.” Karigan started to rise, thinking Estora’s need of her presence concluded.

“Won’t you stay a while?” Estora asked. “Jaid will bring tea soon.”

“My other duties—” Karigan began.

Estora tinkled a hand bell and said, “That can be rectified.” Her maid answered her summons. “Jaid, see to it a runner is sent to Captain Mapstone informing her I have need of Sir Karigan for an hour or so.” When Jaid hurried off to obey, Estora smiled and said, “I may be confined, but being queen still has a few privileges.”

THE QUEEN’S REQUEST

Karigan shifted uncomfortably in her armchair, not especially pleased to have her schedule disrupted, but as Estora said, a queen had privileges and it was Karigan’s place to do as she was asked.

Estora happily showed her the baby gown she was sewing. “I have to make two of everything. I do not know how I’d manage without my ladies.”

The whole idea of babies was foreign to Karigan. She’d had no siblings and grew up an only child doted upon by her aunts. Even her extended family lived far off so she rarely experienced contact with younger cousins. Her aunts had often told her birthing children was the bravest act a woman could perform, for it was so very perilous. Numerous complications could, and did, occur, and as many mothers and infants did not survive the process as did. That Estora was bearing twins was of particular concern, but she did have the attention of the best menders in all Sacoridia, including Ben with his true healing gift.

Estora spoke of the improving weather and how she awaited word from her mother and sisters. Ty Newland had been sent off to Coutre Province before the winter had turned truly execrable to take word of her pregnancy to Clan Coutre. No doubt her mother would once again make the long, difficult journey to Sacor City.

Estora’s thoughts were apparently not solely upon her forthcoming children. “Zachary tells me you have become a swordmaster at last. I whole-heartedly approve. I congratulate you.”

“Thank you.”

Estora went on to speak of various tidbits of news about her ladies and servants. Karigan found her attention drawn to the Intrigue game set up on the table between them. She’d noticed it when she first arrived, and recognized it as the set she and the king had used during one very uncomfortable game some five years ago. She gazed in interest at the odd formations of the blue and red pieces on the board.

“You are curious about the Intrigue board?” Estora asked.

Karigan felt her cheeks flush at having been caught not paying attention. “Yes. I have never seen the pieces arranged that way.” Not that she liked Intrigue enough to know every formation that was possible.

“Ah. Zachary brought it over to amuse himself in the evenings, but one afternoon it turned into a discussion about Second Empire and where it is believed their forces are situated.”

“Can you show me?” Karigan asked her.

“Of course. The positions may have changed since our latest intelligence in the fall, though it is not likely Second Empire has moved much over the winter.” She pointed to bands of blue pieces that were arranged across the top of the board. “Zachary believes their forces have occupied small settlements and farmsteads just north of the border to endure the winter. He knows which ones, and showed me a map once.” She named a few of the settlements.