When the soldiers carried out the last piece of armor, the king sat wearily on the top step of his dais, and patted the space next to him for her to sit. When she did so, he loosed a long, heartfelt sigh.

“It seems,” he said slowly, “that the magic that has afflicted other regions has finally found its way here. Would you agree?”

“Yes, sire.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know how to counteract it. It is beyond me—I am a king, but not a great mage who would know what to do.”

Karigan realized he was revealing to her what he would have admitted only to Captain Mapstone.

“Somebody could have been killed,” he continued, “and I couldn’t have done anything to prevent it.”

Karigan licked her lips, hoping what she planned to say would come out well. “I know you take the responsibility upon your shoulders for this. But the truth of the matter is, you’re right, you haven’t the tools necessary to deal with the wild magic. The answer is . . . It’s the same as it has always been: to fix the D’Yer Wall, to stop the influx of tainted wild magic.”

He shook his head. “We’ve little hope of it now, with the passing of Alton and his uncle.”

Karigan swallowed hard, but did not falter. “Excel lency, I wish to have your permission to—to go to the wall. I have a feeling about this—that Alton may yet live.”

He glanced at her, startled. “Karigan, please, I know how difficult it is to accept—”

“No. I mean, I think it’s reasonable, that Alton may still be alive, and that we should try to find him. I suspect he is our best chance of mending the wall.”

“I see.” The king’s demeanor hardened a little, as if he were faced with something he had no wish to hear. “What has you convinced Alton still lives?”

“I’m not convinced he is alive.” She tried to tread safe ground, trying to sound as rational as possible to better her chances of him believing her. “But I have also made some observations about messenger horses. I think they know, that they can somehow sense, what condition their Rider is in.”

The king raised an eyebrow. “Go on, I’m listening.”

She told him about Crane and Bluebird, and Condor, too.

“You think Alton’s horse is waiting for him, because it knows he’s still alive?”

Karigan nodded emphatically. “Yes. And there’s one more thing.” She explained to him about the images of Alton she had seen in the Mirror of the Moon. The king was clearly skeptical. “Please,” she nearly begged him. “If there is the slightest chance I’m right, shouldn’t we try to find out if he lives?”

The king’s shoulders sagged, and a sorrowful expression crept into his features. “Even if Alton is alive, I forbid anyone to cross the breach and search for him. It’s just too dangerous to sacrifice anyone else.” Before Karigan could respond, he added, “However, I see no harm in sending a Rider down to keep an eye on the situation.”

Karigan stood. “I’ll leave immediately. I’ll—”

The king took her arm and pulled her back down on the step. “I’ll send a Rider, but not you.”

Karigan’s mouth dropped open. “But—”

“I need you here,” he said, “while Captain Mapstone is unavailable.”

A response died on her tongue when she saw his resolve. She would win no arguments with him this day. She saw also his concern, and wondered fleetingly if it were more than his need of her in Captain Mapstone’s absence.

“You may be dismissed,” he said.

Karigan rose to leave, but he called after her. “You broke three of Drent’s fingers.”

With all the excitement, she had forgotten all about Drent and her outburst this morning.

“I’m sorry,” she said, head bowed. “I’ll report to General Harborough immediately.”

“Don’t bother. Drent says you are ready to move to the next level of training, now that you’ve tired yourself of being beaten on. His words, not mine.” The humor was creeping into his eyes again. “Besides, your acts here today override any demonstrations of insubordination. No discipline is necessary—this time. By my order.”

Karigan left the throne room less than satisfied with the king’s response to her request to ride to the wall. Sending someone else was not good enough for her. She felt certain she must go. It had to be her.

She walked through the castle corridors wondering if there was some way she could change his mind. The king wanted her by his side while Captain Mapstone was unavailable. What if the captain became available? The king would have little reason to hold her back. Perhaps if Karigan could convince her of the urgency of her task, the captain would pull herself together and be able to stand by the king again.

Encouraged by her plan, she left the castle for officers quarters.

“Please, Captain,” Karigan called through the door, “we need you back.” No lie there. “If you come back, the king will let me go to the wall and seek out Alton.”

The door groaned open, and Karigan jumped back, thinking her plan must have worked, but when she looked upon Captain Mapstone, she realized her mistake.

The captain stood in the doorway, gaunt and hard. She practically emanated ice. Even her hair had lost its vibrant sheen and seemed frosted over.

She pointed a shaky finger at Karigan. “Leave my doorstep.” Her voice was weak, but harsh. “Leave.”