“Do you need help?”

“No, I’ll be fine. You find something for Rennard.”

Karigan marked the king’s gaze following her as she rose and trudged toward Enver’s tent, until Treman drew his attention back to the map they had been examining. She would be sure to get up and see them off, if nothing more. In the meantime, she would seek a white mare in a starry meadow.

TOKENS OF ESTEEM

Estral pinned her harp brooch to Rennard’s tunic. “There, that should do it.”

“You honor me,” he said with a bow. “But is it not too much?”

The brooch represented her affiliation with Selium as a minstrel. It was all she had, but she would not tell him that. “May it bring you success.”

He bowed again, this time with a kiss to her hand, and when he turned to prepare for departure, his back was maybe a little straighter, his chin up. Karigan had been right—who was she to deny a soldier going off to battle some small token of esteem? When he came back safe and sound, that would be soon enough to break his heart.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the king slip into Enver’s tent. Karigan had not awakened to see him off, so he must be making a farewell of his own. When this was all over and they returned to Sacor City, it would also be a return to reality, and she grieved for her friend. Grieved for both of them.

Her father came to her, and she helped clasp the gray and green cloak the River Unit had given him over his shoulder. Under a matching tunic he wore a breastplate. He bore a helm beneath his arm.

“You will give Karigan her saber back when she awakens, won’t you?” he asked. “The longsword Captain Treman has lent me is much more suitable for what lies ahead.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “I’d find it much more suitable if you weren’t going with them.”

He tugged gloves on and flexed his fingers. “I should not worry. I will be in the rear, with the king and his guard. I aim to get my hands on Lala and bring her back so you can regain your voice.”

“I’d rather have you. We’ve only just found you. Besides, didn’t Captain Treman say it appeared there was an exodus of civilians from the forest?”

“For the first, you will have both. For the second, even on the off-chance that Lala is there, I am going.”

Despite his brave words and outward lack of fear, she was afraid. No matter how many times he had left on his far-ranging wanderings, no matter how many dangers he’d faced before, this was different. This was purposely walking into a situation where the object was to kill or be killed.

“I would be content to live without my voice if only you would stay,” she said.

“When you have your voice back,” he replied, “you can berate me, call me names if you like, tell me how angry you are about this mess I got caught up in. We must not forget this is bigger than the both of us. Didn’t you just tell me a little while ago that your singing was helping with the mending of the D’Yer Wall?”

She nodded. How selfish she must sound.

“For now,” he continued, “I am doing my part, just as the king is, just as young Rennard and so many others are.”

“You’ve already done your part,” she whispered, tears threatening.

He held her close. “I am very proud of the woman you have become, first traveling to the D’Yer Wall to help there, and then coming north to find me. I know it is not your natural inclination to do such things, but you’ve been very brave.” He stepped back, his hands on her shoulders. “In fact, Rider Oldbrine is riding not just with messages for the queen from the king, but with one from me to go to Selium, to Dean Crosley and your masters. In my message, I have explained to them that you have exceeded the requirements for your master’s knot.”

Estral’s mouth dropped open. “I—I haven’t even been thinking about that.”

“I know, which makes it all the more deserving. You had passed all your tests and just needed the travel portion of the requirements to achieve master. I believe the experiences you’ve had, true life experiences, have more than met expectations. I am proud of you, and love you, daughter mine. You are a true Fiori.”

They hugged again, she now overwhelmed by the significance of what he had done. Being raised to master would be life changing. She could be the teacher she’d always wanted to be. But first, there was the wall . . .

“Thank you,” she said.

He grinned. “It is the best part of my position, you know, raising journeymen to masters. But now, as your father, I must ask what is this between you and Rennard? He is wearing your brooch. I thought you were rather serious with Alton D’Yer.”

He’d heard? Of course he had.

She glanced at Rennard who was in deep conversation with some of his soldiers.

“I, uh . . . Alton and I . . .” This was, it turned out, awkward to explain to her father. “I love Alton,” she said finally. “But Rennard seems to like me, and he wanted a token. Karigan said I should give him something since he is going into battle.”

“Ah. Karigan has grown very wise, and that was kind of you. Either man would be a fine match for you, and I think your mother would agree.”

“Father . . .” Her cheeks warmed.

He grinned again. “Now that all is settled, it appears it is time to go—they are waiting for me. I’ll be back soon.”

He turned and strode toward those who awaited him, and she watched as they departed, stepping through the illusion that protected the campsite. As dusk deepened, she realized she had failed to tell him that she loved him, too.