Lord Coutre said more words that were lost to Karigan who was so surprised by the honor. Her cheeks warmed as he placed the medal around her neck. It seemed to weigh a hundred pounds.

“You both are always welcome to Coutre Province and in my house,” Lord Coutre said. “You are also now entitled to lands within the province’s borders.”

Karigan was stunned, and when she glanced at Fergal, she saw his eyes had grown large. The knacker’s son was now a landowner and had a place to settle after his service to the Green Riders ended. It was likely more than he ever dreamed possible.

Lord Coutre and his general returned to the sidelines. Estora hugged her father soundly.

Karigan thought this was the end of it all, but Captain Mapstone said to her, “Kneel before your king, Rider G’ladheon.”

Fergal flashed her a smile and backed away to leave her there alone before the king. He evidently knew what was up, the brat!

Karigan knelt, wondering what the king had in mind.

“Long ago our royal ancestors had a way of honoring the heroic individuals who served them,” he said. “This mode of honor fell out of favor at the time of the Clan Wars, for it had been used more to curry favor and loyalty and reward not valor but one’s favorites in court. It now seems wise to restore this honor in its original spirit.

“A thousand years ago, the honor was created by King Jonaeus in the depths of the Long War for those especially heroic individuals who advanced Sacoridia’s cause against the Arcosian Empire. One of the first to receive it was Liliethe Ambrioth, the founder of the Green Riders.

“Because Rider G’ladheon has displayed uncommon courage, not just once, but several times, in the face of dangers unimaginable, I now name her a knight of the realm, in the Order of the Firebrand. Like Liliethe Ambrioth and others who followed, Karigan G’ladheon rides in the light, bears the light, and knows the favor of the gods.”

Knight of the realm? Karigan felt numb all over as the king placed another heavy medal around her neck, this one displaying the crescent moon and the firebrand, and the word “valor.” He took her hands into his, the heat of his touch jolting up her arms, and he raised her to her feet. She glanced into his eyes, and saw how earnestly he gazed back at her as if there was so much more he wanted to say, but could not. She bit her bottom lip and looked away, and he turned her to face the assembled.

“Receive, my fellow Sacoridians,” the king’s voice boomed, “Rider Sir Karigan G’ladheon, knight of the realm.”

The applause thundered right through Karigan and the rest was a blur until sometime during the reception that followed. Many whom she knew and did not know came to her and congratulated her on the honors she had received, while Captain Mapstone stood beside her, a proud smile on her face. Karigan was entirely too bewildered.

Until Fergal came up to her and said, “I think old Cetchum knew something.”

Mention of Rivertown’s crusty ferry master surprised Karigan. “What do you mean?”

“He called you ‘sir,’ right? Aren’t we supposed to call you Sir Karigan now?”

Karigan had no words, and Fergal wandered off laughing at his own cleverness.

“He’s right,” Captain Mapstone said.

“What?”

“The proper address for a knight of the realm is to call you ‘sir.’ In your case, Rider Sir Karigan G’ladheon.”

Karigan gave the captain a sideways glance, but saw no evidence she was joking.

“Could we…could we keep it just Rider?” Karigan asked.

“That’s up to the king,” Captain Mapstone replied, “but you should know he is quite serious about these things.” She smiled and excused herself to speak with Castellan Sperren, leaving Karigan to stew amid the milling crowd. She was rather at a loss.

“Sir Karigan?” Colin Dovekey said, as he approached her.

Karigan winced at the unaccustomed title and bit her lip. “Yes?” she said.

“If I may have a moment? The king wished for me to speak to you.”

She followed Colin out of the throne room and away from the deafening chatter and into a more quiet corridor. As she did so, a quick glance revealed the king standing beside Estora, engrossed in conversation with Lord Coutre and others. Though he’d presented her with the Order of the Firebrand, he’d chosen not to speak private words with her afterward. It made her feel hollow; diminished the honor.

“The king wished for me to give you these papers,” Colin said in a quiet voice. “They came from Lord Mirwell among the messages Rider Duff delivered to the king.”

“What are they?” Karigan asked, receiving the papers.

“An indictment against your father for acts of piracy against this realm, and others.”

“What?”

“There is evidence,” Colin said, “that your father served on a ship called the Gold Hunter in his youth. In the years our country skirmished with the Under Kingdoms, the ship served as a privateer, capturing many a ship from the enemy, as well as any goods it carried. After peace came between Sacoridia and the Under Kingdoms, the Gold Hunter continued its activities for some years. In other words, captain and crew participated in acts of piracy.”

“My father was a pirate?” What else hadn’t he told her? She began to wonder if he’d really acquired his wealth as a merchant, or by piracy.

“Your father would have been no more than of age to be a cabin boy at the time, though that doesn’t entirely absolve him of responsibility. However, because of his contribution to commerce in Sacoridia, his personal contributions in outfitting the Green Riders, and the subsequent savings to the treasury, the king has decided to overlook your father’s connection to the Gold Hunter, and give you this evidence to do with as you wish.”