Our squad’s mission was a success. Shortly after my stunt with the boulder our knights and soldiers were able to overpower the bandits that had ambushed us in the narrow mountain pass. Ian’s party faced similar victory: the outlaws at the fort were taken with relative ease. In total there couldn’t have been more than fifty men and women—three of which carried enough magic to warrant extra bindings in their ropes.
Our scouts sent a message to the rest of our regiment, and we met up at the stream that had first caused us to part. The soldiers led the prized stallions while our knights escorted the prisoners by foot. It was a slow, steady march to Pamir. Ian and I took turns exchanging stories with Lief and Ray along the way.
We were almost to our destination when Lord Waldyn’s men arrived, praising our squad’s quick capture and taking the horses off our hands. At the same time another Ferren’s Keep regiment came to collect the prisoners.
I turned to Ian, curious. “Where will they take them?”
The mage watched the squad’s progress fade off into the distance, disappearing into the thick cluster of trees. “The prison in Gilys. It’s two days southwest of Ferren, Sir Quinn’s unit covers that part of the territory.”
“Will they be put to death?”
He frowned. “Do you think they should be?”
I gave him an incredulous look. “They killed three of our own.”
“In self-defense.”
Paige guffawed next to me. “They were also planning to sell our horses to Caltoth. They had every intention of supplying our enemy for war. That justifies a hanging in any trial.”
Ian heaved a sigh. “I suppose you two are right… Still.” He paused and his eyes fell to me. “You heard Sir Gavin—these ones came from one of the towns that lost everything in the fire. I’m not saying it justifies their actions, but… Perhaps that makes them a little harder to condemn?”
My stomach curled in on itself and I swallowed guiltily. The fire was because of me. “Didn’t the king send coin?” Then I straightened abruptly, realizing I already knew the answer. “He did. Darren told me—”
Lief, who had been listening to our conversation thus far, interjected. “King Lucius is preparing for war. Any aid he sends, well, you can’t imagine it’s enough. Not with the heavy costs of maintaining the realm’s largest army.”
Ian met my eyes then. “Ferren and the logging towns received enough to rebuild, they are too important to ignore, but some of the smaller border ones… They aren’t always as lucky when things like that happen, Ry. It’s the reason my parents took up metal, so they could raise me close to the keep.”
I didn’t know what to say. The elation I had felt during the bandits’ capture was fading fast, and confusion was taking its place. Had I made this happen? Were the bandits my fault?
“You didn’t cause anything.” Paige’s biting words made me realize I had said my last thoughts aloud. My knight bristled at the insinuation. “Caltoth did this.”
“Paige is right, of course.” Lief nodded to my guard and then gave me a reassuring pat on the back. “You and the prince saved a great deal more people than you harmed. The fire was a necessary evil; no one would blame you for your actions, Ryiah.”
I tried to smile and failed. The head mage had already returned to a conversation with Ian, too busy to notice. When he was finished, Lief turned to my knight with a grin. “Why don’t you join Ray and me up front, Paige? I’m sure these two can handle any danger that comes their way.” He winked at the two of us. “After Ryiah’s little display in the mountains I don’t think anyone is going to worry after her safety for a very long time.”
Paige hesitated, and I saw her glance shift back to me, undecided. Torn between what she wanted and duty.
“Go on.” I gave her a good-natured shove. “I’ll be fine.”
Her brows furrowed and her chin lifted. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you the whole time, my lady.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less.”
The knight huffed and then nudged her mare forward, following the lead mage with one last lingering glance to me.
Ian drew closer as soon as the guard had vanished into the crowd. “The King’s Regiment picked well, didn’t they?”
“They did.” I thought about the way she had helped me when I was casting. “She’s blunt, but I almost think it’s a blessing. I never have to wonder what she’s thinking, she’s already told me.”
Ian cleared his throat quietly. “What Paige said about Caltoth being at fault, she’s not wrong. But Ry…”
I looked up to see his uncomfortable expression. Sweat was beading the boy’s forehead and his eyes were conflicted.
I swallowed, mentally preparing myself for what came next. It’s your fault too, Ryiah, I didn’t want to say this in front of the others…
“The Crown isn’t blameless.”
I blinked slowly. Whatever I had been expecting him to say, that hadn’t been it.