THE DIFFICULTY THAT IS RIDER G’LADHEON
The difficulty that was—her? Karigan had a mind to stomp right out of there. She wasn’t difficult; it was Connly who was overreacting to things. She settled, however, knowing that stomping out was not a mature response, and it would only reinforce Connly’s poor opinion of her. Besides, she was curious to find out in what way Zachary considered her difficult.
Sweat had broken out on Connly’s upper lip as his king leaned toward him. But then Zachary released his shoulder and stepped back.
“The difficulty that is Rider G’ladheon is nothing new,” he continued. “It is one your colonel grappled with from the start.”
From the start? Karigan wondered.
“She resisted the call long enough,” Connly said. Both men chuckled.
She could not stand it any longer. It was infuriating. “What is so funny about that? And I am not difficult.”
They gazed at her. Zachary’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Tegan coughed to hide a laugh.
“You really have no idea, do you,” Connly said, and he shook his head.
“That I’m difficult?”
“Do you ever have a normal message errand, Karigan?”
“Of course. I mean, it’s been a while. Actually, maybe a couple years, now that I think of it, but . . .” Her cheeks warmed. “I’ve been sent away on missions more recently.”
“And very important and daunting missions they’ve been,” Zachary said. “You can’t guess how hard it has been for those who command you to send you out on them.” He returned his attention to Connly. “It does not occur to her that what she does is different from other Riders.”
“But—” she began.
Zachary raised an eyebrow at her.
“But . . .”
“We know the job is dangerous for all Riders,” he said, “but you tend to excel at finding danger. The question is, how does one manage someone like that?” He paused as he gazed at each one of them. “The answer is not simple, though it may sound that way, and here it is: you let them do what they’re good at. You don’t control them because you can’t. You provide guidance and support, and then send them on their way. You trust they know what they’re doing and let them accomplish what must be done in their own way. When you are a commander, it is natural to want to control someone like Rider G’ladheon, but you must resist. If it helps, remember that she is no green Greenie on her first run.”
“So, do I just let her flaunt orders?” Connly asked.
“Has she been flaunting orders?”
“No, not exactly, I suppose.”
Karigan reconsidered her decision not to stomp out of the tent.
“Captain,” Zachary explained, “I can see you want her to be compliant like a soldier, but that kind of discipline does not work well with Green Riders. That is why the messenger corps is set aside from the regular military. Rider G’ladheon is especially not of that disposition.”
“I’m disciplined,” Karigan protested. “I follow orders.”
Again, that sparkle in Zachary’s eyes. “Indeed.” To Connly he said, “There are other Riders who do not quite fit in the same as the rest. Lynx, for instance, who is often out in the northlands scouting for me, and Beryl, may she reside peacefully among the gods. She was often away on perilous assignments devised by me or my spymasters. I imagine you would not have tried reining her in.”
“No, and I understand,” Connly replied, “but Rider G’ladheon is—” He waved his arm about. “—complicated. That is why I need Tegan, who is more reliable, to be Chief Rider.”
Difficult and complicated. Unreliable. Karigan stared up at the yellow stains on the tent ceiling. She struggled to restrain another outburst.
“Rider G’ladheon is reliable,” Zachary replied in quiet reproof, “but clearly not in the way you need your Chief to be. I understand that. There is also the matter of her various titles, which I can see making things awkward for those who must command her. She is an honorary Weapon, a knight of the realm, a sub-chief of Clan G’ladheon, and today we have learned that the Eletians claim her royal kin and call her Lady Winterlight. All of this sets her apart. How do you handle it? What do you do with it? Of course, this is not without precedent. She is not the first of noble blood to be called to the messenger service. Currently you’ve Lord Alton, heir to D’Yer Province, and Lady Sophina, daughter of Lord Blackmill, filling your ranks. In the past, though it has been a couple centuries, there were even princes and princesses who were called.”
Karigan hadn’t known that last part.
“The Eletian aspect,” Zachary continued, “does put a different slant on the situation, though she claims she is no different than she was before, and that we should treat her no differently.”
She nodded vigorously at this.
“Whether she goes by Rider G’ladheon, or Sir Karigan, or Lady Winterlight, you must trust her as you would any of the Riders, and allow her to do what she does best. She will not be confined to the chain of command, and she can report to me directly as she deems necessary. Yes, she is yours to hand orders to, but she also has my confidence to decide what actions are necessary in any given situation. That is how it worked for your colonel, whether it was apparent or not.”
“I—I think I understand, Your Majesty,” Connly said. “I am sorry to have bothered you with this.”
“I am quite fond of my Green Riders, and pleased I could advise you in the absence of Colonel Mapstone. However, please do not create a situation where I must lecture you again.”
“No, sire, I will not.”
“Good. You are all dismissed.”
They bowed and filed out of the tent. Karigan gave Zachary a backward glance before she dropped the tent flap back into place. He was already bent over his map table once more.
Outside, Connly turned to her. “A word?”
“I’ll see you back at our tent,” Tegan told her.
Connly watched after her for a moment before telling Karigan, “I want to apologize for how I’ve handled things. Following in the colonel’s footsteps has proved challenging, and I’ve been, shall we say, heavy-handed in my command. I plan to do better.”
“Thank you for that,” Karigan replied.
He nodded. “Meanwhile, Tegan will remain Chief to ensure continuity among the Riders in case you are sent off somewhere on one of the king’s missions, or get caught up in something. When we get the colonel back, she may decide to reinstate you as Chief. I will explain to her why I made the decision I did, but if she is adamant, I will not object.”
“Fair enough.”
There was nothing else to say so they each went their own way so they could get at least some sleep before daybreak. It had not looked like Zachary planned on getting any.
Even your king thinks you are a problem, Nyssa said.
Karigan tried to ignore her as best she could, as she made her way back to the tent she shared with Tegan. Of course, as much as she and Zachary could not be together, she still wanted her king’s approval, for her to give him reason to uphold his good opinion of her. He had spoken lightly of her being “difficult,” but how much of a problem was she for him?
She shook her head. It was Nyssa playing with her, feeding off her insecurities. She wished she’d thought to ask the Eletians to help expel her, but Nyssa hadn’t been present the whole time Karigan was in Eletia, and there’d been more immediate concerns at the time.
She ducked into the tent wondering what the next day would bring.
The next day brought eagles. Karigan was helping with the morning feeding at the pickets when a familiar voice called into her mind. She looked up and saw a pair of gray eagles circling in downward spirals into the encampment.
Ripaeria! Karigan exclaimed.
It is me, and my uncle.
“What is it?” Trace asked, as she lugged a bucket of water to a thirsty horse.
“Ripaeria and Softfeather.”
“You go ahead,” Trace said, “and I’ll finish up here.”
“Why does Karigan get to go?” Megan grumped, who was nearby shoveling manure.
Karigan did not wait to hear an answer but hurried across camp, pausing only to collect Duncan’s pouch from the tent. The mage had not reemerged since vanishing the previous night.
The eagles alighted at the edge of the camp where there was open space. Zachary and his advisors had already walked out to meet them.
Where are you? Ripaeria “called” to her.
I am coming. Karigan picked up her pace, Duncan’s tempes stone in its pouch bumping her hip as she went.
I was worried about you, Ripaeria said. You were gone for a long time.
I missed you, too, Karigan told her with a smile.
When she joined the small group standing before the eagles, she saw Connly. He seemed to note her presence, but did not send her away.
Softfeather was addressing the group, —as you requested. Your messenger had reached her and they have been marching for ten suns.
“I thank you for bringing word back so quickly,” Zachary replied. “That is very good news. There will be no escape for Second Empire.”
Who was marching? Karigan wondered. Zachary had used the eagles as messengers? Who was “her”?
There is something you may want to know about the pass, Softfeather said. Flying over it just now, we noticed significantly less activity.
“Our scouts haven’t been able to get close enough to see what is going on there.”
You could use the Eagle’s Landing, Softfeather said. You could then get a view down into the pass.
“We checked the stairs, but whole sections have crumbled away over the centuries, and climbing the sheer cliffs is treacherous. We have been awaiting a scout with the skills to scale the cliffs, but he will not arrive for some while.”
After this war is done, you must rebuild the stairs so the eagles of the Wing Song Mountains may parley with the Sacor Clans properly again.
“Agreed,” Zachary said. “As for the pass, can you tell us what you observed?”
The eagle described only a small amount of livestock visible, and a scattering of people guarding the keep’s gate and keeping watch on the road, especially toward the Sacoridian encampment. Others kept watch from the battlements. Otherwise, cold fire rings, few tents, and a lack of soldiers drilling and training painted a picture of a place almost abandoned.
“Most of the people could have moved into the keep,” Les Tallman said. “The living spaces go deep into the mountain, and there is even room for livestock. Perhaps they have done so in advance of hostilities. It could hold hundreds, if not thousands.”
Softfeather cocked his head as if considering the possibility. Perhaps.
Zachary was frowning.
I would scout more, were I permitted, Softfeather said, but I have already interfered more than I should have.
He hardly did anything, Ripaeria told Karigan. We flew toward the coast to the lady.
What lady?
Ripaeria paused before answering. The sister.
Whose—? Do you mean Lady Coutre?
That is who! Ripaeria bobbed her head. Your queen’s sister. The people were so startled to see us. It was very amusing. You humans have such funny faces when you are surprised.
So, the “her” was Lady Coutre, and Zachary sent the eagles to Coutre Province to check on the advance of her army. Her troops could march to the pass and block it on the east side. That was how Second Empire would be trapped. It would take a while for Lady Coutre’s troops to reach the pass, unless some came in from closer posts. Still, there was no telling what mischief Second Empire could get up to in the meantime.
After Softfeather spoke with the lady, Ripaeria said, we flew back. What is so wrong with that?
It is meddling in non-eagle affairs, Softfeather’s deeper voice cut in, which is forbidden to us.
It is a stupid law, Ripaeria said. I like the people. Karigan is my friend.
You are too young to comprehend, Softfeather admonished.
When Zachary and his advisors looked confused, Karigan realized she was the only one hearing this part of the conversation.
Old eagles are so ooold, Ripaeria said in an aside. And so grumpy. No fun at all.
Softfeather must have heard because he clacked his beak at his niece, then said to Zachary, It is time we returned to the eyrie.
“I understand,” Zachary replied, “and I thank you again for your assistance.”
Softfeather bowed his head, then to Ripaeria, said, Come, eaglet. It is time to ascend to the rivers of air.
I am not an eaglet, Ripaeria retorted.
“Wait!” Karigan said. She ignored everyone’s looks of surprise and pushed forward. “I’ve Duncan.”
Softfeather seemed to wilt. I see. Bring him here. I will return him to the eyrie as agreed. He lowered his head so she could place the strap of the pouch around his neck.
I trust Duncan was not too irritating?
“Well,” she replied, “I wouldn’t say that, but he was helpful at times.”
The eagle made a throaty sound, then said. It is well, then. Farewell, Green Rider.
“Good-bye, and please tell Duncan I said good-bye, as well.”
He bobbed his head, and she gave him space to launch into the air.
I’m coming, I’m coming, Ripaeria said in answer to an unheard summons. Just give me a moment. She then gazed down at Karigan. It makes me sad that they won’t let me come here to see you anymore.
Karigan told her it made her sad, too, and gently hugged her around the neck, trying not to crush feathers. It was a much different feeling than hugging a horse’s neck—lighter, less solid. When she stepped aside, Ripaeria plucked a feather from her flank, which she gave to Karigan.
My friend forever, Ripaeria said; then she launched into the sky, circled twice, and left Karigan clutching the oversized feather to her heart.