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Karigan nodded, a trifle disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to flex herskills

Captain Mapstone then gazed out theand into the gardens with a whi to visit with Damian He’s…well, he has a ith horses”

And Rider horses were special, very intelligent Karigan found herself looking forward tothe man who supplied them

“My third assignan asked

“Lord Mirwell,” Captain Mapstone said

An iruff old Mirith his bear hide draped over his shoulders flashed through Karigan’s mind before she remembered he was dead The captain an’s life unpleasant during her school years at Seliuovernor and she kneould love the fact that she was a lowly rovel before him no matter what abuse he chose to heap on her Maybe he’d matured since those days Maybe he wouldn’t even reet how she hu a bout of swordplay?

“Actually,” the captain said, “Lord Mirwell is an excuse You’ll deliver hi I’ Beryl We haven’t heard froood while, which leaves me a little concerned”

Beryl Spencer was a Green Rider whose special ability allowed her to portray a role and convince others of it, whichPlaced in the Mirwellian ained the old lord-governor’s confidence He had handpicked her as his aide, never suspecting her true allegiance till she helped to bring about his downfall Afterward, Beryl returned to Mirwell Province to resu an eye on him lest he decide to follow in his father’s footsteps or was approached by any of his father’s fellow conspirators who had escaped king’s law

“If you can’t see or meet with Beryl,” the captain said, “ untoward has happened to her, do not get involved Return to report i yourself Most likely she is out on maneuvers with the militia—it would not be the first tiave Karigan a penetrating look “Are you clear on this? You are only to observe, not to get yourself in trouble”

“Clear,” Karigan assured her She had already had enough adventures to last a lifeti clear of potential trouble was fine with her “Is that all?”

“Actually, no,” the captain said “There’s one al Duff with you”

“But he’s new—”

“Precisely why I’ hi up other Riders in hopes our new people can get a feel for being on an errand before actually having to do a solo run”

Karigan cla, too She had accompanied Ty on several errands, but none so far afield as this one She would be stuck with Fergal for quite some time

“You will leave in two days I’ll brief Fergal ain “I’ood shape so Mara can handle them—until you return”