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Lord Coutre said an as so surprised by the honor Her cheeks warh a hundred pounds

“You both are alelcome 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 s He evidently kneas 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 seeinal 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 uncoe, not just once, but several tiinable, I now naht of the realm, in the Order of the Firebrand Like Liliethe Aan G’ladheon rides in the light, bears the light, and knows the favor of the gods”

Knight of the real placed another heavythe crescent moon and the firebrand, and the word “valor” He took her hands into his, the heat of his touch jolting up her arlanced into his eyes, and sa 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, ’s voice booht of the realm”

The applause thundered right through Karigan and the rest was a blur until so the reception that followed Many whoratulated her on the honors she had received, while Captain Mapstone stood beside her, a proud san was entirely too bewildered

Until Fergal ca”

Mention of Rivertown’s crusty ferry an “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