Immerez followed Rogan out into the snow and left his prison behind forever.

AN UNDERSTANDING

As soon as Karigan stepped into her chamber, she was surrounded by her anxious aunts and had the breath squeezed out of her with their hugs. Their kisses were wet with tears. Her father, as always, stood aside awaiting his turn. When it came, he returned the bonewood staff to her.

“Didn’t need it,” he said. “What happened out there? Your Aunt Brini was half-hysterical and didn’t make any sense.”

Karigan described the magical attack and ice creatures. Meanwhile, her sharp-eyed aunts spied her bloody hand and set to tending it.

“Ow!” she cried as Aunt Stace pulled off the crusty handkerchief that had been Anna’s. She winced at the bite of cold water from her wash basin used to clean the wounds.

“Stop making faces, Kari girl,” Aunt Stace said. “It’s just cuts and scratches.”

“But it stings.”

Aunt Stace clucked her tongue.

“The creatures,” her father persisted. “They attacked the king and queen?”

“They’re fine,” she replied. “They had good protection.”

“That is a relief. I do not like this resurgence of magic we’ve been experiencing over the past few years or so.” Karigan must have scowled, for he added, “I know what you are going to say.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, that not all magic is bad, that it depends on the intent of the user.”

Karigan smiled. That was exactly what she’d been about to tell him. And it would not have been the first time.

“Believe it or not,” he continued, “I have come to the conclusion that magic can be good if it is in you.”

His statement so surprised her she did not know what to say. This was a great concession from him, and so imbued with love. She reclaimed her re-bandaged hand from her aunts and flashed her father a smile. Then she took a second look at the bandage. It was high quality linen with fancy stitchwork. “Where did you get this?” she asked Aunt Stace.

“It’s your father’s fine neckerchief.”

“Stace!” he sputtered.

“You wouldn’t begrudge your daughter a bit of cloth to staunch her wounds? You can afford to buy a new one.”

Deciding she’d better intervene, Karigan told her aunts, “I bet there are injured people who could use some help out there.” She waved her arm to indicate the greater castle. “I am sure the menders would appreciate your assistance.” She hoped Ben wouldn’t kill her.

“Yes, that’s a sound idea,” Aunt Stace said.

Karigan held her hand up to forestall them. “There are remains out there,” Karigan warned. “It’s—it’s grisly.”

“Back on Black Island,” Aunt Stace said, “we tended many a wounded fisherman. You would not believe the accidents they got themselves into. We will help as we can. Come, sisters.”

“Gods,” her father said after they had left. “Between you and my sisters, it’s a wonder I haven’t gone all gray.”

“You are very lucky,” Karigan replied, “just to have hair at your age.”

He gazed at the ceiling as though to the heavens. “The gods preserve me.”

Karigan, feeling tired once again now that the excitement of the battle with the ice creatures had worn off, dropped onto her bed. With her aunts gone, Ghost Kitty came out of hiding and leaped up beside her. He rubbed against her arm until she scratched him behind his ear.

“I am sorry I yelled at you this morning,” she told her father. “I wasn’t myself.”

He leaned against her desk. “We know you have had a lot to contend with. And I assume we don’t know even the half of it. We should have waited, given you time, but when we heard you were alive, we had to see you. And, you know your aunts, they are . . . unrestrained.”

Karigan laughed, remembering her conversation with the king and queen earlier. “Overwhelming,” she said.

“Yes, overwhelming. The thing is, you are right. We weren’t really showing you respect, despite all you’ve done and been through, despite the obvious regard the king holds for you. We remember you as our little girl, and keep making the mistake that you are still she.”

“I know.”

“Do you? I doubt you will know till you have children of your own.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words.

Children? He hadn’t even managed to marry her off yet, despite his best efforts.

“I would like grandchildren one day,” he said as if he knew her thoughts.

“I think I am busy enough without—” and she gestured curtly “—children.”

“You see? Here I am, interfering again.” He crossed over to the bed and sat beside her. Annoyed by his intrusion, Ghost Kitty whacked the mattress with his tail. “I will keep seeing you as my child, no matter your age or accomplishments. I will never stop worrying and making wishes for the future. I never imagined my daughter becoming a Green Rider. It is not a path I would have chosen for you, but the point is that it is not my place to choose, is it? I just want you to be happy on the path you’ve chosen, though I’ll always wish you were doing something safer and giving me grandchildren.”

Karigan ran her hand over Ghost Kitty’s soft fur. He purred loudly. “Thank you,” she said.

“I only fear,” her father said, “that I don’t know you very well, the grown you, the woman you’ve become.”