Your highness, the man said. Ive been sent to find you. Its about Princess Lenore.

Instantly, Rodry spun toward the man. What about her? Whats wrong?

Just the servants tone said that something was, and whatever it was, it was bad.

Shes been attacked, the servant said. King Ravins people are supposed to be taking her south toward one the bridges. The king is gathering all the knights. He has sent messages to the Spur.

Gathering knights? Rodry said, springing toward the stand where his armor lay. And how long will that take?

Too long, that was the obvious answer. His father was a king, which meant that he would move slowly, gathering assent, gathering troops. Always preparing, never acting. Like with the ambassador.

My father will waste time, Rodry said. He will let them get away, and if they make it south, hell say that my sister is lost. He looked over to the servant. How was Lenore even attacked? Where were Vars and his men?

I… no one knows for sure, your highness, the servant said.

Meaning that Vars hadnt been there when he should have been. Anger flashed through Rodry at that, but also guilt. He should have argued more when his father sent Vars to accompany Lenore, should have insisted on guarding her himself. He should have been there.

Well, he would be now. Rodry looked around at his friends. They were not the Knights of the Spur, but they had been on enough hunts, trained with weapons enough times. They were here, and they were all he had.

Seris, find the others, as many as you can, and as quickly. Tell them what has happened, and tell them that I need them. Mautlice, get us horses waiting. Bribe the stable hands if you have to. Kay, get together the weapons.

Were joining your fathers forces? Kay asked.

Rodry couldnt contain his anger then. He struck the wall beside him, and the others flinched back.

My father wont be fast enough! he shouted. A small group can move faster. No, Im doing this myself. Im going to go and get my sister back, and get her safe. Kay, if that girl you like is one of her servants, shell be in danger too. Dont you want to help?

I… Kay nodded.

All of you, Rodry said. You say you want to be knights. You say you want to prove yourselves. This is how you do it. We do the things that only knights can do. We protect those who need protecting. He looked at them, imploring them. Please. Im asking this not as your prince, but as your friend. Help me save my sister.

There was no reason for them to, of course. They should go to his fathers forces, should wait to take action along with the rest. Instead, Rodry felt relief as they nodded, one by one.