And get Lenore back, Erin said. That was the part that mattered to her, more than the rest of it.

The commander nodded again. You have to remember that it will have taken time for the messengers to get here. Im sure that Sir Twell and Sir Ursus rode as fast as they could, but by now, your sister could be deep into the Southern Kingdom.

Then Ill go into it and get her back, Erin promised. Ill tear out King Ravins heart to do it, if I have to.

She had heard the stories growing up, of brave knights questing to recover fair maidens, saving princesses from dangers beyond reckoning. At the time, Erin had always thought that those were stupid stories. She hadnt understood why the princesses didnt just save themselves, kill the monsters, and go home to people cheering their name. She certainly never planned to go around waiting for a knight to come.

Now though, she was the knight, in all but name. She was the one who would be riding to the rescue.

Come with me, Commander Harr said. He led the way to where armor and weapons were laid out, the knights moving among them as they selected what they needed. I was going to leave this until you had finished proving yourself, but if it is to be war, I will not have it said that you were ill defended.

He took pieces from the stacks, passing them to Erin. Although it looked as though he was grabbing things at random, each piece seemed perfectly sized to fit Erin, chosen with the precision of long practice. He passed her a breastplate, greaves, bracers… an outer skin of plate that fit over Erins chainmail like a glove, each piece shining and silvered.

The end result wasnt quite the full plate armor the commander wore, but instead something more mobile, with patches of chain in between the plates designed to ward off the worst of blows. He passed Erin a buckler, which she slid onto her left forearm, the shield small enough that she could still manipulate her short spear easily. Last came a half-helm to protect her head, the design of a dragon chased atop it in gold. It was the most beautiful thing Erin had seen.

How… how is all of this here to fit me? she asked.

Commander Harr shrugged. You think a commander wouldnt seek out suitable protection for his troops?

Erin didnt know what to say. Thank you. Its… perfect.

If you want to thank me, stay safe in the battles to come. Now, young recruit, you need to tend to your horse. Weve a lot of riding to do to reach the south.

Erin nodded, running for her horse. She wouldnt let the commander down. More than that, she wouldnt let her sister down. She would help to save Lenore and beat back the Southern Kingdoms attack, whatever it took, even if it cost her life.

CHAPTER TWELVE