The forest was empty now except for him and the girl, who stood over the last of their foes, her spear wet with blood. Odd stood there, sword raised, forcing himself to breathe slowly, to work past the battle madness that insisted he should keep fighting just for the sheer joy of it. It seemed to take forever before he could lower his blade, clean it, sheathe it.

Im Odd, he said, because none of the other names he had fit him anymore.

I… The girl frowned. Thats a name?

Odd nodded. Might be someones idea of a description too, I suppose. This is usually the part where you tell me your name, knight.

What makes you think Im a knight? she asked.

Odd raised an eyebrow. Well, the armor is a clue. Also, Ive… seen them fight. He didnt want to tell her all of it, or they really would be fighting. Youre a Knight of the Spur, arent you?

I… She hesitated before she nodded, suggesting that things were more complicated, but Odd was used to complicated. My names Erin.

Lady Erin, Odd said. He assumed that even the Knights of the Spur wouldnt just call a girl knight sir. Just that, or have they given you a nickname yet?

Not yet, she said. And its… just Erin.

Give them time, he assured her. Theyd been the first ones to call him the Mad, after all. What brings you out into the forest, just Erin? Aside from saving the likes of me?

Maybe that was the point, though. They said that the world was kind to fools and madmen. Maybe this kind of savior was what kindness looked like.

Im traveling to save my sister, the girl said.

Save her from what? Odd asked.

King Ravins forces have taken her south, over the Slate. They say he plans to invade.

Odd froze at those words. Could it be a coincidence that here, in the middle of nowhere, he would run into a knight who knew about the threat from King Ravin? Surely it had to be fate, or a sign? The abbot had always said that the world fit together in more complex ways than a human mind could hold. Maybe this was one.

What are you doing out here? Erin asked. There cant be many monks wandering the forest. Still fewer monks carrying swords.

Odd thought about explaining who he was, but that would cause too many problems. Instead, he gestured to the way hed come.

I came here from Leveros to warn of a threat from King Ravin, Odd said. His men have taken the island, and I fear they plan to use it as a staging point to invade without crossing the bridges. I seek those with the power to help: the knights, or the king.

I could… help get your message to both, Erin said.