“Water subjects who opposed King Topaz,” Finn explained impatiently. “At least, I think they opposed him. Marigold’s picture was in the pamphlets today. They must have recognized her and thought she might be of some value to Topaz. I don’t know what their object is. It must be ransom, but it could be needless revenge. Killing her to harm Topaz and show the world that the supporters of the old, dead water king still exist. In any case, as I said, there is no time to lose.”
William nodded.
“I’ll get my horse.”
“You needn’t come,” Finn said.
“I’m coming,” William responded.
“Me too,” Freddie said.
Finn, William, and Rosemary all said, “No,” in unison.
“Please!” Freddie said.
“You’re too young and that’s a fact,” Rosemary said.
“But I want to,” Freddie moaned. “I’ve always wanted to do something like this!”
“I’m going,” Rosemary announced.
William and Finn both said, “No,” in unison, though it was much harder to tell Rosemary what to do than to boss Freddie around. Certainly, neither were used to giving Rosemary orders. Their resolve was weak and the tone of their words somewhat low and avoidant.
“It’s true I’m no great fighter,” Rosemary said, “but I want to help Marigold. I want to do something.”
Finn sighed.
“Actually, there is something you can do,” he said.
“Stay here in case marigold comes back,” William chimed in.
Finn clenched his fists in rage.
“We are losing time every minute we debate this! Rosemary, Freddie, come along. We’re not waging a great war; we’re simply racing to the fire kingdom to alert the king,” Finn swallowed. “I just hope these men don’t act fast. They may want a head on a spike in protest instead of a wad of cash from the fire king.”
Rosemary gasped. She quickly gathered food for their journey in a knapsack, left a note for Luke, their father, and Julianne, and then they were off, each riding a horse, with Freddie on the back of Finn’s.
They rode fast and hardly stopped, except to give the horses a chance to drink water. They couldn’t have their beasts failing them at such a critical moment.
Freddie, who had been so thrilled about the trip, mixed in with her concern for Marigold, grew more solemn as the sky darkened and the import of their task ahead settled in.
Rosemary rode well. She somehow managed to be ahead of Finn and William the entire time. She was the matriarch, of course. Their father was dearly loved, but he came and went, came and went too often to give the truly good orders Rosemary doled out daily.
It became too dark to see, but they risked riding into blackness on roads they hoped were well trodden enough and well maintained enough that their horses could canter without interference. Luck was with them, and they arrived at the gates of the fire kingdom bleary eyed but determined—they were certainly an odd group of midnight travellers, Finn thought. Most people arriving at this hour in a group probably served as a bad omen. But the porter at the gate was surprised to find a modest family, with two women, one of them probably under 18 years. He stifled a laugh.
“How can I help you?”
“We need to see King Topaz—urgently,” Finn said. Now the porter laughed in earnest.
“Is he expecting you?”
“No,” Finn said.
There was tense silence.
“And you expect to strut into the palace and see the king at midnight?” the porter asked.
Finn sighed and looked to Rosemary, who took it in hand.
