Chapter 19: Everyone Has One

The yard stayed quiet while the king came down the dais steps.

He stopped in front of Linnea and looked at her with great warmth.

"I asked your family name once," he said. "In this keep, in front of my court."

"I said I had none."

"And I said everyone has one."

He turned to face the ranks, and his voice rang off the stone.

"Men and women of the Crown Watch. This recruit is Linnea Blomqvist of the Wend."

He let it settle.

"Her father keeps the Archive of her house, and he has hidden her from my census for a year."

A shock went through the yard.

"She hears what others think," the king said. "You have seen it. She has done you a great service today, and the crown is grateful."

"Your majesty," Linnea said.

"The law is plain. A Blomqvist daughter with this gift belongs to the Quiet Corps."

He smiled at her.

"Her house answers to the crown for hiding her. Her father and mother will answer now."

Behind the dais, a column of the king's riders came through the gate.

Between them walked her father, her mother and both her brothers, with their hands unbound and their faces white.

Her mother saw her, and her whole face crumpled.

"Linnea," her father called, hoarse. "Don't."

"Quiet," said a rider, and laid a hand on his shoulder.

Linnea stood very still.

She knew what the king wanted.

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