The Search
Sir Brielle started in the armoury. The sword was not there.
She tried the kitchen. Sometimes she left things in the kitchen by accident — once, her left greave had been in the bread bin for three days.
The sword was not in the kitchen. The cook had not seen it. The cook offered her a piece of toast. Sir Brielle accepted, because a knight should not fight on an empty stomach.
She tried the courtyard. She had practised yesterday in the courtyard. The sword was not there. There were three crows arguing over a button. Brielle did not have time for crows.
She tried the stables. Hyacinth, her horse, was already saddled and waiting. Hyacinth looked at her impatiently, as if to say, *we do this every Saturday, where is your sword?*
"I'm working on it," said Sir Brielle.
She thought.
Where had she been last? She had practised in the courtyard. Then she had bathed. Then she had eaten. Then — she had read a book in the small turret room, with her sword propped against the wall. She had fallen asleep. The book had fallen on her face.
She ran up to the turret room.
There was the sword. Propped against the wall. With a cushion in front of it, blocking the view from the door.
"Aha!" said Sir Brielle.
She picked up the sword. She bowed to the room, which she always did to places that helped her.
Then she ran down to the stables, where Hyacinth was waiting with great patience.