We set off for the knights' stables, where Xaba and Jula had already saddled three horses.
"We'll ride on three horses," Anita explained, "since Young Wolf, you're still too young at eight years old to ride alone."
"I know that too. At what age do they let you ride alone?"
"You mean completely alone? I was twelve when we started riding with the others. For you, they might allow it earlier, since you're a noble lord, a mage, and could even become a knight. But at eight, even for you, it's too early. Riding can be dangerous, especially if a fight breaks out. So tell me, have you decided whether you want to be a mage or a knight?"
"I want to be a mage knight."
"Hahaha, what's that supposed to be?"
"Well, a mage and a knight, two in one!"
"I've never heard of such a thing," Anita laughed. "But you know what? If anyone could do it, it's you! Already at eight years old you're smarter than the three of us put together. And we're eighteen. In a sword duel I can barely defeat you, and that's without you even using your magic. If you fought me as a mage, I'd have no chance. You're truly impressive! I'm so glad I can serve you as a Wolf Knight!"
"If you keep praising me like that, I'll start to think you're in love with me."
"Hahaha! If you were ten years older, I might even make a move on you! But seriously, I do love you. You're like a little brother to me. You know what, you could call me your big sister!"
"Forget it! You're a Wolf Knight, not some tavern wench!"
"You're right, sorry. Sometimes I really forget that you're a Noble Lord. It's just so easy to talk with you, unlike with the other nobles. Some noble boys can be so conceited."
"There are plenty of scoundrels among the nobles," Andras began seriously, "just as there can be good men among bandits—those who steal only for their loved ones or for survival. Even so, never let yourself doubt. If a bandit draws his sword against you, he has accepted the consequences. Think of nothing else but cutting down the enemy. By killing a bandit, you might save the lives of many innocents."
"And here you go lecturing me again!" Anita laughed. "Relax, if we meet bandits, I'm prepared to fight them to the death. I may not have been on a real mission yet, but from now on anything could happen. Be it monsters or bandits, Anita the Wolf Knight will bravely face them and protect her lord!"
"Good to know," Andras replied with a smile, "just don't jinx it, or we might really run into monsters before we reach the orphanage."
"Relax," Anita waved dismissively. "A squad of Wolf Knights already set out ahead of us to secure the road. The orphanage is only an hour's ride from the castle."
"You packed the gingerbread onto the horses too?" Andras asked.
"Every last piece," Anita nodded. "It's very kind of you to bring gingerbread for the orphans."
"Only one of them will be chosen as a maid," Andras explained. "For the others, the gingerbread will serve as a consolation prize, so they'll still have something good from meeting me, Andras Wolfwood."
"The Young Wolf!" Anita added playfully.
Andras and Anita arrived at the stables, where Xaba and Jula were already waiting. They set out from the castle toward the orphanage on three horses. Xaba and Jula each rode alone, while Andras and Anita shared the third horse, trotting slowly toward their destination. After an hour they reached the orphanage, where one of the caretakers was already waiting at the gate.
They dismounted, tied up the horses, and Xaba and Jula took up guard positions at the gate. Andras and Anita, accompanied by the caretaker, entered the orphanage.
In the largest hall all the girls were lined up side by side. Only those between eight and ten years old were present. The younger ones waited quietly in another building of the orphanage; they were forbidden to come out or make noise.
The chosen girls waited excitedly for the arrival of the young Lord Wolfwood. Each of them dreamed of being selected as his maidservant. They had been raised for this since early childhood.
When Andras entered the hall, the other caretaker, who stood opposite the girls, gave a signal. The girls began to sing: a popular song that praised the Wolfwood House and the Wolf Knights.
Andras stopped and listened to the song. The voices rose clear and disciplined, as if each word was meant to emphasize the house's power. When the song ended, Andras applauded them.
"Well done!" Andras said. "You sang the Wolf Knight song beautifully, I liked it very much. You deserve a reward. Anita! Tell the lads to bring in the gingerbread!"
"On my way!" Anita replied.
Xaba and Jula carried in two sacks full of gingerbread. After setting them down beside Andras, they returned to guard the gate, while Anita remained at his side.
Andras looked along the line of girls, and immediately his eyes caught the White Witch. She stood at the end of the row, but her snow‑white hair made her shine among the others.
"Well then," Andras spoke. "Here's how we'll do it: you'll come to me one by one. Whoever stands before me will say her name. I'll look at her, and then she'll receive a gingerbread as a reward. Now, let's begin. You, come first!"
The girls stepped forward one by one before the young Lord.
Thanks to my magical eye, it's enough to look once at the girl before me to learn the essential information about her. If any of them has a magical element, I'll choose her. Because from them a mage can be made—and I'd be a fool to throw away talent. I only like throwing Imperial spies out the window.
"You're the first. What's your name?" Andras asked.
"Anna," the little girl replied.
Anna, eight years old, human, female, orphan, magical element: none. No magical element.
"Alright, Anna, here's a gingerbread."
"Thank you very much!"
"You may go, Anna. Next girl! What's your name?"
"I'm Kamilla," the second replied.
Kamilla, nine years old, no element.
"Here's your gingerbread, Kamilla, you may go. Next one!"
Thus he proceeded down the line until he had examined thirty‑one girls. None of them possessed a magical element. Only one last girl remained. The thirty‑second. The white‑haired, sharp‑eared half‑elf girl.