A new KxZ fic… roughly picking up where "Into the Open Air" left off… with Owlkin's agreement of course. I do this for convenience… am heartily sick of the problems posed to KxZ post-BV. If you don't know what I mean, go and read Blackveil again =)

A Change of Scenery

Chapter 1

"I need what?!" Karigan exclaimed. Mender Gladys sighed in exasperation. Green Riders. Her day would be so much easier without them. And this one happened to be the new Queen as well; the King would be ropable if she received anything less than the best of care. The problem was getting her to agree.

"You need a holiday. A rest. An excursion. Whatever you want to call it." The new head mender smoothed down the quilt where it had rumpled under Karigan's arms. She had been recovering very nicely here in the royal suite, but Karigan needed to get away from the castle for a bit now, and away from the strain of the constant politics and intrigues, the paperwork she had managed to do despite a broken wrist, and the steady stream of excitable Green Riders who insisted on visiting regularly.

Karigan continued to look stubbornly at the mender. She refused to be treated like an invalid; she had to feel useful and do her duties. Somehow she knew that any weakness could be exploited by the nobles who still only reluctantly accepted her as their Queen, despite her being part of the Blackveil expedition, from which she was still recovering.

Karigan's response was cut short by the entrance of the King. Zachary came over to her bedside, looking lovingly at his wife who, only a week ago, he had nearly given up on ever coming back to him. Mender Gladys took the opportunity to slip quietly out the door.

Zachary sat on the edge of Karigan's bed, reaching over to brush her hair gently from her face. He leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as he savoured this time with his beloved. He leaned back to take in her lovely face, but instead of the affectionate smile she usually greeted him with, her lips were pursed in an obstinate (but adorable) pout.

He sighed, but couldn't stop himself from smiling at her expression. She frowned at him and turned her head away. Gently he said "Karigan. Mender Gladys spoke to me, and I think she is right, love. You are recovering well but you hardly get a moment's rest here."

She remained with her back half to him. "Don't tell me you agree with them! I refuse to be treated like a—a child!" she exclaimed, finally whipping around to glare at him. "She wants me to go away somewhere to recover, while there is so much to do here! While you are working so hard, and the other Riders are putting themselves in danger still—".

While the threat of Mornhavon thankfully was gone, there had been minor skirmishes at the borders of some of the provinces, as a couple of the power-hungry Lord Governors had taken advantage of the King's distraction during the battle to attempt to steal some land or provisions off their neighbours. In D'Yer province there was still the occasional deadly mutant beast that came venturing out from behind the wall. A few Green Riders had been injured but thankfully no one had died. The King and his council had been working hard to settle the situation, and ensure that there could be peace and stability across Sacoridia.

The King smiled at Karigan, refusing to be drawn into an argument, although her eyes flashed angrily at him. "Mender Gladys has suggested we could take a trip away for a short time and—"

She cut him off. "You know what the council would—wait, what? We?" He chuckled and took her hand in both of his.

"Yes, we. I have been under a lot of strain, and now that the battle is over, and I don't need to tear my hair out worrying about where you are any more", here she gave him a concerned frown, "I think it is an excellent excuse to take some time for ourselves. I know a lovely quaint little seaside town in Arey province, where my family owns a tiny island off the shore, we could go there together and enjoy some time together as newlyweds. Just you and me." He raised his eyebrows suggestively and grinned as her cheeks flushed. Her mouth was slightly open in surprise and he took the opportunity to kiss her soundly on the lips.

Fastion glanced at the person riding next to him and allowed a small smile to lighten his vigilant expression. The woman had dark curly hair, arranged neatly so that most of it was twisted towards the back of her head, with a few lovely ringlets around her face and at the nape of her next. Her simple yet elegant attire and large bonnet indicated she was reasonably well-off, probably from one of the large farming estates in the fertile valley below Sacor City. No one would ever guess it was Karigan.

On her other side rode Zachary, dressed in a plain brown tunic, with a lighter brown leather jerkin and mud-stained trousers. With a straw hat perched precariously on his head, he looked for all the world like a travelling cobbler or some other such tradesman, just one of dozens that passed through a city every day. To Fastion's amazement, Brienne had somehow drawn a very realistic looking scar on the King's cheek, with the aid of some rouge and a little charcoal.

Behind them rode another three weapons, all of whom were dressed as servants. Fastion noted with amusement that they were not entirely happy with their new 'status'. He urged his ugly mount forward slightly to speak softly to the Queen.

"The small town ahead is Cuttler's Crossing, the one I told you about. We split here—Tala and I will accompany you through the centre of town; Zachary, Rory and Donal will detour and meet us at the wharf."

Karigan nodded slightly and reached out her hand to Zachary; he took her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I wish we didn't have to do this," she mumbled, looking at him. He laughed gently, but without scorn. "There is no danger love, merely a precaution. We are the most known couple in all of Sacoridia, and you are almost more famous than I. As you know we will just travel apart through the town and be together again in a mere half hour." She frowned but nodded. There was no such thing, in her experience, as an expedition without danger.

"Path on the right," said Rory from behind them. The King gave his lovely wife one last smile and moved away down the narrow track, his two 'servant' companions in pursuit.

The clip clop of hooves echoed off the cobblestones as they walked the horses smartly down the street. Quaint little cottages clustered on either side, with whitewashed walls and neat gardens. There were not many people out at this early hour. A pair of washerwomen in faded blue aprons nodded to them as they passed the other way. Occasionally a goat or cow in a side yard raised its head to watch them go by. A scruffy black dog ran out from the open door of the inn and ran around them, barking joyfully, before being called back inside.

Karigan began to relax, feeling the morning sun warm her face and send tingles through her numb feet. The crisp air smelled like wild flowers and freshly baked bread. To her right, Fastion made some joking comment to Tala, who laughed. Maybe this is it, she thought; this is what tranquillity feels like. To not have any battles to fight or malevolent force to conquer. They could reign happily and justly over a peaceful nation.

Another group of women walked past them, gossiping quietly amongst themselves. Suddenly one of them, a tall angular woman with dark hair, stopped and stared at the trio on horseback. "Fastion?" she exclaimed loudly. "What in the name of Aeryc are ye doin' here!"

A mysterious woman who knows Fastion! Who do you think she is? Are they riding into trouble or will everything be alright? Review, brave readers, and tell me what you think!