A two part one-shot. Just to get me back into writing (I had guests for 8 days so I am a little off schedule!)
KB owns all; just playing in her GR universe.
Ultimately, Karigan G'ladheon had fulfilled the purpose the gods had intended her for. It was not without sacrifice or pain that the avatar of Westrion had finally eliminated the threat of Mornhavon and his Second Empire.
The daughter of the prosperous Corsa merchant Stevic G'ladheon was released from the Rider's call with little ceremony, having been in yet another slow recovery from battle. The worn and drawn features of the Rider no longer held the youthful innocence that they had upon her arrival to Sacor City. There was still an unmistakable pride that shone in her eyes, even as she quietly turned in her uniforms to the Corps quartermaster, and bid farewell to her fellow Riders. She had outlived most of her peers, sadly with the final series of battles needed to put down Mornhavon, but her Captain was still there. She reserved a nod of acknowledgement to Laren Mapstone, but did not speak as she mounted Condor and rode out of Sacor City for the last time. Her port city called her home to finally take part in her father's business, and start a new chapter in her life.
A pair of amber eyes watched her from a tower above, his thoughts swirling in misery but still resigned to the situation. In his arms, he held his eldest child, a princess that was a set of two little girls born of his Queen Estora.
Bending his lips to the crown of her head, he squeezed his eyes tightly to stave off the arrival of tears. The princess wiggled indignantly, waving a small hand and catching the side of his face with a little closed fist. Zachary chuckled and caught the fist in his hand, looking down at the features of a blue eyed charmer.
There were several individuals who had watched both King and Rider that day, noting the strained countenances, but the knowledge of what could have been was only privy to a few, and they would carry such intimate secrets with them to the grave.
Karigan rode silently out of the city, never once looking back to search for the face that she knew watched her departure. Things were done, and there was no going back to the days before. It was just as well, she mused, for who really would have believed it could have somehow worked. Such things were for the fairytales . . .