Repairing the D'yer Wall
By: LdyDarkStr
Pairing: Karigan/Alton
Rating: T
Author's Note: This fic is dedicated to RiderTwlighOban. Without her it wouldn't have happened! Please read and review!!
Karigan cursed, turning away from the castle gardens as soon as she saw the Weapons in the shadows.
She had letters to read from home, but she knew that seeing Fastion and Garan in attendance that the King and soon-to-be Queen were taking their weekly walk together. She could hear, as she crunched down the gravel pathway
back to the castle, the deep undertones of Zachary's voice answered by the hushed velvet of Estora's.
Karigan pushed away the ache. That is all she seemed able to feel lately, aching. She ached for home, for the
adventure of a dangerous message run, for someone to talk to. She had friends within the Riders, but none like…Karigan sobered further. No one like Alton.
It had been a year since he turned from her at the D'yer Wall. He had
not returned to Sacor city. The King had charged him with monitoring
it until further notice. She tried writing letters, but they were
only returned, unopened. She felt so alone in the midst of all the
bustle of life. Striding into her second hideway, the stables, she
crawled up into the hayloft. So absorbed her thoughts Karigan failed to
notice a familiar black gelding munching on some oats in the stall beside the
ladder.
"Karigan!"
Karigan snapped up from her light dose, hitting her head on one of the
beams of the hayloft. She cursed several times.
"Are you finished Rider G'ladheon?" Mapstone asked from below, once
the litany stopped.
"Yes," Karigan grumbled, sliding down the ladder.
The Captain held out a package. "This needs to be delivered
immediately to Rivertown. It is the King's schedule of their upcoming audiences."
Kari glanced beyond Mapstone's shoulder, seeing Condor saddled and
provisioned. "I'm guessing now, right?"
Mapstone nodded, glancing behind her. "Please bring back the
Councilmen's reply quickly. The Secretary's in the King's office are
most," Laren grimaced, "insistent."
"Yes ma'am," Karigan felt relieved, finally something to do rather
than dwell on her thoughts.
Laren watched her ride away, and then glanced at the animal behind her.
"I'm guessing she didn't notice you, otherwise I would've never gotten
her out of here."
Night Hawk just nickered in reply.
She smiled slightly, before turning back into the castle and her
office. Opening the door, she nodded to the occupant.
"She's gone," she confirmed.
Alton exhaled, pushing his sandy hair back. He had let it grow while at
the wall, though it kept falling into his eyes. "I appreciate it Captain," he murmured quietly.
Mapstone nodded, sitting at her desk. The past year's experiences had
changed the Rider, he seemed more reserved, less jovial. She didn't know
if it was an improvement.
"I know you need time to adjust Alton, but you are going to have to
talk to her eventually. She will find out that you are here."
He just nodded, rising to his feet. "When is my audience with the King?"
"Two days. You'll be able to report to him then."
"Hm. After that?" Alton asked.
Laren tilted her head. "Then you'll be given your assignment. I'm
assuming you'll want to return to the wall?"
Alton strode to the door, opening it slightly; he turned back to
Captain Mapstone. "Depends."
Curiousity piqued, she asked, "on?"
"Karigan," Alton said, leaving her office and closing the door.
Captain Mapstone sat back in her chair. "Oh boy," she muttered.