The journey home
chapter 1⁃ Becoming the king
His last sight of camp was of Karigan. Chin held high, hands hanging by her side. He could see the glimmers of pain behind her eye from standing at attention for so long. But she had stayed, for him.
They were only a few days into the journey back to Sacor City. His body, still recovering from all of the the trials he had endured, was struggling to keep up with the steady pace Connly had set. At the forefront in his mind was the poisonous bite from that dark one. His shoulder ached and he still felt light headed. Not that he had shared these details with his menders. Destarion and Varius just would have wanted him to delay his return and he needs to get back. At any rate Donal and Connly had agreed that he should ride in the rear of the party to shield him from further harm. Under normal circumstances he would have balked at the thought but he stayed quiet knowing any argument would just reveal the true depth of his current situation.
"We are stopping Sire", Donal's voice broke the silence bringing him back to the forest in front of him. The sun was still high in the sky, too early to be stopping to set up camp, Zachary thought.
Reading the concern on his kings face Donal replied, "Just stopping to water the horses. We should be picking up the trail shortly." Donal paused slightly and said in a low voice, "At this pace we should reach Sacor City in 8 days."
"Very good, it will be nice to be home." Zachary replied softly.
Eight days.
They felt like a stone sinking in his chest.
Eight days
Estora would be waiting for him, pregnant. What could he say to her. Shame and anger warred inside of him. His thoughts kept returning to Karigan. Which only deepened his disgust in himself. He was married man kissing another woman. His wife had been abandon, in danger and pregnant and he was lusting after someone else. He was deplorable.
His thought ran rampant listing his innumerable flaws.
And yet as the made camp for the night only 8 day outside of Sacor city his final thoughts as he closed his eye were of the feel of Karigan's lips on his.
Donal rode by his side diligent as ever. His eyes taking in the shadowy surroundings. "Anything stirring in the wood?" Zachary nodded to Donal. His sharp eyes were narrowed in concentration.
Donal whistled signaling for the guards to halt. Zachary reined in his horse. The forest was quiet, a soft breeze ruffled their hair. In the distance he could hear the babbling of a creek. Thud an arrow sank into the shoulder the man beside him. They would under attack!
The soldiers moved with lighting reflexes to protect their king. Zachary found himself surrounded by armed men arrows notched. Their eyes scanned the forest suspicious of every shadow.
"Quick we must get the king to safety" Donal commanded. His own sword was freed from his saddle and held at the ready.
"This way!" Connly shouted as he charged forward.
They kicked their horses into a gallop heading in the direction Connly had gone. There horses crashing in the undergrowth.
As if the sound unfroze them the Groundmites sprung from behind trees snarling and preventing their escape.. Zachary didn't wait he pressed his stead forward answering their savage cry with his own. His sword singing as he swung it threw the air. His guards scrambled to stay by his sides as he waded into the fight cutting down one after another. He could see Donal next to him fending off those who thought to sneak up behind him.
If only life at the castle was this simple Zachary mused as he dispatched another Goundmite. Envisioning his problems as beast he could slay, a chuckle escaped his lips.
Finding a break in their attack Zachary and his guards rushed forward. Connly's sword was still in his hand his reins collected in his other, brandish his sword he motioned for them to follow him. They could hear the groundmites as rushed to following them. An arrow whizzed passed them and then another. Zachary urged his horse to go faster. But they were all reaching there limits.
"It's not much farther" Connly called back
Zachary felt the ripple as they crossed the border that marked the way station.
"This is meant to hold one rider over night" Connly explained " but it has a paddock and shelter for the horses, access to fresh water and the area surrounded the cabin is warded to prevent attacks."
"This will do," Donal nodded surveying the land. "Set up your tents over there, the king will stay in cabin. We will rest and patch up our wounded. If all goes as planned we will be back on the road by daybreak."
