Zachary
King Zachary watched Karigan go, taking his heart with her. How long had he loved her? It was hard to remember a time when he didn't love her. He recalled the moment when she caught his heart. She had ridden through so much danger to deliver a message to him, and then had the temerity to instruct him on how he should rule Sacordia. Her passion and fire caught him off guard, and drew him to her. Ah Gods! It was times like this when he really wished his brother had been named heir to the throne, because as lord of the Hillander clan he would be free to marry any woman he chose. But as the king of Sacordia, he was being forced to marry Lady Estora, a woman from one of the more powerful clans.
Lady Estora was a beautiful woman of class, with poise and compassion. She was a fine choice for Queen. Being married to her wouldn't be completely miserable, but he simply didn't love the woman. He wanted to just rebel against the expectations that were upon him to marry a woman from a noble clan, and run after Karigan right now and ask her to be his wife. Unfortunately, he had already signed a contract with Lady Estora's father to marry her. He was so torn. He wanted to do what was best for the kingdom, but he also wanted to be free to love Karigan and have her as his wife.
Zachary left the castle roof and headed to his private chamber. He drifted off into a fitful sleep where he battled with himself over what to do about his love for Karigan.
Lady Estora
Lady Estora knew that look on Karigan's face. She knew at that moment that Karigan was in love with King Zachary. She couldn't blame Karigan. King Zachary was a fine man, and a wonderful king. He had shown time and again that he was a fair and just king who always did his best to consider the needs of his people. Estora also knew that Zachary was terribly in love with Karigan. She was taught by her mother to be a keen observer of people, and it was obvious to her how his eyes lit up when he saw Karigan. She could see how it weighed on him when Karigan was hurt. What was she going to do?
She wasn't mad at Karigan for loving her future husband. If anything she could sympathize with both Karigan and Zachary for how they felt for one another. She had been in love with F'ryan Coblebay, the Green Rider that had died trying to get a message to the king. This was the same Green Rider who had asked Karigan to deliver his message. Karigan was responsible for delivering to Estora what was now her most precious possession, one last love letter from F'ryan. Her family would have been scandalized had anybody known about her love affair with F'ryan. But the Green Riders had kept her secret safe.
Lady Estora didn't love King Zachary. Her one true love was dead, and she wouldn't open herself up to lose another. Estora hoped by the Gods that her friendship with Karigan would survive this situation.
Karigan
Karigan was furious! How dare he suggest that there was still hope for them! Gods! Karigan kept it together for the unveiling of the new Riders great room, but now she was seething. Who did King Zachary think he was? Did he really think that she would be interested in being his mistress while he was married to Lady Estora? Karigan felt betrayed.
Karigan flung herself down on her bed. She had no right to feel betrayed, she knew that. Zachary was the king, and he had to do what was best for the people of Sacordia, which was to marry a noble woman and produce an heir. There was never any chance for her and Zachary. This hurt her pride and her heart. She didn't realize she was falling in love with him until Lady Estora announced she was to be the future Queen.
Lady Estora was a fine choice for Queen. Karigan had always thought so highly of her, and valued their friendship. What would happen to their long walks? Would they no longer be able to share secrets and lean on one another for comfort in this unstable world? Ever since the breach erupted in the D'yer wall, nothing was certain anymore. There was turmoil happening all over the kingdom of Sacordia, and friends were hard to come by.
Karigan couldn't bring herself to think about any of this anymore. She decided tomorrow that she would bury herself in her work as a Green Rider. Karigan drew the blankets up over her head and fell asleep.
King Zachary watched Karigan go, taking his heart with her. How long had he loved her? It was hard to remember a time when he didn't love her. He recalled the moment when she caught his heart. She had ridden through so much danger to deliver a message to him, and then had the temerity to instruct him on how he should rule Sacordia. Her passion and fire caught him off guard, and drew him to her. Ah Gods! It was times like this when he really wished his brother had been named heir to the throne, because as lord of the Hillander clan he would be free to marry any woman he chose. But as the king of Sacordia, he was being forced to marry Lady Estora, a woman from one of the more powerful clans.
Lady Estora was a beautiful woman of class, with poise and compassion. She was a fine choice for Queen. Being married to her wouldn't be completely miserable, but he simply didn't love the woman. He wanted to just rebel against the expectations that were upon him to marry a woman from a noble clan, and run after Karigan right now and ask her to be his wife. Unfortunately, he had already signed a contract with Lady Estora's father to marry her. He was so torn. He wanted to do what was best for the kingdom, but he also wanted to be free to love Karigan and have her as his wife.
Zachary left the castle roof and headed to his private chamber. He drifted off into a fitful sleep where he battled with himself over what to do about his love for Karigan.
Lady Estora
Lady Estora knew that look on Karigan's face. She knew at that moment that Karigan was in love with King Zachary. She couldn't blame Karigan. King Zachary was a fine man, and a wonderful king. He had shown time and again that he was a fair and just king who always did his best to consider the needs of his people. Estora also knew that Zachary was terribly in love with Karigan. She was taught by her mother to be a keen observer of people, and it was obvious to her how his eyes lit up when he saw Karigan. She could see how it weighed on him when Karigan was hurt. What was she going to do?
She wasn't mad at Karigan for loving her future husband. If anything she could sympathize with both Karigan and Zachary for how they felt for one another. She had been in love with F'ryan Coblebay, the Green Rider that had died trying to get a message to the king. This was the same Green Rider who had asked Karigan to deliver his message. Karigan was responsible for delivering to Estora what was now her most precious possession, one last love letter from F'ryan. Her family would have been scandalized had anybody known about her love affair with F'ryan. But the Green Riders had kept her secret safe.
Lady Estora didn't love King Zachary. Her one true love was dead, and she wouldn't open herself up to lose another. Estora hoped by the Gods that her friendship with Karigan would survive this situation.
Karigan
Karigan was furious! How dare he suggest that there was still hope for them! Gods! Karigan kept it together for the unveiling of the new Riders great room, but now she was seething. Who did King Zachary think he was? Did he really think that she would be interested in being his mistress while he was married to Lady Estora? Karigan felt betrayed.
Karigan flung herself down on her bed. She had no right to feel betrayed, she knew that. Zachary was the king, and he had to do what was best for the people of Sacordia, which was to marry a noble woman and produce an heir. There was never any chance for her and Zachary. This hurt her pride and her heart. She didn't realize she was falling in love with him until Lady Estora announced she was to be the future Queen.
Lady Estora was a fine choice for Queen. Karigan had always thought so highly of her, and valued their friendship. What would happen to their long walks? Would they no longer be able to share secrets and lean on one another for comfort in this unstable world? Ever since the breach erupted in the D'yer wall, nothing was certain anymore. There was turmoil happening all over the kingdom of Sacordia, and friends were hard to come by.
Karigan couldn't bring herself to think about any of this anymore. She decided tomorrow that she would bury herself in her work as a Green Rider. Karigan drew the blankets up over her head and fell asleep.