Chapter 1- Letters

Dear Karigan, the letter had read. I seek your forgiveness for treating you so harshly. Karigan went over the message hundreds of times in her head. The long journey from Sacor City to her home town of Corsa gave her a lot of time to mull over things, and the heavy rhythmic strides of Condor beneath her did not help for once.

I know it feels like everything around you, and I, for that matter, has only caused complications in our lives that nobody wishes to face.Karigan G'ladheon almost regretted how much she had memorized that letter. She almost regretting even considering opening it, but she as soon as she saw the name Lord Alton D'Yer familiarly scrawled across the parchment she practically ripped open the letter.

But you, Karigan, you take all these monstrosities of dark magic and Mornhavon and you fight them head on without thinking once of how it might affect you. It is because you are brave, and courageous, while I let everything get to me. I feel like I have been going crazy, part of it is that damned wall and the other half is having to face everyday the fact that I have pushed you away. I have been cruel and unjust to everything that you are and stand for. I wouldn't be surprised if you ignored me after this, and I know that I would I deserve it. My friend, you only tried to help but I cast you aside as if you were nothing.

Karigan, you are far from nothing. You are beautiful and smart. Loving and strong. And for those reasons and uncountable more I have fallen hard.

I have loved you, and I feel I will continue to love you long after my breath leaves my body...

From there on, what Karigan had read had become but a blur. Even now the hypnotic pat of her sword on her hip, which matched that of Condors steady trot, and the familiarity of the Kingsway casted her deeper into her thoughts. The chestnut horse turned purposefully down a side road, that was just as well used as the Kingsway, without the need of it's rider's urging.

A while down the road once Condor had taken up a perky canter, Karigan forced herself out of her thoughts of self pity. Realizing that the repetitive stream of why me's and oh gods' were not going to get her any closer to figuring out this mess, she expelled them from her mind. And in good time, too, for the tall masts of the mighty ships dormant in Corsa just as might port came into view.

"Here we go, Condor." Karigan pat the horse's firm neck. "Let's check this one off my list and fast."

Chapter 2- Family Values

"Kari!" Her father, Stevic G'ladheon practically leaped down from a half stalked wagon. Sevano, the cargo master, fallowed a little more calmly, but still couldn't hold back a wide, welcoming grin on his sun-tanned face. Karigan barely managed to scramble off of Condor's back fast enough. Stevic's thick arms picked her up in a hug that had a striking resemblance to that of one of her fellow Riders and friends, Garth.

"Dad... I can't breath." Karigan managed through the unintentional death grip. "Oh! Sorry!" Her father placed her down gently.

Sevano gave her a firm thud on the back. "So i heard our little Kari here has been deemed worthy to become a Swordsmaster! No need for thank you's." he joked trying to take full responsibility for her success, even though Karigan doubted that she would have been anywhere near the fighter she was today if it wasn't for him.

"Why don't you go inside and say hello to your aunts and clean up. Sevano and I are gonna finish up here."

Great, Karigan thought. my aunts. Anything to get Alton and Zachary off her mind.

Inside Karigan's three aunts sat patiently doing their nettle work. Their welcome was a little less... well, welcoming.

"Hello, Karigan. Welcome back. How was your trip?" Aunt Greta stood up gracefully setting down her dainty nettles.

"It was fine. How were you?" Karigan asked awkwardly, shifting the wieght of her saddlebag on her shoulder.

"I am great, dear." She replied but, eyeing Karigan's road worn clothes, Aunt Greta wouldn't hear another word until her niece was in something half-way decent.

Unfortunately, "half-way decent", to Karigan's aunts, meant some form of a dress. As Karigan entered her old room she had to think twice about throwing her dust covered saddlebags onto her bed of fine silks and downy comforters. So she just tossed it onto a chair next to her dogwood wardrobe. Pulling open the wardrobe doors, all she found were her summer dresses. But after a while she manage to find a bit more modest fall dress... A green fall dress.

"Really?" She asked who ever was listening as she looked at her self in the full body mirror. "So much green in my life. I should probably gets some help with my choice in clothing."

She shrugged and splashed some water on her face and went down the stairs to "formally" greet her family.

Downstairs, Greta was still her proud self, Aunt Tori was still quietly scrutinizing everyone she sees, and Brini was still the worrisome woman Karigan had grown up with. For once, Karigan actually welcomed all their down to earth thinking and proud ways.

Dinner was silent and awkward. There were plenty of stolen judging glances from all three of Karigan's aunts. Nothing unusual here, especially since Karigan has "voluntarily" given up the family trade. The only one who seemed to be in the chatty mood was her father. Karigan practically thanked the gods every time he brought up something that could be turned into a full out conversation. But of course Aunt Greta or Aunt Tori would pipe in and say something that would indefinitely forgo the conversation, leaving even more awkward silence in its wake.

"I hear King Zachary has finally gotten engaged! How exciting! What is the latest news about the royal couple, Karigan?" asked Aunt Brini, who had been wearing a facade of nonchalantness throughout the evening.

Karigan, who had been taking a sip of wine, almost spewed her drink all over herself at the question. She knew that the word "news" amongst most women meant gossip. "Um, I have been fairly busy in the messenger business, so I haven't heard the latest talk. Sorry, Aunt Brini."

That just killed all chances of getting the king off of Karigan's mind. The rest of the night was a daze and before she knew it she found her self sitting down at the edge of her bed looking out the window onto the dancing waters of the port. Yellow lights of lanterns and light posts in the night flickered on the tiny crests.

Rubbing her palms together, Karigan did all she could to keep her mind away from Sacor City, the castle, and the powerful, yet caring, man who ruled so righteously. Away from the almond eyes that could keep her captive for hours at a time. Away from the face that one second would be full of emotion and overflowing with sentiments then the next be a cold, hard mask of strict rule. Away from the strong arms that could wrap around her and hold her in a castle all her own. From the hands that could cores her so lovingly...

Karigan managed to snap herself out of the trance just in time to see the shadow of a man creep out of sight down by the records house. Thankful for the distraction she stood up to try to catch a more clear look at the man. She watched as the shadow, dressed in black, peered around the corner and stealthily rolled behind a few barrels. something caught Karigan's attention. The way the man moved and his all black attire cause a memory to stir.

"No..." she uttered in disbelief reaching for her sword.