This is a feeler chapter for a new series. I would like to try to un-fudge some plotlines from MS. GR ff is a smallish world so if there is genuine interest, I'll continue with this.
She was gone.
It had not even been a month since she had returned to duty. But in that time, she had been confined to light work in the Rider barracks, tending the books. The winter weather had limited travel as it was. You would have to almost be out of your mind to travel in the blinding snow. But if anyone were capable to attempting it, it would have been Karigan.
Laren had thought it would be a mercy to keep her in the depths of the castle. She was no fool. The Rider captain had missed nothing in the few interactions between her Rider and her king.
She had not counted on that Rider disappearing in the night. It had been a stable hand who, upon beginning his morning rounds, found Condor's empty stall and missing tack. Her few possessions had been left behind in her quarters, the only evidence that she had been there was the ink splattered desk, covered in blotched scraps of paper.
Her new Riders had watched her cautiously when she reemerged from the other corridor. The veterans who had known Karigan did not meet her eyes as they stared at the floor. So she had received help. Karigan's now almost transparent emotions left no doubt in some minds what had plagued her for so many years, in addition to the added stress of her journey.
Perhaps it was for the best that Karigan left for the time being, Laren mused as she closed the door to her office. Her brooch had not forsaken her, thus maybe she would be compelled to come back. Or maybe not.
With an audible groan, Laren sank her head into her propped up hands. She did not relish reporting this discovery to her moonling.