Chapter 2: Dinner

When the day's last business was concluded, Laren followed Zachary to his private apartments for dinner. When they were seated and the food placed, Laren gave the king a playful kick in the shin. "'Perhaps growing turnips might be more feasible', did you see her face? She thought you had gone loopy, I could tell."

Zachary grinned back. "I know when I say things like that that my day should be over." He bent over and took a sip of his soup. "Tell me news; any news. A king must keep abreast of the happening." He waved his hand imperiously.

"Lets see, there are rumors that Lady Estora Coutre is going away to visit her great aunt is Selia."

"Hmm, her father is either highly concerned for her safety at a time like this—not likely, she is being punished…or…it's her idea."

"I'll put my bets on Estora. It's funny you hadn't heard though; after all, you are engaged to the woman."

The king sighed. "I know. It just seems as though she gave everything she had to give of herself to someone else."

Mapstone gave him a troubled look. "I'm not sure if I should say anything, but if you are going to marry her, I think you should know. But I would ask you to keep it to yourself. She had an ongoing relationship with one of my Riders, but because of her blood, it had to stay secret for both their safeties."

Zachary looked horrified. "Then, she's still…"

"No, that's the bad part. The rider was F'ryan Coblebay, who died from black arrows. We kept it close, but it was his love letter to her that carried the code that allowed us to save your life. F'ryan was the one that "recruited" our Karigan, so to say."

"That is news indeed. I shall have to tread carefully."

"But speaking of Karigan," Mapstone's voice took on a lighter tone, "the funniest thing happened today. Ever since she sprained her ankle-"

"Wait, Karigan sprained her ankle? Is she all right?"

Laren gave him an amused look. "Nothing broken, but a sprain all the same. Anyway, she's been moping around trying to do paperwork, which is making her…well; you know how she can get. So her father comes to me today to ask if he can borrow her for a week. I figure it will keep her occupied.

"Occupied with what?"

"Oh, the Clan is pressuring her to get married, and they want her to do the circuit. You should have seen her eyes—'duty' she says, and the Clan Chief looked awfully guilty. I'll put my bet on one of the family matriarchs…what's wrong?"

Zachary's face was rather pale for the heat in the room. "But but—she renounced her status…"

"As she pointed out, only as long as she's a rider. When the brooch releases a rider, they return to their normal lives. Karigan may no longer be Sub Chief, but she carries full heir status and will probably resume Sub Chief duties when she leaves. That part of her life has been put on hold for now, that's all."

"But she's a Green Rider; surely she has duties that would prevent her from such a life of leisure!"

"I doubt she'll enjoy herself. Duty and honor are important for Green Riders, and more so for Karigan especially considering her background."

King Zachary seemed to have forgotten about food. "What about her duty to me? To her king?"

"Rider matters are mine to deal with; this is nothing that should go up to your level. Look at me!" She put her hand on his, "I don't know exactly what's going on with her for you, but you need to haul whatever it is back in. What's it all about?" She could see a tick moving in his cheek and he wouldn't meet her eyes.

"I don't want to lose a Rider. We have so few left. Rider G'ladheon is one of our best."

"She is invaluable to me as well, which is why…what happened with Alton D'Yer really devastated her. I think that's why she's been driving herself so hard. I doubt she would have gone over that cliff if she hadn't been so depressed with his rejection of her. Now that she's out of commission, it's harder than ever to drive him out of her mind. Even if she's not crazy about it, I think that this particular activity will distract her from thoughts of him."

"Is something wrong, Karigan? You seem diverted."

Karigan snapped back to reality. She looked across the table at her dinner companion. Estora. Right. Not Aunt Brini. She smiled sheepishly. "Let's just say I have other things on my mind. I'm sure news has reached you about my occupation this week."

"I can't say that is has."

"That's a surprise. Apparently, I have too much muscle and I speak my mind too often. I also need to learn to control my limp—which is the reason I am doing this in the first place!" Karigan continued to explain the situation.

Estora tittered. Karigan gaped at her. "I didn't know you could titter! You're always so elegant, so much the lady. Not like me, I'm only doing this because…"

"Yes?"

"Well, there are other things that I don't want to think about." A pair of almond eyes sprang to mind for one.

"It's Alton isn't it. We've talked of this before; he'll come around."

Karigan clenched her hands together so tightly that all the blood disappeared from her skin. "I can't forget the way he looked at me. I think the breach in our friendship will never be mended, just like the wall. He was my first friend; he risked his life for me. At one point it might have been more…now I've lost him forever."

Estora got up and laid a hand on Karigan's shoulder. The other brushed away a tear that ran down her cheek. "I am truly sorry. I don't have words to tell you how sorry I am. In a way, I think you have it worse than I. At least I know F'ryan is gone, gone forever, and he did not die hating me. No matter who else comes into my life, I shall always have happy memories to cherish in my heart." She drew Karigan to her feet and to the next chamber, where she sat her on one of the chairs.

"Karigan, it is because of that that I wish to tell you something. You are my dearest friend, partly because you know my secret, but also because you are everything I want to be. I have to tell someone. Will you have the care of my secret?"

I am not the only one who is unhappy, or who has problems. Karigan looked up into Estora's eyes, and was ashamed to see tears. "Please, I ask only that you listen." Karigan nodded.

Another installment! Before I can get into the juicy stuff, I have to set the scene. Estora needed to go. She's awfully tragic, but she can't die, and a nun is a bit cliché, sooo… Please, REVIEW!

-ReadInk