Thanks for the two reviewers thus far, I already got back to you privately. Enjoy the next installment.
Karigan received another push by Fastion, who gave her a rare smile, 'Just indulge Lady Estora, sister. She has nothing but good intentions.'
She frowned as she trudged forward, 'I used to indulge my aunts, they also supposedly had good intentions,' she threw over her shoulder. 'Have you found me a suitor as well? Perhaps a noble who desires the wealth of Clan G'ladheon?'
Estora clucked and shook her head, 'Nothing of the sort, just an evening of enjoyment. For both you and Laren to be paid court by handsome men, who will be wondering where two beauties such as yourself have been hiding.'
Laren snorted as she twirled a lock of flaming hair, following Karigan into the warm dressing room where a large copper tub stood, filled with fragrant hot water. The adjoining door to the bedroom shut firmly behind her, not before she saw Estora whisper something discreetly to Fastion who nodded and grinned before he took his leave.
One of the maids, a young plump girl of around eighteen named Tara, came forward and expertly unbuckled her belt. Karigan started and moved to bring her hands up, but the other petite maid called Laylin, came behind her to pull out the ends of her linen shirt from her trousers. Grasping the hem, she pulled the shirt up and over Karigan's head. Next she was directed to a nearby stool, where both girls worked off her muddy boots and socks.
Standing barefoot in only her trousers and camisole, Karigan regarded them warily, 'I can manage the rest,' she said firmly.
They blinked at her owlishly and waited expectantly. Laren chuckled from her cushioned armchair in the corner, 'Just get it over with, Karigan. They'll come after you if you do not move with a purpose.'
Karigan shot her a dark look, 'Do you have to be in here with me?'
'Just to ensure your cooperation. Now strip and get into the tub!'
Gulping, she shimmied out of her trousers and undergarments and kicked them to the side, crossing her arms over her chest. They quietly spirited the soiled uniform away and guided her to the tub. Slowly, she tentatively placed one toe in the hot water.
'Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad,' she mused as she submerged the entire limb.
The maids each took one of her arms and forcefully plopped her into the steaming water. The plump maid took ahold of Karigan's hair and quickly unweaved the braid, letting the long strands trail into the water. She selected a bottle from a nearby stand and allowed some of the liquid to pool in her hands before she worked up a foamy lather.
The little maid picked up a sponge and systematically began to wash each of Karigan's limbs. Whose face betrayed a deep blush at such physical contact. 'I think I can wash myself,' she protested.
Laren inspected her nails, 'They'll go faster.'
Karigan released a yelp when the sponge went under the waterline and over her torso. Moving to grab the offending hand, she plucked the sponge away and glared at the maid, 'I will get those bits. You can work on the back.'
The maid showed her first indication of displeasure with a flaring of her nostrils but she obeyed and picked up another sponge to scrub vigorously at Karigan's back.
Meanwhile the plump maid had been working on the heavy mass that was Karigan's hair. It was now clean and smelled sweetly of lavender as it hung damply over her shoulder.
Picking up a pitcher of water that had been sitting near the hearth, the petite maid slowly poured its contents over Karigan's skin, washing away the soap suds. Karigan stood up and stepped into the offered voluminous towel, chafing the folds over her damp skin.
After accepting a blue silk robe and settling into a chair next to Laren to allow her hair to dry, she glanced over at her captain. Laren too had been forcibly bathed; her own copper locks were now dry and curling slightly at the ends. Her skin was pink from the heat of the room and still showed the firmness of youth. Still a veritable beauty under the layers of steel.
Laren did not look up from her study of the dancing flames in the grate, 'Are you bewitched by my beauty Karigan? Or do you have something to say?'
'Why are we doing this?'
Laren was silent for several long moments, debating her response. Finally she spoke, albeit hesitantly, 'I have made several mistakes in the recent past that have been brought to light. I seek to rectify them.'
'And I am part of that?'
'You are. In more ways than one,' she replied, 'I interfered in your life and that of someone very dear to me. It was not my place. I know that now.'
'You'll solve this by forcing me to attend a ball?'
'It wasn't me per se,' Laren admitted.
Karigan's confusion increased, 'Then it was the king?'
'He certainly supported the idea but no, it was not him. It came from a source wholly unexpected,' Laren said uneasily.
'Then who?'
Laren sighed audibly, 'Let us just say for the time being, that you have someone in high places that holds your happiness and welfare in the highest consideration. I have been instructed to say no more than that.'
Karigan's brow furrowed, 'And Estora? Fastion? What part do they play?'
'They were present when your benefactor exposed me and championed your cause. '
Karigan sunk deeper into her plush chair, feeling a wave of disquiet, 'I wasn't aware that I had one.'
Laren regarded with a bit of motherly sympathy, 'Dear girl, everyone knows. It is one of the worst kept secrets in the castle.'
Karigan's azure eyes grew round, 'Knows what?'
Laren scoffed, 'That you love Zachary. That Zachary loves you. That you can cut the tension in the room with a saber when you occupy the same general space.'
Karigan shook her head wildly, 'Absurd. I'm just a rider. One of many.'
'My original position, yes. But I have been shown the error of my ways. You are in fact a beautiful rider with traits similar to those of our first Queen,' Laren answered thoughtfully.
'Bu-bu-ut, I am a commoner, a merchant's daughter!'
Laren waved her hand, 'Irrelevant in these new circumstances. You are from a respected and wealthy clan.'
'But the nobles . . .' Karigan protested weakly, her breathing coming in shallow gasps.
'Were put in their places, as were we all,' Laren said kindly, leaning forward to grasp Karigan's shaking hands. 'That truly was the first time I've seen Zachary leap from his chair with such a smile on face. His heart's desire was granted.'
'I'm not what the country needs,' Karigan whispered tearfully, 'Estora is everything a Queen should be.'
Laren squeezed her hands and asked quietly, 'Do you love my moonling?'
Karigan laughed, wiping a lone tear from her cheek, 'Oh gods. More than anything. But together we'd cause more problems than we'd solve!'
Estora chose that moment to make her entrance, slipping into the room and coming to kneel by Karigan's chair. 'Karigan, I might be everything that is expected of a Lady but I am not suited for what is coming. While we respect each other, Zachary and I share no love. We need a warrior queen to face the threat from Blackveil, as well as someone to love and support our King while fighting by his side. Can you not be brave enough to take this chance? For him? For us all?'
Karigan breathed deeply for a moment before looking up from her lap, 'This is too surreal. Things like this do not happen to me.'
Laren coughed and arched her brow, 'Do you really want to have that conversation?'
'I meant good things,' Karigan retorted.
Laughing, Estora pulled Karigan up from the chair and sat her on the stool by the fire, taking up the position she had vacated. Pulling a brush from her robe pocket, she turned Karigan to face Laren as she scooted closer. Running the brush thru the slightly damp strands, she remarked, 'You really are attractive, Karigan. A fact that Zachary has always been acutely aware of. We just have to make you see it.'
'My mother was the beauty. Not me,' Karigan muttered.
Laren considered that for a moment then shook her head, 'Not according to half of the Rider corp and some notable members of the Light Horse. I've even seen you turn the heads of some of the Shields . . .'
'I probably had something on my face,' Karigan snorted.
Estora handed her a small oval mirror, 'Take a look then. Zachary has never looked at me like he does at you.'
Karigan scowled but observed the face in the mirror. True enough, she had eyes, a nose, and a mouth. There was nothing overly remarkable about it.
'I see a fully formed face, a few scars and regular features,' she commented dutifully.
'Look harder,' Laren replied primly.
Karigan rolled her eyes but looked again, noting that those bright blue eyes that were framed by long dark lashes. Her nose was thankfully not bent or irregular, but turned up a bit at the tip. She was pleased to note that she had a full mouth with a plump upper lip, not at all unfeminine. It was a pretty face, she conceded but she had never been given to flights of vanity thus she regarded her reflection with an expression of awe.
Estora smiled and gently took the mirror away, 'That is the face of a Queen.'
'Hardly a proper one though,' Karigan argued still, 'I do not have the temperament of a lady.'
'My moonling appears to like 'em sassy, the preferences of others matter not.'
Karigan sighed but the corners of her mouth threatened to turn up, 'You have a lot of work in front of you.'
Estora nodded solemnly, 'There is much work to be done on both of you. But that is why we have Tara and Laylin!'
The maids in question opened to the door from the bed chamber and bobbed a curtsey to Estora, 'The Black Shield is at the door, milady.'
'Thank you, show him in.' Estora rose from her chair, indicating for Laren and Karigan to follow. 'Kari, you may want to put a shift on underneath your robe,' she said with a chuckle, 'The chamber is about to get a bit more crowded.'
Hastily, Karigan donned the off shoulder white garment and tied her robe securely. Pushing her heavy length of hair over her shoulder, she followed the other two women back into the bed chamber. She turned her eyes to the other occupants of the room and her eyes widened as she became painfully aware of her clothing, or lack thereoff.
Who or what came in with Fastion? Not the obvious answer. That would be too easy.
