Ch 4
Author's Note: I couldn't rememberwhat Alton's colors were, and I didn't see any mention of them in the books. So,I chose green for the sake of the story. I would also like to note, that with this chapter these characters officially came alive for me. I was having a tough time with this fic, and suddenly it all snapped. Hopefully you enjoy it! I know I am!
"Hi," Karigan swallowed.
Alton smiled, she looked beautiful. Of course, she always looked beautiful in green. In some way, it made him proud to see his colors on her. Even if it was unconscious.
"I saw you dart out here. You still hate these things, don't you?" he asked.
Karigan relaxed slightly, leaning against the balcony. "Yes. In Corsa, we would have feasts. I enjoyed those, they were fun. Dancing, conversation, drinking,but there were no pretenses, no hidden agendas." No uncomfortable encounters with the King. She thought to herself.
Alton loved the look she got in her eyes when she spoke of her home in Corsa. Her eyes would grow soft, and her face would become peaceful. He suddenly wondered if she would have that same look, her belly swollen with his child... and she was speaking. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Do you miss not being at home?" she repeated, wondering where his thoughts had gotten to.
"In some ways, but it wasn't the peaceful place as when you visited. So much has changed," he edged closer to her.
"Yes, a lot has changed," Karigan agreed. The silence was awkward and filled with tension. Karigan bit her lip slightly, debating on whether to bring up the topic of their friendship.
"Karigan,"
"Alton,"
They looked at each other, and laughed.
"Please," Karigan chuckled.
"Normally its ladies first, but, I'll let you escape this time," Alton smirked, a bit of his old debonair charm reappearing.
"Do you remember that ball, one of the first nights I actually spent time with you?" he continued, looking over the balustrade at the stars.
Karigan laughed, leaning next to him. "You were falling over yourself like a new calf."
He looked at her sideways. "You have no idea why, do you?"
Suddenly self-conscious Karigan just shrugged.
"You were beautiful Karigan. You were uneasy, scowling at everyone, but you were beautiful!"
"Alton," Karigan began, uncomfortable.
"I know, I'm a fool," he growled, turning back to the sky.
Karigan looked up in surprise. Her heart ached. "Alton," she said quietly, touching his sleeve, "I, I," Karigan stammered.
"Rider G'ladheon," King Zachary entered the alcove, resisting the urge to scowl when he saw Alton D'yer so close to her.
"Majesty," both Alton and Karigan swept a deep bow.
"A moment, Lord D'yer," there were times that being King had its advantages.
Alton looked from the King to Karigan. Something was amiss. Karigan's expression and body language had become guarded and she had edged closer to him. The King looked at him pointedly.
"Majesty," Alton repeated, sweeping another bow before leaving. He didn't go far, standing just beside the drapery. He could hear everything if necessary, and there wasn't a Weapon there tostop him.
"Your majesty, how may I assist you?" Karigan bowed low.
Zachary wanted to sigh, she was on her guard, and still looked angry at him.
Karigan wanted to throttle Zachary. Alton and she were finally beginning to talk, and the King had to interrupt. Of course, he had a contemplative look on his face that meant he wanted to talk. Karigan swallowed the urge to scream. She was in love with this man, and there was no hope for them. Why would he not leave her to find happiness?
"Karigan, we haven't spoken since," Zachary began.
"Since the night in the astronomy tower," she interrupted, not caring if she was being rude, the familiar anger streaking up her spine.
Zachary paused; he had hoped the past weeks would cool her anger. It hadn't. "Yes."
"What possibly could there be to discuss, your highness? Has something changed?" Karigan could not keep the contempt from her voice. She was so angry at him. She loved him, and could never say those words. She could never be acknowledged or even acknowledge what was between them. Here he was looking like a kicked puppy.
"No," Zachary was growing frustrated. Damn her, she had to make everything so difficult.
Karigan nodded, moving to brush past him. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him.
"I'm sorry," he choked out in her ear.
Karigan struggled slightly. This was her King; she couldn't simply knock him down. Needless to say, she knew that he could match her in a fight. She set her mouth in a firm line.
"Karigan, listen to me," Zachary released her, staring into her eyes, "I'm in love with you! Seeing you, out here with Alton, something made my blood boil, and I couldn't stand it!"
She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her."You stand here, saying you cannot stand to see me with another man, and you are engaged to be married!"
Zachary rubbed his face with his hands. "I know! Aeyric knows how I've cursed being King, that I cannot be free to just be Zachary Hillander, a man who could love you, marry you, and give you children."
"And you are jealous because," Karigan began.
"Because someone else can. I want your happiness, but this is killing me!" he cried in anguish.
His tone reached Karigan heart, and she had to stop herself from reaching out to hold him. "There is nothing we can do," she said quietly.
Zachary looked up. She looked so forlorn. On sudden impulse he grabbed her.
Karigan froze, Zachary's lips on hers. He was demanding, and his scent was overwhelming. She took a breath, and he took advantage of her open mouth, deepening the kiss. His hands stole into her hair and he pulled her closer to him.
Feeling his very apparent male body against hers, Karigan's senses returned to her. She broke the kiss, pushing Zachary away from her, her fingers to her lips.
Zachary breathed heavy. He had wanted to do that since the moment she played Intrigue with him. "Karigan, I'm not going to say I'm sorry. I've wanted to do that for a long time."
"Why!?" Karigan cried, tears coming to her eyes.
"Because I love you!" he said, moving to pull her into his arms again.
"No!" She shied from his arms like one of his horses.
"I,"
"No!" Karigan repeated, stepping towards the exit, "you are going to be married, Zachary. For your kingdom! You are the King! In the name of the gods, please, leave me alone! Stop tormenting me, stop doing this to yourself. Find some happiness in Estora, and leave me be!" She turned on her heel.
"Karigan, I make a promise to you. I will find a way."
Karigan turned back at the quiet determination in his voice. "What?"
"I will find a way for us to be together. For my country to live in peace, and for you to take your rightful place as its Queen."
Karigan stood there, her mouth open.
King Zachary bowed to her, lowly. His face was set with resolve, and he smiled. "Enjoy your evening, my lady," he said, brushing past her to the revelry outside.
Karigan groaned, holding her face in her hands. Why could nothing be simple?
Alton froze from his position outside the balcony. He heard the entire conversation. Hearing the king making his exit, Alton made his, heading for the nearest door out. He knew that if he saw Zachary, he would be either killed or convicted of treason. His fists clenched and unclenched with an anger had had never known before. No one had told him that anything had been going on between Zachary and Karigan. Perhaps no one knew, but he sincerely doubted that the Weapons or Mapstone were clueless.
He set his jaw, heading for the Captain's office. Her light was on; she had apparently made her escape early from the festivities. He knocked sharply.
"Enter!" Mapstone barked, looking up from her accounts. Alton entered his face stormy. "Rider?" she questioned.
"Zachary and Karigan," he choked out, the words tasting foul in his mouth.
Mapstone resisted the urge to whistle. "There is no Karigan and Zachary," she began, stopping when she saw her Rider's expression. He was in no mood for courtly niceties.
"I think you should talk to Karigan about it," she deferred.
"Answer me one question," Alton demanded.
"If I can," Mapstone countered.
"Are they lovers?" he spat.
Mapstone shook her head. "No," she answered.
Alton nodded, relieved. His temper lessened a little, and he bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Captain. I apologize for intruding."
Mapstone nodded, watching him leave. "In the name of the first rider, what is going on?!" she questioned to the empty room.
After composing herself, Karigan emerged from the balcony, searching for Alton. Finally,she asked one of the guards.
"He left not even fifteen minutes ago,Rider," he informed her politely.
Karigan was confused. She asked him to wait,why had he left?
Nodding her thanks to the soldier, she left the ball gladly,searching for the Lord of D'yer province.
"Idiot, idiot,idiot," Alton repeated with every stroke of the brush against Night Hawk'scoat.
"Well, since you saved me the trouble of saying it," Karigan joked from the stable door.
Alton didn't even glance over his shoulder. Night Hawk nipped him on the arm, a reminder to be gentle with the brush.
"Alton?" Karigan questioned.He was tense, his motions jerky, and he wouldn't look at her. He was angry with her, again.
"Alton!" she demanded.
Lord D'yer turned to her, a stony expression on his face. He knew he should hear her out before becoming angry with her, but jealousy was eating away at him. The king had kissed her, and from their conversation there was more to their relationship than mere Rider to King.
"I am an idiot because I thought that we could begin again Karigan," he finally stated after a few moments of silence.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
Alton moved out ofNight Hawk's stall, throwing the curry brush into one of the bins.
"I wanted to tell you everything that has happened during the past year. Why I rejected you at the D'yer wall, why I stayed away, and finally why I came back," he confronted her, angry and hurt.
Karigan was confused. "Why don't you?"
"Because I'm a fool. I'm a fool to believe that you would want me, that you would believe me,"
"Why?" Karigan interrupted.
"Because of the King," his eyes dared her to deny it.
Karigan understood now. He had overheard their conversation.She should be upset, but in a way, she was glad. To explain to Alton the problem that was King Zachary would never be easy, and if he hadn't confronted her, it might have been a secret kept.
"I would be lying if I said that I hadn't feelings for Zachary," she paused, searching for the right words, "but that can never be," she said sadly.
"Even though he promised to find a way?" Alton accused.
Karigan huffed. "Alton, once in that conversation did you hear me capitulating, encouraging him? Did you hear my declarations of love or lust?" she snapped.
Alton was taken aback. "Uh, no."
"I am a merchant's daughter. I was raised with facts and the ability to barter. I also know when a deal goes sour, that you have to cut and run with what you've got," the words were sad now that she was saying them out loud.
"But you are still in love with him," there was no accusation this time, just a quiet admittance of fact.
"Yes," Karigan whispered, turning away from Alton wrap arms around herself.
"Will there ever be room in your heart for someone else?" Alton asked painfully, coming to rest his hands on her shoulders.
Karigan turned slightly. She looked at Alton for the first time in a long time. He was so solid and strong, like the stones he cut. He was sincere too, and honestly cared for her. His family was without pretense, and they had welcomed her when she visited. Could she make room for Alton D'yer in her heart?
"I would like to try," she softy admitted.
Her utterance made Alton's heart leap. Her wrapped his arms around her and spun her, laughing. His happiness was contagious, and Karigan began to laugh.
Setting her down, Alton held Karigan's hands. "I will sway your heart, my lady," he said with a rakish grin, and swept an elaborate, foppish bow.
Karigan laughed again, and swept her own silly bow.
"How about we get a pint of ale, and talk?" she suggested.
"The hour is late, my lady," a Weapon stepped from the shadows.
The appearance of the sword master surprised both Riders. "What are you doing here Fastion?" Karigan questioned.
"I was sent to protect you, on orders of the King," he reluctantly admitted.
Alton's expression grew stormy again, and Karigan released his hand. Zachary was not going to accept reality, it seemed. The world spun as Alton turned her to him.
"I am going to persevere Karigan, no matter what," he whispered in her ear, "stone does not break because rain beats against it. Only time and a great stone mason can break it. I am not going to give up."
Karigan smiled. "We still have a lot to talk about," she reminded him.
"Lets meet tomorrow after duties in the Rider common room, we can talk then," Alton decided, one eye on the Weapon.
Karigan nodded in agreement, walking back into the castle.
Fastion nodded to the Lord Rider, and slunk off after her.
Karigan waited for a few moments as she wandered back to the Rider quarters. "Care to explain what is going on?" she asked casually, belying the irritation she felt.
The Weapon fell into step beside her. "I'm sorry about this," he replied.
"What the hell is going on in his mind?" she hissed, "someone is going to notice that you are following me around! They will put two and two together and I will not be subject of court gossip!"
Fastion sighed. "The King told me that I was to protect you due to a death threat,"
"That is the official story, what is the real one?" Karigan snorted.
"I don't know," Fastion admitted truthfully.
Karigan nodded, pausing at the entrance to her room. "Thanks," she said.
The Weapon nodded, aligning himself with the door frame. "Toliver will be here during the day, I'll be relieving him at night."
Karigan nodded, shutting the door softly. Her thoughts swirled together and she gritted her teeth. Two men vying for her affections, two men who she cared for deeply. She cursed, and threw herself on her bed, burying her head in her pillows.
So, huh...huh! LIKE?
(Lady Preens)
I'm so proud of myself!