Warning: some language in the beginning of this chapter.


Chapter 9: Choices

"Damn!" Lord Governor Mirwell shouted after his assistant told him the news.

"My lord, there is still the chance that Rider Sir G'ladheon still may not make it," his assistant replied.

"I want that bitch dead!" he shouted again, this time throwing a vase into the wall. The pieces flew all over the place and skidded around the stone floor. He ordered his assistant, "Arrange a meeting with Lord L'Petrie. If I can't kill her on my own, then I'm having someone else participate. I will not have that bitch be queen!"


The king of Sacoridia was sitting at his desk working on signing paperwork from various persons. Although, he was also waiting for Rider Lieutenant Connly and Chief Rider, Mara Brennyn to come after his summons about ten minutes ago. Zachary so desperately wanted to visit with Karigan and see how she was faring, but it was his duty as king to know who the next Captain of the Green Riders will be. Outside, birds were fluttering about, horses were grazing away in their pastures under the early summer sun, and he could even hear his beloved dogs as they played and barked at each other in their kennels.

There was a knock on his study door and he said "Come in."

The study door opened and both the Green Rider lieutenant and chief rider walked into his study. They stopped just in front of his door and bowed low for him. "You sent for us your majesty?" Lieutenant Connly said.

"Yes I did, please sit both of you," Zachary replied, gesturing for them to sit in the two chairs in front of his desk. Once they were seated, he continued, "Firstly, I'd like to express my condolences for the attack upon Rider Sir G'ladheon, I'm sure that you all worry for her well being."

"Yes," Rider Brennyn replied, clearing her throat, "it has been hard. It's only happened two days ago but her wounds worry us all."

"Especially the most Senior of Riders, the few who still are here when Karigan was first called," Lieutenant Connly said.

Zachary nodded, thinking back to when he first saw his Kari, entering that throne room in a blur because of the Wild Ride. "I've summoned you two here because of only one reason. I'm sure that you've heard of Captain Mapstone's resignation," he said.

"Yes of course," Lieutenant Connly said.

"Well, I'd like to know who will take over as captain after Captain Mapstone leaves. I'm sure that Lieutenant, you will take over. Isn't it how it goes, since you're the lieutenant?" Zachary asked

"Yes, but you see your majesty, Rider Brennyn and I have been talking about it and we think that we would like to do something different this time," the Green Rider Lieutenant said, sliding up to sit on the edge of the chair.

King Zachary's eye brow raised in interest, "Enlighten me."

"Well, Rider Brennyn and I believe that neither of us are capable enough to take on the role of captain," he said.

"Is there someone else that you believe that is fit to take over as captain?" King Zachary asked, leaning forward and interlocking his hands on his desk.

The lieutenant and chief rider glanced at each other; Rider Brennyn shook her head. And then, after a moment, the Green Rider lieutenant said, "Rider Sir G'ladheon your majesty."

Zachary looked at Rider Brennyn, "You disagree Rider Brennyn."

"Your majesty, I'm sure that after all these years, you've gotten to know Rider Sir G'ladheon on a respectable level," she started. Zachary thought, Think a little more than that Rider Brennyn. "I believe that she wouldn't be able to handle being behind castle walls all the time. Rider Sir G'ladheon is a . . . she's independent and well her personality can't handle it. If she did become captain Rider Sir G'ladheon would just become depressed.

"It's not that I don't think that I believe that K―Rider Sir G'ladheon would be a successful captain and leader, I just think that . . . I'm just thinking in the future, for her. Your majesty," Rider Brennyn stood from her chair, "I'm one of Karigan's best friends, and I just can't help but try to look out for her. Please, you have to understand."

King Zachary leaned over his desk, "I do understand Rider Brennyn. Trust me when I say that," he stood from his desk and rounded it to stand in front of the window, "Rider Sir G'ladheon and I have gotten to know each other well. It's definitely enough to allow her into my confidences. I think that considering what you both have said, about why Rider Sir G'ladheon should or should not be the new captain of the Green Rider corps, I have very quickly made my decision. There's no offence to the opposing Green Rider, but I believe that I have to agree with Chief Rider Brennyn.

"Rider Sir G'ladheon is quite capable of leading this powerful group of devoted messengers, but, her desire for freedom and persistent stubbornness is in the way of this. And I would rather not lose a Rider to possible desertion or even death by their own hand when I had the power to prevent it. There's no doubt that if she were to be asked what she thought of this, Rider Sir G'ladheon would agree to being captain with no thorough thought whatsoever; since her life is drawn by her duty alone."

He leveled his gaze once again upon the two Riders before him, "Do you both understand this?"

"Yes your majesty," they both replied.

"Good," King Zachary returned to his desk where he sat down, "now, I would suggest that if you still wish to not take up the role of captain and find someone else that is capable of handling the job, then you should think about different possibilities. And if you change your mind and want to move up in the ranks Lieutenant Connly, then all you need to do is let me know."

The Green Rider lieutenant and chief stood from their chairs and replied, "Yes your majesty."

"Then your dismissed," he said, picking up his quill. They both bowed and walked out of the door silently.

Three hours later, the king of Sacoridia was trying to relax under the setting sun up on the roof of the castle. He was constantly thinking about Karigan and hoping that she was alright. But at the same time, he was thinking about what it could be like if they didn't have the crown in the way of them. He recalled all those years ago when he was talking to Laren, right before Karigan left to go to Blackveil with the Eletians. He told her that he could see himself being a mere farmer working the fields on a daily basis*. He wondered now if he wanted to still do that. Maybe it would be better if he started working with Stevic G'ladheon.

After a while, he left the roof to head back into the castle and in the direction of the mending wing to finally visit Karigan. He hoped that she was awake and was able to at least talk a little bit. But just as he was about to turn the corner of the mending wing, he heard, "Your highness?"

Frustrated, he closed her eyes and sighed. He turned around after settling his King's mask in place, "Yes?"

"Lord Governor L'Petrie would like to have a word with you," a Green Foot said.

"Thank you child, I'm on my way," King Zachary replied. He walked back in the way that he came and this time headed toward his study. And when he arrived, Lord L'Petrie was standing outside of this study door. But the lord wasn't alone, there was another woman with him. "Please, come inside my lord and . . .," he didn't know the woman's name.

"Lady Selima, your majesty. I'm his daughter," she said, curtsying.

"Yes, Lady Selima, you and your father can come in," King Zachary said.

After they were all seated in a chair, King Zachary behind the desk, Lord L'Petrie said, "I've come for two reasons. The first is most important to Rider Sir G'ladheon's life."

King Zachary leaned forward over his desk, "Please continue."

"It has come to my attention that Lord Governor Mirwell wishes to kill Rider Sir G'ladheon," the lord said.

King Zachary's heart was beating wildly, "How have you come to know this information?"

"Lord Mirwell himself has asked me to help him kill her," Lord L'Petrie answered, making shivers run down the king's spine.

He sighed and said, "Thank you for the information."

"There is one other thing your majesty," the lord said.

"Yes?"

"My daughter here, she's of age to marry. I was wondering if she could possibly stay here in the castle to heighten her chances of finding a suitor," Lord L'Petrie proposed.

"Of course Lord L'Petrie, your daughter is most welcome to stay here for as long as she wants," King Zachary replied. He stood from his chair, "Now, I would like to thank you again for the information that you have provided to me my lord and I'll make sure that Rider Sir G'ladheon is protected and Lord Mirwell arrested for what he's already done."

"You're welcome your majesty. My only hope is that that boy gets put behind bars. The Gods know how much frustration that he and his family have caused," Lord L'Petrie said, getting up from his chair as well as his daughter. He bowed to the king and Selima curtsied before they filed back out of the king's study. The king himself straightened out the invisible wrinkles in his clothes and he too left his study to go back to the mending wing to see Karigan.

This time, no one stopped Zachary as he finally reached the quiet corridor. In front of one of the rooms, were two Green Riders. They bowed their heads and allowed him to pass through and enter the quiet room inside. Inside, Stevic G'ladheon was already there, sitting at Karigan's bedside in a wood chair. Her father turned at his arrival and Zachary saw the dark color under the clan chief's eyes; he hasn't slept since Karigan was attacked. Zachary went to stand beside his love's father and he knelt so that he could hold her hand. "How is she?" he asked Stevic.

"She remains asleep," Stevic replied, sighing. "I worry that she'll never wake."

"Don't say that, please. You're her father, try to have faith in her strength and will to live," Zachary said. "Besides," he added, "I can't bear the thought of her not being in my life anymore."

"Do you want some time alone with her?" Stevic asked.

Zachary licked his lips and nodded, "If you would let me."

"It's fine," the chief ran his hand through his graying hair, "I need to get my sleep anyway."

"Go ahead, rest for as long as you need," Zachary said, laying a hand on Stevic's shoulder.

"Thank you," Stevic replied quietly. Sighing, Karigan's father stood from the chair and left the room.

Zachary took the chair then and leaned forward to hold her hand once again. Brushing the hair from her face, Zachary said, "Karigan, if you can hear me, then I've got some things to tell you. I want you to know that soon, I want to leave the throne to someone else. I want to make a new life with you, I want to have our children with you in peace without all of the politics."

Zachary watched as Karigan took in a deep breath and then another moments after, and then his heart leapt when he saw her open her eyes. Her eyes fluttered and her breathing became labored, she groaned. He stood from the chair and leaned over her, "Kari," he breathed.

Karigan took a deep breath and their eyes met for the first time in a while, "What do you want to be?" A small smile graced her lips.

Zachary chuckled and replied, "You heard what I was saying." She only nodded. "How are you? How much pain are you feeling? Do you want me to get a mender?"

"I asked you a question first," she said hoarsely.

Zachary smiled and caressed her cheek, "I was thinking either a farmer or working with your father, if he would have me."

"Of course he would have you, trust me he loves you," she replied, quirking a smile again.

"Not as much as you I hope," he said leaning in closer to her.

"No, not as much as I do," Karigan replied reaching up to bring him down. They shared a short but passionate kiss before Karigan had to fall back onto her pillows, her face showing pain all over.

Zachary stood and said gently to her, "I'll be right back, I'm going to go and get Ben." His love nodded, groaning again, before he left the room quickly to find the mender that he knows that will save her life. He didn't have to look for long, since the mender was just walking down the corridor towards him.

He bowed to Zachary, "What does your majesty need of me?"

"Rider Sir G'ladheon is awake and in need of some help with the pain that she's experiencing," Zachary said to him.

"Really?" Ben asked, and then he nodded and said to him, "I'll be right there your majesty."

"Thank you," Zachary replied, turning back around and heading back to Karigan's room.

When he entered again, he found that Karigan had struggled to sit upright in her bed. But she was wincing and her features showed agony as small but few tears fell down her cheeks. He rushed to her side, "Karigan! Why did you sit up?"

"I got tired of laying down," she replied. She gave him a threatening look before he pressed on her shoulder to lie back down.

Once Karigan was lying on the bed again, he said, "Ben is coming."

She nodded slowly and then turned her head to the side weakly to look at him, "Zachary."

"Hmm." He squeezed the hand that he held.

"Is there anything that can be done to find my brother?" she asked.

Zachary brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly, "Kari―"

"Please, he may be my older brother, but he's the only possible sibling that I have," she said.

He heard footsteps coming down the hall. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, "I find a way."

There was a knock on the door. Zachary said quietly, "I love you."

Karigan smiled, "I love you too," she whispered in reply.

They exchanged another quick kiss before Zachary called for Ben to come in. He stood on the sidelines as he examined his Kari and then gave her some kind of drink for the pain before leaving again. And as Karigan's eyes were drifting closed, Zachary sat in the chair again. Vowing to stay there for as long as he possibly could.


Well, I'd like to thank you all again for all of the reviews that I've been getting. I'm really happy to hear that you all like my writing. So, if you're all interested, I have an account on Writer's Café under the username of rediscovery. There, I have many, many more books that you can all read and I'd like to know what you think of them if you do read them. Anyway, I'm planning on having a few chapters in the future that will include the lyrics to a certain song. So tell me what you think about that too. (*Blackveil, page 176*)

Thanks,

thylacine67