Ch 10
Thanks for all the great reviews, if I haven't gotten back to you, I'm sorry! Semester is heating up and I can't stand my math Prof!! I will get back to you and if I don't, believe me I appreciate it!
Captain Mapstone watched as Karigan moved through the throng of gathered Riders. Many, she knew and greeted warmly. There were many others that she did not. Much had changed in her Rider in the past months. She moved more gracefully, full of confidence. She moved like a Queen. The thought gave Laren shivers inspite of the warm morning sunshine. Clearing her throat, she called for attention.
Karigan released Mara's hand, and moved back to Captain Mapstone's side. While it was good to be home, in some ways it felt so foreign. She knew that many followed her with their eyes, sensing her strange. She herself felt strange, as if the roads of her destiny had just opened, and all she had to do was step. She had spoken for a long time with her Father, and though he never pressured her to talk about her time in Eletia, there were somethings she could never speak of.
Beloved? Eiddoel's voice echoed in her mind.
She sent a silencing 'shh' in return. Being married to an Eletian was a lot more than an exchanging of vows. A lot of magic was involved, truly bonding the two together. To say her husband was never far from her mind was a literal statement. Karigan cleared her thoughts as Captain Mapstone began addressing the Riders.
"For thousands of years we have been the messengers of the King. We have been gifted with brooches of magic in which to defend our Kingdom and Home. Now, we are threatened. Rider G'ladheon has brought us a gift of knowledge from the people of Eletia. She was trained by the Eletian mage who crafted our brooches, and will train us as well. For as long as it takes we shall train all day, every day. The light horse cavalry will take any emergency messages through the kingdom, for now," Laren let the outcry of indignation wash over her; she held up her hand, "we are the main defense for our kingdom, and we must live up to that responsibility," she stated with finality. She nodded at Karigan to continue.
Karigan took a deep breath. "We shall spend the morning training with Arms Master Drent. Not only must our magical ability increase, but also our fighting skills. The enemy will expect our mage-craft, but we must be equally as ferocious with our blades. Afternoons shall be spent learning craft," Karigan paused, "I have seen the darkness for which we will face, and what Mornhavon would do to our land is something that no one should see in their nightmares. We are Green Riders, messengers. Let our message speak plainly, we will not let Sarcordia fall!"
A cheer erupted from the other Riders, and Laren smiled at Karigan in approval.
Karigan smiled shakily. "Please let me not lead them to failure," she prayed to the heavens.
"The riders are becoming a force to be reckoned with," Drent intoned one afternoon during his drills with the 'boy'.
Zachary looked up, distracted, and almost received a blow to his shoulder. He backed off, raising his hand to hold.
"What?" he asked, breathlessly.
"The girl is training 'em hard, they'll be the best of your forces soon," he spat.
"I'm sure Karigan would say that it was your training," Zachary smiled.
Drent grunted. "Most whine, but they fight with spirit. It's been ten weeks and most would be able to put up a decent defense against a Weapon. Not win, mind ya, but they would do."
Zachary resisted chuckling. That was as much as compliment as any from the Arms Master. He sobered slightly. He would have to check on their progress, soon.
"Ready, boy?" Drent's sharp voice called him from his thoughts.
Zachary nodded, balancing his broadsword in his hand.
Karigan rubbed her forehead. The afternoon sessions of mage-craft were giving her a headache. Some of the Riders took to their abilities like ducks in water, others struggled. Morale was low, and everyone was tired.
"My lady, your boots!" Ilsowyn fussed, prying off the mud encased footwear with distaste.
"I know," Karigan intoned, letting her head fall back.
Somial and Telagioth looked up from their game of Intrigue. It was the one thing they approved of and enjoyed in the mortal lands. They exchanged a look. Their mistress was exhausted, she hardly slept, and she hardly ate. Her nightmares had been growing worse, and she had begun to speak in the imperial tongue in her sleep. The influence of Mornhavon was growing stronger.
"Are you still dreaming?" Somial asked, trying for nonchalance.
Karigan narrowed her eyes. "The nightmares continue, yes," she answered grumpily.
"My lady, your shields are not so strong here," Ilsowyn chided, ignoring the glare she was receiving. She was used to it now.
Karigan rolled her eyes. She now regretted the months she had coaxed Ilsowyn to speak her mind.
"I know," she repeated. She rubbed her face in her hands. They were going to kill her.
"Eiddoel will be here soon, he will be able to help," she said quietly.
"His highness is coming?" Somial asked, irritated.
Telagioth smiled. "He sensed your shielding failing," he stated simply. He had been a Royal Guard for centuries. He knew the abilities of his lieges.
"Yes, and when a nightmare leaked through, he told me he was coming," Karigan stood up, frustrated and began to pace.
"When?" Somial asked.
"I don't know," she replied. In some ways she welcomed her 'husband'. He could help her with the Riders that struggled. Yet, there was still the issue of Zachary. Karigan pinched her nose, feeling ill. Her head was pounding and her stomach hurt.
"Are you well, my lady?" Telagioth asked, noting her discomfort.
Karigan felt the room beginning to spin, her ears filled with a roaring. In a flash the room was gone. She was standing in Blackveil Forest, along the Avenue of Light. She felt, rather than saw, the formless creature that filled this forest with his malevolence. Ignoring her urge to flee, she forced herself to breathe, whispering simple words of shielding. She was not in the forest. This was a vision, a private, 'hello' from the specter of evil himself.
"What do you want?" Karigan demanded in a bored tone.
"You lost much by betraying me again, Galadheon," the sibilant voice hissed.
"I never betrayed you Mornhavon. I refused your service. My forebear betrayed you. Hadriax refused to be party to your madness."
The air was suddenly cold with fury.
"Do not speak his name!" Mornhavon shrieked; a shapeless black form surged around her shielding.
Karigan narrowed her eyes, surveying her surroundings. There was no army around her, but Mornhavon was only showing her what he wanted her to see. "Enough."
"You will regret your refusal. I will have your secret," the deceptively calm spirit murmured.
Karigan hesitated. How could he know? "You have lived too long Mornhavon. You must pass on," she returned.
A black chuckle answered her. "Secrets and lies, manipulations and politics. You stink of Eletian, girl. You are shackled by them."
Karigan looked down at her bracelets, the delicate strands that meant so much. Binding they might be, but they meant life for her people. Clenching her jaw, she began murmuring, quiet words in Eletian. She had enough of this audience. She felt the withdrawal of Mornhavon's influence from her mind, and he screamed out one last threat.
"I will possess your secret, girl, and the betrayal will be met!"
Somial paced the apartments that Karigan had been given upon her return to Sacor City. She was not well. It had been two days since she had her vision of Mornhavon and she was rapidly becoming more exhausted. Usually he and Telagioth accompanied her everywhere. She had slipped both of them after the Rider lesson this afternoon. Telagioth was searching the castle grounds, while Ilsowyn made discreet inquires among the servants.
"Where are you?" Somial hissed.
"Where is who, Somial?" a regal voice questioned from behind him.
The tienden warrior froze, turning slowly and sinking to his knees. "My lord," he murmured.
Eiddoel strode into the room, alone. He surveyed the slightly messy furnishings, trademarks of his beloved. "Somial, where is my wife?"
His wife was in a tavern in the lower city, getting an interrogation that would've made a Weapon proud.
"So, Karigan," Tegan slightly slurred, her cup of ale sloshing about the tavern table, "how is it?"
Karigan rolled her eyes, and sipped at her wine. When Tegan, Garth, Constance, and several other Riders had coerced her into coming out with them, she didn't think the purpose was to get drunk.
"How is what Tegan?" Karigan asked, smirking at the way the Rider kept trying to focus.
"You know," Tegan murmured with a belch.
"No, I don't," Karigan had a fairly good idea what she was hinting at, but wasn't about to give anything away.
"Aw, come on Kar, how is it with the Eletian?" Garth bellowed out, the loud drunk.
Karigan hushed him immediately, a blush covering her cheeks. "I'm not about to,"
"C'mon Karigan! We gotta live precariously through you, it's not like we've gotten," Yates leered.
"Ah!" Karigan held up her hands before he could finish the sentence. She looked around at the crowded table, at all the faces intent on her answer.
"Hells," she cursed to herself, coloring, "I, uh, its, nice," she stumbled. I can't believe I am talking about this! She thought to herself.
"Nice?! Just nice! They are supposed to be perfect!" Tegan gurgled.
"Perfect, eh? Does that mean that his," Garth wondered, again loudly.
"All right! Who wants another round? On me!" Karigan stood up, her face flaming red, gesturing wildly to the serving girl.
It was well into the morning hours when Karigan finally stumbled up towards her apartments in the castle. It had taken her awhile to get the rest of the Riders into their Hall, since most were past walking straight and she was the only one sober. She did not envy them in the morning.
Her doors were wide open and Somial and Telagioth both hovered nearby. Karigan sighed, noting their disapproving glares.
"I know, I know," she intoned.
"No, you do not," Eiddoel appeared behind them, pulling her into the suite.
Karigan gazed at him, surprised. He had gotten here quickly. She glanced around the room, he had come alone.
Her husband dismissed the tienden with one look, and Ilsowyn was no where to be seen. Once they were alone he engulfed her in his arms. Karigan returned the embrace gently, sighing. She breathed in his scent of the woods, moist and serene. It had taken her awhile to get used to his embraces. She still felt like she was betraying…
"Why?" Eiddoel asked a single question, and she stiffened for a moment, thinking he had heard her thoughts. Blinking, she realized he was asking where she was.
Pushing him away gently, she shrugged. "I'm sorry; I just wanted to be out, to be myself. To be a Green Rider," she explained.
Eiddoel sighed. "You no longer live for yourself, beloved, remember?"
Karigan clenched her jaw. "As if you need to remind me! I know! Everyday I look in the mirror and know what I live for. Not for myself but for every life out there."
She turned away from him, her fists clenching and unclenching. His arms were around her immediately and he murmured softly in her ear.
"You also carry the light of Laurelyn," he whispered.
Karigan closed her eyes, and bowed her head. "I know,"
Eiddoel looked at the mortal born woman who had become his wife. He had never thought in his hundreds of years that he would ever come across another like her. She was the true spirit in which he had created the Riders.
Karigan opened her eyes at Eiddoel's soft kiss and allowed him to pull her unresisting body to bed.
OKAY! I know I said the focus will be back on Zach/Kari and it WILL, but I have to get some more plot down in the story! On the upside I've figured out where exactly this is going and how it will end! I'm thinking four or five more chapters and I should have my ending. What do you think? A cookie to whoever can guess where I am going with this!