Thanks for all the reviews thus far! I reply to those I can but thanks to PJ, the numerous 'Guests' and to Betty! Plot development and angst.

Zachary had held her through her suppressed tears in the privacy of their rooms, kissing her eyelids lovingly in farewell, and then continuing down to her mouth to savor the feel of her lips one last time before he rode.

Karigan had then stood within the private inner courtyard of the castle, clad warmly in her familiar greatcoat that was thrown over her simple wool gown, silently watching as he tightened the straps on his saddle. She refused to cry in the presence of his guard and escort, but the tears still gathered as her breath hitched in her throat, as her eyes followed his movements. Finally, he turned towards her, his eyes sorrowful as he took in the closed off expression she wore. Reaching out with one hand, his eyes beseeched her to come to him.

Slowly, she took the few steps necessary to reach him, her hands reaching up to take his. He stared down at her smaller fingers, idly rubbing her knuckles as he struggled with his words, 'You'll send word if anything happens?'

Karigan nodded, her eyes glued to the calloused hands that held hers so tenderly. He brought them up to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on the back of each hand before bringing her close to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of the caress before all too soon, he pulled away abruptly, his own breath ragged.

The frigid air blew across her face and the back of her neck, causing her to draw her arms around her tightly once more. Zachary mounted his horse, giving her one last burning look before nodding to Fastion, who led the contingent out. A total of twenty Black Shields were to travel with him, leaving Karigan with ten within the castle grounds, including Brienne and Willis.

She stood until the last rider had departed; quietly swaying in the fierce wind that now blew throughout the city in strong gales. It was Brienne who came forward to gently touch her shoulder, and lead her back into the warmth of the castle walls.

'Majesty?'

Karigan tiredly raised her eyes from the messages in front of her, spread haphazardly across Zachary's desk.

Zachary's secretary looked in from the door tentatively, his arms laden with more small bundles that were wrapped in protection from the elements. She gave a small smile in welcome and waved for him to come in, holding out her hand for the missives. The secretary carefully handed them to her one by one, explaining who the sender was and the arrival time. Thanking him, she dismissed him for the time being and broke the seal on the latest report sent to her by the Lord-Governor of L'Petrie as she absently looked about the room.

She had taken to spending much of her time here in the few weeks that Zachary had already been gone. Curling into the well worn leather of his chair did a little to lessen the aching of her heart, and allowed her to use the materials he had already gathered in regards to the what little knowledge existed of Blackveil. She even recognized the report that had summarized the expedition she had been part of, stacked neatly beneath a volume of children's tales that illustrated Argenthyne.

Her terrier, aptly named Flake for the snowflakes she loved to pursue, busily chewed upon her colorful rag ball while laid out in front of the fire. When her mistress would gaze about the room with the same wearied countenance, Flake would thump her tail on the floor, eliciting a small smile from Karigan at the pup's antics.

Karigan unfolded the heavy parchment, her eyes skimming the contents briefly before sighing heavily in disappointment. The Lord-Governor apologized for the delay in his response to her queries but obligingly reported that while there were a few strange disturbances, and that it was hardly out of the ordinary for that time of the year. She was rather sure that the merchants of the city were keeping their own counsel on the matter but her father had yet to respond to her messages.

The fear and the worry was a constant every day, whether for Zachary in D'Yer or for her family in Corsa. Obligingly, she held audiences on the appointed days, dealing with matters as they arose with Laren's assistance, but always, she felt a strange sort of hyper-awareness as the days grew darker and darker. Her adjustment to the title and the responsibilities that came with it would progress slowly as the weather turned bitter, the inhabitants of the city bracing themselves for another hard winter.

The coldest and longest day of the season soon approached, heralding the arrival of several Riders who bore dispatches from D'Yer and Penburn.

Their prompt delivery into her own chambers that late night signaled an abject feeling of fear as she tore open the D'Yer missive while Fergal and Mara were still present in the room. After reading Zachary's assurances of their relative inactivity, she glanced up into Fergal's slightly miserable countenance and drew to the fire, sitting him down in the armchair she vacated. She signaled for Mara to sit down next to her on the small settee, quietly asking Sara to have a tray with hot tea and kauv brought up immediately. Flake stood up from her toy and jumped up to sit between Mara and Karigan, happy with the level of attention she received between the two women.

Karigan's eyes went back to Fergal and she gently asked, 'What was the condition of the army when you left?'

Fergal shrugged, 'Fine, I suppose. Encamped just outside of what remains of Woodhaven. When they had finished with the westbound escorts of the refugees, they erected shelters from the building remnants. Currently they are dealing with minor run-ins with the dark creatures skulking about at night.'

Karigan studied his countenance with a bit of distress on her own features, watching as a cup of tea was placed in his hands, 'And the king?'

'Looks worn out,' Fergal muttered without thinking, taking a sip and gasping at the temperature. Mara exhaled a breath in exasperation and hissed, 'Fergal!'

Although her chest constricted painfully, she nodded slowly, 'No, I'd rather know the truth. Mara, perhaps it is time I opened your missive?'

Mara hesitantly drew the envelope from her satchel, handing it over with a wince, 'I'm afraid it isn't good news.'

Karigan broke the seal with a frown, 'Oh?'

The Rider inclined her head, 'There has been no success in contacting the Eletians at the border.'

Karigan sighed as she read more or less the same in the message, 'How frequently have parties been sent out?'

'Since they received the order from the king? Every three days while bearing the Sacoridian banner,' Mara responded despondently. The queen folded the parchment and tossed it on the side table, taking a large gulp of her kauv, 'I'll have the secretary write up instructions for the lord governor to continue what he is doing. Take two days to recover but be ready to ride on the third,' she said quietly.

Mara nodded, grateful for the period of rest allocated to her as she stroked Flake's fur. Karigan took up Zachary's letter, fingering the neat handwriting of his signature, 'Fergal, I'll have something for you in a few days as well. I have a few things to convey in my next letter and also a few other dispatches to forward.'

Fergal held his cup between his slightly numb fingers, 'Yes, Majesty.'

All three sat in a companionable silence as the Riders partook of the ready fire and Karigan enjoyed the company of her peers, taking comfort in their familiar presence as Flake snored contentedly in her lap. After they had finished their cups of tea, Mara and Fergal quietly thanked her with sincerity before returning back to the barracks.

Karigan was left alone once more, her body slightly shaking with the sobs she had withheld since the day Zachary had left. Flake woke, sitting up in her mistress' lap to lick at the tears that trailed down her cheeks. Karigan cried harder in intensity but wept silently as her arms came around the small terrier. Flake held absolutely still as the queen released the tension and heartache that made its long overdue appearance.

The day arrived for Mara and Fergal depart but instead of a Green Foot giving them their missives, it was Karigan herself who came to Captain Mapstone's office to place each letter in the hands of their appointed Riders. Brienne had accompanied her to the barracks, but with a suspicious frown as she watched her Queen gaze with yearning at her mount Condor as they passed the stables.

Mara and Fergal left on a clear winter day, provisions and letters of accommodation for their journey tucked away in saddlebags, and with their messenger satchels tightly drawn closed against their bodies. Laren and Karigan both watched them depart from the castle gates, each with their own worries as the heavily bundled Riders carefully eased their way down the Winding Way.

Several nights later as Karigan held the finished stack of letters, ready for delivery to L'Petrie, she glanced over at the trunk that held her uniform and saber. The heaviness about her shoulders almost seemed to lighten as she knelt and opened the latch, drawing out her well worn articles that were embroidered lightly in gold and green thread. The saber lay at the bottom, still in its sheath as she lifted the belt and scabbard up into her lap.

Flake came over to sniff at the leather curiously; placing her mouth over the end of one strap, and spitting it back out in exaggerated distaste, trotting back to the fire in a huff to return to her bone.

Karigan grinned at the dog's retreating back as she pulled the handle of the saber out an inch to allow the steel to shine in the firelight. Biting her lip, she reached back in the trunk to pull out the slightly beaten leather satchel with the embossed crest of Sacoridia. Her fingers traced soft leather, her mind recalling the exhilaration of the open road and the distant echo of hoof beats that had once more permeated her dreams. She stared at the contents in her lap for what seemed like hours, her mind slowly coming to a steadfast resolution. Regardless of her title and her heartsick condition, she could not ignore the pull of her brooch and the need to do something more.

Drawing a deep breath, she tucked the letters tentatively into the satchel, pulling the flap closed in slight trepidation. She stood up, quietly retreating into the dressing room with her uniform, and changing quickly into the familiar garments. She hung her gown carefully back in its place, drawing out a pair of fur lined boots and gloves, also taking with her the wool cap that Zachary had placed upon her head months before. With suitably warm clothing in place, she strode over to her desk, scratching out a small note that she sprinkled a moderate amount of sand on, shaking out the granules and drying the ink.

With her saber and satchel in place, she picked up the note, whistled for Flake and opened the door, not meeting Brienne's eyes as she strode away from her suite. Brienne's eyes widened at the queen's attire, her mouth opening and closing without sound as she ran to keep up with Karigan's brisk pace. 'Majesty,' she whispered urgently, 'Please tell me you aren't going out, not now . . .'

Karigan responded evenly without breaking her stride, 'I cannot stay here. That much I know.'

'But if the king should return . . .' Brienne ventured weakly.

The queen stopped in the dark hallway, turning to Brienne with a slightly chastised expression, 'He'll have to understand, I cannot ignore the call. '

Brienne's brow was initially furrowed in agitation but firmed into stubbornness as the silence ticked by, 'I suppose you think you are going alone?'

Karigan tilted her head in challenge, 'I do think so, yes. I can't travel with a guard detail.'

Brienne shook her head in disagreement, 'I understand your calling, Majesty, but I cannot allow my queen to travel without protection.'

Karigan curled her lip and turned to walk away again but Brienne reached out to grab at her elbow, 'I will accompany you. Just me. I can dress as a Rider.'

The queen eyed her for a moment, 'And should the rest of the Weapons, and the king, hold you accountable for letting me go?'

Brienne shrugged her shoulders in defeat as she started in the direction they had been walking, 'Then I'd advise them to try arguing with you.'

Karigan smiled and followed her to the lower levels of the castle, Flake following faithfully at her heels.

The look on Laren Mapstone's face was utterly priceless as her head whipped back and forth between Brienne and Karigan. Standing up with a flustered countenance, 'Y-you can't just up and leave the castle, Karigan! You have duties here!'

Karigan considered that as she raised her eyes to the ceiling for a brief moment before giving Laren a steady gaze, 'Yes . . . but you are also aware that I have duties out there as well.'

Laren sputtered, 'Who will address the problems here if they should arise?'

Karigan silently handed her the folded note she had drafted in her room, her eyes watching Laren's reaction as the captain scanned the contents. Laren looked up at her, 'You cannot make me a-,' she looked back down and squinted at the word, '-steward while you are absent.'

The queen shrugged, 'Why not? The council knows you and you are the most experienced of the lot. Messages will come straight to you; it is the most logical choice, Laren. Besides, I will not be gone forever.'

Laren sat down heavily, 'Zachary may be due back for any reason, you know this? Can you imagine his reaction when he finds his queen has only taken one Weapon onto the dangerous road?'

Karigan rolled her eyes, 'I'm going in the opposite direction of the danger.'

Laren snapped her eyes up, 'Do not think you are the only one that knows of the potential trouble brewing in L'Petrie, you could well be riding into the thick of it.'

'All the more reason for you to send an experienced Rider to investigate the rumors,' Karigan said with an easy smile.

Laren put her head into her hands for a moment, idly shaking her head as she muttered under her breath. With her head still angled down, she groaned, 'Brienne, you can take the spare uniform I have in the cedar chest by the door.'

Brienne nodded and moved to take the clothing, heading towards Karigan's old room to change. After she had left the room, Laren lifted her head and spoke her words delicately, 'What do you want me to tell him?'

Karigan gave a sad smile, 'He has a letter in our rooms, he'll be able to find it easily enough.'

Laren dipped her head tiredly and tapped her fingers against the desk, 'You leave tonight? Is that necessary?'

Karigan tugged on her gloves with a shrug, 'Best if I get a good head start.'

'Anything else you need from me?'

The queen grinned, 'You are now the guardian of Flake.'

Laren frowned, 'Flake?'

The terrier in question gave a little yap when she heard her name, the little white tail waving excitedly as she looked between the two humans. Laren narrowed her eyes, 'Can't you leave the beast in the kennels?'

Karigan shook her head, 'Flake needs her human companionship at all times and a hefty dose of human love. So be sure to play with her a little bit and ensure she gets a good walk each day.'

Laren wrinkled her nose in slight distaste but nodded as she watched Karigan kneel to cuddle Flake in farewell, closing the door behind her on the terrier's sad face. The little trembling body stared at the closed door, the tail drooping as she whined and took up a sitting position in front of the handle. Laren sighed and snapped her fingers, 'Flake, come here girl.'

Flake turned her head to stare at Laren for a moment, but turned her attention back to the motionless metal handle. The captain groaned and stood, walking around her desk and kneeling on the ground, 'Come here, Flake.'

The terrier slowly turned and walked dejectedly over to Laren, plopping her small body down next to the captain's boot. Laren hesitantly stroked the white fur, wondering idly in droll amusement who would be more put out that Karigan was gone: her loyal terrier or her husband.

Karigan saddled Condor quickly, looking over her shoulder at Brienne who led her own mount into the courtyard. She was nearly unrecognizable in the Rider garb but her bearing was still that of a Black Shield; a lethal and ferocious fighter. They both adjusted the dark green wool mufflers around their faces and pulled their clothing about them tightly, gathering the reins and riding into the relatively quiet city streets.

Karigan felt a keen sense of nervousness as she passed city guards who did not look twice at the Greenies who rode by. As soon as they cleared the main city gates, the road before them narrowed visibly, with the snow drifts rising up to their mount's bellies. Adjusting her eyes to the moonlight, Karigan spotted what was left of a wagon track and steered Condor down its narrow passage, Brienne following closely as the two riders crept across the open plains, and disappeared into the wintry night.