CH 11
Credit to Sirius7 for this bit of Karigan's adventure to Selium. Basically all the talented bits of this story are hers. I'm just a bystander.
"Zachary, it would be an easy ride, and these few are special to me. I wish to deliver them myself." The look on her face was resolute, and the King knew well that she would fight any attempt he made to cage her. Regardless, though he would let her go, she would not go alone. "Away from the temptation do some permanent damage to that troublesome Mouse-Lord."
"Not alone. You will take Weapons with you." Seeing her about to object, he continued on.
"Karigan, I've come too close to losing you too many times already. I do not wish to leave anything to chance. Do you not understand yet, beloved? I cannot do this without you, and will do everything in my power to make sure you come back to me safely – even from this 'easy ride.' You cannot sway me on this."
She smiled at him, and he had to resist the urge to do something entirely inappropriate, considering they were not yet wed. "I wasn't planning to, Zachary; I merely wished to suggest that accompanying Weapon or Weapons wear something other than black. After all, a Rider can be a rare enough sight in certain parts of the country. A Rider accompanied by Weapons would be certain to gain a great deal of attention. Two 'Riders' and one Weapon or 'former soldier' would be much easier to explain."
"Fastion will be one of them. I could not trust you so easily to any other. I'm not certain how well he would take to green, however."
Karigan chuckled, and then paused for a moment before rising from her own chair to go over to him. She kissed him sweetly and smiled, enjoying the ability to do so without feeling as though she was doing something wrong. Zachary slid a hand into her hair and deepened the kiss so that when they finally parted, both were short of breath.
"We can keep Fastion in his black, and Willis is young enough and not widely known as a Weapon; he'll do well in green. I'll think of something to explain Fastion in his usual attire."
Holding her close, Zachary rested his chin on top of her head. Then, bending down a little, he whispered in her ear. "Come back to me, Karigan."
She ran gentle fingers over the face before her. "I always do, love. No matter the odds, I always come back."
Several days later, Selium
The ride had passed uneventfully, something for which Karigan had been thanking the gods continuously. Now that they were here, she'd change her prayers to hope for an equally uneventful ride home… to Zachary. Meanwhile, she had people to see and messages to deliver.
Heading up Guardian Avenue and to the front steps of Selium's administration building, Karigan, Fastion and Willis entrusted their mounts to a stable hand and continued through the great double doors, across the rotunda, at the clerk's desk, Karigan asked after the Golden Guardian, Lord Fiori, and was told that – unlike the last time she had come with a message – he was in town, though not currently in his office, and he was to be back later in the day. Karigan thanked the clerk, and she and her shadows left the building.
Without so much as a second thought, she headed to the athletic field, hoping to catch Master Rendle in the midst of a class. "If Master Rendle asks me to help him demonstrate anything, gentlemen… don't stop him. I've been looking forward to a rematch."
The statement managed to coax a small smile from Willis, still not comfortable in green, and a wink from Fastion, who'd been her friend long before he'd become her bodyguard.
As Karigan had hoped, the Arms Master was in the midst of the class, a group of younger students, all of whom were clutching their wooden practice swords nervously. He spied her approach, and nodded in her direction, completing his lecture.
"You may pair off then, and practice the foot work. I do not, however, wish to hear any clacking of swords. They are for your hands only, to teach you how to hold your blades while you move your feet."
The students nodded, and moved off, allowing Karigan to approach her instructor.
"Arms Master," she greeted.
"Rider Sir G'ladheon," Rendle swept a bow that from any other man would be considered mocking.
"You are on an errand, I suppose?"
Karigan laughed. "I am, but I had hoped for a rematch with you while I was here."
The Arms Master grinned. "I would be honored, Sir."
The Green Rider bowed respectfully, unbuckling her saber from her belt and handing it to Willis for safe keeping. She picked up a wooden blade, testing its heft in her hand. Once satisfied, she faced her former teacher, who had his practice sword at ready.
"Begin," Rendle growled, launching into a furious attack.
The students who had been pretending to practice their footwork diligently, lost all pretense when they saw the bout begin in earnest. Many of them in their first year at Selium had only heard of such swordplay in stories. When it circulated who that woman fighting their instructor most ardently was, the famous Green Rider, Sir Karigan G'ladheon, their whispers increased. The students who came from Sacor City knew of the rumors, that she was poised to become Queen. Seeing her fight, many felt pride fill their hearts to know such a Queen would be protecting them.
"Can we bet on the outcome?" Willis murmured to Fastion, his eyes never leaving his Mistress.
Fastion winced as Karigan landed a blow on the Arms Master's shoulder, though he spun away before she could land the 'kill' point. "There is no reason, we both would be wagering the same," he replied, a wry smile on his face.
Karigan narrowed her eyes. Rendle's footwork was solid, yet constant flowery, unnecessary movement of his arms and sword were causing her to lose focus. His style reflected that of the Raven Mask, pretentious. The Green Rider would've chuckled if she was standing on the sidelines, for this method was not one usually employed by the Arms Master. He was deliberately using this style because he knew she was not accustomed to it. He was ever the teacher. And, fortunately for her, she was an excellent student in the sword. Relaxing her stance, she made it appear that she was tired, and getting sloppy. She stumbled once or twice, her sword deflecting Rendle's blows. When at last, he straightened and began to attack her in earnest did she thrust forward, taking advantage of his overextended stance to place her sword beneath his neck, her chest heaving with effort.
With a smile, Rendle yielded, saluting his honorable opponent and former student.
"Excellent work, Karigan. Drent finally saw sense, then, and trained you at the level your skill demanded?"
Karigan said nothing, instead only smiling as she reached Willis, reclaimed her swordbelt, and pulled the blade free of its sheath just enough to show an unmistakable black satin band. She watched with silent amusement as Rendle's smile became a laugh.
"I knew it. I knew you could do it. Well done, Swordmaster."
Bout complete, Karigan reached for her message satchel and pulled from it two letters, addressed to her former teacher. "Master Rendle, you'll find there are two messages here. This one," she offered the first to him, "is from Master Drent, and may be read whenever you please. The second," she said, offering that, as well, "is best read… perhaps an hour from now, as it's probably circumspect to inform Estral and the Guardian first."
With a last smile and a nod of great respect, she left the practice field, Fastion and Willis falling in beside her in a manner that she knew Rendle would find familiar – and unusual in a Rider – were he looking.
Karigan's next stop was the Golden Guardian's residence, in hopes of seeing Estral. Biersly once again greeted her at the door and ushered her in, giving a wary glance to the two men following.
"Good afternoon, Biersly."
"Rider Sir G'ladheon. Lord Fiori has just returned and is in the sitting room with Lady Estral. They are expecting you. Do you wish me to show you in?"
"No, Biersly, thank you. I know the way." Kari noted with some amusement the look Biersly was giving her companions. Fastion would have been intimidating even were he not in black, and Willis, despite the green, had an unmistakably military air about him.
Nearly everyone else believes the story that Willis is a Rider in training and Fastion – when seen – is visiting family and simply traveling the same way. Yet, I should have known better than to try it here for long. Thankfully, the time's almost come when I won't have to worry about the cover story anymore. Karigan thought.
Estral and her father sat comfortably near a warm fire, and greeted Karigan and her companions with grace and enthusiasm that came naturally to both of them, Estral coming in even closer to share a hug with her greatest friend, and whisper that the clerk had informed them of the Rider's presence.
"Karigan, what brings you here?"
"A request from the King for you, Estral, and a wedding invitation for your father."
Estral, looking slightly mystified, took her letter from Karigan, a letter that Karigan could have told her had been written in the King's own hand…but she did not open it immediately.
"Karigan," she said, "is everything all right with you? You seem different than you were when we last met… happier.'
"That's because I am, Estral. You'll see why soon. In fact, you, your much esteemed father, and Arms Master Rendle are among the first people to know why. Truly, at some point, Master Rendle is likely to make his way here, wanting a bit more of an explanation than that letter would give him."
Karigan's eyes are fairly dancing with joy, but it's obvious I'm not going to glean any secrets from her. The letter, then, is my only option. My father has already opened his, and rarely have I seen him look so shocked. Estral thought, her eyes intent on her father and friend.
"But, what of Lady Estora?" Lord Fiori asked, his expression dumb founded.
Karigan answered, quietly, "She had no wish to continue being a target for everyone who wished to distract the King, and she does not love him. She believes he deserves someone who does."
Lady Estora isn't marrying the King? But then, who…? Prompted by an unlikely thought, Estral opened her letter, which she found was indeed a personal request from the King… to sing at his wedding. Knowing that he couldn't be speaking of a wedding to Estora, she continued to read.
Lady Estral,
Knowing the friendship you share with my beloved, and being aware, also, that she is likely to insist upon delivering this missive herself…
Suddenly, Estral knew the reason for Karigan's joy. A look and a quick nod from her friend confirmed it. "Kari, I'm so happy for you."
A loud knock at the door caught everyone's attention, and Kari, with a chuckle, told her, "You might want to tell Biersly to let Master Rendle in. I imagine he has a question or two."
The day was bright and only slightly cool, a perfect day for traveling.
"Fall will be here soon," Fastion remarked to Karigan as their horses trotted comfortably next to each other.
"It will be a beautiful autumn," Karigan murmured, her thoughts elsewhere.
"Are you all right?" her friend and Weapon asked. His eyes checked the road, though Willis had ridden ahead to scout for any possible dangers, however unlikely.
"Fastion," Karigan hesitated. Watching Estral during her visit had brought fears to her mind. Her friend was proving a capable apprentice to the mantle of the Golden Guardian, and Karigan wondered if she would be able to shoulder her own future responsibilities so well. "Will I make a good Queen?"
The question startled the Weapon, who never would've considered the Green Rider to have such doubts. "Kari?"
Karigan sighed, blowing a piece of hair from her eyes. "It's just...I'm not exactly Queen material. I know nothing of protocol, besides common courtesies. I am not exactly versed in 'womanly arts'. I know how to ride, I know how to handle a sword, I know how to manage accounts and bartering...and I really have no experience with children." The last bit of the sentence was said in a whisper.
Fastion chuckled, causing Karigan to snap her head up, her cheeks coloring in a temper. Before she could let a tirade escape that would no doubt include multiple wharf curses, Fastion held up his hand.
"I laugh, my Lady, not because I find your statement funny, but because everything you mentioned is precisely why you will make an excellent Queen."
At his Lady's questioning look, he continued. "You will treat everyone with fairness, not based solely on their birthright. You understand the common people, and your abilities in war-craft will be an asset to our King in the coming times of hardship. You can manage a household and I have never seen a woman negotiate like you. A quality that is essential for a Queen, for you will be doing nothing but that with the Council and visiting dignitaries. As to womanly arts, there are plenty of mindless daughters of various noblemen capable of gracing our castle with tapestries. You will be assisting our King in running a country; I'm sure needle craft will come secondary. And, as to the last...Karigan, I have no doubt that you will make a wonderful mother."
Karigan looked at her friend and guardian, tears shining in her eyes. "Thank you."
The Weapon cleared his throat, emotions making his throat constrict. He nodded in reply, spurring his mount to a faster pace.