Does anyone else look at France's copies of Kristen's books and feel their heart rate spike. Man if I weren't so broke those would make me! LOL Anyway, I'd like to thank Britt32, and Aereal, as well as our guests Lannah and unnamed for the reviews. I always try to give shout outs to those who review on my fanfics, and it's so not because I use it as incentive for people to review *dripping with sarcasm* ;). If everything goes right with my brain, there should be some slight plot development in this chapter. Anyway, everyone enjoy the chapter. :D
As always, all characters that I didn't create belong to the great and powerful Kristen Britain.
Chapter 11: Secrets Revealed
Karigan's brow furrowed as she watched Anne slowly approach one of the horses and gently reach out toward the animal. William rolled his eyes and said, "Horses don't talk, the sea must have gotten to your head Anne."
Anne's head whipped around, her golden locks fanning out around her before coming to a stop over her shoulder. "I'm not lying, nor am I crazy William," she said, drawing out her brother's name mockingly. William stuck his tongue out at her and she returned it.
"Okay enough, both of you," Karigan interrupted.
"Don't tell them to stop, I find it funny watching them," Karigan heard inside her head. Her head snapped up and her eyes fell upon one of the horses, who looked at her.
Karigan felt like a fish at that moment as she watched it's ears prick back and forth and it's head tilt to the side. "Umm," she said.
"See, I'm not crazy!" Anne shouted, her eyes wide as saucers.
The horse snorted and tossed his mane, "Of course not young one. The only one who is, is the other boy who called you that." William's face turned tomato red and the horse watched him from where he stood in front of Anne. "What do you say young one?" he added, staring directly at William.
"S-sorry Anne," William stuttered out.
The horse snorted again, hung his head low with his ears pinning back slightly as he watched William, "Mhmm, that's more like it." His companions whinnied and shook their manes, almost in laughter. Karigan coughed in order to cover her chuckle as she ruffled William's hair. He glanced around him before finding great interest in his boots.
Karigan focused again on the Eletian party before her and their leader asked her, "Shall we have these supplies unloaded Galadheon?"
Karigan dipped her head, "Yes, we shall." The leader replied with an incline of his own. Karigan turned to Peter and silently nodded to him, his only reply was a smile and salute before turning and shouting orders to begin unloading the ship of its cargo. Eletian row boats appeared and sailed toward the merchant ship to gather their supplies. Another Eletian drove up in a paired horse wagon, followed by two more of the same.
Karigan looked on from the side lines. Anne was bonding with the horse from before and William was standing beside her watching as well. Somial walked up to stand beside her and she glanced at him. "I can't help but ask how you are Galadheon," he said, William looking up at them and then falling to her.
Karigan smiled, "I couldn't be happier Somial. How have you been?"
Karigan's gaze fell on him and she looked him up and down, he looked no different to her other than his armor. It seemed to be of a simpler style now and it seemed to glow a much more radiant light blue than she had remembered. His tight lips curled into a smile that seemed to come much more easily than the others of his kind, "Same. I left Eletia with my mate and together we aid in the rebuilding of Argenthyne in this long forgotten forest."
Karigan's brows rose in surprise, "You have a woman?"
Somial turned his ethereal gaze to look at her, "You assumed different?"
Karigan shrugged, "It just never came to mind."
After a moment of silence between them, Somial glanced down at William and asked her, "Is he your son? And the other young one, the girl, your daughter?"
William huffed, "Her, my mother, of course not." Somial cocked his head to the side.
Karigan sighed and chose to ignore the comment, "No, not mine, but the king's. This is Prince William Hillander, and the girl is Princess Anne Hillander."
Somial looked back at her, "Why are you caring for them? Surly Firebrand has others to care for them in his mate's absence."
Karigan shrugged, "It would be a learning experience for them, a chance to get out and see the kingdom."
"I see," Somial replied. Then he added, "It seems that this one has many things to learn." William glared at him.
She sighed again, "You have no idea." William snapped his head up to watch her, then he stalked off closer to the shore.
-GR-
Argenthyne's castle hadn't changed much since the last time Karigan was there. But it had been repaired and, as with everything else, it seemed to glow an ethereal blue. It's many spires tipped with beautiful crystal and a type of white stone that Karigan had never seen before in Sacoridia. Roads were repaired with new, smooth stone making for a comfortable ride through the forest. Around the castle, a bustling city was alive with laughing and chatting of its inhabitants. It's winding roads were repaired beautifully with new stones and nearly all of the city's buildings were repaired and the rest was split between those that hadn't been started yet, and others who had been started and were stalled; as Karigan assumed due to their lack of supplies, which was why she was there in the first place. The great pool from before, the Pool of Avrath, in the southern leaf was once again renewed with running water that cascaded down the tall statue. The air was filled with magic and it seemed to fill her lungs with clean air. The trees in and around the city were full and green as they should be, and the ground had a thick coat of green grass.
It had taken them only a short time to travel from Argenthyne's port of the Eastern Sea, to the city. Now Karigan stood in one of the many rooms of Argenthyne's castle, staring into the mirror as the Eletian woman bustled around her. She had been called upon by Prince Jametari to discuss important matters over dinner. Karigan was thrown aback at what he would want to speak to her about, but she would find out soon it seemed. So now she stood, garbed in an elegant Eletian style gown as the woman worked on putting loose curls into her brunette locks. The floor length gown was green in color and almost seemed to have two pieces to it. The base was lighter green in color, hugged her figure at the waist but not as to suffocate her and was somewhat low-cut in the bust and had off the shoulder long sleeves that clung to her arm till it ended in a point at her knuckles. The upper layer was a darker, forest green in color and featured a little floral embroidery throughout. The upper layer covered the tops of her shoulders, fell around the sides of her chest and continued to the floor, creating a slight train and showing the base layer at the front and at the sleeve of her lower arm, was a large flaring piece of the outer layer fabric. Around her waist was a light brown belt that put the pieces together.
Karigan sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but think of Zachary. Oh how she missed him and wished he was there with her. She missed the feel of his arms around her and of how safe and protected that it made her feel. She smiled slightly and her hand gently fell to her abdomen as she thought of his eyes lit up and his smile that would erupt when she was with him. She missed the sound of his voice and especially the feel of his lips upon hers when they would partake in the few moments of intimacy that they could now indulge in.
"There you are my lady," one of the Eletian women said, bringing Karigan out of her thoughts.
Karigan smoothed out the front of her dress and said to the women, "Thank you." They bowed slightly to her before leaving the room. After they left, Karigan left her place in front of the mirror to a vanity table. With a gentle smile, she picked up the bracelet that Zachary had given her and wrapped it around her wrist, now feeling the ensemble was complete.
There was a knock on the door, leading Karigan to turn and say, "Yes? Come in."
The door opened to reveal a rather handsome looking Eletian man who smiled at her charmingly from the threshold. "Are you ready to go to dine with the prince my lady?" he asked, flashing his charming lopsided grin.
Karigan nodded silently and moved to grab her cloak and pinning it around her before leaving the room with the Eletian. As they walked, the Eletian said, "For a human, you are a very beautiful woman."
Karigan felt the heat in her cheeks, "Thank you." She wrapped her arms around herself and asked, "And to who do I owe the pleasure of being complemented by?"
"Aelthus, my lady," he answered gently grasping her arm to link it with his. Karigan cleared her throat, slightly uncomfortable but not saying anything. He stopped and leaned in close, his lips softly touching the shell of her ear. "I would be more than happy to help my lady become more acquainted with our people. I would be honored to put some Elt blood within your line," Aelthus whispered seductively.
Karigan pushed him away, "My apologies, but I am otherwise engaged with someone else."
"A pity, but I'm sure that I can give more than he could ever dream of," he retorted, gently stroking the bared spot of her arm.
She had had enough, Karigan stepped away and said to him, "Either this discussion is over and we continue or I find my own way to meet your prince. What will it be sir?"
Aelthus scowled and said, "Of course my lady. This way." With a wave of his hand, he pointed further down the hall.
"Thank you," Karigan said, keeping her distance from him still as they continued down the hall in silence. Karigan wrapped her cloak tighter around her and closed her eyes, now more than any time wishing Zachary was here with her. This journey to Argenthyne wasn't supposed to be this complicated.
Upon coming to a pair of large wood doors, Aelthus opened one slightly and motioned for her to enter. Karigan brushed past him and entered the large open chamber with great marble columns lining the sides and a large dining table surrounded by chairs was placed in the center of the room. Aelthus only was in the room to bow to the prince who had stood upon Karigan's entrance. "Leave us Aelthus," Prince Jametari said, waving him away and approaching Karigan.
Once the door slammed shut behind her, Prince Jametari came up to her to greet her with a chaste kiss to her knuckles, "You must forgive him Galadheon, even among our people he is quite the casanova."
Her brow furrowed, "How did you know?"
The prince looked at her, "Anyone could feel the tension and the uneasiness that radiated from you Galadheon."
Karigan cleared her throat, "Yes, well, he took great liberties that he didn't have in what was said."
"My apologies for making you uncomfortable. I will have a word with him at a later time. Now, come and sit, we have much to discuss," the prince said, gently leading her to the table.
Karigan unclasped the cloak from around her and draped it over the back of her chair before sitting; another Eletian came up behind her to push in her chair. Once settled in the chair, Karigan asked, "Now what was it that you wanted to speak to me about?"
The prince sighed, "As you may know, my father awoke from his slumber a few years ago. He reclaimed his throne, but we rule in unison; he in Eletia and myself here."
She nodded once; she remembered hearing the story before. "What about him?" she asked.
The prince watched her carefully, Karigan shifted, growing a little uncomfortable in the way he was staring at her. He finally spoke, "He told me things . . . One if which, he told me of someone that you used to know."
Karigan shrugged, "Okay . . ."
"He wants back what he believes is his," the prince said.
Her brow furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"My father feels that you may have had an intimate relationship with this man and he wants that back. He will go to any lengths. And we feel that it will become dangerous," Prince Jametari explained.
Karigan racked her brain for men that she had had that kind of relationship with. She had only had Zachary, and at that moment, there wasn't anything that would lead her to think that what they had would end. "There isn't anyone that I know that I can see that happening," she finally said to the prince.
The prince watched her carefully from where he sat. Karigan squirmed in her seat, feeling like he was examining her again. "You were thrown around through time, after you destroyed the mask here in this very room. You knew him from afterward, but the Gods thought it best that the memories that you had from that time were no longer needed. You don't remember him. He was able to travel here, and has dangerous plans," he finally said. "He searches for you and is determined," he added.
Karigan ignored the Eletians placing food in front of her and continued to watch the prince, trying to make sense of what he was telling her. "Why are you telling me this?" she finally asked.
As the prince had began eating while Karigan was thinking, at her question, he put his fork back down on his plate and answered, "My father thought it best that I come forward with the news to you. You saved our people Galadheon, whether you think or not. And my father and I fully intend on doing the same. This will impact those you hold most dear to you. You must prepare yourself as well as your loved ones. And I must extend my invitation to you that if you should need safe haven, myself and my father in Eletia are more than willing to help you."
Karigan sighed and ran her hands over her face, she laughed mirthlessly, "Why do things like this always happen to me?"
"I am truly sorry Galadheon that I must give you this news. I know not why these things happen. But your gods will watch over you," and then he added with a twinge of a grin, "and know that Laurelyn watches over you and protects you."
Karigan nodded numbly as she stared at the plate of food before her. She took a quick drink of the wine that was also offered to her as she heard the prince add, "Do not despair Galadheon, there is still time. Eat, you will feel better."
-GR-
Later that night, as Karigan returned back to her rooms after the dinner with the prince, she made a side trip to the children's rooms to check on them before they too went to sleep. She stopped in front of William's door first and knocked on the solid wood, listening carefully for an answer. "What?" she heard from inside.
Karigan quietly opened the door and walked inside, gently closing it behind her. "Oh, it's you," William said from his spot on the bed.
Karigan pursed her lips and advanced, "I was just coming to check on you before you went to sleep. How are you?"
He watched his hands as they smoothed over the warm blanket, "Fine I guess."
Karigan watched him as well closely, "What's wrong William? I worry about you, why won't you talk to me?" she asked.
William finally looked up to look at her and then his eyes dropped once again with a sigh. He turned to look out of his window and in the moonlight cascading into the room, Karigan saw tears fall down the boy's cheek. "I miss my mom," he finally said quietly.
Karigan instinctively moved to sit beside him on the bed and wrap her arm around his shoulders to bring him close to her. He sniffled and his head leaned against her. "I'm sorry William, coming from experience, I still don't know why these things happen the way that they do," she said quietly.
William looked up, "Did your mom die too?" Karigan nodded, stroking his hair comfortingly. He looked back down and stared at the wall, Karigan remained silent and let him do what he wanted. After a minute, she heard him say quietly, "I'm sorry lady Karigan."
Karigan's gaze fell down upon him once again, "What for?"
She saw more tears fall and she wiped them away, "I was so mean to you. And you didn't do anything." He paused and Karigan continued to stroke his golden locks, "After I saw you with my da, I just . . . I just thought that you were only doing everything to get to my da. I'm sorry. I see now, that you really to care, and not just for the fame and fortune."
Karigan began to feel her own tears build up in her eyes and she leaned down to gently place a kiss upon William's head, "You don't need to apologize to me William. I understand, it's necessary for you to be skeptical of new people entering your life." Karigan leaned back to gently turn William so he looked back at her, "William, all I care about is that you finally came and talked to me. I do care about you, and I worried that your feelings would build up till it was unhealthy."
William buried his face in Karigan's side and he wept, continuing to repeat, "I'm sorry," over and over again. Karigan held him close and began to eventually sway side to side in an attempt at comforting him.
Eventually, after William had tired, he mumbled into her side, "Will you stay with me tonight?"
Karigan gently laid him down upon the bed, stood, and covered him with the blankets, "Of course William." And then she sat once again beside him on the bed, holding William's hand as he drifted off to sleep.
-GR-
In the dead of night sat Sacoridia's king in his office sitting in a high backed chair reading his latest correspondence from his beloved and his children. There were multiple letters that had been delivered earlier that day by an Eletian messenger. Only now was he able to read them.
Zachary's brows furrowed in concern as he read the most recent letter from Karigan.
Zachary,
We arrived at Argenthyne only yesterday, and should be staying few only a few more days before we sail back to Corsa. Zachary, I don't mean to worry you, but I was told some very important information by Prince Jametari upon my first night here. We need to meet somewhere, and we need to talk.
Know that I miss you with all my heart and I hope to see you again soon.
Your beloved,
Karigan
Without a second thought, Zachary stood and replaced the letter along with the others upon his desk. "Fastion," he called.
Instantly, the Weapon opened the door and watched as his king bustled about his office, "What's wrong sire?"
"Cancel all of my appointments for the next month," King Zachary answered, busily stacking leather bound books in the corner of the desk.
Fastion's head cocked to the side, "Might I inquire as to why my liege?"
Zachary grabbed his greatcoat and approached him shrugging it on as he answered, "I'm traveling to Corsa, Karigan has important information that could not be conveyed through paper."
Zachary brushed past Fastion in a hurry to his rooms to pack. Fastion was left to keep up to acquire more information from his charge, "Right now your majesty?"
"Yes," he answered simply. "I trust that you can inform the needed people to take care of things while I am gone. And have the stable ready my horse," he added, arriving at his door and opening it. Fastion nodded to Willis to take care of that while he stayed with the king.
"Your majesty? Are you sure that this is the best course of action? It's in the middle of the night, can't this wait till the morn?" Fastion asked him, following him into his rooms.
Zachary sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "She said that she has important news that we need to discuss. Fastion, she never says that unless it's important and I'm not taking the chance of someone getting hurt." He turned around to face his guard, "I'm leaving tonight, and Fastion, there's not one person that can convince me otherwise."
Dun, dun, dun!
I hope y'all enjoyed this, I do believe that this may be the longest chapter yet *round of applause* :P. I'd like to thank Aereal for checking spelling, and just in case I absolutely butchered the dress description, there's a picture of it on Devientart: Elvan Fashions: Dress Casual by Lady-Blue-Rose. It's the dress on the far left, only in green. :D As usual, review/follow/favorite.
edited/updated: 11/15/15
bornagaindisciple
