Ch 12
As usual, much thanks to Sirius for the Beta and suggestions!! Also thanks to all the Reviewers!! You guys feed my muses!
When at last the Weapon and future Queen arrived in Sacor City they were greeted by a Green Foot. "Captain Mapstone has returned and would like to see you," the child bowed low.
The Green Rider growled. She was hoping to see Zachary first.
"I'll go aprise the King of our return. It will give you a chance to change as well." Fastion mentioned.
She nodded and set off for the Rider Wing, Willis in tow.
Karigan was surprised - to say the least - when she entered Captain Mapstone's office to see her father sitting comfortably before her superior. Before she could say a word though, Stevic was on his feet. He didn't even notice Lord Coutre entering after her.
"Are you mad?!" he asked, his eyes wide with concern.
"Father," Karigan replied dryly. She gave Captain Mapstone the barest of nods. She smelled a rat.
"Karigan, do you have any idea what you are doing? Do you realize how your reputation could be ruined?" Stevic had his daughter by the shoulders, shaking her.
A black clad figure bolted from the shadows, ripping the merchant from his child. Stevic blinked as he realized there was a sword point at his throat.
"Willis, I appreciate your protectiveness, but I would be more appreciative if you would avoid skewering my father." Karigan commented, placing her hand on the Weapon's shoulder.
Willis nodded, stepping away to sheath his blade. He stood next to Karigan, glowering at the merchant.
The Lord Govenor watched the scene with wide eyes, surprised at the level of vehemence in Karigan's father. One would think that he would be glad to have his daughter involved with the King.
Stevic touched his hand to his throat, and was relieved to see no blood. "Your Weapon?" he croaked.
Karigan nodded.
"Wonderful," Stevic muttered, pacing the floor.
Captain Mapstone surveyed the scene, a scowl on her face. "Why would you have a Weapon?" she asked. She, of course, knew the answer to the question. She had been around Weapons her entire life, but perhaps she could get Karigan to give her and her father an honest answer about what was going on. She felt Willis' eyes on her and she was startled with a sudden thought. The Weapons no longer trust me.The implications made the Captain's mind whirl with intrigue. Her mind briefly flickered back to her mission and Zachary's words before she left. 'I had thought you would trust me.' She trusted her King, but she was afraid the man in him had made a mistake. She worried that this whole situation would bring about a civil war, and if she admitted it, she was jealous of Karigan and Zachary.
Willis' eyes narrowed at the Captain. Drent had told him to watch her that she was set against the King and Rider. He didn't realize how stubborn the Captain would be.
Karigan sighed. She knew exactly what the Captain's tone implied. "For my protection," she stated evenly, folding her arms across her chest.
"There is only one reason why you would need a Weapon," Laren continued.
Stevic's face grew even redder. "Please tell me you have not consented to be his mistress,"
Willis took a step forward, only to be pulled back by Karigan. She shook her head at him. "I will handle this," she whispered.
"Father," Karigan began slowly, her patience slowly evaporating, "I am not a child. What exactly I decide to do with my body and with whom is my own business."
Stevic sputtered, his face changing shades, and sweat breaking out on his brow.
"That being said, I am not the King's mistress."
Laren's eyes narrowed. Some time between the Captain's departure for Rhovanny and her return to Sacor City, Karigan's confidence had grown. She was acting like...a Queen. Laren was puzzled. Yate's message had only contained a single sentence from Zachary. "Karigan's family must be in attendance at the wedding, on the next full moon at midnight. It is imperative." Before she could ask a question Stevic stood.
"Thank the Gods. You'll stop this foolishness, come home to Corsa and marry Master Bramer Coyle."
"Foolishness?" Karigan asked, dumbfounded. How could this man claim to know her and love her? She thought back to their long arguments over her answering the Rider Call, how he had assumed that she would get over the 'phase' as he had called it.
"Yes, what else could you call all of this?" Stevic gestured wildly.
Willis glanced at his mistress, fighting his inclination to step back. She was radiating anger. Her face and fists were tight, and he could almost hear her teeth grinding.
"This is not foolishness. And I have had enough of you, of both of you," her glare took in Captain Mapstone as well. "You both have gone too far. Now, you cannot do anything."
"What are you talking about?" Laren slowly stood, the hairs on the back of her neck rising. What had her children done?
"Zachary has broken his engagement with Estora. Our own announcement shall be soon, we are to be married. Even the Council of Lords knows! And, if their begrudging approval wasn't enough for the both of you, chew on this; a moon priest approached Zachary. After months of unsuccessful forecasting for Estora and Zachary's marriage date, Aeryc himself gave the date for our marriage with blessings! If the Gods themselves have no objections, it would be best for you both to get used to the idea...quickly," she stated icily, her eyes daring them to argue. Turning on her heel, she held her head high as she marched out of the office.
"What she says is the truth." Lord Coutre spoke up, the slack jawed expressions on the occupants' faces making him want to chuckle. He composed himself instead.
"She loves him," Coutre continued, as Stevic stared at Karigan's retreating back.
Captain Mapstone looked like a fish, her mouth opening and closing at the revelation. She had thought that the person to be most upset by this turn of events would be the Lord Governor. Had she been wrong, all this time? She leaned back in her chair, watching the two men. They had given her no further thought.
Stevic peered at Lord Coutre, his look questioning.
"I followed Rider Sir G'ladheon to see if the Captain had brought back a letter from Corsa for me," he said by way of explanation.
"How can you, a lord, be in favor of this?" Stevic asked, ignoring the last of his statement.
Coutre sighed. "I never met my wife until the day we wed. Over time, we grew to care for one another. I have never known anything but her friendship and love. But, we were not each other's choice. When you see your child fall in love, you cannot force them down your path."
Stevic knew that Coutre was speaking of his own situation.
"Would you condemn your daughter to live without love? To let her live knowing that she had a love that was complete, true, and you denied that to her?" Lord Coutre continued.
Kariny's face flashed in Stevic's mind, and he felt sickened. To have known her, and allowed her to get back upon that ship to Rhovan, to never see her again. Or worse, see her marry another, and not being able to escape it? Stevic felt sick. He didn't know how Karigan had stood it, knowing that she loved the King, but would have to watch him wed another.
"I am of common blood, Lord Coutre, but my wife was not. She gave up everything for me, and I've spent each day since then trying to be worthy of that sacrifice. Some days I do better than others," Stevic quietly admitted, ashamed.
Lord Coutre placed a comforting hand on the merchant's shoulder. "We would not be parents, or men, if we did not fail in our duties. I too, failed my daughter. I ignored her love, believing in the superiority of the nobility. For her, it was too late. She lost her opportunity to be with the one she loved. Stupidly, I forced her into this betrothal, believing it was in her best interests, at the expense of our monarch's happiness. I was wrong. I believe though, that we can both come to a favorable situation."
Stevic looked up, intrigued. He knew a bartering tone when he heard one. "Yes?"
"Tell me about Master Bramer Coyle," Lord Coutre began, and a smile broke out over Stevic's face.
"I would be glad to," the merchant nodded, standing smoothly. "Perhaps we can discuss this, somewhere more private?"
Lord Coutre nodded. "My suite is in the east wing of the castle, please follow me."
Captain Mapstone rose to her feet, bowing to the exiting men. They gave her a cursory bow in return. As the door to her office shut, she plopped into her seat with an audible sigh.
"Huh," she mused, her hand on her chin, deep in thought. She reached into her desk drawer pulling out the satchel that she had carried all the way from Rhovan. Her mind swirled as she withdrew the aged documents. Patents of nobility were valuable items, in more ways than one. In her hands she held the future of her country. Would it be one of peace or civil war? Laren's eyes flickered to the fire burning in her office. Did she dare take the decision into her own hands? Guilt filled her soul and she closed her eyes, dropping her head into her hands. She knew her vehemence against this match was because of her own rejection at the hands of the nobleman she had loved. She didn't hate Karigan or Zachary for their love, only that it served to remind her of her own failed romance. Laren raised her head, her tears blurring her vision. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the patents and shoved them into her desk. It was time the past was buried.
