Zachary did not see much of Karigan for the next week despite the fact that the influx of petitioners had finally slowed. He knew she was still reeling from the events with Alton, but he could not help but worry. He considered going down to the Rider barracks multiple times but dismissed the idea each time, knowing that it would show his hand before he was ready. Still, concern over her condition distracted him, and he knew that his advisors were beginning to notice.

He was finishing dinner alone in his study one night when he heard the door behind him open. "Sire?" a familiar voice called. Turning, Zachary saw Fastion standing in the doorway, a younger Weapon beside him. The second Weapon must have been new, for Zachary did not recognize him. He frowned at the two, knowing Fastion would not have interrupted without a good reason. "Your Highness," Fastion greeted, bowing. The second Weapon followed suit. "Everett has some information we thought you might want to know," Fastion said as he straightened. Zachary turned curiously to Everett, and the young man wet his lips, seeming nervous.

"I was patrolling the lower corridors, and I was in the one behind the archives, the abandoned one." Zachary nodded, knowing the corridor of which he spoke. Everett glanced at Fastion briefly before continuing. "I heard a noise. It sounded like a woman screaming. I was going to investigate when I heard her say your name. Your real one. . . I mean, not Your Highness. . ." He gave Fastion another glance, and the older Weapon nodded wordlessly. "Zachary," he finally said, his voice dropping low as if afraid someone might overhear. Zachary exchanged a glance with Fastion, seeing understanding in the other man's eyes. He nodded.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Everett. I will handle it."

"Are you sure, Sire? I do not want you to be harmed. I thought that maybe she was plotting with someone against you."

"Thank you for your concern, Everett, but I assure you I am perfectly safe."

It seemed, however, that Everett had overcome his initial shyness. "Perhaps I should go with you just in case. I can show you exactly where to go as well."

Zachary glanced at Fastion who finally came to his rescue. "I will take His Majesty," he said firmly. Everett looked between the two men before nodding. He bowed once more and exited the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Zachary moved to the bookshelf on the opposite wall. Fastion did not question his plans, for he knew the tunnels as well if not better than Zachary. Zachary pulled three books off, stepping back as the hidden door swung open. Only once it closed behind them did Fastion speak again. "Something happened." It was not a question.

"Yes." Zachary did not give more details, and Fastion was too well-trained to ask for them despite the fact that Zachary knew he was curious.

"Will she be okay?"

Zachary frowned and gave the only honest answer he could. "I do not know." With those words, both men quickened their pace, soon reaching the exit they were seeking. They emerged in the middle of a darkened hallway, and Fastion turned to the right.

"Everett said that he heard the noises from the end of the hallway." Zachary nodded, following him. They opened each door they came to, and it did not take long for them to find her. Zachary's heart broke when he saw her curled up on an old tattered couch, a couch she had not even bothered to remove the slip cover from. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and they stared blankly ahead, not truly seeing anything. How had he not noticed how frightened she was before? Silently, Zachary vowed never to let his work for the kingdom get in the way of helping someone he loved again, no matter how many petitioners he had to make wait.

"Karigan," he said softly. She startled, turning. Her face fell when she saw him standing there.

"Zachary. I. . ." Her words faltered as she struggled to explain her current situation. Zachary stepped forward, taking her hand.

"Have you been here since. . . that night?"

"I just didn't feel like going back to the barracks." Zachary nodded.

"Come on. I'm sure the couch in my study is much more comfortable than this one."

"Zachary, I couldn't. What if people saw?"

"No one will see. And I won't take no for an answer. You need a good night's sleep. Probably several but we'll start with one." He tugged gently on her hand, and she stood, almost automatically. He nodded to Fastion as they passed, and the Weapon quickly retrieved the small bag of clothing sitting beside the couch before joining them in the hallway. They once more took the tunnels, and it was not long before they reached the study. Zachary settled her onto the couch, covering her once again with his greatcoat. Once satisfied with that, he started to stand, but she tightened her grip on his hand, stopping him.

"Can you. . . stay?" Her voice broke slightly on the last word, and Zachary bit his lip at the anguish he heard there.

"As long as you need me," he promised. He sat beside her, adjusting her position so her head was in his lap with his arm over her shoulders. "Sleep," he said gently, rubbing his hand comfortably against her arm. Her eyes finally started to close, and he felt her muscles relax beneath his hand. It was not long before her deep breathing indicated that she had finally succumbed to sleep. Zachary let his head fall back against the sofa, and his exhaustion soon caught up to him, dragging him into slumber as well.

A knocking sound woke him some time later, and he blinked, noting that it was still early enough that no light filtered through the large bay window that overlooked the grounds. He carefully extracted himself from the sofa and turned toward the door, hoping to head off whatever visitor he had. Before he could move far, however, the door opened and Laren stepped through. She looked troubled. "What is it, Laren?" Zachary asked, stepping toward her.

"It's Karigan. She seems to be missing. I went to check on her this morning, and she was not in her room. In fact, it looked like her bed had not been slept in at all."

"Oh?" Zachary kept his face impassive, but his casual tone obviously raised Laren's suspicions. She glanced up at him sharply.

"You know something, don't you?"

"I don't believe she's slept in her room at all this past week."

Laren sighed. "Oh, Moonling, please tell me that you did not do something stupid."

"My only act of stupidity was to not check in on her sooner. She's been sleeping in one of the empty rooms in the abandoned corridor on the East Wing. Or, more likely, trying to sleep. I don't believe she has had much rest recently."

Laren frowned. "I thought she had just been avoiding the barracks during the day which is why I was trying to find her early this morning. I didn't realize she was also avoiding it at night. Alton went back to the wall three days ago."

"I don't believe it is just Alton who frightens her. The prospect of anyone being an enemy, even someone she thought was a friend, is understandably terrifying."

"Perhaps locks on the doors and windows would help," Laren mused. "I can go talk with her, see what she wants to do."

"I think we have found a solution." It did not take Laren's sharp mind long to understand what he meant, and she stepped further into the study, her eyes landing on the girl still sleeping on the sofa.

"Zachary, you know that's not an acceptable solution. What if someone saw her here? I can't even imagine the rumors that would spread."

"We'll just have to ensure that no one sees her here then." Laren raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You know as well as I do, Laren, that she's only going to sleep if she feels safe."

"And you think that she will only feel safe with you? How do you know that whatever possessed Alton won't take you as well?"

Zachary shrugged. "For whatever reason, it does not seem to be able to do so. Regardless, I could never hurt her, possessed or otherwise."

"Why risk it? This has the potential to start rumors that could lose you the throne."

"I don't care. She's worth much more than any position." He looked over at Karigan, feeling the familiar swelling in his chest as he watched her sleep.

"You truly love her," Laren observed.

"More than I ever expected to love anyone," Zachary agreed, deciding that if he was going to show his hand, he might as well go all in.

"Announcing a courtship could start a civil war."

"Don't you think I'm in the best position to determine what might or might not start a civil war?" Zachary questioned, eyes flashing.

"Normally I would say yes, but I'm not sure you're thinking rationally about this."

"Then perhaps you don't know me as well as you think." Zachary stared at her defiantly for a moment, and she finally averted her gaze, looking back to Karigan.

"And Karigan's feelings on all this?" Perhaps he was being overly sensitive, but Zachary could not help but hear accusation in her tone.

"We have discussed it at length and are in agreement if that's what you're asking."

"Moonling, you have to realize that Karigan is much less experienced than you, not only in politics but in love as well. I just want to make sure she hasn't gotten so swept up in a fairy tale that she's not considering the full implications of her actions."

"We're both well aware of what's at stake."

"There are other women out there, Moonling. Many of them are lovely and smart and will prove to be far less complicated matches. And there are many men out there as well that would be happy to call Karigan their wife. I agree that you two would be a good match if not for your relative positions, but the reality is that your positions aren't changing."

"Do you want to know what really happened in the forest with the shadow mage?" Zachary questioned. Laren seemed slightly taken-aback by the apparent non-sequiter, but he plowed onward. She needed to hear this. If he could not get one of his oldest friends on his side, he did not have much hope. "He was ready to kill me. He shot some sort of spell straight at me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. But Karigan did. She stepped in front of the spell, let it hit her square in the chest. It rebounded, hit the shadow mage instead and that's what let me kill him. I learned later that her actions stopped him because it exploited the one thing he did not understand. Love. She loved me enough to die in my place, and I would do the same. That's why I can't marry anyone else. I can't ignore that connection, Laren. I can't pretend that it doesn't exist. Aeryc knows that I tried for awhile, but if Blackveil taught me anything, it's that there are things in life that are worth fighting for, and this is one of them. As one of my oldest friends, I was very much hoping for your support."

"And you will have it. I just don't know how much it will help."

Zachary smiled. "It will help more than you think."

Laren glanced back at the girl sleeping on his sofa. "And all she is going to do here is sleep?"

Zachary colored, wondering how Laren could make him feel like a naughty schoolboy despite the fact that he was the most powerful man in the kingdom. "I will see you in a few hours for petitions, Laren."

"Just ensure that any heirs to the throne are legitimate or you will have me to answer to." She gave him one last significant glare before leaving the room. Zachary sighed and sank into the chair behind his desk.

The other Lord Governers began to arrive the following week for the Mid-Winter meetings. Fortunately, L'Petrie was one of the first, and Zachary managed to secure a private meeting with him the day after he arrived. He was delighted when he heard of Zachary's intention to marry someone from his province, even if it was a commoner. He had heard of Karigan, of course, both because she the daughter of the wealthiest merchant in his province and because of her part in stopping Amilton's coup. After some consideration, he admitted that everything he had heard indicated she would make a fine queen and pledged his support, even agreeing to talk to Lady Wayman and bring her support as well. Zachary felt himself relax with that promise. It seemed that everything was finally coming together.

Zachary debated a bit before deciding which Lord Governor he would speak to next, for the remaining eight were the ones who he was less certain would be on his side. Eventually, he settled on Lord Adolind. The grizzled Lord had never married and thus had no daughters to throw at the king. He had already named his nephew as heir though Zachary had heard rumors he was considering a second cousin instead, feeling his nephew would be ill-suited to the position. Zachary could not argue with that assessment—the younger Lord Adolind seemed to spend more of his time drinking and cheating on his wife than actually learning how to govern a province.

Regardless, the fact of the matter was that Lord Adolind had no family members he seemed particularly interested in placing on the throne with a marriage alliance which made him a more likely ally than some of the other Lord Governors. For that reason, Zachary invited him to dinner one night. After a few minutes of small talk, Lord Adolind sat back, eyeing Zachary critically. "So, are you going to tell me what you're looking for support for or are you going to make me guess?"

Zachary gave a small smile, reminding himself that he should not underestimate the older Lord. The years seemed to have sharpened his mind rather than weakened it. "I should have known that you would see my motives right away." He paused briefly, steeling himself. "I am planning to announce my courtship at the Midwinter festival."

"I assume Henri is doing a happy jig at this very moment." Lord Adolind returned his attention to his food, seeming bored with the conversation.

"I doubt he will be happy with my news, actually."

Lord Adolind looked up again, eyebrows raised. "You're not accepting the Coutre proposal?"

"I am not," Zachary confirmed.

The wrinkles on Lord Adolind's forehead crinkled in puzzlement. "Why not? For Aeryc's sake, boy, if I were thirty years younger, I'd marry her myself."

"Alas, she is not the right person for me."

"Right person? I always thought those rumors were just farcical. I do believe that people should be allowed to do what they want, but I don't feel that I can reasonably support that sort of union. This kingdom needs an heir."

Zachary colored as he realized what Lord Adolind was implying. "Those rumors are farcical. I plan to marry a woman, just not necessarily one that you might expect."

"You know, you could just say who it is so I don't have to waste my time guessing."

"Karigan G'ladheon." Lord Adolind looked puzzled again, and Zachary clarified. "She's a merchant's daughter from Corsa. She-"

"A commoner? Henri won't just be unhappy—he'll be livid." He peered closer at Zachary. "You know, there are ways to deal with such things. Aeryc knows we've used them often enough for Hopper." At Zachary's confused look, he clarified. "Family nickname for Gregor. Some of the less charitable among us might add 'bed' to the beginning of it." The name of Lord Adolind's nephew clarified the older man's meaning for Zachary.

"Karigan is not pregnant," Zachary told him.

"Then why marry the girl?"

"I feel that Karigan is what the kingdom needs in a queen. As I'm sure you aware, we are coming upon trying times, and I want to ensure we have a queen who has the strength to weather through those with me."

"And I am sure marrying a wealthy merchant's daughter could help refill the royal coffers." Zachary shrugged. He knew that others would assume that, and he and Karigan had decided it was not worth fighting that perception. Lord Adolind laughed. "Don't worry, boy, I'll support the marriage if only to see Lord Coutre's face. It's sure to provide great entertainment." He laughed again, and Zachary smiled as well. It was not exactly what he hoped for, but it would do.

After his success with Lord Adolind, Zachary spent a few days feeling out the other Lord Governors who had arrived. He knew that none of the Eastern lords would support him, for they were all loyal to Coutre, but he was hoping that he could bring at least two more on board so that he had a majority. Two days after talking with Lord Adolind, he was sitting in yet another budget meeting with his advisors when the door to the room opened. "There's a woman here to see you, Sire," a Greenfoot announced, bowing at Zachary's feet. "She said to tell you that her name was Garcia and that you had been expecting her."

"Of course. Send her in." The boy nodded and rose to his feet, running out of the room. A couple minutes later, Garcia walked in. Zachary smiled at her as he stood. "Welcome. I trust your journey went well."

Garcia stopped before him and bowed. "It did, Sire. I wish to thank you again for the accommodations. My people are most grateful."

"I am just glad that Sacordia could provide the support you needed." Garcia rose again, glancing at the group of advisors surrounding him. Zachary understood her meaning immediately. "Jameson, Kingsly, Roberts, Ewing, Inleigh it is nearly time for the midday meal. Perhaps we can pick this back up at second hour?" The five budget advisors bowed somewhat reluctantly, obviously curious about Garcia's appearance, but they could not disobey a direct order from their king. Once they left, it was just Colin, Sperren, and Cummings with Zachary. He nodded to Garcia to continue, and she understood immediately that he was telling her he trusted them with whatever news she was to give.

"The darkness in the land did not die with the shadow mage," Garcia began. "I had hoped that it would, that I was wrong about what was to pass, but it seems I was not."

"The magic that everyone is seeing," Sperren remarked.

Garcia nodded. "It is a symptom, yes. But it is only the beginning."

"The beginning of what?" Sperren asked, irritation coloring his tone.

"The end of an era." Colin, Sperren, and Cummings all looked to Zachary, obviously waiting for him to contradict her, but he remained thoughtful. He may not have had Laren's gift, but he sensed truth in her words. He, too, felt that something big was brewing.

"You speak in riddles," Colin remarked. "But you've given us nothing of substance."

"The dark moonstone," Garcia said, her eyes still locked with Zachary's. "Where is it?"

He startled a moment, having forgotten all about it with everything else that had happened. "I believe it's in the tombs. Why?"

"I believe it will be of great help." Doubt must have shown on Zachary's face, for she continued. "It was not always corrupted. It was once a source of great power for good."

"How do we return it to that state?" Zachary questioned.

"I do not know, but I would like to study it. Perhaps that will bring further clarity."

Zachary nodded. "I will have someone take you down to it after you have a chance to settle in."

"You should ask your lover to do so. I sense she has more knowledge of it than she realizes." Zachary felt his neck grow hot with the term she used to describe Karigan. Beside him, someone coughed, but he did not dare look over to see who. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on Garcia.

"I can have someone find her after the midday meal," he agreed. The fact that he did not correct the word caused a further stir, and Zachary heard muttering from the three other men surrounding him. Garcia obviously noted it as well, for she looked over to them and sighed.

"Would it help to know that your king has not lain with anyone in many years?" she questioned. The flush spread to Zachary's cheeks with her words, and he heard someone—likely Colin—give a short bark of laughter before he managed to quiet himself. Silently, Zachary prayed that they could move off of the topic before they began delving into his entire sexual history. Garcia tutted. "I will never understand the ways of Sacoridians," she muttered.

"Would you like to join us for the midday meal?" Zachary offered.

"I actually have another engagement. But I should return by the second hour."

"I will have someone prepare accommodations for you."

"That would be most appreciated." She started to turn but stopped, staring off into space for a moment. "The darkness. It will affect more than Sacoridia. Much more."

"How much?" Zachary questioned.

"More than ever before. It's time for alliances long-forgotten to be restored. We will not win otherwise. And even then. . ." She trailed off, but the ominous ending of her sentence was perfectly clear. With a quick shake of her head, she finished turning and strode from the room.

Once the door had shut behind her, all four men remained in silence for a minute. Colin finally broke it. "Do you trust her, Sire?"

Zachary nodded. "She is called Wise Woman among her people, and she comes by the title honestly."

"So what do we do?"

Zachary sighed and turned to face the three men, feeling the mantle of his position more than ever. "What we have been doing. Continuing to research the cause of this magic and preparing for war."

"And this dark moonstone of which she speaks. Do you think it will help?"

"I honestly do not know. It is certainly powerful, that much is true."

All three advisors hesitated for a moment, and Zachary anticipated the question before it came. It was Sperren who finally worked up the courage to voice it aloud. "And the woman who will help her with it?" Three pairs of eyes watched Zachary closely and despite all his training, it took considerable effort for him not to squirm.

"Karigan G'ladheon," he said, figuring it best not to beat around the bush. That caused a good deal more muttering among his advisors.

"The merchant's daughter who accompanied you into Blackveil?" Colin questioned.

"Accompany is a bit of a strong word," Zachary said. "But yes."

"And your. . . relationship with her?" Colin asked.

Zachary met his eyes. "I plan to announce our courtship at the Midwinter festival." His advisors' eyes went wide, and it was a few seconds before Sperren spoke.

"You certainly played that close to the belt, Majesty."

Zachary gave a small smile. "Let us just say that it is still something we are both getting used to."

"If you don't mind me asking, what did happen in Blackveil? I feel that perhaps we may not have received the whole story." Zachary took a deep breath, knowing Sperren was correct that it was time he told the whole story, including Karigan's part in it.

"Perhaps we should talk over a meal. It is a long story." The three advisors nodded, and Zachary stood, leading the way from the room.