Karigan entered the large chamber ahead of her king. It was cool, and Karigan shivered at the memories the tombs held. For her and for everyone entombed here. They were in one of the large side chambers, away from any actual tombs and relics, with quick access to the outside. It was the only room Agemon would tolerate them using. It was large and empty, perhaps used once upon a time as a receiving room or gathering place.

Prince Jametari and his party were waiting, impatiently if the look on the prince's face was anything to go by. Enver stood at the edge of the Elatian party, looking pitiful and uncomfortable; his eyes ever on her. Zachary stilled behind her and when she looked over her shoulder at him, his eyes were locked on Enver. Karigan gently touched his clenched hand and his angry eyes turned to her. She saw him take a deep breath and nod the slightest of movements. They continued into the room and while Zachary did not look again at Enver, Karigan could feel the anger vibrating off of him. Anger that felt more like the power he'd had before, in the snow.

"King Zachary. Galadheon." Prince Jametari said in greeting.

"Prince Jametari. I hope your travels were easy."

The Elatian prince nodded. "They were. Now, what sort of meeting is this, in such an odd place?"

Karigan tightened her grip on her staff and breathed slow through her nose. She could feel Zachary quivering in barley contained anger next to her.

"We have concerns, Prince Jametari, about your motives and needed to speak away from the eyes of court. We are concerned you may not understand the true nature of this alliance."

Jametari's eyes slid between Karigan and Zachary, no doubt noticing Karigan stood even with Zachary and the use of the royal We.

"What concerns could there possibly be about our motives in this alliance? We helped lead you to the p'ehdrose."

"You led us there," Karigan spoke, "with the knowledge humans weren't allowed in their lands. At no point did you inform us of that."

She took a step forward and look directly as Enver. "You had other motives for the assignment."

Jametari ignored her look at Enver. "It was never our intention to mislead you. Pacts between the p'ehdrose and humans are different than those of the Elatians."

"You don't deny you knew."

Jametari turned old eyes past her to King Zachary. "What is the purpose of this?"

"What was Enver's purpose?" She asked him, forced him to address her.

He slowly drew his eyes back to Karigan. "Wouldn't a more physical tie between Sacordia and Elatia be beneficial? To everyone? I cannot be blamed for Enver's own rash actions." Jametari glanced at Enver, who slunk further back. "He is young. His mistakes are his own."

Karigan heard Zachary take a long, deep breath behind her.

"I would think a pairing between yourself and a respectful Elatian would be a benefit to both our peoples."

"She is my betrothed." Zachary nearly growled.

Jametari dragged his eyes back to the king. "Ah, I see. Congratulations are in order then. When is the wedding?"

"Undecided." Zachary said and stepped even with Karigan. "No more plots. We are not your pawns."

"There were no plots," Jametari said.

"DO NOT LIE," Karigan thundered but her voice was not her own. Her voice echoed with the power of gods and she sensed Silvestre nearby. He willed her brooch to listen to her, to know what she was trying to do.

Karigan took several large steps toward Jametari and, reaching deep down into a place she wasn't sure existed, she reached for the Avatar. The part of herself that belonged to the gods. She felt Silvestre appear behind her, heard his loud breaths. The eyes of the Elatians in front of her went wide.

"I AM NOT YOUR PAWN." Her voice echoed and Karigan knew she had stars in her eyes.

An Elatian guard stepped forward but a look from Karigan halted his movements. She stared at him, her eyes full of mirror and stars, until the guard backed up. His steps were halting and stiff, but the OTHERNESS of her gaze forced him back.

Enver lunged, whatever control he managed up until now gone, for Karigan. Before she could move, Zachary was next to her. Enver roared and it sounded wild. He dove for Zachary, who swung his fist fast and hard right into the center of Enver's chest. The echoing thud reverberated in the empty room as Enver flew backwards onto his backside. Zachary stood, fist clenched and vibrating. His eyes glowed with that same fire they had all those nights ago. Karigan put a soft hand on his arm to still him.

"I am not to be manipulated." Karigan spoke softer, but still carried the weight of MORE. "I am the Avatar of the gods. And he is my Firebrand."

Enver moved to stand and Zachary took a step toward him. Jametari moved his hand in a fast, sharp motion and Enver stayed where he was.

"Attempt to control me like that again, and my Firebrand will kill whoever you send and I will destroy any soul you have left."

Jametari glanced between the two of them. "Seems you've finally awoken."

"Leave." Zachary said. "We will meet again when the p'ehdrose arrive. Until then...leave. And he," Zachary pointed at Enver still on the ground. "Is to never return."

Jametari nodded slowly and in quiet words too soft for Karigan to hear, dismissed his party. They followed the pair of Weapons to the door that would lead them to the outside. Karigan's legs started to shake and sweat was running down her back. Her head pounded in the telltale sign of using her brooch too much. She clenched her teeth as she fought against the pounding in her head and the shake in her limbs until the entire Elatian party was gone from the room.

Karigan groaned, unable to keep upright as the magic left her, and sunk to her knees. She braced her hand on the cold stone floor to keep from falling completely.

"Kari," Zachary was there with his hands on her shoulders. "Karigan!"

"It worked," she said weakly as her vision started to fade. "Didn't think that'd work."

"Karigan."

She felt herself being picked up, then it was black.

The first thing she noticed was the pounding in her head. So not dead, she thought and groaned.

The gods were only a little amused with your stunt, lass. A voice that seemed familiar said.

Karigan cracked open her eyes to a dark but empty room.

Don't expect that to work again.

"What?" Karigan asked the empty room.

"Karigan?"

She rolled over, toward the voice, and realized she was in a much nicer bed than her own.

"Karigan. You're awake."

Her eyes finally focused on Zachary, sitting on the edge of the bed looking warn and worried.

"Where am I?"

"In the royal apartments. We used the royal tunnels to get from the tombs to here. No one saw you."

She grunted and gently eased herself into a sitting position, her back resting against the elaborate headboard. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours." Zachary gripped her hand. "Are you alright?"

"Hmm." Karigan nodded. "I'll be fine." She looked around the room but couldn't find her. Lil had left, or maybe she hadn't even been here. Either way, her words were right. Using the gods power like that wasn't going to work again. They helped her prove a point and set boundaries, but they wouldn't let her flaunt that power again. Not without consequences.

"Do you think our point was made?" Karigan asked with a low chuckle.

Zachary smiled. "I don't think they'll be underestimating you again any time soon. After you've rested, I'll send Ben in with tomorrow's itinerary. Now that our engagement is official, its time you start sitting in on meetings."

Karigan held back a groan. "You're right."

Zachary stood but kept ahold of her hand. "I'll let you get some rest."

Karigan let her eyes close against her pounding head and tugged on Zachary. "Stay. And then you can tell me about tomorrow's events."

The bed dipped and then Zachary was tucking her into his side. She fell asleep to the sound of Zachary's heartbeat and hoofbeats.

Sorry for such a long break. I struggled with figuring out how to end this chapter. But finally at least, it's here.