The days passed in a blur. Karigan spent a significant amount of time with the palace seamstress. The king had suggested in his report summary that she visit the best tailors in town but Karigan had refused. Firstly, it felt too intimate to be linked with him in such a way. Secondly, there was no way in this realm she could make it to and from the castle so many times without falling in a heap. Practicality won out and the castle seamstress it was.
As it happened, this was the best decision. Given they were more or less colleagues, the head seamstress was very understanding of the limitations Karigan had received in her line of duty. She was very sympathetic as Karigan de-robed and explained her injuries, measuring Karigan herself and shooing her assistants out of the room. Karigan was very grateful for the privacy and knew gossip would be kept to a minimum.
"You're lucky that it's warm, lass," said Tarla through a mouth full of pins. "I can create four gowns quickly enough and the light fabric won't bother you as much. Ay, and I'll adapt your formal uniform too so you can sit a wee bit easier."
"Thank you very much. I can't tell you how much better I feel to hear you say that. I saw several ladies leaving Lord Nash's ball last week and those dresses; let's just say, I would rather be fighting Second Empire, and clearly that's saying something."
Tarla laughed at this, and the two gossiped about the current fashion for low backlines and off shoulder dresses. Tarla preferred elegant, conservative fashion and with Karigan's fervent desire to keep her mutilated skin as hidden as possible, they suited each other to a tee.
The morning of the delegation's arrival dawned and Karigan woke with butterflies in her belly.
"Go away," she muttered to them stroppily. She hissed through her teeth loudly as she grabbed the bed pole and with practiced speed, rolled herself off her tummy and swung her legs over the side of the bed in one move. She panted as the pain flared and dulled. She placed a very thin robe on before peering down the corridor and walking towards the bathing room. Her favourite tub was free and she sighed in utter happiness as the hot water instantly soothed her body.
Sometimes the kindness of her fellow riders was almost too much to bear. It was pretty obvious that someone had figured out this was her favourite tub. It was shallower than the others, so she didn't have to manoeuvre as much to get in but she could still easily submerge her back. She had found soon after returning that this tub was always left free around the time that she usually bathed each morning and night. If someone saw her coming towards the room and it was mostly full, they would always make an excuse and come back later. And there was a slowly growing pile of little oil bottles that riders had collected in their travels, since word had spread that she soaked in oil in an effort to moisturise and reduce the scar tissue. Without a word, her friends had let her know how much they meant to her and it filled her heart to the brim.
Karigan covered her damp body with the robe and journeyed back to her room to dress in her formal uniform. Tarla had added several pleats to maintain the shape but allow the stiff, woollen fabric that covered her back to be replaced with cotton, which Karigan found to be much more comfortable. Karigan was just buttoning the last clip near her neck, a clever little design that Tarla had added to minimise her arms wrangling with ties, when Tegan knocked on her door.
"Your hair dresser has arrived, milady!" she said cheerfully as she swept into the room and shoved a pile of brushes, pins and ribbons on the dresser table.
"Uhh Tegs, I'm dressing for a formal interview, not a garden party."
"Nonsense. You are a rider and you must look ravishing. Besides, most of this is for later when we prep you for the ball!"
Karigan rolled her eyes and sat whilst Tegan brushed Karigan's long hair and smoothed the humid curls that had formed in front of her ears from the bath steam. She ran her hand underneath the weight of Karigan's hair and lifted it to put the comb at the nape of her neck. Tegan's hand paused and after a moment Karigan flicked her eyes in the mirror to see Tegan transfixed by her neck. Tarla had left the stiff upper collar of the dress uniform at the front but cut the collar from the back from behind one ear to the other, to ensure that no chafing of Karigan's torn skin occurred. The exposed skin was left uncovered for a small way before a soft, thin cotton panel of exactly the same shade of green as the front of her uniform had been inserted to replace the wool and tapered to a V at the hem. This way, they figured Karigan's hair could be left unplaited and it would hide the missing half collar and the replacement panel, with the bottom of the V coinciding with Karigan's hair thinning at the end. Of course, this was well hidden during the day but not so much when her hair was being held up by a friend who had heard whispers of an injury but not seen the damage with her own eyes. Tears threatened to spill down Tegan's cheek as she met Karigan's eye in the mirror. Karigan stared solemnly back at her.
"It's ok," she said softly. "I can't say it's enjoyable, and some days are worse than others. Today is ok."
Tegan gently placed a kiss on Karigan's head. Sniffing she continued softly brushing whilst Karigan closed her eyes and enjoyed the ministration. After a few minutes the brushing stopped and Karigan opened her eyes to find Tegan staring at her critically in the mirror. Karigan smirked as she gazed back at her. Tegan was clearly lost in thoughts over the best way to add some sort of decoration to Karigan's tresses whilst maintaining the length. A flurry of activity brought friendly banter back into the room as pins were whipped around on braids that looped around the back of her head. Karigan grunted as Tegan shoved the last pin in securely and stood back to admire her craft.
"You'll do," she announced to the empty room. Karigan looked at herself in the full length mirror and started to see herself in full dress uniform, hair looking beautiful. She felt so different, like a piece of her old life had been returned to her.
"Tegan, you're amazing," she murmured. She lifted her hand and gently patted a braid before checking for the last time that her neck and back was covered. She experimented with how her tunic moved for a moment. Satisfied that her scars were fully hidden, she saluted to Tegan, who stood to attention with a wink. Laughing, Karigan left her room to the sound of good luck calls and was surprised to find Fastion waiting in the outside hall.
"Thought you could use some company," he said without preamble. Gazing over her, he nodded and then turned towards the throne room. They walked slowly in companionable silence. Karigan's good mood had faded very quickly out of sight of her fellow rider. For once, pain was not the uppermost thought of her mind. Sweat beaded her brow. She couldn't decide if the dread she felt over the diplomatic visit was more or less than that of seeing the king. Licking her lips, she flicked the corner of her eye towards Fastion's calm, stoic face and an image of him guarding the throne sprang vividly to her mind. The image made her heartbeat quicken. The king, she thought. Definitely the king.
They reached the throne room and entered through a side door. The hum of voices filled the air as the invited aristocracy chatted in advance of the formal presentation. Most nobles had already arrived in the city for the start of the Season, preparing to sell off their daughters and sons like cattle in an auction. Even the more reticent nobles had left their homes, as this Season promised something more exciting with the imminent naming day of the royal babies. She was fervently glad that the ferocity of the start of a good summer's trading season had forced her father to make his apologies. She wasn't quite ready to deal with him yet.
"Good luck," came a soft murmur in Karigan's ear with a whispered touch to her hand. Startled, Karigan turned around to watch Fastion melting into position in an alcove not far away. She gave him a small smile and then turned back to search for a bump free path through the crowd. There was none. She considered her options, then turned around and left through the door they had arrived by to head up the corridor towards a conference room abutting the hall. She knew that room had an entrance near to the throne where less people were standing. She opened the door and was startled to find servants scurrying about, placing the final cards for delegates to sit at and loading the refreshment table. She walked behind the king's chair and stopped in her tracks, gulping to see her name just two chairs from his.
Good thing I saw that, she thought to herself as bright spots emerged on her cheeks. She steadied her breath, and walked through the door on the other side that opened into the throne room. She made a beeline to where Laren stood.
"Morning Colonel," she whispered as the crowd quickly silenced.
Laren nodded as the doors not far from where they stood opened to admit Zachary and Estora. Karigan sighed involuntarily at the vision Estora presented to them, dressed in deep forest green silk with silver detailing on the hems. Her breasts and tummy were rounded, her skin glowed and her hair shone. Like all things, pregnancy had done wonders for her. Karigan's cheeks burned brighter as she bowed as low as she could, which these days looked more like a slight dip. She kept her eyes glued to the ground, fairly sure that she would draw their attention given everyone was kneeling so much lower. She must stick out like a sore thumb. She didn't move a muscle until the rest of the courtiers had arisen and she felt obscure once more. Shaking her head slightly at herself she thought, you and I have about one bell to sort this out. Get it together.
The royal couple were talking softly together as their advisers took their places in a semi-circle behind the two thrones. Karigan looked over towards the balcony as if looking for someone, peeking at the king out of the corner of her eye. She watched him laugh softly at Estora's whispered comment before he straightened and gazed around the room. She stilled as she saw his eyes pause on her for a moment before he continued his sweep. She shivered to think that he was using an excuse to look at her much like she had. Her heart clamoured as if it couldn't bear the weight of what that meant. They had not seen each other more than twice and she knew it was time they spoke, although she was dreading the meeting.
Within a few minutes, the herald began to sound the ceremonial notes played in court when a delegation arrived. Moments later, the throne room doors were slowly opened to admit a stately retinue. The nobles bowed to them as they journeyed towards the king and queen, led by a tall man who was dressed impeccably in rich fabrics of the Rhovan military dress. Karigan bowed as he approached her and blushed when she noticed his interested gaze. She cursed herself inwardly. Of course he's interested in you, she said fiercely, you can't bend and your eye has a patch. You're a circus.
He swept by her and with precision bent into a courtly bow at the foot of the dais, followed by his staff in complete unison a heartbeat later.
"My lord, it is with honour that I greet you. I bring tidings of good wishes and health to your sovereign land from the King of Rhovanny," a rich baritone emerged from the handsome general, surprising Karigan.
"General Khodell, Queen Estora and I are honoured to meet with you and gratefully accept the good wishes of our neighbour. We hope your journey was not arduous."
The exchange went on for some time as polite words were exchanged and gifts of wine and silks were presented. The retinue was well organised although they had arrived very early that morning and had taken time to refresh themselves in the guest wing before the formal presentation began at court. With a final bow, the presentation concluded and the General, with several of his advisers, were escorted into the study that Karigan had entered by. As Sacoridian advisers began to follow the party in, Laren looked at Karigan and watched her take a deep breath.
"Let's do this".
King Zachary watched General Khodell make his way to the negotiation chamber and took the opportunity to steal a glance at Karigan as he did so. She looked so fragile and yet beautiful, strong and committed. And her lovely, rich, long hair looked so pretty against her uniform. He alone in that room knew what it cost her to stand there so long; already he could see the familiar lines of fatigue begin to settle on her face, her shoulders, down her hips, and thighs… His fingers felt clammy and he was vibrating. Just a few more moments and they would be in the same room. Which meant he could finally manufacture an opportunity to speak to her for a few precious seconds. Find out how she was. What she felt. Where they stood.
A finger lightly stroked his palm and he turned to Estora with a smile on his face and a pang of guilt in his heart.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she murmured, her eyes fixed on his and a smile on her face to please the masses.
"The same ones we keep circling around. This has to work, or I don't like our chances," he replied just as softly.
"I know. We'll make it work. We have the best people to do so."
Zachary nodded absent-mindedly. She sighed.
"Whilst I would give anything to sit in with you, I have other duties to attend to. Little monsters can't be without me for more than an hour or they wail as if I've starved them."
Zachary noted the dark lines under her eyes and the creases of tiredness in her forehead.
"And I can't imagine anyone better for our little ones to wail for. My queen, I have every confidence that you would prevail in this meeting however, Aeryc willing, there will be plenty more for you to attend to over the years. Go now, and if you can, rest."
Estora curtseyed to her husband at this dismissal and exited the throne room, her ladies in waiting trailing behind.
Zachary took a deep breath to centre himself and descended to where his counsellors stood. He placed himself opposite Karigan and met the eyes of everyone in the group, once more using the opportunity to gaze at her without seeming to. She stood with her eyes slightly averted. Damn.
"Remember our objective. The lives of our fellow Sacoridians depend on it. I have great faith in you all."
The group murmured and bowed their thanks and then he walked through them and into the room, ever so lightly brushing Karigan's hand as he swept by. A tingle shot up his arm as he took his place at the head of the delegation table.
Karigan stood in shock for a full moment before falling into the rear of the column entering the room. She licked her lips nervously and brushed an errant hair behind her ear. Pull yourself together, she told herself sternly. Well she tried for stern, but weakly was a better description. Between the weight of responsibility that this meeting held for her, the fatigue she already beginning to feel, and the completely unexpected attention of the king in so public a forum, she was a little overwhelmed to say the least. She seated herself with as much grace as she could muster and the proceedings began.