The next few weeks passed by in a blur as preparations for war grew in earnest. The crown had slowly prepared its people with well-placed whispered bar gossip and temple sermons. By the time the announcements were formally read out in the public places of each major town, the country's people were unsurprised and beginning to grimly prepare. Fortunately for the common folk they had one final ray of hope to cling to before the ghastly thing started; the official naming of the royal heirs.
Like the rest of the castle staff Karigan was exhausted as she tried to complete her never ending tasks to ready the Riders for war. The king had set a cracking pace, issuing a mandate that all of his staff, including the militia where possible, were to be battle ready prior to the naming day so they could rest over the two day celebration. His hope was to prepare their spirits for the long winter ahead.
Karigan raced around the castle in her fashion and nobody spoke much unless it was related to the mammoth effort of preparation. Colonel Mapstone, Mara and she were sequestered in Mara's office most of the time when the Colonel wasn't in crisis meetings with the executive militia. Karigan walked so many requests between the barracks and the quartermasters that she thought she could see her boot prints making a permanent imprint in the dusty path.
Karigan was grateful to Mara and Laren for allowing her to help plan. She was useful and felt like a part of the effort and that was important since she couldn't assist with physical duties. She carried messages and spoke to other departments and when they were both at different meetings, they allowed her to rest. Karigan was surprised at how much planning was involved given the high degree of autonomy each rider usually experienced in order to complete their day to day business, which albeit was unusual for a military branch. After all, there were no officers to guide you on the road. However she soon realised that a good deal of planning was in fact needed to ensure that the right riders would be in the places best suited for their abilities and that they were stationed appropriately to minimise their loss, given how unique their abilities were. There was no point putting Tegan on the front line when her ability to detect weather patterns would be so useful further behind in the command area. There was no one else with that gift in their ranks. And there was no sense in having Mara in the command area when she could reign chaos with the lift of her palm… Karigan and Mara exchanged glances in their last meeting as they made the decision to place her in the second reserve, for if things got bad. Mara smiled slightly but Karigan could see the fine creases of stress and fear around her eyes. Karigan worried deeply for her friend. She felt even sadder when they reached their last planning goal, which involved what would happen when casualties arose and how many riders were they projecting to lose. She did not like thinking about that.
To her distaste she was placed in the place least likely to be affected, in the command area. She wondered instantaneously, and mutinously, if this was the king's decision before she scolded herself. Have you seen your condition lately? Like you could fight, she told herself bitterly. Like any human, there was relief that she wouldn't be in the thick of things, but she mostly felt gripped by the fear of waiting and the guilt of injury.
Laren must have noticed Karigan's change in demeanour when her posting was announced. As Mara strode off to the castle to submit their plans to the King, Laren asked her to stay behind, before shutting the door and coming to sit in front of Karigan.
After a moment she sighed and looked Karigan in the eye. "It is the king's decision for you to remain in the command centre. But perhaps for a different reason than the one you suspect, a reason that I support and in fact suggested."
Karigan blushed at the unspoken words that passed between them and raised an eyebrow instead.
Despite herself, Laren smiled. "You have, shall we say, an unusual penchant for attracting trouble it's true, but also help when we most need it. We could keep you in the castle out of harm's way, but I want you in the thick of things when we need you to save the eleventh hour and something mysterious happens. You can't fight. You can't ride." She was matter of fact. "But you still might save us, and you can't do that from the castle."
Karigan stared at her aghast. "But Captain, I can't make anything happen. I can't guarantee a thing! What happens if-".
Laren cut her off. "No ifs. This is none of our fault. This war is the decision of people who don't like harmony, pure and simple. All we can do is decide how to respond. Maybe we win. Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe we will lose and you can't do anything about it. But if something happens and if the gods decide to smile on us, then our best chance is to have you in the area with the people who can use a boon to the best effect. Do you understand?"
Karigan considered this speech and then nodded reluctantly. She was the daughter of a merchant after all. Out of everyone in the barracks, she probably knew best how to work a deal to their advantage. She sighed with understanding.
Laren dismissed her and was already picking up paperwork. As Karigan closed the door, she heard a final command. "Make sure you rest over the next 2 days. We are as ready as we can be and lord knows when the next break will come."
With that Karigan walked out to the horses and laid her arms across the railings. She watched her steadfast Condor as he grazed a hundred feet away. The horses were subdued and watchful as they had been ever since they had detected the energy shift in the castle. Condor lifted his head and sniffed. He smelt her and trotted over, pushing his head gently into her shoulder. She hugged him as hard as she could, drawing strength from his solid, warm girth.
"Hey boy," she whispered. Having nothing more to say, they stood together and allowed the relief of each other's presence to wash over them. After a while Condor decided that hugging it out could no longer trump the smell of afternoon grass and he trotted back to the herd for a snack. She smiled and watched them a moment longer, absorbing the scene of these beautiful, healthy horses milling innocently in their home. Sighing she turned and walked back to her quarters for a wash and a rest ahead of the night's festivities.
Karigan joined her fellow riders in the common room as the sun was setting. She slid past a few of the younger riders who were already well spent, clearly taking the kings suggestion of a night off to heart. She eased herself into the arm chair that Mara had saved for her and smiled. Mara smiled back although it seemed a little forced. She turned to the table next to her and grabbed one of the mugs before passing it over to Karigan.
"I saved you one," she said before nodding her head towards the rowdy crowd. "You're lucky; these lot are going to drink the castle out by sun down."
Karigan chuckled and took a sip. The ale was fruity and strong, just how she liked it.
"Mmmmmmmmm, so good. You know, this would go pretty well with some cheese pastries. What's our food situation?"
Mara leaned forward and looked at her with a serious expression. "I have my best people on reconnaissance. Slash thief duty."
Karigan looked at her equally seriously. "I hope they have what it takes. There's four kegs of ale up on that table."
Without missing a beat, Mara replied evenly, "three and a half." She raised her stein in a mock toast.
Both women dissolved into laughter as the humour and chatter in the room melted their tension and they relaxed. They chatted about the horses and letters from their families. They gossiped about dresses they had seen on noblewomen and the latest court scandals. They talked about anything except the upcoming war and the naming day.
After an interminable period of time, Tegan and Garth appeared to a general roar of approval. Karigan craned her neck to see what the fuss was, wincing as she did. To her hazy delight, a plate was ceremoniously placed in front of her as her servant bowed deeply.
"Why, I'm honoured dear sir," Karigan said in as stately a fashion as she could given how fuzzy her brain felt.
Garth bowed even lower, so low that Karigan thought for a second that he might tip over. "My lady, I would walk to Rhovanny and back to feed you any delicacy your heart desired. I would have searched the country for the juiciest grapes, the sweetest figs, or the pinkest pomegranate. Alas the journey to the stables was too arduous at this dangerous time of year and so I hope you are inclined to accept these mere morsels, this poor pittance that your servant was able to find for you."
Garth ended his elaborate speech with another bow. Karigan unceremoniously snorted at him as she waved a hand, her cheeks burning. Their little group laughed and dug in to the assortment of hot food Garth had loaded their tray with. They swapped stories for hours and Karigan's head began to clear. The supply of ale steadily declined. She was having a wonderful time and it delighted her to see her friends so relaxed, especially Mara, who was well known for her indulgence and was really letting her hair down.
It was very late and the party had dwindled at the same rate the ale had as small groups of riders had walked drunkenly down into the city to drink whatever the inns were willing to sell them. Karigan noticed Mara had got up and edged towards the fireplace. When she saw she had Karigan's attention she motioned lightly with her head for Karigan to follow. Garth and Tegan had their heads together and were deep in conversation so Karigan stood and followed Mara without disturbing them. Mara tugged on Karigan's hand and they walked towards Karigan's room. Karigan was puzzled but too tired to really care what was happening and kind of grateful for the excuse to move close to her bed. She yawned loudly as Mara shut the door. It was comical watching her friend stare at her so seriously as she swayed at the door and held on to the knob for dear life. Karigan smothered a smile.
"Well?" Mara motioned with her hand for Karigan to continue. Karigan stared at her blankly.
"Well what?"
"How do, do you feel about-" she hiccoughed, "the naming day. We have to be there. Arrrrrrre you ok?"
In a flash Karigan's good humour was replaced by surprise. That was unexpected. Karigan flicked her eyes to the side to buy some time and played with her nails.
"I guess. There's nothing to worry about really. At least we get the evening off to enjoy the party," she joked weakly, trying to throw Mara off.
Mara squinted her eyes at Karigan in what she must have thought looked like scolding.
"Karigan, you know what I mean. Are you ok?"
Karigan stilled. These words had never passed between them and she wasn't ready to have this conversation. In her heart of hearts, she knew the less she spoke about it, the less real it seemed. She tried very hard to make her encounters with the king the only reminder to herself that she loved him fiercely. Not seeing him in the last two weeks since the delegation left had filled her with an emptiness she hadn't been expecting. She didn't need her beautiful friend to wrench that particular knife in any further than it already was. Karigan looked at Mara and sighed.
"I'm fine. It's probably time we call it a night."
Mara stared at her a moment longer and then loosed a sigh. "If you say so." She turned and fumbled at the door before tumbling into the hallway. Karigan laughed and followed her friend out although she couldn't help her to stand. She was saved from any awkwardness by the gallant Garth, who upon seeing a damsel in distress had unsteadily leapt to her aid.
"Dear captain, let me pick your weary bones up off the floor and drape you over your warm bed. Well, at least it would be warm if you needed company…"
Karigan laughed harder as Mara swore at him and the two of them lurched down the hallway towards their rooms.
"Night," Karigan called after them. She turned and winked at Tegan before shutting her door. Her smile faded as she prepared herself for bed. She sat at the mirror in her nightgown and brushed her hair. A soft smile returned as she thought back on the memory of the night with her dear friends. She placed the brush on her table and walked to her bed, carefully picking up the blankets around Ghost Kitty who didn't move a muscle. With the quiet hum of a contented cat purring in the background, she was asleep within minutes.