Standing behind a backdrop she knew intimately was her very own Condor, nonchalantly eating yellowing grass at his leisure, looking quite the gentleman. She fell through the door and threw her arms around him.
"Hey boy," she crooned, "did you miss me?"
He pranced and barrelled into her, his delight clear and she laughed, hugging him tightly. Her smile drooped. Although it had seemed like only a few hours to her since she last saw him it had clearly been several weeks for she keenly sensed that a summer sun was beating on her back. It had that dryness to it and a scorching quality to the heat. The air was still and cicadas sung sweetly. Condor's coat was very warm. It was summer all right. She ducked into the shade of a nearby tree and Condor followed. She tightened his girth and then swung atop his saddle, grimacing as her back protested. The one good thing about being an avatar, she mused as she turned him to face the castle and began trotting her way around the edge of the Green Cloak, was that all your pain went away, at least for a few minutes.
It didn't take her long to find the broad path that would begin her journey of a few hours into the city. She met travellers in higher numbers as she got closer to the city gate and tried to gauge the mood of the city. It seemed sort of normal, which she thought a bit strange. She kind of expected people to be more exuberant or more distraught, or maybe a bit of both. She slowed Condor down as she got stuck behind a convoy sedately moving towards the city. She discreetly eavesdropped and it wasn't long before she had her answer as to why the mood was muted. Karigan found herself feeling sick.
"…believe my luck with this harvest," she caught. "Aye, it's about time the kingdom had a win."
"What are you talkin' about Ronan," came a voice with a snort. "We've had three good seasons since the war. Kept a lot of people from starvin' and dyin'."
She paled. Three seasons. It couldn't be; she wasn't in the white world long enough surely. She had run so fast…
"Well, you know what I mean. Lots o' widows in my county, breaks your heart. And the Queenie dying in still birth two seasons back and Him not yet takin' a bride. All I'm sayin' Tom, is that it's lucky we got another good harvest across the country," his companion Ronan argued.
Karigan saw a gap between their wagon and the oncoming traffic and muscled Condor through, her eyes swimming and her throat tight. Estora was dead? Of course, she had been upset that Estora had married her great love, but that didn't mean she wished death on her Queen and friend. She continued to grieve as she plodded through the very busy and prosperous winding way. After some hours of contemplation her tears dried up and she shook herself. There would be plenty of time to mourn her friend but she was close to her home now for the first time in 6 years it appeared, and it was time to be glad.
Her pulse quickened and her breath was shallow. She felt the silkiness of her dress touch her skin and excitement filled her core. She was so close.
She turned a familiar corner and saw the tall gates of the castle opened wide, beckoning her home. She joined the throng of people walking in and quietly split off towards the Rider pastures. Thankfully no one was outside in the middle of this heat and she led Condor into the pasture through the open gate. The other horses trotted up to say hello with excitement after such a long time apart although the newer foals hung back, wary of this majestic, seasoned warrior in their midst. Karigan smiled widely at the sight and made sure he was ok before turning back towards the castle and heading to the entrance. She hoped she didn't see any Riders on her way in. She was apprehensive and couldn't bear the idea of delaying the one reunion she wanted most desperately.
The entrance was shadowed and cool air landed on her skin as soon as she stepped in. Several people curtseyed and the guards bowed as they took in her fine, voluptuous dress and assumed a noble was within their midst. She brushed a nervous hand over her silky hair and continued walking inside, pausing as she reached the first corridor. Where would he be? Meetings, apartment, throne room, study, gardens?
A figure in black exited a room to her left and turned to walk away from her and towards another corridor. She squinted. She knew who that was!
"Donal," she called softly. The Weapon froze for the smallest of instances before turning and walking quickly towards her, a smile on his face.
"Karigan!" he said and bowed to her. She took his hands in hers, which he allowed for a moment.
"It is so good to see you!" She meant it. "I was delayed, returning."
He cracked a bigger smile. "I'm sure you were."
She grinned and paused nervously. "Where is he?"
"Study. Karigan, it is good you are home."
That simple statement told her everything she needed to know. Her heart yearned for him and she stepped towards Donal impatiently.
"Between me and that study is the Rider wing. How do I get there quickly?"
Donal considered her silent request for a moment and nodded. He would take her through the secret passages. She blinked, a little bit astonished that she would be allowed but didn't hesitate to follow him as she turned back towards the door he had first left. It appeared to be a well-appointed meeting room and she wondered where the surprise passage was, expecting to see the wall tapestry hiding a door. She was instead surprised to see him move a discrete lever on a corner statue and a small passage cleverly concealed by the large, marble base opened, no higher than her the hip. She got to her knees and crawled after Donal for only a yard or so before he held up a hand and helped her to her feet, her face in a grimace at the discomfort.
"You look remarkably well," he commented and she smiled.
"The healing powers of the Eletians are extraordinary."
He nodded as if this was to be expected and continued down a black path. There was no light in these passages save that cast by the sunny outline of doors hidden in other rooms.
"It's a short way," he commented. "No point lighting a torch." She noticed the lights were at each doorway and filed that away for future reference.
After only a couple of minutes her heart started to beat eagerly in her chest and she felt emotions tugging at her rapidly. Love, lust, uncertainty, sorrow, desperation, care, concern, excitement. She didn't know what to feel and blindly followed Donal as she walked the path that led straight to Zachary. Her beloved. She blushed at such an intimate term and it emboldened her one moment whilst filling her with dread in the next. It had been many years; what if he had moved on? What if this was the end of her happiness?
Donal slowed and stopped in front of a proper door to her right. Although she couldn't see his face she could see his outline turn towards her.
"Are you ready?" he asked quietly.
"I don't know," she whispered back, releasing a quivering breath.
She could see him give a faint nod of approval and then opened the door and she went through, blinking as her pupils readjusted to the bright light. She was outside of the King's study in the empty corridor and in front of her was his door, guarded by Fastion and another Weapon she did not know. They both blinked, which Karigan was beginning to suspect was a major sign of Weapon surprise.
"Hi," she said distractedly. This was it.
"Karigan, how good to see you." Fastion reached forward and in the most un-Weaponlike mannerism she had ever seen, pulled her into a quick hug. She clasped him with equal warmth.
"We'll talk soon," she promised and then hesitated. "Is it possible to keep everyone out for the remainder of the day?" She blushed. Not that she was expecting anything from her king of course, but she suspected that however this went, they would both need time to either reunite or recover from ruined dreams. She was hoping it would be the former.
Fastion's smiled widened and he returned to his position, eyes forward.
"Good luck," he murmured softly as she stood motionless in front of the door with her hand gently on the knob. Why was it that doors had come to represent so much in her life recently? She took a deep breath and willed courage into her arm and then knocked, turning the knob to enter the light filled study.