Karigan groaned and eased her fingers down her sides. That had been an intense session. Corsa may not have all the attraction's the city boasted but it sure had its' fair share of arms masters. Sword training was as much a part of her as her hands were; she would not give it up, even though she could still only just manage to complete a basic level session. Sadly sword mastery was a dream that belonged to someone else in her past. She had at least the company of a friendly local sword master, Fynn, who Karigan had chosen specifically because of his gentleness and discretion. Of course, she had needed to show him her injuries so he could modify her training and she had been relieved that his face had been free of pity.
It had been a long two years of recovery and her improvement was minimal. But she had not gotten worse, for which she was very thankful. She barely thought much of the pain anymore. It was her constant companion but she had learned to manage it and hide as much of her discomfort as she could from her family. They had long ago stopped pestering her and just accepted it now. Well, they accepted that further discussion would end in a giant row like every other time. Which was fine in her opinion.
She packed up her gear and washed in the basin just outside her fathers' stables before heading inside to review the recent shipment inventory with Stevic and Sevano. After they discussed part of their trading plan for the summer, they lunched together before she parted for her office. Although her mornings were dedicated to her father, her afternoons were dedicated to her green rider work.
She had vanished the morning after the ball, taking her leave of Laren after a heart wrenching meeting. She had not seen or spoken to the king. She could not. After the winter had passed and the roads once again became traversable a letter had arrived by post, inviting her to be a senior designer for Laren's lifelong dream of building a countrywide network of green rider messengers. It was not the only letter she had received that day. Oh no. The bundle of letters tied with red ribbon, tucked safely under her bed, told a story familiar to most young girls whose mothers wove stories of lovers through their dreams.
And so Karigan had dedicated her afternoons to building up the coastal component of the service. She had to admit, it had been a stroke of genius on Laren's part. Karigan still felt that she was part of the green rider community even without her brooch or the calling, and it was nice to work in the messenger service without the fear of stabbing. Or torture. Or Eletians.
Karigan eased back in her chair and dropped her quill with a sigh of contentment. After the fallout from the death of Mornhaven, they had both been surprised by how eagerly Sacoridia has taken to this network. It had spread rapidly and with enthusiasm, entrenching the riders as a profession respected by the public. Many new riders were employed, many of them non-magic users, and trade was flowing more freely than ever. It had certainly boost her reputation or perhaps vice versa, especially as she was now famous for her role as the Vanquisher, which her father seemed to enjoy the fruits of immensely. Or at least his accountants did.
She had thrown herself into the project and took great pleasure in seeing the network develop although she still refused to join the senior team in the castle. She liked being back in the salt air and thought it best to remain apart from the core rider group at the castle. The riders who were still called magically to the service remained sequestered at the castle in order for the king to use their abilities, and she didn't want to be among them. It would hurt too much. At least in her current post she was useful.
Karigan turned her thoughts from the castle and those who dwelt there as someone rode into the stable below and a horse humphed. Karigan peered out of the window and smiled wryly. Her daily visitor. Richard was the son of a competing merchant whom she had reconnected with a few months earlier after her lengthy absence from clan life. They had discovered a mutual love of horses and the ocean at a dinner hosted by his father where they were seated together. He had begun to visit her fairly frequently and she enjoyed his company. Her smile faltered. She liked him and she was fairly certain he was interested in her. Their fathers were certainly encouraging of the match. However….. Her thoughts still turned to him. Even more so since Estora had passed away a year and a half ago. She mused. She had thought the passage of a few years would cause her affection to wane and it had certainly helped. But still, she could see Richard dismounting fluidly and when his countenance moved in just this way, or just that, she saw an echo of the king and her pulse quickened. She shook her head. Gah, it was all so complicated.
"Karigan?" she heard him call as he bounded up the stairs, bowing ornately at the entrance of the open door. "Richard, how are you?" she smiled at him. "Well, I am ready for our ride, although you don't seem to be!" he replied, quirking his eyebrows at her. "Sorry, I got caught up designing this new station in Timbal". He rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Honestly, if you're not too careful you will have a station in every town that has two buildings!" She smiled cheerfully. "That's the plan! If you head down I'll grab my things'. He nodded and trotted down the steps, whistling. Once he had left the room she slowly propelled herself out of the chair, grimacing. Together they rode down to the beach to enjoy the sunset as it fell over the glorious azure ocean.
They stopped near the rock pools and she gazed at the sea contentedly, relishing the sounds of the waves lapping gently in tune to the gulls. She found Richard staring at her. Feeling heat rise to her cheeks, she turned Condor back towards the house. He caught up with her. "I know a secret about the dinner tomorrow night!" She glanced over to him, smiling at his playful manner. "Never fear brave sir, I would not pry a secret from a gentleman." He laughed. "Someone very important is attending. Someone who is very interested in the impact of the current trade negotiations with the islands." Karigan snorted. After years in the castle she did not consider the local mayor of major importance. However, Richard would neither confirm nor deny the identity, so they spent the remainder of their ride playfully fighting over who the mystery guest was. They parted at her gate and she went inside to settle Condor for the night. "Did you enjoy your ride boy?" Condor lipped her gently on the shoulder and she laughed, blowing him a goodnight kiss.
She washed her hands and headed into the kitchen where her aunts and father were sitting. They gossiped good naturedly about their day over dinner and Karigan discussed the new station. Conversation naturally steered towards the banquet the following night and her aunts let their approval of Richard be known. Forcefully.
"Well, Kari," said her father, wiping his mouth before throwing down the cloth. "Looks to me that young Richard will be plenty pleased to see you there tomorrow night. He looked happy when he rode off tonight!" He gave her a big smile and she squirmed in her seat.
"Maybe, I haven't really thought about it," replied a blushing Karigan.
"He's a fine young man," said Stace, "with a fortune to match your father."
"More importantly, we can all tell he cares for you deeply," added Brini kindly. Karigan moved plates to the sink, using the opportunity to hide her face from her family.
"I'm sure he will make you very happy if you wed and hopefully our home will be filled with the laughter of many grandchildren!" Gretta laughed.
Karigan stilled and closing her eyes, took a deep breath. She turned around. "You never know!" she said with forced cheerfulness. She blinked rapidly to stop her unshed tears. "Now I best get my beauty sleep. Night all," she kissed her father and each of her aunts goodnight but before she could finish embracing Tori, her aunt gave her a penetrating glance. Karigan quickly turned away and headed upstairs to her room.