Chapter Six

The next day, when Bramer and her father went to deliver the shipment for the green riders, Karigan went with them. She was excited about seeing her old friends again. It had been about a month since her dismissal from the green riders and she didn't really have the time to write everybody with her courting Bramer in Corsa.

When they arrived, Mapstone and Mara were outside.

"Right on time, G'landheon," Mapstone said as everyone dismounted. She walked over to the cart and check if everything was there.

"Everything is there," Stevic said as he handed her the list.

"It better be," Mapstone said as she took the list. She looked over at Mara, who stared at someone in particular.

"What Mara?" she asked. Mara just pointed. Mapstone follow her finger and the direction until her gaze met Karigan's.

"Karigan…" She whispered.

"Hello, Captain Mapstone. May I introduce Master Bramer Coyle from Rhovan?" She said as she made motion to the man beside her.

"How do you do, Captain Mapstone," Bramer said as he did a slight bow in her direction. Mapstone did the same. She couldn't believe that Karigan was here. She wanted to talk her. Now.

"Excuse me, Master Coyle, but May I borrow Karigan for an hour or two? I am sure she wants to see her old friends," Mapstone said. Bramer turned to Karigan. She nodded. Karigan walked off with Mapstone.

"it's good to see you, Karigan. How have you been this past moth?" Mapstone said as she and Karigan walked along the corridor.

"Good," Karigan said.

"Karigan, I know it's none of my business, but why Is Master Coyle with you?" Mapstone asked.

"It's it oblivious? I'm courting him," Karigan said. When she saw the look on Mapstone's face. "Don't give me that look. I have done my duty to my country, now I must do my duty to my family."

"But Karigan…" Mapstone said. The look on Karigan's face wrenched the guilt of her.

"But what, captain? My duty to the king is over and my duty to my family is just beginning, and beside it probably better this way, since the king and Queen are now married," Karigan said as she looked down at the floor.

"Your duty to the king is not over. You could be a weapon with all of the sword training that you have done," Mapstone said gently.

"No, for I have promise if Master Coyle makes an offer of marriage I will take it. It is the least I can do for my family," Karigan said. They reached the mess hall.

"Everyone is eating at the moment," Mapstone said as they passed through the doorway.

"Kari!" "Karigan!" "You are back!"

Karigan laughed as her friend surround her. Mara, Garth, Tegan, Fergal, Alton and the other e riders she knew were crowding her as she walked through the doorway. After a couple of minutes, everyone had settled down and sitting back down for their meal.

"How have you been this past month?" Mara asked.

"Good. The clan has give me something to do and it keeps my mind off things," she answered.

"What did they give you?" Alton asked.

"Try and get a marriage contract," Karigan answered. They were silenced after that.

"What do you mean?" Alton asked. Gods please don't let this be what I think it is he thought.

"It means…" "Karigan." Master Coyle just walked through the doorway. "Are you ready to go? I just finished with the cargo and we are getting already to left." Karigan stood.

"I am ready," She turned to her friends. "I'll try to write soon. And Alton, I will see you tonight at the Ball, okay?" She walked out with master Coyle. Everyone watch her go.

"Oh no. You don't think that her family is forcing her in a marriage contract, do you?" Mara asked.

"That's probably the case, seeing is that her clan is one of the wealthiest in the countryside and they are probably looking to extend the marketing business by marrying the two heirs," Garth said.

"They seem to be getting along," Tegan said.

"it's probably what she has been doing this past month was going out on outings with Master Coyle, to push his hand for the marriage," Alton said, knowing how well the game works, "and if he does make an offer, it means she will have to move from all she loves into another country and adjust to living there.

"poor Karigan," Mara said.