Chapter 5

"Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate."—Art of War, Sun Tzu

He was in her room at the hospital wing. When they first brought her in, there had been a flurry of activity, but that soon died down. It was only when he examined her face up close that he realized who she was. Lying down with hair spread out on the pillow, she was almost a perfect replica of the sarcophagus carving.

He knew she wouldn't wake until the next day, but he could wait. One of the healers, also in a green uniform, had some small healing powers, but they were sufficient to fix most of the damage. As night came on, all activity in the room ceased and Sevelon was left alone with the unconscious woman. At noon the next day, she was beginning to stir and the mender sent a messenger off to inform the King.

The mender bustled around the room and didn't notice when the woman's eyelids fluttered open. Sleep still fogging her eyes, she looked at the mender. Her eyes followed the man's movements for a moment and then they turned toward Sevelon.

"Who are you?" It was more of a question than a demand.

The mender came to her side, "What did you say my dear?"

"Not you. Him," She pointed past the healer and indicated the room's third occupant. Sevelon didn't surprise easily, but her ability to see him had shocked him into stillness. She had more power than those green uniformed people, but nothing of the strength that should be necessary to see past his light bending trick. Few could see through it and most of them were other immortals.

The mender looked around, but didn't see anyone. He tutted, "That infection was worse than we thought. If you're seeing things, you might have been stung by the same bugs as your fellow rider when he fell over the wall a couple years ago. Poor lad, it was a terrible experience for him; from what I hear, he from suffered hallucinations for weeks."

The woman's voice was stiff, "I'm not hallucinating. It must have been something in my eye."

The mender just shrugged his shoulders and went back to work.

She didn't say anything else, but she would look at the stranger every now and again.

It was good the room was sizable, because when the King and Queen arrived, they brought the green uniformed officer and a several scribes with them. Apparently, they wanted detailed notes for whatever the rider would say.

The woman's tale did not disappoint. Sevelon listened with rapt attention. Her report was the single most informative conversation he'd overheard since arriving in this city. She spoke of a dark forest and its mutated creatures. That was how she'd gotten the leg infection. She went on to describe a city of light and he immediately knew she spoke of Argenthyne. Hearing of its demise and of Laurelyn's final stand was sobering. He had walked those winding streets with Laurelyn. The absence of both Argenthyne and its queen was undoubtedly the reason why the world's magic was fading.

The pure brightness to the woman's soul now made sense. She was connected to Laurelyn. That is why she remained untainted by the dark presence, even though it surrounded her.

Every time the name Mornhaven was spoken aloud, the dark presence around her vibrated in an effort to harmonize with the name. As Sevelon listened to the rest of the story, he observed the darkness. In its simplest form, it was elemental magic. Though he suspected it was augmented and driven by a piece of this Mornhaven fellow. It wasn't a sentient piece, but it still had urges and power; similar to a limb that keeps twitching, although it has been severed from the main body.

Sevelon looked at this woman. Karigan, the king had called her. The dark presence surrounding her would never be able to corrupt the brightness within. Yet the dark presence could be perilously hazardous. If she were near Mornhaven when Sevelon destroyed his soul, then it was very likely that she would die as well.

Karigan's tale took several hours. It would have gone quicker, but she kept having to stop and explain things. By the time everything was clarified, the King's clerks had overflowing manuscripts and Karigan looked ready to pass out.

Before everyone vacated the room, the green uniformed officer set a fresh green uniform on the bedside table. The red haired woman grasped Karigan's hand and informed her, "For whenever Ben allows you out." She smiled, "Welcome home rider. You've been missed."

"Thanks Captain."

Sevelon studied the outfit and an idea began to formulate in his mind.