Chapter 8

"Swift as the wind, quiet as the forest, conquer like the fire, steady as the mountain"—Art of War, Sun Tzu

They were fellow riders and Karigan knew that they should trust one another, but there was still something about Sev that made her wary. It wasn't that she felt threatened—she didn't think he would hurt her. It's just that there was something about him. She couldn't put her finger on it and she hadn't even tried to explain it to Mara or Teagan, because they seemed to think he was just a normal rider. It felt like he had his own fathomless dimension that separated him from everything else. The idea sounded so silly in her head, she was sure her friends would tease her, saying, "So what, are you drawn to him too?" As if he could just attract people by his mere proximity. Teagan had already pointed out how striking the man was, and made some lewd jokes suggesting just what Karigan could "train" him on.

As Karigan rode behind Sev, she couldn't help but agree with her friend. The man did cut quite the figure. He didn't have large muscles, wavy hair, winning smile, or whatever girls typically fancy. Yes, his looks were good enough, though it was more the way he held himself. His presence demanded attention and it was probably some unknown part of Karigan's ability, but he seemed to exude power. It was this that made him catch so much attention and also why most people didn't feel comfortable standing next to him.

Whether or not she trusted Sev, they were assigned to patrol together and she would do her duty.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

They smelled it before they saw the source. On the side of the road, a small village lay in waste. The few houses were charred and smoking, surrounding an interior square strewn with hay, food, and mutilated bodies.

"What did this?" Karigan was surprised to hear Sev's voice sound so cold. She turned to see anger etched in his face. Not that she could blame him, the sight of this destroyed hamlet and its people made her anger as acute as his.

Condor was whinnying and trying to pull away. She knew he could smell the blood. Dismounting, she walked into the town square. After examining the gruesome sight of one child, she turned back to Sev, "They were attacked by Groundmites."

Karigan wanted to bury the bodies, but the carnage was fresh and she was afraid they'd be attacked while working. Their chances of survival would be much lower once they were off their horses. She would have to let someone know at the next town they passed, and they could send some militia. Sevelon didn't disagree with her, so they went on. Not an hour after passing the still smoking village, the riders approached a field with some large boulders surrounding the road.

A screeching scream was their only warning before a band of groundmites rushed from behind the rocks. Karigan knew they'd be trapped if they stayed where they were and was the first to react. Spinning Condor off the road, she headed towards the open field, away from the rock outcrop. She heard Sev and the groundmites follow. The image of the burning village flashed through Karigan's mind and she knew they couldn't leave these groundmites to attack another village. A crude arrow whizzed by her head and with determination she increased her speed to give them some distance. Once she was in the open field, she turned Condor sharply and dug her heels into his side. He wasn't a sprinter like Crane, but he was fast. She past Sev and ran straight at the bulk of the groundmite group. Unused to being charged, the groundmites didn't move out of the way in time. Karigan swept through the mass, blade sweeping down on every vulnerable body part within reach. When there were no more bodies left, she turned Condor for another go.

Sev quickly realized what she was doing and turned his cavalry horse to join Karigan, so they could charge the group from both sides. Several more arrows were shot, but badly aimed. By the third charge, Karigan had received several shallow cuts on her legs, but barely felt the pain.

When she could find no more bodies standing, she looked for Sev. He was already on the ground going through and systematically cutting the throat of any creature still breathing. When he cut the last throat and silenced its incoherent moaning, he turned to her.

He stood there among the bodies and looked at her, as if to ask what next. Karigan knew they couldn't just leave the pile of bodies next to the road. All moral reasons aside, it would have a bad effect on the area's commerce and only be a reminder to the local population that their homes were unsafe.

She set him piling the bodies as she searched for dry, fast burning wood. By the time they had the blaze going, the sun was sinking low in the sky. They had not said a word more to each other in the two hours it took to clean up the mess they made. If Karigan was more like Ty (Rider Perfect & Exemplary Trainer), then she would say something as encouragement. Tell Sev not to worry, rides are only this exciting if you ride with her, otherwise you just have to worry about normal threats like snow storms and bandits. But that wouldn't be true, groundmite activity had risen dramatically in the past few weeks, and all riders were now at risk of being attacked. Karigan could only hope that none of the other riders would have to face such a large group on their own.

By sunset, the fire had burned itself down and the riders went in search of a campsite. Dusk was setting in and Karigan said they couldn't allow a fire, in the event of attracting more unwelcome guests. He just nodded his acceptance and continued to lay out his bedroll.

Karigan surveyed this new rider, he had been awfully quiet. Well so had she, but still…their uniforms were covered in blood and ashes, yet he was calm and composed as if nothing unwarranted had happened. She knew riders came from all different backgrounds, but she was once again reminded that her companion was no stranger to fighting.

"That was not your first time killing." It was a bold statement, but she was in no mood to skirt around the private issue. Surely it would come up in the future, and she'd rather know now if she could depend on him.

"Nor yours." This actually startled a laugh out of her and he grinned genuinely back. She wondered how she looked to him. No doubt her aunts would think it ghastly that she was covered in such filth. She could hear their voices now, each trying to drown out the others with their own comments on the impropriety of it all. The thought lightened her mood.

In the morning, they found a stream and Karigan insisted they stay an extra few hours to thoroughly clean their uniforms. Even if this wasn't really a message errand, messengers of the King were expected to look respectable. Only under the direst of circumstances were they allowed to show up at a Lord Governor's home in such bad shape.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

After Karigan walked off, Sevelon barely had to think before the grime fell off, but he knew Karigan would have to clean her uniform manually. After what he thought was sufficient time, he went in search for her. Feeling a little impatient, he twined through the trees. He didn't like the feeling of despair in the air and he wanted them to be on their way. He heard the stream, and he slipped through two trees and around a boulder before coming to an abrupt halt. Apparently, he hadn't given her enough time, for she stood there in nothing but her underclothes. Feet spread wide apart and with bare toes clutching the big rocks for support, her legs were strong and her backside shapely. Looking at her, he remembered what it was to be a living, breathing male. He stood motionless and silent. She had yet to notice his presence and he was loathe to end the scene.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

Walking off a ways, Karigan found a secluded spot and stripped down to her underclothes. Scrubbing with a handful of grass, she first rid the filth from her body, then her pants and shirt. She vigorously cleaned the cloth, but the blood stains would require a real washing to fully disappear. After hanging them out to dry, she dug through her saddle bags to find the extra pair of clothes. She was looking at the stream and tying her breeches when a twig snapped behind her. The saber was brandished in her hand and pointed at his chest before he had the chance to announce himself.

Instead of looking threatened by the sharp edge directed at his heart, he merely looked amused. Seeing it was only Sev, she relaxed. Karigan returned his gaze and was perplexed as she tried to decipher his look. Then she felt a breeze across her shoulders and remembered that she was standing there barefoot with only breeches and a breast-band. She was standing half naked in front of a man. Immediately dropping her blade in favor of the shirt, she roughly pulled it on. She took a calming breath and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

He raised an eyebrow. Her face became even hotter, if that was possible.

The corner of his mouth quirked and he pondered aloud, "You were not so shy when you rode to Darden in nothing but your skin."

She was shocked that he had actually brought that up. Indignantly she wondered if it was necessary to remind him that she was his superior. He had obviously been informed of her more colorful exploits, and she knew that it would be better to just correct the falsehood (no matter how slim it was). "I was in a night gown." She replied airily, as if that wasn't bad enough in itself. "Where did you hear about that anyways?" The tone of her voice just a little too light.

"Rider Duff thought I should be prepared for what I was getting myself into."

Fergal. She was going to strangle him after all. At least Karigan didn't have to worry about Sev throwing himself into a river. Actually, there wasn't anything extremely debilitating about riding with Sev. He could make or break camp without her instructions, he was an excellent rider, could read, and write. He could fight better than Karigan. So no lessons were necessary, she just had to mentor him in how he would be expected to behave as a green rider. This however, was not going very well. He seemed positively nonplussed about his new duty to the King, and Karigan couldn't understand what would lead to such a lack of caring. Usually people had one of two reactions to the rider's call. Either they were grateful because the green riders were an improvement to their former situation, or they were unhappy because it took them away from their planned life. How could he seem so unconcerned about the turn his life had taken?

She had to wonder if he was an ex-mercenary, a member of the groups who often gave the crown so much trouble, but quickly threw the idea away. No, he wasn't like Garroty, Jendara, or Tor (the only mercenaries she had ever known). She couldn't explain why, but she sensed he had more loyalty than those that kill for profit.