A/N: Since the release of HKT I have decided to make a few changes based on the new information on Sacordian culture that the book brings to light, but it is still AU.

Chapter 1: The Power of the Gods

Karigan G'ladheon jogged along garden paths of the castle in Sacor City, dodging strolling nobles who grumbled at her passing. A delegation from Rhovanny was coming on a combination goodwill visit and to make minor changes to a trading agreement that had slowly become outdated. Karigan was filling in for Captain Mapstone who was in Selium collecting any information the school had found on magic after the king made his request six months earlier. Usually the captain wouldn't have gone on such a mission, but the messenger service had few Riders available for such a sensitive mission nowadays. New Riders were answering the call since the horn was sounded, but most were still in the beginning of their training. And in truth, Karigan suspected that her captain wanted to be out on the road instead of over seeing young recruits who barely knew which end of the saber was sharp. It was an essential part of the Rider's Call to grow restless when surrounded by four walls. There was usually a niggling urge to be under the stars, alone except for a good horse as company. Karigan knew the strength of that call all too well, much to her chagrin.

Skidding to halt outside the great doors to the throne room, Karigan paused to compose herself and smooth her uniform. The throne room was a bustle of activity as final preparations were made to receive the delegation and begin the talks. Liveried servants with refreshments and messages darted about a crush of nobles and merchants in their finery. She spied King Zachary at the end of the red runner and calmly approached him.

"I see the Captain did not return in the night," a smiling King Zachary observed upon seeing Karigan, "I trust you have recovered sufficiently, Rider."

"Yes, Majesty," she answered while feeling a slight warmth creeping up her neck. Drent had been pitting her against his other students lately; unfortunately she didn't do so well in her bout two days ago. Travis Cunnings was a newly arrived weaponsmaster-in-training who was as talented as he was arrogant. He also preferred to entertain when he fought. He made a great show of flirting and teasing her, and the crowd enjoyed every moment of it. Karigan had managed quite well at first, but eventually Travis's insinuations and the catcalling crowd broke through her concentration. At the end of the match she was in the mender's wing with a sprained left wrist, which was now in a sling. Both Travis and she had also received long lectures from Drent about decorum and concentration, respectively. What made the whole thing worse was that Travis delighted in telling the story often with great embellishment. The whole incident was becoming more embarrassing by the day, and Karigan was ready to throttle the man.

Deciding it was best not to dwell on it; she looked around and realized that most of the servants had left. Only a few personal attendants remained near the wealthiest of those present. She saw Castellan Sperren, Colin Dovekey, and the king's personal secretary, Cummings, were arranged near the throne where they could easily serve their monarch.

Neff, the herald, came rushing through the great oak doors emblazoned with the crescent moon and the firebrand. His measured steps carrying him down the heather runner quickly. Everyone took his or her place hastily as King Zachary mounted the dais to his throne. When Neff was an appropriate distance from the king, he put the trumpet to his lips and blew a ringing fanfare before announcing the head of the delegation from Rhovanny.

"Duke Gerard Delane, ambassador from Rhovanny to Sacordia," Neff's clear voice called out. The delegation took the end of Neff's announcement as their cue and entered the throne room confidently. Duke Delane was an imposing coal-haired and olive-skinned man in the lead of his entourage. Like the other members of the delegation he was swathed in the Rhovan colors of black and crimson, but it was obvious that the fabrics and design were much finer than those of anyone else in the entourage. Karigan counted fourteen members, but she knew there were two dozen more servants not in attendance that arrived with the delegation at the castle gates yesterday.

Duke Gerard stopped at the base of the dais and bent at the waist to the king, keeping intelligent, hazel eyes in contact with the almond-shaped ones of the King. Every movement was economized in a restricted grace that was no more and no less than what was expected from a high-ranking nobleman to a foreign king. His entourage quickly and smoothly followed their Duke's example with perfect deference.

"Greetings and best wishes from my cousin King Reginald and his wife Queen Cecile of Rhovanny to King Zachary of Sacordia," the Duke began in a rumbling, accented baritone.

"Welcome, Duke Gerard of Rhovanny," King Zachary responded, "I return my own greetings and best wishes to King Reginald and Queen Cecile, as well as congratulations on their new son. Their second child if I believe."

"You are correct, Excellency. On behalf of my king and queen I wish to say that it is my sincere hope that these negotiations can only strengthen the ties between Rhovanny and Sacordia for the benefit of all our peoples." Karigan thought the entire exchange sounded far too rehearsed, but not disingenuous. The situation was too staged for her liking so, as the formal greetings continued, Karigan's mind began evaluating the delegation. She took in the stern faces of the Rhovan Blood Guard; long, simple swords belted at their hips. Although not quite as stone faced and statue like as the Sacordian Weapons, they were intimidating with strong shoulders and a firm stance. The duke's advisors and secretary looked relaxed and confident in their abilities, but very serious.

Karigan took special note of the fact that the size of the Duke's entourage was much smaller than she had anticipated for a man of his standing. It appeared he had only brought along a few advisors, a secretary, and a handful of guards. She hoped it meant that he didn't feel the need to surround himself with people. She had quite a bit of respect for a nobleman who didn't need sycophants to attend to every whim. In all, it seemed to be an excellent group to be spreading goodwill and rewriting a treaty.

While making her observations, Karigan missed what gifts had been exchanged and the duke's introductions of his staff. She almost missed the king's final introduction as well. "And this is Rider Karigan G'ladheon. Rider G'ladheon is filling Captain Mapstone's position while she is away on a special mission for me." Duke Gerard nodded slightly in Karigan's direction in acknowledgement, but with a look of some hesitation. Given Rhovanny's far more conservative customs, he was probably discomfited by the sight of a woman in uniform. Karigan simply bowed in respect and kept her smirk to herself.

"A pleasure to meet all of you," the Duke intoned, "I look forward to working together."

With the formalities complete, everyone adjourned to a conference room. It was the same room where Karigan had met the young Lord-Governor of Penburn, who still flashed a rakish grin whenever he saw her. He seemed to be fond of her blush. Everyone sat at the long, ornate mahogany table that dominated the room. Karigan took a seat to the left of the king's secretary. Castellan Sperren was on the king's right. Colin Dovekey was seated to the king's left. Duke Gerard and his entourage were at the opposite end of the table in a similar arrangement.

"Now, I am most concerned with maintaining the low tariffs on the goods traded within your boarders," the Duke began, getting directly to the matters at hand as the bell tolled the second hour.

Nearly six hours later King Zachary and Duke Gerard called an end to the evening. After the delegation had made its exit, the king's staff seemed to deflate a bit. Stiff and weary, Karigan stretched to relieve the kinks in her back from sitting so long. King Zachary looked like his legs had fallen asleep long ago.

"Do you wish to discuss the meeting tonight, Sire," Sperren asked.

"No, the day has been long enough already. We will review today's meeting in the morning," King Zachary answered.

"Very good, Sire." Sperren and Colin said their evening farewells quickly and hurried off to dinner. Cummings wasn't far behind the two of them. Karigan approached the king to say a respectful good-bye, but he spoke first.

"Karigan, do you care to join me for dinner?" The question wasn't unexpected. He had been asking her at the end of most days that she stood at his side. She had to admit that she liked being with him and making pleasant conversation. More about the type of man Zachary was had come to light in the past few weeks, and she was pleased with what she learned. There were many new details about his past, his thoughts, and his ideas. All things she couldn't hope to learn as a simple Rider in his service. But it made it all the much harder to remind herself that there could never be anything between King Zachary and her. She always wondered what he was intending; considering she had made it clear she would not be a mistress. Although her convictions were beginning to become harder to hold on to as a closer friendship developed. Inwardly Karigan snorted, moon priests often warned of the dangers of lust, but what of tenderness?

"I'd be happy to, Majesty," she responded. There was little choice in the matter after all. He was the king.

"Good," the king said with a small smile.

A short time later, Karigan found herself at the usual, small table set up in the king's study. The main course was a fine pheasant in a delicious red wine sauce. It wasn't long before Karigan and King Zachary were swapping stories. The topics turned to their childhoods and continued after dinner had been cleared. They had moved to a plush couch in the room and had a small fire going to keep out the evening chill that comes with early spring. King Zachary began a tale about his first trip on a sailing ship as a boy. "Yes, well, I was assured by the captain of the ship that I would get my 'sea legs' quickly. I have serious doubts to this day about just what his definition of 'quickly' was. I spent the entire trip falling over every time the ship rocked a little. I think I plowed headlong into everything that was on that deck and a few things below deck as well. My father had to bandage quite a large number of bloody scrapes." Karigan couldn't help but giggle at the image. It painted a strange picture of the graceful and confident king as a boy with his family.

"Why are you laughing? I doubt you were anymore graceful your first time on a ship," King Zachary said, trying to look indignant while suppressing grin.

"I'll have you know, I've been sailing since before I could walk. It's part of growing up as a merchant's daughter, especially when that merchant grew up a fisherman."

"Yes, I suppose it is to be expected then. Perhaps one day we can determine who is better at sea now that I've gained some experience." Before she could reply an excruciating pain exploded between her eyes. She vaguely sensed the king asking what was wrong as she felt herself meeting the floor.

She found herself surrounded by dark and foreboding branches, acrid air filling her lungs. As she tried to gaze through the haze that enveloped her, she discovered she recognized her surroundings, Blackveil forest. It didn't feel real, though. Her vision was blurred and warped around the edges, like a dream or a vision.

"We could have joined together," a tall figure emerged from beyond the brown haze suddenly. It was obvious that he had once been handsome, but his visage was twisted into some evil resemblance of humanity now. As his obsidian eyes locked onto Karigan, she felt a harsh jolt in her soul, and she recognized the newcomer. "You could have been at my side as I rebuilt the empire that is rightfully mine. Taken your forefather's place. We could have been great, as Hadriax and I once were, before he chose a fool's path."

"It would mean the death of my soul to say anything but no," Karigan answered firmly.

"Very well, you have made your choice. It will be the doom of you and all that you love." Mornhavon slipped back into the haze as visions and sensations began rocking through Karigan.

Her ribs felt like they were being crushed by a great weight. She struggled for a breath that was blocked by something covering her nose and mouth. She couldn't even scream for help. Then she realized it wasn't her being crushed alive. It was a young man who was very aware of his impending doom. He had only been curious about some green growth among disease and rot. Strange it would lead to his death.

Rage consumed her as she searched the edge of the D'Yer Wall for weaknesses, breaks in the mortar. A web of cracks and fissures close to the original breach was exactly what she was looking for. Calling on powers deep within herself she caused the earth to quake strongly. Weak portions of the wall tumbled down like child's blocks. Soldiers scattered and fell as boulders rained down on their camp, crushing some. Again, she found she wasn't doing it at all.

"It is but a taste of my power, Galadheon. Remember that," Mornhavon's voice echoed in her head as she was plunged into images of death. Deaths that Mornhavon promised. Her father falling overboard in a raging sea with a calm sky, her fellow Riders being cut down by crazed lords, Captain Mapstone with a Rider's long knife in her chest, King Zachary being swallowed by dark flames, the scenes went on forever.

Abruptly she was pulled back into consciousness, gasping for air. "Shh, shh, It's alright, nothing is going to hurt you," a deep, soothing voice whispered. Karigan turned to find the king at her side, looking stressed. He cupped her face in his sword callused hand and wiped away hot tears that ran down her cheek. It was an immensely comforting gesture and she felt her racing heart slow. She also realized that her clothing was soaked through with a cold sweat, and it was sticking to her like a second, clammy skin.

"Wh-What happened?" she asked breathlessly.

"I don't know. You passed out, then started thrashing around like someone trapped in a nightmare," the king paused a moment, concern in his eyes, "…it was frightening. We couldn't wake you."

Still trying to gather her wits about her, Karigan took in more of her surroundings and discovered that she was in a warm candlelit room in the menders' wing. "How long have I been out?"

"A few hours."

"It didn't seem that long at all," she said softly.

"What happened to you, Karigan?"

"He's back."

"Who's back?"

"Mornhavon."

King Zachary's jaw set firm, almost in fear, "How do you know?"

"He was in my head. I think he wanted to scare me."

"Well, he succeeded in scaring me." Karigan turned to gaze at the king, her feelings for him rising to the surface only to be squashed down again. Now was not the time.

"I had hoped that carrying him forward would buy us enough time for us to be ready for him when his time and ours met again. We didn't get nearly as much as I had hoped. Less than a year," Karigan shared.

"I know," King Zachary said softly.

"We're not ready."

"I know."

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