Chapter 7:

Blackness shrouded Karigan's vision as she regained consciousness. She was lying on the firm ground, at least what felt like ground. When her vision began to return she wished her vision would stay black. Just as when she fist entered this realm a riot of nauseating colors and shapes assaulted her senses. There were times when the colors would begin to condense into a black and withered tree, a stone walled room, a funerary slab, or even the Berry Sisters' library, but then it would break apart in a swirling blur again before it could all be properly registered.

Amidst the chaos Hadriax appeared before and crouched down before her. She could barely lift herself up to meet him because she was feeling incredibly weak. Hadriax looked upon her with great sympathy in his bright eyes. His sandy hair was pure white, and he had an impressive matching beard. Bold lines etched by care and the elements covered his face. He reminded Karigan strongly of her grandfather, Corin. With callused hands he reached down to help her to stand. All of her surroundings turned to blinding white.

"Now it is time for the final test, within this realm anyway." Hadriax said gently.

"But I didn't even complete the last one," Karigan pointed out as her vision clouded in a wave of vertigo.

"Yes you did. The test was to see whether you had the wisdom to accept a hopeless task."

"Oh. No, wait. That doesn't make any sense." Karigan responded, albeit sluggishly. Why did she fill so… drained?

He gave her a patient smile, "Often wisdom lies in knowing which battles are worth fighting, regardless of the odds. Do you understand?"

"I think so," she could barely keep her eyes open now, "Tell me about the final test."

Hadraix realized he only had a short time left before she had to return to the living realm. If she didn't the Blood Gem would drain too much of her life force before she had a chance to gain dominion over it and all would be lost. He regretted what he had to do next, but it was the only way to know if she truly had the strength of will to control such a powerful object as the Blood Gem. He pulled a dagger from the sheath he had at his waist. It was the same one he had placed within his tomb centuries ago. In a single quick motion he plunged the cold steel into Karigan's belly. She took a startled gasp and he leaned close to her, "You have to live." Karigan's world went black and cold.

Tam was beginning to worry. The sun was setting on the day after Karigan had set off for the tomb on the west side of the island. It was a long journey on foot and Karigan would have to do some exploring. Tam had expected that Karigan would spend at least one night away, likely more, but there was just something unsettling her as the horizon darkened. Her husband's comments did little to reassure her as she served dinner to her family. Mostly because there was nothing about Karigan's mission that sounded right to her. It just didn't make since to send a Rider after a possible archeological find. The king would only send a Rider if it was a secret, and a king's secret was usually dangerous.

"Don't fret dear. I'm sure there is no reason to worry about a Green Rider who is making a simple trek to the other side of Black Island. I imagine it's safer than some of the trips she's made."

"I know that, it's just a feeling I have. You know how often my intuition is right." The corners of Gabran's mouth tightened as he considered what she had said. She was right, of course. Ever since they were children she often knew when something was wrong. It was a trait that gave her great skill as a midwife. Nonetheless, Karigan wasn't expected to be back for a few more days, and there was little reason to believe her to be in danger on Black Island. Even the mysterious tomb was of little concern. It was creepy but nothing dangerous had ever been connected with it.

"We should give her another day to return. If she is not back by tomorrow night I will go looking for her at day break," he finally decided. Tam couldn't find a rational flaw in this plan, but she still felt uneasy as she nodded her assent. In the morning, she decided, after the men have gone I will find her myself.

The morning was grey and far too cold for the season. Grandfather Corin and Gabran set out with the other Black Island men to fish the sea. Their wives and children too young to go out to sea were seeing them all off with well wishes and a hearty breakfast. After watching the ships depart, Tam took Thom and Jarrod to her mother's. She rarely imposed on her mother like this since the woman was aged and didn't have the stamina to match her beloved grandsons. It was unfortunate that this was one of the days when Gabran didn't bring the boys with him, but the skies weren't friendly enough.

It was nearly an hour's walk to reach the farmhouse that sat in the middle of a fertile field. Her parents were among the few on Black Island that made their living off the portions of land suitable for growing crops rather than from the sea. But the field had lain largely fallow since her father's death several years previously.

When she reached the rough hewn farmhouse door she hammered on it with her fist to ensure that her mother would hear the knocking. A bent old woman with pale eyes answered the door. I really wish she would come to stay with us. Damn her stubbornness about this place. "Hello Mother, How are you today?" Tam stepped into the house with a kiss to her mother's cheek.

"Oh, Tammy what a nice surprise! I've been quite well. And you've brought the boys. Come give your grandmother a kiss." The boys complied and followed their mother's instructions to sit by the small fire.

After setting out the basket of bread and pantry items she had brought along, Tam brought up her reason for the visit. "Mother I have a favor to ask. Could you keep an eye on the boys today? They have strict instructions to behave so they shouldn't be much of a problem."

"Well, of course I can watch them. I was thinking about making some tarts today with the last of my winter preserves. They can help me roll the crusts."

"Thank you Mother, but that isn't all. I also need to borrow Elsa."

"If you can get her to cooperate you are welcome to her, but what do you need her for?" Seeming to come to a realization she asked with great concern, "Is there a bad delivery?"

"No, no, it's not that, but I need to make sure someone is okay. With Elsa I can make far better time. Hopefully, I will be back by nightfall." With her mother reassured, Tam turned to her boys. "I want you to help your grandmother with her chores and to behave completely. I've left a note for your father. When he returns from selling his catch he will come fetch you. Is that all understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," they answered in unison. She kissed them on the crowns of their heads and said her goodbyes before stepping outside. In the barn she found Elsa, the elderly mule, munching on hay. It took some time to get the mule away from the food, but once she did it was easy enough to saddle her up. Tam led her to the trail that led to the island's cemetery and kicked her up to a fast canter.

Several hours later the sun was directly overhead and Tam had a serious amount of respect for Karigan and all other Riders. How did they do this every day? Her hindquarters were numb, her back and legs ached. Her mule didn't seem to be in such good shape either. It was a good thing that the burial fields should be in view soon.

Sure enough, within a few minutes the field of stone markers and cairns became visible. Tam quickly spotted the tomb with so many tales attached to it. A shiver went down her spine as she realized that there was no sign of Karigan in the field. She must still be down in the tomb.

Tam dismounted and stumbled. Much to her annoyance, she had to wait to get her legs back in working order. With great stiffness, she took her sack of medicines and made her way to the entrance of the tomb. The seal had been carefully chiseled away until there was just enough space to pass through. With a feeling of great unease Tam made her way into the passage way. It was very dark, and her small candle only allowed enough light for her to vaguely see the next stair. When she reached the main chamber, she called for Karigan, but received no response. She bent low to ground and started to look along the floor of the tomb; paying no attention to the various articles placed along the walls. Plaster debris caught her attention and she followed it into a small room where an unconscious Karigan lay. Tam lit Karigan's oil lamp and started her examinations.

Karigan first became aware of a distant call penetrating the foggiest reaches of her mind. No, not yet. I just want to sleep, she answered in her mind. A ghost like voice answered in return. But you are not sleeping. You must rejoin your own realm, Rider. What she now recognized as the Rider's call resounded through her mind again, and she knew that Lil had somehow gotten involved. Nice to know she's still with me, Karigan thought with a small smile. She had wondered just how angry the gods had been about their little stunt in Blackveil. Apparently they were not angry enough to keep Lil away from her afterlife duties for long.

"Kari, dear, please wake up for me, please." A slow realization came to Karigan that this voice was real. It belonged to her Aunt Tam in fact. Although it took far too great of an effort, Karigan opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. "Oh, thank the gods. You were so cold and your pulse so weak. I thought Westrion was coming for you."

Karigan could only chatter her teeth and groan a little as her body told her what kind of shape she was in. There was a strong chill and profound weakness that she felt everywhere, and her major muscle groups were aching as were a few of the not so major muscles. With a start she realized that she had been stabbed, but when she checked there was no trace of blood on her clothes. There was just a deep slash across the palm of her hand that was now clotted closed. And of course there was the Blood Gem. No longer clear as fine crystal, it was a deep, plumy red. Karigan could feel it pulsing to the same rhythm as her heart. Every beat was a battle for her strength. This is what Hadriax meant. I must survive the Gem's attempts to control me. More than anything she had ever faced this scared her. For as long as she was connected with this object she was fighting for her life, body and soul. Her only reward was that if she could survive its drain long enough she might learn to wield it.

"Come now let's get you out of here. I'll start a fire and get you warmed up with a nice restorative tea," Tam said soothingly as she helped Karigan stand. "I also have some comfrey and yarrow root to help that gash." Karigan leaned heavily on her aunt for support as they made their way out of the tomb. True to her word Tam started a campfire and applied her herbal remedies. As she was doing so, the rest of Karigan's strength gave out. She fell into a deep slumber while Tam watched for signs that she was improving.

It wasn't until morning that Karigan again opened her eyes. However, there was nothing strange or unwelcome about the sunny morning. "I'm glad to see you awake," Aunt Tam said with sincerity, "If you are up for it we should get back home soon. I made sure Gabran and Grandfather knew where I was, but I bet they are still worried sick. I thought I would be back by nightfall, but you slept right through the afternoon and night."

"I'm up for it. I need to get back to Sacor City quickly anyway," Karigan replied as she slowly sat up. Her body was stiff but far stronger than it had been the day before. Tam handed her a chunk of bread with honey butter and more restoring tea for breakfast. Karigan quickly noticed that Tam seemed to be struggling with something, so she questioned her aunt about it.

After a moment's hesitation Tam answered, "That gem you took from the tomb, is that what you were sent after?"

"Yes," Karigan answered simply.

"I don't trust it. Why would anyone even want to come in contact with such an evil thing?"

"It's not evil, Aunt," seeing the doubt in her eyes, Karigan added, "But you are right. It is not to be trusted. I promise to be careful."

"Asking a G'ladheon to be careful is like asking the sea not to storm," Tam answered, exasperated. Karigan couldn't help it; she started giggling which led to a fit that left her in tears. Tam started rocking her and shushed her gently. Apparently she wasn't as recovered as she thought from her tests. When she had composed herself sufficiently, Karigan suggested that they get moving if they wanted to make it back before dinner.

During the journey back and the two days of recovery, Karigan was quiet and pensive. She said her goodbyes distractedly before making her way back to Sacor City where King Zachary and Captain Mapstone were waiting. All the while, she tried to become accustomed to her inner struggle of wills.

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