Chapter 2: A Rider Returns

At last Sacor City came in to view. Tired feet pushed the bedraggled Green Rider onwards. Some Rider, he thought wryly, I have walked half way across Sacoridia. Pushing dark unkempt hair from his face he limped onwards down the Kingsway towards the city gates.

The guards at the gate looked at him funnily but let him pass in to the city without challenging him, no doubt they saw some strange people enter the city. He thought he heard one of them mutter something about a "conquering hero" before they both sniggered, but Lynx did not care anymore. Let them think what they want, my news is far more important than childish name calling.

Lynx struggled through the crowds up the long and winding road towards the Palace. The normal people of Sacoridia unaware of Mornhavon's return went about their daily business; unconcerned about a single Rider forcing himself onwards, his feet leading him onwards almost like a dream. He was almost there. Soon his long journey from the Wanda Plains would be over, he might have had enough coin left to buy another horse along the way but he would not consent to be carried by any other that his Owl, whom he had left in the encampment by the wall before entering the nightmarish forest of Blackveil.

He dreaded and hoped for the end of this journey. Once in the Palace he would be safe, however bringing the news of the fates of Yates and Karigan to the Captain and in fact the King was not something he looked forward to.

A familiar face filled with both terror and relief greeted him as he reached the gates of the palace. Someone must have reported that he was coming. He could feel weariness pulling at him urging him to rest. But first he had to pass on the message, the message that had haunted him the entire journey.

"Tell her..." He started but could not continue.

A woman with greying red hair caught Rider Lynx as he lost consciousness. Aided by one of the guards, who had been standing idly on duty at the gate; she carried her unconscious Rider in to the castle towards the mending wing. He was worryingly light to carry and his usually smart uniform was in bad way. Yet he lived.

After depositing her weary rider within a chamber in the mending wing she let Ben take over. He would treat his fellow rider's injuries well and be there support him when he woke. She would be of little help here.

The Captain ran a hand through her hair. One of her riders was home at last but what of the others, what about the party that accompanied him on his last mission. She resigned herself to waiting. She would not find out anything until he had had the time to recover a little. Yet her mind was full of questions; who was Lynx trying to get the message to, was it herself, or was there another woman... Lynx did not seem to type to make romantic attachments but now was not the time for guessing games.

She turned towards the throne room. Might as well get it over with, she was not looking forward to informing the King of her rider's appearance on foot to the city nor was she looking forward to explaining the lack of comrades with whom Lynx had travelled with. The King would not be happy that one of her riders had not returned yet.

Her mind turned to the two missing riders. Yates and Karigan were both senior trustworthy riders and an integral part of the Kings Messenger service. She prayed for them to both return safely to the palace.

Karigan! She groaned, the King will not be happy at all.

As she arrived at the throne room she noticed that Zachary was not yet present despite the fact the Queen was already holding an audience with a group of petitioners. Estora looked up for a brief moment and nodded slightly to acknowledge her presence. The Captain walked quietly up to the throne and waited patiently for the group of petitioners that seemed to be mainly made up of woodsmen, to finish. After dismissing the foresters Estora turned to Laren.

"Yes Captain?" She smiled slightly.

Laren did not want to let someone know before Zachary but it seemed she had no choice. "I came to bring news of the return of Rider Lynx."

"Ah I see. He was alone?"

"Yes your Highness. He has not yet awoken."

Estora nodded. "Very well. Zachary is in his study looking over the paper work and audiences from when he was indisposed."

Laren bowed glad to be dismissed so quickly and for Estora's acceptance that until Lynx woke there would not be any need for her to be present in any discussion about the land beyond the Wall. There was no doubt that Estora would become a fine Queen, if only Zachary let her be more.

As she reached the King's study she straightened her uniform out nervously. No time like the present, she reminded herself. The Weapons let her straight in.

"Sire?"

The man seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts, his almond shaped eyes snapping on to his long-time friend Laren Mapstone stood to attention before him. She bowed to her King glad that the Queen was not present in the King's study. The news she bore would be best heard in private.

"Yes Captain?" He asked tiredly.

She wet her lips. "Rider Lynx has returned, Highness, Alone and on foot." She waited as the news sank in before continuing. "He is in the mending wing and should not be interrupted until he has recovered some strength."

"Alone?" The king asked, his kings mask slipping away.

"Yes my lord."

"And the others?" His composure was slipping away, his eyes held hers desperately as if willing her to bring forth good news, news that they had all returned safely. She wished that she bore good news but it was not for a messenger to decide the news.

"I do not know. Rider Lynx lost consciousness before I could question him."

She kept his words to herself as she realised maybe he had become separated from the rest of the group. Maybe the woman he wanted to speak to was in fact Karigan. It would not be a wise idea to mention the woman the Zachary had such feelings for in the context of what both of them must be thinking.

"Thank you Captain. Dismissed." He announced a little too curtly.

She was not surprised he wanted to be alone. She too wanted time with her thoughts and to wait with her rider until he woke. Laren bowed and turned. As her hand rested on the door handle she heard him say her name.

"Laren, I cannot lose her." He murmured.

I decided to add in a bit here to show Estora in a postion of some power as I feel I had over looked her part earlier in the story. As Queen of Sacordia I thought she should play a bigger role in my story than I had previously planned.

Enjoy the updates

Rix