Chapter 3: Interrogation

He had dreamt he was being cut in to by millions of slender shards of silver. Not silver, he realised, but the looking glass Karigan had shattered at Mornhavon's feet. It was not surprising that he still had dreams... no, nightmares... about what had occurred.

Lynx stared up at the ceiling of his room in the mending wing, waiting for the moment that Captain Mapstone would enter the room and finally question him. He sighed deeply he was ready to report, he had been waiting for Ben to pronounce him well enough for almost five days. But how could he explain that he did not know where either Karigan or Lhean where, how could he manage to bring himself to think of Yates final words to him on the planes.

A hesitant knock was followed by a head of flaming hair poking around the door.

"Lynx..." She murmured hesitantly.

He smiled wryly. He would get this report over and done with, then he could try to forget the entire misadventure. He waited patiently as the Captain fetched a chair and helped him sit up in the bed. He winced as his sore body moved but bore it with no complaint; he did not want to tell his story laying down like a sick child.

"We travelled in good time to the encampment at the Wall, where we were greeted by Lord Alton and Lady Estral. The night before the summer solstice Karigan met the Eletians in the woods by the encampment and spoke with them briefly, the next day in full light we crossed the breach."

He left out the part about Alton and Karigan's fight in the encampment, it was something that did not need to go in to a formal report, nor did he feel he could explain such a private matter when Karigan had not returned yet.

He explained how they had travelled deep in to the forest, the lanterns on the way of light. He shuddered as he described the humming birds and their first loss. He explained the journey through Blackveil in detail, all too aware he could not tell Mapstone the whole story that concerned Karigan and the Sleepers.

Finally he had one last thing to say. He held out the small golden object, that he had kept close for the entire return journey, and presented it to his Captain.

"This is Yates. Mornhavon possessed his body, I'm not sure what happened but Karigan broke the looking mask and we ended up on the Wanda Plains. I found Yates..." Lynx voice finally broke.

He knew the Captain was probably looking at him in shock. No one had ever seen him this emotional before. He steeled himself; he only needed to say this last bit.

"He wanted her to know it wasn't her fault... tell her... tell Karigan, not her fault." He couldn't say anymore.

"And then you walked back?" The Captain finally asked.

He nodded.

"What about Owl?"

"We left Owl and the others with Lord Alton at the encampment."

The Captain finally stood and moved to the door. "I will send for them."

Lynx nodded. Maybe Owl could do something to reassure him. He fell in to a dreamless sleep for the first time in weeks.

Laren Mapstone waited nervously outside the King's study. He was busy holding an audience with a minor noble that had come to enjoy the royal wedding celebrations. Fastion stood at the door his face gaunt as he stared intently at the wall opposite him. She knew the Weapons would know that Karigan had not returned from Blackveil and because of the esteem they held for her, for some unknown reason, this had given them an air that worried her. Weapons were deadly even in a good mood but in this brooding anger they seemed to have developed since Lynx's return they made a very intimidating presence in the palace corridors.

The door of the study opened and a noble looking lady swept passed her, a haughty look etched on her face. Laren rolled her eyes and walked in to the King's study, she bowed to her Monarch who had moved from his position behind the desk to greet her. She sighed, with Queen Estora looking over the wedding preparations it was easier to find a time when she could talk to the King alone.

She summarised Lynx's report and let him know that it would be written up as soon as Lynx had recovered enough to go through it again with her. Then he too could question Lynx about the events in Blackveil, but at the moment he must rest. She was afraid Zachary may be too intense in the details of what could have happened to Karigan to let her Rider get the time he needed for recovery. She had so far left out the definite fates of the party members but now she had no choice.

"Sire as far as Lynx knows the casualties are as such; Of the Sacoridian's Lynx saw Gillard Ardmont, Rider Cardell, Lieutenant Grant and Private Porter fall." Here she paused. "He informs me that Ardmont had been sent by Coutre to make sure Rider Sir G'ladheon did not make it back alive, so she did not damage your marriage. Ealdaen the Eletian stopped him in time but it was close. Of the Eletians only two ended up with Lynx on the Wanda Plains; Ealdaen and Telagioth."

"What about Rider Sir G'ladheon?" He asked.

She winced at the urgency in his voice. She looked at the floor suddenly finding her boots immensely interesting and braced herself for the worst reaction.

"What about Karigan?" He asked again the pain clear in his voice. "Where is she?"

"Lynx did not know Majesty. Neither she nor Lhean turned up the night they waited; the Eletians said she could be anywhere. She managed to wound Mornhavon gravely but she did not manage to destroy him."

"Anywhere?"

"Or anywhen. With her ability to pass through the layers of the world it is uncertain where she will be. They presume she is alive however..." She paused unsure how to go on.

She took a step back not wanting to intrude upon the King's mourning. She bowed uncertain if he even noticed her and left Zachary's office. Now she would have to tell her riders the bad news and ready them for battle with the unknown.