Chapter 8: Road from Blackveil

Lauren Mapstone drummed on the arm of her seat irritably as she watched the King. He was leaning forwards fully absorbed by the words of the young Rider-Mender in front of him, questioning Ben about the running of the Mending Wing now that Master Destarion had been reassigned to the River Unit. Zachary could have called for any mender while the new Master Mender was being chosen, but she knew why he had called her Rider, he was hoping for news of Karigan.

She noted with amusement that the young mender could not meet the Kings gaze without turning a deep shade of crimson, most would overlook it as nerves but she knew better. Ben had spent a long period of time connected to the King's mind after the failed assassination attempt and had been witness to a particular dream involving Karigan, and although the mender had since stopped blushing at the mention of Karigan he still seemed uneasy around the source of the dream.

She looked over Zachary to where Estora sat in the second throne, the Queens mask held firm but Lauren could see sorrow in her eyes. Both women knew who the King thought of as he sat in the grandeur of the throne room; his mind would be with the sleeping rider in the mending wing watched over by the other Riders.

Ben finished his report before turning to Lauren and smiling. "Rider Sir G'ladheon has been asking for you Captain," He paused momentarily as if wondering how to phrase the next part. "However Rider Lynx requests that he is not disturbed while he talks with her."

A rush of sympathy flooded through her as she realised they must be talking of the ordeals in Blackveil... and Yates. Cold flooded her as she remembered Lynx reporting Yates's last words. Tell Karigan not her fault. She saw understanding and sympathy on Estora's face, then as the queen looked at her husband Lauren could have sworn she saw jealously before her composure was once again assumed.

"Thank you Ben." The Captain smiled, "Let me know when they are done."

She waited until Ben was out of the throne room before she dared look at the expression of disbelief on the King's face. His mask was set as if carved in stone but she knew him better than that, he was jealous and perhaps suspected Lynx of being interested in the woman he loved. She had to choke back a laugh at the idea she could not imagine Lynx in love with a woman, he who preferred the wild to the city, to be tamed by a merchants daughter was laughable... but so was the idea of a fiery merchants daughter capturing the King's heart. At that thought she sobered.

"Captain?"

Lauren turned to see Estora looking at her pointedly. "Does Rider Sir G'ladheon know about Lord Spanes treachery?"

She sighed, she knew what the Queen was getting at. "She knows of it but not as the doing of your cousin, Highness."

Estora nodded. "Then I shall have to speak with her soon. Ask if she will see me when you visit?"

Lauren bowed, "I shall my lady."

"Lauren..." It was just a whisper.

She turned to Zachary to see his pale face looking intently at her. "Does she know you distributed the letters?"

Captain Mapstone went cold. She had thought that Karigan was dead but now she was safe and alive, however now the King knew what he should not. Karigan would have written the truth about the depth of her feelings in to that final letter to Zachary thinking that it could do no harm if Blackveil had truly claimed her.

Karigan did not know that her love was known by Zachary. Without bothering to excuse herself she hurried from the throne room, his entire thing was a mess; she ignored the calls behind her. Now Estora had no chance of gaining the Kings love in return. All she could do was hope that Karigan would keep running from her feelings for her Monarch.

Karigan smiled despite herself as the raven haired Rider closed the door on the dull corridor of the mending wing. Lynx looked uncomfortable as he moved towards the chair beside the bed, he paused to look at her and their eyes met for a moment as he sat down, and she noticed a smile pulling at his lips.

"You made it back... I'm glad." Karigan murmured glad that someone from the Blackveil party seemed to have escaped the hellish forest unscathed.

"After we got separated I ended up on the Wanda Plains it was a long walk back but," he shrugged, "I am used to solitude. Although..."

"Yes?"

"I'm sure that is nothing compared to your story. Worn out boots is a lot less of an adventure than materialising in a corridor."

"I think we are both tired of adventure now," She smiled. "What of the others?"

"Others?" He asked sadly, "Ealdaen and Telagioth have travelled back to Eletia to inform their king of what happened in Blackveil. Lhean ever turned up we presumed he was with you..."

Karigan shook her head. "I was completely alone in the tomb."

She could tell he wanted to ask more of her journey but he did not push her to relive it just yet. She was thankful to have someone that could understand what she had been through in the forest even if he had not travelled through the white world with her. Her smile fell in anticipation of the news to come; Mornhavon was not dead but what about...

"Yates?" She whispered.

Lynx hung his head and rested his hand on hers trying to lend her comfort. She was surprised by the deep show of feelings from the normally lone rider. Now the tears came unbidden, the loss of Yates lying heavily on her heart, it was not the shock for she had expected it. She felt the loss of her friend almost by her own hand ripping at her heart.

"He wanted you to know it wasn't your fault." Lynx whispered.

"But I threw the mirror..."

"Karigan you had to in order to harm Mornhavon. Yates trusted your judgement and so do I."

She blushed a little from the obvious compliment. They sat in companionable silence for a while, she was not bothered about his hand on hers, he was part of her family almost like a big brother. Karigan smiled at the comfort her fellow rider brought to her glad that it was Lynx and not the King that had seen her shed tears for Yates. Lynx who had been there with her in that horrible place.

Thinking about Zachary her mind wandered back to the kiss, he had known her feelings for him then in that future. She knew he must be married now ,after all the future version had been sure he would be, but she should probably ask before seeing the King and possibly his Queen, her heart sank at the idea. When had the future King opened the letter? Did Zachary know the truth yet?

"Did I miss the wedding?" She asked not bothering to hide her anxiousness.

"We missed the actual marriage as it was moved up, however the original date in a few weeks will be one of partying and celebration. I am sorry to say that it is your duty to attend... perhaps you could take someone with you? A friendly face might help you through it?"

Karigan groaned. She did not want to attend the wedding, she should be fighting Mornhavon not donning finery and having her heart ripped to pieces as she watched the King hold another woman in his arms. She would rather battle her way through the Sleepers than have to spend a day celebrating Zachary and Estora's union.

"Karigan..." Lynx paused. "The King read the letter."

She did not think things could get any worse. Having to see Zachary married, rubbing elbows with aristocrats, loosing Yates and now the King knowing her true feelings for him. I would rather face Mornhavon than the man I love. She mused, is that cowardly or bravery?