Chapter 26: Avatar

All was quiet and peaceful, green grass blew gently over the rolling hills and above the sky was warm and cloudless. Below on the flatter ground young foals played together under the watchful gaze of their mothers, Karigan smiled as one of the newly born foals took its first steps towards the others eager to join in with the fun.

"This isn't so bad." She murmured to her companion.

Salvistar nodded his great black head. "I am sorry Avatar there was no other way."

She smiled and shrugged. "I do miss them all but I am glad that they are safe now. Besides the King has an heir and all is right with the world."

Despite herself a tear trickled down her cheek, not from sadness, she had accepted her fate long ago even before Westrion had pulled both her and Mornhavon out of the world of the living. They had died together sharing the same mind, it had been hard not to feel sorry for him as she shared his final thought... an aching longing to see Hadraix again. She was glad that Zachary had a happy and loving family now. If she could not make him happy she was glad someone could. She knew he still loved her, missed her and yet as time passed he seemed to begin to enjoy life again.

"Will you still ride as Avatar? No other wished to follow the call beyond life yet it seems there is something you still wish to do." His nose touched her broach and her ears drummed with the sound of hoof beats.

She smiled and brushed her hand against her broach unlike the other Riders here hers had remained solid not a ghost of a broach. She had watched in amazement as the broach completely disappeared from her physical body and reappear on her body here. She had only visited the world of the living a few times, she was unable to come and go as freely as the others. It seemed she was still bound by the call.

"I still answer the call." She smiled her sense of pride swelling within her. "I will ride as Avatar again."

The stallion bowed his head. Karigan turned back to watch the horses until she was aware that the death gods stead was no longer beside her. I lived to serve my King, I died to save my country and now in death I serve the Gods. The captain was right strange things do seem to happen around me. She grinned. I must have caused her a lot of trouble always turning up unconscious in the strangest places. She sighed and picked a stem of grass. Oh Fastion, I wish I had been able to hold on a little longer, you tried so hard to save me... only for me to die in your arms. She remembered all too vividly returning with the other Riders here to watch the remembrance circle held by the Green Riders, it had been strange to see the normally stony faced Weapons join in, many she had not known personally had been there each of them remembering someone dear to them. She had been surprised how many people had said her own name.

"I remember Karigan G'ladheon. Who was like a daughter to me." The Captain croaked.

"Karigan." The circle murmured.

Lynx stepped forwards. "I too remember Karigan. I also remember Yates Cardell who also fell in the fight against Mornhavon.

"Karigan. Yates"

The next person to step forward had surprised Karigan. Donal had lead the sobbing Mara forward. "We remember Karigan. Who was a good friend and a brilliant Green Rider."

"Karigan."

The list had gone on and on. Those that had known her all had something to add on to the ceremonial words. Until at last only Fastion was left, his eyes seemed to gaze over as he stepped forward to complete the ritual.

"I remember Karigan our sister-in-arms. May she be happy in the care of the Gods." He had looked right at her, she had thought to begin with it was a coincidence but his eyes did not leave her face as he continued. "She was more than just a dear friend. I loved her."

She remembered as he had blushed slightly before stepping back in to his place in the circle. It was completely silent for a moment as the Green Riders seemed to digest this piece of news before they replied with her name. As the circle broke she felt herself being pulled back away from the records room, Fastion did not move like the others did. His eyes held hers until she was not there anymore tears in his eyes

She shook herself as she remembered the sorrow in Fastion's eyes. She had felt guilty about not holding on long enough to say anything to him before. He loved me, and I could not even hold on to hear him say it while I still lived. I put him through so much, through having to keep my love for Zachary secret, through having to chase me across Sacoridia only to find me dying. She winced. So many people cared about me, I was so blind to think Zachary was the only one, I should have spent more time with Fastion before... She paused. I should have spent more time with Yates too. She had thought a lot about how she could have done things differently. If I had not been so blind I could have possibly been happy with one of them in life.

She sighed and got to her feet. Stretching she began to wander along the ridge of gently swaying grass, she grinned as she noticed a familiar figure in the distance. Her leisurely pace increased to a run, she laughed for the first time since she came here as she waved back in greeting. Yates beamed back in reply and came to meet her halfway.

"So what's the story behind you and gods?" He grinned elbowing her in the ribs.

She shrugged and stared hard at him. "Do you think they'll be okay?"

Yates seemed to sober for a moment. He put his arm around her and began to steer her onwards along the ridge. "They are going to be just fine."