Thank you to all the reviewers, guest and otherwise who left me a note! I was surprised that anyone was still reading; I had thought I was writing more for myself now! Transition chapter. The next one will take me a bit to write properly because there is much I want to accomplish and many moving pieces to bring together. All, except General Isleigh, belongs to Kristen Britain and I make no profit from this.

The storm had slowly left the area that night, with the rain tapering down to a light drizzle. In addition to the return of twittering sparrows, the sound of heavy footsteps and low voices increased in volume as the morning hours began to pass on.

Slowly, Karigan opened her heavy eyelids to blearily gaze upwards through the dim light at the roof of the tent. The shared warmth between her and Zachary made her reluctant to move, but she carefully peeled back the layers of wool blankets and furs to glance about. The bitter edge of the damp air made her wince as she scooted backwards into the makeshift bed.

Zachary murmured in his sleep and wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her back to his chest as he nuzzled the warm expanse of skin at the base of her neck. She sighed contentedly but could not return to sleep. She knew that Zachary had spoken the truth the night prior, and that this would be one of the last moments of privacy that they shared. She could not shake the sense of foreboding in the pit of her stomach, even with his comforting presence nearby and his warm breath blowing into her loose hair.

These last few weeks on the open road, she had come to understand herself better as an adult and as a queen. With the maturity and responsibility of her role, came the loss of the last vestiges of naivety and innocence that she had still clung to even past the events of Blackveil. Now, a sort of resigned weariness had settled over her, tempered with the steadfastness of her love for Zachary and that of her country. It was sobering now, to think how far she had come since the prior summer, when she had only secretly dreamed of being first and foremost in the king's heart. She smiled wryly, comparing the worries of a Rider to that of a queen at war.

Zachary shifted and whispered into her ear, his voice heavy with sleep, 'You are thinking far too loudly.'

Karigan clasped his arm across her chest, 'There is no shortage of things to think of at the moment,' she responded. He gently turned her over, bringing her head to lie on his shoulder, 'It can wait for the time being,' he said with a yawn.

She tugged the covers higher to cover her bared shoulder and brought her cheek to rest over his heart, listening to the steady beat over the light patter of raindrops.

It was an hour before they dressed warmly for the day, feeling the damp permeate through the heavy layers when they brushed open the tent flap. Most of the soldiers milling about were on their way to the blacksmith or quartermaster, attending to their equipment while they had time. None paid any mind to the pair of Riders or the few Weapons who milled about, careful to keep their distance from their monarchs. It was generally known that the king traveled with the camp, but due to security concerns in such a large and relatively unsecured area, he would not be recognizable to most.

Karigan drew up the collar of her greatcoat as she followed Zachary, with Brienne and Fastion trailing behind. They quietly entered the command tent, coming into a briefing between the commander of the Light Horse, one of the more junior commanders of the army, and General Isleigh himself. All three men stood around the large table, peering down at the charts before them and murmuring low under their breaths. Zachary un-slung the sea chart from his shoulder and carefully placed it on top of a closed trunk, his eyes meeting General Isleigh's inquiringly. The general pursed his lips and tilted his head, his eyes silently asking the king to come forward.

With a brief glance at Karigan, Zachary strode to the table and looked at where the general rested his index finger on a sheet of battered velum. After scanning the contents quickly, the king drew a deep breath and braced his hands on the edge of the table, hanging his head slightly in resignation. 'When?'

'Messenger came in early, didn't wake you as I thought it best you get your sleep now while you could,' General Isleigh said gruffly.

Karigan walked behind Zachary and quietly laid a hand over his shoulder, prompting him to straighten and look down at her still form. She regarded him without saying a word, but her eyes betrayed her fear and apprehension. He took her hand and brushed a thumb over her knuckles, carefully choosing his words, 'A large fleet has anchored in the bay at Corsca.'

She drew in a sharp breath but waited for him to continue, her grip tightening on his hand. 'Small parties have been sent ashore, they navigated around the ice . . . and in light of the sheer size of the fleet, the city's defenses have surrendered to those claiming to be part of the Second Empire,' he said softly.

Karigan gulped, her breathing becoming erratic as she mentally fought to control the panic welling inside of her. She jerked her head in affirmation and released his hand, her eyes straying to where the message lay open. With trembling hands, she picked it up delicately and read the hurriedly scribbled words herself. The handwriting immediately registered and she glanced up at Zachary in slight confusion, her eyes looking to the bottom of the sheet to see her father's signature.

'Messenger came from your father's household, your Majesty,' General Isleigh said gravely. 'Boy said that his master sent him on a horse, ahead of the people who managed to escape before the city gates were closed.'

Karigan placed the letter back on the table, 'Did he say anything about the well-being of those on the estate?'

General Isleigh paused, 'Only that your father was preparing the household to travel before the raiding parties began to push outward from the main city.'

She nodded absently and wrapped her arms about her midsection, staring out across the numerous strewn charts. Zachary turned his attention to the other men in the room, 'And what news from your scouts?'

The Light Horse commander stepped forward briskly, 'I sent out five, sire. Three have returned. From the bluffs east of the city, they were able to discern that there are buildings on fire. Heavy black smoke rolling from around the shoreline.'

'The warehouses,' Karigan remarked quietly, 'They've set the merchant warehouses on fire.'

Zachary turned to her with a concerned frown, 'What do they hold this time of year?'

She gazed at him forlornly, 'Some trade goods . . . but many are rented to hold last year's crop from L'Petrie. Grains, whatever the orchards yielded.'

The younger army officer spoke hesitantly, 'Why would they destroy what their own army could use?'

General Isleigh's sharp gaze narrowed in understanding, 'They've taken what they needed and burned the rest to control the city's population. They do not need to fight the people, just starve them into compliance. They will not risk the inhabitants taking matters into their own hands before the Sacoridian army arrives.'

The Light Horse commander coughed, 'There is more.'

They all looked at him questioningly as he shifted uncomfortably, looking down at the floor before continuing, 'There was something else visible from the bluffs, only with the aid of a spyglass. The raiding parties are conducting . . . public executions.'

Karigan blanched from the revelation, glancing at Zachary in horror. He reached out to grasp her elbow, his gaze never faltering as he questioned the officer, 'Who are they targeting?'

'By the cut of their clothing, the scout guessed it was city officials. Anyone who would be capable of organizing a resistance,' the commander replied.

'And we've received no hails or communication from this enemy?' Zachary pressed General Isleigh.

'None whatsoever,' the general answered.

Karigan fought the bile that rose in her throat and concentrated on steady, even breaths. Zachary's hand on her elbow remained as he continued to ask questions of those present in the room. She felt the hot trickle of tears cascading down her cheeks and brought a hand up in brief surprise. A wave of deep shame washed through her as she scrubbed away the tears with her sleeve, knowing that such sentiments would not aid her city. Through the rush of heady emotions, she recalled her aunts and their promise to her and Zachary.

With a deep breath and a glance up at Zachary's grim countenance, she gently disentangled his hand from her arm. He looked down at her with concern but upon seeing the determined look in her eyes, he gave her nod and walked with General Isleigh to his desk to begin drafting orders with the secretary.

Karigan turned to Brienne, 'Can you fetch Fergal for me?'

Brienne gave a small bow and disappeared outside. Fastion came to stand next to Karigan, 'What is it that you are planning, your Majesty?'

'It will take some coordination with General Isleigh and my aunts, but we need to get as many away from the city that we can,' she said.

'And those trapped within the walls?'

'There are other ways into the city,' she answered, 'And if we cannot get them out, perhaps we can ensure that the city is ready for when our army arrives.'

Brienne returned with Fergal in tow, both executing a bow in the presence of their monarchs. With a hand on Fergal's shoulder, Karigan turned to regard her husband who was bent in conversation with the secretary. Zachary straightened and looked at her expectantly, 'Will you get a message to your Aunt Stace?'

'That is my intent, along with some guidance from you,' she said steadily.

Zachary inclined his head in agreement, 'Just what I was committing to paper now.'

General Isleigh spoke up in speculation, 'What are these other ways into the city that you spoke of?'

'The sewage system that leads out of the city,' Karigan answered.

Fergal audibly groaned at this revelation. The queen offered him a conciliatory pat on the arm, 'The G'ladheon estate is outside the walls but we will rely on you to carry messages for my aunts to the city itself. The system was built a decade ago as the city grew in size and the tunnels themselves are very expansive, large enough to hold several people.'

'I have not heard of these sewage systems in many places outside of Sacor City,' Fastion ventured.

Karigan shook her head, 'No, they are rather expensive to build but well worth the investment as they discourage the spread of disease, and keep the fresh water supply from contamination.'

The young commander looked at her thoughtfully, 'And where do these waste tunnels empty out?'

'I know of at least two that empty into communal farming fields and one that goes into a nearby forest grove,' she replied.

'The latter could provide a useful and discreet entrance for a small group of soldiers to enter, and possibly get the gates open. We also can send escorts to wait in the forest, to retrieve the refugees who are able to get out,' the commander offered. The king nodded and directed the secretary to begin scribbling his directive.

'Of those that are able to leave, special emphasis should be placed on the young,' Zachary stated, 'If your aunts do manage to establish contact within the city, they will know what my wishes are in that regard. The G'ladheon estate may become a place of interest very soon if any suspicious activity is detected. I will endeavor to give them two weeks to take as many as we can out of danger, before I will need to bring the army up to the city's gates and begin the siege.'

Karigan looked at him sorrowfully at the thought of the bustling, vibrant Corsca reduced to rubble under the assault of their own army, but understood the need to keep the enemy contained in one location.

She released Fergal and strode forth to take the now sealed message from the secretary, meeting Zachary's gaze. His almond eyes conveyed his love and regret as he reached out to clasp her hand briefly before releasing her.

She silently handed the missive to Fergal, who tucked it into his messenger satchel, and regarded Brienne seriously, 'Can you ensure he is attired less conspicuously?'

Brienne nodded and ushered Fergal outside quietly. Fastion moved forward, 'Majesty, several more messengers have been sighted up the road, coming from Sacor City.'

Karigan sighed wearily and took a seat on one of the unfolded chairs, 'Send them in as soon as they arrive.'

Fastion bowed and exited the tent, with two other Weapons coming into to stand unobtrusively to the back. The two commanders then took their leave of the king and queen, moving to organize their men and resources. Zachary tapped the shoulder of the secretary, 'Go get yourself some breakfast and see if they can send a tray here for about four or five?'

The young man stood and bowed, shrugging on his coat as he left. Only Karigan, Zachary, and the general now remained in addition to the Weapons. General Isleigh unfolded a small table and stacked a heap of papers with an inkwell to the side, 'Best get comfortable, young ones.'

Both Karigan and Zachary looked at him dryly, but he rolled his eyes, 'Your Majesties, you ought to settle in and find something to keep you busy. This is the hard bit.'

Karigan asked tentatively, 'What exactly is the hard bit?'

General Isleigh looked up from his correspondence, 'Now, we all wait for more news.'