A loud pounding on Laren Mapstone's bedroom door woke her suddenly. Blinking, she glanced around, noting that the sun had not even risen. She sighed. Generally, early morning wake-up calls did not bring good news. She pushed herself into a seated position, feeling her muscles protest more than they had in the past, reminding her that she was no longer a young woman. She snorted at that thought. She had not been a young woman in a long time.

She pulled on a robe before opening the door, surprised to see two soldiers standing on the other side supporting someone between them. It did not take Laren's sharp mind long to figure out what had occurred. She had received similar wake-up calls in the past. However, when she glanced down at the person they supported, she did have a moment of surprise, for she had never expected to see him in such a position. "Rider D'Yer? What is going on?"

"Hey, Cap!" He gave her a slightly manic grin, and she took a step back. She could smell the liquor on his breath. In fact, it smelled almost like he had doused himself in it.

"He claimed to be a Rider," one of the soldiers grunted.

"He is," Laren confirmed, still trying to figure out what had possessed Alton to drink himself into oblivion. Generally, he was an even-tempered, well-adjusted Rider despite the sometimes conflicting duties he had to the corps as well as his own province.

"Do you want us to drag him anywhere in particular?"

"There's an empty room is just down the hallway. He can sleep it off there." She led the way to the room, and the soldiers deposited him unceremoniously on the bed before leaving, obviously grateful to have that problem off their hands. Laren flipped on the light beside the bed and gasped when she saw that Alton had a large gash across his forehead with congealed blood coating half his face as well as a rapidly-purpling eye. She wondered if he had gotten in a bar brawl, but that was also quite unlike him. "What happened?" Laren demanded. He blinked up at her, swallowing a couple times before speaking.

"You should ask His Majesty." Alton's tone was derisive, and Laren's brow furrowed. She had never sensed any animosity between Alton and his monarch before. In fact, he was one of the more supportive nobles, often claiming that Zachary Hillander's rule was one of the best things which had ever happened to Sacoridia.

"The king? Why would he know?" However, Alton seemed to be finished talking. He turned away, his body already relaxing into sleep. Laren turned off the light and left the room, knowing she would learn nothing else from the inebriated Rider. That left one other person who might have answers. Laren considered for a moment. It was still very early. Most people should have been asleep at the current hour, including the king. She should wait a few hours and try to catch Zachary before he began hearing petitions. However, Laren had never been overly patient. She needed answers, needed to know why one of her Riders was claiming the ruler of Sacordia had the answer to his mysterious injuries. If the situation was not handled carefully, it could very quickly spiral out of control.

Decision made, Laren quickly pulled on clothes and strode from the Rider Barracks, heading toward Zachary's study. If he was awake, that was the most likely place for him to be. If he was not there, she would assume he was still sleeping like everyone else which meant that there was no way he had caused Alton's injuries. She would leave him in peace in that case. However, she had a sinking suspicion that he was not asleep, a suspicion confirmed a few minutes later when she rounded the corner and saw a faint light from under his study door. Surprisingly, however, no Weapons stood outside it, a fact which made her hesitate. Perhaps he had simply left a lantern burning in his exhaustion. But if that was the case, he surely would not begrudge her entering to turn it off.

With that thought in mind, she turned the knob and opened the door without knocking. Zachary sat behind his desk, and he startled when he heard her enter. Laren noted that he had bags beneath his eyes, dark circles that made him appear a decade older than the young man she knew him to be. For a moment, she felt a pang of sympathy, but she quickly squashed it, reminding herself that she still did not have answers. "Laren. I wasn't expecting you."

"What in Aeryc's name is going on?"

"I was just going over some trade proposals." He gestured to his desk. Laren did not need her brooch to tell her he was lying. She doubted he had read a single proposal.

"Care to explain why two soldiers woke me up dragging a Rider who was so inebriated he could not stand, a Rider who looked like he had been beaten half to death?"

"Laren, I don't know what you're talking about."

"You can't lie to me, Excellency. Rider D'Yer told me to ask you what had happened."

Zachary's eyes darkened noticeably, and he stood. His exhaustion seemed to fall off of him suddenly, and for the first time since she had known him, Laren felt a jolt of fear. Zachary's face was cold, his mouth pressed in a tight line. "I doubt Rider D'Yer is in a proper frame of mind for making any accusations," he said. Something told Laren Zachary was not just referring to the inebriation.

"Then why don't you tell me what's going on?"

He sighed, and the cold fury left his face. Worry creased it once more. "It is not my story to tell."

"But you know what happened?"

"Laren, as much as I trust you, I cannot tell you what occurred."

"Who can? Whose story is it?" He opened his mouth but abruptly closed it again.

"Let Rider D'Yer sleep off whatever he has had to drink. I will decide what to do with him in the morning."

"It is the morning, Excellency. And I demand to know what's going on! One of my Riders has been brutally attacked. I can't protect him if you don't tell me what happened!" Laren was yelling now, unable to modulate her voice any longer. Zachary was the one person she had always thought would never turn on her, but now he was hiding terrible things. Before he could respond, a cry from the other side of the room turned both their heads. Zachary immediately strode to the large sofa in front of the fire, dropping to a crouch. Now thoroughly confused, Laren moved to the sofa as well in enough time to see Zachary reach out and smooth a brown lock back from a very familiar face. She gasped slightly, watching the tenderness in his gaze as he stared down at Karigan G'ladheon. The young woman was thrashing about in her sleep, moaning. Her words were indistinguishable, but Laren could hear the anguish in them.

"It's all right, Karigan. You're safe. I'm right here." Zachary's words were soft, obviously meant only for the girl in front of him, but Laren was close enough to hear them clearly. Surprisingly, Karigan did settle, relaxing back into sleep. Zachary tucked the blanket back around her, and Laren realized with a start that it was not a blanket at all but a greatcoat. Zachary's greatcoat, to be precise. Laren's mind began to paint a picture of what had occurred, a picture she did not like in the least. She had seen Alton's interest in Karigan, had even somewhat encouraged by trying to make sure she had breaks from her message errands when Alton was in the city. Laren might know that love was not in the cards for her, but she knew others found great comfort in it. And while she wanted love for her Moonling as well, she knew it could not occur this way. The future of Sacoridia was at stake. Surely Zachary had not lost his head so completely that he would put his kingdom at risk. But then if he was willing to beat his competition for a woman's affections senseless, perhaps she did not know him as well as she thought.

"Excellency, I don't think I like the direction this situation is headed."

He stood and turned to her, eyes flashing. Again, she saw a clear indication that he was no longer the same boy with whom she played hide-and-seek, the boy who begged her for stories of her rides as soon as she dismounted from her horse. "You forget yourself, Laren," he reminded her. "We have a long history together, and I do respect you. However, I am still your king, and I will not abide baseless accusations."

Laren counted to five in her head to control her temper, knowing he was right. "Zachary, you must see how this looks. It's early in the morning. Most normal people should be asleep at this hour. You have a young woman sleeping in here under your coat. A well-respected noble has accused you of attacking him. If any one of these facts leaves this room, you could be deposed. For Aeryc's sake, the Lord Governors could have you executed if they were so inclined."

"I know. And since it is just the three of us here, I trust that nothing will leave this room."

"Alton-"

"I will deal with Alton. He will not spread any unsightly rumors."

"You cannot know that."

"I can." Laren's fingers unconsciously touched her brooch. True, it echoed. He obviously noted the action, for he said, slowly and deliberately. "There has been no dishonor tonight on Karigan's part nor on mine." True, the brooch echoed again. Laren relaxed. The situation was still a mess, but she was comforted to know that her assessment of her Rider and Zachary was not so far off base.

"Nevertheless, few others will believe that. We should get her back to the Rider Barracks before others awake." Zachary nodded in agreement, but a voice interrupted them suddenly.

"No!" Laren turned to see Karigan sitting up on the couch, the greatcoat still clutched tightly to her body. "No, I don't want to go back to barracks. I'll just go down to the st-" She broke off suddenly, and Laren saw fear in her eyes. Laren was missing something, something important. She had never seen the normally spirited girl look so frightened before. Looking back to Zachary, Laren saw anguish cross his face as well, and he swallowed hard before speaking.

"You can stay in here until the morning. I'll take you out through the tunnels. No one will-"

"Clothes," Karigan said suddenly, interrupting him. Laren heard Zachary take a deep shuddering breath at the simple words, and when she turned to him, she noted that his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Of course. Laren, perhaps it would be better if you retrieved a spare set of clothing from Karigan's room. Your presence will not be suspicious."

"Clothes?" Why in the world would Karigan need clothes? Zachary had said there was no dishonor, but maybe he had used the phrasing to fool her. He knew about her gift, knew if he could make himself believe something strongly enough, he could fool it. If he had thought bedding Karigan was not dishonorable, she would have sensed truth in his previous statement.

Looking at him, however, she simply could not believe that he would do such a thing. He was not looking at Karigan as a paramour would or a man who simply wanted to bed her. No, Laren saw love reflected clearly in his almond eyes, love running pure and deep. "I will be back shortly," she said finally, leaving the room. She retrieved the desired clothes quickly, thankfully without seeing anyone. When she returned to the study, she found Zachary and Karigan in much the same position as she had left them. Karigan still sat on the couch, wrapped in Zachary's greatcoat with her eyes far away. Zachary stood to one side, watching her. He looked up when Laren entered and cleared his throat.

"I'll be right outside. Knock when you're ready." With that, he swept from the room, leaving Laren to stare awkwardly at her Rider, the bundle of clothing in her hands.

"Uh, I didn't know what you wanted, so I grabbed a couple things."

"Thanks." Karigan reached out with one hand, and the greatcoat slipped slightly, revealing the shoulder of a shirt so large it was slipping off. That simply confused Laren all the more, but she just silently handed over the clothing and turned her back to give Karigan privacy. She heard a bit of rustling, but then everything went silent for a moment. Finally, Karigan spoke. "Captain, I think I may need your help." Laren turned, immediately noting that Karigan's eyes were downcast, refusing to meet hers.

"Help dressing?" Karigan was a grown woman. Surely she could dress herself.

Karigan took a deep breath before responding. "I'm having trouble lifting my right arm." Laren glanced at the limb in question, noting that Karigan was holding it tenderly. Laren's brow creased as she tried to recall if Karigan was injured during a recent ride. She had not heard of anything, but the girl was so stubborn, she would not be surprised if she hid an injury for fear of being confined to the castle and grounds again. Before Laren could question the nature of the injury, however, her eyes landed on a dark spot on Karigan's bicep. Stepping closer, Laren saw there were more marks, obviously bruises, and they formed a distinctive shape.

"No," she breathed.

"Please, Captain, I just want to put on my shirt." Karigan's voice was weak, and Laren automatically lifted the shirt and helped Karigan pull it onto her torso. Karigan managed to change her trousers by herself, and Laren noted with a growing feeling of dread that the button was missing from the ones Karigan removed. As soon as Karigan had finished dressing, she pulled the king's greatcoat around her body again though she no longer needed it to cover herself. Laren strode quickly to the door, knocking sharply. The king entered a moment later, and Laren looked at him, eyes blazing. She was tired of his evasiveness. Now she had two Riders injured and a growing suspicion that one of them had caused the other's injuries. The king noted her expression, and he sighed.

"It's not exactly what you think, Laren."

"He did that to her, didn't he."

"Yes, but-"

"I'll kill him! Did he. . ." Laren could not bring herself to say the word, but Zachary understood.

"No or I daresay I would've killed him already," Zachary said with a humorless laugh.

"But he was going to?"

"Yes."

"He wasn't himself," Karigan said. Her voice was still soft, but Laren was happy to note that it seemed slightly stronger than before. "There was. . . something in him." Laren turned to Zachary who nodded.

"A spirit of some sort. Similar to the shadow mage we defeated in the forest. It had complete control."

"How do you know?"

"It tried to take me as well."

"Tried?"

Zachary nodded. "I managed to fight it off."

"And then what?"

"It seemed to. . . disappear."

"Will it come back?"

Zachary exchanged a look with Karigan. "We don't know."