Caisleán Caladh, First Week of October…
Randel stood outside of the castle, summoning his courage to enter.
Maybe she won't even be there. Maybe I can get to Jareth's study without her seeing me… without me seeing her…
It was ridiculous, really. With everything he'd seen and done in his life, the one thing that left him with a cold fear in his bones was a woman.
Ah, but what a woman…
He crushed that thought. Two years he'd been gone. Long enough to have flushed her out of his system. Long enough to stop thinking about her a hundred times a day. He could do this.
He could march right past her and report to his King.
Squaring his shoulders, he walked through the main doors to the foyer, intent on getting to the administrative wing. It was his rotten luck that she was coming down the sweeping staircase just as he'd entered.
He'd barely noticed that she was not alone. She had a couple of female attendants walking with her, laughing and chatting. His eyes roamed over her hungrily. She was wearing a simple, olive colored gown, her hair pulled back softly at the temples and tied with a matching ribbon. She was talking to one of her companions as she walked down the steps. He tried to hurry… tried to get out of the foyer before she'd seen him, but it was too late. She turned, and her gaze crashed into his. She froze on the stairs.
The look of joy that leaped into her face tore at his heart. Her eyes lit up, her lips trembled and parted in a smile that in any other circumstances would have warmed him. She looked like she was holding herself back from running to him and leaping into his arms.
The worst thing about it… there was a part of him that wished that she would.
He's home! Oh, thank Danu, he's home!
Karina couldn't stop the tremulous smile that appeared on her face. She felt tears starting to well up as she saw him, frozen by the entrance to the administrative wing of the castle, no doubt on his way to meet with her father. She felt such an incredible rush of feeling at seeing him again that she didn't know how she remained standing. She fought the overwhelming desire to run down the rest of those steps and throw herself into his arms. Her gaze roamed over him, her whole heart in her eyes.
His cold expression never changed.
It took every ounce of willpower he had not to just run forward and sweep her into his arms. He kept his expression as neutral as he possibly could, knowing that she'd pick up on the slightest flicker of emotion.
He saw her face fall.
It tore at him, seeing the hurt in her eyes as he turned and kept walking toward Jareth's office. But he knew that if he stayed even one more moment, he was lost.
Garthan poured everyone a drink as they sat around the tactical table. After sampling their drinks, the men in the room seemed to relax.
He barely paid attention to what Randel was saying about his time in Corzina. Most of it he already knew anyway from the communiques that had been exchanged through the Ughlánas. He did bear a copy of the formal document renewing the mutual defense treaty between the Strigoi and the Goblin Kingdom. Randel was discussing the terms of that treaty with Jareth and Jacen.
Not a word had passed his lips about Karina. Not one.
The debriefing now complete, Jareth began catching him up on the doings of the Kingdom. He too refrained from any mention of Karina. Randel appeared to be somewhat distracted, until Jareth declared his intention to open up a permanent diplomatic suite at Ardalon.
"Really? What brought this on?" Randel asked.
Jareth took another sip of his brandy, savoring it, "At least two of the Fae kingdoms have new monarchs. According to Sarah and Jacen, both of those monarchs have been quite congenial and willing to negotiate. We're sensing an opportunity here. In order to take advantage of that opportunity, we're going to need more contact with those kingdoms. I don't want to establish permanent embassies in their kingdoms yet, but that's what we're working towards. Showing up once a year for Samhain doesn't give us much time for any meaningful negotiations."
Randel nodded, thoughtfully. "I know of at least another two or three Fae heirs that might well want to establish better relations, even if it's in defiance of their elders. You're right, we need to take advantage of the situation."
Garthan interjected, "We've received missives from the High King proposing that we establish a more… permanent presence in Ardalon. My contacts tell me that he's under pressure from some of the Fae kingdoms to bring us more fully into the fold. They want trade agreements, mostly. With the change of rulers… they see no reason to continue their hostility towards us. Inviting us to establish an ongoing embassy at the High Court will facilitate those agreements."
"So, who is going to head up this embassy?" Randel asked.
Jareth shrugged, "Danil volunteered. He's one of the few Othánas that actually enjoys going to Ardalon."
The men laughed. Garthan noticed that Randel's laugh was somewhat strained.
"Danil doesn't have much experience with being an ambassador. As important as this is, shouldn't we have someone more… seasoned?" he asked. "The Strigoi court is a good first step for an ambassador. They're friendly. Ardalon… there are too many pitfalls in Ardalon."
Jareth looked at Randel for a long moment. "Who do you suggest for Ardalon then?"
Randal's laugh was hollow. "Myself, of course. I might hate the place, but I know how it works. I know the people there. Besides, Anduin is fully capable of taking over for me here."
Jareth's gaze never wavered from Randel's face. "You just got home. Are you really willing to take on another embassy assignment? A permanent one?"
The shrug Randel gave was nonchalant. "It's been a while since I've made the rounds there. I find that I… miss the sense of adventure."
Horseshit, Garthan thought. You're running away.
Jareth nodded at him sadly. "If you're volunteering, then I have to agree. Your level of experience would make our success all the easier. When do you intend to set off?
"Tomorrow," he said firmly. I'll leave at first light."
"Well, brother dear… where are you off to? Don't tell me you're going to miss tonight's little soiree."
Jacen winced. He had been hoping to finish up before she'd found him. No such luck. His sister had a knack for finding him when he didn't want to be found. She'd caught him while he was packing for his departure tomorrow morning.
"No, I won't miss it. But the Dwarven Kingdom has asked for assistance in patrolling the border with Iftanzel. With Anduin mopping up the bandits in Westvale, I'm taking a unit up there tomorrow to see where we can be of help."
Karina frowned. "Isn't that a job for the Lord Martial? Why send you?"
Jacen looked back at her with trepidation. "Karina… he's not here. He's on his way to Ardalon."
Karina shook her head, puzzled, "Ardalon? But I thought he'd just gotten back from Corzina. When did he leave?
"This morning. At first light."
His sister looked stunned, "Wait… wasn't Danil going to Ardalon for the next mission?"
Jacen put his hand over hers. "He asked Danil to take the Strigoi mission and offered to take the one to Ardalon in his stead."
Karina looked back at him blankly. "How… how long is this one?"
Jacen's guts roiled with what he was about to say next. "There is no time frame for this one. It's… permanent. He won't be coming back."
As he watched, something broke in his sister's eyes. She turned blindly towards his door.
"Karina…" he said, reaching out to her.
She never even heard him.
Author's Notes:
It should be remembered that while Karina can see Randel's aura, he hasn't let her get close enough for her to start identifying the various emotions he's feeling. She can only go by his expression, and has no idea of the internal conflict he was having at the time.
