Karigan loosed a long, heartfelt sigh.

She was tired, bone tired and could have fallen asleep right at her desk. She massaged some of the tight spots in her neck before removing her eye patch and rubbing her irritated eye. At least she had finished a goods day's work. Rider payroll was up to date, the new recruits had been allocated quarters and her monthly report was signed, sealed and ready for delivery to Colonel Mapstone. She enjoyed the sense of accomplishment, something which had been far too lacking of late. The wounds she had endured as a result of the recent P'ehdrose mission had by necessity meant she could work for only small periods of time before she required a break from her duties. She looked at the completed report again in satisfaction.

She muffled a moan of pain as she stood, preparing for the slow trudge back to her quarters. She had only been home for several weeks and was feeling less and less positive about her long term recovery. She had become frustrated by any lack of real improvement despite a surprisingly uneventful journey home. Karigan snorted to herself, musing. She didn't really need much of an excuse to be frustrated these days.

She considered her pain laden movements. This naturally led her thoughts back to the clearing where she had lain wounded and begun healing with the aid of a gentle Eletian and an old friend. And a king. She blushed unconsciously and as always her thoughts found themselves dissecting her journey home.

She remembered with such clarity the nervousness that had pitted her stomach as she rode up the Winding way. There were so many things that had clouded her mind during the journey home. How was she to continue her sword master training? How was she to tell her family? How would Mapstone handle the news given the upcoming battle? What would her place be in that battle? What would she say to Mara? These thoughts swirled and churned in her mind, begetting question after question. But underneath these stresses another whispered thought gnawed at the heart of her worry, a question slowly burning through her days and nights.

How would…no; how could she face the king?

Initially she had refused to think of Zachary and focused on her other troubles, but in moments of vulnerability she always returned to him. His soft words, his worried eyes. Their moment of hidden love that tortured her mind as much as her wounds tortured her body. One night she had been in the middle of re-bandaging a wound on her lower back that had opened after the day's riding, when she remembered his gentle attempts to take her mind off the pain. She had gulped at the flood of anguish that was held at bay by fragile threads. Condor chose that moment to wicker and softly nudge her cheek with his soft nose.

That was all it took. Her defences shattered. Within moments Karigan was keening with grief and clung to Condor with all the strength she had. After her tears were spent, exhaustion followed. The morning found her feeling more herself than she had in a long time.

Her thoughts were drawn to the king more often than not over the next two days of travel. As she had ridden through the castle gates she had glanced up and her heart had caught in her throat. There on the parapet, crowned by a cerulean sky was her sovereign. Staring back. After a moment, she bowed from her saddle and saw his arm rise slightly in greeting. Before another moment could pass she nudged Condor towards rider stables, her heart pounding.

What followed was as sweet a reception as she could possibly have hoped for. The younger riders were cheery, the new riders eager to say hello. And her friends. There was such gentleness in their treatment of her but she was also relieved that they acted like not much had changed. She was also happy to know that only Mara has been informed of the nature of her injuries. Karigan, of course, assumed Trace knew too, since she would have undoubtedly reported to Colonel Mapstone once Connly has arrived at the camp where she had been recovering in Enver's tent. Karigan had managed to escape from the throng relatively quickly, which was a blessing as she was in agony and it was difficult to keep up her spirits in front of the other riders. She had also forgotten what it was like to be around so many people!

Mara had escorted her to her room. "It is such a relief to have you home, I cannot believe you were gone so long'. Karigan chuckled. "Well, the paths from the P'ehdrose homeland are not the best tracks I've ever seen. It took a while for me to work my way out". Mara had shaken her head. "I still can't believe they are real. And that you found them! But I meant that the road from the encampment was clear, so we expected you many days ago. We were getting worried."

Karigan was silent for some time, unpacking her things and wondering who the "we" included. "It was…difficult for me to travel quickly". Mara had looked sad. "Of course, I understand," she had replied quietly. "Now, Colonel Mapstone is currently in a meeting, so I think you should take the opportunity to clean up". Karigan must have brightened considerably at this prospect for Mara laughed heartily. She then gave her friend a quick, fierce hug around her neck before letting herself out. Karigan's back was screaming and she had groaned in delight upon entering the blissfully hot tub.

Her meeting afterwards with the Colonel had been tiring. She had entered the study apprehensively and had been greeted with a touching amount of warmth. The Colonel had looked her up and down with an appraising eye and Karigan had felt the sadness in that gaze. Laren had always been a patient listener and allowed Karigan time to stumble through the more personal parts of her official report. It appeared that Condor was, in fact, not the best audience for rehearsing with after all.

The interview finished in due course and Karigan was both impatient and apprehensive to hear Laren's assessment. "Well Karigan, we will need to spend some time working on your recovery. I would like you to see Ben this afternoon." Karigan started to protest, but stifled the complaint swiftly as the Colonel levelled a look at her. "Of course, Colonel". Laren had grinned. "I'll expect you would like to hear who has been promoted to Chief Rider?" Karigan grimaced. Putting two and two together on her ride home, she was suspicious about just who had received the dubious honour of scheduling and payroll. Laren chuckled. "Congratulations!"

'Thank you, Colonel". Laren sobered and continued on. "You will need some time for recuperation before you begin your duties but I am sure Mara can hand over some of the less tiring tasks to you in the meantime." Karigan nodded.

"Now, do you need rest? If not, the King was desirous to hear of your mission outcome, and his meeting is due to finish-" the noon bell rung – "now.". Karigan had stared beyond Laren's shoulder blushing, she was sure, from her feet to her nose. "Of course, if it is the King's request." Laren had looked at her hard and nodded. With that the two had walked towards the castle.

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