Eyes flashing with barely restrained fire the young woman strode through the crowded ballroom, surrounded by far too many jewels and overpowering perfumes for her taste, her eyes swept the room eagerly searching out a new safe haven. She cursed as she forced herself onward in the direction of the dimly lit edges of the room, the many skirts of her ball gown hindering any sort of efficient movement as she moved between the excitable groups of nobles gathered for the official birthday of their monarch, each family attempting to gain favor.

Moving as swiftly as her gown would allow she meandered her way through the crowd hoping to find a spot with a more sympathetic shadow where she might while away enough time to allow her to retire respectfully. Previously she had not been successful in her wish to go undetected and she had sought refuge in a alcove away from the young men in pursuit of her, however she had been quickly removed by a rather amused shadow.

Recently the number of daughters being introduced to court had reduced significantly, with the King married and war on the way many Lord Governors had chosen to retire their families to their country homes where they hoped they would be away from any fighting. Tonight was different however, the rich and titled of Sacordina had descended upon the castle in order to gain assurances that their lands would be protected. Unwed lords that held lands away from D'yer found themselves surrounded by suitors looking for a good match and a safe haven.

Unsurprisingly the King and his Queen were in the middle of it, greeting their guests with gentle smiles and warm words, each guest who chose to approach was granted a moment of their monarchs time. Each Lord or lady was guided through polite conversation and Karigan found herself comparing them to the petitioners who sought audience with the King. She smiled as she thought of how they might react to her comparison.

She blinked in surprise as she stepped past the final throng of guests to reach the edge of the room. Relief bubbled inside her as she realized she had escaped her suitors. Since her dubious knighthood a number of lower lords had become interested in her, or more specifically her father's wealth, that coupled with the Kings interest in courting her despite his marital status she found herself avoiding the celebrations as best she could.

As she reached her target location she was intercepted yet again. A familiar broad chest covered in heavy black cloth blocked her escape, she raised her head to find her tormentor grinning down at her as yet again she was pushed back towards the party. Stubbornly she attempted to dig her heals in but the silk dancing slippers she had donned for the occasion did not offer any of the resistance she had been hoping for. Fastion was taking full advantage of this fact as he herded her back towards the bright lights of the dance floor.

"Think of it as a learning experience," He advised cheerfully.

"I do not think learning the court gossip or which dances the Queen favors will help in the fight against Mornhavon." She hissed.

"Maybe you should let those young men catch up with you, I'm sure one of them would jump at the chance to bravely defend their lady." His eyes sparkled in the dim light and he leant forward so his face was level with her own. "Or perhaps your interest lies elsewhere, a sword master perhaps?"

She levelled her gaze at the hulking Weapon grinning at her. "Maybe you would like to repeat that?"

He straightened up as his eyes flashed to the pins in her hair, pulling her back in to the shadows with him he gazed across the ballroom.

"Close your eyes."

She raised her eyebrow in question. Fastion stared back at her his face not betraying his thoughts. Sighing heavily she closed her eyes and surrended to his game. Since her return from Blackveil the Weapons had taken it upon themselves to develop her in to something of a hybrid - not quite a Green Rider but not a Black Shield either. They had taken to stopping her at any given moment throughout her usual duties and questioning her perception of a location or event. Karigan had quickly learnt that the advanced levels of training were not solely reserved for swordplay, observation and the quick reading of your opponent were also crucial.

"What is the King wearing?"

Karigan opened her eyes to stared at her companion, she was in the shadows to avoid the King not reminisce about what his wife may have dressed him in. The Black Shield just shrugged and gestured for her to continue.

"Fine." She closed her eyes and thought back to earlier.

As she had entered the ball, announced by Neff despite assurances that she just wanted to enter quietly, she had immediately found Zachary's almond eyes on her. He had smiled openly in invitation, perhaps in the hope that she might brave the heavily perfumed crowds and greet him. That smile had driven her in to the corners of the room in a vain attempt to avoid his affections. It had been only a moment but she had taken note of his attire.

"Doublet in Hillander blue, gold circlet, white shirt."

"Correct, how many Weapons are in residence?"

Karigan frowned. "In the ball room or at the event?"

Fastion laughed lightly. "The ball room, as I do not think you have ventured in to the gardens yet tonight."

Because no doubt the King would find me if I did, she thought wryly. He seemed to be uncannily good at getting her alone at these events, something she attributed to the shadows around the room who no doubt thought they were giving their little sister a hand by allowing her to be alone with the man she loved.

"Is there a reason why I would not view the gardens tonight" She replied quietly, her eyes burning as she stared in to his dark eyes.

Fastion leant closer once more his breath warm against her face. "Does Zachary no longer hold your thoughts?"

"The King is married, you do him a great disrespect in suggesting him would hold any interest in a commoner such as myself." She whispered looking away. "He will soon be a father, what interest could he hold in the dangerous life of a mere rider, a merchants daughter."

She wiping away tears she pushed away from her friend and escaped through the crowd in to the gardens. Her mind full of her own loneliness she retreated towards her new room in the abandoned corridor, no one would disturb her there.


Excusing himself from a rather dull conversation on the latest fashions in Rhovanny Zachary allowed his eyes to wander across the room in search of a certain knight who had not yet managed to greet him. A look in to the corner rewarded him a glimpse of her, beautiful in her deep green skirts standing beside one of his most trusted Weapons. Jealously rippled through the King as Fastion leaned closer to the Rider, annoyance at their closeness turned to concern as his Rider paled and fled the ballroom.

With a glance back at his pregnant wife safe in the company of her ladies the King strode off towards the night in pursuit of the woman he loved. He noted the longing and regret in Fastion's eyes as the usually stoic man watched the doors, wondering what the man could have said to upset her Zachary stepped out in to the cold air.

It did not take long to find his Rider striding through the gardens her ball gown impeding her escape and allowing him to catch her easily. She froze as he rested his hand on her shoulder to stop her, she whirled round to face him her bright tear filled eyes recognized him and she bowed stiffly.

"Your highness, I apologize for my rudeness I must go." She murmured

As she turned always he desperately caught her wrist and pulled her in to his arms his only thought to sooth her tears, tonight he would not let her run from him, he would get his answers.

"You don't need to go anywhere tonight." He murmured in to her hair.

He felt her stiffen in his arms and reluctantly let her pull away, the harder he tried to pull her to him the faster she ran. Her normal eye searched for an escape even as he stood before her, was he doomed to forever scare away the woman he loved.

"Don't leave!" He begged desperately.

Her face set in determination and she stepped backwards to create more space between them, the distance hurt. Now more so than ever she was unreachable. Her silver eye, hidden tonight behind a length of shimmering green cloth, reminded him of her reappearance a year prior at the winter feast and of the fact that no matter how he might try she would never be his.

"Your highness." She bowed stiffly.

She stood to attention and waited, surveying their surroundings as she waited for his next move. He had told her not to leave and so she had stayed with him despite her perhaps better judgement. She would not disobey him, with her strong sense of loyalty and duty she would do as he commanded no matter the sacrifice to herself.

He sighed heavily. "Kari... We can't run from this forever..."

"And what is this? You are a married man Zachary, you have a child on the way."

"My feelings for you..." He tried to explain.

She cut him off. "Are misplaced." Her gaze hardened on somewhere in the shadows behind him. "Might I suggest your highness that you return to your wife and enjoy your birthday celebration. There is no place for this future you hope for. Only a fool would place a commoner, a merchant's daughter, above the fair Queen."

His heart sunk, she thought herself unworthy of his recognition… of his love. He looked away from her, the desperation on her face was too much for him instead he let her melt away in to the shadows. It was likely he would not have another opportunity to confirm her feelings for him. Sighing he dragged himself back towards the bright lights and laughter of the ball room.