Zachary Hillander shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. The horse beneath him was unfamiliar, as he had borrowed it off of a soldier of the River Unit, for his return to Sacor City.

The plain brown gelding was nothing compared to the last horse he had ridden; Condor. Karigan's gelding had been alert and confident, and as a Green Rider horse, ready for anything. But although Condor was a cooperative and impressive mount, he didn't really look the part. Zachary, however, was used to riding the finest steeds in the land, and this poor horse was not quite at the same level.

To make things worse, Zachary, unlike his Riders, was not used to spending days in the saddle. His legs were stiff and aching from the uncomfortable position, and once again was struck by the little credit his Riders received. One rider in particular stood out for him.

His Karigan.

Legendary Rider, honorary Black Shield, Avatar of Westrion and a Knight of the Realm. Her deeds were renowned across the land.

But she had suffered. Scars mottled her body and she was filled with the emotional trauma of losing a man she had loved. A mirror eye, dark magic buried in her shoulder, and the marks of torture across her back, the flesh ripped to shreds. He ached to comfort her. But he could not.

He must not.

He looked up, and dimly wondered where she was. It had been weeks since they had parted. She must have left the P'ehdrose by now. He had been forced into accompanying a border patrol for safety, which had added days to his journey. The captain of the River Unit had insisted, though his Weapon Willis, and Rider Connly did not look happy.

The Rider had informed him several times that this road was completely open to attack, whereas he knew a path that was much quicker and safer, and led directly to a waystation where they could rest.

However, Zachary had been bound by his promise to the captain, and would not abandon the patrol.

The Rider and Weapon exchanged glances and returned to scanning the woods.

Zachary sighed and rolled his eyes. When would they learn to trust him?

He bit back his words as battle cries erupted from the trees, and Second Empire mercenaries charged towards them.

His soldiers rushed to greet them, while Willis and Connly guarded their King.

Suddenly there was a shout behind him. The trio turned their heads to see a man in black raise a crossbow and aim directly at his heart. The bolt dripped with a black liquid. Poison.

There was no time for him to move; the bolt was instantly in motion. Zachary watched, frozen, as his death approached.

And then a blur obstructed it. The green and brown apparition charged from the trees. The crossbow hit the green bit, which got left behind and collapsed on the road.

Willis threw his black-banded sword at the mercenary, who died instantly.

Zachary saw this in his peripheral vision, as the brown blur slowed into a rearing horse, and wheeled back towards his rider.

Zachary's eyes widened.

He recognized that horse. Condor. Which meant that the green blur was...

No.

Please, no.

Zachary looked at the figure lying in the dirt, dying the ground red, and a single tear leaked from his eye and tracked down his face, to drip onto her green uniform.

It was only then that he realized he had launched himself off his horse to get to her.

He cupped her face in his hands, brushing his thumb along her cheekbone. "Karigan..." His voice ached with despair.

Connly appeared at his side, and began to hurriedly bandage her wound.

A hand appeared on Zachary's shoulder.

"Sire, it is only a flesh wound. She will live, as long as her body can fight the poison. For now, we must get out of here!"

Zachary was filled with sudden hope. She could live? Then the sounds of battle found his ears, and he realized his predicament.

He looked round for his horse, but it had bolted. Condor stood beside him, and nudged him softly.

Zachary nodded to his companions. Time to get out of here.