I received a review yesterday from emmalily21 and realized that I still have all the notes for this story. Also that I had most of chapter 6 already written, I aim to keep updating this from time to time.

Sorry for the long leave of absence.

Enjoy

Rhii :)

Chapter 6: Memories

He knocked hesitantly on her door and waited patiently for her to reply. Beyond the wooden panel it was quiet, he began to wonder if his instincts were wrong and she had gone to find Condor. Yates was not sure what had come over her. Since the night in the courtyard almost a week ago she had looked haunted by something, she stood as tall as ever but it almost felt as if there was something else to her, something new and menacing.

He could remember that night all too clearly.

"Kari if you can't stay still you might as well come in to the open."

He grinned as he heard a curse confirm his suspicions, he had expected her to follow them after all her gift let her move unseen in the shadows. She had once explained it to him, something about slipping between the layers of the world. He watched as her ghostly figure rose from her hiding place, like a wraith she drifted towards the fountain her hand dropping from her broach as if something else had distracted her attention completely.

The wraith-Karigan stopped just before the fountain. The King looked perplexed, most likely it was Yates gift that allowed him to perceive her as if she was using her gift in bright sunlight. The moon light shone on her ghostly hair as she stared in to the fountain.

"Have you come for me Westirion?" He heard her murmur.

"No!" He stepped forwards; he wouldn't let anyone take her from him. "Kari..."

Karigan fell to her knees as her gift failed, he did not see her hand move to her broach. In his head only one possible conclusion came to him, she is dying. A harsh sob caught coming from her curled up figure drew him away from that train of thought. Ignoring Zachary who stood in shock beside him Yates ran forwards and enveloped her in his arms. He held her tightly against his chest letting her cry in to his shoulder. She is alive, he inhaled the scent of her hair, she isn't going anywhere.

"Kari you're safe. I'm here." He murmured gently rocking them back and forth.

He felt her push away from him gently. He looked down at her tear streaked face she smiled weakly up at him but the smile did not meet her eyes. He eyes looked haunted; they even seemed darker if that was possible.

"He talked to me..." She seemed to struggle with her words.

"Who talked to you Karigan?"

Yates looked up at the King who was hovering over them with an anxious expression on his face. He also noticed Karigan's friend the Weapon had stepped in to the light no doubt he wanted to make it clear he also watched to check that she was alright. Yates looked down again as she tightened her grip on the front of his shirt.

"Westrion... He talked to me..."

Unconsciously he gripped her tighter. "Westrion?"

She nodded weakly before slipping out of consciousness.

He shook himself as the door opened slowly. She smiled weakly at him, her normally bright and defiant eyes looked so dull recently, on many occasions he had wondered if he could just bundle her in to his arms and carry her away from this place, maybe then she would not need to worry. Trying to conceal his worry at her current state he cleared his throat.

"The King," He concealed a sigh as he remembered the man's foolish challenge, "requires your presence in his study."

Yates noticed the small frown that his message caused. Good, he mused to himself, she will not be caught by Zachary's whims easily. He almost grinned as she pulled herself to her full height, he loved the defiance she managed to display so casually, here was a woman that would be nobody's play thing.

"The King shall have to wait, I have a practice session with Fastion. I have been released from my duties for the weeks leading up to my trial in order to prepare."

Yates grinned and bowed mockingly "I will see to it that your reply is delivered immediately, My Lady."

She smiled at him, a real smile. I will make her happy again, he vowed to himself.