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Karigan dared not refuse the honor, and with the captain’s help, swung up into the saddle

“Safe journey,” the captain said “May Aeryc and Aeryon watch over you”

“Thank you,” Karigan said, “and…and good-bye”

She reined Condor away froates of the wall that surrounded the castle and its grounds “Let’s go,” she told Fergal

“Let’s go” translated to Fergal as “let’s gallop” He whooped in delight and dug his heels into Sunny’s sides The old cavalry horse’s head jolted right up and she sprang down the path as though to charge the enemy on the field of battle

“Oh, dear,” the captain said behind Karigan

Oh, dear was right Karigan ground her teeth, and with a final wave to the captain and Connly, she urged Condor into a slow jog after Fergal One did not gallop across castle grounds under any circuency, and her first duty as Fergal’s uards at the gate would chew hiht in mind, she smiled, pleased to be finally on her way

Laren watched thoughtfully after Karigan and Condor It seemed almost a waste to send one of her most capable Riders on so simple an errand, but the potential was there for it to turn out to beanticipated, and they wanted Karigan on the errand because of her experience If anything caan could handle it, and look after Fergal, too

And there was another reason she wanted Karigan to go on a long distance errand, one she hadn’t ure atop the wall that surrounded the castle grounds, his cloak billowing out around hiress, she knew

Over the course of the suether that the “ly duty of signing Clan Coutre’s e contract was one of her very own Riders and not some nameless mistress tucked away in the countryside of Hillander Province

She didn’t care if Zachary had a dozenthe right thing:as one of those mistresses wasn’t one of her Riders

Froerouslywith herself For Karigan’s sake, it was best to send her away; a kindness It would also give Zachary a chance to settle into his role of future husband to Lady Estora