“Reveal yourself, mage! Only a coward stays cloaked in invisibility.”

“But he's the king!”

“They come in injured and mangled, we put them back together, then they stand in my halls making demands. A thankless lot to be sure.”

“You're a stubborn, ill-trained horse,”

“Identify you as messenger...to other Riders." The words were gasped as if hewere forcing air in and out of his lungs by sheer will to extend his life. "Fly...Rider, withgreat speed. Don't read m-message. Then they can't tor-torture...it from you. If captured,shred it and toss it to the winds." Then, because his voice had grown so faint, she had tolean very close to hear his final words. "Beware the shadow man."A cold tremor ran through Karigan's body. "I'll do my best," she told him.”

“Do you love your country and your king?"Karigan paused. What a curious question. King Zachary was relatively new to the throneand she knew little of his policies or methods, but it wouldn't do to sound disloyal to adying servant of Sacoridia."Yes.""I'm a messenger...Green Rider." The young man's body spasmed with pain, and blooddribbled over his lip and down his chin. "The satchel on the saddle...important messagefor...king. Life or death. If you love Sacor...Sacoridia and its king, take it. Take it to him.”

“I'll do my best.”