The Queen's Garden Mage

I left Adri curled into the warmth I left behind, exiting her quarters to find two Guards manning the door. I tipped my head in respect before going off to find one of my fellow Gardeners. I found myself not surprised at all when Libeth happened upon me first. She never could resist a bite to eat.

“You’re awake?” She exclaimed dropping the pastry in her hand in favor of giving me a hug.

I hugged her back just as firmly resting my head atop hers chuckling softly as she hummed against me. “Yes I woke earlier but still felt drained so I slept a bit more. When did you wake up?”

Libeth pulled away gently tracing her finger over the stitches still marring my brow, when she pulled away the little bit of cloth holding my skin together came too and I sighed as the small ache that I hadn’t even realized I’d felt until it was gone, left me. “It has been bothering me since yesterday morning.” Libeth explained with a shrug. “And I woke not too long ago, well rested and ravenous.”

“I’d forgotten about it to be honest or else I’d have healed it myself, and I’m glad I found you even if you weren’t the Gardener I was looking for you’ll be able to help me find him much quicker seeing as you two are together more often than not…”

“You’re looking for Eden?” She questioned before I even had the chance to supply his name.

I smiled, it was no wonder people often mistook them for a couple, they knew each other like the back of their own hand. “Yes her Majesty will be having a…meeting of sorts this evening and I need to talk to him before hand to iron out some key details.”

“I get the feeling you’re not telling me everything,” Libeth chuckled, “But that’s nothing new. You’ll tell me in time or I’ll figure it out on my own. I haven’t seen Eden around the palace. Rosen has issued a day of rest for the lot of us…it makes me a little antsy to think that not a one of us are in the gardens, but she’s the boss.” She tried to shrug off her unease, “I’d think since he’s not on the palace grounds that he’s out in the city of Anear either frequenting the Green Sprout catching up with old friends or at Lialey’s Inn entertaining the children of passing merchants.” Libeth slapped me on the shoulder before picking up her pastry. “Either way you’re headed into Anear without me sadly I’ve been ordered to not leave the palace…Not that I’m complaining.” She hummed her delight at the delicious sweet while I shook my head and went in search of my brother… I’d need my horse and no one took a horse from Reason’s stables without his say so not even the Queen. It was a security precaution that no one minded at all. How could you if even the Queen abided by the rules.

After a small argument about my wellbeing Reason let me take Carina for a ride in the city, though he grumbled about stubbornness as I rode out I ignored him. If I hadn’t needed to find Eden I’d have stayed in the palace, the city of Anear was a big place and I had never much enjoyed exploring. I checked the Green Sprout first, if you were a plant mage and needed some help, information or just wanted to see a friendly face this was the place to go. I had hoped that I would find Eden there, ending my search for the big lug but I had no such luck.

I took a deep breath before mounting my horse, “Carina,” I murmured leaning against her strong neck stomach aching suddenly as nerves set in. “Do you think she remembers?” I breathed heavily closing my eyes as nervous sweat beaded on my brow. “It’s been five sun cycles; I was young perhaps she’s forgotten my face.” I mumbled into her mane trying to convince myself more than anything else.

Lialey… I hoped it wasn’t the same woman I remembered, more than one woman carried that name surely it was just a strange coincidence. I grimaced thinking it very unlikely, I had learned that more often than not fortune was not with me. Goddess why did the past have to catch up with me now? I received no answer, but I hadn’t expected one.

I found Eden in the common room sitting by the fireplace glowing softly with magic and not warmth, helping to illuminate the room but not causing unnecessary heat. A blessing, because it was scorching outside, Angileri’s growing seasons were hot and long, and humid more often than not. Surrounding him were several children, I inched closer sticking to the shadows while I looked for a feminine face that I’d tried for the last five sun cycles to forget. I’d blame Arely, I would truly but though I was hurting the decision was mine, at the time though I couldn’t think…I didn’t think. She’d asked me to do something and I had, I’d acted without thought of my actions.

And now...now I gazed on a child’s face so familiar it was almost startling. I took a deep breath struggling to draw air, I rushed from the building ignoring Eden’s startled look as I made my escape. I leaned against Carina trying to catch my breath as my heart raced, my hands quivering as I clutched at her mane. What had I done…what had I done that night so long ago…

“Rhyme…” I started turning to find Eden behind me hands raised as if he were trying to sooth a frightened horse. I took a breath trying to calm myself as I leaned against my mare taking comfort in her presence.

“I had wanted to speak to you…”

“When were you going to tell us?” For once I could not look him in the eyes.

“Tell you what?” I questioned hair escaping from the leather thong, I could never seem to tie right, to fall into my face.

“You had a child…” I shook my head brushing my hair from my face so that I could meet his accusations dead on.

“I didn’t…” He stared at me for a long time trying to piece it together without any of the proper information.

“Your brother…” I shook my head.

“Explain…” He stepped closer gazing at me beseechingly. “Please? For once explain a part of your life so that I can understand, because you have said many times you are unbroken, but that girl…that girl in there looks so much like you as a child that it’s uncanny.”

“I was…I had come to the city just days after the Sol-Lea had left me without a goodbye. I was hurting and I wasn’t thinking straight…”

“You slept with someone…” I shook my head again.

“No…” the memories came rushing back. “I did what I do best Eden. I healed someone.” Eden stared at me confused and so I explained to him everything that had transpired that day a small eternity in the past.

I was sitting at an Inn, the name of which I could not remember, some unsavory place of which I had no business I’m sure, but I hadn’t wanted to be found or disturbed and I suppose my reputation was enough that no one had bothered me. I hadn’t thought about it at the time. I was not drunk, my heart was hurting and I drank I’m sure I drank my fair share, but I had never had an ale or wine that actually effected my system one of the perks of being a plant mage of such high caliber so I cannot in good conscious use that as my excuse.

No I was hurting and I wasn’t really thinking straight…I’d been enjoying dinner. Well I was eating though everything seemed pretty tasteless, I couldn’t say if the food was bland or if my emotional state didn’t allow me to taste the food. Probably a bit of both, I was eating my meal when a commotion started. A man came racing down the stairs, shouting, “I need a Healer! Someone…Anyone call a Healer!” He rushed towards the Inn keeper, near hysterical still shouting. “My sister…I came to visit her…I found her room broken into someone…someone hurt her. She’s pregnant and there’s so much blood.” He gripped the man by the front of his shirt.

“If she dies so do you!” He growled threateningly, the Inn keeper took his threat very seriously, as well he should have, he didn’t look to be joking, he beckoned his son forward and sent him in search of a Healer. He told him to run as fast as he could.

I did not finish my meal, instead when the man raced back up the stairs I followed him at a more sedate pace. It was not hard to find the room in which his sister had been staying the door was wide open, and several other guests lingered about no small hint of concern written on their faces. I stepped into the room and of course I was noticed, my height and my coloring ensured it. The man, Zayez I’d later find out, kneeled beside his sister clutching her hand between his begging her to keep fighting. She was pale, her face bruised, her brow drenched in sweat. She squeezed his hand weakly while I took in the blood soaking through her dress. I knew even if she lived the baby would not, she wasn’t far enough along for it to even have a chance outside the womb.

I stepped forward and Zayez stood, “I am a Healer,” I murmured softly. He shook my hand firmly and told me his name, sharing his sister’s as well before pulling me forward.

“Surely you can save her?” I could hear the hope in his voice, and the desperation.

I glanced down at the woman slowly bleeding out before us, “I can save her…but the child will be lost…”

“No…” a murmured word had never sounded so loud. I stroked Lialey’s hair from her face hands glowing softly with magic, slowly the bruises marring her appearance faded away. She sighed softly relaxing beneath my ministrations.

“Leave us?” I turned to her brother. “I will do all I can for your sister.”

Zayez took my hands in his, “Thank you.” He spoke softly before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

I took a seat on the bed beside her resting my hands over her belly, I closed my eyes and sat still for a moment exploring the damage done to her body with my gift. A short time later I opened my eyes and gazed down at Lialey to find her gazing back at me. “Your child is gone…”

She shook her head tears in her eyes, “No…”

I tried to explain further but she would not let me and time was of the essence. I felt so helpless. “Do something…you’re a Healer do something anything to save my baby.”

“Your child is gone…”

“Do something…please…” She passed out soon after from blood loss, tears staining her cheeks, pulse weak, sweat cooling. I am no Goddess despite what others may say at times. I cannot bring back the dead. I am a Healer and a plant mage and so I did what I did best I healed her. I healed her and I sat looking on her rosy cheeks thinking about the child she’d lost…I thought of her accusations, I was a Healer and I had saved her but I’m sure when she woke she would not be grateful. I traced my hands over her abdomen before closing my eyes, I took a piece of my magic and I pressed it into her skin.

After all I could use nothing else, I am a plant mage after all and I help things grow and so twice over I did what I was good at. Once finished I stood tracing my hands over my mouth as I’d realized what I’d done. The level of mastery that I must have for it to be possible…I stepped away from the bed with shaking hands. Before turning and walking to the door, I opened it to find her brother siting on the floor opposite of the door quickly waking from a light doze.

He scrambled to his feet realizing who it was that stood before him. “Is she well?”

I bowed my head in a nod, “As well as can be expected for someone who has suffered much in such a short span of time.”

“And the baby…”

I took a deep breath heart thundering in my chest. “I cannot say. Only time will tell.” I left him then accepting his heartfelt thanks before proceeding down the stairs. I walked passed the common room in a daze standing in front of the Inn gazing out into the night without actually seeing anything. Once I’d come back to myself I found my horse in the small stable used for guests and rode her straight through the night back to the palace. I had acted without thought and I did not at first know it would work but I had heard what I would consider a seed…I had heard it sing softly to me as well I had healed others before of much worse injuries and none had left me quite so drained as what I’d done that night. I spent the next few sun cycles trying to forget…it did not work half as well as I wished it to.

Eden stared at me for a long time after I’d finished, his expression completely blank, he opened his mouth to speak but no words came out and truly I did not blame him. I stood waiting for him to find his voice. “What you did… Rhyme… the level of skill to do what I think you’ve done. Rosen could not match it if she tried a million times. You did what birthing healers do and still you walked out of that room as if you’d done nothing at all. How…”

“Healing others is not as draining as healing myself, the body wants to be healed after all and I just help speed up the process. As for how I did what I did…I just thought of it in terms of plants Eden and I did not for a moment think it would work but at the end of the day I could have told myself I tried and slept well at night. I sped up her cycle…and then I used my gift and whispered to the egg…the seed inside of her. It was so simple to ask it to grow, like any seed that is its purpose and it sang to me Eden.” I gazed back at him heart aching tears streaming my face, “She sang to me and it was the most beautiful song I’ve ever had the pleasuring of hearing in my life.”

“What you’ve done…is it against the law?” He asked after a brief moment of silence.

I shook my head, “No, I could have done nothing without her consent, her body was willing. I have been taught many times an unwilling host will not bear fruit, she wanted a child and so her body allowed me to aid in the process. Her words though spoken in desperation were a formality and they were enough if viewed in any form of the law.”

“Does your brother know…does the Queen?”

“I saw no reason to tell either, though I aided in the process the child is not mine but hers.” I offered softly.

“Have you known this whole time?” I sighed softly once more tying my hair back, needing to do something with my hands. I pushed from Carina giving her a solid pat before moving from her side.

“She speaks to me…as the plants do. Like so many of them I helped her grow and she will always carry a small bit of my magic inside her.”

“Will she grow to be as strong as you?” Eden ask voice full of curiosity.

“Her mother’s ancestors are of the trees, the closest to nature you can get, I cannot say for sure what her gift will be, but she’ll have a bit of plant magic in her no matter what path her gift takes.”

“Lialey’s ancestors are tree sprites?” He questioned incredulous…

I gave him a look I usually reserved for my brother that adeptly questioned his intelligence. “You come to the Inn often enough to have seen the woman yes? Or are you blind to her altogether foreign appearance?”

“I honestly thought the moss-like color of her hair was a fashion statement and a lovely one besides…Does it…” He hesitated for a moment before committing to his question. “Does it feel like moss as well?”

I thought back to that night, soothingly stroking her hair from her face while she lay on the brink of death and I answered in a voice so soft as to almost not be heard. “No…” I met his eyes for a time and he looked away first. “It doesn’t feel like moss at all, though it is soft. As soft as the down on a new born chick.”

Eden ran his fingers through his hair, “How have you kept this from us all these sun cycles…”

“Simple. I never went looking for the past.” Eden stared at me then.

“Weren’t you at all curious, aren’t you now?” He inquired voice raised slightly.

I huffed bowing my head smiling wryly. “Of course, I’m curious, who wouldn’t be. I have heard her voice, I have seen her from a distance and I have done all that I can to ensure that they both have a good life, but that’s all I’ll ever do Eden. It’s not my place to do more.”

She’s your child…”

“No.” I said firmly. “She’s not. If any other had did what I had done it would be no different, the fact the child looks like me and carries my magic changes nothing…”

Eden gripped me by the shoulders startling me into silence.

“Rhyme it changes everything…normally when a Healer aids in the conception process the child comes out resembling their mother, very rarely does the child hold characteristics of the Healer aiding in said conception. That girl, is a perfect blend of each of you.” He shook me slightly, “You feel her Rhyme, you’re standing here telling me about her song, about her voice that I’m sure never ceases and at the same time you’re telling me she isn’t yours but she is. You know she is…”

“I have no right…”

“You have every right and I’m sure if you just spoke with Lialey, whom I’ve come to know as a lovely woman, that she’d understand and be thankful for the gift you’ve given her. As well as the opportunity because I know even if she’s unaware of where it’s coming from that you probably have money sent to her every now and again, a fund she can draw from in her name because that’s the type of person you are.” I pulled away sighing softly gazing back at the Inn.

“What will I say Eden?” I chuckled shaking my head. “It’s been five sun cycles…I hardly know the woman.”

“And yet you still remember the feel of her hair.” My fingers twitched slightly at his words.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.” Eden squeezed my shoulders gently before releasing me.

“If not Lialey than at least speak with the girl…truly Rhyme the resemblance.” He shook his head.

I walked beside him back towards the Inn leaving Carina tied to a post beside several other horses. I would not be staying long enough to pay for a stall in the stable. “I will speak with her shortly but afterwards I need you to come with me. It’s growing late and there’s a small meeting with the Queen we must attend in which I need your help.”

“Has something happened at the palace in the short time I’ve been missing?” He pulled up an extra seat setting it beside his by the fire.

I sat down slowly gazing into the magical flames that carried no heat but illuminated each of us equally. I watched the children approach no doubt interested in continuing whatever story Eden had left off on when he’d gotten up to follow me out. “It can wait until after you’ve appeased your audience,” I offered chuckling softly watching amused as the children stole his attention.

Eden was so gentle and loving despite his size, I don’t know how anyone could look him in the eyes and be afraid. More often than not he put you at ease, he made you feel safe. I placed my elbows on my knees before resting my chin in my hands listening attentively to his story while gazing on the face of the child that must be mine.

Her skin was brown, only slightly lighter than mine, she had my face, my expressive brows and cute little nose, the bow that made up her lips and the sharp cheekbones that made her stand out. Her hair though was all Lialey, a dark forest green, that shimmered with lighter strands the color of moss in the fire light. It made it appear as if she were growing a small tree out of her head that fell in swooping waves down to her shoulders. Her eyes were golden brown with an extra ring around the iris that glowed softly in the fire light. Another trait she’d taken from Lialey.

She looked about how I did at the age of five, too tall for my own good and awkward besides. It took me sun cycles to grow into my height because every time I thought I was done growing I would sprout up another inch or two. I swear it seemed to me Reason had grown all at once not having to suffer constantly as I did.

What we’d created together was beautiful, I smiled softly when she turned to look at me no doubt sensing my gaze upon her. She stared at me for a long time before blinking…the voices of the plants barely loud enough to hear in the city so far from the green grew a bit louder. One grew focused I recognized it instantly. Hello...?

I smiled more fully, Hello. I offered back softly not sure if she could hear me. I’d only ever spoken to the plants in such a way.

She smiled, a bright and glorious smile that I will never forget as long as I live. Mommy has told me so much about you.

Her voice though young, was clear. I could understand every word and I wondered if perhaps she could articulate so well because we were communicating through our magic and our thoughts and not aloud. I wondered if her voice would sound the same. Has she? I questioned curious to know what she meant.

The girl nodded firmly and I chuckled at her enthusiasm, glancing at Eden briefly to see that he was still engrossed in his story. She says a kind woman saved her…and that I was a gift she left behind in her tummy… She hesitated briefly expression sad, because the baby before me could not survive…

I gasped softly in surprise at her knowledge, while she gazed at me face a solemn mask. No older than four summers I could not fathom where she learned such an expression. Mommy says you have done many great things to help people and that it kept you so busy you could not come to see us. I felt tears warm my eyes at such innocence. Mommy says when I see you…not if because she said eventually you’d come. I laughed softly at the exasperation so clearly visible on her young face. She says to tell you thank you. For the gift…for me. She flashed me that bright smile again, full of joy and exuberance.

I felt tears stream my face and I let them fall. Tell your Mommy I said your welcome. She nodded firmly still beaming at me.

I will. Though I think you should… I bit my lip softly considering her words.

How about you tell me your name so when I talk to her it all comes out proper can’t keep calling you “the gift” now can I? She giggled softly at that.

My name is Reah, but Mommy calls me Sprout because I refuse to stop growing. I smiled once more at her obvious exasperation.

The double meaning to her nickname was not lost on me. It was nice meeting you Reah.

She smiled at me. It was nice meeting you too. Please talk with Mommy?

I will. I bowed my head slightly in acknowledgement of her words. Reah turned from me then her voice fading away like all the others, barely an understandable whisper in the back of my mind.

Eden finished his story not soon after and the children wandered off as he stood, bemoaning the fact that story time was over. Reah ran to me quickly wrapping her arms around my waist as I stood. “Thank you…”

I rested my hand lightly on her back while stroking my fingers gently through her hair, just as soft as her mothers. Her voice was softer out loud, her speech a little harder to understand as if her thoughts had shaped themselves into words I understood but perhaps she could not yet say. I had not heard enough from her to tell. “You’re welcome Little One.” She pulled away shooting me one last beaming smile before running off to play with the other children.

Eden came to stand by my side, “Why do I feel like you did more than listen to me tell stories for the last sun slither or so?”

I shrugged lips curling slightly, “I have no clue what gave you that idea.”

He looked at me as Libeth does when she knows I’m hiding something. “Really now, so Reah just ran up and hugged you for no good reason?”

I rubbed my chin feigning thoughtfulness. “That does appear to be what happened.”

Eden raised his hands as if he might strangle the answers out of me while I struggled not to laugh stepping out of his reach…

“Gardener Eden you know I don’t abide violence here.” I stiffened at the sound of a voice I hadn’t heard in over five sun cycles.

Eden dropped his hands, expression softening as he glanced at the near panic on my face before turning his attention to the woman behind me. “My apologizes Inn Keeper my companion can be a bit trying at times. I don’t believe you two have met.”

He took hold of my shoulder turning me gently around, “This is…”

“Gardener Denarii.” Lialey supplied before he had a chance to even begin introductions. “We’ve met before. She saved my life and gave me a gift I have no chance of ever repaying.”

“No payment is necessary…I did what I could.” She stepped forward taking my hands in hers. I have no idea where Eden got off to so quickly.

“You did more than enough and I will be forever grateful for Reah, as well as the fund you set up to support us, without it I would be in a far different place and for that I’m eternally grateful.” Lialey cupped my face in her hands and before I could remotely think to stop her she kissed me, my eyes widened slightly as her lips moved against mine…it was so gentle and sweet. I don’t think I could have moved if I tried. When she pulled away I stood motionless not knowing what to do with myself. “I hope I see you again Gardener, you have no need to fear me I blame you for nothing.” She pecked my cheek one final time before walking away talking briefly with all the guests she came in contact with.

“I was not expecting that in the least.” Eden murmured as he appeared beside me. I’d have flinched in fright but I did not wish to give him the satisfaction of scaring me a second time.

“Neither was I.” I breathed still trying to figure out exactly what had happened.

“She forgave you, claimed you’re blameless, thanked you for everything, told you to visit and kissed you all in one breath…” Eden gazed at me a hint of awe in his voice. “Sometimes I wonder if you really aren’t the Goddess others claim you are.”

I glanced at him unsure of what to say while he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Not to disrupt your daze or anything but how quickly do you think that kiss will get back to her Highness probably growing with the telling besides…?”

I came back to myself so quick I feared for a moment I might faint, “Let us hope it never does.” I said as I marched towards the door.

“You do realize keeping this a secret from her will surely not end well, she’s bound to find out and then jump to conclusions.” Eden speed up trying to keep pace with me. I untied Carina’s reins from the post I’d left her near. She butted me in the chest gently welcoming me back.

“I will tell her…though tonight isn’t the night for soul bearing. Tonight is the night the Prince pays for all the wrongs he has wrought.” I climbed into the saddle before offering Eden my hand.

“What have you gotten yourself into now?” Eden questioned taking my hand, I pulled him up behind me.

I smiled softly as he settled himself wrapping his arms gently around my waist. “The explanation will come later. Her Majesty will tell it best, for now just know that we have a meeting of sorts and before it starts I need you to agree to a favor.”

“Sometimes I think you enjoy being mysterious.” Eden grumbled softly.

I chuckled softly nudging Carina into a ground eating trot, “Perhaps just a bit.” Eden laughed with me. Taking pity, I filled him in on what I needed of him as we rode towards the palace. As I knew he would he agreed to help whole heartedly. I wasn’t the only one half in love with royalty after all.