The Queen's Garden Mage

We all stood gathered around the dais none willing to stand above her Majesty now seated on her throne. It was a rare sight for a Gardener to see the Queen in all her regal glory, despite the fact that our titles equated to that of noblemen, we were not required to attend court. Thank the Goddess for small mercies, Rosen’s recap of certain events made it sound quite tedious, time consuming and at times completely unnecessary. On her left on a slightly smaller but no less grand throne sat the Heir, and two her right sat Princess Mariel, the seat beside her empty.

Across from us stood several noble men and women, Lady and Lord something or other, among them I could see several Councilmen, Libeth had brought with her several servants now offering food and drinks to our small party. I shook my head at the offer of wine, it would do nothing to soothe my nerves. Emery and Libeth toasted each other while Eden and I shared a look all too sober. The Prince was announced into the room, Prince Eris beside him, Sir Zeron trailing in their wake. I took a deep breath standing a little straighter.

Princess Mariel stood, stepping down the dais meeting her brother as he came forward, the room grew silent, even the green spoke softly and for that I was grateful. “Brother…you come before the court…” Her voice rang out, he flinched startled as she spanned her hand encompassing us all. “Accused of treason. How do you plead?” Her face was stoic, expressionless and I wondered how I ever mistook her for anything less than she was.

“I plead…” Her Majesty stood and I have never felt so small, she stood above us, of course she did, she stood on a platform, but the feeling that she was so much more than we could ever be had never been stronger than in that moment. Wine dribbled down Emery’s chin and he did nothing to stop it. My heart raced in my chest as we all waited with baited breath for our Queen to speak. This…was royalty.

“You come before the court accused of treason and you stand as if you are untouchable, your choices are few. Very few, because regardless of what you say evidence is stacked against you.” Slowly, the Queen descended her dais, coming to stand before her son, no one moved a muscle. “Bow before your Queen Sorel, she is not feeling gracious.” Her voice, filled the throne room, thunder on a silent night, I hugged myself as he dropped to his knees before the woman he called mother, but at this moment, that woman was nowhere in sight. Libeth drew closer to me, the nobles held tight to their flutes of wine, the servants had suddenly become scarce and I had never seen so many guards appear out of thin air.

“You have undermined your sister’s power, the Council questions her claims to rule, they question her word.” She paced away from him, looking into the eyes of each and every one of her Council members. Every one of them turned their gaze away. “They question MY WORD?!” I think the entire room flinched, Libeth completely spilt her wine, Sorel smartly remained silent watching the Queen, face pale as he knelt waiting for justice. I did not doubt that it would come.

“They question their Queen, they believe that the Trials have chosen wrong, that it should have been you or your younger sister. You encourage these thoughts…this sense of power, the privilege. Claiming all will be different once a man once more sits the throne.” Her rage was palpable. Goddess I was glad I had never had such righteous fury directed at me. “What could you give them Sorel? What have you promised my people, that has corrupted them so? What promises have you made to make men commit such atrocious acts. Willing to believe the word of a foreign Prince over the Heir herself.” There were several gasps of shock, more than one Council member looked away in shame, all of them men.

“I will tell you what you could give them, if by some stretch of the imagination you became King.” She gazed out across her nobles, before turning back to her son. “Nothing… you know nothing about the land or the people, you have worked for no one. Not once have you apprenticed yourself, you know no trades, you play no instruments. You cannot even hold a sword or throw a proper punch. All that you are is because of me and though you were born with your title. It is but a word…” Her Majesty glanced at me when she said those words. “A word I can easily take away.”

The Queen beckoned Rosen forward, she stepped up beside her, “Prince Sorel of Angileri…” She scoffed at his lack of other titles. “I hereby strip you of your title and your crown. Like a servant you will have to earn it back.” I blinked not having expected that in the least. Rosen took his circlet from his head and while we watched vines mangled it beyond repair. Her Majesty turned from him then, walking back up her dais and taking a seat, Rosen held up the ball that had once been his crown, waiting. Adri descended in her mother’s place, looking larger than life. A near perfect imitation of her mother, she took the ball of mangled silver and held it in her hands.

And then as she had just a few days prior she breathed fire, while everyone watched burning metal dripped through her fingers sizzling once it hit the marble floor. When she gazed out at her people her eyes glowed two slitted orbs… dragon eyes. Adri breathed fire until his crown was nothing more than a searing puddle cooling on the floor. Once done, she stepped back and without speaking a word she climbed the dais and took her seat at her mother’s side.

“Proof for those unwilling to believe my word,” The Queen explained smiling wryly.

“Sorel, I present to you two choices and you are lucky that you have a choice at all.” Her Majesty growled, he gazed up at her pale faced, shaken to his core. “The first is exile, you may leave here, with the clothes on your back and nothing else, without horse, or carriage with a pack of dried biscuits and jerky and what you become from that point is up to you. Seeing as you have no trade, or any real skill I would hesitate in making this decision. Anyone found aiding you will be imprisoned their crime, treason and their punishment far worse than yours.” Several nobles and Council members alike shrunk in the crowd. I took note of them and I’m sure the Queen and her daughters did too.

“Your second and final choice is to fight one of my Gardeners, I have heard of your disrespect and I thought it fitting that if you’re to fight for your honor why not fight the woman you dishonored the most… After your future Queen that is…be glad that your sister holds such a forgiving heart. Death was my choice.” Adri gazed at her mother shocked and even Princess Mariel raised her brow at her mother’s harshness, I heard murmuring among the noblemen. I shook my head at how well her Majesty had set this up in such a short span of time.

“What do you choose Sorel?” She said after a moment of silence where everyone absorbed and contemplated the magnitude of his next few words.

“I choose…” His voice broke. It looked as if he might cry. “I choose to fight your Gardener your Majesty.”

The Queen tipped her head in acknowledgement of his words, and if I hadn’t been watching her every move I’d have missed the inhuman flash of her eyes before she clapped her hands together and with a small concussion of pure power that blew my hair back a fighting ring appeared etched into the stone fire flickering along its edges. If any had ever questioned that the Queen was not powerful that rumor died in that room when nearly fifty people witnessed her create a ring of magic without so much as a verbal command. “Gods…” Libeth breathed and I had to agree.

“Gardener Denarii, Champion on behalf of the Heir, Second to the Head Gardener, Healer of All, Beloved Sister of Horse Master Reason, Renowned Warrior of the Queen’s Army and Suitor in the Queen’s Tournament please step forward and mete out punishment. Bring honor to the crown in your actions.” I bowed low heart swelling with pride and a grin breaking out across my face as I struggled not to laugh. Her Majesty had shattered the foundation her son stood on with words alone and for that. For that I could do nothing less than bow for her, I gazed at my shoes for a brief moment, purposely holding a bow she had not requested and I had no reason to give, purely to show my respect.

I stood slowly, stripping off my tunic and offering it to Libeth, next I removed my knife and untied my pouch full of my valuable seeds. I unbound my hair letting it settle about me. I moved forward, “I am a firm believer that titles are just words, the difference between you and I Sorel.” I smiled softly as I stepped into the ring, “I earned every last one of mine. I have worked in the kitchens, I have scrubbed floors as punishments, I’ve washed my clothes. I have fought and bled with the Queen’s men and I have suffered through training under my brother’s hand on one of his horses. I have been apprenticed to the Head Healer and I have learned as much as I can about everything I put my hands to.” I held up my hands scarred and calloused, “I call you soft handed because truly it is the most accurate insult I can call you. Sorel, you stand before me no longer a prince and you have nothing left to offer the world. If I ever so happen to lose mine, I can offer so much more than you can ever dream of.”

The Guards pulled him to his feet, creating a path for him to walk through, he had no choice but to come join me. The Guard Captain stripped him of his shirt before pushing him forward, Sorel stumbled slightly, pausing in his steps. I raised my hand and beckoned him to advance. “Come Sorel, come face your punishment like the man that perhaps you will one day be and claim back a bit of your honor…because as of now you have none.”

He walked forward head held high, face pale, fists clenched until he stood across from me, trapped as I was until one of us could fight no longer. We both knew who the victor would be, the question was not who would win, but of how long he would suffer. I breathed deeply before moving forward hair whipping behind me as I raced towards him. I snapped my leg up, hearing the sharp whipping sound of fabric being stretched taught quite suddenly, and turned adjusting my aim so that I caught him in the side instead of the head. He gasped breathless, I pivoted on the heel of my foot, hair falling into my face as I turned and kicked him square in the chest causing him to fly back into the barrier keeping us contained.

Sorel dropped to his knees, heaving slightly, saliva dripping from his chin while I watched. “Stand up.” Her Majesty ordered without mercy. Her son climbed to his feet shakily raising his fists slightly not truly knowing what to do with them.

I moved towards him again, catching him in the chin with an uppercut that lifted him from his feet it was so powerful, his eyes rolled. I wrapped my arms around his body before he could fall and slammed him with all the power I had in me cushioning his head with my hands easily ignoring the stinging pain it left behind. I stepped back watching him slowly roll over wheezing softly. Bruises had already begun to form. “Stand up.” Her Majesty ordered once more, and Goddess save him if he failed to obey.

Sorel lay on the ground for a time before pushing to his hands and knees and then climbing to his feet. After a deep breath he turned to face me, “Hit me Sorel.” I offered my cheek watching him through the shifting strands of my hair. He raised his fist and swung, I grabbed his arm and pulled him close, dealing him several body shots before throwing him over my hip. He slammed into the ground again groaning in pain.

“This is not justice…” A Councilor proclaimed. “He’s a Prince…”

“He’s a man Councilor, a man who has committed treason, anyone else would be exiled or dead for said crime. He is my son, and that is the only thing saving his life, let it not be forfeit because of you.” Silence reined, no one else dared to speak. “Get up Sorel. Now!” She growled when he remained on the ground too long for her liking.

He stood again, I punched him, I kicked him, I threw him every which way, my knuckles grew red from striking him repeatedly. My skin became slick with sweat and blood. I beat him all around that ring and each time he stood up it took longer than the last. Tears streamed his face and he begged me for mercy, but I could do nothing but fight as the Queen commanded and so I did. I hit him again and again and again… He lay at the foot of the Queen’s mercy and I would beat him until he could no longer stand when she ordered it, until her words rang throughout the throne room and were met with silent defeat. Her son…Sorel of no title would not walk from that ring of his own power.

Tired of beating a broken man I skipped forward as he moved to stand and snapped out my foot watching his neck strain as his head flew back blood spraying from his mouth a he crumpled to the ground unmoving. “Stand up.” The Queen ordered and it was a formality, I took a deep breath pulling a leather thong from my pocket. “Stand up Sorel.” He remained motionless on the floor as I pushed my hair back from my face tying it up, a stray tendril still managing to escape. Nothing new. “Climb to your feet if you have the power to do so…” Her Majesty spoke again her voice softer now more a request than a demand. I moved forward and kneeled beside him assuring myself that he still lived. I righted his body gazing on all the damage I had done before standing and backing away. “Has your honor been appeased Gardener has the Heir’s?” Her Majesty asked of me magic dissipating freeing us from her ring.

I gazed on the man that had once been a Prince who now lay defeated in every sense of the word before I bowed only slightly. “Yes, your Majesty.” She tipped her head in acknowledgement before two guards came forward to take him away. I glanced at Eden who intercepted them. The Queen caught my eye before motioning them away remembering what we’d agreed on. Eden hefted Sorel into his arms as if he weighed no more than a child, which is what he appeared to be battered and broken cradled in his arms. I watched as he left, escorted out by a team of guards, the same guards that had ushered the former Prince into the ring.

“Are there any objections to the justice dealt here today?” I honesty did not think anyone would be foolish enough to speak. I was wrong.

“How could you beat your own…”

“Councilor Renold I hereby strip you of your titles and all your lands. Everything that you had, everything that you were now belongs to your wife if you have one and your children if you birthed any. If you have neither it will go back to the crown. You are exiled from Angileri, you make take the clothes on your back and whatever happens to be filling your pockets at this time. A pack of dried biscuits and jerky will be supplied to you and a water skin if you’re lucky. Soldiers will escort you to the Void, from there you are on your own. The guards will see you out.” Several guards took him away while he stood pale faced unable to find words.

Her Majesty gazed at the gathered members of her Council searing them with her gaze. “Does anyone else question the justice dealt today? Does anyone question my mercy for a crime claimed as treason…Any one?” No one else spoke. The Queen bowed her head gently, breathing deeply before continuing to speak. “My daughter, your Highness Adri will sit the throne. Does anyone dispute this?” Another member hesitated but a moment, “Councilor Tessen, you are stripped of your title.” He gapped like a fish. “Though you may remain in Angileri, you have a seven day to find a new title. You may start now.” Several more guards ushered him out. “Anyone else question any of the decisions made today?” I honestly think at that moment everyone held their breath and tried to remain as still as possible least they too be found guilty losing their titles and their lands.

If you cannot be loved than fear will do as they say, the Queen stood when no one dared to speak. “This private court is adjourned, Councilors to me, noble men and women alike thank you for bearing witness. Prince Eris, Sir Zeron, sorry for the harsh display,” and just like that the Queen was gone the Councilors scrambling to keep their titles followed the Queen like good obedient children and the nobles disbanded a few smiling as they left at the justice dealt by their Majesty.

Princess Mariel had disappeared without anyone noticing and I couldn’t have said when or to where. Rosen took Emery to check the gardens and Libeth was assigned to bed rest. I watched her go a little dazed, glass of wine half full in her hand. Adri strode from the dais standing before me with my tunic in her hands. She offered it to me without speaking a word, “Thank you.” I murmured softly pulling my tunic over my head, freeing my hair and tying the laces baring my chest to the world.

“I have never seen such harshness from my mother…”

“And I don’t think you ever will. That was not your mother punishing her son, that was the Queen of the realm punishing a subject who committed treason. She showed him a great mercy by offering him a choice, at all. And neither of his choices were death, lucky indeed. His body will heal, if fortune is with him and works hard, in time he will regain his title. By then he will be a different man…” I took my knife buckling it to my belt and then my pouch tying it just so. “Hopefully he will be a better man.”

“Thank you for ending it.” Adri said after a moment of silence where we stood gazing at each other.

“I do not enjoy beating a man who cannot defend himself…I do not enjoy beating a broken man, he needed it. I will not claim otherwise, and I understand why her Majesty did as she did, but I did not enjoy it and I am glad that it is done. I have never seen justice dealt so accurately. I hope next time I do not have to play a part.” Her Highness took my hands in hers examining the broken and bleeding skin of my knuckles.

“You did not falter once; you did not hesitate in your actions. Your strikes were swift, your words though true held no harshness. I have never met a more fitting person to be my Champion and gain back my honor.” She pressed tender kisses to my fingers gazing up at me as she did so but not once did she tried to heal them. “You have earned every title presented to you this day, and every scar that will grow on the bleeding knuckles of your hands Rhyme. Wear them proudly because they were spoken with pride.” She kissed my hands one final time, “Your scars gained redeeming the honor of your future Queen. Look back on this moment and think not of beating a broken man but of healing a Princess’ honor…”

I cupped her face in my hands swollen and aching from the fighting I had done and I leaned down pressing a kiss not to her lips but her brow allowing my eyes to drift closed as I enjoyed the soothing scent of her of skin, the softness of her brow beneath my lips. The gusting of her breath on my throat and the strength of her arms as she wrapped them around me. “Thank you…” I murmured against her skin tears slowly streaming my face. “Thank you.” She did not ask what I thanked her for and I did not say. I had become a warrior for my mother, but I was a healer first and there was a vast difference between killing a man trying to end your life and beating a man who can hardly throw a punch while he lay battered on his knees begging you for mercy. She did not ask what I thanked her for…no I’m sure she already knew.

“How can you exist?” Adri asked stroking the tears from my face.

I chuckled softly brow furrowed as I opened my eyes to gaze down at her, “I resist the urge to die?” She laughed with me shaking her head.

“That’s not what I meant silly. I meant…” She cupped my face in her hands as I found myself twining my fingers in her hair unseating her circlet. It now sat on her head precariously close to falling, though neither of us paid it any mind. “How are you real…?” Her Highness questioned as she drew me closer pressing a tender kiss to my lips easily stealing my reply. I pressed my mouth more firmly against hers, heart racing in my chest. No kiss had ever felt quite like this. Like breathing fresh air for the first time, like breaking the surface of the water after you thought you would drown, like… coming home after you thought you would never see home again.

Our mouths moved in harmony neither of us completely dominating the other, back and forth we’d go, give and take. Over and over her lips danced against mine, a sinful waltz that I couldn’t resist… The clattering of her circlet hitting the ground startled us into parting. I lay my brow against hers struggling to catch my breath, while she fought to do the same.

“We should…”

I pulled away slightly, “Yes we should…” We stood wrapped in each other’s arms unmoving despite the fact that we knew we should move apart.

“Maybe just one more…” She offered pulling me down to meet her.

“Just one...” I murmured in agreement before our lips met again, just as good if not better than the last. I’d never met someone that tasted so good. Adri flicked her tongue into my mouth and despite my strength and all my power I felt my knees weaken beneath me.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caused us to break away from each other, each of us looking up startled to find the Queen lounging on her throne, legs thrown over the arm, elbow resting on the other, chin pressed against her knuckles as she watched us eyes twinkling with mirth. A smile slowly spread across her lips. “The highlight of my day for sure.” She said breaking the silence, she crossed her legs, her robes parting to reveal trouser clad legs, ending in a pair of the finest boots I’d ever seen.

Adri picked up her circlet, trying and failing to fix her hair without a mirror. I took her crown stroking my fingers gently through her hair before placing it back on her head. “Thank you…” she breathed softly face a lovely shade of red. “How long have you been sitting there?” Her Highness asked crossing her arms, head held high.

I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering where my leather thong had gotten to, subtly I glanced at the floor, before catching sight of it now wrapped around the Princess’ wrist. I decided I wasn’t likely to get it back at that moment in time. “Long enough to confirm that Gardener Denarii returns your feelings. You don’t after all kiss your friends like that.” Adri covered her face while I gazed back and forth between them.

Her Majesty swung her legs down and quickly found her feet before tipping her head, “You have my blessing Gardener.” She offered, expression now completely sober as she moved to exit the throne room, pausing briefly at the entrance meant specifically for the royal family. “Don’t…” She warned. “Break her heart.” And with that she was gone as if she’d never appeared in the first place.

“Do you think she saw everything?” Adri questioned after her mother had gone.

“It’s very likely…” I replied without hesitation.

“I’m glad….” I gazed down at her brow raised.

“That your mother watched us while we…”

“No…I’m glad that she gave you her blessing. She likes you.” I did not fight her as she pulled me closer twining her fingers in my hair.

“I cannot fathom why.” We stood arms wrapped around each other gazing into each other’s eyes while she played with my hair.

“You’re smart, honest, strong, honorable and kind. What’s not to like?” I pressed one final kiss to her brow careful not to unseat her circlet.

“We shall agree to disagree.” I murmured before pulling away. “I have to speak with Eden.”

“Will you…will you find me later? In the Queen’s Garden?” Her Highness asked hesitantly gazing up at me with the twilight orbs that even now stole my breath away.

“I will try…but I can make no promises.” Adri bowed her head in acknowledgement of my words before pushing up on her toes and pressing one final kiss to my cheek.

“Think before you act.” Were her parting words before she too disappeared up the dais and around the thrones meant for the royal family. No doubt using the same entrance her mother had used to exit.

I gazed after her for a long moment before realizing that she hadn’t once offered to give me back my leather thong, I chuckled softly brushing my hair back from my face as I moved to make my own exit.