The Queen's Garden Mage

“Ow!” I glanced up from listening to Rhea excitedly telling me about her day to see Libeth sucking on her fingertips.

“Should avoid teeth,” Rhea murmured softly biting air to demonstrate the danger.

“I agree with you.” I replied chuckling as I stroked my fingers playfully through her hair. “What else did you do today, any magic?”

She shook her sighing softly, “None yet.” I pulled her close placing a tender kiss on her brow. “You’ll get there Little One.”

“I know.” I smiled at her optimism and confidence at such a young age.

“Ow!” Libeth exclaimed for what seemed like the hundredth time since she’d started.

Rhea pulled me down so that she could whisper in my ear, “Not smart, avoid teeth.” I chuckled at her opinion of Libeth and her struggles to feed the Marr.

“I’m sure she’s trying very hard.” I whispered back, as we gazed at Libeth briefly watching her raise a spoon filled with stew quite warily to the Marr’s mouth her fingers red and tender.

“Not enough.” Rhea shook her head as Libeth growled her frustration. By this point she was probably wearing more of the stew than she’d managed to actually feed to the woman.

“You know what.” She stood from her seat across from the Marr, she hadn’t let anyone get close enough to remotely try to find the writing on her collar, let alone read it. Libeth came over to me and set the bowl in my lap. “You feed her while I seat here with your daughter and we mumble how horrible you’re doing.”

“I said nothing of the sort, I just agreed with Rhea’s assessment of avoiding her teeth.” Libeth gave me a dead panned expression. I sighed softly and stood from my seat allowing her to take my place.

“Good luck Rhym,” Rhea offered as Libeth sat down beside her grumbling about her sore fingers.

I smiled down at her once more stroking her hair, “Thank you Little One.” She hadn’t yet managed to pronounce any of our names correctly but we didn’t mind.

I moved towards the Marr and took the seat across from her, her hands and feet were bound Santi hadn’t offered to unshackle her and I hadn’t asked. She was quite dangerous after all. I held the bowl of stew in my hands breathing in its scent. “I don’t know how much Libeth actually managed to get into you or if you’ve really tasted it, but it’s good.” I took a bite humming as small chucks of meat and potatoes near about melted on my tongue. “I know if I feed you bread you’ll bite me, and if I offer you stew somehow I’ll end up wearing it and really I don’t want that.” I took another bite of her stew. It really was delicious and I’d had my fair share but I didn’t at all mind eating a little more.

“Now we’re not trying to hurt you, we’re here for a bit of rest and then we’ll be heading back to the palace. Her Majesty is already aware of your predicament and she will do everything in her power to free you of your collar, and give you the best life she can if you wish to stay or the means to make it where ever you want to go if you don’t, but I need you to eat. I need you to not bite me when I feed you and I need you to cooperate as much as you are able. If you agree I will free your hands and feet and hope that you do not try to harm anyone in this room because if you do…I won’t be quite so nice as I’m being right now.” We stared at each other for a long time before I offered her a bite of stew. She took it hesitantly while watching me for trickery all the while. I fed her the remainder of the bowl with bits of warm bread intermixed and a nice cup of watered down wine.

I took her hands gently in mine, gazing on the thick metal cuffs, “You aren’t by chance carrying the key to these are you…” She gave me a dour look that told me she understood even if I hadn’t been sure before. I chuckled softly, “I didn’t think so but it doesn’t hurt to ask.” I took two seeds from my pouch turning the cuffs until I could see where the key would be inserted before dropping one into each. “Don’t be frightened” I warned, before listening for the little seeds. Coaxing them to grow. The Marr gasped as leafy stems sprung from the key holes a small click issued from each before the cuffs opened freeing her hands. I used the same plant to open the cuffs on her ankles and then gathered the small plant placing it in the cup once filled with wine. It glowed with my magic still growing slowly. When it was finished, it would be similar but not the same as the vines growing from my window sill back at the palace.

The Marr rubbed her wrists eyes brimming with curiosity, “Are you going to tell me your name or am I go to have to try and read it from your collar?” I questioned not unkindly.

She grimaced slightly, “My people call me Renkari, but you will call me Renka.” Her voice was scratchy with disuse and she carried an accent, though her words were easily understandable this was not her first language.

I tipped my head in acknowledgement, “Renka, you may call me Denarii. Gardener Denarii, you may not understand the true meaning of those words as yet, but you will. Try to get a bit of rest, a few recruits from the Queen’s army will come with mounts for us in just a few sun slithers.”

“I will not ride an enslaved horse.” Her eyes flashed and her jaw clenched with anger.

“Do not pass judgment on her Majesty’s horses until you’ve met them.”

I stood from my seat and moved to usher Libeth from the room picking Rhea up and holding her in my arms. “I too heavy.” Rhea grumped trying to get down.

“Nonsense,” I countered holding her against me as we tromped down the stairs. “You’re as light as moss.”

She giggled at my comparison, “It my hair,” I fluffed my fingers through it as I weighed her in my arms.

“You might just be right Little One.” I set her down as we reached the bottom of the stairs getting a big hug and a kiss before I allowed her to run to her mother who easily picked her up and spun her around once more filling her with laughter.

“I suppose you’ll be leaving soon?” Lialey said drawing closer, more of a question than a statement, Rhea wrapped in her arms head resting on her shoulder as she played with her mother’s hair so much like her own.

“Yes, the Queen’s Tournament isn’t yet over and we made our promises to protect the Princess as best we could until the end.” I stroked Rhea’s hair, sure that she would be sleep soon. “I had fun with her, she’s quite smart for her age.”

“I’m sure she gets it from you,” Lialey chuckled softly. “I was the devil at her age, always getting into trouble. Rhea is the complete opposite.”

I thought about the girl I was before I left home and smiled softly. “I was a sweetheart…Reason on the other hand.” Rhea snuggled against her mother smiling while Lialey laughed at what I implied.

“As I said she gets it from you.” I gave her a hug with Rhea pressed lightly between us.

“Sweet dreams Little One.” I murmured pressing a lingering kiss to her head before Lialey took her off to bed.

“Are the horses here yet?!” Libeth cried racing down the stairs with Emery trailing not far behind.

I turned brow furrowed about to answer when a recruit walked through the door gazing around curiously. I recognized him instantly. “Donta?” He looked up and I beckoned him over meeting me as Libeth and Emery approached.

“Your mounts are ready Gardeners; I was instructed to bring one extra though I was not specifically told why. Simply that you have a guest…” Donta gazed at each of us waiting for a more in-depth answer that none of us were willing to give. He bowed slightly in respect, before stepping back, “Whenever you’re ready.” He made an about face before marching off to watch the horses no doubt.

“What has you so riled?” I questioned once Donta was gone and everyone went back to enjoying their evening meal and conversation.

“She’s annoying me.” Libeth whispered furiously. “Staring at me and snapping her teeth.”

Emery chuckled softly, “That’s not so annoying.”

“Her teeth are powerful and the room is otherwise silent I swear it sounds like the crack of thunder every time.” Libeth countered shaking her head.

“Well the mounts are here, we just need to gather up Eden and Renka…the Marr,” I added by way of explanation. “And we’ll be on our way.”

Eden came tromping down the stairs as I finished speaking, Renka trailing reluctantly in his wake. “She has very strong teeth…” He grumped tracing his fingers soothingly over a growing bruise on the back of his hand. “And she’s faster than she looks.” Eden nudged her slightly until she stood beside me, both Emery and Libeth took a step back.

“I haven’t been bitten yet and I don’t plan to be,” Emery said before walking away.

“I’ve been bitten enough for a life time.” Libeth shook her head following after him.

“I am so glad you bought her, making her your responsibility.” Eden murmured proceeding to disappear as well and thus leaving me alone with the Marr.

I gave her a once over, she was near about a height with me, but not quite. “If you bite me…” I left it at that.

Renka gave me a once over staring for a brief moment at the mark on my neck. “You seem to enjoy being bitten.” She snapped her teeth at me for emphasis and so loud was the sound of her teeth crashing together I could not help but wonder if it hurt. Libeth hadn’t been exaggerating when she compared the noise to thunder.

“I enjoy the pleasure that comes before the bite, the pleasure forms the bruise. The bite I guess you could say is to ensure no one misses the mark. I wear it proudly but I don’t enjoy being bitten and neither, I’m sure, do you.” I raised my brow and waited for an answer that didn’t come, but it was of no matter her silence was answer enough.

“Don’t bite me Renka…just don’t.” I warned once more before ushering her towards the door.

She snorted sounding so much like a horse that I did a double take to ensure a mount hadn’t appeared behind me. “You are interesting Gardener I’ll give you that much.”

“I do my best,” I tossed over my shoulder as we exited the back of the Inn and headed towards our companions now waiting just outside the stable.

Carina met me with a head butt to the chest. I chuckled softly ignoring the ache it left behind as I wrapped my arms around her neck and rested my head firmly against hers. “I see you missed my penchant for rambling.” I murmured softly nuzzling my cheek against hers. I may not have had my brother’s gift, but there wasn’t a being on this earth that understood me quite as well as my horse.

“Are you going to introduce us?” I glanced up to find Renka watching us curiously, I stroked my fingers lightly through Carina’s mane while all around us everyone mounted up.

“Carina this is Renka of the Horse People…” I nudged Carina’s head with my own and it budged not at all. I chuckled softly at her stubbornness. “The Horse People are the Marr if you remember all my childhood stories and Renka…” I turned beckoning her closer taking her hand and setting it upon Carina’s muzzle allowing her to get acquainted “this is Carina, my mare and some might say the only friend who can’t tell me to shut up…” Carina lightly placed her hoof on my boot, enough pressure for it to be uncomfortable but not yet painful. I glanced down. “Well not with words anyway.” I finished wryly Carina gave a little whinny, her version of a laugh before removing her hoof from my foot inspecting Renka more thoroughly.

Donta came up beside me and I lent him my ear while Renka conversed with my horse in a language I could not hope to understand. “We’re ready Gardener, I’ve been informed that all other suitors have returned to the palace.” He hesitated before adding with a small smile. “Sadly none have failed.”

I sighed hearing the news but I’d expected nothing less, “We’ll be ready shortly.” He bowed slightly before moving away going to talk to Libeth and Emery and then Eden respectively giving them the news.

When I turned back around Renka was hugging Carina cheek to cheek while gazing at me, eyes glowing softly as she gently stroked her finger through Carina’s mane. “Your mare is a lovely creature…” She hesitated for a moment. “If I were ever to willingly ride a horse it would be yours. As well she tells me she remembers all of your stories.” Renka smiled softly hiding her mirth against Carina’s strong neck. “They’re all so very detailed, a tree would have trouble forgetting and we all know how dense trees can be…” Her gazed flickered to me. “Her words not mine.” She finished with a shrug.

I laughed good naturedly, “Trees actually have very long memories.” I scolded coming to gently scratch behind her ears right where she enjoyed it most. “And thank you that means a lot coming from one of your kind.” Renka flicked her ears at me but otherwise didn’t respond simply watching the playful interaction between me and my horse. “How will you get to the palace if not by riding?” I questioned after a brief bout of silence. I knew everyone was waiting on us, though I would not rush her, she’d been through enough.

Her lips quirked and as I watched reddish brown fur began to grow on her face, “I said I wouldn’t ride a horse...” Carina shied away charging forward and pushing me with her, while where we once stood Renka shifted, like water, fluid and natural from one form to the next.

“I suppose we won’t be needing the extra mount…” Donta breathed as we took in the magnificent beast now standing before us. Renka was taller than every horse in the stable, massive but trim a beast made for speed, but easily filled with strength. Her muscles practically rippled beneath her coat of reddish brown, tarnished by grime. Like her hair her mane and tail were a mixture of red, brown and white. The fact that it was matted took away from its splendor. Her eyes now much larger glowed beautifully in the afternoon sun, she looked like something straight out of legend itself. After a small bout of gawking I climbed into the saddle. Renka butted her head lightly against Carina’s mirth sparkling in her eyes.

“A warning would have been nice.” I said watching her ears flick in my direction. She rolled her eyes at me and I laughed softly. I glanced around to be sure that everyone was ready before I spurred Carina into a trot, Renka falling in beside me and my fellow Gardeners behind while the recruits fanned out around us practicing their guarding skills. Truly I had to admit it was the perfect little exercise.

Everyone had grown used to Renka turning into a horse by the time we approached the palace gates, the trouble started when the stable hands not having seen her turn into a horse tried to take control of her by grabbing hold of the leather collar around her neck, it had grown as she had. Quite a handy bit of magic that. One went flying before anyone had a chance to react and then of course all hell broke loose as more hands came to subdue her. Just about everyone loss control of their mounts, I was smart enough to leap from Carina before Renka’s distress affected her. Despite my caution she remained the calmest of the bunch.

Guards came, there were ropes and men shouting trying to gain control of the situation. I got tired of all the commotion, gently I rubbed my brow in frustration while Renka took out several guards. The infirmary would be filled that night; I could just tell. “How long do you think this will last?” Donta asked slowly sidling up beside me weighed down by several of the saddle bags he’d managed to rescue from getting trampled.

I took the bag I’d been carrying around throughout our trip through the city and opened it digging inside until I found the two items I was looking for. My blade and more importantly, my pouch. “Not much longer.” I took a few familiar seeds from my pouch before chucking them into the fray, with a frustrated huff of air I released my magic and watched as everyone grew more distressed before growing still as raptor vines tangled them in their embrace, stopping all form of movement.

Renka, eyes rolling, breathing heavily muzzle twinned shut stood at the center of it all trying to calm herself. “What the Gods is going on here!” Reason exclaimed racing into the courtyard with several more guards trailing in his wake.

“I am so glad you managed to subdue everyone before your brother arrived Gardener.” Donta murmured shaking his head at the pandemonium his presence would have caused among his stable hands and the guards. I was in full agreement.

Libeth squirmed her way free of vines no doubt using her magic to loosen them, before answering. “Your men are all fools, they thought to capture our guest.” She motioned towards Renka who now appeared much calmer.

“The giant wild horse in the heart of this mess?!” Reason questioned incredulous.

“Not a horse…” I supplied. “One of the Horse People.” My brother stared at me confused just as Renka changed back, her transition just as seamless as before. She shed the vines meant for a much larger creature before slowly working her way free of the mess finding her way to my side.

“Your men are fools.” She grumbled to my brother crossing her arms, while he and everyone who hadn’t seen her change gapped in amazement at the spectacle that had just occurred before them.

“I see our guest has arrived.” Everyone turned to find the Queen standing idly by smiling softly at the scene before her. Everyone who was able save Renka and I bowed low in respect.

I bowed slightly, standing quickly. “Majesty this is Renka, of the Horse People. Renka this is her Majesty Servasli Averell…” I quirked my lips in amusement before finishing. “Of many titles I do not care to name.” I could see Reason covering his face in embarrassment out of the corner of my eye. Donta cleared his throat covering his amusement and her Majesty laughed out right as she approached us.

“I cannot wait until you take Rosen’s place…or accept an open seat on the Council whichever comes first. You’ll certainly stir things up.” The Queen gazed around her courtyard as if to emphasize her point. “Renka of the Horse People.” Her Majesty took her hands in her own, bowing slightly to place a kiss upon her hands. “It is an honor to meet you. I hope you find comfort in my palace while we work to free you.” She traced her fingers over the leather collar circling her neck. “I assure you the man who thought it wise to sell you in my market will be brought to justice. Come let us get you settled.” I watched as Princess Mariel appeared out of nowhere. Literally, I saw the smoky shadow of her magic briefly before she appeared as if walking from around the corner, joining her mother in ushering away the Marr.

“Gardener…” The Queen turned back to me once more taking in the complicated scene of stable hands, horses and guards all wrapped together in taunt vines. “Clean up this mess.”

My lips twitched in amusement, “Of course Your Majesty.” She tipped her head in acknowledgement of my words before turning away a small bit of mirth still glittering in her eyes.

“Brother clean up this mess.” I snapped my fingers for effect more than anything and the vines withered, dying quickly as they settled upon the hard packed earth, small wild flowers blooming wherever they landed. Freeing beast and man alike from their bounds. Once done I turned and walked away my fellow Gardeners falling in beside me while the recruits gazed after us with no little bit of awe in their eyes.

“I thought you were trying to hide your gift?” Libeth questioned laughing softly as we walked away the sun setting behind us.

I smiled softly, “What’s the point in hiding something I’ve learned that nearly everyone knows.” I countered with a shrug.

Eden slapped me lightly on the back while Emery shook his head smiling, “Our fearless leader.”

“Second to Rosen.” I added without hesitation.

“That’s up for debate you know?” Libeth added as we entered the palace. I shook my head refusing to ask how. I’d had enough excitement for one day and I still had a Princess to find. My smile faded slightly, the flowers told me all I needed to know. Though I’d have known exactly where to find her without it. The Queen’s Garden…it was our place.

I left my fellow Gardeners in the kitchen and went in search of the future Queen of Angileri pausing briefly in the Heart Garden in my attempt to remain hidden from the guards patrolling the palace. I swear they questioned me full well knowing who I was besides.

I found her Highness leaning against the wall surrounded by glowing Were Lilies, I glanced at the sky in surprise, the moon was only half full. I supposed they’d bloomed from magic alone with the coming of night. She sat with her head resting against her knees gazing down at the glowing flowers, her circlet sparkled on the ground beside her, though the sight was not as shocking as the tears shimmering on her cheeks.

I approached slowly taking a seat beside her against the wall, close but with a small space between us. “What brings you to tears Highness?” I asked softly setting the gift I’d made off to the side.

We sat in silence for a long time with her gazing down upon the flowers while I gazed at her heart aching softly for her pain. “Can I tell you a story?” Adri asked abruptly still gazing at the ground.

I bowed my head gently in a nod of approval. “Of course.”

She took a deep breath before she began voice quivering with emotion, “Long ago…when the Queen was young she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, everyone thought she would grow to be as lovely as her mother and grow she did… Into an equally lovely little girl. With an imagination out of this world, different than her peers and with more power besides the girl often found herself alone in her mother’s garden day dreaming about the day that some prince would come take her away from it all… A Prince worthy of her… as the girl grew older and learned more about her mother’s gardens and thus more about her mother’s Gardeners the day dreams changed. Just a bit, the Prince was more normal seeming, less flashy, humbler… A man willing to get his hands dirty, a man willing to walk and play and work the garden with the girl. A man perhaps like her mother’s Gardeners…” The Princess paused for a time before continuing her story, “The girl fell in love with the idea, so much so that she got to know each and every one of the Queen’s Gardener’s by interacting with them, as well as listening to the stories told by others. It reached a point sun cycles later, where the girl now a young woman knew them each by heart, near about as well as her mother did.

“An accomplishment indeed to know the little intricacies of their craft, what colors the flowers bloomed when and by whom the gardens were worked. Her sister called it a gift and her brother, a waste of her precious time. It was a knowledge gained not all at once but over an expanse of time little by little. Of course the young woman did not just stop at her mother’s Gardeners though they were her main focus. She knew everyone in the palace, their names, their families and even some of their hopes and dreams. She knew everyone except the Gardener she wished to know most. The one who hid from her most skillfully. The Gardener that seemed in her opinion so much better than the rest, though strangely not as well known. You know the Prince became more and more like that Gardener every day and perhaps she fell in love with the idea more than she should have…”

I met her gaze fully as she turned to me finishing her story. “When she met that Gardener still so full of mysteries, she could not have been more shocked at how easily such a normal seeming person could change her idea of what a Prince should be.”

“Adri…” I took her hands in mine moving closer. “That Gardener has spent the better part of the last ten sun cycles watching that little girl battle the faeries that she couldn’t see, pulling the weeds from around the fountain so that it could look more beautiful and getting scolded besides when she returned to the Queen covered in grime.” Adri chuckled softly bowing her head at that little tidbit. “She watched that girl grow into a beautiful young woman that she admired above all else…and if that Gardener had once thought for a moment that she could love that woman the way she knew she deserved to be loved. If she had thought for a moment that it was worth it she’d have revealed herself long ago.” I cupped her face in my hands stroking her tears away. “You are an amazing individual Princess and even though you’re young you’ve done more for your country than most men can claim in their entire lives. You cause saplings to take root in my stomach and Goddess if I don’t find myself lost in the endless twilight of your eyes every time I look at you. I love you…” I smiled softly. “And it happened not all at once like in the fairytales, nor was it over the last few seven days of spending time together but over an expanse of time little by little.” Adri laughed softly at me stealing the words from her story eyes sparkling with mirth.

“You aren’t just saying that…” I gave her the look that question deserved and she laughed harder resting her brow against mine as she twinned her fingers in my hair. “You know when you asked me if I loved you…after you fought Libeth I lied… I was already in love with you.”

I chuckled softly. “I was afraid you’d say it then when I was still trying to figure it all out…Crazy the difference a few days can make.”

Adri sighed. “Has it only been a few days it feels like a small eternity.”

“Doesn’t it though.” I agreed as we sat brow to brow, eyes closed as we held each other.

“Are you falling asleep?” Adri asked softly after a long bout of silence fingers gently rubbing along my scalp.

I opened my eyes, “No…I’m fully awake.”

“So you can repeat exactly what I just said?” Her Highness questioned brow raised curiously.

I smiled sheepishly, “I may have drifted off for a bit.”

“As I thought, I asked what you had there.” She tipped her head towards the gift wrapped in a satin cloth tied lightly with green ribbon.

I pulled it from behind me and offered it to her, “A gift I made for you.” Adri took it gently, gazing at me briefly. “Open it.” She smiled softly before pulling the ribbon watching it come undone before unwrapping the satin.

“You made me a crown.” She lifted it from the cloth gazing at in wonder, formed from vines and supple braches intertwined with flowers. It was beautiful the wood if you looked closely held small images of dancing faeries, the vines if you watched long enough shifted so that it was always stable and the flowers glowed softly, they’d change color with the seasons. It was perhaps more intricate than the circlet of silver she often wore around the palace. “It’s so light.” Adri murmured tears once more streaming her face.

“I thought perhaps when the weight of your Queendom became too much you could come here…to our Garden and wear this crown, or perhaps if you wish when you become Queen you will have your new crown cast in this image so that you may always carry a bit of your Garden with you...”

Adri pulled me close pressing a tender kiss to my lips, “You made me a crown. Light so that I could bare the weight more easily when it all became too much.” She laughed softly. “Goddess how could I not love you...” She kissed me again, more deeply this time and I found myself lost in the taste of her.

I pressed her down onto the ground the Were Lilies glowing all around us, while beneath us the grass grew suddenly thicker, now softer than grass had a right to be. I settled between her thighs as we kissed our tongues waging war with each other neither winning fully before growing distracted. I trailed my hands down her sides playing lightly with the hem of her tunic while she scratched her nails lightly along my scalp causing warm tingles to shoot through my body.

I moaned softly as she nibbled playfully at my bottom lip, “Perhaps we should stop…”

Adri tightened her hold on me pulling me more firmly against her as she devoured my mouth with hers causing me to forget what I’d been trying to do as I melted against her heat pooling low in my belly. “I think we should stay…” She traced kisses along my neck causing me to arch against her. “Mmmm, is that another cramp Gardener?” I felt my face warming slightly now caught in the lie I’d told last night.

“No comment.” I husked tightening my hold on her as she continued to trace kisses along my neck. “We should stop…” I murmured again slipping my hands beneath her tunic tracing my fingers along her warm soft skin.

“I’ll stop…” Adri murmured softly, flipping us over until I lay pinned beneath her, hands gently but firmly held above my head as I panted softly skin flushed with desire, sex aching with need. My heart raced in my chest as she gazed down at me, eyes full of love and desire. After a moment of gazing into each other’s eyes she leaned close nipping lightly at my ear before finishing her sentence. “When you scream my name....”