The Queen's Garden Mage

I dreamed of Rosen… of words she’d spoken to me once after I’d asked her why she’d tried to poison me. “Rhyme no plant can harm you unless you let it. I have fed you countless poisons and none have done a thing. For a long time, you didn’t even know. Plants…or should I say the spirits of the plants find something in you and they choose to do no harm. All you need is a seed and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to… I’m just trying to make you realize that and I wasn’t going to manage it by taking the nice approach. Just remember no matter what I do or how much it hurts that I’ll always care about you…”

I woke all at once gasping softly to find myself still alive and in a great amount of pain as I hung limply from two vines my blade still protruding from my chest. I blinked at the soft whispering I could hear in my mind before gazing down at the blade to see a small stem wrapped around its base. The stem had grown while I slept holding the wound closed around the blade so that I wouldn’t bleed out. I raised my good hand and stroked the small green shoot allowing my magic to flow freely. With no small effort I pushed the vines out of my body patching them with the raptor vines I’d grown from the small stem as I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath. “Goddess…” I grunted as I gazed on the spirit that sat upon my window sill. “That hurt.”

While I lay there on the ground suffering I fought to heal myself to no avail, I had to get out of the maze. Or else despite my best efforts I would die… with the aid of the little magic that I could use thanks to the plant that I’m sure Rosen had provided I made myself something of a walking stick, several vines wrapped firmly together, and I slowly but surely ambled my way forward. Not wishing to struggle all the way to an end I might never reach I used the vines to create holes in the walls walking through one after another until I found myself free crumpling to my knees as the voices came back to me, the magic in my chest near to bursting with the need to be released. I lay resting against an ancient with my eyes closed while my body fought to heal itself. It hurt nearly as much as sustaining the wounds had and still the blade protruded from my chest.

I rubbed my shoulder assuring myself that it was whole and my thigh to be sure of the same before gripping the blade sticking out of my chest. I took a deep breath heart racing with nerves before wrenching it from my breast crying out at the spurt of blood, fighting the wave of dizziness before my magic set in and I healed myself. Once done I lay gasping against cool bark thinking of all the ways that could have gone wrong.

I gazed on the familiar spirit that in many ways had saved my life, “Thank you.” I murmured softly raptor vines still draped across my torso.

“Well that was interesting…” I started grimacing as my body still ached with the pain of my wounds. I glanced up to find Renka creeping out of the shadows.

“If you’re here to kill me do it quickly. I’m too tired of feeling pain.” I husked too fatigued to offer up a fight.

“I can’t say you’ve done anything in the short time I’ve known you to deserve my wrath.” She countered crouching down beside me. “I was exploring the forest when all hell broke loose at the palace. I couldn’t tell you who’s responsible or if the Queen still lives. I hope she does…she was different than the other monarch’s I’ve met.” Renka tugged lightly at the hair that fell across my brow eyes softening with sadness. “Your beautiful mane is gone.”

“It’ll grow back.” I offered with a shrug as I fought to stand with her help.

“What happened in there…?” I allowed Renka to bear much of my weight as we trudged through Griffin Forest trying to get as far away from the maze as possible least guards be lurking about.

I huffed right leg aching each time I dared place weight on it despite that I’d healed it. The pain I knew, would linger for several sun slithers, it took time for the body to fully accept such an extensive healing. Rest would have done me good. “The Void…has found a new way to spread. Not across the land as it’s been doing seemingly forever, but now through people. It’s inside the Sol-Lea, a foreign Prince who I think is behind it all and the Princess… the Queen’s third child.”

“From what I heard the Queen and the Heir are dead…and the Head Gardener played a hand in it all.” We paused briefly while I fought to catch my breath.

Renka snorted, “I escaped my master only to find myself immersed in a war still bound,” She tugged gently at her collar shaking her head. “Do you think it true?”

“That both the Queen and the Heir are gone…I don’t know. I want to believe they still live, I want to believe that Rosen would never betray her Queen, but I am tired, hurting and quite disheartened to find that I did not see this coming. Right now, I don’t know what to believe.” I answered honestly as we began to move again.

“It sounds a lot like you’re giving up…and perhaps I know nothing. Nothing of this Queen or this land save through the eyes of a slave, but I have lived and I have survived despite many hardships simply by telling myself I must go on.” We paused again, everything hurt, my heart most of all and I wanted to lay down surrounded by the green and just die. Instead I listened to her words and tried to find heart. “I came upon you when you burst through a wall of green that quickly put itself back together, you were bleeding heavily with a large blade sticking out of your chest. Now if I had seen that on the plains…I’d have said you were dead Gardener. If I had seen that anywhere I’d have said you were dead…I thought, I was about to watch you die. And then you did something miraculous, you healed yourself…”

“You healed yourself from wounds I thought unhealable. I have never heard of the Queen’s Gardeners before coming here but I’m know now and I will never forget. Regardless if I stay or go after this collar is gone I will never forget you Denarii.” I smiled softly at her words as she dragged me through the forest.

“I suppose that means you no longer want to bite me?” I questioned voice a little husky with lingering pain.

Renka chuckled softly, “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Just thought I should ask is all.” I replied shrugging gently least I cause myself more pain.

She bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement of my words but otherwise gave no answer, her brow was furrowed with concentration, her ears flicking every which way. No doubt listening for danger. We moved as fast as we were able with me still feeling the pain of my wounds now gone. It hurt…Goddess it felt as if I still had several holes in my body, each movement sending shockwaves of blazing fiery pain shooting along every nerve.

Sweat soaked my shirt and plastered my hair to my scalp, each breath was a struggle, each step a conscious effort. I had healed the wounds but my mind needed time to catch up and I had no time to give. Renka paused as frequently as she could, my body screamed that it wasn’t frequent enough. A journey that once took just a slither of the sun’s span suddenly took four times as long. I just wanted to stop moving…Goddess. “Gardener we have to keep moving.” Renka muttered urgently gazing back the way we’d come, she’d been doing that more and more often as the sun marched its way across the sky.

I slumped down against a tree gazing at the light of the sun filtered through the leafy canopy above. I traced my fingers over the roots cradling me as I leaned heavily against strong bark. “How long have they been following us?” I questioned softly as sweat trickled down my face and dripped off my chin.

Renka huffed nostrils flaring as her ears went back, “For several slithers of the sun…”

“Since I escaped the maze?” She gazed at me solemnly, her silence my answer.

“You should run.” I breathed softly as I closed my eyes.

“We have to keep…”

“If I stay with you, they’ll catch both of us. Go on Renka,” I blinked up at her. “This isn’t your war after all.”

I watched her eyes flare before she took my arm in hers. “No, but your Queen gave me freedom despite the collar around my neck and this is my choice.” Renka pulled me to my feet before using her strength to flip me into the air. The world slowed for a moment, I briefly glimpsed the beginning of fur on her face, the leaves sparkled with the light of the setting sun and oddly I felt really calm… and then suddenly time sped up.

I fell onto the back of a mare larger than any I’d ever seen before gasping as the pain I’d felt rocket through me as if it were fresh, darkness bled in as the ground rushed by beneath me. I fought the urge to be sick while clutching firmly to Renka’s mane as she galloped head long into Griffin Forest moving faster than any mount I’ve ever ridden. After a small eternity she slowed and then stopped. I slipped from her back…

“Woah...” Strong hands clutched at my sides keeping me from hitting the ground. I opened my eyes to find Renka hovering over me sweat beading across her brow as she lowered me gently to the ground. “I have you. I have you.” She soothed stroking her fingers lightly across my brow. I glanced around us sure that we were as close to the heart of the forest as we were going to get in my current state. I opened my mouth, but Renka shook her head. “We’re safe Gardener…for now we’re safe. Rest…heal. I’ll guard you.” She smiled softly, eyes bright and yet solemn. “My choice, remember?” Chuckling softly, I allowed my body to relax fighting sleep for all of a moment before it consumed me.

I woke in the night to find myself curled in Renka’s lap, a fire burning brightly several feet away, while several fish lay baking in the ashes. I sat up gently rubbing my hand through my hair wondering why it felt so light…I paused when I found the end of the silky strands far quicker than I was used to. The events of the day came rushing back to me and I gasped softly heart aching a new. “How are your wounds?” Renka questioned drawing my attention from my inner turmoil.

I shifted slightly shrugging my shoulders, before pushing to my feet to find my leg easily able to support me. I sat back down beside her on the bed of leaves she’d laid out for us. I gazed around our small camp site guarded well by a circle of trees grown closely together. “You did well.” I offered impressed.

Renka raised her brow at me, “All I did was build the fire and catch the fish, when you passed out the leaves beneath you grew lush and soft and the trees swayed close so that they may protect you from prying eyes.” She shook her head, “So it is I that should be saying you did well.” I gazed around our little cozy space, warm despite the chill of the night.

“Are you sure I did all this in my sleep…” I questioned curiously.

She snorted, more horse than human, “I haven’t been sure of anything since you bought me from that merchant in Center Market.”

“I’d apologize but I couldn’t tell you what I’d be apologizing for.” I’d said shaking my head softly.

Renka pulled the fish from the ashes and offered it to me on a large leaf. “Yes…apologize for freeing me from slavery.” Renka gave me a look. “You don’t owe me an apology Denarii…”

“Rhyme…” I offered taking the leaf from her out stretched hand. “My friends,” I continued as she waited for an explanation. “They call me Rhyme and I can’t really think of you as anything else if you were willing to risk your life to save mine despite that you know nothing of the situation.”

Renka smiled softly eyes glowing softly in the fire light, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been considered a friend.”

“How does it feel?” I questioned taking a small bite of my fish mouth falling open to avoid scorching my tongue. “Ho…hot…”

Renka laughed softly at my theatrics being far more careful as she took her first bite. “Considering the fact that I literally just took it from the fire I would think so…and,” she paused chewing slowly before swallowing. “It feels amazing; after all I’ve spent the last few sun cycles of my life being considered less than human and you sit here hardly knowing me at all, talking as if we are equals.”

“You are just as much as a person as I am…” I countered, much more careful with my second bite. “I am not talking to you as if we were equals, that indicates that I think less of you…I am talking to you as an equal because that’s what we are. You are a person and you change into a horse, but so what, I talk to plants and I am considered one of the most respected people in Angileri. It is all about perception… fancy titles be damned it is the way you look at the world and just as it is your choice to be here with me despite the danger. It’s my choice to see the world as I do, an equal platform for all despite titles and power.”

Renka smiled, gazing down at her fish. “I’m starting to understand why you are so favored by your Queen Gardener.”

I choked a little on my fish in my amusement. “Perhaps you can explain it to me then.”

Renka used her thumb to wipe a few scales off my cheek. “Not many with power such as yours view the world as you do.” She pulled her hand away, “It’s quite refreshing actually.”

“Power such as mine?” I questioned softly sucking softly on my tinder fingers.

“You are a noble Rhyme…oh you don’t carry the title of Lord or Lady but you are a noble, Gardener taking the place of the former. The Queen adores you, you live in the palace and socialize with soldiers and royal guards alike. You have more coin than most can dream of holding in their entire lifetime, you’re educated…you probably know more than one language, you can defend yourself no doubt trained by your brother who holds the title Horse Master. You are a person of high regard and value, more so even than the Queen…she has an Heir sadly making her expendable. There is only one you.” Renka finished off her fish popping the last piece into her mouth. “As I said you have much knowledge and much power, not factoring your gift…and yet you are kind and courteous. You treat a slave as your equal because I’m a person and that’s enough.” She shook her head, “Nothing about you is truly as it appears. You have so much and you value it…perhaps that’s it. You actually value all that you have.”

“My mother taught me the value of dirt Renka…now I know you’re asking yourself how can dirt have value. As a child I asked myself the same thing.” I tossed the bones of my meal into the fire before resting my elbows on my knees. “I will tell you what my mother told me and maybe that will make you understand a little more of why I am the way I am…”

Renka leaned forward as I brushed some leaves aside picking up a hand full of dirt in my hands holding it out before us, “Dirt is the beginning…of everything, from the smallest blade of grass to the greatest giant’s spine. Everything that lives and breathes is blessed to walk upon this earth…we use it and abuse it without ever thinking about how important it really is. But if suddenly dirt disappeared where would we be…what would we have?” Renka’s ears twitched as she watched enraptured as the moist soil grew dry and suddenly fell between my hands dry sand. “Nothing, we’d have nothing. No water, for where would it rest, where would it gather, how could it rush across land that did not exist. No sustenance, no plants would grow, no prey would feed, no predators would hunt. No air to breathe just a wasteland where nothing can exist.”

I picked up another handful of dirt, mixed with rocks and leaves and twigs, as well there were things harder to see, small little beings that fed on smaller littler beings. “Dirt is messy and gritty and sometimes just plain disgusting at times and most people think nothing of it, but ask any plant mage and you’ll discover that in the blink of an eye with just a hand full of dirt…” I smiled softly as all the hidden seeds began to sprout causing my hand to glow softly with magic while green shoots grew, steadily twining around my fingers. “They can create whole new worlds.” I finished softly. “Now if you can find value in dirt. Something most do not even consider valuable than you should value what is truly valuable even more because as dirt can dry up and become a brittle wasteland like a desert so too can the things you value disappear. So value them as they should be valued and you’ll never have any regrets.”

“I grew up in a different place than this…and when my mother told me that story it was in reference to a doll I broke in my anger. A doll she had spent many nights knitting together, using materials it took her moon cycles to save up and buy. It was such a beautiful doll and I destroyed it…” I dug softly in the ground making a small hole before placing the bundle of plants I now held in their new home. “And now it’s gone forever and I regretted it instantly, I still regret it because of the pain it caused my mother. I will never forget the look in her eyes as the doll came apart before us...” I sighed softly as I patted the soil gently before dusting off my hands. “Just as well I’ll never forget the value of dirt and all the things I hold dear.” I twirled my knife in my hand gently.

“I gather that dirt is a metaphor for the things we often take for granted…” Renka murmured softly placing her hand on mine causing me to stop the mindless twirling of my blade.

I placed my hand over hers, “She used words that a child and a growing plant mage would understand…and it stuck as you see I still know the story.”

“I think everyone would be a lot better off if they understood the value of dirt as you do.” Renka offered squeezing my hand gently. “Especially a few of those hard headed nobles.” Renka and I both laughed at that.

“I agree whole heartedly,” I murmured softly covering her hand with mine in silent thanks before allowing our hands to fall apart. Renka stuck the blade in the ground close to the fire away from our bed of leaves.

“We should sleep Gardener,” She murmured with a yawn splaying out on the ground nuzzling into leaves that were far softer than they should be.

“You sleep, I’ll stand guard. I’m not feeling very tired at the moment.” Renka mumbled her agreement as I tossed several large twigs into the fire to keep it burning. When I glanced back at her, she was half buried in the plush foliage fast asleep. I chuckled softly as I gazed into the fire thinking of all that had transpired that day.

I traced my fingers through the shortened uneven strands of my hair before hesitantly pulling my blade from the ground remembering at the last moment that it was made from a plant and not steel despite its indestructibleness and would not hold my reflection. I listened to the green and asked a small request standing after a moment when I found what I sought. I glanced back once more to make sure that Renka still slept before slipping away from the campsite.

Not even half a slither of the moon’s span away I found a small pond, I knelt before the water’s edge and looked on my reflection. I looked haggard and defeated, my hair at varying lengths as if he’d tried to cut it all at once and failed miserably. My reflection wavered as if disturbed and I raised my hands to my face to find that I was crying. My shoulders shook softly, I covered my mouth as if others might hear as I sobbed finally allowing the pain to catch up to me. Once done I used the fresh water to clean my face, he had taken everything from me. My love, my trust, my promise…I picked up my blade and held my hair in my hands tracing it along the silky strands dropping them into the water as they separated in my hand. I could sit here and wallow in self-pity at all that I had lost or… I could take it back. I’m sure you guessed exactly which I chose to do. I’d lost everything before, and I hadn’t given up then. I wasn’t about to start now and give that man the satisfaction.

I stood from the pond watching strands of my hair drift away as I ran my fingers through what remained, several locks falling to rest over my left eye. I tucked my blade into my belt missing my sheath, Prince Eris should have killed me himself, because he had no idea the wrath he’d unwittingly unleashed. I smiled softly at my reflection before returning to camp, I used a bit of my magic to ensure that the trees would wake me if the enemy came upon us and then I curled up close to Renka for warmth and promptly fell asleep more tired than I thought after such an eventful day…

The whispering of the green woke me long before I was ready as warm and comfortable as I had been buried in soft leaves, I shook Renka awake as the dawning sun began lightening the forest. “Renka…Renka wake up there are people coming towards us.”

The Marr bolted up right squinting her eyes at me in confusion, “Gardener…your hair.” She reached to touch it curiously, and I gently brushed her hand away.

“Later, we have to hide.” I pulled her to her feet and motioned towards the tree we’d been sleeping under.

“We’re climbing that?” She questioned incredulous.

“I promise not to let you fall.” I pushed her forward and watched for anyone approaching while the bark of the tree grew rough where she placed her hands offering leverage while I pushed from behind.

“I will note that climbing a tree with no hand holds should be impossible and that this feeling of being pushed upward is very unsettling.” She murmured becoming more aware the higher she climbed. I halted our climb when we came to a tree limb thick enough and long enough to bear our combined weight easily. “As well why didn’t we do any of this yesterday?”

I sat quietly peeking through the leaves waiting, using my magic to subtly shift the position of the leaves where we slept, “I was disheartened and extremely fatigued yesterday and couldn’t have done any of this if I tried. And when will you learn that where plants and I are concerned nothing is impossible.”

Renka snorted as she leaned forward with me trying to see what I was doing as the enemy grew steadily closer. “What are we…”

“Gods!!!” We watched as someone flew through the air into the clearing swinging back and forth from a leafy vine that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

“How the hell…” Another person screamed before finding themselves hanging upside down swinging by their legs beside their companion. “How did you do that.” The Marr asked once the only sound that could be heard was the soft bickering beneath us.

I turned to her wiggling my fingers gently as a smile spread across my face, “Why magic of course.”

“Where did the vines come from, how did you get them to…to string them up like that?” Renka rubbed her face. “Gods and Goddesses, it’s too early.”

I chuckled softly pulling her closer and tracing a path with my fingers to a large tree hovering over the smaller trees beneath, this tree made the ones beneath look like saplings in comparison. It stood even larger than the tree in which we presided. “I call trees like that ancients…they’re scattered around the forest, most heavily in the forest’s heart. They all have vines hanging from them, don’t ask me why but they do, no matter what tree it is they’re generally littered with vines.” I traced the path from the tree to the ground below. “The vines don’t really reach the ground but I used my magic to aid in their growth so that they could fall just so pooling on the ground there, right where those two entered the clearing. I knew where they’d enter from the voices of the green and with a little whispered request…” I splayed my hand displaying our guests, “there they are hanging upside down trying to figure out what happened.”

We watched them swing back and forth for a while, “I think one of them knows you,” Renka said ears twitching softly.

“The one on the right claims it’s the one on the left’s fault and the one on the left is laughing a little saying she would find you and that she has, this is obviously your work after all. No magic has ever shown as brightly as yours. She says she could free them but it’s best to just wait for you to come out and do it yourself.” She finished gazing at me curiously.

I laughed softly knowing instantly who it was as soon as she started talking about how bright my magic was. “That’s Libeth for sure…as for the other woman. I suppose we should go find out.” I wrapped my arm around the Marr’s waist and jumped from the tree before she realized what I had in mind and of course she screamed bloody murder all the way to the ground. We landed in the pile of leaves that had once been our bed no worse for wear, though of course Renka was a little breathless. “Are you well?” I asked dusting leaves from my tunic filled with holes and still covered with blood as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“If you ever do that without warning again,” Renka threatened nostrils flaring wide as her eyes sparked with her rage. “I will bite you.”

I smiled cheekily, “But wasn’t it you that said I enjoyed that sort of thing. Why reward me for bad behavior…”

“I think I liked you better a little disheartened, certainly less dangerous to my health…” I helped her pull leaves from her hair.

“You weren’t in any danger I said I wouldn’t let you fall.” I countered softly.

“Yes but I certainly didn’t think you’d jump either.” She grumbled pouting cutely. I pinched her cheek and she smacked my hand glaring some more.

“Next time I’ll warn you.” I offered turning to take in the two women hanging in the middle of our camp.

“Goddess I hope there isn’t a next time…” She mumbled softly behind my back before stepping up beside me.

“Endearing yourself to another woman I see,” Libeth breathed brushing her hair out of her face. “Has she seen you naked yet? I’m waiting for the day for you to tell me that someone has finally broken you in…”

Renka wrapped her arms snuggly around my waist nuzzling softly at my neck, I leaned back against her sure that this would be interesting. “Well the day has finally come.” Her voice was quite silky and seductive when she wanted it to be. And her accent was exquisite, thicker than normal. “Her body is that of a Goddess…” We watched as Libeth’s mouth dropped open in speechlessness.

The Marr pulled away laughing loudly, “Thank you Rhyme for that moment truly…thank you.” Renka shook her head walking away while Libeth flushed in embarrassment.

“The fact that you’d believe I’d sleep with a near stranger after knowing me as you do is a bit insulting.” I raised my brow and with a whispered command Libeth fell to the ground groaning in pain. I watched her for a moment, “I’d say I was sorry but I’d be lying.” I offered before turning to her companion.

She raised her hands in a defensive gesture, “Goddess please don’t drop me like that.” I gripped the vine holding her legs and lowered her gently to the ground.

“Where she deserved it, you do not.” I helped her to her feet after freeing her legs while Renka helped Libeth.

“I’m sorry…” Libeth wheezed. “I wasn’t thinking…what happened to your hair?” She asked concern filling her voice as she reached forward.

I brushed her hand away gazing curiously at the woman standing before me wearing a hair style quite similar to mine. “We were betrothed once?” I questioned taking in the brown of her skin and the look of her face, the two very different color of her eyes.

She laughed softly, “Yes as I recall you told my father and yours that if it was a choice between my pig of a brother and me you’d choose me every time despite the fact that I was quite shy then. It’s good to see you again…”

I took her hand and pulled her close resting my cheek against hers and closing my eyes to enjoy a moment I never thought I’d have again, embracing one of my people as I once did on the island. “Taeli, you’ve grown so much.” I murmured softly stroking her hair.

“As have you, your accent is nearly gone but I still hear it. Mine has faded as well, ever since the King of Dangilere adopted me I’ve been hard pressed to find other’s from back home. I miss them.” She sighed softly rubbing my back.

“As do I,” I murmured before pulling away.

“Of course you two know each other,” Libeth shook her head. “Kantari must be smaller than I thought.”

“It’s actually a very large and diverse continent, with small tribes and larger settlements scattered throughout. Many of the natives have tan skin as these two do, but as well some of the Horse People reside there and breed so there offspring turn out looking quite unique...” Renka interjected gently. “I have family that lives there,” she added when we all looked at her curiously.

“As much as I would like to spend the next few slithers of the sun’s span reminiscing about how much we miss our home together that’s not why we came to find you. The palace…”

“Has been taken.” I finished for her.

“Yes, and the Queen perhaps…”

“Killed,” Renka supplied. The Marr and I shared a look before I turned back to our companions.

“Let me tell you the story of how I lost my hair…”