The Queen's Garden Mage

I stood at the base of a great oak still young in its thinking, as it should be, it had grown to full height and beyond just that morning while Libeth looked on in awe. Libeth had climbed to the top most part of the oak in perhaps half the slither of the sun’s span and now she sat somewhere beyond my sight dismantling the chandelier as I had requested so that we may distribute the magic imbued stones throughout the leafy canopy. “Are you sure that we’re allowed to take this apart?!” She exclaimed for nearly the hundredth time.

“Not particularly, but if asked we’ll say Rosen allowed it!” I called back, I could hear her laughter echo through the trunk of the tree, something I’m sure she did on purpose with the use of her magic, no way I’d hear her otherwise.

“Ahh look, the Head Gardener’s pet,” I turned from the trunk my hand rested upon to see Prince Sorel and Prince Eris strolling towards me.

“I see but one animal in this room fair Prince and it isn’t me,” Sir Zeron trailing behind the two chuckled softly. “It is good to see you again Sir Knight,” I raised my hand in greeting to him.

He returned the gesture, “Same to you Gardener Denarii, I am awed to see you in action. Is this great oak your creation?”

“It is, with the aid of my fellow Gardener,” I gazed up high into the canopy unable to see her, “She is a bit busy at the moment.”

“Afraid of heights Denarii?” Prince Sorel taunted stepping closer.

“You are asking a plant mage if she fears heights, when she stands before a great oak she has helped grow…” I gazed at him allowing him to become a bit uncomfortable in the silence. “No tree I have touched would dare let me fall and so the answer to your poorly asked question is no.”

“You don’t know how to speak to your betters do you?” Prince Eris asked not unkindly.

I smiled softly, “I see no one better than me here Highness and only one that may be counted as my equal,” I looked to Sir Zeron as I spoke, he tipped his head in respect better than he had the first time, showing that he had practiced. “If you think that your title makes you better than I, then you are mistaken, a title is just a word after all, a word created to separate the masses, and that word to some equals power, but not to me. And so I will treat you with the respect I feel you deserve regardless of the word that comes before your name just as you do me. It is the way Angileri works does it not?”

“I am a Prince…”

“And yet I have yet to see you show it, ask any servant, a title is earned…” I watched his face grow red with rage while Prince Eris looked on not knowing how to respond, “And you have not earned yours.”

He stepped into my personal space, I did not move nor lower my eyes, “I am going to destroy you.” He breathed silently through his rage.

“Sorel, Sorel,” I murmured so only he could hear. “You say all these words, you make all these threats and yet I have yet to see you actually do anything…” He struck me then with the flat of his palm, it stung a bit but I did not move. “No Prince stands before me. Just a boy crying for power that will never be his.” I finished.

Sir Zeron caught his hand before he could strike me again, “Do not strike her again,” He warned roughly pulling the Prince away. “She is not some tavern wench you can place your hands on when you are angered, she has the Queen behind her and as she said regardless of the title that sits before your name you can and will be punished for harming any who belong to the Queen.” Zeron warned proving he had read up on our customs more than I had realized.

“I am her Majesty’s son; my mother wouldn’t dare.” Prince Sorel tore his arm away, while I gazed on unmoved by his antics.

“Zeron,” Prince Eris rebuked, “How dare you place your hands on royalty.”

“The good Knight has read up on the social niceties of our Queendom, the same cannot be said for his charge, truly a disservice to your father Prince Eris, I hope word does not reach him of the ignorance you display so openly.” I shook my head at the pair of them.

“I apologize,” Zeron bowed slightly, after all Sorel was not the Queen and did not deserve such respect. “Be that as it may, nothing that has transpired in this moment is befitting a Prince and I am ashamed on behalf of the House of Rayon, your father…”

“Do not speak of my father!” Eris snarled breathing heavily.

“The King of Water would not approve of your conduct, I had thought this trip would change you for the better,” Zeron gazed at Prince Sorel with disdain in his eyes, “I can see that I was wrong. I serve your father first and our Kingdom second…find me when you choose to show respect befitting both.” Sir Zeron tipped his head in respect to me before turning and marching away.

“This is your fault.” I gazed at the foreign Prince with a look those words deserved.

“You are a grown man standing here, blaming another because you do not wish to deal with the repercussions of your actions.” I scoffed at the audacity.

“You are little more than dirt and you dare speak to me this way,” Prince Sorel stood behind his partner, they matched each other in attitude so well, I could not think as them as anything but, with a near about permanent sneer on his face.

“Dirt,” I cocked my head thoughtfully, “Soil, sand, earth…where the plants grow, where the flowers bloom, earth makes up the bottom of every ocean, sand and stone lines every stream and river bed, muddy clay settles slowly upon the lowest point of every lake and so it could be said that earth is every starting point that man can think of, every foundation in existence. It is needed as much as water, for without earth where would water lie, where would the grass grow. Where in fact would man thrive… You stand here and call me dirt as if that is some insult, no, to a plant mage it is the highest form of a compliment…”

Each Prince stood before me speechless, unable to counter my intellect, every sparring match of words between us ending in their rage, which they could not control. “Both of you were born to royalty and yet that does not make you great, no, it has simply given you an inflated sense of entitlement. Perhaps one day you two will see the error of your ways but that day is not today. I can tell by the glimmer of frustration now sparking in your eyes, that I have won yet again. It would be prudent to walk away, nothing good will come of lingering.” This once Prince Sorel took my words to heart turning to walk back the way he had come, hatred in his eyes. A chill raced down my spine as Prince Eris turned to follow in his wake, hatred such as that had started wars…

“Gods and Goddesses Rhyme why was the palace ceiling built so high,” Libeth gasped slowly sliding down the massive tree trunk.

I removed my hand from where it lay against bark, it had been our only means of communication and moving might have meant disaster if she’d needed me, I would never forgive myself if she came to harm because I had failed to be vigilant. “The palace is meant to be magnificent Libeth. I’m sure it’s dimensions were made to ensure that it was, and an architect, long dead is remembered for this very master piece she has created.”

“Did not a King’s daughter create the plans for this very foundation?” Libeth murmured thoughtfully taking a long drink from the water skin she had slung across her chest.

“It has been written in more than one history book and so I believe it to be true,” Libeth nodded at my confirmation pushing her sweat dampened hair out of her eyes.

“I do not know how you survive with hair as long as the river flows, when I am barely managing with this short mop on my own head.” Libeth pulled a dry cloth from her pocket to wipe the sweat and leaf particles from her face and neck. “I feel right itchy, it seemed as if every branch wanted to hug my face.” She grumbled before turning to me flinching slightly, “What the hell happened to your face while I was gallivanting around up there!?”

I stroked my cheek no longer aware of any pain, “I feared if I moved my hand from the oak that you might need me and I would not sense it and so I did not move when struck for my perceived insolence. It was by a weak handed man, with nary a scar to mar his fingers.” I chuckled softly patting the trunk lightly. “I’m sure it won’t even bruise.”

Libeth sighed softly deflating, “I wish I’d seen it at least you have a way with words. So, eloquent you could make a grown man weep.”

“You are a true poet, have you never thought to become a bard?” I questioned as she hefted a much larger bag over her head letting it fall to the stone floor beneath us wincing slightly at the loud clinking noises that it produced. “If any of them are broken the blame is on you.” I warned crouching down to examine the stones.

Libeth snorted, “The earth calls to me more than mere song and I will simply do what you asked of me and blame it on Rosen,” she countered crouching next to me.

“Rosen will forgive us for using her name in such a display that we wish to create. She will not forgive us for using her name to get us out of trouble we rightly deserve for not being careful and I will not incur her wrath by doing so.” I opened the large cloth sack examining every shard for fractures or cracks sighing softly in relief when I found none. “Luckily, it’s not something we have to think about, do try to be more careful.” I finished with a pointed look.

Libeth nodded sheepishly, “It has been a bit of a tiring morning. My apologizes.” I accepted her apology with a nod before removing one of the now dormant shards.

“Did you disrupt the magic or destroy it?” The look I shot her told her that I was only willing to hear one answer.

“Disrupted, I enjoy living thank you very much. An enchantment of this magnitude,” Libeth shook her head, “Surely took a bit more than a decade. I’d not like to be the one to break it just a little under a fortnight from an event that will change lives and history if my mother can be believed.”

“Did you capture the inscription at its heart, we cannot light them again without it?” I wasn’t willing to let her off the hook so easily.

She grinned offering me a glowing acorn, “I could not for the life of me remember it all or write it correctly, but well this guy was ready and willing to help me.” I laughed softly at her genius. “You feel less like you regret allowing me to be your partner now that you know I’m not an idiot?” Libeth asked smiling softly now.

“Just a bit,” I offered taking the acorn and tucking it into the pouch at my hip, inside a pocket that did not allow the light to bleed through.

“What do you think her Majesty will say when she finds a giant tree has grown in the center of her ballroom?” I helped Libeth close the sack holding the shards we’d place after we’d broken for our afternoon meal.

“Thankfully, that is not for us to know, after all that is what the Head Gardener is for. Let us just try to finish before the day is out so that Rosen does not have to explain the missing stones, that cost more than our families combined, and the large tree.” Libeth readily agreed once more slinging the bag over her head to rest opposite the water skin she still carried.

“Where should we keep the stones until then?” The look in her eyes said the decision was on me.

It took me a moment to supply an answer that wouldn’t have us exiled by morning. “The stables, for sure, annoying though my brother may be at times, no one enters the stables without his say so, especially the Prince.”

Libeth chuckled softly. “Smart idea, your brother’s stubbornness concerning Prince Sorel entering his domain is legendary.”

“My brother does not like the way the fair Prince treats his horses and so Reason monitors him every time he rides. My brother calls it special training,” I offered by way of explanation as we strolled towards the double doors that would lead us out into the Pleasure Garden. “Though all the guards, soldiers and recruits alike know the real reason behind it.”

Libeth shoved the doors open waiting for me to step clear before allowing them to close behind us. They could not be opened from the outside by normal means, only a plant mage could open them from the outside, a plant mage or the Queen. “Do you think the Prince is the way he is because he grew up without a father?” Libeth asked quite randomly, more than likely thinking outloud.

“Her Majesty’s Consort died before the Prince was old enough to remotely understand death, indeed I haven’t heard many stories about him, all I know is that he was a gentle, loving man that did not deserve the death that took him.” I traced my fingers through a bunch of flowers smiling softly at their whispered greeting, relaxing slowly in the presence of their voices.

“More than one person has claimed that his death was not of natural causes.” Libeth spoke softly so that others might not hear, I did not tell her to do differently the flowers would have warned me if others were about but they were but plants and they could sometimes be fooled by magic. I did not work the Pleasure Garden often enough to ensure that not even magic could slip past them too many were often found walking these paths.

“Rosen spoke of poison and I agree,” it was not my place to speak of the Shadow Garden it had been a small thing before the Queen’s Consort had passed, with his passing came the demand for knowledge, the need for closure and the proof that she wasn’t wrong. The Queen was proven right I do not know if Rosen ever informed her of this fact and I did not ask. It was not my place to know. “Though that is not what you asked, and the answer to your question is no. Princess Adri and her sister Princess Mariel alike grew up without their father and turned out to be intelligent self-sufficient women.”

We exited the Pleasure Garden through an archway made of two connecting trees, moving quickly across the grounds towards the Training Fields and the stables beyond, Eden and Emery could be seen on the other side of the large expanse of land digging holes, a cart of varying kinds of saplings close at hand. I was glad that Rosen hadn’t given us that task, I stepped over a long curving log no doubt used to measure the circumference of the entire field and how the saplings would be spaced.

Libeth whistled at the task before them. I silently agreed before coming back to the conversation at hand, “I believe that the Queen spoiled her son, perhaps for a long time they both thought he would be King. He grew up thinking that he would be great and that one thought shaped his every action. He feels entitled, untouchable…his world shattered when he failed his Trials. He has no power, perhaps only an inkling of magic so far as I can tell and he will never truly amount to anything, not because of his lack of magic but because of his unwillingness to try. The Prince has shaped himself and everything that befalls him from this point on will be his own fault. I feel that given enough time he will be his own undoing.”

“Yes but what destruction will befall the land in the time it takes for that to happen…” Libeth questioned as we entered the stables.

“Let us hope none at all.” Libeth hid the sack of dormant stone shards in the loft where nary a stable hand went unless absolutely necessary and we went our separate ways to enjoy our midmorning meal.

“Truly it is a wonder to finally find you in the Queen’s Garden,” I smiled softly turning to gaze through the water pouring from the fountain to find Adri gazing at me practically beaming in delight.

“I had decided that perhaps you were looking for me and not privacy and so just this once I stayed,” I raised my meager lunch of water and a cold meat pastry. “Besides I did not know what to do with my meal.”

“I’m sure you’d have thought of something as clever as you are,” the Princess countered taking a seat beside me on the fountain, she looked lovely clade in her full royal robes. Green as the grass grows with accents of golden brown and embroidered vines, much like the Gardener’s dress uniform. I smiled at the veiled support.

“Is there a special occasion I’m unaware of?” I waved my hand at her attire. “You’re stunning in your beauty, while I sit here before you covered in garden soil and tree sap, surely I shame you with my mere presence.”

Her Highness blushed prettily bowing her head in the face of my compliment, “No occasion, my mother had robes made for me, something befitting a queen, anything my heart desired she said and I could not think of anything I loved more than these gardens.” She gazed at me through the curtain of her hair eyes shining with happiness, “and so I had robes made similar to the Gardener uniform with a few small differences. I was so excited I put them on as soon as they arrived.”

“Well I am honored on the behalf of us all, they are perfect,” I traced my finger along an intricately embroidered vine, “Well nearly perfect,” I murmured softly dipping my hand into the bubbling pool of the fountain and pulling free a water lily that had just begun to bloom. “If I may?” The Princess ducked her head slightly allowing me to tuck the flower into her hair. “Now it’s perfect.”

“Thank you,” I dried my hands on my trousers before finishing off my lunch.

“It’s no trouble Highness…”

“Not for the flower,” She said abruptly. “I’m not thanking you for the flower, but for the compliment, for calling me stunning and beautiful. I’ve heard it before, from Prince Eris, from a few of the Councilor’s sons and daughter’s alike and their words always ring hallow in my ears. When you say it I hear the sincerity of your words and know you mean what you say.”

“If being a plant mage has taught me anything it is honesty,” I offered by way of explanation, “though the flowers do not dictate what I say or how I say it they’ve taught me many things. One being to never say anything you don’t mean.”

Adri smiled softly, “I’m learning that Gardener, one meeting at a time I’m learning.”

“There is much to be done before the start of the Tournament and so I should take my leave to complete the task before me.” Her Highness stood with me tracing her hand down my arm in a friendly gesture squeezing my fingers when her hand found mine.

“Do not work too hard Denarii,” I nodded squeezing her fingertips before allowing her hand to fall from mine.

“I will try not to Highness,” I went to bow only to have her catch me by the shoulders startling me into standing again.

“Please, when we are alone, do not bow to me, friends do not bow to each other and I would like to consider you a friend.” I bowed my head in understanding.

“Good day to you Highness, I am glad that we are on our way to friendship.” I waved in parting and she waved back once more taking a seat at the fountain.

I stood gazing at her from a distance. The way the sun shone through curls of her hair it looked as if earth and sand were mixed, glowing in the afternoon light, I watched as she traced her fingers through the water of the fountain smiling softly at some stray thought that crossed her mind. I shook my head continuing on my way unable to understand how anyone could see her as anything but beautiful despite her size.

I retraced my path back to the Pleasure Garden asking the doors to open for me, which they did without hesitation, Libeth sat at the base of the great oak separating the dormant shards into a separate cloth bag. “Ahh you’ve arrived; I was beginning to think that you would leave me to finish alone.”

“Surely you know I would never do such a thing.” I took the bag she handed me slinging it over my head.

“I know,” Libeth smiled softly offering me the second water skin she had slung over her chest, “I jest of course, now let’s get to work. I want to finish long before the sun sets.” I agreed whole heartedly not wanting to experience the act of climbing down in near darkness, the shards could not be activated while we placed them, their brilliance would surely blind us and make getting down from such a height more dangerous in the end.

Libeth climbed one side of the great oak while I climbed the other and we both set about placing the shards. I do not know how she set hers, perhaps she had rope, I simply asked each branch I chose to make a home for it and they readily agree allowing small divots to appear in their surface where I placed each shard and then growing around them. It took longer than expected, though no tree I helped grow would ever let me fall not every limb was strong enough to hold me easily, more than once I found myself shimmying along a leafy appendage praying to the Gods that my magic would hold and that it wouldn’t snap midway through.

Several times I heard Libeth cursing the day she discovered she had plant magic, I was glad she could not see me while I laughed. I ensured she could hear me through every tree limb she touched, of course more cursing followed. Once I’d finished I made my way out of the tree, feeling as tired and itchy as Libeth had no doubt felt the first time.

I leaned back against the trunk allowing the great oak to sooth me with its murmured excitement for what was to come, I waited for Libeth to join me before pushing myself away from the tree. “Now?” I asked to be sure.

The sun disappeared beyond the point where it was useful, “Yes,” Libeth murmured catching her breath.

I pulled the acorn from the hidden pocket in the pouch at my hip and smashing it against the trunk leaving behind a glowing imprint of an acorn on the rough bark. Slowly but surely the throne room lightened and Libeth and I both breathed a sigh of relief. “For a moment I thought it wasn’t going to work.” Libeth breathed shakily patting her heart.

“I felt the same sense of panic,” I closed my eyes taking a deep calming breath.

“We deserve a hot meal and a good rest,” Libeth clapped me on the back laughing happily. “Goddess I wished to have children simply so that I can tell them I was a part of this moment, I cannot believe we did it…”

We moved back to gaze at our handiwork, “It is something to be proud of for sure.” Libeth nodded her agreement. After admiring the final product of our hard work we gathered up our belongings and left the ballroom

“Sleep well!” Libeth called once we entered the Gardener’s Wing of the palace.

“I will for sure!” I called back waving her off before heading to the rooms I shared with my brother. I cleaned up thankful we had our own little private bathing room and changed my clothes braiding my hair down my back so that the entirety of my clothing wouldn’t become soaked again.

Reason walked in just as I moved to leave, “Where are you going so late in the evening?” He asked brow raised curiously.

“I’m off to find something to eat, I have not had anything since my midmorning meal.” I tossed back over my shoulder as I pulled on my boots.

“Resist the urge to wake me with the noise you’ll make coming back here, I have an early start in the morning.” He grumbled as he often does.

I glanced back at him, “You say that as if I don’t.”

“Yes but you don’t struggle dragging yourself out of bed as much as I do.” I nodded in agreement.

“Completely true,” I stood from my seat on the couch. “I will try to be quiet.”

“Thank you.” I watched my brother enter his room before leaving taking the servant’s passages to the kitchen so as not to be questioned, it was impossible not to pass a battalion of guards otherwise. They were near about everywhere patrolling the palace and I did not feel like answering the same question a thousand times.

Cook allowed me to have a bit of left overs knowing how hard I worked. I was leaving the kitchens with my meal of roast chicken and greens when a servant walked in with a pitcher of wine and two cups one singing of pleasure. I dropped my plate and cup on the counter before gripping the servant, taking the cup of treated wine. “Where did you get this?” I asked urgently.

The young man gazed at me startled, “Her Highness’ quarters, she was having a private dinner with the foreign Prince…Eris is his name I believe. The meal was coming to a close and I was requested to take the drinks and make my departure. Her Highness and the Prince were saying their goodbyes for the evening.” The young servant shook his head, “Her Highness looked right relieved. I do not think she cares for him much.”

“Thank you,” I left by way of the servants’ quarters and used several secret passages Rosen had shown me in the past to sneak into the Royal wing of the palace. I marched straight to the door with all the guards.

“Halt…” I pulled a dried pod from my pouch and tossed it at the guards, it bloomed long before it reached them gently floating before them, every one of them dropped like a collective sack of potatoes as the scent of Child’s Slumber filled the air. The flower withered and died once more turning into a pod that fell into my out stretched hand, I tucked it away stepping over the sleeping guards and pushed open the door.

I glanced around spotting the half open door on the other side of the small receiving area, I leapt over the couch and burst through the door racing towards the bed a bit blinded by my rage, I grabbed the Prince and threw him clear across the room. “What in the Gods!”

I slammed him against the wall, “What have you done?!” I breathed heavily quivering with anger.

He chuckled, “She wanted it.” I slugged him in the mouth allowing him to slump to the floor in his pain.

“You drugged her,” I unsheathed a knife made of the hardest material in existence, Vipers Wrath, a thorny bramble that grew on the edge of the Void, it was impenetrable by anything but magic. I held the sharply curved, blackened blade to his throat. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t end your miserable existence?” I questioned wanting to gut him through like the animal he was.

“If you kill me,” he gloated, “You’ll start a war.”

“And what do you think you’ve done by attempting to rape the Heir to Angileri?” The picture frames beside our heads shattered, Eris flinched when I stood back watching leafy branches encase his entire form. He stood trapped against the wall struggling to escape.

“She wanted it, and that’s all she’ll remember in the morning with the shame of what she’s done, of how she ached for me to fill her.” He laughed blood trickling from his mouth attributed to the blow I’d struck him earlier. I punched him so hard his head whipped back against the wall before hanging forward. He groaned eyes rolling in his head as he struggled to stay conscious. I clenched and unclenched my fist around my blade, badly wanting to end his life.

“What good would come of this…” I asked speaking as calmly as I could.

“I would get her pregnant and she would marry me, I would be assured a seat on the throne,” He mumbled only half aware.

I laughed at the audacity before tracing my blade quickly along every one of his limbs. “I cannot kill you, as you said but I can let you sit here trapped against this wall wondering if you’ll ever regain the use of your limbs…wondering” I lowered my blade to his manhood, “If I actually cut it off or not.” He attempted to struggle but the branches were growing, sprouting, twining to make a more secure prison. I watched as they sealed over his face leaving a small space to draw air and nothing more.

“You will pay for this!” He screamed in his rage.

“Be silent,” I murmured as I nicked his throat through a small opening in the foliage, paralyzing his vocal cords and making him struggle to breathe. “I hope it takes a very long time for people to find you.”

I turned sheathing my blade as I approached the bed, Adri’s shirt lay open, her breasts on display, her trousers were undone slightly but not enough for him to have penetrated her. I could see the cloth of her underwear through the opening he’d created. Sweat glistened on her skin, while tears streamed from eyes now filled with shame. I gathered her up in my arms, “All will be well Highness, all will be well.” I soothed carrying her from her room and taking as many servant’s passages as need be to make it back to my room undetected. Of course many a servant saw me and wondered but none asked knowing it was not their place.

“I wanted this…” Adri finally spoke as I laid her gently on my bed climbing in next to her.

“No, he drugged you Highness, he attempted to take you against your will and I know you will not remember this in the morning but I need you to go to sleep knowing that nothing that happened this evening was your fault. Do you understand?”

The Princess turned from me, I tugged her back. “Adri…” The use of her name got her attention. “Tonight wasn’t your fault…”

“Then why did I want it…want him?” She asked confusion clear on her face and it broke my heart to see such a usually strong woman brought so low.

“It was the drug Adri, that’s what it does. It makes you want pleasure, makes you ached to be filled, to be touched and you can say no all you like but your body keeps saying yes. That doesn’t make it your fault.” I stroked her hair from her sweat slicked face. Her Highness gazed into my eyes for a long time before accepting my words.

I offered her a mint leaf, the antidote to the drug knowing that she wouldn’t remember much if anything from this night save the fact that what happened, the little that she retained, was no fault of hers. Her Highness slept soon after, the fight between what her mind wanted and what her body demanded against her will taking its toll at last. I held her close stroking her hair soothingly as my mother had done when I was but a child murmuring words of comfort that she could no longer truly hear. I closed my eyes to rest them and found myself drifting off to sleep…if only for a moment I thought before darkness claimed me completely.