The Queen's Garden Mage

I woke to find Libeth gazing down at me with a large cup of my favorite tea steaming in her hand, the brew was dangerous to consume for most if made wrong, no plant mage had ever made it wrong. “Now I know I said that you were fit for royalty, but that did not mean that I wanted you to break the Heir’s innocence and be murdered or exiled in consequence.”

I gazed at her brow furrowed in confusion shifting to find that her Highness’ breasts were peeking through the vee formed by the loosely tied laces at the top of her tunic and that somewhere in the night she had curled against me slipping her hands beneath the fabric of my shirt causing it to ride up revealing part of a tattoo that near about spanned across every limb of my body. “Fully clothed no less she didn’t even get the pleasure of breaking your innocence or seeing the rest of that tattoo that I don’t think even Reason knows you have.” Libeth stared at the vibrantly green stem covered in thorns curling across my ribs down towards the apex of my thighs. “Does that end where I think it ends?” She questioned softly taking a sip of her own drink.

I sat up slowly gently taking her Highness’ hands from my body and placing them on my bed, pulling my tunic down before standing up and straightening my clothes. “That is none of your concern. As for the Princess…” I took in her now peaceful expression as she snuggled into the warmth my body had left behind. “She’s had a rough night.”

A knock sounded on the door before I could explain further, I swept the blanket up and over the Princess and Libeth stood beside me allowing us to cover the view of the bed as the door opened revealing Reason a little worse for wear. “Rhyme,” he murmured voice still a bit rough from sleep, hair a rat’s nest, telling me he’d forgotten to braid it last night. He rubbed his face trying to wake up a little more, Libeth went to offer him her tea before thinking better of it. He sighed softly before standing a little straighter, his shirt fell open; he’d forgotten to button it in his haste to answer the door. “There are Royal Guards standing at the door led by the Guard Captain himself, you are to report to the Queen’s Study…” he glanced back and forth between us. “The both of you.” He finished before stumbling away mumbling about how he hated mornings.

Libeth and I shared a look before she offered me my cup, I took it nodding my head gently in appreciation. “I have no idea what happened last night.” She glanced at the bundle of blankets now hiding the Princess, “But I am sure we are about to find out.”

I straightened my clothes thankful that I’d changed the night before into something decent, I unbraided my hair stroking my fingers through it gently before tying it up with a leather thong. “Why don’t you just keep it braided all the time?” Libeth asked as we left my room.

I dropped a mint left in my tea taking a long drink as we approached the door behind which Royal Guards waited, “If I braided it, I would not know how to fight with it unbraided, I would trip and stumble and it would be my down fall and so I leave it free save to tie it back from my face. In the jungle not many children grow their hair, those that do grow into warriors because it is in all honesty a weakness an enemy can exploit, but they make it into a strength. My mother had but one request of me when I left, of course she knew I would choose to heal over all else, but she wanted me to be able to protect myself, to protect my brother if need be. And so I grew my hair and though I am a Gardener to the Queen, and sometimes a healer in her infirmary. I am also a warrior…for my mother.” I finished opening the door before Libeth could speak again.

I tipped my head in respect to the Guard Captain Neola, he tipped his head in turn, “I do not know what has transpired Gardeners, I simply know that the Queen wishes to hold a small council…without her Councilors.” For the remainder of the journey to the Queen’s Study all was silent, those that passed did not speak, instead bowing their heads solemnly and moving along more quickly. “Whatever comes, I wish you good fortune.” Neola clapped us both on the back before turning to guard the door with his men.

Libeth and I entered without knocking to find Emery, Rosen, the Queen and her Highness Mariel already in attendance. The only Gardener we were missing was Eden, and he arrived a few moments later, clothing in disarray and confusion clear on his face. There were seats enough for all of us surrounding her desk in a half circle, her Highness stood behind the Queen, an observer. Once Eden had taken his seat the Queen stood and began to speak. “Last night and into the early morning Sir Zeron, worried about the lack of his charge’s appearance in his rooms went in search of him where he’d last left him. He found several unconscious royal guards, a broken door, shattered picture frames, disarrayed furniture and at last his Prince curled on the floor of my daughter’s bedroom, half naked, bleeding from several cuts and unable to move.” I brushed a strand of hair from my face, he’d been there for so long that my magic had worn off. “He was paralyzed, struggling to breathe and unable of course to speak. He has just fully recovered and the picture he has painted in my mind is a disturbing one.”

Her Majesty took off her crown as she had done near about a seventh day prior in her study the night of the feast, once more she placed it on her desk before coming to stand in front of it leaning heavily on sturdy wood. “He claims he was attacked by one of my Gardeners’, he could not tell me why he was half naked, where my daughter was or why he’d been found in her bedroom no less. He said he did not remember,” She scoffed shaking her head. “I have been Queen for nearly thirty sun cycles and this is the excuse he gives me. Of course, I do not believe a word. I did not call any of you here to offer blame or punishment, no I simply wish to thank you for saving my daughter.” Her Majesty turned from us then, tears glimmering in her eyes.

“I had spoken with the Council before calling this meeting, I had wished to prosecute the Prince, but there is no evidence, he claims he does not remember much of the events prior to him being found. The drug found in the cup given to my daughter causes pleasure but steals the memory and the Council is not behind her, they believed it was her doing so that she may claim a husband because no one would dare want her for who she is.” The Queen quivered with her rage struggling to control herself repeating those words. “You can image my anger, as a mother and a Queen when my people, her people failed to protect her. I have never been more ashamed. Every woman of course was behind me but again we lack the evidence.”

I sipped my tea remembering the look of triumph in Prince Eris’ eyes when I’d slammed him into the wall, I thought of the guards outside the door keeping watch of how much planning had gone into what he’d done. I wondered how many Counselors had known… “I have hired every one of you save Rosen who has stayed on from when my mother was Queen, I have seen you grow from children and I would trust every one of you with my life, with my daughters’ lives.” She took her crown in her hands and held it before her. “I have removed my crown because I stand before you not as your Queen but as a mother willing to protect her daughter and I ask of you a favor of which you may refuse.”

We all sat waiting, I looked at my fellow Gardeners each of us from a different country, a different culture and I could see that no matter the request they would agree. Not for the Queen but for a mother, because if any one of our mothers had but asked us to protect another one of her children we would for that is our blood. And the Princess was not our blood by any means, none of us could claim to be of royal ancestry, but she was a daughter of a mother whom had the means to ask children that she had raised as her own for fifteen to twenty sun cycles. “I ask that you enter the Queen’s Tournament?” I sat back in my chair not having expected that in the least.

“Your Majesty…” Emery hesitantly broke the silence that had settled over us. “You’re giving every one of us permission to court your daughter, to perhaps one day sit the throne in your stead. We truly feel honored that you trust us that much, but none of us are warriors, we are but plant mages dillydallying in the most extraordinary gardens in the known world.”

Rosen stood from her seat turning to face us, placing herself beside the Queen. “I was just as shocked by this meeting as all four of you and I know that none of you are true warriors, you did not spend the entirety of the little childhood that you had on these grounds training with the Royal Guards and the soldiers, but I know you can all fight. You can all protect yourselves as well as any friends or family if need be. The Queen…no, Servasli is placing the utmost trust in each and every one of you. Yes, perhaps one of you will win, but that is not what her Majesty cares about, protecting the future Queen of Angileri is the goal. You are doing this to ensure that those that do not deserve to even grace the Princess’ presence do not remotely stand a chance. You are doing this to weed out people like Prince Eris who come here and think that they can do as they please without consequence.”

Libeth stood first, “I may not be a warrior but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I stand no chance of winning but if me doing this helps her Highness in the long run well I’m in.”

Eden followed, “I do not mind smashing a few heads together in the name of justice.”

Emery stood sighing as if it were some great struggle on his part. “I suppose I can’t leave you two to do this without me.”

I sipped my tea watching them all while they in turn watched me, “If you think I will join you because of some insane sense of comradery then you are mistaken.” I stood finishing my tea. “There are now three of you to protect the Princess where before there were none and you do not need me.”

“I would think you’d be the first to stand,” her Majesty said without anger or reproach.

“I said you do not need me, not that I would not join you.” Libeth grinned raising her hand to touch the pin on her chest.

“All in then?” She asked as I stepped forward raising my hand to the broach resting over my heart.

“All in.” We said as one allowing our hands to fall into the open space between us, an Alia rose coming to full bloom in each of our palms.

“Goddess above and below, I did not think we’d actually use that binding agreement in the entirety of our adult lives.” Emery murmured smiling softly.

“Neither did I,” Eden withdrew his hand first and the rest of us followed I closed my hand around the dying flower before tucking the seeds into the pouch at my hip.

“I will see you all on the start of the Tournament, good fortune to the lot of you.” Her Majesty replaced her crown in a clear sign of dismissal.

“Is it wrong that I hope I fail out of the first competition?” Emery questioned softly as we moved as one to exit her Majesty’s study.

“We’ll ensure you’re with us for the long haul Emery don’t you worry,” Libeth chirped excitedly slapping him on the back.

“Gardener Rhyme,” I allowed the others to flow past me out the door, Libeth stood lingering curiosity burning brightly in her eyes. She motioned that she’d wait for me and I bowed my head in understanding before turning around, the door was once more pulled shut, leaving me alone with Rosen, Princess Mariel and her Majesty. Silence stretched between us for a long time Rosen had moved to gaze out her Majesty’s window, the Queen had once more taken a seat at her desk, her daughter a silent observer still. “I know that you will not admit that you’ve done anything. Which is why I will not ask you to explain. I just want to thank you personally and you can fill in for what. Good day Gardener.” Her Majesty smiled a smile I’d only seen on her daughter’s face a few times; it was just as beautiful. Though it did not steal my breath away I smiled back.

“Good day your Majesty,” I tipped my head in respect before turning and marching from the room, nearly running into Libeth on my way out. It seemed, done with their duties, the Guard Captain and his men had dispersed. “Is there a reason your face was practically glued to the door?” I asked Libeth brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.

“I wanted to know if you were finally going to fill someone in on what happened last night, but I was mistaken. Clearly the Queen knows about your penchant for stubbornness when it comes to all things magical and personal in your life.” My lips twitched in amusement at Libeth’s exasperation.

“I have no problem speaking on the subject of magic or sharing bits of personal details with those I trust.” I countered as we headed back to my rooms passing several servants and countless guards on our stroll through the corridors. I grimaced at all the traffic, there was a reason I took secret passageways and servant’s hallways. There was rarely a soul in sight along them.

“Yes, the problem is gaining your trust.” I shrugged unwilling to argue on the matter. Libeth, reaching a dead end, changed the subject. “I wonder what the Princess thought when she woke up in your bed alone clothes all rumpled and open…”

Libeth trailed off slowing to a stop as she caught my eye, we ran the rest of the way to my shared rooms. Slowing as we approached the door. I opened it without knocking, Reason always forgot to lock up in the mornings when he left. “Do you always leave the door to your living quarters unlocked?” Libeth questioned eyes wide with shock.

“Reason has a bad habit of forgetting to lock up when he leaves half asleep in the morning, hence why I usually leave after him. Her Majesty’s unplanned meeting was…”

“Unexpected.” Libeth finished cheekily.

I shook my head before rounding the couch and heading towards my own private room. I pushed the door open slowly not really sure what to expect, but it wasn’t my bed completely made and her Highness nowhere in sight. “You’re missing a Princess.” Libeth murmured from behind me having glimpsed the empty room just passed my shoulder.

“I have noticed.” I countered in a dry tone.

“Should we look for her?” I cocked my head listening to the murmured voices of the raptor vines hanging from my window. I smiled softly.

“No need.” I closed my door while Libeth looked on confused. “We have work to do.”

“Are you going to tell me anything pertaining to her Highness, and where she is or what at all happened last night?” Libeth queried as we left my shared rooms locking the door behind us.

“If I told you Libeth where would the mystery lie?” Libeth huffed while I chuckled softly thinking about what the vines had told me of her Highness of how she’d woken, dressed in spare clothes and run off to her room once she was sure my brother had gone. I knew as sure as the wind blows and the flowers bloom that no matter what time I looked, that I’d find Adri somewhere in the Queen’s Garden. It was her haven after all. My laughter faded, I just wished she had no need to hide…

Later that day after Libeth and I had finished placing small shoots of growing vines around every scone, torch and light fixture we could see throughout the palace, I found myself seated atop the wall surrounding the Queen’s Garden watching the Heir to Angileri.

Instead of her practice uniform, or royal robes today she wore riding gear. Clothing that would snap any man’s head to attention…and I’m not talking about the one holding their brain. Dark green leather breeches stretched taut over thick thighs, black boots incased strong calves, the tunic she wore a mixture of creamy gold was form fitting without being restricting I could see the flatness of her stomach through the fabric. Her outfit was all sin, a Goddess tempting the Gods to fall at her feet and worship every inch of her. I shivered and yet there was no breeze. I could not for the world of me understand why no one could see in her what I saw. A woman beautiful inside and out regardless of her size.

“Are you going to sit up there all day Gardener?” The Princess asked after what felt like countless sun slithers of me watching her explore the garden one flower, one bloom, one green shoot at a time, resting every now and again at the fountain.

I leapt from the wall as the flowers parted for me dropping onto damp soil and moving quickly until I was on the path not wishing to disrupt their home. They swayed back into position as if they’d never moved in the first place. “What gave me away?” I asked curiously knowing how silent I could be at times.

Her Highness smiled tracing her fingers lightly through the water before looking up at me with a sparkle in her eyes. “Your shadow,” she laughed softly as I shook my head. “You should have picked a different perch Gardener one not so obviously in the sun. I went to gaze upon the flowers near there and your shadow blotted out the light. And then I watched it unmoving as it was for quite some time…” Her laughter faded, her eyes grew more serious. “What has brought you here Gardener Denarii, to watch me so?”

I sat down on the fountain beside her, rarely if ever did she wear her hair up, rarer still did she wear her circlet. When she did you had the pleasure of seeing her entire face unobscured, she had a small scar curving just beneath her jaw usually hidden by the fall of her hair now worn up in the traditional warrior bun. A knot centered near the top of the head allowing the rest of the hair to fall naturally down your back. Her Highness’ bun was more intricate than mine or my brother’s might have been with braids twinned in and jade sparkling like small raindrops throughout. A comb in resemblance to an Alia rose kept it in place, if she were running into battle it would be something far more sturdy than that. “I had wished to speak with you.” I offered after what felt like another small eternity of staring. “I grew distracted…” my gaze once more wandered along the sinful outfit she wore.

Her Highness shifted slightly with a sigh, “I went riding today with several more suitors, my brother suggested I wear something more appealing to catch the men’s attention.”

“The men’s attention you gain surely aren’t the marrying kind.” I countered brow furrowed.

“Yes well, none I’ve seen so far spark an interest and the Queen’s Tournament starts in as little as two seventh days from now.” Adri shook her head shoulders sagging.

“More will come. Those better suited to you I’m sure, they cannot all be bad.” The Princess took a deep breath once more squaring her shoulders looking like the royalty I knew she was.

“I will hope up until the very last moment that the person who wins is bearable to talk to at least, it’s a sign of good will to at least give them a chance.” I grimaced at that but did not argue that small truth.

“I know you said you had wished to speak with me but I am curious about what transpired last night, I woke in your bed with no recollection, clothing all asunder and completely confused. I know I’d only had one glass of wine and not even a full one at that?” Adri inquired suddenly as if working up the courage to ask and finally finding it in the midst of our conversation.

I thought over what I could say and found myself at a loss, no one but Prince Eris and I knew what had happened and he claimed amnesia. “Someone thought to drug you…I caught them and brought you back to my quarters to rest.” Her Highness stared at me for a long time willing me to say more but I stayed silent, I was sure Prince Eris would not dare try such a thing again for I had passed him in the corridors of the palace and seen the fear in his eyes of what I could do to him. I did not feel the need to make the Princess remember such a vulnerable moment.

She narrowed her eyes at me cheeks reddening slightly at the thought that entered her mind, “You would tell me if we…” I watched her face redden more as she struggled to find the words. She motioned with her hands trying to get me to understand without saying the words but I only grew more confused. “If we’d lain with each other,” she finished breathlessly as if that one sentence had taken all of her energy.

My brows shot into my hair at her drawn conclusion which made every bit of sense now that I had time to think about it. “Highness I would not disgrace myself in such a way,” she blanched at the perceived insult. I raised my hands quickly to forestall any words of rebuke. “I would not sleep with a woman with pleasure’s curse in her system, unless drunken willingly, regardless of rulings otherwise, it is considered rape to me. I would rather have any woman or man I choose to lay with be willing participants.”

The Princess relaxed as I finished my explanation, “As well any woman or man that you choose to sleep with would be lucky to have you for but one night…” I hesitated for a moment before continuing in a softer tone. “They would be blessed to have you for a lifetime.” Adri blushed turning away from me to compose herself, I could see the scar curving beneath her jaw more fully now.

“You had wished to speak with me on something Gardener?” I blinked at her suddenly serious tone and change of conversation.

I bowed my head in acknowledgement, “Her Majesty, the Queen called a small council of her Gardeners this morning, she asked of us that we participate in the Queen’s Tournament,” I placed my fingers upon her lips as she moved to speak. “For your protection from men that wished to do you harm. I do not for a moment doubt that you can protect yourself, nor do I doubt that your guards can protect you, but we are not seen as threats. We can weed out as many as the unwilling suitors as we must until the last few standing are us and the select few we hope are good enough. Do not be angry she asked not as the Queen but as a mother wishing to protect her daughter.” I allowed my fingers to fall, “My fellow Gardeners did it for that reason and did not need me. I chose to help because as you said yesterday you are my friend Highness and friends protect each other.”

Her Highness sighed, “I did not even have the chance to grow truly angry before you had combated every argument I could think of.” She smiled softly. “You are good with words Gardener Denarii.”

“I have been told that before,” I smiled back. “Though not by one quite so…”

“Royal,” Adri supplied good naturedly.

“Heavenly…” I countered causing her smile to wane slightly.

Her Highness searched my eyes for a long time, “I wonder if you speak to all your friends the way you do to me…” Her words were filled with sorrow and I could not understand why. Once more she turned from me. “Thank you for sharing your words with me Gardener… I would enjoy being alone for a while if you please.” I stood taking in the courtly dismissal.

I bowed and knew that she saw it from the corner of her eyes, tears streamed her face but I turned away with regret. I raced towards the wall running up its face and straddling the top turning for a moment to look back. Her Highness was still turned away gazing into the pool of the fountain. Somehow for the first time my garden seemed less vibrant despite the flowers blooming brightly beneath the light of the sun. I fell from the wall and left the Princess to her tears. We may have been friends but I was a Gardener and she was the next Queen to Angileri I knew there would be times I would not understand her pain and she would not understand mine.