Broken hearts and battle

Saira

I had worked myself raw. Every inch of my body had started to hurt, then after pushing through that pain everything turned blurry and I started to fall. That was the last thing that I remembered. I’m sure that I dreamed but I didn’t remember them. When I came to, the smells of medicine filled my nose. When I was able to open my eyes, I saw that I was in one of the medical tents instead of my own bed.

My head hurt, a lot. I would have to take some time to rest and regain my strength. I would be of no use to the army if I couldn’t even stand. I rolled over and saw an old woman sitting in a chair next to me. She sat quietly knitting a bit of fabric. The sun was starting to rise and shine through the open flaps of the tent entrance.

“Good morning, Silver Lady.” Her voice was trembling and cracked on the last word. How old was she?

“Morning, is the camp packing up already?” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Yes, the preparations started near an hour ago.”

That long? I slept to long! “I have to check on the wounded.” I said as I started to get up off the cot. My body was still weak and tired from yesterday.

“Oh no you don’t. Queen Aurelia has ordered that you stay in bed until she comes to collect you.” Her voice strong and sure this time. I was shocked by the change in her, it was like she became younger...

I sat back down and stared at the old woman. How like Aurelia to give such an order. Knowing that my first instinct would be to run and help.

“She instructed me to tell you that all the wounded with be given transport and care while on the road. Your orders are to rest and gain your strength back.”

For a moment I played with the idea of trying to break out. To get up and run out the door as fast as I could. Another side look at the old woman and I thought against it. Why would Aurelia assign someone so old to keep me here? There had to be something I was missing about the old woman. With nothing else to do I laid back in my bed and listened to the sounds of her needles clacking together.

“My family has lived near the mountains for many generations.” I turned my head to look at her as she spoke.

“We have been on the border of war as long as it has raged. My parents were healers, like their parents before them. Often soldiers would come to our house bagging for our healing. And we would heal them without discrimination. Once a young Warlock boy found his way to our home. He was badly wounded, and young as I was, I knew that he wouldn’t make it through the coming night.

We gave him medicines to help with the pain, and all the while he laid dyeing, I sat with him, like I am now. He told me of his family, of how he only wanted to make them happy. He died whispering the name of his mother over and over.”

When she paused, I asked, “why are you telling me this?”

“Mosty to pass the time. I like to speak my memories, some times when I don’t, I am starting to forget them. We all have people that we love, that we want to see again. I hope you and the queen can find a way to win this, without all of us dyeing in the cross fire.”

“I wish that too. Aurelia and I, we have the same dream. We want to see both lands joined in peace.” An impossible dream.

After that we sat in silence for a while longer. I listened to the sounds of her needles and the sounds of the men packing up the camp. There was still much that we had to do, so many miles that we still have to go. Kairios was the first one to stop by to see me.

“Are you better rested?” He asked.

“Yes. I wanted to talk to you a moment. What happened? Why did you do this?” Maybe I could talk him out of what he was doing...

“There is nothing to say Saira. I have given her all I have. My heart and soul, my body. She has taken all of it and set it aflame. She killed my brother. I can't even look at her without wanting to kill her. How can I go back to the way it was before?” There was so much pain in his voice.

“I know, but what about the children?” Inigo and Vesta needed both of their parents together.

“We both want to the protect them. And that’s what we will do. The kingdom and the children are the only reason I am still here.”

“So, your solution was to have her call that pirate back?” A stupid one.

“It’s what she wants, isn't it? I won't stop her because I don’t care anymore.” He turned back to the entrance. “Anyways, I know you were there when Fairor died. I only came to see that our chief healer was ready to go.”

He walked out without another word to me. So, he blamed me as well. “I’m sorry.” I said to late. I sat there staring for a bit longer. Part of me wanted to try to talk to him more, but the other side of me, well I was angry with him for acting this way. Understanding could only go so far. Aurelia stormed in and said,

“Well, that was interesting.”

…

Aurelia

“I was coming to get you and I saw him walk in. I waited outside and tried not to listen but, I heard what he said. Sorry.” I shrugged my shoulders and held my hands out to the sides on me in a dramatic gesture.

“It doesn’t matter. Are we ready to go?” She wanted to get as far away from this place as possible, just like I did.

“For the most part. Let's get some food before we get one the road. I'm starving.” I had forgotten to eat last night.

We left the tent and walked over to where the food was served. They were all finished serving and had little left of the good stuff like bacon for example. All we got was a bowl of soft, cold oats topped with a fried egg and a few pieces of toast to dip.

“Are you going to tell me what you decided last night?” She asked me as we picked at our small meal.

“Is there such a power or spell that can allow one person to peer into the mind of another, even if they are miles away?” I had to know more about this magic. It put us at risk.

“Why do you ask?” Her shoulders had gone ridged and her eyes squinted a bit as she looked sideways at me.

“Your brother paid me a visit in my dreams last night. He knew things about me. Very current and personal things.” My blood started to boil as I thought about the invasion.

“My family has had the power to do this in the past. It's been a talent that hasn’t shown up in for a few generations. I also know that there is a way to spell against it. Our ancestors became paranoid at the thought of being able to read each other's minds. They wanted protection from the others.”

“Of course they did. Can you do this protection?” I needed her to be able to do it.

“I will try. I never have attempted anything like it before. But with the power I have gained, I might be able to do it. If my brother can do it then the chances that I can are good as well.”

“Don't tell me anymore details. The less I know now the better.” For now, I would have to resign myself to knowing as little as possible about all of our plans.

“Right. And the other matter?”

“What is there to say. You obviously know already.” She just kept looking at me with those expectant silver eyes. “I called him with the magic of this ring. I don’t know when he will appear. I made my decision based on the fact that we need his men.” I tried to make my voice sound as cold as possible.

“I see. We should get to the horses.”

We didn’t talk while we walked along. She looked deep in thought and I hoped it was about the protection spell. I wanted to get back on the road. All I could focus on was pushing forward. Scorch was ready to be on the move as well. I climbed on her back and she was off. Star wasn’t far behind us. As we rode passed the groups and lines of men, I noticed that Kairios was set to ride with the other generals.

If he wanted to stay back with them, then I wouldn’t say a word of it. While we were out here, we would be nothing more than a queen and a general. I slowed Scorch down to a walk, it wouldn’t be wise to get too far ahead. The day went by slowly. When it was time to eat again, I found that I was starving.

This time I was not late to getting in line for the meal prepared. Rabbit stew with vegetables. When I got a steaming bowl, I could see the chunks of meat. I was given a full loaf of bread and I was too hungry to complain when I noticed that the others only got half. Saira had started off in the direction of where the wounded were given meals. She ate quickly and started to help.

She didn’t use her powers, only changed bandages where needed and hand fed those that couldn’t do it themselves. When I finished, I was so full that when I got up to help her, I felt I might explode. We helped the wounded until it was time to get on the road again. We talked about the ones with graver wounds and how much longer they would be able to hold out.

The next village we came across would have to house them until they were able to travel back to the capitol. The scouts had no new reports of any more bandits in the woods, I left it up to the generals to decide where they should be sent next. I was enjoying the rest of the day as it started to cool, until rain drops started falling on us.

I was about to call the march to a halt for the night when the sounds of charging horses came up the road. Their hooves splashed through the newly formed puddles. At first, I felt a surge of panic at the sound of the approach, but then I noticed that they were our men. What news did they have for us to come like this?

They came to a skidding stop in front of me.

“My Queen! A few miles ahead... the village is under attack!”

“By who?” Another fight so soon, they weren't ready!

“Demons! Made of water!” Pure fear covered his face.

“Inform the generals!”

I rode passed them a put my heels into Scorch. We had to get there as soon as possible! A few miles had never seemed so long. Scorch was breathing hard when we saw the roof tops of the village. The trees were still so high it was hard to see anything else. But we could hear them. The screams grew louder and louder, a constant symphony.

I looked over my shoulder and saw that Saira was closest behind me and behind her were the lines of our army. We were almost there, the screams came on waves now, no longer constant like the rain that seeped into my hair. Just ahead I could see the gates to the village. They were open, half broken.

I drew my sword. I knew that it would be moments before I was in a battle once more. This time I would face demons made of water. Would my flame be hot enough to stand against it?