The Gift of Giving
POV: Alexandra
The guards didn’t stop us this time and just opened the tent for us as we approached. I looked up from ducking through to see my father and Nystasia sitting across from Lucien. I gasped, “Daddy, what are you doing here?” He smiled at me with his normal radiant look, “I was summoned by my King for a special task. One that could only be trusted to someone who knows as many secrets as I do.” The only secret I could think of was the true identity of one Meldon Maigny so I whispered, “Ashton.” He nodded, “Exactly. We were just discussing the specifics of my task when you walked in.” Lucien stood up from his seat, “I think we’ve discussed enough, I don’t think there’s much I can add beyond my letter to you and what we’ve discussed. I think I would like Alexandra to show you both around the camp so you can get your bearings.” He turned to me, “Would you be able to do so?” I nodded, “Of course, Your Majesty. I am at your disposal as always.” He nodded, “Please do so. Once you’re done with the tour, take the princess over to the medical tent and you both can pass out the supplies you have requested of your father. This will be part of your assignment as agreed on by Elder Edgar.” He dismissed us from his presence since he had his own work to do.
I showed my father around to where my tent was, where the General’s tent was, where the mess was, where the showers were, and finally where the medical tent was. My father left us to go to the tent that Lucien had set up next to Grand Pretre’s tent. All that was left when he walked away was Jess and Nystasia, I looked over at Jess who was starting to look green, “Are you okay? We can probably see if we can find Derek and you can do something else.” Nystasia sighed, “Don’t tell me you haven’t learned to block out pain?” Jess hesitantly nodded, “I never got the chance. My mother died when I was too young to be taught.” Nystasia smiled and enthusiastically hugged her, “Don't worry, Jess. I will teach you but first, we Alexandra and I will need to finish her task. I don’t think you need to worry about finding Derek, he’s inside the tent I believe. I can go check though so you won’t have to put yourself in a bad situation and your charge won’t have to leave you.” Jess nodded, “Sure, if you wouldn’t mind.” Nystasia nodded and walked into the tent. A short while later you could hear Derek quietly yelling, “Your Highness, what are you doing?! You can’t just yank me away from my work!” You could hear Nystasia giggling, “I am a guest royal, I can do what I want. Lucien won’t be mad at me.” Derek stumbled out of the tent and fell at Jess’s feet, “That’s the feet of my beautiful lady and my girl best friend. What do you guys need that you to send this bull to me?” I shook my head, “We didn’t technically send her, she volunteered to see if you were in there.” He sighed as Jess helped him up and he dusted his knees off, “Isn’t that technically the same thing?” I rolled my eyes, “To be fair, we didn’t tell her to throw you at our feet. We were wondering if you were in there so she checked. I didn’t want to subject Jess to the medical tent again. If you look at her, she’s sick just being on the outside.” He looked at her and cupped her face in his hands, “Jess, you do look sick. I can ask the General if you can take the rest of the day off.” She shook her head, “No, I just need to get away from this tent. That’s why we need you.” He took her hand and kissed her, “Then run along. I got our friend.” She nodded and walked off.
Derek smiled at me, “I was in the middle of helping Doc lift a patient when I was rudely interrupted. Do you mind if we take this party inside?” I smiled and shook my head, “Lead the way, my friend.” He walked back into the tent where Edgar was standing, “Your Grace, I see that you have seen our special guests here in the camp. You know your next task but your last task before dinner is to go see Grand Pretre. She has asked that you bring Her Highness with you.” I nodded at him, “Thank you, sir. I will be sure to follow your instructions diligently.” He patted me on the shoulder, “Young lady, of that I have no doubts. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find the General to discuss something with him.” He left the tent and Nystasia skipped over to the boxes that were sitting nearby, “Let’s make these children happy. I think I can show them a few cool Seely magic tricks.” I smiled at her wondering what these magic tricks were, “I’m sure that that would brighten their day.” We started with the children on the opposite end of the room from Lucy. Each time we would deliver a toy, Nystasia would ask the children if they would like to see a neat magic trick. None of the children turned her down. The first child got to see a green glowing snake slithering in the air. He exclaimed, “Snakes are my favorite animal but not the ones that can kill you. I like the green ones just like this.” He had a feeling of pure joy on his face and I stood back to watch the joy of each child as Nystasia would show a new animal for each child. Each time she showed them an animal, it was their favorite animal. We finally got to Lucy and Tilly and I had handed both girls a doll since this was what they had wanted. Nystasia did her fae magic for Tilly, it was a mother bunny and her babies hopping around a meadow. Again this was her favorite animal, she clapped her hands and then reached under her pillow and pulled out a small marble-like stone. She handed it to Nystasia, “Your Highness, in the Glades, we hand a Kazi stone to a person who has brought incredible joy to others. I wish to give this to you. I would give one to Her Grace but I don’t think she would accept it.” I nodded, “You are right. It is enough for me to know that you are all happy. That is my wish for all of you.”
We moved on to Lucy and handed her a doll that I had picked out just for her amongst all the dolls there since it had brown hair and green eyes just like her. She immediately hugged the doll and called her Jin. Nystasia smiled at the small girl but before she had performed her magic show, she leaned over and kissed the girl on the forehead. She smiled down at her, “I don’t know the specifics but I can see a different kind of future for you.” She twirled around and did her magic for the girl. This time the scene that came in front of her was a beautiful lavender rose and in flew a beautiful blue shimmering butterfly. Lucy’s eyes widened, “Oh my goodness, that is so beautiful. I always thought the shimmerflies were the most beautiful thing in all of Vellum.” Nystasia winked at the girl, “There’s a place in Vellum that especially has a bunch of these shimmerflies but it’s quite a journey from here.” Lucy’s face lit up, “Where is it? I want to go when I’m all grown up.” Nystasia grabbed the girl’s hand, “It is deep within Blackwood that some of the residents call The Garden of The Forest, I can take you there someday soon.” The little girl smiled but then a deep yawn escaped her, “Pardon me, I think I am very tired. I need some rest for now.” I patted her head gently, “That’s okay Lucy. Please get some rest.” We walked away from the small child and when I knew we weren’t in earshot from her, I stopped in my tracks and then turned to her, “Why would you promise her something like that?” She winked at me, “Oh you’ll see soon enough.”
We stepped out of the tent with Derek in tow to our next destination. We neared the tent where the holy figure was occupying and she emerged, “I had a feeling you both were soon to be here. Step into my tent and we can have a talk.” We both stepped into the tent. She held her hand out to Nystasia and the princess took it, “We have not met, Your Highness but I believe you know why you are here. You are blessed with a form of the Sight. Would I be correct in that?” She nodded, “Yes, Your Eminence. I have wanted to meet you to talk about our shared ability. Mine is not as sharp as yours though.” Seraphia shook her head, “That is quite alright. You have enough of it to do what you know you need to. I can only tell you the paths before you. You can choose to take them as does everyone.” Nystasia bowed her head at Seraphia, “I understand. Please let me know.” Seraphia reached behind her in a box and pulled out a stack of papers, “I divined a manual, I am quite certain we will not have all the time today. You can take a look at what I have seen and the paths.” She took the papers, “I shall take a look and burn it once completed.” Seraphia looked relieved after Nystasia proclaimed this, “I am relieved that you know the importance of no one else seeing this information.” She turned to me, “Now I need to tell you about your critical path out here. Let us begin.”
