Mira did not fully wake up after a week. Jonen anxiously waited for the moment she was conscious. If she had visited him in his dream, she did not again. The High Priestess healed, and the healers investigated the strange band around her wrist after she awoke. She did not speak of what happened on the battlefield to anyone but Irae and Gimma.
“How is she today?” Nara entered the infirmary, “Still asleep?”
“Her fever broke yesterday,” Jonen dipped a cloth in ice water and placed it over her forehead, “Irae said she may wake up soon.”
“That’s good,” The bronze elf nodded and pulled up a chair next to Jonen, “A letter came for you today.”
“A letter?” His eyebrow twitched upwards, “From who?”
“I didn’t open it,” Nara grabbed Mira’s hand, “But, it had the knight’s seal on it. I assume it’s orders.”
He cursed under his breath, “Where is it?”
“Pallik has it with his things,” Nara shrugged, “He said you were going to take them back home in the next few days.”
“You think he’s hiding it?” Jonen chuckled.
“That, or he’s afraid you’ll leave them.”
“I should have sent another after the festival to request leave,” He rubbed his face, “It slipped my mind.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Nara nodded towards Mira, “Go read your orders.”
Jonen stood and walked from the infirmary. The busy healers greeted him by name as he exited the room. He only learned a few of their names, mostly if they worked on Mira. As he walked down the corridor into the men’s sleeping chambers, Pallik exited the room and jumped when he saw him.
“Oh! Jonen,” He grinned, “Where are you going?”
“High Priestess said you have a letter addressed to me,” The half elf crossed his arms, “Where is it?”
“Oh, well,” Pallik rubbed the back of his neck, “I can’t read that well. I thought it was for Mira.”
“You’re terrible at lying,” Jonen tussled his hair, “I have to know what’s on it.”
“Fine,” He rolled his eyes and handed the letter to him, “Just… promise not to leave until Mira wakes up?”
“I don’t plan to. Now, excuse me,” He ripped the top of the teal envelope open and pulled the letter out.
Jonen fiddled with the paper as he walked to an empty section of the temple. Near the kitchen, a small bay window overlooked the garden. He leaned against the window and unfolded the letter. As he read, his heart sank.
Jonen Lafayette de Sfagroth:
Due to your bravery and aptitude to survive, you have been promoted to second rank knight for your part in the assault on Isaan Naybellos. This comes with a three hundred gold bonus and better armor –given immediately on your arrival. I reviewed Commander Smite’s reports on you and heard of your abilities. Lessons in magical abilities will now be included in your daily regimen.
Queen Azalea Hangral and I are eager to hear your report in more detail, in person. A team of three knights, led by Commander Grimson, were sent to escort you back at once. Should you need further accommodations, your new Commander will see to it. Report to me at once in Hangral.
Goddess heal your wounds and bless your travels home.
Grand Knight Reiner
Jonen folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope. He didn’t know how much time he had before his new commander arrived to Vimgraunt. Days? The fact that Grand Knight Reiner know knew his name was not lost on him. He commanded the Zrud wing of the Travel Knights. If Jonen could ask him to stay in Zrud, he most likely would. After all, he knew the terrain and Isaan’s last known location.
“Would they let me come back?” He whispered aloud as he scanned the letter, “The queen even wants to speak to me. Goddess…”
“Everything okay?” Irae opened the door from the garden, “You look like you may be ill.”
“My new orders,” He waved the envelope before tucking it in his pocket, “They’ve sent a small team with my new commanding officer to get me. I don’t know when they’ll arrive, but my days here are numbered.”
“Oh, Jonen,” She sat her basket of fresh flowers and fruits down to hug him, “I’m sorry. Hopefully she’ll wake up before then.”
“They’ll arrest her,” He shook his head, “They can’t know she’s here.”
“Are you still going to take Pallik and Tella back?” She leaned against the window next to him, “Do you have time?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think so,” He sighed and rubbed his face, “Anytime I’ve gotten a letter saying they’ve sent someone, it is usually a day or two at most before the group arrives. I need to be here, or it will look like I fled.”
“Tella is in lessons with Gimma,” Irae pointed to the door, “She’s still recuperating from over exhaustion, but the girl will be fine.”
“I just grabbed the letter from Pallik,” Jonen smiled softly, “I don’t think he wants me to go, either. He’s taking sword lessons well. He’s better than some of the guards are.”
“I think he knows that Mira won’t be around these parts much longer,” She shook her head, “A shame, really. I’ll miss her.”
“Where do you think she’ll go?”
“If I were her,” She paused and took a deep breath, “I’d either follow you, or find her master and kill him.”
“Well, I plan on doing that as well. Now that the wraith and him have separated, it should be much easier to kill the ba –man. Apologies.”
“I’m not a priestess,” Irae playfully pushed him, “I don’t care if you curse in the temple. I’ve called him that a few times myself.”
“Do you think Sunodagh can take the children back? I don’t want them to go alone. I can’t think of anyone else I would trust.”
“If she isn’t awake, I’ll go with them after you leave,” She nodded, “He still needs to take it easy.”
“Thank you, Irae,” Jonen hugged her, “I appreciate it.”
“Someone has to keep them out of trouble,” She chuckled as he pulled away, “Besides, I’m surprised Delpho hasn’t sent an army to find them.”
A crash from the other side of the door caught their attention. Jonen looked out the window to see Sunodagh throwing a disk into the air as Pallik attempted to lose an arrow to break it. It shattered against the ground when he missed.
“It feels like they’ve grown a lot since I’ve met them,” He shook his head.
“I can say the same thing about you,” Irae grinned, “You’re less skittish now.”
“Hard to be skittish when you’re worried,” He sighed, “If she doesn’t wake up before I’m back, can you keep our conversation that night… private?”
“Of course,” She teased, “I won’t tell Mira you’re in love with her.”
“Goddess,” He covered his face, “Why do you do this to me?”
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“You remind me a lot of my little brother,” She chuckled, “He is in Saceida and has a family of his own. If I can’t tease him, why not you?”
Jonen laughed and stood, “Well, I better get my things packed.”
He spent the next few hours packing. Once he saw the bracelet he bought for his mother, his paused. He never wrote her another letter. He wondered if he should wait or send another immediately. He knew she would reply to his brother’s address, but it would be nice to send her something.
After his last bag was packed, Jonen walked to the infirmary. He heard a deep voice whispering from the other side. He pressed his ear to the door to eavesdrop.
“When will she wake up?” Nara’s voice questioned.
“Her bones have yet to finish healing. I’m doing what I can,” The deep, inhumane voice growled, “I can only do so much at a time. Her body cannot handle it.”
He did recognize the voice as the wraith. Only this time, it seemed more tangible and human.
“Do you need more?”
“No, I just don’t want her to be brittle,” The man’s voice sighed, “If that boy didn’t sit next to her, I would be able to do things peacefully.”
She laughed, “You can’t blame him. He’s smitten.”
Jonen clasped a hand over his face. He was tired of everyone saying that.
“Perhaps another two weeks,” The voice scoffed, “Have you gotten her room prepared?”
“Yes, we’re going to move her after he leaves,” Nara whispered, “If he’s questioned about her location, we don’t want him to say he knows where. His group may come after her.”
“Good. Another battle would rip her muscles again. When will he come back?”
“I’m not sure,” Nara sighed, “Soon, I’m sure.”
“Very well. I will go back, then.”
Jonen knocked on the door and heard a small, surprised squeak on the other side. He opened the door to see nobody in the room besides Mira and Nara. He lifted an eyebrow to look at her.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Nobody,” She waved nonchalantly, “What did your letter say?”
“My new commanding officer will be here in the next few days to escort me back to Hangral,” He moved back into his seat by Mira’s side, “The queen requested an audience to go over what happened.”
“Queen Azalea?” Nara blinked.
“Yes,” He smiled softly at Mira, “I have a favor to ask of you. Will you write a letter to speak on behalf of Mira? I’m afraid they’ll try to prosecute her. I cannot say much, or they will send me from Zrud.”
“Why would they do that?”
“If she placed me under some spell to make me follow her,” He chuckled, “They would be worried I would break my vow and join her side.”
“Who should I address it to?”
“Grand Knight Reiner,” He looked to her, “He personally penned my letter.”
“Very well,” She stood and dusted her lap off, “I will give it to you when I am finished with it. You must promise me that you won’t read it.”
Nara rubbed at the black marks on her wrist as he nodded. The cooler skin beneath them made her shiver.
“How are you, High Priestess?” Jonen asked as she stepped away, “I’m not sure what happened that night, but you’ve been acting differently.”
“I’m still adjusting after the battle,” She replied honestly, “I am grateful that Mira was able to save my life.”
“As am I,” He nodded, “Good day, High Priestess.”
“Oh, Jonen,” Nara playfully swatted his shoulder, “I will allow you to call me Nara.”
“Calling a High Priestess by their first name?” He laughed, “In a temple? I would like to avoid the void.”
“Very well. Should we meet outside of the temple, I expect you to be less formal,” She shook her head, “And Jonen, if you’re ever in this area again, come back and visit us, okay?”
“And if you’re ever in Hangral,” He nodded, “I expect to hear from you and anyone else.”
“Of course,” She smiled as she left the room.
Jonen peered suspiciously around the infirmary to see if the wraith lurked in a corner. He slid Mira’s hand in between his and sat attentively at her side, as he had the week previous. As the day turned to night, he whispered soft stories of Saceida, memories of his childhood, and anything else he could think of. Mira stirred occasionally, but her eyes never opened.
“Jonen, you should get some rest,” Gimma yawned as she entered the door, “If she wakes up, I’ll come get you.”
“I want to be here when she wakes up,” He rubbed the grogginess from his eyes.
“And I can’t sleep if you’re in here snoring again,” She patted his back.
Jonen snorted, “You know I don’t snore.”
She shrugged her shoulders and pushed her glasses up her nose, “Nara told me about your letter. I know you want more time here, but she won’t remember anything you said.”
“What happens if I leave before she wakes up?”
“That’s not something to worry about until you have to leave,” Gimma shook her head, “You need to get some rest.”
Jonen stood and she shooed him from the infirmary. He realized that he had come into their lives and become a terrible inconvenience. He opened the door to the men’s sleeping quarters and entered. The separate bunk beds stacked down a wall of the room. Pallik sat on the bottom bunk of the pair they shared. Jonen sat next to him and waited a moment.
“What if I never get strong enough to help her?” Pallik’s crystal blue eyes stared into him.
“I feel the same way,” Jonen shook his head, “Though, I doubt she needs much help.”
“How long did it take you to get good enough to fight?”
“Six years, maybe?” He leaned against his pillow, “I always practiced with people better than me. It never felt like I made any progress.”
Pallik awkward pat his leg, “Well, Sunodagh says I’m noticeably better.”
“Yeah? I saw you with the bow earlier today.”
“I hate that thing,” He groaned and climbed to the top bunk, “What’d your letter say?”
“I’ll have to leave in a few days,” He paused, “Sunodagh and Irae will take you and Tella home.”
“You’re not going to?”
“I have no choice,” Jonen shook his head, “If I don’t go, they may ship me to another continent.”
“That’s dumb,” Pallik huffed, “Will you come visit us, at least?”
Jonen remembered the warmth of the crossroad village and smiled, “The next time I’m granted leave, I promise I’ll come back. We should get to sleep. Goodnight, Pallik.”
“Night.”
Jonen stared at the wooden frame above his mattress for what felt like hours. His mind itched with energy that wouldn’t let him sleep. Heated whispers caught his attention as the door opened and Sunodagh entered the room. The old orc huffed and laid on his own mattress.
Nara crossed her arms and left the orc to sleep. He didn’t want to leave the temple
She scratched her wrist as she headed to her own room. The black marks itched incessantly ever since she woke up. She wore long sleeves to hide the growing nail marks on her wrist. Irae had commented that it may be residual magic in her system from her short time as a vessel.
Nara quietly closed the door behind her and sat at her desk. She grabbed a stack of papers and gently tapped them against her desk to straighten the pile. The damage from the fight had to be paid for, and the temple covered the cost. Most of the profits from the festival covered it with only a few dozen gold left over. As she reached for the quill across her desk, the marks on her wrist glowed slightly. She turned her left arm to get a better view of the blue glowing veins on her arm.
“What’s this?” She whispered as she inspected it.
An invigorating feeling spread from her arm to her chest as she focused on the light. She only felt this surge of power when she gave her body to the prophetess as a vessel. Hairs all over her body stood as if she was covered in electric current. As she reached for her quill with her right hand, a gust flew past her arm and knocked the papers from her desk. She blinked in shock and watched her arm as the glow disappeared. Nara stood and quickly opened the door to her office to see if there may have been a draft. She was magicless, it couldn’t have been something she did.
Unless her late mentor left her a gift when she survived.
Nara reorganized her office and took a deep breath. Perhaps the goddess did finally gift her what she prayed for nearly a century for. She selfishly hoped so. As she sat back at her desk and pulled the quill from the inkwell, she took a deep breath.
“What exactly could I write?” She whispered as she tapped the quill against her paper, “What could I possibly write to speak on Mira’s behalf?”
Nara knew that if Mira chose to, the young woman could conquer the entire continent. As a blood mage, she was stronger than most mages. As a vessel, she had strength beyond blood mages. As both? Nothing could stop her. What exactly should Nara send to the man that may be hunting her? Nara rubbed her fingers in small circles on her head as she thought. There was only one thing she could say: the truth.
“Grand Knight Reiner of the Travel Knights,
It has come to my attention that you may need more information on the woman named Mira. She was enthralled to Isaan Naybellos, the infamous flame elementalist.
I have known Mira for nearly a decade. She has grown exponentially in this time into a useful member of our temple, our town, and the surrounding villages. She personally sponsored multiple children’s educations. She has become more human than she was five years ago. As soon as she understood the gravity of her situation, she took immediate action to remedy and deflect her master’s orders to protect innocent people.
Just recently, Mira protected our people against an onslaught from her master. She nearly died in the process and her enthrallment was broken. She is finally free. Those that know her will speak highly of her, including myself.
As I cannot outright say what you need due to my responsibilities as High Priestess, just know that she is a powerful mage and ally to the temple. There is a powerful force that protects her and will continue doing so until she dies.
Should you start the hunt for Isaan, I beg you, do not purse Mira. There will be unnecessary bloodshed if you chose to do so.
May the Goddess bless you and your family. May She guide your way.
Courteously, Nara Voltain de Vimgraunt”
Nara carefully waved the paper to dry the ink as she thought about her carefully chosen words. Should anyone else read the letter, they may think Nara speaks of the wraith. If any High Priestess read the letter, they would know immediately that Mira was a vessel. She dabbed her thumb against a bit of damp ink and added her thumbprint next to her name. Any mage that read the letter will know the letter is legitimate and she spoke the truth.
Nara carefully folded the letter and slid it into a green envelope and scrawled the recipient’s name on it. She heated golden wax to drip onto the envelope before placing the temple’s seal firmly down. The crest would show proudly when Reiner got her letter. She walked into her small bedchamber and plopped into bed. She was too tired to deal with changing clothes and just wanted to sleep.
The bronze elf clasped her hands together in prayer, “Goddess, I am at a crossroads and need your guidance. If you have cast Alcante from the heavens, did I pick the right side? Should I continue to help young Mira? I need a sign to know I have chosen the right path. Please, Goddess, give me any sign that this is your will.”
Nara felt the energy radiating from her wrist again. The winds whipped around chaotically. As she moved her hand to view the blue glow, a vortex blew around her room and snuffed her lamp’s flame.