The Call Of Shadows

Chapter Fourteen

The Queen, at long last had returned to the Holy Lake. She had seen it's shining spires rising in the distance about an hour ago, and now she stepped foot into the marbled corridor for the first time in nearly two weeks. She breathed in the scent of home and sighed happily. The first of the flowers had begun blooming in the garden, and she knew Mynn would be in them- tending to the buds that she had always admired. She had briefly met with Seflek several days prior when she called him to the edge of their kingdom to speak. He was to accompany Bagaeth and his army on their way to the Upper Plains at once, and retrieve something valuable on the other side. The more she had thought about Me-Ree, the more frightened she became. She had known for a long time that the scroll he had consulted could not leave the Cavern of Sorrows. It was time someone else knew what it did. And Seflek was the only one she trusted to obtain the knowledge and not use it, especially in light of what he had done.

"Be careful my Queen." Seflek said quietly, shifting his gaze to the trees that towered above them. "I fear I may have done something unforgivable in your absence." The Queen immediately gripped his wrist, holding it tightly. "What did you do?" She asked in horror. Seflek could not meet her gaze. This wasn't like him- this wasn't like him at all. "What did you do?!" She had shouted. "There is a place that I brought her to your majesty. A place of magic that she never should have seen. With you absent, her heart grew restless and I didn't know if you would return the same...I thought, if I could show her the magic she possessed, even if I didn't teach her how to use it, it would be ok." He lied. "But it wasn't. Me-Ree, somehow he knew. He sent Death after her as she slumbered and when she awoke...she wasn't quite completely herself."

The Queen's voice turned as unforgiving as stone. "No." She said through gritted teeth. "You would not have done such a thing in my absence." She seethed. "When did she learn magic?" The Queen leaned in closely, "When did you betray my trust?" Seflek swallowed hard. "Back in the fall. The day after we received the news of war brewing in the Elven Step." Her grip tightened on his wrist as she fought with herself. "Mark my words Seflek," She said, forcing him to look in her eyes, "If you do not find a way to fix this it would be far better for you to never return." He nodded, "I understand my Queen. You have my word."

She let go of him, throwing himself away from her in disgust. But the disgust didn't last for long, and within moments the cold grip of fear had descended upon her. "How bad is it?" She asked, voice trembling. "Her eyes have changed. She has begun to see the creatures that lurk solely within the realm of magic. And I cannot get her to stop. You are the only reason she will listen to." He replied. "Does she know of the truth yet?" The Queen asked. "No. I thought it best to come from you. She is not too far gone, but it has a dangerous hold on her that I fear will only grow stronger. There isn't a doubt in my mind, my Queen. Me-Ree is coming."

The Queen swept the hood of her spring cloak back and began making her way to the gardens. During the last two days of her journey she had plenty of time to make a diplomatic approach to the problem brewing within her family. Anger no longer burned in her stomach, and fear had released its hand on her throat- the only thing she could do now was deal with the problem that presented itself before her as calmly as she could. She remembered what the wrong approach had done to her brother, and now she had a second chance to do it right. No matter what happened, she couldn't lose her daughter. Not to this. Not like this. As she got closer to the gardens she saw one of her guards in the hallways outside. "How may I be of service your majesty? It is good to have you back!" He asked as she approached. "I need you to tell Mynn that I'm home and will be coming to the gardens to speak with her momentarily. Give her a chance to stop what she's doing, then return to me so that I may enter. Then go for your meal." She instructed. He nodded, did what she asked, and then left.

She walked into the gardens just as Mynn set down the watering can she knew she hadn't been using. "You're home!!" She squealed excitedly, running up to her and enveloping her in a genuine greeting. The Queen closed her eyes and breathed in the soft musk of hair that was in need of a good washing. She loved her daughter deeply, and wanted to enjoy this moment. She was all too aware of how quickly it could fall apart. "I missed you greatly Mynn!" She exhaled. "How have you held up while I was away?" She asked. Her daughter pulled back and winked at her coyly. "I survived if that's what you mean! I have a lot of respect for you though- I had no idea how much you had to deal with on a daily basis running everything!" She said.