Soul Healer

Chapter 9 - Drowning in my Sorrow

>>> CHAPTER 9 <<<
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You find yourself sitting in the library in the palace. Resting in a comfortable chair, you grab a Pandura. Deep in thought you let your fingers slide across the 3 strings, letting the music flow, a sad tune is formed.......
With a low voice you start singing.....

Drowning in my sorrow
Biting back the pain
Looking towards tomorrow
Trying to remain sane

My soul is crying
Screaming out your names
Walking this path
I'll never be the same.

My mother and my sister
My brother and my kin
How I miss you all
Everything so unreal.

Please let me see you
Please call my name
One last time
I beg you
Let me see your smiles

So much pain..............


With a curse, you jump up. Angry at yourself for dwelling in self pity.
Walking out onto the balcony, you stop and stare at the city below. So much has happened since your arrival. So many brave souls have come to live in Wistaria. Have decided to leave family behind, in order to join your ever growing army. Some have brought their family. Set on sacrificing all in order to remove the Ceenaq.

Bane, your self proclaimed General of your royal guards, has again and again proven his worth. The skills of each warrior improve due to his dedicated training.

And Ares. How is it possible, someone like him can love you? Yet you see his deep dedication, admiration and love. He wears his feelings on his sleeve. Not at all embarrassed to show his love for you. In fact he seems so very happy. So much in fact his very conduit brings huge smiles on all faces that see him. How can he possibly love you? Yet his tenderness towards you, makes your heart hurt. It's difficult not to return his affection. Your soul is so twisted and broken. Your darkest fear is that you will fail him. You want him to leave before love turns to hate, or worse before you end up hurting this beautiful soul. But how can you ask him to leave when it is so clear his heart soars when your near. It is so very difficult not to love him.

Everything seems to have become so utterly difficult and complicated. "What is wrong with this picture", you curse. Everybody seems to suffer from the delusion, you can turn water into wine. You feel unworthy of their trust in your abilities. "Why do they all believe I'm an angel. It would be so much easier if they thought me a demon. Just like the old days".

Grasping the rail you focus on the warriors below. Bane has them practicing spear fighting. With a grin you notice how they try to take him down. Such fools. 4 warriors approach and attack simultaneous. With a half-smile you watch their futile attempt. Turning the spear at a 90 degree angle, he repeatedly smacks them with the end of the shaft. Leaving nothing but bruises. Groaning they fall to the ground.

Deciding to join the spectacle, you turn and walk towards the practice grounds.
Approaching you hear how Bane instruct the 4 fallen warriors. Scolding them like small children.
"Every move was wrong", he growls. "One of you should at least have been able to get closer before I took you all down".

"Perhaps they need to see for themselves. In order to understand, what it is you want them to do?", you say with a teasing voice.

Picking up a double-handed spear you walk towards him. "Would you rather I use a single-handed spear?", you ask with a crocked half-smile.

Delighted Bane laughs. "Are you sure Majesty? You have not fully recovered yet. It has been so very long since we last had a sparring match. It would be an honor".

"Enough already with the fussing", you sigh. "So what is it to be single- or double-handed?"

"Majesty, please", with a deep bow Bane offers you a single-handed spear.

Taking the spear, you grumble, "Your turning in to an old maid. So now is the time your telling me we're using shields as well?".

Bane takes another low bow shaking his head.

"Thank the heavens" you mutter, "I was beginning to wonder what would be up next. Like chain me to a wall, surround me by hoards of protective dragons".

"Please Majesty", Bane chuckles, "I am not that bad".

Taking a fighting stance you mockingly reply, "Oh sure thing horsey"

Baring his teeth, Bane grins, "Forgive me Majesty, but I need to smack you around a little"

With ease you catch his spear, blocking as he charges. With a graceful movement, you toss it to the right side. Almost making him loose his balance. As he steps sideways you turn the spear and smack him on his head with the end of the shaft.

Your fight is drawing attention. Ares was the first one to appear. At first he looked worried. It was clear he wanted to interfere. But soon he leaned back. Entire body relaxed. His eyes glowing with pride. Not missing a single move, his eyes turn tender, as he looks at you.


Warriors have gathered to watch and learn. Cheers are heard as Bane is hit once again by the end of your spear. This time a smack across his backside, making him jump.
The warriors are having a ball watching their General getting a proper beating. Laughter is heard all across the practice grounds. Even Bane has troubles. Highly amused he turns and resumes a fighting stance.

Grabbing the spear with both hands, you start swirling it in a perfect horizontal circle. Faster and faster with ease. A combination of offensive and defensive moves, you jump kick while blocking his overhead chop.
With a fluent combination of heavy left-to-right horizontal swings into right-to-left horizontal swings, you knock the spear out of his hand.

"Are you sure you want to continue this?", you ask. "So is this just a little fun? Everyone is supposed to survive unhurt, or are we going for the kill or incapacitation of the opponent here?".

"Oh Majesty how I have missed you", Bane roars with laughter.

"What? You want another smacking horsey?", you grin.

Shaking with laughter Bane picks up his spear. "Please yes Highness", he chuckles hardly able to stand.

"Now now. This is serious business", you say.

"Majesty", Bane chuckles. "Your supposed to be a frail angel. Your acting out of tune".

Throwing back your head, genuine laughter is heard from your lips. Laughing even higher, you reply, "Don't be absurd. I do not have a single white feather on my entire body"

Hearing you laughter for the first time, Ares struggles not to run to you. "Not true", he whispers. "Now turn a few of them black, and take out the grinning fool my love".
With a wide smile he watches as you both face each other.


"Bane, are you sure about this?", you ask with a raised brow.

"No", the warrior laughs. "Come on now have a little heart. I do not deserve this".

"My foot", you answer. Making Ares laugh out loud.
Balancing the spear, you charge, creating a 720 degree clockwise spin attack. He doesn't stand a chance. Hitting him twice, you send Bane crashing down into the ground.

Roars and cheers are heard across the practice grounds, as you approach Bane.

With a groan he raises his face. "My God woman did you have to hit me with so much force?".

With a hearty laughter, you watch the struggling Centaur as he gets up. Feet wobbly.
"What happened to the Majesty, My queen, Dragonclaw bit?", you ask with a smile.

Banes face turns a scarlet color. Stuttering he's trying to save his honor. The more he tries to speak the higher your laughter.


Ares is completely enraptured. He newer knew you could behave like that. His dark eyes turn pitch black, so smoldering a warrior standing next to him, quickly decides to step away in fear.
Unable to hold back, he quickly walks towards you. Taking your hand, placing a passionate kiss in your palm. Softly he murmurs "A hundred hearts would be too few, to carry all my love for Thee".

Staring into his eyes, everything disappears. Gently his fingers caress your cheek. Coarsely he continues, "I love Thee - I love Thee. 'Tis all that I can say". Caressing your brow, he whispers, "It is my vision in the night, my dreaming in the day".

In deep shock you let his words settle in your mind. Falling deeper still into his eyes.

With a cough Bane interrupts. "Right nuff lovely dovey speak. I need a drink".

Growling Ares glares at Bane. Feeling a violent surge, he wants to wring Banes neck for ruining the moment. But his head snaps to your face as he once again hears your laughter.

"Drinks are on me", you laugh addressing the warriors. With a roar they hail you.

Placing a gentle kiss on Ares cheek, you turn towards Bane, before the bewitched Ares knows what is going on.
"Palace time. Let's go my mighty warriors". Wrapping your arm around Ares waist, you startle him. But recovering fast his iron arm, holds you closer. Molten eyes turn tender as he stares at you.
Grapping Banes arm you drag him along, as you start walking.

Arriving at the palace, you take them to the beautiful gardens. Approaching an ornate Gazebo, you lead them inside. "Take a seat", you smile, "sinking in to the comfortable pillows.


With a low groan Bane takes a seat, while Ares quickly takes the seat next to you. Instantly taking you hand, kissing it gently.

With a smile you look at him, before addressing a servant. "Please bring us something strong. Bane needs it. I have injured his pride badly".

With a tingle in the eyes, the servant takes a low bow, before leaving to get the drinks.

"At least you were more gentle than the first time we met", Bane says.

"Ah yes the Nunchuks", you muse. "It was all your own fault. You were too cocky for your own good. You head buried so deep in......the clouds", you laugh.


Watching you both Ares asks what happened with the Nunchuks. Delighted his dark eyes never leave your face, as you lively begin to talk about times long gone. Telling him the story of much happier days, when a dragonmaiden met a feisty Centaur so full of himself, he just had to be taken down.

The stories are many, and continue long into the night. While Listening to your many escapades, Ares gently strokes your hand, touches your hair. Pressing light kisses on you palm. Unable to help himself, he simply needs to touch you.

Having a great time, he finds himself laughing, and often. With a lump in his throat he listens to your tales. So much is lost forever.
Stories begin to unveil how a very special bond was forged between a Centaur male and a human female. With a loving gaze he watches the pair of you as you continue to talk about times long gone.