Hearts' Remedy
Chapter 18

The stranger had motley clothing over starchy white. His hair was greasy, sleek, and black. His beard curled at the tip lavishly, shouting out in all directions 'I am your master, come to me!' His dark eyes were too tiny to behold anything that was inferior to his status. All in all, he reminded someone of a goat, prettily clothed.

A gleaming white stallion carried this man to the center of the town square. Serena was stepping out of the market, just as he stopped at the center for all to see and admire in the glare of the sunlight. He was the king's fastest herald, and the royal emblem, around the stallion's great neck confirmed so.

"People of Terra, rebels have waged war over our kingdom. We ask for your help," he said.

Rebels? War? We? Serena frowned and stepped closer to the crowd that had suddenly gathered around the herald.

"His Highness has asked for a healer of this part. We hope he can save him now. I was commanded by the prince to call forth he, who can save our lord. The Bright One I was told to bring back to the castle."

Automatically, the crowd parted for a girl who cried, "I am he."

The herald stared at the girl with a cynical smirk on her face. Serena walked forward until she was right under the nose of the mighty beast. The herald merely bent over to get a closer look at the girl.

"You are not he."

"Of course. I am she." Serena placed a hand to her hip, tapping her foot impatiently as the herald looked at her from head to toe. Her dirty bare-feet under worn out trousers drew a scornful look on the man's face.

"Here is a peasant girl come to make a fool of one self," the herald muttered under his beard.

Serena's nose wrinkled. "Peasant I may be, but a fool I am not. But to have even thought of that you have made a fool of yourself."

Everyone held their breaths.

"Tell me what's wrong with the prince," she demanded firmly. "I will go with you if he needs me."

The man's outraged, scarlet face told her his feelings. "I am the king's highest herald! You do not have the right to talk to me in that tone of voice!"

"I don't care who you are, but if you're going to barge into this town and act all high and mighty with your rude remarks then think again. You are treading into a part of Terra that does not welcome you." As she spoke, she also dreaded the whereabouts of Darien, her friend, who seemed to have been gone for a week without notice.

Meanwhile the herald gathered up his wits and sat upright and stared at the people, who also gave him angry stares. "I am to bring The Bright One back with me. Will no one help me find him?"

"The Bright One is our Serena," said a townsman, gesturing to the girl. "She is the one you are looking for."

Serena turned to the man with a smile that people rarely see anymore, since the day Sammy left. "And Mister Ruben, will you be so kind to inform my family that I will be back by tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, Serena. Be safe."

"Now that that is settled, take me to your prince," Serena commanded in a tone of high authority, to make up for the lack of strength she displayed compared to the image of the herald on his horse.

She followed the herald back to the procession off the road. The royal guards stared back at her, confused as to who the Bright One truly was and even more bewildered at the girl's apparel.

Serena's eyes swept over their faces, "You must all be the 'we' in this."

Serena never much liked enormous castles. And when the herald led her down the incessant corridors, she never took to mind the things that surrounded her because it only brought back haunted memories. Castles were big and she hated walking around by herself. Back at home, she would have Luna or an off duty servant accompany her. However, this time she was in a foreign place, with a Billy goat of a companion. The deeper and lower they went, the more strong the smell of blood and death wreaked. Serena covered her nose at the scent, frowning, and quite unsure of where the scent was coming from.

Ignoring Serena's discomfort, the herald quickened his pace. He stopped her by the curtain that separated the hall from the hospice. He was watching her, with lingering eyes, waiting for her to step in. His dark eyes were challenging her and mocking her at the same time.

Serena withheld flinching as she brought her head up defiantly and stepped through the threshold. Instantly the stench deafened all her senses, as fear swept over her. Bleeding, dying men lay in cots lined up in rows. Healers rushed around, waving bloody hands and calling out for each other, over those who weren't in enough pain to cry out in agony. It was a sight that the princess could not bear. She had never seen so much death all in one place. This first time, it made her sick, and her feet gave way.

"Darien," she gasped. Her voice was poignant.

Strong arms suddenly heaved her up onto her feet. "Up, on your feet, Serena. Close your eyes and don't look." A soft, anxious voice pleaded with her.

Relief washed over her. He led her out. The herald was at their heels, a smirk on his face. Once outside, Serena squeezed the prince's arms. "You're alive," she breathed.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"There was so much death," she whispered, trembling.

"You weren't supposed to see that," he grumbled. "But, I need your help."

"The herald told me," Serena smiled weakly, the scene from before, still sketched deeply into her mind.

"It's my father, he's dying. Please, save him."

Why was he down on his knees and holding her hand like that?

"I will gladly help." Serena wiped her brow with a sleeve. "But you're going to have to bring me there."

Darien got up hastily, and gently held the girl the whole way to his father's chambers, ignoring dumbfounded expressions from passersby and busy courtiers and servants. People wondered what this peasant girl was doing in the royal house of Terra and why the prince was embracing her in such a comforting way.

"Who is this?" The King's main physician questioned as Darien led Serena into the King's sick chamber.

"She is the Bright One. She will save my father."

Serena stood over the bed of the deathly pale king, clinging to Darien's hand like a child. He could feel her hand tighten as she shrunk beside him.

Darien turned to her. "I'm begging you, Serena. Save my father." He released her hand.

Serena stared at him, astonished at her own feebleness. She looked at the king. Her eyes trailed to the naked scar racing down his side. With a shaky, cool hand, Serena touched the king's forehead. "It's infected. He is hot." Serena trembled. "I cannot work with everyone staring. Please, give me peace."

Darien ordered everyone out. The physician shot a startled look to the prince.

"Your Highness is taking too big a risk. You entrust your father's life to this…" The physician trailed off. At the way the old physician looked at her and pointed at her, Serena's head snapped up attentively.

"A woman?" Darien finished, flinging his tangled cape over his shoulder to look at the physician.

"No, Sire. A mere child!" His eyes were wide, regarding the young prince as imprudent.

"Believe me, whether woman or child, she is amazing at healing."

Silence settled, as the last of them left. Serena did not even look up from her work, just trying to keep the king as comfortable as she could before she entered him.

Deep down inside her sub-conscience called out to her mother and sister. Serena had dealt with broken bones and illnesses, but never a mortal wound so ugly and evil. It was like a long lost reflex when she found her lips moving to call for her family. Her hands hovered over the wound and she closed her eyes.

"Mother. Selene. Guide me."

The power of this one chance wasted Serena. It took so much out of her; she slumped onto the floor and blacked out.

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A groan… Rustling…

Darien's head snapped up. He quickly got out of his chair and reached over to the curtains that separated him from a sick bed. He desperately pulled the curtains apart and stared at a confused, blinking Serena.

"Hey, what time is it," she asked groggily, sitting up naturally.

"It's about noon, you're awake!"

Serena rubbed her eyes. "Your father?"

"He will be fine, all thanks to you, Bright One." Darien tilted his head to the side and beamed at her.

"Quit calling me that…"

"Alright… Just promise not to scare me like that ever again."

"Scare you! You never came by town since last week! You could have at least sent the Billy goat over with a message!" Serena yelled.

Darien blinked blankly. "I was fighting."

Serena's brows knitted. "What happened? Why do you have to fight?"

"Some invaders breached our northern border, but it's boiled down, don't worry."

Serena shook her head furiously. "The king's wound… You could have gotten one, too. Or worse, you could have died."

"My father is old and is not as great as I on the battlefield." Darien was beating his chest proudly.

Serena scrambled out of bed. "Oh! I could just kill you with your oversized ego! You wouldn't be so proud if your father died!" She rushed out of the room barefooted.

"Where are you going?" Darien asked, following her out.

"Home."

"So soon, without meeting my father?"

"In these rags? Your father does not have to see some scruffy girl like me in his wake."

"Do you even know where you are going?"

Serena balked to peer around. "Hmmmmm… It's a castle… I'll find my way

around eventually."