Chapter 11

Night fell on Elden wood swiftly. Ororo guided the party to a small clearing off the path to rest. They were still in good spirits but well worn. It was still another day's journey to Nymon. As Ororo had instructed, no fire was built but the light of the moon filtering through the trees provided enough light for them to see each other.

Nathan and his men mingled together eating the meals the elves in the kingdom had packed for them: a tasty but unidentified meat, full grain bread, and Trinity Water. The Trinity Water was quite interesting, containing water from the pool of the Great Fairy, mixed in with snows from the Far North. The water was placed in a canteen with a binding spell cast by the elders of Elden. The combination created a rejuvenating water that replenished itself after a few hours. Just a few sips revived the King's sore muscles and weary mind.

Ten feet away, Ororo spent her dinner with Jean. "I know I should be taking this time to acquaint myself further with King Dayspring and his men but I need to let you in on a situation."

Jean swallowed her food. "Do not talk with your mouth open, Ororo."

Ororo stared at her icily.

Jean winced, "It was a joke, my queen. A joke."

The queen's gaze dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry. I am not in the mood for laughs." She took a small strip of meat and chewed on it thoughtfully as she continued, "Nathan needs you to train him to hone his magic."

Jean eyed her suspiciously. "What makes you think he has magic?"

Ororo went into great detail in regards to Nathan's heritage and his recent awakening since his arrival. Jean remained attentive, occasionally interjecting with her own questions until Ororo finished.

"That's fascinating! What puzzles me, though, is that even being half elf, he still shouldn't have magic. I'm not sure even a blessing by the Great Faerie herself could instill magic in him."
Ororo shrugged. "That's all I know."

"Out of curiosity, did he tell you her name?"

"He said it was… was… blast! I cannot remember. Is it important?"

Jean paused in thought, looking disappointed. "No. I guess it isn't. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to continue dinner near the rest of our company. I fear they feel they are being snubbed."

The two women carried their food over to the rest of their party, "Our apologies. I was just preparing my friend for your introduction, my lord. I'd like to formerly introduce you to Jean, my personal adviser and confidante. After discussing your situation, she believes she can help you a great deal."

Nathan nodded and rose to his feet and kissed Jean's hand. "A pleasure m'lady."

He stepped back and finally was able to see her in full view. The entire day he had been trying to get a good look at her but with her riding behind him, it was near impossible.

When he saw her for the first time that morning, a wave of excitement washed over him. It was Maddie! It was his mother! Almost 30 years and she had just come back to Elden was all! He almost ran up and wrapped his arms around her, never to let her go, telling her about everything she'd missed since she'd been gone; to tell her she would be so proud of him. He overheard Ororo call her "Jean" and immediately, reason washed over him. Anger creeped in to replace his joy and he stiffened. He felt like a damned fool. Of course his mother was dead. Still, the resemblance was uncanny…

He snapped out of his daze. "I'm sorry. What was that?"

Jean smiled warmly. "As soon as you're ready, I'm going to try a few simple exercises with you. To test your abilities and discover what exactly they are. If you wouldn't mind, for our own sake, and our companions, it would be best to practice out of harms way." She said, noting the swords and knives scattered around everyone.

"I can't think of a better time than now."

"Very well. Excuse us, Ororo." Jean hastily turned, arm locked in King Dayspring's. She was so lost in thought she hadn't considered the rudeness toward her friend. She led him, in silence to the shade under a tree. It was chillier, but she brushed the feeling aside. Under the tree were two rocks that she had moved with her magic to provide space for them to sit across from each other.

She sat and gestured across from her for Nathan to sit; he complied and she began, "Ororo gave me some details, but I think it would be best, coming from your own mouth, what you are experiencing. Curse this darkness." Reaching with her magic, she created a miniature torch and it cast off enough light to illuminate their faces. Her green eyes reflected the light from the torch, creating an eerie burning image in them. "Proceed."

"I'm hearing voices again. It was very confusing at first. I would think someone was talking to me and acknowledge a question or comment only to get a shocked look and a vehement denial they had said anything. Because this wasn't the first time this had happened, I realized what was happening and made sure to see moving lips before I answered anything."

"Are you able to tune the voices out at all?"

"Years ago, I could. I'm trying, and getting better, but it's like trying to use a muscle that hasn't been worked in a long time."

"That is exactly what it is like. Considering you have experience, no matter how long ago, I would imagine within a week you will be able to keep out all passive thoughts. Intrusive ones are another matter."

"Are you saying I can have people force their thoughts into my head?"

"Not purposefully. Rarely is it planned. Extreme emotions can be cast out of the mind with little thought, not everyone knows beings like us exist. That is why it will be most difficult for you in the coming months. You see, no matter how great control you have over your mind, it is near impossible to keep the anguish of the dying from entering your thoughts. It is one thing to hear the cries of the dying on a battle field, it is another thing to feel them."

"It sounds like you have personal experience."

She got quiet, holding his gaze, lost in thought. A smoking battlefield… waves of terror… frantic pleas for mercy… the exploding pain of wounds felt by others wracking her body. And the blood… so much blood… coming from her…

"My lady?" he touched her shoulder and she jumped.

"Oh… yes… I'm sorry. It's just…" she closed her eyes and sighed. "I guess it is best to show you. I need you to free your mind of as many thoughts as you can. I am going to pull you into my mind, for you to experience what I am warning you about. I am taking you to the fields of Nymon. The war between the Nymphs and Demons that occurred decades ago. I must caution you must remember this is all in your head however, it is possible for your mind to convince yourself it is real. Stick close to me. At the slightest sign of trouble, I will end this session. However, if you are uncomfortable starting this early, we can work on developing your abilities…"

"You say this is the most challenging issue at hand, so I feel it is the most important to focus. I think I'm ready."

"In that case… relax your mind. Concentrate on meeting me halfway and on one, open your mind's eye." The torch blazed and then began to flicker out as she concentrated on drawing the king into her mind. She reached out to hold his hands in hers, gripping tight as she could, and began counting slowly backwards from three. "Three… two… one..." The torch extinguished

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