Chapter Twelve
Leah remained standing by the bed, seemingly unable to move. Three days after Brice had told her she could leave, still she remained in the Sanctuary. Knowing she could no longer put off leaving this safe haven did not make it any easier. She was vaguely aware of a disturbance in the corridors outside but continued with her inner struggle. However, the commotion grew louder until it could no longer be ignored.
She stepped out and exclaimed; she’d never seen so many people in the Sanctuary before. Grabbing hold of the door to steady herself, Leah had to fight to drown out the cacophony of light and sound that assailed, not only her senses but her mind also, almost overwhelming her. She was vaguely aware of someone supporting her. Leah prised her eyes open and peered into the concerned eyes of a physician’s apprentice.
“Highness, are you alright?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“Maybe you should return to your bed–”
“What’s happening?”
His gaze kept flicking away from her. “I’ll find a physician.”
Sensing that he was hiding something from her, she grasped his arm. “Tell me. What is it?”
“I will get someone, Highness, but you must wait–”
“Leah! Highness...”
Startled, she looked over the young man’s shoulder at the approaching figure of Fredrik.
With a firm nod, he dismissed the apprentice.
“Master Fredrik, what’s going on?”
“Are you feeling better? Stronger?”
“I was about to leave...”
He held her by the shoulders as if to steady her. “We have just received word. The royal party was attacked. They’re being cared for in Kistur. Brice is preparing his people and equipment to accompany the warrior unit being assembled to escort them home.”
Leah stared, unable to stop her body trembling. “My family...”
A flicker of distress darkened his light blue eyes. “The king is injured–”
She couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her.
“The queen also has been–”
“No.”
“They are alive, Leah. Think on that, only that. The people of Kistur are tending them the best they can and guarding them well.”
Struggling to calm her raging fear, she was almost too afraid to ask. “Evalan?”
“It seems he is unhurt.”
Her legs buckling slightly, she held on to his arms. “When are the warriors due to leave?”
“Tomorrow at first light. They intend to travel light and fast. Hopefully the physicians–”
“I’m going with them.”
“You’re not strong–”
“I can keep up with them.”
“Brice will not allow it. The commanders will not allow it.”
“They’re my family, Fredrik.”
“The warriors need to focus their attention on getting to your family, Leah, not caring for you. The same for the physicians.”
She opened her mouth to argue but couldn’t deny his words. Tears quivered on the rim of her dark eyes before tumbling down her face.
“This is a hard thing you have to do, Highness.”
Hiding her face in her hands, all she could do was nod in agreement.
* * * *
That which she had craved – the isolation of the Sanctuary – had now turned unbearable. Back at the barracks, supported by her friends, Leah waited, as did the city of Orenheart, for the return of the royal party as the days dragged by.
“You hardly ate anything again,” said Nadeen as the recruits left the dining hall.
Leah shrugged.
“You need to keep your strength up,” said Karamay.
“I don’t have the appetite.” She sighed heavily. “It’s the waiting. I cannot bear the waiting, not knowing what’s happening...”
“We’ll come with you, you know, if you still want to ride out–”
“You know I want to, Jess, but every time I venture out, I’m surrounded by guards, especially when we’re out riding. And I know they’re under strict orders not to allow me beyond the first outpost.”
“It is true, though,” said Karamay, “what Councillor Ladion said about the people needing you here in the city.”
“I understand that; in my head I agree with him. This has never happened before, the people are upset, and they need to have a visible royal presence – me. But I need to be with my family...” Her voice trailed off, not only because she was close to tears but also because of the pain in her head; she pressed her palms against her temples.
“Leah...” Nadeen moved to embrace her.
“I just want to be on my own for a while,” said Leah as she walked away without a backward glance. I can’t keep ignoring this though goddess knows I’m trying to. She suspected the permanent ache in her head was somehow connected to the magic that had been bestowed on her. She needed somewhere private where she could attempt to sort through the jumble of information that had been planted in her head. The only place she could think of was the royal chambers; no one would question her presence there.
Having made it clear that she did not wish to be disturbed, Leah shut the doors to the chamber and leaned against them. She couldn’t think of a time when she’d been here alone; not having her family and their retainers around made it a very lonely place indeed.
Trying not to be maudlin, she made herself focus on attempting to come to terms with her... gift, although she doubted she ever would. She walked up to the table and let her fingers caress the book that lay there as she struggled to take the next step. “Oh, get it over and done with, Leah.”
Steeling herself, she stared at the book, bending all her concentration on it. “Lift,” she said, inwardly cringing. Then silently, I want to lift the book. The ache in her head intensified slightly. Gradually the answer materialised in her mind, and she knew what she had to do.
She reached out with her mind to the ribbons of energy that flowed around the book and brought them together to form a net. The book jerked about on the table as if resisting the unnatural attempt to lift it. Leah stopped, breathing deeply to settle her nerves before trying again. This time, the book twitched spasmodically before rising from the table and hovering uncertainly. She gently pulled it towards her and it floated, unsteadily, into her hand. Eyes wide, she grinned as her heart drummed in her chest.
But her feeling of elation quickly subsided. This small exercise proved that her headache was linked to the magic; she wondered when Belosh had planted the basic knowledge in her. It hadn’t taken her long to realise that she knew how to manipulate the energy streams. And now, she realised that all she had to do was think of what she wanted to achieve and the answer materialised in her head. It was like searching a book for answers. “Except I am consulting this book with a knife pressed to my throat,” she whispered to the empty room as she hunched over, feeling the weight of this unwanted burden.