A Miracle in Thyme

by Adrian Juhl

  Chapter Five

  The men brought in the dead Abominations and placed them at the front of the hall, where druids wrapped them in woven blankets. Across the room, other druids attended the children, who lay feverish on makeshift beds. Four Rangers stood guard over them, ready to send them to the Earth Mother, in case they lost their battle against the Abomination venom. Druids moved from bed to bed dressing their wounds with the crushed Thyme leaves, in an attempt to slow the venom.

  A few hours passed and people began to relax from the nights events, as it became evident that the danger had passed. John sat down and placed his hands on his lap, weary and despondent. Dalynia stood at the front of the hall, looking at everything happening around her. The last of the food was brought to the tables. Men returned from outside, bringing in more firewood. Young men struggled to stoke the fires in the four large hearths. Impatient, the Rangers muttered about the naivety of youth as they tried to help them. She waited.

  Dalynia looked to the Elemental sitting beside Namorn. "Reesus. if you would be so kind?"

  Reesus stood and politely nodded to Dalynia. "Of course, Druid Mother."

  He closed his eyes for a brief moment. The hall filled with light as his magic ignited the fires.

  With a somber voice, Dalynia started the proceedings. "It’s been a terrible night. We have been tested well into the early hours. Many of you feel that we have failed to honor Reconcilement. I must confess that I too felt this way. That was until an exotic friend, a rather large Feral to be exact, reminded me that this is the time for forgiveness and understanding. Often we become caught up, and forget the true meaning of Reconcilement. This came from a Feral - a race that rejects the deities and magic, in favor of science.

  I look about this room, and I see one big family. Earlier tonight, we had representatives from all the worlds here, joining us in Reconcilement, even though they may not believe. We have the honor of a golden Apothecary, and a Magistrate. And then we have Reesus." She smiled slightly.

  The room stirred at her words. Dalynia looked at Kayne. Her expression changed from despair to hope. "And finally, the heir to the throne of Methuselah joins with us as an equal. I even heard him take instruction from my husband and his reckless friend. Something I would be reluctant to do at the best of times." Dalynia took a step forward and reached out her hand.

  Kayne looked at John for guidance. "Jack?"

  Dalynia waited. She beckoned Kayne forward. He stood and made his way to her. She took his hand and continued. "We would be honored if you would give the Reconcilement blessing, Kayne."

  The room erupted with shouts of protest. Dalynia ignored the concerned look on Garos’ face. Kayne shuddered at the thought. He looked over at John, his eyes pleading for help, but John ignored him. Dalynia stood beside Kayne and lowered her head.

  "What do I do?" he whispered to Dalynia.

  Dalynia remained quiet. His pulse quickened as he tried to remember his school teachings. Lowering his head, he cleared his throat. "Hear me, Druid Mother."

  A hushed giggle flew out of Dalynia’s lips before she had time to suppress it. "I can hear you," she whispered, her shoulders shaking gently. "I think you mean the Earth Mother."

  Kayne bit his lip. His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, as he heard John’s deep chuckle. He started again. This time, he spoke in a reverent tone that he often heard his mother use. "Dearest Earth Mother."

  Dalynia hid her smile and whispered, "Lovely sincerity."

  "I don’t know if you're real, but these people say you are. I can't say that I know you because if I did, I'm pretty sure Ophidia would try and kill me again. I've never seen you, but I have seen pictures of you."

  A groan escaped John. All his years of tireless effort on schooling Kayne in diplomacy had come to this? Murmurs from the men and women turned to quiet laughter. Dalynia took Kayne’s hand, whispering, "You’re doing well, Prince. Speak what is inside and she will hear you."

  Kayne paused as his eyes filled with tears, overcome with emotion. "Earth Mother, my entire life has been filled with people serving my needs. My whims and my thoughtlessness. Many have died because of me, and yet these people here tonight gave me safe harbor. They speak of a Reconcilement spirit that I have no knowledge of. This is my first Reconcilement and I've been asked to give a blessing. I only hope that my Methuselan blessing is worthy of you."

  Kayne’s hands glowed a deep blue that colored the walls. John looked up from the table with concern, as the men around him stood and reached for their curved swords.

  "He's a Subjugator!"

  Dalynia lifted her hands and motioned for them to settle. The men removed their hands from their weapons and glared at the Prince.

  Uneasy, Kayne closed his eyes and continued as a powerful force grew within him, awakening the small cube given to him by Lugah.

  Silence filled the room as Kayne’s magic overwhelmed the flickering flames of the fire, turning them a deep blue. Without warning, the blue dimmed as a golden being appeared, flooding the room with sunlight. John gasped in awe as Raymond, his fallen comrade, approached Kayne.

  Raymond reached out and touched the scar the Crown of Dominion had left on Kayne’s forehead. At his touch, the scar faded. He looked at Kayne and said, "I'm sure the Regent would take great interest in that!"

  Frozen, with a mix of fear and awe, Kayne could only nod.

  John, overwhelmed with questions tried to stand, but Raymond's quick glance made him sit back down.

  Raymond moved to each sick child. Their guards retreated as he approached. Dalynia stared in amazement as the wounds on the children began to heal. Purged of venom, the sick children sat up in their beds as their parents rushed over to them.

  Raymond walked over to the dead Abominations. He turned and bowed to Kayne, then disappeared in an explosion of golden light that bathed the room. Golden magic settled upon the Abominations like slow-falling flakes of snow. The Abominations began to change, returning to their human forms. John stood up in wonder at the sight around him. One by one, each creature transformed. Where the Abominations had been, now lay two children and a Coercer.

  The mother and father of one of the children cried out in joy as their daughter opened her eyes, healed and restored to life. They ran to the girl and wrapped their arms around her. The small child's words echoed in the stunned hall. "Is it present time yet?"

  Other books by this author

  Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by Adrian L Juhl:

  Drift Worlds Novellas'

  Kayne - Crown of Dominion

  Dalynia - Nature's Slaughter

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