Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Thirty-Six: Awakening

Brenna peeked through the curtained doorway, to see if Prince Donovan was still asleep. Only to find him beginning to awaken. In her hands, she carried a wooden platter laden with a simple hot breakfast of fresh bread, strawberry jam, eggs, sausages, and hot tea. Since his collapse shortly after arriving, he had not moved so much as a finger. Her father had repeatedly told her this matter would take time, as Prince Donovan’s injuries were grave.

Throughout it all, Brenna had been beside herself, fearing he would pass, and the dreams would remain unanswered. So, she had assisted Jereme in every way possible. With a master’s touch, her father had labored into the night with his daughter at his side.

Afterward, Myrna had stood with an approving expression upon her face and had stared down at Prince Donovan’s still form. She had motioned for Brenna and her father to move to the side. They did so, even as her mother had held her hand above the stricken prince’s softly breathing form. With her palm downward, Brenna’s mother had ever so slowly swept her hand over the still body lying before her. Her face remained calm and impassive until her hand hovered over Donovan’s bruised and swollen head. With a sharp intake of breath, she stared sightlessly at both Brenna and her father.

“This man has been marked and blessed by the Great Mother Elliana, for more than mere life flows through his body. It is as I foresaw, many now hunt him for they fear who he is. His injury has dimmed the light in his mind and threatens all he is now and what he is to become.”

“He is young, and Elliana has blessed him; these things may yet provide the strength and stamina needed to recover. As you have sensed, his injuries have closed off his mind. I must stop the swelling inside Prince Donovan’s head to save him,” her father explained patiently.

With various crushed herbs and some balm, her father made a poultice dressing and covered Prince Donovan’s head-wound. With great care, he took a boiled piece of homespun yarn and applied a thickened clear elixir to it. Slowly, the mixture traveled down the fibers into the prince’s mouth, drop by sticky drop. The moist tissues in his mouth would absorb the solution.

“In the prince’s current condition, he cannot be depended upon to swallow. Therefore, I made the elixir thicker and more potent,” her father told them. “I have done all I can, while he is in his current condition. He must receive the elixir morning and at night,” her father explained carefully. Someone was needed to watch over Prince Donovan through the night, and Brenna had chosen to be the first watch.

“Once you get too tired, wake me, and I will take over,” her father had said and patted Brenna on her shoulder.

“The Great Mother, in her infinite judgment, has chosen us to aid Prince Donovan, and we’ve answered the call. His condition has greatly weakened him, and it has yet to be determined if he will recover. I will pray for him and ask Elliana to give him strength, as his needs are tended to,” her mother said to them.

“It was fortunate I was able to find what was needed to make the balm and elixir Prince Donovan needs. We must make sure he rests and does not become overly excited. The gifts from the forest will require time to aid his recovery and save his life,” her father said quietly and had quietly left Brenna’s bedroom.

It had now been three days since the prince had arrived, and he didn’t appear to be improving. The left side of Donovan’s head was swollen and covered with a large black bruise, as was his left shoulder and upper back. Brenna’s father had informed her earlier; if Prince Donovan awakened, it would be a positive sign he was on the mend. Brenna entered the bedroom with a smile, which was light and sincere.

“Good morning.” Brenna stood there silently, waiting for a response.

Prince Donovan slowly turned his head towards her. He gingerly touched the large poultice dressing, which covered the left side of his head and managed a weak smile. It was readily apparent from his actions; he still had a way to go before he was out of the woods.

“Good morning. How long have I been asleep?” Prince Donovan asked.

“This is the morning of the third day after you arrived. Father said you needed a lot of rest due to your injuries. How are you feeling today?” Brenna asked. She carefully placed the platter on Prince Donovan’s lap and raised him to a sitting position with pillows.

“Much better, thank you. Please, tell me how you knew where to find me?” the prince asked.

Brenna quietly sat down on a chair beside the bed while wrinkling her nose as she thought about how to tell him. “It was always most difficult to explain her mother’s abilities in a manner other people could understand easily,” she thought.

“My mother is known as one who has clear sight. People seeking answers, come to listen to what she will tell them,” Brenna explained. “She told me to go there and wait for you. Mother has been expecting your arrival for some time.”

“How you talk, child.” Myrna stepped through the lavender curtained bedroom doorway and stood there for a moment with a pleasant smile.

Brenna stepped out for a minute and returned with two cups and an old copper kettle. She filled their three cups and sat down in a chair.

“When I was but a child, an old woman visited my mother. She informed her when I was older; I would sense many things no one else could. This revelation filled my mother with amazement, for I had been born quite blind,” Myrna explained to him.

Donovan listened, nodding as he ate.

“The years passed, I met and married my love, Jereme. Despite all efforts on our part, we were unable to have children, for I had also been born barren,” Myrna informed him.

“This is such an uncommonly heavy burden for one to bear. To not be able to perceive the world or give birth to a child.” Prince Donovan took a sip of tea and placed the cup on the small oak table beside his bed.

“It was because the Great Goddess Elliana has a plan. Years later, I was visited in a dream and informed I would give birth to a baby girl. The child would be a blessing to me, Jereme, and the world by Elliana.”

Donovan stared at Brenna, in amazement. “The enemy is scouring the countryside, searching for you! You dropped into my lap. Well—I was the one who did the dropping.”

Brenna’s smiled for a moment before once more sipping her tea.

“Prince Donovan, the enemy is determined to find you and Brenna. Last year, in a vision, I saw a young man hunted by many. The young man I saw was you,” Myrna said.

The prince looked at Brenna’s mother for a few minutes quietly, as if he couldn’t find the words to say. “Yes, you are right, but I didn’t wish to frighten any of you. The enemy has attempted to end my life three times, and I still don’t understand why.”

“Prince Donovan, we have much to discuss. What knowledge do you possess about the old monastery at Edemere?” Brenna asked with quiet intensity.

“About eighty-four years ago, the monastery was destroyed by Andakar Barbarians during one of their heartless raids. A larger monastery was built in Kandalare, to replace it. Why?” Donovan asked.

“When you are well enough, it’s important for us to go there. In a dream, I was told something important lays hidden there,” Brenna answered quietly.

“I have been to the ruins. The only remnants of the monastery which remain, are the old flat floor stones and a pile of rubble all around its base.”

“It is important for us to go to the old monastery. Something important lies hidden there,” Brenna stated confidently. She raised her cup of tea and took a sip.

“What is hidden there?” Donovan asked with unbridled curiosity.

“I have no idea. That’s for us to find out,” Brenna answered with a smile. She placed her cup on the bedside table.

“Why are the enemy doggedly hunting me?” Donovan asked in a lowered voice.

“In the North, beyond the Skargtooth Mountains, a great dark power has risen. The dark brother has commanded his followers to build an immense army. War is coming, and great evil is at the root of it all,” Brenna quietly replied while staring at Donovan.

“How is it, you see such things,” Donovan asked in awe and with a certain amount of trepidation. He believed he already knew the answer but was unable to understand Elliana’s power. Prince Donovan had always assumed he was the master of his destiny, yet the Great Lady had guided him to where he currently lay.

“There are many powers, Prince Donovan. Some are of the dark, and an equal number are of the light. Tell me, have you had any dreams of distant mountains or of riding upon horseback with others?” Brenna scooted her chair closer to the bed.

“Yes, almost every night. You’ve been having these dreams also? Elliana is trying to tell me to do something, but I have no idea how to proceed,” Donovan replied.

Myrna sat there for a moment before nodding her head. “It’s not an easy thing to accept you’ve been spoken to by a God. You must understand you’ve been brought here by none other than the Great Goddess Elliana, herself. You and Brenna have been chosen to undertake a quest that will change Aederan forever.”

“We are to travel far away, to seek a place called the sanctuary. But first, we must travel to Edemere to recover something which was hidden there, long ago.” Brenna looked at him while nodding, assuring him everything she had told him was correct.

“How are we to travel when this Dragon is constantly hunting for me? Its powers are incredibly dark and evil; it can raise the dead! We are but mere men and stand no chance against such a creature with our current weapons,” Donovan said in a measured voice. He dropped his fork, which clattered loudly.

“The Black Dragon you speak of is hunting for both of us. I will cloak and hide us from Bemenah and the Dragon. In this manner, we will only be visible to the dark brother’s scouts or soldiers,” Brenna informed Prince Donovan. “You must learn to trust me.”

“Did you have any idea this Dragon existed?” Donovan asked curiously.

“No, I didn’t. My dreams have been invaded, as of late, by a dark, nameless presence. It revealed itself to me in a fit of rage; it’s an Adumorda Necromancer Disciple.” Brenna carefully explained in a fearful voice. It is also the commander of Bemenah’s great army.”

“Brenna, you believe this is what has been haunting your dreams? The only thing I can sense about it is it is evil and possesses immense power!” Myrna exclaimed. She almost dropped her cup of tea.

“I can sense its malice, and it’s old beyond imagining. Never in my darkest nightmares did I expect it to be a Dragon! Now it has made its first move. The beast has shown itself and revealed it’s hunting for us.”

“How long do we have before we leave?” Donovan asked. The medicine Brenna had slipped into his tea was already beginning to take effect; his eyelids were now droopy.

“You must heal, Prince Donovan, for the journey to the sanctuary, will be long and difficult. It will be a great challenge physically, mentally, and spiritually to you, Brenna, and the others.” Myrna looked at him with her sightless eyes.

“The others?” Donovan inquired. He finished off the last swallow of tea in his cup and set it down on the wooden table. He looked at them both, awaiting an answer.

“Prince Donovan, you and Brenna shall not undertake this quest alone. You will be accompanied by friends, who are valiant and some who are well-versed in battle. You shall travel among those who are giants.”

Myrna stood up from her chair, and after noting Donovan had fallen asleep, she quietly stepped out of the bedroom. A few minutes later, Brenna did likewise.