Yeah, right, thought Triena.
You’d better be going back. You’ve got work to do. The rabbit twitched his ears. You can reach me here if you need me, but you two know what to do. You won’t need to contact me for a while.
I will if I want to say hello. The empty ache inside of her wasn’t as intense, but she wished he’d join them on the physical plane.
You’ll be too busy and so will I.
Braklen ran his hand over Triena’s back, distracting her. Let’s go back. We’ve been here too long.
Fine then. But I will come and say hello.
I’m sure you will. Now, go. I want some peace and quiet.
Energy shimmered around them and turned black as they returned to their bodies. Triena felt like a feather, floating gently back to herself. When they awoke, they were healed, and the crowns remained on their heads.
Chapter 20
Braklen shifted his weight expecting to feel pain. He remembered the knife in his chest. His hand moved to touch the wound. The blade wasn’t there. He sat up abruptly. He looked down at his chest at a fresh scar. Well, I wasn’t imagining it then.
He touched the area gingerly. A dull ache thudded in his body, but it wasn’t nearly as painful as he thought it’d be.
Triena stirred by him. A crown rested on her head. She’s beautiful. His heart pounded quickly as he looked at her, soaking in her essence. Our essences. Something was very different.
He couldn’t believe he used the Energy so easily. Now that they were joined, it came naturally to him. He couldn’t get to her inner thoughts, a relief which meant she hopefully couldn’t get into his, but he knew that she was all right, sore, exhausted, and filled with grief, but she was breathing.
Braklen remembered Triena had been stabbed during the fight. He reached down and pulled up her blood-stained robe exposing her ankle. The knife wasn’t there. It was like what had happened to his injury, except Triena’s wound was still healing.
New skin hadn’t completely grown over her leg. He saw Energy shimmering around her ankle, slowly mending her muscles. Must be why she’s still out. He moved and cradled her head in his lap. She remained unconscious, or sleeping, whatever it was that she was doing. Probably reading the Energy or making some prediction.
Braklen touched his own crown. It unexpectedly felt like warm metal.
He looked around the room. It was unsettling quiet. The mangled bodies laying on top of each other caused memories of the battlefield to rise in his mind. So much waste. Braklen pushed the memories away. He didn’t need them to add to the grief of what he could see in real life right now.
A few coughs echoed in the cavernous space. He was glad not everyone had died. Whatever that Triena had done had sorted them out. He stroked her arm. A powerful flower reading.
Braklen looked down at her. I don’t know how she managed to do it. Her face looked peaceful and relaxed as she rested. Her chest moved up and down with her slow breathing. He brushed his hand gently down the side of her face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The answer whispered to him through the Energy. I did it with your help.
I didn’t do anything, he answered. Hey, I’m communicating through the Energy. He was impressed with himself. The lessons had left him feeling less than adequate and thinking this was a skill he didn’t have and would never have. But now he seemed to have a natural ability. I can get used to this.
Good, replied Triena.
Her exhaustion mixed with his. She still needed to rest.
Braklen kissed her on her forehead.
We’re together. There was an uncanniness about the situation which caused his stomach to flutter in a mix of emotions. Excitement. Love. Desire. Hope. Nerves. Achievement. We’ve done it.
~ ~ ~
Triena gazed up at Braklen. She didn’t want to move. Her body was numb with weariness. Her ankle ached, and her mind throbbed. But, lying on his lap, she felt protected, cradled in his strength. She saw the wound on his chest. It’d healed. How did that happen?
Braklen shrugged his shoulders. Same as what happened to your ankle.
Triena abruptly sat up and checked her ankle. Fully healed, new pink flesh shone over the hole caused by the knife.
I’m sure the rabbit had something to do with it.
Her heart squeezed and emptiness bled out at the reminder that he was no longer here in the physical world with her. It was going to take a while to adjust to, along with everything else. Probably. Healing the two of them was something the rabbit would do.
Triena stood up and looked around the catacombs. Those who weren’t able to survive the internal journey the flower energy had sent them on, those who weren’t open to a different world, those who couldn’t handle a balance where everyone had the chance to use the Energy, had died. Their ghostly essences rippled in the air as they dispersed. The auras lingered, seeping into the rocks, down the tunnels, finally scattering into the depths of the earth since they were unable to get into the Energy Field.
“Let’s go.” Braklen pushed her gently from behind but she didn’t move. “They chose not to be part of change.”
Triena didn’t move. It was the sight beyond the carnage that caused her to freeze. Not everyone was dead. Those still alive knelt in their direction, their heads bowed.
A shiver extended down Triena’s back. I’m not ready for this. Hot tears welled behind her eyes.
Yes, you are. Braklen’s thought was strong. You are more than ready. He rested his arm around her waist and drew her close to him. We can make this change. We will make this happen.
Triena nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She tried not to look at the blood as she stepped forward. Her stomach twisted and turned. She wished it didn’t have to be this way.
Once past the dead, she paused. “Stand.” Her voice clear, it reverberated around the space. “We’ve got work to start.”
A mixture of young girls, one or two Priestess, and a handful of Peacekeepers slowly rose to their feet. Some were injured. All of them looked exhausted by the ordeal.
“You.” Triena pointed to the oldest Priestess. “I want you to take the rabbit’s body, and prepare it for burial. He will be buried where he was killed.” She turned to one of the Peacekeepers. “I want you to help her.” He nodded.
They didn’t move. Triena clapped her hands together. “Now.” They jumped and rushed off to do what she’d instructed them.
Triena’s belly flipped. I’m a leader now. I have to be strict. I have to secure our position.
We have to be firm. There’s still the Priests to deal with, and there’s going to be retaliation. We have to be diligent. Braklen squeezed her hand, then stepped forward. “You three men, clear these bodies away, burn them outside.” They saluted him and went about the dirty business.
“The rest of you, start cleaning this room. There’s to be no sign of what went on here,” continued Braklen, looking at the girls in their brown robes. Eyes widening in ashen faces, they looked like they would burst into tears, but they didn’t. Triena sensed an inner strength inside of them. That’s why they’re still breathing.
“Except you.” Triena pointed to the youngest girl. “I want you to show us to a room where we can clean up.”
She curtsied. “Yes my Queen.”
“Be back here before sunset. We have a burial to witness,” said Triena.
Even though the rabbit managed to keep his essence together and he now resided in the Energy Field, Triena felt a strong need to bury his physical form. His grave will be a symbol for what passed here. A mark of change.
He’d like that, added Braklen.
He sure would. Triena eyes remained dry. She didn’t have the energy for tears, or the time. I have to get the message out.
There’s plenty o
f time for that. Take a moment for yourself. The next few days are going to be difficult and you need to be ready.
They followed the girl up to the first level. The castle looked gloomier than before. Triena struggled to keep her eyes open. Her knees wobbled and she held onto Braklen for support as she walked.
You should rest.
So should you. Her mind churned through the things that needed to be done. There weren’t many people left here to do them.
They continued following the girl along another flight of stairs, to a private wing of the castle. Triena wasn’t sure if she’d be able to allow herself to relax, not right now. Not until he is buried.
The girl opened a large wooden door that led into a room decorated with wall hangings, rugs, and a large soft bed. She curtsied as they entered. “It’s the best here. Will this do?”
“For now,” answered Triena. The room stank of Syaine’s energy and she didn’t want to be here. “Bring us clean clothes, food, and hot water.”
“Do you need any help?” asked Braklen. “There’s a lot to do and I can help.”
“You need to rest, too,” said Triena.
The girl shook her head. “I know what to do.” She went over to a door on the other side of the room and opened it. “There’s hot water here. All you need to do is pull this lever and fill the bath.”
“Good,” said Triena. “And bring some Juinee berry tea.”
The girl nodded then left, closing the large door behind her.
“How am I to select the twelve when everyone is dead?” asked Triena.
“Maybe they are already chosen, and they’re here already, or journeying to join us.”
“But they’ll need to be trained.” Triena’s mind was full of things that needed to be done, so many that couldn’t wait.
“There’s plenty of time. Just don’t rush.” Braklen pulled her to face him. Triena rested her palms on his toned chest. Her fingers traced the fresh scar on his chest.
“I’ll be fine. It only aches a little now.”
She nodded.
“It’s important we spend some time together.” He pulled her closer.
“And allow our energy to blend, and be retuned, so that we will be fully united as we face the future.” Her fingers danced down his belly. A new energy flowed inside of her pushing away the exhaustion. It’d been a while since they were together.
He leaned down and kissed her. His fiery heat awoke her body. “Fancy a bath together?” he asked between kisses.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
~ ~ ~
Triena stood in the catacombs. The fresh white robe felt uneasy on her skin. The area had been cleaned, but she still smelled the metallic scent of blood. Lavender candles burned around them, somewhat masking the smell, but Triena’s delicate nose wasn’t fooled.
Braklen stood next to her, his energy vibrating in tune with hers. Their most recent lovemaking had strengthened their bond, forged their energy together, making them both stronger.
A small grave had been dug where the rabbit died. His body was wrapped in fine cloth. It’s time. Triena paused.
He’s not far away, reminded Braklen.
I know. But that wasn’t the point. Taking a deep breath, Triena stepped forward. “He gave his life for change.”
Her voice echoed softly. She couldn’t feel Arkina’s energy anymore, or Pernally’s or Priest Junqi’s. Their task completed, they’d gone. They’d left her. Their essences retuned in the Energy Field where they belonged. “He was more than a rabbit. He protected me, us, so that the Energy would be available for all.”
She raised her hands. The words came easily. “His grave will mark the change, a remembrance of how suppressed our lives will be if we ever think to manipulate the Energy again. Animals don’t need to be used this way. From this day forward, it is a punishable offense to use animals, or animal parts in any form of Energy reading.”
She knelt down. Her hand dug into the pile of earth by his grave. She sprinkled the handful of dirt over the rabbit’s body. “The skill is within us. It’s what he showed through his death, uniting those from both sides who are willing to go forward into the future with a new ideal, a new way of living with the Energy.”
She stepped back, and the dozen or so people left after the fight filed past, sprinkling dirt over the rabbit’s body. Thank you.
Triena watched as the grave was filled, and a stone was placed over the top. There was one more thing for her to do. Here, in this space, using the last of the negative energy that lingered, Triena sought to transform it. She summoned it to her and formed a fountain pen, one that was strong enough to carve stone. She sensed Braklen’s energy with hers, helping, and supporting her. With graceful strokes she wrote: Rabbit. His life gave us freedom. In death, he watches over us.
Braklen stepped forward with a white rose scented candle. He knelt and placed it on top of the stone. When he stood, Triena saw him wipe his eyes.
The guilt she held of being responsible for killing the rabbit eased out of her. She wanted to keep hold of it, but it left her.
Let it go. The thought vibrated with the rabbit’s essence. It was all part of the bigger plan.
Triena sighed. She felt lighter as the guilt left her and she knew it was done. She’d sealed the past and with the help of others, she’d opened the door to the future and was now ready to step through.
“Gather at sunrise tomorrow. We’ve got work to begin.” Triena told the small crowd.
One by one they came up to her and Braklen, bowed solemnly, then left in silence.
I don’t think I’m used to this yet, thought Triena.
Braklen squeezed her hand. Me neither.
An older woman approached them, one Triena hadn’t noticed before. Her skin prickled.
“Remember he’s not far away,” said the woman.
Her familiar voice triggered Triena’s memory. “Margory?”
The woman lifted her hood. She’d aged about a decade since Triena had last seen her.
“How did you get here?”
The woman smiled. “You two look great together.”
Braklen hugged her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I thought you two would be in need of some loyal help.” She released Braklen, then looked at Triena.
Triena embraced the old woman, who was much thinner and more fragile, but her inner essence remained strong and vibrant. “I think we’ve found our first member of the twelve.”
The old woman smiled, tears heavy in her eyes. “That would be wonderful. But, I’m here to help you two, and I’m old.”
“And full of wisdom that can help us,” Triena said.
“Whether or not, I’m part of the twelve.”
“We can sort the details out later,” interjected Braklen. “I’m just glad to have you here.”
“Me too,” said Triena. “We are in short supply of allies right now.”
Margory nodded. “What do you want me to do first?”
“Organize the others here,” said Triena. “Make sure that they are really loyal, and keep an eye out for others who will arrive.”
“Yes, they’re coming.”
“Even though the word isn’t out yet?” asked Braklen.
“A ripple of change went out through the Energy. All those who could read the Energy felt it,” said Margory. “Why do you think I’m here?”
“You must have been close to have arrived so quickly,” Triena said.
Margory nodded. “I’ll go and check how the others are settling in.” She bowed her head.
“You don’t need to bow,” said Braklen.
“Yes, I do.” She stood upright. “I have to set an example, for the younger members.” Her eyes seemed to shine with fresh ene
rgy. “I’ll see you two in the morning.”
“Wait,” said Triena. “There’s one other thing I want you to help with.”
Margory turned and waited.
“Braklen needs lessons with the Energy.”
“I’m doing just fine.” Braklen folded his arms over his chest.
“Yes, you are, my love,” said Triena tenderly. “But, there’s so much more you need to know.”
“I’m learning through you,” said Braklen. “You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes. How about you teach the both of us then?”
“Of course,” answered Margory. “But, you’re both getting the hang of the new knowledge. And don’t forget the rabbit will send you more information over time and you’ll gradually learn what can and can’t be done.”
“Don’t go telling people, I don’t want them to know I have no idea . . .” Triena’s voice faltered.
“They think you’re well skilled already,” said Margory. “There’s no fear of that. But, I’ll be discreet.” Her eyes had taken on a new life as she looked at them. “Thank you for giving this chance back to me.” Turning, she left the chamber.
“She’s a tough old girl,” said Braklen.
“She sure is.” A wave of weariness washed over Triena. Her knees buckled.
“I’ve got you.” Braklen caught her. “Time for some rest.”
Chapter 21
Triena stood with the crown on her head. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Braklen, she looked into the empty chamber, on the ground level of the castle. People were coming. The word was out, and there was a lot of work to be done. The ripple of what happened had gone through the Energy and the message had been sent. Margory had sent another message, so that not everyone descended on the castle at once.
Changes were going to be made. She felt the rabbit’s essence when she reached into the Field. He was there, the new guardian to make sure no one would come in and take from the Energy or manipulate it. It wasn’t going to be easy. Energy Traders weren’t going to like being shut down.
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