The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  Tolmac began the incantation by taking a thick piece of white chalk from his cloak and drawing a circle where he would be standing and then tracing a line in an arch from his circle to the one he would draw around Roxer. This circle would encompass all of the sending participants. For each swirl design he added to the circle he called out a word of power. The words of power were part of the incantation and he had begun mumbling them as soon as the chalk had touched the floor. At each word of power a bright blue glow appeared which encompassed the chalk lines on the floor. Tolmac continued until the circle was complete. He then traced a pattern around the couch and the King, joining that line with Roxer's circle and then his own. As soon as the chalk touched his circle, his chanting stopped. It was time for him to take his place and join hands with those in the circle. He looked at Roxer, who had already joined hands with a young girl on his right and an older man on his left. It was time to begin the transportational part of the incantation which would require every bit of strength that they could muster. Tolmac felt a twinge of guilt for the people that came to lend their power. They would not be as drained as he and Roxer, but they would certainly not be leaving their beds for a few days. Roxer returned Tolmac's glance and then lowered his head and began to pull strength from his own self and one half of the circle and then to direct that power to the circle that held the King and Queen. Tolmac began doing the same.

  The power began to engulf the King and Queen, the light starting out blue then getting whiter and brighter until you could see it through your eyelids and feel a slight heat emanating from it. What felt like hours standing there was really only a few moments. It was time. In unison, Roxer and Tolmac called out the transportational chant, "Itnmes orthorritte knumbus ligtegs donatomas!" In an instant the light was gone and so were the King and Queen, successfully transported home.

  Most of the people in the circle had collapsed and were lying on the floor. Lord Ripley's family, his servants and the people not chosen to participate were helping them to chairs. Everyone was given something to drink and then helped away to rooms at the estate or to their tents so that they could rest. Roxer, collapsed and unconscious, the servants carried to his chambers. Tolmac took all of this in before he himself blacked out, only to awake three days later in one of Lord Ripley's bedrooms. Of all the incantations and magic that could be done, transportation was the hardest and required the most strength.

  The servant boy, Jules, was bringing in fresh water when Tolmac woke. Jules brought in fresh water each day in case he woke for they were unsure how long the wizard would sleep. Jules noticed Tolmac waking and turned and hurried out of the room. Seconds later Lord Ripley appeared.

  "My dear man," began Lord Ripley as he strolled over to the bed, "It's so nice to see you awake. I wasn't sure how long you would be asleep since most of the loyal subjects are still resting. How are you feeling? I've already taken the liberty of having a meal brought up to you."

  "Thank you for your concern, my lord," Tolmac replied as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. "I feel rested and could do with a bite to eat." He noticed the dark circles under Lord Ripley's eyes and the tight drawn look of his face. Lord Ripley seemed to have aged years in the three days that he had been asleep. "And you my lord, how do you fare?"

  Lord Ripley smiled a slow smile, "As good as one could expect."

  "The rest of the royal family, did they leave? Have you heard any news?" questioned Tolmac as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed the headboard to steady himself. "I guess I'm still a little weak. It will pass soon enough," he continued seeing the concern in Lord Ripley's eyes. "I must get my things together and begin the journey home."

  "Ah, yes," sighed Lord Ripley. "The children departed the morning after your sending and are making haste to arrive home in time. My wife and I wish to journey with you, if that would be alright."

  "Yes, of course, my Lord. I would be honored to have you accompany me. Will any other family members be coming with us?" he inquired, closing his eyes a moment to regain balance.

  "Parsell and Corina. They are prepared to leave at your word as I and my wife are," he calmly replied, trying to keep himself in check and not rush Tolmac. "The rest of the family will stay until the end of the celebration and then will make their way to Talenvar."

  "Then please have something for me to eat as we ride and as soon as I am dressed, we may go," replied Tolmac as he stood and slowly made his way across the room to the pitcher and basin of cool water. He could see the anxiety in Lord Ripley's face and hear the impatient tone of his voice that he was trying so hard to cover up. Tolmac knew that he himself was feeling the same way and wished to leave immediately.

  "I'll have someone bring you heated water. It will be a long journey and this may be your last chance for hot water until we reach Talenvar," offered Lord Ripley as he walked to the door. He turned before he opened the door and looked back at Tolmac, who was already splashing water on his face. As he opened the door and stepped into the hall, telling the first servant he saw to provide heated water for Tolmac, he wondered if they would indeed make it to Talenvar in time. He closed the door and sighed before hurrying down the hall, lost now in the thoughts of what needed to be done for the journey.

  Chapter 7

  Arriving Home

  Esmerelda screamed and almost dropped the vase she was dusting when all of a sudden the King and Queen appeared.

  "I need Julin and Persilla as well as our healer immediately!" commanded Kalen as he faced the still awed Esmerelda.

  "Of course, your highness," responded Esmerelda as she quickly set the vase and dust cloth on the table and turned and ran out of the room. Esmerelda knew something was terribly wrong with the Queen when she saw her lying on the couch and when the King yelled at her to get the midwives and healer.

  Esmerelda had just exited the room and practically ran over two of the servants who had heard her scream and were rushing toward the King and Queen's chambers. Esmerelda immediately began giving orders. "You," she began as she pointed to Tara, the nearest servant, "I need you to find Julin and Persilla immediately and send them to the King and Queen's chambers." Noticing Tara's bewildered look because everyone knew the royal family was away, Esmerelda hollered, "don't just stand there girl, they are needed now!" This spurred Tara into action and she ran down the hall in search of Julin and Persilla. "And you," she turned her attention to Lucas, an older servant, "I need you to have hot food and drink brought as soon as possible to the King and Queen in their chamber."

  Lucas did not hesitate because he knew that there was a good reason for Esmerelda giving orders and did not want to waste time asking questions. He stepped around Esmerelda and hurried toward the kitchen.

  Esmerelda was not as young as she used to be, but hurried as fast as she could to find Leyash, the healer of Talenvar.

  Leyash used herbs and potions to heal, unlike some of the more barbaric healers who thought that leeches would cure any ailment.

  Esmerelda entered Leyash's chambers and was met by an array of plants which lined the left side of the room near the large glass-paned windows. To the right were tables loaded with books and scrolls and bottles of all shapes and sizes that were filled with all types of liquids and dried herbs.

  In front of Esmerelda at the far end of the room sat Leyash. Leyash had heard the door open and saw Esmerelda rush in and was waiting to hear what she needed.

  "Excuse me, my Lady," began the breathless Esmerelda. She had to stop to take a few breaths, "your presence is requested in the royal chambers. I was cleaning when the King and Queen appeared out of no where and the Queen looks quite ill. King Kalen instructed me to summon you and the midwives immediately."

  Leyash jumped up from her seat and hastily grabbed her healing bag. She tossed in a few jars and pouches from the tables as she headed for the door. "Has anyone notified Lord Farley of their return?" she asked as she headed out of the door and started down the hall.

  Esmerelda kept
up with Leyash long enough to inform her that no one had of yet and that she personally would see to it immediately. With that, Esmerelda hurried off toward the throne room.

  When Leyash entered the royal chambers she found the Queen in bed and the King sitting on the far side of the bed beside her. There was a flurry of activity as food and drink were being brought in as well as pitchers of warm water and thick towels. Leyash noticed that two of the servants were removing a couch from the royal chambers which she assumed the Queen had been lying on when she arrived.

  Lord Farley and Sir Asen were already there. Lord Farley was standing near Kalen, quietly speaking with him and Sir Asen was standing out of the way over near the fireplace. One of the servants was stoking the fire and adding more wood to it and Sir Asen was speaking with him.

  Julin and Persilla were on the near side of the bed. Julin was placing a warm cloth on the Queen's forehead and Persilla was pouring a goblet of hot ale to give the Queen.

  All had glanced up at her arrival. "Please come in Leyash," invited the King in a weary voice. "Is there anything you can do?"

  "I'll be able to lessen her discomfort, but I cannot heal her," she gently reminded the King as she came to stand beside him.

  "Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated," he replied as he stood and moved a step back so that Leyash could examine the Queen.

  "I feel like such a bother, having everyone fuss over me like this," apologized Queen.

  "Nonsense, it is our pleasure to take care of you. Besides, we would fuss just as much over anyone that was ill," insisted Leyash. "Persilla, please have someone draw a warm bath and have them add the whole bottle of this oil," she requested as she opened her light brown leather bag and pulled out a bottle and handed it to Persilla. "This will soothe and cool you," she explained looking at the Queen. She now turned toward the King. "I want you to pour half of the liquid in this vial into a goblet for her and the other half for yourself." She pulled a small vial from her bag filled with a green liquid and handed it to the King. "It will relax both of you and make you sleep," she explained.

  "I'm not tired," he began, "I wish to sit with Gwen and be awake if she needs anything."

  "I insist that you both take this. Besides, the Queen will sleep for hours after taking this so there isn't a need to be awake, and if she does need anything, we're here for her," she smiled at Gwendolyn.

  Lord Farley placed his hand on the King's shoulder. "Listen to her. It won't do you any good if you're so tired you can't function. I'll take care of any kingly duties and you get some rest," he reassured his nephew and gave him an encouraging smile. "I'll stay on as long as you need me."

  "Thank you," Kalen replied as the grasped Lord Farley's arm in appreciation and returned the smile. Kalen knew that Farley was not one to stick around longer than needed when he visited or when he was watching over Talenvar until the family returned from a trip. He also knew that his uncle would do whatever was needed when family was involved and was grateful for his support at this time.

  Lord Farley and Sir Asen excused themselves and quietly closed the door behind them.

  After water had been brought and the oil poured into the bath, Julin and Persilla helped undress the Queen and get her into the tub.

  Kalen poured a second goblet of ale for himself and poured half of the green liquid into each goblet. He was planning on waiting until his wife was ready to drink hers before he would drink his. That way he would not sleep any longer than her or be asleep before her if she needed anything. He sat down on a plush chair which he had pulled up near the bed to await the Queen's return.

  It wasn't long before Julin, Persilla and Leyash brought the queen back to bed. They had dressed her in a soft white sleeping gown.

  "Now I want you to eat something and drink the ale in this goblet," instructed Leyash as she brought over a plate with some cheese, bread and a cooled meat pie on it as well as the goblet of ale Kalen had added the potion to.

  When the Queen had eaten her fill and finished off the ale in the goblet, Julin said that she would take the first watch. Persilla and Leyash retired to the next room which was a sitting room decorated in pale peach and green patterns. It had plush chairs and couches neatly arranged with throw rugs scattered around on the floor. There were also blankets on the backs of the couches and Persilla and Leyash used these. Both women were exhausted from the evenings activities and fell asleep within minutes to the sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace.

  Julin tucked the covers in around the now sleeping Queen and took a blanket off of a nearby chair to place over the King as he was slowly drifting off to sleep.

  "Julin," whispered Kalen, "you will wake me if Gwen needs anything." He had stirred awake when Julin placed the blanket on him.

  "Yes, of course your highness," she responded. "Now get some sleep." She would let him sleep unless the Queen urgently needed him. She could see that he was under great stress and the best thing for him would be to rest.

  Julin took a seat on a chair on the opposite side of the bed. She would let Leyash and Persilla rest until she herself could not stay awake, then she would wake one of them to take over.

  The potion that was given to the King and Queen would let them sleep for at least eight hours.

  The next day came with no improvement to the Queen.

  The days continued with Leyash, Julin and Persilla as well as the King watching over the Queen.

  Leyash gave the Queen what herbs and potions she could to help the Queen stay strong and ease any pain she may be feeling.

  Kalen, as he did each day after making sure the Queen was up and had eaten something, went to see Lord Farley.

  "And how does your wife fare this morning," questioned Lord Farley when he saw Kalen approaching. He knew the response he would get but had to ask anyway.

  "The same as yesterday and the days before," he sighed. "She has not improved, and she has not gotten worse. I just pray that the children make it home soon." He was worried that his wife was not going to be able to hold on until then.

  "I'm sure they'll be here in a few days," he reassured his nephew. He could see the concern and worry in Kalen's features and noticed that he looked weary, like a heavy weight was upon him. "Would you like to review the business for today?" he inquired. "There isn't much, I could finish it myself if you would like to return to your wife." Lord Farley knew that Kalen didn't want to do anything but give comfort to his wife and being with her also gave him comfort. He also noticed that Kalen hadn't been taking care of himself like he should. His gold colored tunic and leggings were wrinkled from sleeping in them and he didn't look like he had been eating properly or had time to trim his beard. He decided that he would make sure that Kalen made time for himself, he knew that he would at least feel a little better and more refreshed if he did.

  "Thank you, but this helps me keep my mind off of other things, even if it be only a few minutes," responded Kalen.

  "Well then, let's discuss it in the study," he suggested. "And I think that we could discuss this over a meal, I'm feeling quite hungry." Lord Farley motioned to Sir Asen who had been standing off to the side so that he and the King could talk in private. "Would you please have something hot brought to the study for us to eat and then join us there," he asked and Sir Asen nodded and headed off to the kitchen.

  Sir Asen didn't hesitate, Lord Farley had already mentioned to him that he was worried about his nephew.

  Lord Farley and King Kalen headed off to the study. On the way, Lord Farley met up with the King's squire, Jonathan. "Kalen, if you'll continue on to the study I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to have a word with Jonathan."

  "Of course, I'll see you there," responded Kalen as he continued down the hall toward the study.

  "Jonathan, please get a hot bath ready in my chambers for the King and make sure to have his clippers and fresh clothes brought from his chambers. There is too much activity in the King and Queen's chambers for him to relax and have some privac
y," he instructed. "I will be meeting with the King for probably one hour, please have things ready when we are through."

  "Yes, of course my lord," he replied. He was glad that Lord Farley was here. Not many other people could tell the King what to do and get away with it and he knew that Lord Farley would do anything to help the King.

  Chapter 8

  Loss of a Queen

  As soon as the King and Queen were transported home, Prince Phillip, Princess Angelina, Princess Amberlynn and Lady Elise returned to their tents. It was too dark to begin the journey home. They would have to wait until daybreak.