The One Who Unites

*Authors Note:

Hello, I wanted to say thank you to everyone that continues to read this series. This section of the story was delayed heavily due to rewrites and personal life issues that have now been resolved. Uploads will be back on schedule with updates on my profile for those awaiting new releases. As always, I hope you enjoy reading the latest entry in this adventure. *

***Chapter 13***

To say that the Queen was upset after the trial would have been an understatement. Aylin and her brother, Davith were immediately brought into the palace's council room following the events proceedings.

"Inconceivable, irreconcilable, and incredibly foolish." The Elven leader bore into Davith first. "What were you thinking? Risking your life in that duel? You put your life in the hands of a human who easily could have taken turned on you."

"Everything ended up working out." The Prince showed no sense of urgency or remorse. In fact he smiled with a certain glee that was almost laughable in itself. "That Enchanter gave me quite a good fight by the way. Were you not impressed at all?"

"No... I was not impressed in the slightest." The Queen pinched her brow, took a deep breath, and turned attention to Aylin. "And you, what compelled you to make such a scene in front of the entire kingdom? Your first day returned and you have already broken your marriage bond and caused a rift in our people."

Aylin was still red-faced from interrupting the trial and confessing her relationship with Simon. It was embarrassing how scattered her mind had become, easily distracted and focused almost exclusively on the Enchanter. She relived the moment when their eyes met, and she knew he was looking at her with desire. Try as she might, Aylin could not get the sharp stare of his dark eyes from her mind.

"I... I do not know," she stammered, regaining attention to the conversation at hand. "They were speaking against my bonded. I could not let their insults stand."

The Queen looked at her in shocked disbelief. "By the Gods, you are completely out of focus. Rarely have I ever seen you show any emotion besides neutrality. Just what has this Enchanter done to you?"

"I believe that she is just naturally a fool for this human." Davith laughed. "She turns foolish and flustered whenever he is brought up, a clear case of being struck by love; and quite severely at that."

"I refuse to believe it." She waved a hand. "This is incredibly out of character, it could be the affects of a love spell for all we know. That or some other trick of the demon mage. We will need a professional for answers."

The Queen called to someone outside of the room. "Johanna, you may enter."

An Elven woman in priestess robes stepped in. She carried a staff adorned with bells that chimed with every step she took.

The priestess carried such grace that Aylin felt pangs of jealousy for her beauty, which was notable even for the elves standards. Her porcelain skin radiated with energy, and her light blue eyes and inviting smile caused Aylin to almost feel disarmed with the soothing feel of her presence.

"I am at your service." She bowed before them.

"What is the meaning of this?" Aylin asked, finding this woman to be oddly familiar.

"Johanna is one of our greatest healers," The Queen explained. "If the demon mage erased your memories with a spell, he may have placed others as well. She will detect and remove any negative affects on your body."

"It has been some time, Aylin," the priestess spoke with a friendly tone, though intuition gave the feeling that this politeness was forced. "I must admit, I had believed the rumors of your passing. It is good to see that you are alive."

"I am sorry, but I do not remember you."

"Consider me an old friend." Her expression hardened. "I suppose it does not matter explaining now. My healing ritual should remind you of not just our past, but everything from before."

"There is no need," Aylin said. "I am healthy and more than happy in current state. I don't want my memories recovered."

"What?" The priestess appeared taken aback. "Why would you not?"

"There is no point in forming attachments to my past. I plan to leave the Orisan once Simon is freed."

"I already told you it is impossible." The Queen interrupted, the subject being a particularly sore point for her. "The humans would not accept you. What happens if he abandons you out there?"

"That is not possible." Aylin was unwavering on this point. "He would never do such a thing. Our souls matched when we bonded. I am certain our connection is pure."

"Ah, the flame of young love," said the Queen. "It burns bright, but produces no warmth. You may be pure in your love, but I cannot say the same for Simon. Humans set their ambition to whatever catches their eye in the moment, and cast it away just as quickly. Be wary for the day that he tires of your novelty, for his kind are not fond of keeping long commitments in their short lifespans."

"You are wrong about him." Aylin would did not entertain thoughts of doubt. "Whatever prejudice you may hold, I know that Simon keeps true to his word, as you will see when he defends this place."

"I will await the day," said the Queen. "Regardless, Johanna's ritual would be for your benefit. There is no harm in assessing your body, and the return of your memory would give important insight into our current situation."

"And what insight would that be?"

"It would be another way to prove your beloved's innocence," she said with only a slight mockery. "Your memories could reveal details about the demon mage that could lead to their capture."

*My memories could help stop the attacks?*

Besides saving her bonded, Aylins second highest priority was capturing the demon mage. They were responsible for much of the pain and misery she had seen in the Great Forest, from the cruel magic used to create corruptions, to the danger they posed to the elves. She looked forward to the day she could cut the monster down and put an end their crimes.

Fear was what caused her hesitation. The unknown of what she would become if her memories returned. Would it change her personality? Her goals? She did not want to revert back to the person she was before. She was complete the way she was now.

Yet, the situation was being forced upon her by fate. Having battled against corruptions, she was well aware of the threat the demon mage posed. There was no way that she could give up any advantage that could help stop them.

*Simon would advocate the choice that protects the most people.* She reminded herself. He was always throwing himself headfirst into saving others from danger, even at the expense of his own safety and comfort. It was the trait Aylin admired most about him, and one she strived for in herself.

"I will do it." She decided. "If there is a way to help the village with my memories, then it needs to be done. I want find this demon mage."

"Well said," The Priestess raised her staff. "Then I will do my part to help you. Simply relax your mind and allow my magic to do its work."

She circled Aylin, moving in a flowing dance that sent the wind of the room swirling around her. The bells of her staff lit with blue light, and the sound of their chimes gradually grew in intensity.

Aylin fell into a hypnotic state, and by the time she realized it, had long been in a trance. The beautiful melody that the bells now played evoked visions upon her mind.

Fragmented memories flashed before her eyes. Snippets of important events appeared, but moved too quickly to even process. She saw armies standing before her, heard prayers being called in her name, emotions ran wild in her heart; moments bitter and sweet came and went.

Years of experiences flowed into her mind. Their presence manifested with a growing weariness that left her heavy-headed. This was too much, too quickly.

A sharp line of burning pain shot up the back of her skull. Nauseous and disoriented, she fell to ground. The pressure within Aylin was so great that it nearly rendered her unconscious.

*It feels like my head is splitting in two.* She closed her eyes, unable to move until the waves of pain gradually lessened. When she opened them again the surrounding landscape was no longer that of the council room.

It was dark. The sounds of rustling leaves and the chirping of bugs filled her ears. Looking around, it appeared that she was within the wilds of the Great Forest.

Before she could get her bearings, a shrieking cry reverberated through the night sky. Two glowing orbs appeared in the darkness ahead as dark slits formed in their centers.

*A corruption.* She felt the waves of deathly aura crash upon her. *The largest I have ever seen.*

Aylin could not even make out the beasts full form. It was far in the pitch black distance, but she knew that it had locked its attention upon her. Snake-like tendrils sprung forth from all directions. They weaved between the trees with a surprising dexterity and trained on to her.

The Elven princess rose to her feet. She quickly summoned a gust of wind to propel herself out of the way of a crushing blow.

It was strange, the control she had of her magic was far greater than she was accustomed to. With a quick movement of her hand, she sent arced projectiles of concentrated wind that lopped of a cluster of the pursing tendrils.

She kept defensive, dodging and cutting anything that came near. Though she kept the assault at bay for a time, all it took was one misstep to become ensnared around her ankle. She was flung sideways, her back slamming into the hard trunk of a tree.

The brutal blow stunned her. She was unable to fight as another cluster of tendrils constricted around her arms and legs before picking her up into the air.

*I am going to die.* A primal fear overtook Aylin. She tried to tell herself she was still under Johanna's spell, but it felt all too real the danger she was in.

A figure approached from the darkness. A blur surrounded them that only allowed her to see a vague shape, making it difficult to make out their features, though their voice had a vague familiarity to it. Even then it was distant and low, like a whisper from far away manifesting in her ear.

*"Aylin, what are you doing here?"* Their words echoed around her. *"I told you to stay away."*

The speaker turned and seemed to argue some unseen person. There was no one near the lone figure that she could see.

*"No, I will not kill her... Anyone but her... she can be dealt with in other ways."*

Aylin realized that it was her own life being argued for. If they were controlling the corruption then this had to be the demon mage. But if that were true, then why were they adamant about sparing her life?

There was little time to think as she was yanked forward. The monster carried Aylin within arms reach of the mage. In their hand was a dark sphere of energy. It emitted a cold chill that pulled at her.

"You have betrayed us." Aylin found the words spilling from her mouth, free from her control. "I should have known, or maybe I did not want to."

*"You should have stayed away, now all I can offer is this one final gift."* The speaker slowly brought the sphere closer, hovering just in front of her forehead.

Its magnetic pull was greater now. She could feel the flow of her mana moving within her, being siphoned out into the mages sphere. She cried in pain as her life force was slowly drained out. The strength in her arms and legs diminished until she felt entirely devoid of energy.

*"Do not struggle."* The voice urged as the world began to darken. *"this is all that I can do for you now... please save yourself... Do not return."*

Aylin was still fighting to free herself as she woke on the floor of council room. Johanna was the first face she recognized. The priestess held her tightly by the shoulders.

"It is alright." She spoke in a soothing voice. "Calm yourself, you are safe now."

Safe, maybe, but terrified and exhausted as well. The scene was lived in such vivid detail that Aylin still felt the burning in her forehead. "What happened? I was under control of your spell, when suddenly everything changed and I was placed in a terrible vision."

"It appears that the Enchanters theory was correct." Johanna was grim in her assessment. "The demon mage placed a hex on your mind, a particularly brutal one."

Aylin had suspected as much by the violent reaction she had undergone, but hearing it now did not make it any less shocking. "I saw them in a dream, the demon mage. I was alone in the Great Forest when they caught me. They used a corruption under their control to capture me."

The Queen moved to Aylins side and helped her to her feet. "That was not a dream, but a memory. Johanna must have awakened it when she tried to remove the spell."

"If that is true, then what I just saw were my last moments before having my memories erased." There was little room for doubt. The painful spell that the mage put upon her forehead must have been the cause. Just what did this all mean?

"Did you see anything?" Davith asked. "Anything that can lead us to the culprit?"

"Nothing." Aylin shook her head, though she racked her brain, there was nothing identifiable about the person in her dream. "Everything about them was like they were wrapped in a haze. When they spoke, their voice sounded familiar, but it was impossible to distinguish through its distortion."

"More tampering," said Johanna. "They must have altered anything incriminating from the vision. They let us see this memory as a taunt."

"We could try again," said Aylin. "Now that we know of the hex, there has to be a way around it with your magic."

The Priestess shook her head. "It is not that simple. Our options for magical intervention are limited. I can no longer perform the healing ritual for you."

"Why not?"

"This hex is particularly cruel because it has been left with a trap," Johanna spoke slowly. "Think of it as a bomb of sorts over your mind, one that will activate if I try to remove the spell. Theoretically, one could try to nullify it, but a failed attempt would kill you for certain."

"A failed attempt." The Queen pointed out. "Is there anyone that could do this safely?"

"This was masterfully done." Johanna shook her head. "There is not a mage in the entire realm who would have even a passing chance of success. It pains me to say, but recovering the Princess' memories with a healers magic would be next to impossible."

***

*There is a bomb within my head?* Aylin repeated Johanna's words in her mind. The possibility of dying in such a painful manner was jarring, but the threat of death did not bother her as much as the reasoning behind it.

Why would the demon mage go through all of the trouble of this spell? From their perspective, it would have been better to kill her outright and avoid any risk of discovery. That was unless there was some purpose in keeping her alive.

The way they had spoken was strange. It appeared they were almost reluctant to harm her, like they had a personal stake in keeping her alive. That reasoning made little sense, but Aylin fixated on the point. She felt if she could understand it then there was a path to figuring out their identity.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the jostling of Davith.

"Sister, are you with us?" He waved a hand in front of her face.

"Of course I am," she snapped, defending herself perhaps a little too harshly.

After the failed healing ritual Davith walked with her back to her chambers. The halls of the palace were eerily quiet, so much so that it was easy to lose focus.

"It is alright if you are upset." Davith reassured. "I would be shaken myself if I learned of the news you did-

"Boo." Without warning, a familiar face appeared in front of the Prince.

Davith fell backward onto his rear in shock, screaming loud enough that Aylin feared that he may alert the guards.

"Ghost." He yelled out with eyes widened in terror.

Aylin realized before him what appeared in front of them was not a ghost, but an idiot, one with a penchant for playing pranks at the most inopportune times.

Kara laughed at Davith's reaction of shock so hard she nearly had tears running from her face. "Wow, that was the best I've been able to get anyone. I thought for a moment you may loose your bowels."

"Hey, you can't just go disappearing and appearing whenever you please." Davith tried to regain his composure but was clearly embarrassed. "I am naturally on edge with the demon mage still running free."

"More reason to keep you alert so you're ready for an attack." Kara beamed confidently. "You're welcome, I'm actually doing you a favor."

"You are hopeless." Aylin sighed. "Just what have you been up to anyway?"

"Doing what the prince asked for." She gave a mock formal bow. "I slipped that strange stone into Simon's pocket during the trial and kept watch outside your chambers for any intruders."

"And a good thing you did." The prince produced a glowing gem in his hand. "This way we will be able to follow his movements."

"What is it?" Aylin looked closely at the stone. She had never seen anything like it before. It was clear on the outside, with a pulsing blue light at its center.

"A lovers stone," he said. "Two gems that have been attuned together so that they will guide their users back to each other. Here, take it."

Aylin felt the pull of the stone immediately, a soft tugging northwards. "I see, it will guide me in the direction of the one Simon was given. This way we can find him wherever he has been taken."

"Is It really that simple?" Kara poked it with a finger. "Then we should be able to meet with him soon."

Davith shook his head. "It is possible, but we need to ensure we are not caught in the attempt. I can organize a way for a meeting with the Enchanter, but it will take some time, maybe a few days."

"We cannot wait a few days." Aylin rejected the idea. "I need... to be back in his company."

She yearned for his touch, the feel of him connecting with her. Her thoughts had become increasingly impure as their time apart grew. Fantasies of the Enchanter finally taking her for his own; ravishing her until all this wound up energy she felt was finally released.

"I am sure you do." Kara teased. "The look on your face tells me you are thinking of him in a lewd manner. Well, I am in need of his *company* as well."

"So crass," Aylin waved a hand. "My thoughts are far from your lustful thinking. Besides, he would obviously choose to spend his first night back with me, his bonded. You will need to wait for his attention."

"What did you say, elf?" Kara gritted her teeth.

"Oh, have you lost your hearing?"

"Not all of us can hear a pin drop across the kingdom like you, big ears."

"Big ears, what an excellent insult. Did it take you all day to think of it?"

"Yeah, maybe it did."

The two had gone a record amount of time without fighting. With their common goal of Simon's safety being secured, their short term alliance had expired. They locked eyes, almost ready to continue the battle from their first meeting until Davith stepped between the two.

"Now is not the time to fight," he said. "The Queen is expecting us to make a move for the Enchanter. There will be extra eyes and ears tracking your movements."

"Which is why I don't have to wait," Kara added. "I can sneak past the guards easily while the elf would only get caught. All I need is the stone and I can get to him tonight.

"Neither of you should attempt to visit him until I organize it." Davith was stern in his rejection. The Prince was surprisingly focused when he wished to be.

"What?" Kara turned angry. "I thought you were on my side. Why not?"

"The Enchanter was not sentenced to death, but he is still under trial. Any suspicious activity surrounding him could get him executed in earnest. A princess or kivari in his bed would be looked upon with scrutiny."