Chapter 8: Sneaking Out

The day of the battle arrived with clear skies and a slight chill in the air. Serenah lay in bed, loathe to leave it but knowing she had to. The words of Grand High Priestess Sacer came back to her and she sighed. Was this the right thing to do? Fretting about it would get her nowhere. Pushing her thoughts aside, she rose and rang the bell. A few minutes later, Leal arrived with water to wash her face. After the wash, she put on the clothes Alastar had prepared. It was difficult not to feel nervous.

"Your Highness, everything will go according to your will."

Serenah glanced in Lael's direction. Her maid's words were not comforting. Unease gnawed at her gut. Could they pull this off? Would Autem's blessing really be on this endeavor?

"Stop worrying," she mumbled to herself. "Everything will be fine."

"My lady?"

"It's nothing, Lael," Serenah replied calmly.

Nervously she fidgeted with her clothes, the coarse material feeling rough against her skin. The knock on the door startled her and a gasp escaped her before she composed herself. Serenah was not brave like her sister but wasn't normally this afraid.

The door opened and Alastar walked in. "Princess, everything is ready.″

Taking a deep breath, Serenah calmed herself. This was it. There was no going back if she did this. She couldn't back out now. The words of the Grand High Priestess rang in her ears. Quitting was not an option.

"My Lady?" Lael's questioning tone reminded Serenah that she couldn't be indecisive.

She looked at both of them and straightened. "Let's go. Time waits for no one." She was surprised her voice didn't shake. She could do this. She had to. She watched as Alastar stepped into the hall and followed when he gestured that it was clear. Flanked by Lael and Alastar, they made it to the stable with no trouble.

Alastar handed her a dull brown cloak and she quickly put it on. They mounted the horses and headed out for the Plains of Tenoroc.

~***~

After two hours of riding, they arrived at the outskirts of the army. Pulling her hood down to hide her face, Serenah followed Alastar and Lael to an open area where they tethered the horses. No one paid attention to them as Alastar led the way through the milling soldiers toward the far side of the army.

"Princess, this side should be the safest. Our god commanded that you be present but not fight, correct?"

"Yes, I only have to be here."

"Are you sure my father and sister won't know I'm present?"

"Yes, My Princess. I am sure. We are not in the direct line of fighting."

His words made her feel better. The unease she felt earlier was returning as well as doubt. She really shouldn't have agreed to this but it was too late to back out.

Serenah was startled by the sound of a horn. She looked at Alastar who frowned.

"What was that?"

"The battle is starting, My Princess."

She froze and stared at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Come, let's head toward the healing tents."

Serenah followed closely, her mind racing. She calmed a little when they reached the tents. The tingle began in her hands and she fought to not give in to the urge to help. When she had turned nine, her healing ability had manifested much to her father's dismay. The royal family was known for its battle prowess, not for the healing arts. Just another mark against her in her father's eyes.

Quietly, she made her way to a corner and sat down. Alastar and Lael stood on either side of her. Several minutes went by before the first wounded began to trickle in.

Serenah observed the healers as they bustled about taking care of the injured. She felt a pang of regret at the uselessness of this battle. Why couldn't people get along?

Suddenly the tent erupted into chaos as a flood of hurt soldiers poured in. The burning in her hands increased. Abruptly she stood, surprising her guards.

"My Lady?" Lael asked, a puzzled look on her face.

"I'm going to help," Serenah announced.

"My Princess, are you sure?"

"Yes."

Alastar said nothing else. He moved aside to let her help.

Nodding her thanks, Serenah hurried to the nearest pallet. She pulled back her hood. The closest healer spotted her and gasped. Ignoring the surprised healer, she stated calmly, "Let me help."

"Of course, Your Highness." He stepped aside and Serenah placed her glowing hands on the thrashing man. She felt the tug on her magic and then the man's wound began to close. Three minutes later, the man fully recovered and thanking her profusely.

Serenah smiled and without any urging, headed for the next patient. A calmness she rarely felt enveloped her. This was what she was meant to do. She wasn't useless. Giving thanks to Autem, she fell into a rhythm of healing the more severely injured much to the relief and shock of the healers in the tent. She was fine with that. As long as she saved lives she would count it as a good day.

Several hours later, Alastar forced her to take a break. The influx of injured was increasing. If their side looked this bad, how was the other side faring?

A horn sounded twice and the tension in the tent rose.

"What is going on?" she demanded of Alastar.

"That was the warning signal which indicates a breach by the enemy. My Princess, be prepared for us to abandon this tent for your safety."

Serenah almost refused but saw the steely determination in Alastar's eyes. She would only lose if she tried to argue.

"All right, I understand. I will help until the last moment."

With that, she returned to healing, her thoughts on the patients before for her. She silently thanked Autem for the chance to make a difference. She only hoped this was all she had to do.