The Council of Athyzia: A Fantasy Novel of Politics and Magic (The Athyziad Book 1) by D. H. Hoskins
Author:D. H. Hoskins [Hoskins, D. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D. H. Hoskins
Published: 2024-06-21T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter three
Councils of War
Veneficaâs body was brought to the infirmary adjacent to the Library of Maladies, where the Medicinal Mage, Caduceus, could see to her. She had not just suffered the cuts from the bearâs paws, but in her collision, had slammed her head against the hard ground. Nauveena found a rather large bump on the back of her head. Her skull might have fractured from the impact. The concussion had knocked her unconscious.
Malachite requested the aid of the forest. He left Athyzia and spread word to the animals to gather what remedies they could. A stag gathered newt moss from the foot of the mountains. Several squirrels retrieved laurel, while a pack of foxes brought anemone.
The forests around Athyzia had many magical properties. The Botanical Mage supplied many soothing herbs. All these were mashed into a compound by Caduceus and pressed against the cuts to absorb the blood and close the skin.
Nauveena wondered what remedies Venefica might have used. She likely would have made a broth from something strange, though Nauveena did not know what â the blood of a castrated dog, perhaps â to fortify herself and gain strength. She would have sealed her wounds with a mushroom that only grew downstream of certain sheep pastures.
Such witchcraft and folk magic had been dismissed by most sorcerers. Others considered them taboo for tapping into darker magics. Only some paid them a mild curiosity. Nauveena was uncertain how effective such methods would be, but she had recently learned how powerful Veneficaâs own spells had been.
As far as the Medicinal Mage was concerned, the best remedy was leaving the witch alone. Nauveena was allowed to remain, but many other well-wishers were turned away, except for the king of Druissia, who could not be kept from the witch.
King Bane sat by Veneficaâs bed for many hours. He bent his head, as if praying. Nauveena paced behind him, uncertain what to do. She had sat on the terrace besides the king for many sessions. She had even spoken to him directly. But now she did not know what to say.
After some time, however, the king spoke instead. He did not turn his head to look at Nauveena, so she was not certain if he was speaking to her or to the air, making grandiose and poetic statements to ease his own mind. âThe worst thing a king can see is his people suffering,â he said. âA king is not a king if he cannot protect his people. I owe the witch my kingdom, but also my life. In trying to beat back the siege, I suffered a mortal wound. Surely, I would have died, but she produced the cure. I wish I could return the favor, but my own magic is clumsy, and only good for fighting.â
Now, King Bane looked at Nauveena. His eyes were moist from holding back tears. âWill you watch over her?â he asked. âI would feel better if she had a friend beside her.â
Friend. Nauveena was not surprised to be called such.
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