The gentle warmth of the spring sun woke Serenah from her slumber. She lay in bed for a moment, her thoughts slowly stirring. Last night was intense but rewarding. Healing a person always made her feel better and useful. It was the one thing her father nor her sister could take from her. She sat up and giggled when her stomach growled. Breakfast first, she mused and pulled the cord by her bed.
Several minutes later, Lael arrived with the cart full of breakfast goodies. She slid from the bed and padded over to the table. Taking her time, Serenah picked a variety of items until her plate was full.
The food in this new world was amazing and tantalizing to the tongue. She couldn't get enough of it. She took a sip of her orange juice and sighed contentedly.
"What's on my schedule today?"
"Lord Hulight will be here for your lesson in an hour."
Serenah smiled. She enjoyed the study time with the former marquis. He was not afraid to challenge her and push her mind. She loved a challenge, and he knew that. That's what made him such a good teacher.
"Nothing else?"
"No. However, I managed to get a horse for you with His Majesty's permission."
She stared at Lael in shock. Father had agreed to let her have a horse? What was he planning? It worried her that he was giving her anything. His gifts always came with a price.
"I would love to ride. Let's do that after my lesson."
"As you wish, My Lady." Lael bowed and left the room.
Serenah decided not to ponder too deeply about her father's gift. If it was a trap of some kind, she would do her best to avoid it. Otherwise, there was no reason to worry. She walked out to the balcony and stared off into the distance.
Her thoughts turned to the man she had helped last night. She wished she had gotten a look at him so that she could check on him later. She always worried about those she helped but didn't know. Back home she had cured commoners and nobles alike. She did not discriminate. Because the man was wearing clothes from this world, she did not know his status. She shrugged. It didn't matter. She had saved a life. Autem would bless her for her good deeds.
Suddenly, her right wrist started to burn. She yelped and glanced down at it, her eyes widening in shock.
No, this couldn't be happening! She rubbed her wrist with her fingers and when the symbol didn't dissipate, Serenah knew she was in trouble. The mark of her fated one had appeared. It was a circle entwined with the flowers of her birth sign. She had to hide it! Focusing on the spot, she used her illusion magic to cover it, making sure to use the bare minimum for the disguise. She was a master at illusion and was confident that no one would discover it.
She contemplated the sudden appearance of the mark. She didn't know much about them aside from what she had read in books. When she had asked her father about them when she was ten, he had mocked her in front of the nobles as being naïve and stupid to believe that old tale. Ashamed, she said nothing else about it.
Fated marks were rare. Autem did not bestow them often. Those he blessed them with went on to accomplish great things, at least that's what the legends said. She didn't want to do great things. She wanted to survive until her eighteenth birthday and then leave this place and explore this new world.
Serenah was startled when a loud knock brought her out of her thoughts. She walked inside and smiled warmly at Lord Hulight. Lael moved past him and cleared the table of breakfast.
"Lord Hulight."
"Your Highness." He sat down the books he was carrying. "Are you ready for today's lesson?"
"Yes." She went to the table and sat. She was truly going to enjoy the next few hours.
Fidelis woke with a groan, his groggy mind not quite processing his surroundings. When he did, he sat upright with a grunt and glanced about his room. How had he gotten home? The last thing he remembered was the fight and the gash to his leg. He frowned and used his magic to check his body. His eyes widened when he felt the gentle flow of healing magic on his right leg. He was surprised. It was Poten energy. The question was how.
Somehow it made his heart feel at ease and his mind calmed. He got up from bed and rang for Sodalitas. Within seconds, his page was outside his door.
"Come in."
Sodalitas entered; his relieved expression not going unnoticed by Fidelis.
"Report."
"We successfully killed the Poten recon team."
"How many?"
"Including the two you slew, thirty-two."
"Aren't you forgetting something, Sodalitas?"
"I don't think I am, Your Highness."
Fidelis smirked. "What about my injury?
Sodalitas looked uncomfortable.
"Answer," growled Fidelis.
"We don't know, Your Highness. When we found you there were no marks on your body."
"And the healer?"
"Gone. We brought you back and your father ordered our healers to look over you."
Fidelis stroked his chin and thought over his friend's words. He was still amazed that a Poten healer had helped him. None had ever done so before. It was baffling.
"What did our healers say? My wound was deep; I could see the bone of my right leg."
"They said the healer was more powerful than what we currently have. They also were shocked that someone had that much magic in them since we know our powers have been limited in this new world."
"Hmm. It is food for thought. I would love to know who saved me and give them my thanks, but I doubt we will ever cross paths again."
"Your Highness, if Autem wills it, maybe you will get a chance to thank your savior."
"I can only pray that happens. Help me get dressed. I should go see my father."
Sodalitas bowed and hurried to get Fidelis's clothes.
Once dressed, the two headed for the throne room.