Page 6 of Quest

I braced myself for another of Prince Darcel’s unempathetic responses, but to my surprise his hardened expression softened slightly. “I am not heartless. Had there been any alternative, I would not have enlisted someone in your father’s condition at all. Yet the fact remains that we desperately need his knowledge; the wellbeing of my people is at stake.”

Frustration at my continued ignorance of the details for what Father’s role entailed flared, but I fought to maintain my charade of confidence. “Knowledge that he has passed on to me as his apprentice and heir.” While not entirely untrue, my training was far less comprehensive than my father's—something I hoped would not be scrutinized too closely.

Prince Darcel considered a moment before sighing in reluctant acquiescence. “I suppose if you possess comparable knowledge...but be warned: if you fail to meet our expectations, you will be dismissed.”

It wasn’t lost on me that his reluctant condition afforded my disguise as my father’s “son” a chance that he had previously denied to me as Mei. My resentment towards him deepened, yet I forced myself to mask my irritation. “Understood, Your Highness.” I offered a stiff bow, respect he dismissed with an impatient wave of his hand.

“There is no need for such formalities during our quest. I trust you understand the details of our undertaking?” By his tone he expected a proficient answer.

Despite my best efforts to decode these details, no amount of wishing had coerced the blank royal missive to reveal the answers I desperately sought…a fact that would condemn me should it be discovered. If my fabricated story that my father had willingly sent me in his place was true, it would be implausible for me to be ignorant of the quest’s objectives. I forced a nod, hoping my uncertainty was masked.

Prince Darcel’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, clearly unimpressed by my feigned confidence. “Then perhaps you could elaborate.”

I scrambled for any fragment of lore or general knowledge that could be relevant before settling on my own observations I’d noticed during my travels that might only be noticed by one whose specialty had recruited them for such a mission.

“Though a year has passed since the light’s return to our kingdom, the scars of the darkness that once tainted it persist. As I traveled, I noted numerous areas where the land has failed to recover—patches of earth remain barren, devoid of the herbs that should be growing there. This anomaly suggests that while the visible darkness has been lifted, elements of the curse may linger, possibly embedded deep within the soil itself. It seems the curse's influence extended beyond the mere absence of light to affect the very fertility of the land. Understanding and addressing this residual blight could be crucial to fully restoring our kingdom.”

I prayed my focus would prove convincing enough to pass His Highness’s scrutiny, and that my vague yet confident delivery would mask the gaps in my understanding.

I held my breath, awaiting his assessment. His unbearable silence felt like it lasted forever before he finally spoke. “I’m relieved you seem sufficiently capable to understand that much.” Despite the slight praise, he still appeared skeptical towards my claim. “Since you assert that you possess your father’s knowledge, perhaps a quick test is in order to confirm your suitability for the task ahead.”

I swallowed nervously as he turned to one of his aides, who promptly brought over a small leather satchel. The prince withdrew several sealed vials, each containing different dried herbs. The morning light caught their varied textures and hues as he arranged them on a nearby rock before casting a challenging glance my way.

He gestured to the first two vials. “Identify these.” Though his command was indifferent, his eyes were sharp, missing nothing.

My mind raced as I crouched to study each vial’s contents. The first held a sprig from a plant with delicate, serrated leaves, while the second contained tiny star-shaped flowers, dried yet still vibrant. Years of apprenticeship helped me recognize them immediately.

“The first is feverfew,” I began, my voice steadier than I felt. “It’s used primarily to reduce fever and inflammation, though it’s also known for its properties in alleviating headaches and joint pains.” I motioned to the flowers. “The second is borage, often used to fortify the adrenal glands and help the body cope with stress. It’s also believed to inspire courage and is often brewed into a tea for warriors before battle.”

Prince Darcel’s expression remained unreadable as he pointed to the third vial. “And this?”

I recognized the twisted pieces of root intertwined with strips of bark, the earthy, slightly sweet scent unmistakable. “That is licorice root mixed with white willow bark. Together, they’re used to treat stomach issues and pain relief. The willow bark serves as a natural remedy for migraines, while licorice can soothe gastrointestinal problems.” I felt a begrudging respect that His Highness was familiar with the most useful herbs to travel with.

“And this one?” The prince motioned to the final vial filled with golden liquid in which a curling green leaf floated. His body seemed to tense as he awaited my answer. A quick glance showed me that it was sage, one of the most common herbs. While it was undoubtedly useful to bring on an expedition to protect against infection, it didn’t take an apothecary to identify the plant that grew in gardens throughout the kingdom.

I opened my mouth to name it but something made me hesitate. I lifted the vial for closer examination. Something seemed slightly off about the leaf. Perhaps it was the liquid that was extracting its benefits, or perhaps…I tilted the bottle, watching as the edges of the leaf seemed to grow fuzzy and then crisp again.

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I realized the prince’s intent to test my true abilities with an illusion. The trick would be to dispel this one without risking any damage to the one currently shrouding me. I thought for a moment for the best way to break the illusionary charm and then whispered a few words. The leaf trembled before transforming into a brown twig with a jagged thorn.

I cleared my throat and set the vial back on the rock. “This is thornspeaker twig, a rare plant known for its ability to compel a truthful response, often used in times of war to obtain information from captives.” I tried to keep my voice neutral, terrified that the next test would include using it on myself to ensure I was being honest.

The prince watched me closely, his scrutiny intense. “It seems your father has taught you well,” he finally conceded, though his tone suggested he was reserving judgment. “You should know, though, that knowledge of herbs is but one aspect of what will be required of you. But since time is pressing, we’ll proceed…for now.”

Apprehension prickled at his elusive words, the sense that the main reason he required me was one he wanted to keep hidden for as long as possible. Satisfied that I had at least passed this initial test, I breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Passing the test seemed to be the cue His Highness had been waiting for to finally introduce me to his two companions who had been silently watching our exchange. “This is the son of the most accomplished herbalist in Lumeria,” Prince Darcel informed them. “He is charged with the healing magic necessary for our quest…among other things.”

His continued vagueness wasn’t lost on me, but I pretended not to notice as I bowed in greeting. Prince Darcel first gestured towards a man I recognized as the knight who had accompanied him to our apothecary; he was clad in armor that bore the scars of many battles, and his hand still hovered over his sword from my earlier show of disrespect. “This is Sir Jiang, my childhood friend and most loyal knight.”

Though he bowed, reservation marred the polite gesture; he eyed me with clear distrust, as if my arrival against His Highness’s orders had forever lost me his favor.

Next the prince motioned to a figure cloaked in the subtle hues of the forest lining the mountainside that almost caused him to melt into the vision of trees. “This is Kael, a master of the wilderness whose skills in tracking, stealth, and thievery are unparalleled.”

This man was watching me with an odd intentness, yet he not only seemed much more friendly than his companion, but there was a certain charm about him as he bowed with light-footed grace, a smile toying at the corners of his lips, as if amused by a secret joke.

The prince glanced back at me, inviting me to share my own name…something with all the other distractions that had vied for my attention up until now I had yet to think of. My mind scrambled, and though my fluster only led me to hesitate a few seconds, it was a moment too long for an answer that should have been instantaneous.

“You forgetting something so simple doesn’t bode well for your capabilities,” Prince Darcel said wryly.

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