After Winter,By Armond

"Frozen brown. All there is out here, goddammit! Where the hell'sspring?"

"Stop bitching. It'll be here, any day now, the rumor is. But not forour good Captain Owain."

That would be me, my idiot Black Brigade escorts were referring to -Captain Owain. Prince Owain. Owain of the Sorrows. The man who'd losteverything.

My chaperones may be little more than the glorified ass licks of atyrant, but they were dead on about spring - for me, it will never comeagain.

Brown earth and bitter cold.

It's all I know. All I am.

After we arrived at the Selene compound, the king's crack troop crab-scuttled to the safety of a nearby ridge. Their commander drew a swordand shook it; his retarded way of pushing me on, I supposed. Hethought I'd run? Useless shit bag.

I hammered a fist on the wooden gate...

...Once. Twice. A third time.

It ground opened, and a company of warriors, flashing steel, surroundedme. The Selene Guard.

Their green tunics fluttered in the biting winter wind, but they didn'tnotice, gripping their swords white-knuckle hard. These women meantbusiness.

Let's finish this. I cleared my throat:

"I represent the king, and have come for justice."

Before my echo died, the Black Brigade turned tail and run. The littlechickshits were terrified of the Selenes!

A lanky woman, their leader I guessed, jumped in my face. I assumedshe was in charge, since sword scars criss-crossed her arms, her silverhair spoke of battles survived, and her face reminded me of a hawk's.You know, sharp, smart, noble. If she gave me an order, I'd follow.

Her voice hissed through clenched teeth:

"~F-o-l-l-o-w~."

How's that for instant wish fulfillment? Speaking of wishes, hawkwoman's were scrawled on her face - she wanted to chop off my head.

Thing is, I hope she gets her wish. I want it too. I'm ready. Can't.wait.

My fear? They'll draw out my death. Make me suffer like their sister.

It was warmer inside their gate, and as we paced down a white stonepath, I saw new grass shoots peeking up between the stones. The playof spring green on chalk white mesmerized...

...odd what you think of at the end.

They marched me through a courtyard, where a fountain splashed; amaiden, nude-in-marble, poured healing water from her chalice. Selenethe Radiant, I reckoned, for she wore the triple moon crown.

Evening danced in those waters, dusk light sparkled through the fallingspray, and glimmered coins on the fountain floor.

Soon we reached a stone doorway, its sides, covered in waxy vines. Asilver patchwork covered the oak doors, which, when closed, formed atriple moon. Council room? Temple? Didn't know. Not that itmattered. The doors creaked open.

Women.

Women everywhere. Young, old, all shapes, hues, crowding the chamberwalls, leaving a narrow path to a center platform.

Where I was to be judged. And executed.

The crowd's anger branded me in heat waves as the guards hauled me tothe platform. When we stopped, the commander -she who hated me-barked:

"Kneel."

She shoved me to my knees. Looking up, I saw nine robed women, seatedin thrones; the famed Selene priestesses. The woman in the center hadher hood drawn back, and I saw a silver circlet of crescent moonstopped her golden hair.

I knew her.

She'd come to the king's palace months ago, seeking justice. She washigh priestess...

...and mother to the one who'd been savaged.

Her voice was soft, yet it traveled to the farthest rafter.

"You are to be our justice?"

"I'm here."

"You are not the monster who destroyed my Lilly. He who-"

She turned away, and when she looked back, her eyes glistened.

"You are not ~he~."

I tried to imagine what they were feeling - the hideous crime to theirsister, the Selenes' cry for a reckoning, months of bureaucraticstonewalling, and finally, the earth-shaking admission of guilt by theking. Was he to take his punishment? Would even he be subject to the

law?

Then, instead of King Amangons at their gates, enter me.

These women were ~pissed off~.

This was what Amangons intended all along. His grotesque joke. Icould almost hear the gleeful howls back in his putrid chambers.

There was nothing for it. I read my appointed speech:

"Our priests proclaim that the king, as man, can be guilty, but thatthe king, as god-on-earth, cannot be. Therefore, I am sent assurrogate for punishment."

Wails erupted. Shrieks so loud I covered my ears. Did I say they werepissed off? Calling them that is like calling a hurricane 'breezy.'They tore their hair, ripped their clothes, and beat their breasts.

My hope for a quick death dissolved. They wanted blood. Mine washandy. Above the screams I heard their commander's words: "Know this, maggot,not for a moment did we think King Pestilence would come."

She spat. It hit my face high, and rolled down. Nice shot.

"If left to me, I'd chop you in two, and send your rotting carcass tothe Worm in a barrel, with a shiny red bow on top."

"But it is ~not~ left to you, Neasa," the high priestess said, and aroom filled with the voices of a hundred screaming women grew so quiet,I could hear my heart beat.

"She's my daughter, too," Neasa cried. "My baby too."

I blinked; they were lovers? I'd heard Selenes life partneredsometimes, but, who knew they raised families?

I tried to figure how they got the male seed for their get, when thehigh priestess' anguish ripped me from my stupid musing.

"She was ~OUR~ baby, she was beloved by all. She was..."

She straightened, and addressed the hall.

"What do we seek, sisters?"

They answered as one. "Selene's justice!"

"What say you to the will of our sisters, man," Neasa snarled in myear.

I licked cracked lips. "Kill me. Now. Make my death give youpleasure."

"How were you chosen as king's surrogate," the high priestess asked."You committed some crime? You are an outlaw or brigand?"

"No ma'am, I'm a prince and captain of the Gwenaël Brigade."

"Gwenaël? A valiant troop, but lost, I thought, on Mount Caledonia."

"I alone returned."

At that, she leaned in, and her eyes dug into me, -I felt them-! Icouldn't bear that gaze and looked down.

"Why are you so eager to die?"

Because I didn't deserve to live! Because by living, I betrayed mymen. Oisín, Fergus, Theron ...my brothers trusted me with their livesand followed me to their doom.

How could I tell her? Yes, she's suffered a heart-wrenching loss, butshe hadn't killed her daughter. How could she understand my shame?How could she understand how...

...how I ~hated~ myself.

When I answered, all I managed was a whisper:

"~I returned~"

"I see."

Her voice held sadness again. "But did you? Did you return?"

I didn't know what she asked, so I kept my mouth shut and head lowered.

"Again I say, how were you chosen?"

"By king's decree, we cast lots," I answered. "I lost."

Amangons was furious I'd spoken against him at the Arcum war council.It didn't take a scholar to know they'd rigged the drawing.

It didn't matter.

Nothing did, save that I die, and soon.

I raised my eyes to meet hers. I ~would~ hear my sentence withdignity.

I saw she weighed some matter, turning it in her mind. Then she lookedon me, so long I started to twitch. Her eyes skewered me, pierced mysoul. They grew round, dark, and filled my mind. Did she plan tostare me to death?

Because, I thought, maybe she could.

"Captain, do you give your life to me?"

"I don't understand the question."

I didn't! Look, this wasn't complicated. Amangons destroyed theirsister, leaving her in a coma from which she couldn't wake. TheseSelenes wanted the head -or the balls- of my mage-king on a pike.Short of an armed attack on his palace, all they would get were mine.

"You alone can give your life. Do you give it freely to me?"

Wouldn't that make me a slave? I'd have died once before saying that.

I'm not stupid; I knew she asked something deeper. But my life wasforfeit. They were going to kill me, I mean, isn't that why I'm here?

If the gods were merciful, they'd have taken my life on Caledonia, tolet me rest with the bones of my men, beneath a bloodstained meadow.They are not merciful.

Did it matter if I said her words? I didn't care, not anymore.

"I give you my life."

Then I felt ...I don't know how to explain it, but somewhere deep inme, a cord snapped.

"Well then."

She stood. "Sisters! We ~shall~ have Selene's judgment."

When she stepped from her throne, I felt her power building in her,crackling. I don't know much about magic, by when my hair startedstanding on end, I figured, 'well, this was it, time to die. At last.'

I've imagined it -my death- for so long, and now it's here at last.The forgetting. Endless black sleep.

Bring it, Selene. Bring me it now.

"This one was sent to serve justice, and so he will. Hear my sentence,sisters! See the wonder Selene has shown."

She loomed before me. "When you live what Lilly lived, learn what sheknew and feel what she felt, then will Selene's justice be served."

~What?~

From her robe, she pulled an ebony wand, and pointed it at me. Hersmile turned ...mischievous?

"That you are ready for death, brave Captain, I have no doubt, but youare ready for this?"

The world turned sun bright, and into that brightness I fell, findingat last, the darkness I so craved.

***

zzawkzzmmmmzzcptn

A fly was buzzing my head.

I tried to swat it, but I couldn't raise my arms.

"I said, awake, my Captain."

It wasn't a fly, but a voice and...

~I'm not dead?~

"Don't panic; you are safe, in my bed."

That sounded nice, silky and soothing, until a thought tore through myhead.

~Why am I not dead?!~

"I've placed a stasis spell on ...hmm, that's a bit technical. I'vefrozen you to lessen injury during your change."

Every muscle ~burned~. What had she done to me? Soon, the pain faded,which she must have sensed, for she spoke when it was gone.

"You're feeling better, I think." Then she chanted words I didn'tknow.

"I've removed the spell, so you can open your eyes."

I did, to see the high priestess peering down. Whatever she'd donemust have taken a lot out of her. She looked spent, like she hadn'tslept in a dozen days; her eyes looked redder than a demon's hide anddark circles hung below them.

I cleared my throat. "The pain's gone I-"

Gods! My voice was two octaves too high!

"Take it slow, little one. Sit up."

~Little one?~

My body moved not by my will, but by her command. What ~the hell~ washappening?

Once up, I knew something was wrong, was off -strange weight hung frommy chest, my legs and arms felt short by half, and crimson hair dangledin my eyes.

"What have you done to me?"

"Hush, dear," she said, in a singsong way, freezing my lips. "Becalm."

My body relaxed and she took my hand. "Look at me."

I had no choice. Her dark eyes filled my mind, enthralling me.

"Selene told me what she wanted. You are a true surrogate. Amangonstook Lilly, so you will take her place. I've changed you into a youngwoman. A beautiful one."

~WHAT?~

Words wouldn't come. Nobody warned me these bitches might not kill me.

And to be turned into this? Why was I so serene? Why wasn't Iscreaming my lungs out? She sensed my thoughts, I guess, for shepatted my hand.

"You gave yourself to me. Such an offer is dangerous, for one withpower can do with you as she wishes. I have power, and I've taken yourwill. And changed you ...greatly."

"Watch this," she said, flashing a wicked grin. "Rub your head in acircle and say blurg blurg blurg."

My right hand rose to the top of my head and started rubbing; Icouldn't stop it.

"Blurg blurg blurg."

Was I her puppet? Was this some sick revenge to make a clown of me?

"Without screaming, speak your mind."

I didn't need a second invitation. For the next minutes I told her~exactly~ what I thought of what she'd done, and how I would murder her~slowly~ if she didn't end this and grant me death NOW. I could havegone on longer -I was just warming up- when she hushed me again.

"Well! I know where I stand. Tell me, is it ...um ...anatomicallypossible ...to do that to me?"

Her face had turned red, but she gave me a shit-eating grin, too. Shethought this funny? Let's see how she laughs when I choke the life outof her!

"No matter. Now that's out of your system, let me tell you how thingsare. Until I say otherwise, your words will be 'yes ma'am' or 'noma'am.' And you will always speak truth. Do you understand?"

I tried to say, 'What I understand, is when I get the chance, I'llreach down your throat, rip out your heart, and let you see it stillbeating in my hand, as you die.'

All that came out was a sullen, "yes ma'am."

"Such attitude, this will never do! Let's see ...do you have asister?"

I did, my last living family member. I prayed she was safe in nearbyPavnor. She'd fled the country with her husband at the start ofAmangons' gruesome war, and I hadn't heard from her since. Why did sheask? It's none of her business, but I had to answer.

"Yes, ma'am." I put ~tons~ of hate into it.

"Do you remember how she spoke to you as a young lad, just out ofswaddling clothes?"

"Yes ma'am," I growled. My sister cooed over me. What of it?

"Speak using the tone she used with you."

"~Yes, ma'am~."

Shit shit SHIT! My voice sounded sweet!

"Wonderful," she said, clapping her slender hands.

She was getting cheap thrills from this. Put a knife in my hands andI'd show her something thrilling.

Her eyebrow raised. "We have work still on the attitude, I see.Come."

I followed her across the room like chick to mother hen. It was myfirst look at my surroundings since I awoke. That I was in abedchamber was apparent, for the gauzy canopy bed I had lain in campedin the center of the room.

A breeze fluttered through a window, stirring blue lace curtains. Thescent seemed floral or herbal -I was never good at plants- and a brightsun spoke of morning.

Which meant my disgusting transformation happened through the night.So it was the next day? I was so disoriented; I never thought there'dbe a next day.

Along the room's north wall, next to a mahogany dresser, stood a silvermirror. She pulled me to it.

Two women stared back, one was tall, golden-haired, and wrapped in asilken shawl. The other, a frizzy redhead dressed in a white nightgown, came to the tall woman's shoulder.

Wait...I'm her? The short one?

I turned so I wouldn't have to look at this ~thing~ that was supposedto be me.

"Look and ~see~"

My eyes wrenched back to the mirror, to see a red hair explosion, -ringlets, thousands- and dark red lips. I ran a hand across a cheekthat was silk. The eyes blinking at me were a blue that was almostgreen, and -dammit!-red freckles dotted my nose. Oh crap, I'm -

"-Lovely. I do such good work. So we can't have you scowling about,and blasting everyone with your stares."

She thought a moment, lowering her head just enough so golden hair fellacross her face. Then she flicked it back, and smiled.

"I've got it! You know what the girls of the Anatol Isles are prizedfor, I expect?"

Hell yes! They breed 'em shy and submissive. I tried as hard as Icould not to speak, but my mouth answered anyway, with syrup. "Yes,ma'am."

"Act as they do."

Gods, no, not that!

My eyes lowered, but I saw my face change in the mirror. My jawunclenched and my eyes ...I looked like a scared doe!

"Purrrfect. Now, don't you feel better?"

"No ma'am," I answered oh-so-soft. I tried to spot something to brainher with, a candlestick maybe, or a vase.

"I imagine ...you want to murder me about now, am I wrong?"

"No ma'am."

She frowned. "I phrased that poorly. Do you want to kill me?"

"Yes ma'am."

I lunged for the glass water pitcher I'd spied on a nearby stand. Ismashed it, and grabbed a large shard. So, who did I hate most, thistwisted bitch of a priestess, or me? In a split second I decided; Iturned the shard to my stomach and plunged-

"FREEZE."

I could feel the tip of the shard just breaking the skin on my stomach...but I couldn't push it in!

"THAT was stupid of me," she said, and pried the shard from my fingers.

"You are to harm NO ONE," she hissed in my ear. "No living thing. Doyou understand? Speak freely; I want to hear you say it."

"If you won't fucking kill me, then at least leave me the dignity to doit myself."

"NO! ~Especially~ do no harm to yourself." She wrenched my face sothat her eyes bore into mine; her will was smothering.

"DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND?"

I let out a tiny sigh. "Yes ma'am."

"Excellent." Her face relaxed and she let go of my face. "You maymove again, um ...we haven't formally met, have we?"

"No ma'am."

"I am Cunedda and you are ...well you are Rose, of course."

And so I was.

I couldn't think of myself as anything else - I knew my old name,Owain, Owain of the Sorrows...

Yeah, I remembered my past life, but now ...I was Rose.

"Let me show you your new station. Lilly White was our herb woman, andnow Rose Red will take her place. Since my daughter's attack, hergarden has grown wild. Your battle skills are needed, my Captain; awar awaits with weeds. Follow me, and I will arm you with a dandelionpopper."

So began my time in the Garden of Selene.

***

The Selene compound was a study in practicality; rectangular, it rannorth-south and housed the council room I was judged in, a sanctuary,craft workshops, an open-air parade ground, kitchen, mess hall,sleeping quarters and other rooms typical to a complex that a hundredsisters called home.

Their garden was the opposite of practical; it was enchanted. I don'tmean that in the flowery way, I mean ~enchanted~.

Though weedy from lack of attention, it teemed with life even thisearly in the season. From Lilly's magic?

The garden traveled west from the compound, bordered by high granitewalls. Its far side had no wall, but opened to the wild woods of darkElmete Forest.

Near the compound, it was a 'working' garden, with rows of vegetableplots bounded by apple, pear, and peach trees.

In the garden's center, an herb labyrinth wove in dizzying knots, itswhite marble path spiraling from entrance to center, and out the otherway. The Selenes used it as a walking meditation. At the heart of the labyrinth, on a covered marble dais, rested LillyWhite, draped in whitest silk, her pale-gold hair splayed under herhead. She lay unwaking, her life-force preserved by Cunedda's potent magic.If you stood stone still, and stared at her silk-wrapped breasts, aftermany minutes you might see her breathe - the slightest of movements. Gods, if I didn't do just that; I couldn't help but stare.

From her dais, the path traveled west to dark Elmete; with each stepthe plants grew more chaotic, turning to wild blooms and running vines,brambles and hazel nut trees.

My first tasks in the garden were manual; weeding, pruning, mulching,tilling, and planting. Dressed in a short-sleeved brown cotton tunicthat came just above my knees, leather sandals and a wide floppy hat, Iworked sunrise to sunset.

I was woefully mistaken in thinking my military days had toughened mefor anything. After one day's work, every muscle in my body screamed. It would have been worse in my old male form, I think, for this femaleflesh I wore was young and limber. At night, I bathed, chewed anyscrap of food shoved in front of me, and crawled to my cot.

I thought I'd scraped bottom when, instead of dying, I was transformedinto this pathetic little creature. I was wrong - a week or so after Icame to the garden, a farmer delivered wagonloads of manure.

All for me to spread.

Two weeks into my sentence, a morning came when, instead of sending mearmed with trowel or rake or such, Cunedda held a painting before me,of a green stemmed flower with a bloom of little pinkish orange petals. "This is Calendula, a healing plant." She raised another painting; the plant looked like mint to me.

"This is Lemon Balm. It's used in teas, and when rubbed on the skin,keeps mosquitoes away."

She held a third painting, of a bush that resembled holly, except itsleaves were whitish blue.

"This is Red Orache. It tastes like salty spinach. Go to the gardenand fetch bunches of all three."

My body carried me into Selene's garden, in search of these herbs.Every morning, before I started my labors, Cunedda would send me so. At the beginning of my sentence, I couldn't tell parsnip from catnip,but I would, in time, know the name of every twig, sprig and whirligigthere.

***

Hatred, scorn, contempt, disgust...

I didn't know enough words to capture the inferno in me in those firstdays.

I fought Cunedda's commands. I didn't understand her goddess magic,but I learned, that by giving myself, I'd given her absolute power overme. Every moment of the day I struggled to refuse to work, or to cryout against my enslavement. I tried to make even one finger do my willinstead of hers. Tried, and failed.

I was prisoner in my own body.

Well, this alien flesh I wore, for it was no body of mine. Cuneddadidn't even have to supervise me; this body was my jailer. It executedher orders without question.

I wanted to mangle, to kill!

But no ...if a fly landed on my arm I couldn't even slap it. I was aspowerless as a babe. No, worse, for a baby can scream. All I couldsay was 'yes ma'am' and 'no ma'am' in the sweetest of voices to theSelenes as they strolled the garden path.

On the inside, I was molten lava.

In the end, even lava cools. You rage for so long, and the mind cravesother thoughts.

As my fury dulled with the passing days, I started to wonder - what wasmy fate?

Slave labor couldn't be the justice Selene wanted; if someone destroyedmy sister, I'd want to make them scream ...beg for mercy ...eye for aneye.

Cunedda's curse - that I'd 'live what she lived' and 'feel what shefelt' had to mean I'd know her pain, right? I tried to remember thedetails - was she attacked, or had Amangons done worse. Rape? Wasthat my future? Was that Cunedda's scheme in putting me in this body?

Call me paranoid, but it was then I noticed Commander Neasa watchingme, staring, silent, and ...waiting? Why? Would it happen soon?

That made me look over my shoulder, and shy from brush thickets ortrees, or anywhere someone might hide.

I'd led men into places where death rained and never hesitated aninstant. Yet, in this meek body and under my curse, I was scared of myshadow.

Worse, I had the creepy feeling the garden hated me, or at least wasangry at my trespassing in Lilly's realm. From nowhere, tree limbssprung to scratch me, and vines always tangled my feet.

During this wretched time, I turned as timid inside as I looked on theoutside.

The mind wearies of fear too, and after a long first month, my turmoilwithered to resigned acceptance.

I was helpless. I could do nothing about this.

~Nothing~

It was then, the garden accepted me, or at least it no longer conspiredagainst me - branches stopped ambushing, and vines no longer snakedabout my feet.

A funny thing happened next; stripped of my will, I stopped picking atthe scabs of my 'what ifs' and 'should have beens'. Once I accepted I had no say in anything I did, I started to see ...oh,a hundred things, for when you can't 'do' anything, all that's left is'be.' Did you know the morning breeze carries the scent of wildflowers as itsweeps through the garden?

Or that bird songs fill the air when you close your eyes and listen? Istopped counting at sixteen.

When I tilled the soil, and dug my fingers in the spongy loam, I feltthe earth alive!

One rainy day, as I bent to pick an herb Cunedda had shown me -Lily ofthe Valley, which was quieting to the heart - a thought smacked myhead:

I didn't hate myself for not dying with my men.

I mean, it's not like I'm some hardened warrior anymore. I was a girl. ~I'm a girl!~ A small one, and my body, my life, my every breath, is controlled byanother. Since I was helpless to change this, what could I do aboutthe past?

Something stirred in me as I wandered to the compound, with rake onshoulder, and dusk's gray glow in my eyes. It felt like a seed, opening in dark moist soil.

***

"Rose, I'm thinking about wearing my flowery skirt and red silk blouseon my date with my Julian. If you were he, would you, um, be excited?"

I was eating supper with my pals in the dining hall. During my firstweeks, I ate alone. Soon, a gaggle of young Selenes, apprentices tothe carpenter, the silversmith, and the painter, conscripted me intotheir gang.

How thirsty I was for their friendship! My life had become so hollowafter I'd lost my family and my brothers-in-arms. These Selene women -who knew who I'd been- took me with no questions asked. It meant somuch that they did.

True, my 'sisters' had fun with the 'new girl' -making a hugeproduction of my first period- and they loved frustrating me with mysimple speech. Then my novelty wore off and they pulled me in theirlives as one of their own. They were keen to know my male perspective. Turns out, women are asmystified by men, as men by women. The difference, I learned from mygang, was women had the good sense to hide it.

I looked at Teresa and imagined her in the outfit. I tried to pumpkindness in my answer, but I had to say 'yes' or 'no,' and nothing buttruth.

"No ma'am."

She sighed. "Does any part work?"

Teresa was a looker, a busty auburn-haired gal, and a tight shirt wouldhighlight her assets. Her Julian was a ruddy buck from a nearby town,and I knew his eyes would pull to her chest like iron to magnet. Minewere. "Yes ma'am."

She reddened when she saw where my eyes were fixed, but she smiled,too.

"So the skirt doesn't do it?"

"No ma'am." What can I say? Teresa was a little bottom-heavy and the skirt showedit.

Our silversmith apprentice, the coffee skinned, dark eyed Maggie,swallowed a bite of her salad -spinach courtesy of my labors, thank youvery much- and pointed her fork at me.

"You have no idea why, do you Rose?"

"No ma'am." "Your ~are~ a clueless man in there," Maggie said, thunking my head."Listen, you're on our team now, so you need to know these things. Thebusy floral design of the skirt draws the eye to it, and the patternspreads out, looking wider than it is. You'd look fine in it, butTeresa already has an ample butt, and..."

I got it. She was right, I was clueless. As a prince, my heraldiccolors were royal blue and black, so I threw on a pair of black pants,a blue shirt, and that was it. This was a level of dressing I neverdreamed existed.

Maggie turned to Teresa. "You'll need more of a triangle shaped skirt;narrow at the top, flaring wider at the bottom. It'll slim you enoughto keep him looking where Rose's eyes were glued and not at your butt. I've got a dark one that'll go with your blouse, if you want to borrowit."

Teresa looked at me. "Would that do it for Julian?"

I looked down, trying not to show how the picture in my mind of herbusty silky top and slimmer bottom affected me. It's confusing!Instead of an erection, the image of her dressed so made me ...damp.

This body was so odd; I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to it. When Ianswered, my voice was huskier than I expected.

"Yes, ma'am."

Everyone burst into laughter; apparently I'd done a poor job disguisingmy lust.

When I looked up, I saw a Selene guard marching to us.

"Rose, High Priestess Cunedda and Commander Neasa would see you."

They wanted to talk with me? Why?

I followed to where they sat with the other priestesses and stood withlowered head. I didn't give a care to my meekness, nor to the dress Iwore. It was what it was.

Stealing a look, I saw Cunedda wore her favorite purple shawl, and whenher eyes met mine, they sparkled. Neasa was wrapped in a green robethat matched her eyes, one of which, I swear, winked.

"Are you bitter, Rose? Are you angry?"

Cunedda's questions surprised me. "Ma'am?"

"When you came here, your soul was dust. After I changed you, youburned with rage. Is your heart filled with bitterness? Do you cryfor revenge?"

"No ma'am."

My answer surprised me. Then Neasa took my hand, surprising me more.

"Are you at peace?"

"Yes ma'am." I was? I must be, for I only spoke truth.

"The vessel has been emptied. She will now ...appreciate ...what comesnext," said a black-haired priestess to Cunedda's right, Lydie, Ithink. "She's ready."

"I believe she is. Tomorrow her true lessons begin," Cunedda said."Ride at dawn, Neasa, for the time draws near, and we must knowAmangons' strength when he comes."

Did she mean my curse was now to be fulfilled?

She must have read my worry, for she smiled. "You'll have to see whatmorning brings, my Rose."

I didn't sleep much that night.

***

In the morning, when timid little me stuck her head into Cunedda'sstudy, she held up a white short dress.

"Put this on."

I did. Then I stood, still and curious, as she sang words I didn'tknow, and waved a smoking sage wand around me.

Neasa strode in, dressed in boots, brown pants, and a hooded travelcloak. Cunedda gave her a tight hug and a slow kiss.

"Be careful in your search, my love. I've grown fond of your snoring,and if he knows you follow, he will kill you ...after a fashion."

"Fear not, you'll not shed me so easily. I'll get within bow shot, nomore. Any closer and I'd puke," she said, grinning. Then Neasa tookmy hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Luck on your searches too, little Rose."

I nodded, caught off guard by her affection. She left, with a swooshof her cloak.

After Cunedda watched her lover ride away, she spoke and her voice heldsuch sadness.

"It was sorrow that brought you to our door, Rose. My sorrow, for theloss of my daughter..." she paused when her voice cracked, "...yoursorrow at the loss of your comrades. And Selene's sorrow at the king'sinhumanity. Go to the garden and fetch me three sorrows."

"Ma'am?"

"Bring me three sorrows. Neither eat nor drink nor rest until you do."

Sorrows, what?

I needed to ask her so much more, but my body had grabbed my basket andfloppy hat and was marching outside.

I wandered the labyrinth path for hours, wondering where was sorrow?Where sadness?

To my left was a mass of red poppies, and to the right, a carpet ofbluebells. I had just passed a yellow chrysanthemum field, and aheadwere explosions of purple and white lilac blooms, dark violetscabriosas, red geraniums and yellow sunflowers and...

...where was sorrow here?

After the sun fled to the west, a funny thought came -I'm prone tothese since Cunedda changed me- to sit in the grass, clear my mind...and listen. Cross-legged, I closed my eyes and tried to hear sorrowas I would a birdcall.

For a time, all I heard was my mind bitching about how stupid this was,but then I heard -or did I feel?- a tone.

It sounded like, a bowed instrument, playing lonesome notes. It calledto me in that place that held the memories of my brothers.

I rose to follow, but the music vanished the instant I opened my eyes. By experimenting, I figured out that to hear the sound, my eyes must beshut tight.

Fine. I'd follow blind.

And I did, chasing that sweet sad sound, crashing through thornybushes, bashing into trees, stumbling countless times.

Once, I whacked a tree limb so hard I saw stars, and felt a trickle ofsomething from my scalp.

Like a dog on point, I kept going, yet it was a wonder I didn't knockmyself stupid.

When at last I came to where the tone was strongest I halted, andopened my eyes.

They were bleary with tears -when had I started crying?- and jaggedcuts covered my arms and legs.

I looked down.

Blue-purple flowers gathered at my feet, on light green bulbs. I knewthis flowering herb-

Hyacinth.

I clipped some stalks and dropped them in my basket. I closed my eyesagain and listened for more sorrow. This time, I heard a minor tune,so close.

I stumbled a dozen steps and opened my eyes, to see a patch ofbuttercup yellow flowers. I knew these, too-

Pheasant's Eye.

Once their blooms rested next to the Hyacinth in my basket, I startedmy search for the third sorrow.

Dusk came and went, and the garden shadows grew long. I was hungry andbleeding, yet I couldn't hear a third sorrow, just the scraping ofdried leaves blowing along the path.

'How sad,' a thought bubbled in my brain, 'that dead leaves litter thistemple of life.'

I stopped so suddenly, I almost fell over. I tilted my head to thesky.

Is it that simple? You're laughing at me, Selene the Radiant, Selenethe pain-in-the-ass!

I grabbed some crinkled leaves, and staggered back to the compound.

Cunedda knew when I would return, somehow, for she waited by the gardendoorway.

She led me to her chambers and sat me down, giving fretful looks at mycondition. She reached in the basket and took out a purple bloom.

"Hyacinth, for sorrow and forgiveness."

Next, she pulled out a yellow flower, and pressed it to her nose.

"Mmm, Pheasant's Eye, for sorrowful memories."

Last, she grabbed a handful of leaves and crunched them.

"Dead leaves, for sadness. Three sorrows."

She wiped blood and dirt from my face, and kissed my forehead.

"Well done, Rose, though you look half-dead from the chore. Are you inpain?"

"Yes ma'am." It's hard to play the suffering silent one when you haveto tell the truth.

She herded me to her dining nook, where I scarfed down bread, freshfrom the oven, and slathered in butter and honey. I guzzled a tallglass of water, too, cool, straight from the well. At that moment, it

tasted better than the finest lager.

Next, she walked -well, carried- me to a copper tub in her washchambers that she'd filled with steamy water. She peeled my once whitedress off and motioned me in. My wounds stung a moment and then thewater melted all pain away.

"So, my herb woman in training, a pop quiz: what oils do I add tosooth; speak freely."

I was so relaxed, it barely registered I could say more than 'yes' or'no'.

"Sandalwood for tension and Bergamot for wounds, ma'am."

"Excellent, yes," she nodded, and I watched her pour two oils into thetub. Then she poured a third, that hit me fast, making my mind floatand bob as my breasts did in the water.

Breasts, heh! Still hadn't gotten use to 'em, all bounces and tinglesand...

...oops, my mind was on a trip of its own; what ~had~ she put in thewater?

"Ma'am ...um ...what oil was that? It feels like I'm ...dissolving."

"Does it now?" She was pouring water on my hair and massaging myscalp; mmmm, sooo niice.

"It's Ylang Ylang, love, from the Anatol Isles, good for shock andpain, and a strong sedative."

It must have been, for I don't remember much of her toweling me,rubbing lavender oil into my muscles, and lifting me into her canopybed.

The last words I heard before sailing to dream land:

"Tomorrow you search for compassion."

***

Compassion, wisdom, persistence, serenity, remembrance, humility...

Each morning Cunedda sent me, basket in hand, seeking.

Each day I opened my heart a crack more to the garden's soul, to findthe plant that best showed the quality I sought.

My searches grew less painful -they had to, or I'd have died!- in partbecause I learned the garden pathways by heart.

In part, but that was not the sole reason my injuries lessened. Iswear, there were times when I stumbled along blind, that the bushesand trees moved out of my way!

A morning came when Cunedda handed me my basket, kissed my forehead and

said:

"Find love."

The symbolism ~the irony~ wasn't lost on me: once a bloodied warriorseeking death, now I'm a maid, wandering among flowers, looking forlove.

I roamed for hours, trying every trick I'd learned to find an herb orflower that was love.

I sensed it, but I couldn't pin it down. It seemed everywhere, butjust out of reach.

Maddening!

At last, I heard a faraway voice calling:

"~R-o-s-e.~"

I raced after it. As I said, I knew the garden well enough now to jogit on a new moon midnight, so I knew where I'd ended before I opened myeyes.

The white dais stood before me.

~Lilly~ I laid my cheek on her bosom.

In my first days in the Garden of Selene, I lowered my head when Ipassed where she lay, feeling guilty to gawk, on the curve of herbreast, her lean legs outlined in silk, her golden hair.

Later, I came here to meditate, and ...talk. For a reason I didn'tknow, I could speak beyond 'yes ma'am/ no ma'am' at her feet, and did Iever. I chatted her up as if she were my oldest friend, reportingdaily garden tasks, or rambling about this flower or that herb.

I even dared to pour out the sad tale of Prince Owain of the Sorrows. So it was this spot that called when I searched the garden for love.How could I find a single plant to express it? It was everywhere. Itwas...

...the way Lilly sprinkled, a stand of sunflowers here, a strawberrypatch there in her children's garden, for little hands to pick and eat.

...in the warmth of the garden she'd planted for the elderly, fillingit with flower hues of red, yellow and orange, instead of blue, purpleand green.

...or how she chose plants along the labyrinth path to heighten all thesenses - with textures, colors, scents, and even sound. She arrangedone row of different leafed plants in just such a pattern, that whenthe westwind blew, it ~sang~.

...it was in me now too, for I think ...I think I must love her.

I guess I lost track of time, for when I looked up, the sun was gone.

With empty basket, I trudged to waiting Cunedda.

"Speak freely. Did you find love?"

"Lilly. But I couldn't bring her back, I couldn't..."

I guess I trembled, for she stroked my hair to calm me.

"Nor could I, even with all my power, I couldn't draw her back from thedark place Amangons cast her. My own daughter, I couldn't..."

When I saw her tears, I threw my arms around her in a bear hug. Then Ilet go and paced, flailing my arms.

"What monster could harm her? Cannot I take her place? I demand...no, I ~order~ you to switch her soul with mine; give her my body,anything to-"

"-Hush, my fiery Rose," she said, and I did. Her eyes still glistened,but she smiled too, as she drew me to her again.

"Is there nothing I can do," I murmured into her chest.

"Perhaps one thing, though I am scared to ask it."

"Why?"

"For it would risk your life too. I've lost one daughter, I would dieif I lost another."

***

Neasa returned late that night, haggard and with a bloodly gash on herarm. I ran to the herb pantry, returning with what I needed to treatit. I drenched it in lavender oil, dabbed it with a comfrey ointment,and bandaged it. Neasa gave a puzzled look.

"Did you tell her to do this, Cunedda?"

Cunedda's head shook. "Rose doesn't know it, but I've given her willback."

She did? When?

"Thanks for your care, little Rose." Neasa said, touching her foreheadto mine. Then she turned to Cunedda. "I've confirmed it; theAbomination has left his sty and is on the move. He's with his BlackBrigade. Is she ready?"

"Her training is complete," Cunedda said.

It was?

"Rose, come with us, please? We've a story to tell you."

We moved from Cunedda's dining nook to her study. It's a simple room,

a polished hardwood floor, a plain wooden desk and chair, and anoverstuffed couch. I'm not sure of the color of the walls, for theywere hidden by the floor-to-ceiling shelves that held Cunedda's magicbooks.

I've spent many nights on that couch lately, pouring over Lilly'sgarden diaries, while Cunedda toiled at her desk on some spell, orfretted over a piece of Selene business. After she finished we prayedto Selene, in the quiet of the night. I loved this room.

Cunedda and Neasa sat on the couch, and I plunked down at their feet.

"No, here with the adults." Cunedda patted the cushion next to her.

When I moved to the open cushion, Neasa gave me a look.

"Honey, she doesn't control you anymore."

"Ma'am?"

"When you sat down, you folded one leg under you and ...right now, theway you bite your lower lip between your teeth..."

"Ma'am, I don't understand."

"What Neasa is saying is how feminine you are," Cunedda said. "Itransformed you, yet even I can't think of you any other way."

I didn't know what to say, so I shrugged. "Why did you return mywill?"

It's funny, as much as I raged, I was sad to have it back. Life wascarefree without it.

"Because we ask that which must be agreed by a free soul."

My stomach churned, but I squared my shoulders. "Does this have to dowith Lilly and ...me suffering her fate? If so, I'm ready."

"You may suffer her fate; we all may, who can say," Neasa answered."Listen to a wonder - on Midsummer Eve, when the sun's rays turn fromyellow to pink, a single leaf of the Panax herb can be transformed intoPanacea."

Panacea? I knew plenty about herbs now, and I'd never heard of it."Panax is a nasty weed. I'd have cleared it from the garden, butCunedda stopped me."

"It is a wonder of Selene! From the lowliest of plants comes a curefor ills, injuries, even delaying death for a season," Cunedda said."Only a young maid, trained in earth magic, may work thetransformation."

"Think of the good such a cure could do. Why haven't I heard of this?"

"Because, like a miser, Amangons hoards the miracle," Neasa growled.

"What?"

"How old do you think he is," Cunedda asked.

I dredged my memories. I was a boy when he came to King Canute'scourt, arriving 'from the east', to become king's advisor. OldCanute's death soon followed, and the High Lords elected AmangonsSteward. He was to step down when a prince of the realm was deemed fitto rule.

Which never happened.

One by one, contenders for the throne died or vanished. One day, afteryears passed -and many princes passed away- Amangons took the crown,and that was that.

"It's funny, but I've ...never gotten a good look at him. He's alwayscovered in a dark cloak or shadowed or..."

How can that be? All those years, and I'd never seen his face? Somestrange magic must have been at work.

"...but my king has to be ancient."

"Former king, Rose. You're one of us now," Cunedda said, and I warmed,grateful for her correction.

"The Abomination is far older than you know," Neasa said. "He was oncea demigod of corruption, until the Elves of the Eastern Reachesshattered his power and drove him from their lands."

"That was decades ago," Cunedda said. "Since then, he cheats death byeating Panacea. No gray comes to his hair nor wrinkles to his face.Yet he must eat it, or perish. As he lacks the virtue to transformPanax, he uses black arts to divine where the change will be, andtravels there to steal it."

"But your magic is so powerful, Cunedda," I said, "I mean, look whatyou did to me. Can't you fight him?"

She shook her head. "Though broken by the Elves, he is more powerfulthan any living magician. Know also, my magic comes from Selene, andShe is life. I cannot use her gift to destroy."

~Shit~ " I should have tried harder to oppose him."

"That's not true, and you know it," Neasa said.

She thought I lied? I'm not sure I can.

Cunedda touched Neasa's arm. "Love, I don't think that came outright."

"What? No, I wasn't carping," she said. "The reason you wouldn't havetried harder, is you did all you could, and paid the steepest price,"Neasa said. "I was so wrong about you. Forgive me. You stood up tohim at the War Council, arguing against his hideous war, as all otherscowered in silence."

True enough. He wanted yet another war, and why? This time it wasagainst Arcum, but enemies for him were superfluous. Under BloodyAmangons, war followed war followed war. So I spoke out.

"...Your reward? A suicide charge. When you survived, he sent youhere to die."

Papa died in the Parasia war, both my older brothers fell at Erini, mysister fled the kingdom, and Momma died of loneliness. After my menfell, people dubbed me 'Owain of the Sorrows.' I peered out the windowat deepening night.

"I should have told the bastard to shove it, but they'd have clamped mein irons, and my men would have charged up that damned mountain anyway.Why was it fair that I lived and all I commanded die? When I was theone who angered Amangons?"

"Poor Rose. Haven't you figured it out," Cunedda asked, tucking somefrizzy hair stand behind my ear, and stroking my face.

"Didn't Captain Owain die too? You were livid when I didn't kill you. But how could I? How do you kill a dead man?"

What?

"Look within yourself and tell me what you see."

I stilled my mind as I'd learned in the garden, and looked to mylandscape. I saw a field, of gray ashes and burnt tree stumps, likethe meadow on Caledonia. Yet, among the ash, I saw green growth -wildflowers, reaching to the sky.

"I ...I'm not he."

"Do you regret this?" Cunedda's voice was halting, and Neasa held herbreath.

I was ~alive~ where I'd been ~dead~

I couldn't explain it, much less express it. But regret it?

No. I didn't. Not one bit.

I tried to be dramatic, to make 'em sweat a little, but I couldn'tcontrol my traitorous lips; a goofy smile bloomed on my face.

"Thank you for the gift of life, Cunedda. I don't deserve it, but I'dkick your ass if you tried to take it back."

An awkward moment happened when they lunged to hug me, and bumped eachother. I laughed, and wrapped an arm around each. When they pulledaway, their eyes were wet. Mine too.

"This makes what we ask that much harder," Cunedda said. "Ah irony.Now that you love life again, we ask you to step in harm's way."

"Ma'am?"

"Last midsummer's eve, Lilly was helping a mother in labor when thewoman started gushing blood. To save her, Lilly raced to the woods,and transformed Panax into Panacea. Amangons came and demanded theherb. When she refused, he attacked and cast a killing spell. Mycounter spell just sustains her; she lingers between life and death,slipping away day by day."

I'd never heard the tale in full. "And the mother?"

"Died," was Neasa's choked answer. "As did her babe."

How many sins had this parasite committed? Lilly, my men, and legionsof others he'd robbed of life. When would it stop?

"You said when I came here, I was to serve as justice. Why?"

"In a vision, Selene told me you could bring justice to King Amangons."

"How?"

"He must have Panacea every year. If he is denied it, he fades tonothingness."

"So ban any sister from working the transformation." An efficientsolution. I still had my soldier thinking moments.

"If the transformation doesn't happen here, it does elsewhere; that'sthe way it," Cunedda said, shaking her head. "We can't rely on chance.You've been trained as Lilly; the garden comes alive for you as it didfor her, I've seen it! You can transform Panax into Panacea onMidsummer's Eve."

"Which is tomorrow," Neasa added. "We want you to try."

"And if I could..." my thoughts whirled as I grasped it, "...he wouldcome?"

"A fly to honey," Neasa said, showing teeth. "And we'll be waiting."

"You set a trap!"

Cunedda was sad when she replied,

"With you, as bait."

***

He might be anywhere, my former king, using dark magics to scry theplace of transformation, from Panax to Panacea.

Was he over the rise to my left, or there, in the shadows of the groveahead?

I hadn't the luxury of fear; my quest was for the one spiny leaf, that,on instant the sun set, could change to a life-giving miracle.

What if I couldn't find it? What if I couldn't change it?

Then Amangons would find it somewhere else, letting him live on andkill again. And again. And again.

Nothing like some pressure, eh?

Cunedda anointed me with a battery of sacred oils, mumbled at least adozen incantations over me, and clothed me in a forest green dress, thetraditional garb of a Selene priestess called to earth magic.

I figured, 'thanks for compliment', but wished my dress wasn't soshort; it just covered the top of my thighs! She said I looked lovelyand ought to show the world, but I didn't see how this had anything todo with the task at hand.

I stilled those thoughts, and opened my heart to the garden as I hadlearned, letting it guide me where it would.

My feet traveled to wild Elmete's edge, to a sea of the prickly Panaxplants, shimmering in the pink of a sinking sun.

My heart set too, for how I could I find that one leaf in the millionsbefore me?

I knew the answer - I couldn't.

I threw myself to the ground, touching my face to soil.

"Selene! I can't do this without you! Help me!"

A sudden breeze kissed my face, and I turned with it...

...to see a nearby fluttering leaf, catching the last ray of themidsummer sun.

Holding my breath, I plucked it, and as I cradled it in my palm, it...it...

~Goddess! My body was fire!~

Sparks jolted in me ~through me~, connecting me to that which I held,so that I ~changed~ it, fiber by fiber...

... green to silver, green to silver, green to silver...

Selene led me to this moment; as I had been dead when I came to Hergarden, now my body thrummed life.

I had no words.

I held the pulsing silver to the sky in thanks.

...then a man's voice spoke, ripping me from rapture.

"Ah, fair maid, what healing solace have you found for me?"

***

My father told me bedtime stories, when our hearth fire turned toembers. I loved the scary ones best; I made him tell the HeadlessRider, Agraea's Bloody Bones, and the Hookman of Hariel at least amillion times.

My favorite -because it was true- was his yarn about a trip he took, to

Faylyn Island, the northern most of the Anatol Isles. He and his mateswere hunting Anatol Red Bear, prized for their soft pelts, and stumbledinto a Nglal nest.

When a half a dozen man-eating serpents sprang from the nest, Papa knewhe was a goner, because the Nglals started their death dance.

Flee, when you see that, run as fast as your legs will carry, for aNglal seduces you with his eyes, drawing you to him for the fatal bite.

Papa said he wanted to run, but those amber slitted eyes beguiled himand -with grin on face- he crawled to his doom. Lucky for Papa he wasa slow crawler, for six of his pals beat him to the serpents, and well,Papa lived to tell the tale. Every time he told it, I shivered to mytoes.

Looking at King Amangons, I knew how Papa felt that day.

A mist swirled about him, making it seem like he'd stepped from acloud. His robe shimmered gold, opening at his chest, to show asculpted chest and abs that looked like they'd been chisled by the gods.

~Did I just think that? What's wrong with me?~

My eyes roamed an angular face that lacked a single blemish, halting athis eyes.

Oh, those eyes! Black pools of sadness, they begged, they cried:

~I suffer so. Help me!~

I wanted to! Goddess I did, for he was the sun!

How could anything so beautiful be evil? Didn't he, over all others,deserve the miraculous herb?

I started to fall to my knees and crawl to his feet, to offer it tothis god.

Then I remembered-

...my dead comrades,

...Cunedda's grief,

...Lilly,

-and his glamour smoke vanished.

"No." My voice was a little squeak.

"What?"

He was more surprised than angered; I imagine he'd never heard the wordin his court.

"No!" My vocal chords were looser now. "Selene's gift is not for you;not this year, not ever, O king."

His eyes turned amber, slitted. "What is it about you Selene bitchesthat makes you immune to me? You've plagued me too long."

The mist behind him evaporated, to show his battle ready Black Brigade.

"Here's what happens next if you don't give me the Panacea, littleslut. My men will take it from you, and burn your miserable Order tothe ground. Never fear; I am merciful; I'll spare you. You'll havethe honor of serving as the Brigade's permanent whore. Unless you giveit to me."

"Now."

***

There was a flaw in the plan.

A pretty big one, really. Cunedda, Neasa and the Selene guard had tostay back, lest the warlock sense the trap. So, I was to run when hecame, drawing him to them.

I wasn't sure I could outrun the Black Brigade in my old male form atthe peak of my training. I didn't stand a chance now. We were doomed.

"Never fear, captain, we stand ready to engage the enemy."

I jumped at the whisper to my right. Standing beside me, was aheavyset fellow with cheerful face. A face I knew too well.

"Lieutenant Oisín! You ...you can't be here because-"

"We await your orders sir!"

I turned to my left, and saw another I thought never to see again; wiryFergus with his ever-sardonic grin.

"Fergus! How are you ...you died that day on Caledonia, that day we-"

"Beggin' you pardon sir, but you should know by now we'd follow you tohell if you ask us to," a voice behind me said. I knew by its liltthat square-jawed, by-the-book Sergeant Theron had just weighed in.Behind him I sensed them all, the rest of my Gwenaël Brigade.

"Though I must confess, following you in your current form, and in yourcute little dress, is ~much~ more enjoyable than it used to be."

That would be Fergus speaking, of course.

My eyes blurred. How could this be? "I led you to your deaths, I'm toblame for-"

"-At the risk of being insubordinate, sir," Theron said, "the only onewho blamed you for our deaths was you. ~We~ know how you tried to saveus, and we know the real enemy is before us. Sir."

"I won't stand here forever while you mumble to yourself, girl,"Amangons hissed, his men growing restless. "Bring me the cure, orwatch your sisters die."

I didn't understand that. "What does he mean about my ...mumbling?"

"You alone can see us, Captain," Lieutenant Oisín answered. "May Isuggest a tactical course of action?"

"Of-of course." I had been the strategist for the brigade, andLieutenant Oisín its tactician. So it was natural that he would offerone, except that this was all too weird!

"We'll engage the Brigade, while you retreat to the Selenes' positionwith all deliberate speed."

"What?"

"Lords, Lieutenant, death hasn't improved your communication skills,"Fergus said. "What he meant to say was, we'll distract 'em, and yourun like hell."

"But ...what will happen to you? I can't just leave you to suffer allover again and-"

"Captain Rose," Fergus said, "perhaps that pretty head of yours hasbeen in the sun a bit too much? We're already dead! Amangons can'tharm us anymore."

"But you can give us peace, sir," Theron added. "We've come back tohelp you with this. Deny the bastard the miracle you hold in yourhand. Send him to the grave, and then we'll rest at last."

Tears streaked my cheeks. "But ...I ...you're my men and ...you knowhow I feel about ...I'd die for you if I could. I wanted to die withyou and-"

"-We love you too, sir" Oisín said. "But you're alive; you've a chancefor a wonderful life, and so stop blubbering and live it! Now give theorder, ~sir~."

I did.

Then I ran like hell.

***

My short legs pumped as fast as they could -fear's a powerful fuel- butstill, when the shrieks started, I turned to see.

My men were visible now, at least their skeleton bodies and glowingeyes ...hence the blood curdling screams.

Woo-hoo! The Gwenaël troop was mopping up the vaunted Black Brigade!

My grin faded when I saw Amangons thread through the skirmish byfloating over it and flying after me, his black robe trailing like a

dragon's tail. A handful or two of the Black Brigade had also brokenfree, and charged.

Shit! Though I didn't think it possible, I ran faster.

My finish line was Lilly's dais, where Cunedda, Neasa, and the Seleneguard waited. I swear with each step I took, the Malignance that wasthe king drew closer.

"Did you think some dancing bones could stop me, girl," he called. "I~am~ death. Look on me and despair."

~No thank you.~

I didn't remember wandering so far! My chest was flame, and darknesscrept to the edges of my sight.

So easy, it would be easy to yield.

I didn't. I couldn't, for that would mean he wins and life loses. Itwas impossible, but from a place I never knew existed, I drew energyand ran faster.

Still Corruption drew closer, laughing.

I couldn't keep this up; will or no, I'd collapse soon. Where wasCunedda?

Then, I saw her, robed in purple, standing tall in front of Lilly'sdais. Beside her stood Neasa and her troops, looking grimmer than theyhad that first day.

With my last speck of energy, I dove, scraping to a stop at Cunedda'sfeet.

"Well done, Rose," Cunedda said. "Now hurry behind so we can welcomethe king."

On hands and knees, I scrambled behind their line, and grabbed Lilly'sdais for support.

"Greetings, High Priestess, on this Mid-summer's Eve. Your whelp hassomething that's mine. Let's be reasonable. Give it to me, andbloodshed will be avoided."

"How polite you are, O king. Yet last year you were not so civil, whenyou attacked my daughter and cast her soul to night."

"She refused to give me my due, as has the one cowering behind you. Donot provoke a repeat performance. Give me the Panacea, and, perhaps,I'll restore your daughter."

"My daughter was alone then; now you face the Selene Order. I think,you haven't the strength to take it from us. I think, this is yourlast day, O king."

Amangons turned to face his dozen remaining men. "Take it from them.If they resist, kill them."

His men charged, but so did Neasa's warriors, and soon steel clanged in

the dusk. The Brigade was better trained, but Neasa had the numbers,and her troops were fresh and motivated. They screamed like banshees. If Amangons thought he could overpower, he was mistaken.

He whirled then, with arms raised. From his hands, a jagged fire arcedat Cunedda. She'd be roasted alive, I was sure, for nothing couldwithstand the hell he unleashed.

Majestic! I was wrong, thank the Goddess. Cunedda was majestic, armsraised, wand in hand, eyes sparkling. His firestorm met a blue wallthat sparked as the flames hit it, but did not give way.

"Impressive. You are the strongest mortal I've met. Yet, is itenough?" Even the battle between the Selene Guard and the Brigade halted towatch the fireworks display - Amangons' red fury against Cunedda's calmblue.

Inch by inch, I saw red gain, drawing closer to Cunedda. He was toostrong!

Cunedda didn't seem concerned. Indeed, she wore the broadest smile onher face, as if she knew some amusing secret.

"What are you laughing at, witch? You're losing! Yield. Or die."

"I think, you can't last much longer, Worm. For, as you spit fire, youburn the last of your life energy. Unless you eat the Panacea, youwill dissolve."

Then she spoke to me. "Destroy it, Rose. Let ~him~ know despair."

Destroy the Panacea? How in hell do I do that? A little warning aboutthis might have helped! I had no idea what to do, so, I ...popped itin my mouth ...and chewed.

"Nooooo! I'll skin you all," Amangons shrieked, and his fire wavered. We'd struck a nerve.

As the Panacea energy sizzled in my mouth, I had the weirdest,strangest notion. I don't know where it came from, Selene I imagine,because it was just that crazy.

I scrabbled onto Lilly's dais, and knelt over her, putting my lips tohers. As I kissed her, I forced the Panacea juice into her mouth,and...

...her eyes opened. They met mine. She smiled.

Gods, she was gorgeous.

At his wounded scream I turned, to see that the king's fire was nomore. His body seemed ...less solid? Transparent?

"You bitches! I'll raze this place! I'll salt the earth so nothinggrows here for a thousand years!"

How shrill he sounded, how hollow.

"I think not, King Pestilence," Neasa said through her hawk grin. Shehad disposed of the Brigade's captain, and strode to the king.

She was too professional to gloat. Neasa raised her sword, and withone slice, thwacked off his head. It bounced along like a bloody balluntil it came to rest on its side.

"You've won ~nothing~, Cunedda."

Freaking hell! The Plague lived on! From the ground, the severed headdroned:

"I ~curse~ you. Hear the death curse of Amangons the god, and trem-"

Before it could finish, the earth cracked open, the head fell in, andsoil filled the hole.

And a bush of thorns sprang up.

***

When they saw Amangons' end, his men dropped their swords and ran. Allthat remained in Selene's Garden were squealing women.

Cunedda couldn't form words, so great was her joy in holding herdaughter again. Neasa too, draped her arms around Lilly and cried.

All did. A hundred Selenes gathered in the garden to celebrate theirrisen sister.

That's not all - for something caught my eye at the edge of Elmete. Ilooked, and saw the shades of my men, Fergus, Oisín, Theron, all ofthem. Goddess, they looked happy! They waved and smiled as theydissolved into forest shadows. Well, all were doing that exceptFergus. I ~think~ he was catcall whistling at me before he faded.

Joy. Laughter. Weeping. Elation. Pretty words, but empty. Theydon't -they can't- show the emotions unleashed by the king's defeat andthe return of Lilly.

Now, were I to gather the flowers that represented those emotions, whata rainbow of colors you'd see! I didn't do that. I didn't fall to squealing either, becausesuddenly...

...I felt out of place.

It makes no sense I would; I was loved by the Selenes and I loved themin return. But I'm done here, yes? My purpose here is finished, nowmy 'curse' had been fulfilled?

I did a quick inventory: deliver justice to the evil king, check.Help my men to rest in peace, check. Bring Lilly back to life, bonus.

~Lilly~

I couldn't get her out of my mind, the look of her eyes as they lockedinto mine. But she didn't love me, how could she? She didn't evenknow me. No doubt, she had some lord waiting in a nearby castle.

With her alive, the surrogate wasn't needed. ~I~ wasn't needed. Afterall, this is her garden, not mine. I'm an extra wheel. My work isdone.

I gazed to the wild woods of Elmete. Maybe I could follow my men andfade to nothing?

I should go.

When I raised a foot, I found I couldn't move. Vines had twined aroundmy ankles, holding me in place. When I reached to untangle them, thevines curled around my wrists, pulling me to the ground.

Crap! What was going on ~now~?

"WHERE do you think you're going?"

Lilly White stood before me, hand on hip and eyebrow raised.

"I, *ahem* thought with you well, I wasn't needed and I'd ... go."

"-Obviously, ~this~ garden doesn't want you to leave."

"The garden ...wants me?"

"Silly Rose! It is ~our~ garden, ours together."

"How could you ~think~ of leaving us," Cunedda asked. For a moment,she looked ...angrier than when she'd faced Amangons.

Then she kissed my cheek, pulled my frizzy red hair off my face to tuckit behind my ears, and looked at me with twinkling eyes.

"You are rooted in my heart, my Rose. At last I'm happy at Lilly'sreturn, and you'd throw me back to sadness at your going?"

"No ma'am, I'm sorry I ...didn't think ...I mean-"

"Commander." She turned to Neasa. "How shall we respond to littleRose's temerity?"

"I've a mind to take her over my knee and..." The tall warrior facedthe throng. "Selene women! Speak your hearts, what think we of Rose?"

They answered as one. "She is our sister!" "What say you to the will of your sisters, daughter," Neasa cooed in myear.

"I..." It was hard to speak, with that lump in my throat. "I'll stay,I guess."

"You guess?" Lilly asked, her voice turning high. "You damn wellbetter! All those days where your words alone talked me back from thedry roads, and you were going to slink into the night?"

"Well I..."

"And that kiss! I mean, how often does a gal get awakened back to lifeby the magical kiss of a gorgeous charming prince! And you weren'tgoing to let me return the favor?"

"I, um, don't think the 'prince' title applies any mmm-"

She silenced me, with the wettest best kiss I'd ever had. So good,that when she stopped, I was panting.

"So you know, I've got a thing for redheads. Your place is here! Withme!"

"I'm ...I'm home?"

"Of course you are, love," Lilly said, "how could think otherwise?"

"I don't know ...it's just..." I sighed. "I'm so used to being Owainof the Sorrows, I mean ...it's been winter for me for so damned long."

She wrapped me in her arms and kissed me again.

"Yeah, me too. But accept it, herb sister, this is our happy ending.It's basic. Gardening 101."

Through my tears, I kissed her back. She's right - love, belonging,and happiness have come, and I'd just have to deal with it.

For it's always so - after winter, comes spring.

/ / \ / / \ \ \ / \__\__/ \\ -\\ ____ \\ / / ____ \\/___/ \ \ -// \___\//- -// \\ // //- -// // \\ \\