Two weeks, if they were lucky. Princess Brianne felt the physician's words soak into her. The sickness that had consumed her mother would finish the job in less than a fortnight. No more salves, no more leeches, no more treatments. Just the agonizing wait until her mother left the mortal coil.
Brianne, 16, could conceal her bitterness no more. You fool, you prancing mule, try harder, there must be more that could be done. The physician, Markos Sulfin, shook his head.
"Anything that could be done at this point would only prolong your mother's suffering." he replied. "Stay by her side, she asks for you all the time."
Brianne, on the verge of tears, stormed out.
------
Princess Brianne stared vacantly out the window of her castle room. Brianne was the daughter of King Elfrith and Queen Mira, rulers of Suler. It was a vibrant, green isle surrounded by nothing but water. Life was peaceful but quiet. Brianne imagined what else there could be across the ocean, but contact was very limited. There was limited trade with the colonies of Qu'rask and Vilmor but that was primarily for farming resources. Weapons were limited to bows and arrows for the king's guard and council, and medicine was rudimentary at best. This was proving to be fatal for Queen Mira, who had encountered a sickness unlike any previously see in Suler; despite Brianne's desperate pleas, the king and queen refused to outreach to other territories for medicine. One life was not worth putting the rest of the isle in danger.
Brianne knew her mother would die and there was nothing that could or would be done about it. As she continued looking out, she noticed a figure in black clothing moving about. Brianne was very curious; Suler did not get unannounced visitors, and outside of trade missions twice a year, it didn't get visitors period. Brianne thought about telling her father, but thought better of it; he wasn't in much of a mood for engagement lately.
Wishing to not be noticed, Brianne reached underneath her bed and pulled out her cloth rope, a self-made invention. Tying it to the bed post, Brianne took the rope and climbed out her window. With a few nervous steps, Brianne rappelled down and walked outside. The figure in black was standing about 40 feet from her.
As Brianne got closer, she realized that the person in black robes was a woman. Brianne got a few feet closer hoping to having the element of surprise.
"Well It took you long enough, Brianne" the woman said as she turned around. Brianne could only stand there silent as piercing blue eyes glared back at her. As the woman walked towards her, Brianne could see her skin was ghostly pale but with blood red lips.
"Who...who...are you?" Brianne stammered.
"I am...something out of your comprehension sweet child." the woman replied coolly. Brianne shook as the woman placed her left hand on Brianne's cheek. "Long brown hair, quiet brown eyes, soft skin. You are quite special, Brianne" the woman said as she licked her lips.
Brianne backed up. "Listen, I am no wench!" Brianne barked. "Now, I don't care who you are, but if you don't leave, I will get my father to deal with you."
The woman laughed. "Brianne...all you need to know about myself is that I am a sorceror, someone skilled in the dark words. As for your warning...I am quite sure your king's worthless brigade of farmers won't have much say in our conversation." the woman said as she laid out her right palm and manifested a purple ball of flame. "The good news is that I am not your enemy...I am your salvation."
Brianne was confused. "S-Salvation?"
"Yes. I can save your mother, save your kingdom from what's coming...as long as you're willing to pay the price."
Brianne stood petrified. "W-wha-what could I possibly give you?"
The sorceror smiled. "You will be my muse...I will shape you....give you a new purpose"
Brianne gulped. "What is it that you seek of me?"