Chapter 22

The Queen was nervous. It had only been a few days since Mage Tom had done any healing to her daughter. Her daughter was still unstable at times, and they had to tie her down to keep her from hurting herself or others, just as Mage Tom had warned. Still, after all he had done so far, Queen Adalar was certain that he was the only one who could help her. She prayed that he could help her. She was the only daughter the Queen had, and she wasn’t about to give up without a fight. Knocking at his door, it was opened, and the Queen and her daughter were taken in. Even more nervous now, she once again said a silent prayer that Mage Tom could heal her.

Tom had been preparing for this since the Queen and her daughter had left a few days ago. Tom had asked many questions of many beings and was certain he had all he needed to heal the young girl. His search for Malamon had hit a wall since Malamon was so hurt. He felt sorry for the young pixie, but what he had learned in just a few days would go far in the healing he was to perform. The young girl was laid on the bed, bound for her and others’ protection.

Tom looked on, watching the girl, wild-eyed, struggling to escape the demons and terrors that only she could see. Drawing closer, she was even more terrified of him. Tom knew that Malamon had planted horrible visions in her mind that activated when he was near. Starting to move in and out, Tom delved into her tortured mind. As he suspected, much of what he had healed had been undone, but her mind was somewhat stronger. Working his way down, healing all the way, he neared where he’d stopped before. Then he had to slow, as he removed what seemed like inch by inch of evil.

Reaching a point much deeper than he had before, he felt she was still in the grip of unholy terror. Tom prayed that her strength had increased enough that she survived this. Almost three-quarters of the way into her mind, Tom began to see horrible visions that he removed as fast as he could, but he knew the worst were yet to come. He could feel her mind trapped like an animal in a corner, fighting to survive. He felt the hope she still had and felt her strength grow slightly as he grew nearer. Slowing even more, Tom saw just how much Malamon had tried to destroy her mind and vowed that the next time they met, they wouldn’t meet again, be it him or Malamon that didn’t walk away.

After reaching 80% to the bottom of her mind, Tom had slowed to the point that it took 20 minutes just to clear the area he was in. He could feel her mind so close now, but the evil planted in her mind was so thick it was taking a lot longer than he thought it would to reach her. Tom was close now, but he’d been at it for over three hours and there was so much still to clear. An idea hit him at that moment. Building up a charge of energy different than any he’d ever used before, he released it much like his sonic wave on the men. At first, it did nothing, but after only a few minutes, the way began to clear until after 30 more minutes, almost everything was gone.

Emerging from a protected place, the young pixie rushed to Tom, holding him, almost afraid to let him go. We have to make our way to the surface. Your mother is worried about you, Tom told her.