In the Valley of Valestia, the soil and the crystal-clear waters of the lakes and streams were blessed with magic. Crops grew in abundance, flowers flourished, and herbs for potions and poultices possessed magical healing properties. Valestian mud baths helped rejuvenate the sick and ease the pains of old age. The people of Valestia lived in earth lodges in harmony with their environment. They became known as the Healers.

They grew herbs for their potions and poultices, cared for the sick and injured, and learned how to preserve the magic of their homeland.

Within the Healers’ community, certain females were empaths. These women were born with a tree shaped mark just below their left ribcage. The birth of an empath was random and rare. They were the most powerful of the Healers because they could heal injuries by absorbing the pain of others. For serious injuries they had to become bonded with their patient. Once bonded, an empath could only absorb the pain of that individual. If the injury were too severe, the empath could die. The Healers protected the empaths and kept them secret from the rest of Aluxian.

To help disguise the empaths, every child born in Valestia was tattooed with a tree shaped mark in the same spot. Only specially trained elders could distinguish if a birthmark were concealed beneath the tattoo. The only other way to detect an empath was to watch their eyes. Their eyes went black during the healing process, and they cried tears of blood.

In the Dark Days, raiders came to steal the soil, water, and flora, but once removed, it became ordinary and lost its magic. People from around Aluxian heard stories of this magical place. To stop them from overrunning the area and destroying its magic, the council of elders agreed to share the Healers’ medicines and skills with all of Aluxian in exchange for a security detail comprised of the finest soldiers who would remain outside the Valley and protect it from invaders.

Healers were assigned to villages around the various kingdoms of Aluxian. They carefully administered medicines, and taught the healing arts to the brightest pupils of each village. They also decided who would be allowed to travel to Valestia to use the healing mud baths.

Centuries later, three brothers from the kingdom of Mortique, Jarman, Seik, and Rayshaun, were assigned to the security detail. Jarman, the oldest of the three brothers, grew bored with his assignment. He dreamed of becoming a warrior and conquering far off lands instead of guarding a remote post where nothing ever happened. He often ventured into the Valley to watch the Healers in secret. Entering the Valley without permission was forbidden. Such an offence, if discovered, would have caused great dishonor to his family. While secreted in his spot near the mud baths, Jarman overheard two Healers discussing the recent birth of a child.

“We named her Verity. She was  born with the mark,” whispered one of the men.

“The Gods be praised. That’s an honor for your family, “ the other replied.

“Yes, but the elders will take her to the School at the Sheltered Place. Maive and I will hardly see her. It overshadows what should be a happy event. We never expected to have an empath.”

“She must learn how to use her special gift. It’s for her protection. What if an outsider learned of her existence? Think of the horrible life she would have if she were forced to absorb the pains of soldiers on the battlefields, especially if she hasn’t been taught how to control her powers. What if she had to bond with a warrior for life? She’d have to witness the suffering of countless others at his hands without being able to help them. It would drive her mad. It’s why the Elders prohibit outsiders from entering Valestia without permission.”

Jarman had heard the legend whispered by Elman the wizard about empaths. He and his brothers had laughed about it, but if it were true, a warrior with an empath would be practically invincible. Three warriors with three empaths could rule most of Aluxian.

When the Healers left, Jarman returned to his post before his replacement arrived for the evening watch. After supper, he convinced his brothers to take a walk with him to a secluded place outside the soldiers’ encampment.

“What’s so important that you had to bring us out here? It’s been a long day, and my bed is calling,” Seik grumbled.

“Aye,” agreed Rayshaun. “My belly is full, and I have a desire to see the guard from Tolulia in my bed tonight.”

“Which one is she?” Seik asked.

“The green eyed one with the quick wit, ample bosom, and soft hips.”

“Don’t forget her skills with a bow. No one shoots as far or as accurate as she,”  Jarman interjected.

“That would be Delilah. She lays with Roderick, the Captain of the Guards, who is also from Tolulia.”

“But she has eyes for me,” Rayshaun laughed. “One night with the lovely Delilah would be worth a fortnight of evening watches, and any other punishment Roderick dreams up.”

“This is more important. Do you remember Elman the wizard’s stories about empaths?’

His brothers nodded.

“I overheard two Healers discussing the birth of a daughter. She has the mark of an empath. The stories are real.”

“Nonsense! Have you been drinking at your post?” Seik asked.

“More likely he was sleeping, and the fairies blessed him with a dream.” Rayshaun laughed.

“I know what I heard. They said empaths were taken to the School at the Sheltered Place to protect them. One talked about an empath’s abilities to heal soldiers wounded in battle. If an empath bonds with a warrior, she can only heal him, but he becomes practically invincible. It’s exactly like the stories Elman told about the legend of the empaths. Think about it. If we could find this School of empaths, we could become invincible. Instead of wasting our time on sentry duty, we could rule all of Aluxian.”

“Jarman, are you delusional? Have you gone mad? Even if we could find it, how would we get past the Valley guards?” Seik asked.

“We begin with a plan, brothers. We have a month before our replacements arrive, and  we return to Mortique. That’s plenty of time to find out more about this school. King Wilford is old, but anxious to  remain in power. If we convince him of the restorative benefits of the mud baths, I’m sure we could persuade him to petition Mortique’s Healer for treatment at the mud baths. Since we know this part of Aluxian so well,  we’d volunteer to be part of his protection detail. He never travels without Elman, and Elman’s sleeping spell could be useful to us.”

“Go on, brother. I’m starting to see where this is going. Many of Elman’s spells could be useful,” said Rayshaun.

On that night, a plan was created which would unleash the terrors of war on the kingdoms of Aluxian and forever change the Valestian Valley.