The Mystical Floriz Tree

The Floriz tree is the source of all healing power in Adiam. The grove of trees was planted during the first age of humanity by the great healer Telka. Through the ages the Telka Followers carefully tended and watched over the trees. Their mystical brothers in the Circle of Light protected the grove with illusion and barriers and the great Temars of the ages made sure its location was kept secret.

Each branch of a Floriz tree was a branch of life to be used by a Telka follower as a wand of healing. It could heal the severest wounds but it could not restore life. The secret of the trees was kept in the Circle of Light.

It was during the dark days of Adiam that a young Telka Follower named Shara came to the grove bringing a new member of the order with her. The world had been shocked by the knowledge that a Temar mage could actually be evil. The powerful mage Mycron proved that to the world as he and the warlord Arvin Strex combined forces and destroyed the Adiam royal family and most of the knighthood in one vicious stroke.

Only Princess Ophelia survived; she had been away from the castle when the destruction rained down. Ophelia became queen on the worse day of her life. She was racked with grief as the crown was placed on her head.

She was a powerful Temar mage in her own right and with the support of her true love, Sir Rosman of Pintark and his band of warriors and mages, she prepared to vanquish the evil in Adiam and avenge all that died at their hands.

It was in the darkest part of this time that Shara brought Lady Rene to the grove. Lady Rene had been a servant in the royal palace. She was content to keep her secret and never bring shame to the royal family but the young queen needed her help. The spies told the queen that the enemy had a new weapon they could use to track her down. It was a scepter touched with the royal blood of her family. It would track her like a bloodhound. With this item the queen's secret fortress would soon be discovered and the queen's forces were not ready to face the enemy.

Rene had to tell her secret. She could divert the item away from the queen because she too had royal blood. Rene's mother worked a farm alone outside the capital city of Courtland. One day Ophelia's uncle, Prince Reynold, hobbled to her farm injured in a hunting accident. The farmer woman was a caring healer and she nursed the prince back to health. Prince Reynold was touched by her caring and gentleness. They knew what they felt would have to end when he rode off but they couldn't and, refused to, deny themselves what they were feeling. Rene was born the following spring. She was told of her father but neither spoke of their royal connection. When Rene was chosen to work in the castle; she was not surprised.

Rene stood shaking in fear before the queen and her supporters. She knew that her next statement could be her last but she told her queen and awaited her fate. The warrior Cassandra roared and drew her sword but Queen Ophelia stopped her in her tracks with the light touch of her hand.

The queen spoke the wisdom of a Temar and of a caring monarch, "Violence does not erase truth." Then the young queen turned to Rene with a tear in her eye. She put her arms around the girl and began to cry, "I am not alone; I have a cousin."

Rene became Lady Rene and quickly became part of the queen's supporters. Shara noticed Rene's gentleness and believed she inherited her mother's healing ability. Lady Rene was trained to be a Telka Follower and taken to the grove.

Shara and Lady Rene stood before the great tree. They stroked its massive trunk lovingly. They felt like they were wrapped in the bosom of a loving mother. The breeze was gentle and warm and the air was touched with a hint of sweetness. Neither wanted to leave such comfort but their duty lay before them. Shara glided her hand down a large low hanging branch until she reached a smaller branch about six inches long. As soon as her delicate finger closed on the branch it came off in her hand. She did not take the branch; the tree gave it to her. She felt a rush of well being as she held the branch like a precious jewel. She looked up to see Lady Rene holding a branch of her own. The smile on her face proved that was also feeling the gentle power.

Holding the leaves they turned away from the love they were feeling and prepared to reenter the great battle against the forces of evil.