Himari helps the Demon Lords nation

A few days had passed since their picnic in the meadows. They had visited the meadow a few times since then, sometimes taking their work there and spending the afternoon under a shade tree. Other times they just went and sat soaking up the sights and sounds. They had also taken to going for a stroll around the gardens after dinner each night instead of heading straight to the study to work. These moments they shared felt special. This time spent together seemed to relax and soothe them. Their connection made it where they could convey so much without saying a word, though Himari felt she would know how he felt even without their connection, but sometimes it just made things easier and they seemed to work so well together. They bounced ideas off each other. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses that helped them to work well together, they helped each other in the areas the other struggled. Like today, Himari had not been to any of the places outside of this town so Duncan was going to teleport her to all the fields that she needed to go. Her Cedric and some of the other mages were going through with her plan of using magic to make the crops grow to the size they would have been if the rains hadn’t washed them away, which was to the half way point of their growing cycle. They had seeds spread and planted crops to get the most out of each field. They were also going to put protective barriers around all the fields so that the crops couldn’t be damaged by magic and wildlife. The wildlife wouldn’t be hurt just less likely to try and eat the crop and would prevent them from stampeding through the fields. She had worked hard to create the spell. Himari had taught herself how to make potions and made potions to refill someone’s mana and had gave some to Cedric for him to pass out , she had some in her storage box, and she had others delivered to the other mages. Her potions were stronger than other potions that increased mana so they were trying to keep it a secret that she made them she had the most fields to attend to since her mana was the highest of everyone and she’d been practicing daily trying to increase her skill level and how much mana she held. She was nervous that she wouldn’t be able to finish all the fields and that she would disappoint everyone. She really wanted this plan to work. If this worked they wouldn’t have to buy as much food from other nations meaning they could start building up a reserve of money in case something like this happened again or if some other type of emergency arose they would be better prepared. Look at me making plans to live here forever. Himari thought. She shook those thoughts away and tried thinking of something else like, how her and Cedric was able to talk Duncan into letting her help with the fields. She had been surprised and happy when he’d agreed. Coming up with ideas she knew was helpful but actually getting to go out and do something felt nice, like she was truly getting to help. She was also a little excited to get to use her magic and know it was helping people. She was also nervous that she would disappoint or let everyone down especially Duncan. The thought of feeling his disappointment coming through their connection had her heart aching. She shook her head and squared her shoulders. No I will do my best and I will succeed. This is too important to mess up. I will give this my all. Duncan walked up beside her and said “You okay? You don’t have to do this, you know? No one will be mad or disappointed in you.” he looked her in the eyes and continued “I will not be mad or disappointed in you.” Himari shook her head no and said “I want to do this. I want to help this kingdom and I will do everything I can to help.” Duncan nodded his head in understanding before saying “Please promise me you will not push yourself to hard? Just do your best and don’t worry about completing all the fields. Like you and Cedric said something is better than nothing, and you getting any fields done will be enough. Your life, health and well-being are more important than some fields. I know everyone here in Nuktala feels that way.” Himari nodded her head in agreement, though a part of her wanted to complete all the fields Duncan then tacked on as he pulled her hood over her head more “Don’t let anyone see your face. We do not want anyone knowing just how powerful you are. You already have a target on your back from the way we handled Duke of Whitedale and you have one for being with me the Demon Lord. If people see the power you have they may try abduct you and use your power for nefarious purposes and some may try to kill you out of fear. They will feel you are too powerful and fear what you could accomplish with such power especially since you have such a brilliant mind. Those two factors combined make you incredible strong, so I need you to be extra careful who sees you do magic. Himari nodded her head in understanding. Duncan offered her his arm and she took it. This was the first time she was awake to witness his teleportation powers. She wondered if you felt anything or if poof you were just there. her curiosity over his teleportation abilities had her less nervous about her making so many the fields grow and putting protective barriers on all of them. He teleported her to the first set of fields and Himari quickly got to work. They fell into an easy rhythm. Duncan would teleport them to the fields and Himari would make the fields grow and put up a protective barrier. There were a few fields other mages were making the plants grow and just needed Himari put up the protective barriers. While there Duncan would hand out Himari’s potions to the mages that required them, and then once Himari and Duncan were both done, he would teleport them to the next group of fields. They kept this up all afternoon and into the evening. Himari was feeling complete exhaustion by the third to the last field. Her mana and everything was fine. She was just exhausted due to how intricate the barrier spells were. It didn’t help she was responsible for making half the fields grow and their barriers and then another half of all the total groups of fields just the barrier. Himari had taught Cedric the spell but he could only do a Quarter of the fields even with her mana potion. She and Cedric had figured out quickly that the spell used a lot less of Himari’s energy than Cedric’s in their practices at the training ground. They had decided since Himari had more mana and it used less of her energy that she would do a majority of the barriers. Himari wanted to finish all the fields and she was so close she just had to push through three more towns of fields. Duncan could feel her exhaustion through their connection and tried to talk Himari into quitting at the first signs of her exhaustion. Telling her she had completed so manty already, but Himari had been stubborn and argued to push on and in the end Duncan had given in. Duncan and Himari made it to the last village of fields that needed tending. The wind was blowing cool air onto Himari’s face and she might have enjoyed the feeling and the clean smell of the air if she hadn’t been completely exhausted. Her legs felt like jelly under her and her vision wanted to blur but she refused to quit until this field was completed. She managed to take a few steps closer to the field. She drew from her last reserve of strength and closed her eyes to concentrate on the spells. As she worked the wind blew down the hood of the cloak she wore and her hair blew behind her. Duncan watched her entranced by her beauty and skills. He wanted to reach out and grab her and put her to bed but knew that would anger Himari, so he stood and watched her. Once she had completed the spells she turned to face him with a triumphant grin and stumbled a few steps towards him before her eyes fluttered close and she started to fall to the ground. Duncan reached her before she fell to the ground and caught her up in his arms. He said her name frantically but her eyes didn’t open. He felt panic welling up inside of him and still she lay still in his arms. The only thing keeping him from completely losing his mind was the flutter of her heartbeat in her neck. Duncan teleported them directly into the castle. Maybe if he’d been thinking more clearly he would have teleported them directly to one of the healers offices, but seeing her pale unmoving body in his arms had Duncan’s brain scattered. Jameson took one look at Himari’s unmoving body and white ashen face and wrung his hands in worry. Jameson said with concern lacing his words “What happened to our Lady Himari? Is she okay? What happened my lord? I shall fetch the best healer my Lord.” And without waiting for a response Jameson rushed out the front door in search of a healer. Duncan took Himari to her room and gently placed her on the bed removing her shoes and covering her up. He had Arturo bring up a cloth and some cold water. He dipped the rag in water and rung it out and placed it on her forehead. He tried using his healing magic on her but she didn’t wake up. Duncan sat holding Himari’s hand while Arturo stood in the corner fidgeting with the bottom of his shirt worriedly, because just like everyone else in the village Arturo cared deeply for Lady Himari. They especially loved that Himari had brought their Lords smile back and joy into his life. Finally Jameson returned with a healer. Duncan moved so the healer could access Himari easier.