The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3]

by Robbie Collins

  "We met in the forest where Jandra, I mean Sle'nel', was birthing Sele'. She came to us from out of nowhere, surprising all of us."

  "Sele'? You refer to The Realm's Future Supreme Sovereign?"

  Sam nodded, “Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n. She is my daughter. Jandra, Sle'nel’ is her Birth-Mother."

  "And our High Queen came to help Sle'nel’ deliver this child?"

  "Sle'nel’ could deliver her not, so was dying. I knew not what to do, but my sister did. She came to rescue us from the Dungaras that would attack once Sele’ was born. But the remainder is but a long story that makes no difference. It is done."

  "What do you think of our High Queen?"

  "She is in truth, amazing. At the beginning, I was but jealous. She seems to just tolerate me, though, although she does practice with me when she has a moment."

  "She thinks of you always, Highest. She even asked me to help teach you your skills. You speak truly, as she has not the moments to dedicate to your learning, but she is certainly ensuring that it occurs. You are very important to The Realm, and she is taking great care to make certain that you know what you need to know, and perhaps more. Learning all the aspects of The Realm are a part of this learning, so I am glad she brought you with her. It is good that you find her so ... what did you call her, amazing? She is most astounding, and The Realm needs her, and loves her well."

  Sam was curious about Erthrn's words, hearing more than a simple acquaintance between Erthrn and her sister, “How well do you know her?"

  Erthrn was surprised that Sam knew as little as she did about this High Queen who had such an all-powerful presence in The Realm, “I consider her as a friend. Or as a sister, in a more formal regard. I have long held her in high-esteem, as she deserves such respect as this. It is not easy to carry the entire weight of The Realm upon one's shoulders. She is a warrior of warriors, and for many cycles was considered as the best throughout all The Realm, until she gave up the sword to be High Queen. I would guess that even now, and even after her serious wound, she could yet win any battle. But you were with her in that fight against the Dungaras, so you well know her abilities."

  "She is truly skilled. And her stance as High Queen is very different than I practiced in Woden. She allows no question of her commands. And I have never prior seen such fighting as she seems so capable of. Even with all the training I have had from the Spirit Mothers of the Falls, I find myself more like a child in comparison."

  "You allow others to question your commands? Even as Highest? Do you find this acceptable?"

  Erthrn was beginning to touch her again, so Sam was becoming less interested in the conversation, but answered, “Woden is but a small town, and it was common enough for me that I didn't question it."

  * * * *

  As they sat together in the arena, Sam was beginning to see her sister through Erthrn's eyes, understanding her more. She hadn't known that her sister was tending to her teaching and care from a distance. Sam knew she had given San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ a bad impression from the beginning, but knew she could only make it up to her through her actions. San'lr'in'thel'ineln', she knew, cared little for words or expressions, knowing that she respected only the actions and end results.

  Erthrn looked at Sam as they waited for the Mungardies, “I would like you back in my chambers this eve, Highest, if you would find that acceptable. I have some entertainment arranged that I think you will find most enjoyable."

  Sam smiled somewhat shyly, uncertain of how to act with this queen.

  Erthrn touched Sam's face, “You are an astoundingly beautiful woman, Highest. If the women of Woden look as you and Sle'nel', then I must visit it soon. Even the warrior woman, Meera, and her mate Caitha, are beautiful. Are all such as you?"

  "I never thought about it prior. I never thought beauty of any importance. The Realm seems to think of it differently, though. I have but been told, however, that I am beautiful. I know not what it means as I am as I have been given. I do find your looks, though, most astonishing, and exciting."

  Erthrn's ego inflated at the compliment, “So I excite you then? This is excellent. May I take that for a yes in regard to this eve?"

  Sam nodded her head, and Erthrn leaned over to her, kissing her fully, but tenderly, which was a surprise for Sam, thinking that anything these women did would be rough and overly aggressive. Like Uthrn, Erthrn had given Sam many marks to show for the eve's delights, but wasn't as aggressive as Uthrn had been. She guessed that Erthrn no longer needed to prove herself as Uthrn must.

  "I am, in truth, most pleased, Highest. In the meanwhile, prepare yourself for an interesting moment in this War Council, and let us hope that this Mungardies shows not the sword skills of the Masters. Following this, and after I attend to a few affairs with your sister, I will give you another lesson."

  Sam was very pleased about being in Rns'deln', causing her to wonder how she could ever go back to Woden. She worried about having to live up to the law regarding a companion. As the Mungardies’ force leader was brought out to the middle of the arena, Sam let go of the thought, hoping it would all work itself out.

  She was stunned to see the Mungardies woman. Like Sle'nel', she thought they would resemble the Dungaras. Her eyebrows raised in surprise as the Mungardies woman walked out into the arena. She saw that the woman's stance was most regal and extremely self-assured—much like her sister's, without being self-aware of it. Sam observed her carefully, watching the woman look around slowly with little regard for her imminent death. In this foe, Sam thought she saw a most intelligent of enemies.

  She turned to Erthrn, “She is well intriguing and seems quite confident. In many ways, she looks much like the Mystics of The Realm."

  Erthrn was leering at the woman, always troubled at the sight of the Mungardies. She tried to remain objective so that Sam could understand who this enemy was, “Looks can be very deceiving, Highest, yet you are somewhat correct. The Mungardies were long prior of the Mystic blood, being wonderful sorcerers, scholars and healers. But at some moment they turned against The Realm, for reasons no one knows. And they are, as you say, intelligent. Most so. And strong."

  Sam stared at the woman. She stood far taller than the warriors about her, but not outwardly as muscular or well proportioned. Her breasts were small. She wore a simple tunic that reached to just above the ground, and boots. No other adornment was present. Sam thought that the woman's eyes shone with an intensity that defied her looks. And she carried the heaviest of swords as if it weighed nothing.

  "Is all their hair such as hers?"

  Erthrn stared at the woman, “It is the only hair they grow. They have no other body hair, not even eyebrows. The little hair you see is what they are born with, never growing longer than this."

  "She is truly amazing, even in her simplicity."

  Erthrn laughed quietly, but with a hint of hatred, “You find her alluring, Highest, but mind your wit, as that is their way. They are able to twist and bend one's mind like no other in The Realm. They are most difficult opponents."

  "Why do they fight against you?"

  Erthrn shook her head, “The Realm knows little of the reason they turned so fiercely against The Realm, but they have killed many of my warriors with this deceptive look. My overly kind-hearted warriors also mistook that look for kindness once, but hear me well, Highest. There is no kindness in their hearts. None. I know this well. You mean nothing to them."

  Sam wasn't pleased with this explanation, “Why? Were they always as such?"

  Erthrn looked at Sam briefly, “I have heard tales from long prior that they were not always of this stance, but all power is corruptible, Highest. Have you not yet been told this by your teachers?"

  "San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ warned me of this. She told me that as I learned and gained my powers, I would have to choose the path I would take."

  Erthrn nodded, “Listen well to your sister as she is most wise and well trained. The Mungardies chose the other path. They have little capacity for
love, and none for generosity. It is why The Realm treasures and protects The High Queen so fiercely. She has remained rigidly incorruptible in this regard. As you gain your powers you will understand this even further, for when you are given a great power such as one that allows you to kill another, a moment will come that will test you. That is the moment The High Queen speaks of, and will be the moment in which you will choose your path. Only you can choose which way you will elect to use your powers."

  "Yet they look so learned. So..."

  "Scholarly?"

  "Yes."

  "They were, once. But watch her carefully. You will see her trickery."

  "Are they ruled by Sume'n'tinel'ti'non?"

  Erthrn didn't recognize the name at first, but then thought about it, “Ah. Your eldest sister. I heard of this rumor, also. So her existence be true then? No, I think this not possible. She, like many others prior to her, most likely believes that she can control them. If this be so, then this will be her downfall. If they are connected at all, the Mungardies most likely just use her, as she is The High Queen's sister. They would probably see some twisted humor in this. This is also like they used the Dungaras all these cycles, which is now their downfall."

  Sam looked over to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', wondering what she thought of the Mungardies woman. She saw that The High Queen studied the woman carefully, but remained unchanging in her expression.

  Sam looked back to Erthrn, “If she can bend their thinking, then the Dungaras’ minds will be bent toward hers so that they will not be able to fight her."

  "It is a possibility. I know that this one will insist on fighting against The High Queen."

  "Fight against my sister? This cannot be allowed."

  Erthrn looked sideways to Sam, “Do you now speak for your sister?"

  "No, but she is High Queen, and shouldn't be risked so."

  "It may be the only way we find out what we need to know, and already, this one most likely knows what it is we look for. They have studied our ways well. And we have already tried to give the Dungaras a block in their mind so that she cannot twist their thoughts, but I suspect she will be able to undo this block."

  "Can you beat her?"

  "Of course."

  "Can Uthrn?"

  "Yes."

  "Can your warriors."

  "They are trained to do so, but in great numbers against us, we will lose. They are not as easy as the Dungaras."

  Sam drew in a quick breath, remembering that her fight against the Dungaras was nothing she considered as easy. She remembered them as well-trained fighters, and now became even more interested.

  "How can The Realm fight against them if they are so well-trained?"

  "It is a difficulty that will be made even more so if they have trained with a Master."

  The two Dungaras were sent out into the arena. They were wary of the Mungardies woman, keeping as far away from her as possible. They, like her, had been given their weapon of choice. Sam saw that the Mungardies woman maintained a blank expression, like her sister, showing neither anxiousness nor relief. She simply watched them.

  Uthrn made the announcement, “Hensaln of the Mungardies. You are to fight against these two Dungaras force leaders this turn. You may choose to fight or not, but either way, you will die this turn. Have you any last request of us?"

  The woman looked slowly toward Uthrn with a look of dismissive disgust, showing that she thought Uthrn far beneath her. In an accent far different than Sam had yet heard, she replied impatiently, “You well know that they will not be able to fight me. And if I even allow it, their skills are not worthy of my effort."

  Uthrn shrugged, as if with no care, “Is this your request, or do you choose to just waste our moments?"

  "Allow me to fight against your High Queen. This is my request."

  Uthrn shook her head, “If you fight against the Dungaras and if you win, Queen Erthrn has permitted that you can then fight against her."

  The woman's eyes narrowed in contempt, “Erthrn? You asked for my last request, and now you give it not to me. Now whose moments are being wasted? You are a liar only, Uthrn of the Warriors of the Sword."

  Uthrn was overly skilled to let Hensaln's words upset her, and like a true warrior, showed no display of emotion, “Call me what you wish, but you waste our moments."

  Uthrn turned to the Dungaras, “Fight against her now, or you will be removed and tortured for many turns, with the most painful of tortures, as we showed you prior."

  Uthrn had indeed prepared the Dungaras to understand this to be truth. She had them shown the tortures they would endure if they didn't provide a strong and courageous fight against this Mungardies. They had chosen a sword and were now moving toward her with little hope of winning.

  The Mungardies woman stood perfectly still, moving only her eyes. She raised her hand slightly, in the same motion Sam had seen her sister do prior. The Dungaras shook their heads, trying to rid themselves of her mind-bending efforts.

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ could see that this wouldn't be a productive fight, and that she or Erthrn would have to fight against this one in order to learn if they had the skills of the Masters.

  The mind block Uthrn had provided worked briefly, and just enough for the Dungaras to begin earnestly fighting against the woman. The Mungardies raised her sword, resenting the effort, but fought them with great skill. Even with all the Dungaras’ sword skills, the woman showed no strain in fighting against two Dungaras force leaders. Sam watched with interest, having seen her own sister's skills prior, and knowing what to look for.

  This one would give even my sister a bad moment.

  In her head, she heard a reply, You think so, My Sister? Perhaps you will be able to see if this is true for yourself.

  Sam looked over to her sister, She has many abilities.

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, You speak truly, but see her arrogance? She tries to display that she is nothing but usual, but in truth, she is a most highly skilled Mungardies. She must be a very high force leader, perhaps one of the highest.

  Is their high leader better than this?

  This, no one knows.

  Will you fight her?

  Erthrn would like the privilege and knows enough of the Masters’ ways.

  The woman moved her hand again, trying to twist the Dungaras’ mind to her, then, as they were trying to clear their heads of her spell, she raised her sword and quickly killed both of them.

  Erthrn laughed, speaking to the Mungardies woman as the now-dead Dungaras were being removed, “You seem bored, Hensaln. Care to fight against a real warrior?"

  The woman didn't laugh, nor did she change her expression, “It would seem I must. But if I win...” She turned to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “...I fight you."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ didn't change her expression, refusing to give this Mungardies any pleasure. Nor did she give any sign of interest or acknowledgment in what the woman said.

  Erthrn went to the front row, then jumped into the arena, sword in hand, “You step out of your place, Hensaln. You have no leave to speak to The High Queen.” Then Erthrn laughed, “But come to think on such, you have no leave to speak to me, either."

  Erthrn began moving about the arena, speaking to the Mungardies as she did so, “Are you going to waste your efforts trying to use your mind-bending tricks on me, Hensaln? If so, let me know when you did, as I wouldn't wish to disappoint you in your useless efforts. I could at least pretend, for you."

  The woman watched Erthrn carefully, narrowing her eyes, “You chatter overly. Your speaking noise offends my ears. Or is talking how you plan to torture me?"

  "Yet trying to control The Realm, Mungardies? I recall not making you leader of The Realm."

  Erthrn kept moving around with sword readied, waiting until the woman made the first move. Erthrn didn't see it as proper to make the first move against a captive when the intent was death, anyway.

  "Are you so stupid to think that I know not why you wish me t
o fight?"

  Erthrn laughed again, “Your arrogance is astounding, Hensaln. But tell me, for the sake of hearing you speak. Why do you think we wish to see you fight?"

  The woman answered with her sword, instead, making a quick, but strong move against Erthrn. Erthrn countered quickly, expecting as such. It was all San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ needed to see.

  To herself she thought, So, they have learned from a Master. But not one of the great ones, and I don't think even Bro'gadich'in'. But who?

  The woman made a few more sword moves against Erthrn, then held her sword down, “Why should I fight if I must die anyway? How senseless is this?"

  Erthrn was prepared for any move the woman might make, knowing that the Mungardies woman would use any trick to win the battle. Erthrn said nothing, but stood readied. The woman readied her sword once again, moving around the arena, positioning herself to her liking, closer to the High Queen. She used all her might suddenly against Erthrn, sending Erthrn back a distance. In the same movement, she quickly turned to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', facing her but a soft voice away and one tier lower. In the same motion, she made a move to kill The High Queen.

  The movement occurred so rapidly that no one seemed prepared for it. But at almost the same moment, an arrow shot into the woman's sword arm with such force that it caused the woman to fall with a great cry of pain to the floor of the arena. Erthrn and the guards were upon her immediately, but the entire event had arisen so swiftly that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ hadn't even the moment to let down her guard.

  She and Erthrn had guessed prior that the Mungardies woman might make such a move against her, so she was prepared for such. She looked up toward the arrow's path, expecting to see a quick-thinking Rns'deln’ warrior. Instead, she saw Sle'nel’ standing at the top of the arena, ready with another arrow aimed toward the woman. The High Queen smiled at Sle'nel's Elfin image, finding it striking and ever surprising.

  Erthrn saw The High Queen smiling at someone, so looked up in the same direction, wondering where the arrow had come from. Erthrn also had expected to see one of her own guards, so was quite amazed to look upon Sle'nel', yet at the ready. She saw her as silhouetted against the sun, standing firmly erect and assured, yet slender for such strength it took to get the arrow this far so accurately.