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

by Robbie Collins

  Erthrn looked back to her Queen, “Did you prepare her to protect you this turn?"

  The High Queen yet stared at Sle'nel', smiling, but shook her head, softly saying, “No. She had no knowledge of this plan."

  Ann'wn was standing next to Sle'nel', also looking amazed. They had just returned from their bow and arrow practice in the nearby forest, and were entering the arena in order to watch the match between the Dungaras and the Mungardies woman. As they entered at the top-tier, Sle'nel’ had seen the move against her Queen and had readied and shot her arrow within an eye's blink.

  Shaking her head in amazement, Ann'wn said, “Keddi would be proud of you, my Elf. That was a perfectly aimed shot. And from such a distance as this."

  Sle'nel’ had quickly taken out another arrow and prepared it in case it became needed, but said, “I think not. I aimed for her heart."

  Ann'wn laughed, yet not knowing if or when their Elf jested. Sle'nel’ didn't realize it, but she was becoming more Elfin-like in her stance upon every turn. Except when the Elves were light-hearted and playful, their demeanor was observant, with no hint as to their inner emotions. She was even beginning to hold her body in the more Elfin-like fashion, displaying assuredness and intelligence, yet without arrogance.

  The Mungardies woman had also wondered who had shot the arrow. As they led her away, with the arrow completely through her arm, back-to-front, she looked up to Sle'nel'. From a brief glimpse, she knew she saw something different than one of the Warriors of the Sword or any of The High Queen's guards, but couldn't place it. Her instinct told her that, in that woman, there stood the race that would know how to bring the Mungardies toward peace. She wailed like a wounded animal as they led her off, knowing that she would take this knowledge to her death rather than be able to tell her leader about this one.

  As they began to walk down the stairs toward their Queen, Ann'wn kept talking, “In truth, Elfin Princess, you aimed for the arm, did you not?"

  Sle'nel’ just gave Ann'wn a sideways’ glance, but said nothing. She gave the bow and arrow to Ann'wn, and then took the stairs lightly toward her Queen.

  The High Queen had risen, moving toward her as she came. When Sle'nel’ had arrived, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ held out her hands to her.

  Sle'nel’ placed her hands into her Queen's, “You are now safe, my Queen?"

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gazed into Sle'nel's eyes. She was smiling softly, fully amazed at her Elf. Quietly and slowly, she said, “You came out of nowhere, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ flinched at the words, then also smiled slightly, “As you did for me, my Queen, in the forest."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed lightly at her words, “Now I know what that must have seemed like to you. How did you know she was about to make this move against me?"

  Sle'nel’ shook her head, “I knew not. We had just returned from practicing."

  "I wasn't aware that you had such bow and arrow abilities as this."

  Sle'nel’ smiled mischievously, “Nor was I."

  Ann'wn had finally reached her Queen. She knelt and bowed her head, “Rise, Ann'wn. Thank you for guarding My Elf this turn."

  "In truth, my Queen, she needs little protection. My Queen, please tell me, did she aim for the Mungardies’ arm, or no?"

  The High Queen looked back to her lover, “She will have to tell you that, My Warrior. All I know is that I have seen none better with this weapon."

  Meera had also had been amazed at Sle'nel's skills, “Did you learn these abilities in Woden when we but prepared against Fornaith? I recall that you did well with a bow and arrow, but I recall no ability such as this."

  Sle'nel’ looked to her friend, smiling, “Some. Not all. But you taught me well, Meera."

  Erthrn yet looked stunned, “A masterful aim, Elf. My Warriors could learn much from you. The Mungardies woman is quite frustrated that she couldn't see you clearly. She knows not that the Elves yet live in The Realm."

  Sam had come over to the now-collected group, also amazed over Sle'nel's well-placed arrow, “Quite a shot. Meera should be proud of her teachings."

  Sle'nel’ looked at her and just smiled, looking back to Meera, “She is a good teacher, Sam. But I think it mostly a lucky shot.” Then she looked back to her Queen, “But I now believe that Queen Erthrn and my Queen were prepared for the woman's surprise attack. So I think my arrow was needed not."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked to Erthrn, “Perhaps this would be a good moment to end the proceedings for this turn?"

  Erthrn nodded, then made the announcement that the proceedings would begin again in the morn, and would end at midturn with a banquet, “This eve, Rns'deln’ has prepared a celebration for all of you, this eve. Fun, food and good entertainment will be provided for all, and all are welcome."

  Sam looked to her sister, “What now becomes of the Mungardies women?"

  As San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Sam, she saw the marks upon her neck from her eve's entertainment. Ignoring them, she replied, “They are already dead."

  Sam gasped softly, but San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ heard it, “Does this surprise you?"

  Sam shook her head, “I know not why it did, as Meera would have done the same, but it did."

  "It is a good sign that it did so. We should never be casual about killing. But we have learned from overly many deaths that we shouldn't wait a moment to kill them."

  Sam nodded slightly, “I understand, but can we not attempt a negotiation?"

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed gently, “We attempt this once every moon, to the same result. But we will continue our efforts. At some point when we are winning, they will listen. In the meanwhile, we have the Dungaras to think on first. We must end our battle with them before we can take on the whole of the Mungardies’ empire."

  Surprising everyone and slipping by all the guards without being seen, a messenger had arrived, kneeling and bowing to The High Queen, but saying nothing.

  Erthrn was outraged over the interruption of The High Queen while in Rns'deln', “How dare you interrupt The High Queen, Messenger. Who sent you? And what insolence is this? No one comes directly to The High Queen unless the messenger has been searched.” Erthrn looked for Uthrn.

  Bellowing at the top of her lungs, she called for her, “UTHRN!"

  Uthrn came running, along with a few other guards. As she arrived, she knelt and bowed her head, “My Queen. High Queen."

  Erthrn was well angered, “How has this messenger come to The High Queen without going through our guards prior?"

  Uthrn made a movement to take the messenger into custody, but The High Queen motioned her away. She had been studying the messenger since her arrival, “Unless I am mistaken, this is a child of the Shrd'ilker'ins."

  She gently placed her hand on the woman's/child's face, “Rise, My child. It has been long since your kin have graced The Realm with your presence."

  The woman/child stood, looking innocent but unafraid.

  Erthrn looked surprised, “The Women of the Trees? But they have not been seen or heard from in almost a lifespan."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was looking around, as if looking for someone, “They were closely connected to the Elves and went into seclusion when the Elves left The Realm."

  Erthrn looked at the messenger, “A child you say? She looks as a full grown woman, only much shorter."

  "She is not. And she passed through your guards without notice, as she was shrouded to them."

  Uthrn, Meera, Ann'wn, and all of Uthrn's guards had their weapons drawn. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ told Erthrn, “Have the guards place down their weapons."

  "My Queen..."

  She raised an eyebrow ever so slightly to Erthrn, slightly annoyed. Quietly, with steady patience, she responded to her long-prior friend, placing her hand upon Erthrn's arm, “I know what I do, Erthrn."

  Erthrn bowed her head deeply, seeing that she shouldn't have questioned her High Queen, “I beg your forgiveness, High Queen."

  The High Qu
een then once more looked around the arena while asking Sle'nel', “Do your Elfin eyes see them, My Love?"

  Sle'nel’ didn't know who they were, but had already seen for who The High Queen was searching. She motioned her head to the small group of very old looking women straight up from them, many tiers. They blended well into whatever background they were in, almost disappearing into it, but Sle'nel’ had sensed and smelled them.

  They were all small, standing only to The High Queen's breast at their tallest, and slender. She motioned gently for them to come down, saying softly, “All is well. You are most welcome among us."

  She explained to Sle'nel', “It is my guess that they have come to meet with you, My Desire. When the Elves left us, they were never seen in The Realm again, except on a rare occasion. They are a withdrawn race that trusted only the Elves."

  Sle'nel’ looked upon the small woman/child before her, smiling gently to her, “Why are they called the Women in the Trees?"

  "They live in such. Their dwellings are well disguised within the trees, much like these women are now. They make garments that blend into any background. It is how they entered through the guards without being seen. Being of the Deep Mystics, they trust not the Mystics or the humans. I never thought we would see them again. They live quietly upon The Realm, asking for nothing, but giving much in return."

  The small messenger held tightly onto Sle'nel's garments, stroking her arm. When the other group of six women had arrived, they knelt and bowed their heads to Sle'nel', speaking to her only, and very softly in her own Elfin language, “Elfin Princess."

  Sle'nel’ wasn't familiar with all the inhabitants of The Realm, but was surprised to hear her own language spoken so well from another. She spoke with them also in the Elfin language, “Please rise. You have no reason to kneel before me."

  The old women rose, and all began to stroke Sle'nel's arms and body. Sle'nel’ allowed it, knowing that they were just reassuring themselves that she was real, and that she had passed their first test of the Elfin language.

  The oldest of the group spoke to her, “We heard that an Elf had returned, and now we see that it was spoken in truth.” Tears were falling from her eyes, with no regard from her, “You have returned. And now, they will return."

  "I have a Birth-daughter who is also part Elfin. Even R'lodin'lindor now has a companion—D'ron'stri'nil'.” The women looked pleased just to be standing next to Sle'nel', who was wondering why they had come, “What is it I might do for you, friends of the Elves?"

  The oldest woman spoke, “It is rumored you are returning to the site of your Elfin home."

  "It is so."

  "Then you must visit with us prior, as we are the keepers to the entrance. We have been safeguarding the key until your return."

  She nodded her agreement to the request and added, “We will be leaving within a few turns. Would you remain with us until then?"

  "Thank you, Princess, but we cannot. We have much to prepare prior to your arrival."

  "You need not prepare anything for me."

  "But we must, Elfin Princess. There is a long message for you from your ancestors, and it is scattered throughout The Realm so as to remain safely hidden. We must return so as to gather the message together, prior to your arrival."

  Sle'nel’ nodded her understanding, “Is there anything I might bring for you?"

  "We would also like to see your Birth-daughter so she might know of us."

  "I shall make it so."

  "Then we must be off, Elfin Princess. But we leave with lighter hearts, as The Realm now is a softer place with the Elves’ return."

  "But I am only one Elf, my friends."

  The old woman nodded knowingly, grinning her secret, “For now. But it is in the songs of legend that with the return of the one Elf, the others also return. You and The High Queen will make it as so."

  The old woman held out a small package to Sle'nel'. She took it, but looked quizzically upon it. The old woman said, “When you have a moment, Elfin Princess, study the pictures carefully."

  Sle'nel’ looked with confusion to the old woman, but the old woman merely winked her response. Sle'nel’ knelt before her, bowing her own head to her, “I am only one, but will do as I am able to help the others return, if they are so able. This I pledge to you. But it saddens me that I must do so blindly and that I have come so late to my now unclear path."

  The small group all placed their hands upon Sle'nel's head and shoulders, “Your path knowingly unfolds before you with each step you take. Follow your heart, Elfin Princess, as you alone are the restorer of The Realm's heart."

  "How will I know where to visit with you?"

  "Tell your horse by which I am called—Torsn'dynl'. She will bring you to me."

  "And the others that travel with me?"

  "They will be made welcomed while you are delivered the key."

  She rose, “Thank you for coming to me. I knew not of you."

  "We know of this. It was meant to be so until the correct moment. We take our leave now and will expect you soon. Travel safely. There are many that would rather see you dead than alive. The return of the Elves is not welcomed by all."

  Sle'nel kissed each of them on the tops of their heads, then nodded to them, “May we at least re-supply your food, or give you guards for a safe return?"

  "No thank you, Elfin Princess. We travel swiftly and unnoticed, and our food supply is quite excellent."

  The oldest woman turned to San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. In the Elfin tongue, she spoke very slowly so that The High Queen could catch the words, “Take good care of her, High Queen. The Realm's heart now rests on her shoulders."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knelt down to her and bowed her head. She then looked at her, and using what few Elfin words she knew, she spoke to her, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. We are all honored at your presence.” She had recognized the woman upon her arrival, and knew who stood before her.

  Sle'nel’ was surprised that her own Queen knew of this woman who stood before them, and that this woman was a Queen in her own right.

  Queen Torsn'dynl’ touched the top of San'lr'in'thel'ineln's head softly, and in The High Queen's own language, said, “You were a wise choice for The Realm, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. We didn't make this decision of ours lightly."

  "I am gladdened that you have returned to The Realm, Honored Queen."

  "Keep this Elf safe, High Queen. It is now your duty. She has given you a great prize by giving you her love. There is nothing greater than this. But you have earned it well by taking on the burden of ruling and making The Realm safe again. She is our single hope for the Elves’ return, Highness."

  As she turned back to Sle'nel', Sle'nel’ bowed her head and said in her Elfin tongue, “Forgive me my disrespect, Queen Torsn'dynl'. I was unaware of your position."

  She made a waving motion of her hand, dismissing the notion. In the Elfin language, she said, “It means nothing. You are all that matters, Sle'nel'. Just to be able to say an Elfin name to an Elf is more than I had hoped for before I die. You have chosen well in your lover, Elfin Princess. For a Mystic, she is the most loyal of all, and her heart is true. We chose her for High Queen because of her purity of heart. She will be unwavering for you. It took you a while to find her, and my heart was relieved when you finally did so, but then, it took a long while for The Realm to finally find you again. You were well hidden from all of us."

  They all touched her once again, then began their journey home, walking up the stairs while disappearing into the background. By the moment they reached the top-tier, none but Sle'nel’ could see them. She waved to them as they walked off the top-tier then turned to her Queen, merely staring in disbelief. She held the package tightly to her, wondering as to its contents.

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ opened her arms for her, and Sle'nel’ stepped willingly into them, breathing out a great sigh.

  All will be well, My Desire.

  The weight of being an Elf grows. My heart grows heavy with this bur
den.

  We will find a way to lift this weight together, My Desire. We will find a way to fly free of these burdens.

  She looked up at her, “You know this woman?"

  "I know her well.” To Sle'nel', the statement seemed to be said with some burden of truth. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ hesitated, then sighed deeply, “She was one of the ones to vote Me in as High Queen."

  "Voted? Who?"

  "The rulers throughout The Realm, such as her. Not the petty ones, but the long great ones. The Deep Mystics."

  "Did they all vote for you?"

  "I informed them that it would be unanimous, or they must find another."

  Sle'nel’ laughed at this, “A true High Queen's statement."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, recalling the moment now through Sle'nel's eyes, “They said the same remark to Me, and then made it so."

  The High Queen turned to Erthrn, “Where would you have us now, Queen Erthrn?"

  Erthrn bowed her head, “A small meal gathering with your traveling companions in yet another room that has been built for your needs. It is a warm and inviting room like no other of yours."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ would have preferred to spend her moments alone with Sle'nel’ upon that most wonderful of islands and inside its cottage, but knew she needed to bend to Erthrn's needs. She looked down at Sle'nel', “Will this be fine for you, My Love?"

  Sle'nel’ gave her package to Ann'wn, “Please keep this safe for me until later."

  Ann'wn bowed her head, “It is my pleasure to do so for you, Princess."

  Sle'nel’ looked back at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “With you, anything is fine, my Queen.” She took her arm, then reached out with her other arm for Meera, “Where is Caitha? Off collecting more stories and songs?"

  Meera nodded, glad to be with Sle'nel', “She should be meeting me soon. And it is as you say. She considers herself the keeper of the culture."

  The High Queen looked at everyone, “Then let us meet in a short while at Queen Erthrn's next surprise for us. Warrior Woman of Woden, please inform Caitha I would like her to sing her songs of the Elves this eve. And Erthrn, if any of your singers know of such, if they would also attend us?"