While they were arguing, Sle'nel’ spoke to The High Queen, “There is no moon this eve, my Queen. I could try to find the leader and the Master for you, and more quickly so than these warriors and scouts. I could at least give the attempt without being seen. And if I am successful, you would have information you need to then send in the forces necessary to capture one or both."
The High Queen looked at her, “R'lodin'lindor?"
She nodded.
The High Queen turned toward the fire, looking away from her lover, “I like none of these options. They are far overly risky."
"It is a high risk to send the warriors, my Queen. Even I can see this to be so. And the scouts stand little chance of returning with this information. But I can give you my vow to be careful and remain well high away from sight. I will return by the War Council. If I have found no information, then you can send out the greater risks."
"Who would you take with you?"
She spoke softly, “I go alone."
"You will not."
"I must. They are overly loud.” She look toward Uthrn and the others, “Look at them. They frustrate you, and this I see well. And they counter your orders."
She motioned her hand, dismissing the notion, “Only as I allow such. I needed to hear what they had to say about this risk. I can see that they find the request important, though, and that is what I needed to know. Yet, I dislike risking lives unnecessarily."
"Then you would have me go?"
"Not alone."
"Who knows what a Master looks like?"
She looked around the room, “Erthrn. Me. Ann'wn. Uthrn."
"Are they easily identifiable, my Queen?"
She nodded, “Long hair, brought all into a long tail. Dark red vest. White shirt. One, two or three raptor's feathers hanging down from their hair's long tail. But this is only truth if they continue the tradition."
She removed the cuff that was attached to her middle finger. She raised up her sleeve, just to above her wrist. The Elf looked at the sign she had seen whenever they had lain together, but never had they spoken of it. It had been tattooed onto The High Queen's hand long prior, and Sle'nel’ had guessed that it had something to do with her being High Queen. Now she saw that it didn't.
The High Queen continued, “Some wear this upon their forehead, tattooed such as this, some wear it upon the back of their hand, such as I do, and some wear it upon their arm, where it cannot be seen."
"This is why you wear such sleeves, which extend down past your wrist?"
She nodded, “But this mark is also upon their sword, any hat they may wear, or as an emblem upon their vest. It usually is in sight, though, as a mark of distinction and valor."
"I recall this same mark upon the hilt of your sword. I should have placed these facts together. How stupid I am."
The High Queen scoffed, “Stupid? I think not. There could be many reasons for such a tattoo as this. Now, who do you take with you?"
"Who would you have go with me?"
"Uthrn is the most skilled warrior. Ann'wn is the most intelligent warrior. And Erthrn shouldn't go as she is Queen. Take Uthrn. She will be the most use in these lands that are somewhat strange to Ann'wn."
"I will need my bow and arrows. And I must go to call R'lodin'lindor."
"I will have the attendants bring your weapons to you. Now let us call this debate to order."
She turned to the rest of the small eve's party, “I have made a decision. Our Elf will be scouting for us this eve, from the skies. She has agreed to take R'lodin'lindor to locate the Master. She has vowed to return by the War Council in the morn. At that moment, we can then decide our course of action in regard to capturing the Master, and in regard to finding the location of the leader of the Mungardies. Uthrn, you will travel with her as her guard, and as one who knows the lands well but under her command."
Uthrn bowed her head, “As you command, my Queen, so shall it be."
She began to turn, but added, “Oh, and Uthrn."
"My Queen?"
"The Elf would like a silent journey."
"As you command, Highness."
"And she is not to be questioned."
"I understand, Highness."
She looked at the scouts, “We will most likely engage your services beginning next turn. Please be at the War Council.” She looked at Erthrn, “Have the attendants bring Sle'nel’ her weapons and her cloak."
* * * *
They followed as Sle'nel’ left to call R'lodin'lindor. As everyone stood outside on the main terraced entryway into the Great Hall, Sle'nel’ gave a soft whistle and muttered a few Elfin words. The attendants had returned with the Elf's weapons and cloak, and the staff was given to Uthrn's care. Sle'nel’ thought that R'lodin'lindor must have been close to Rns'deln', as she arrived quickly.
Sle'nel’ turned to her lover, “Worry not over me, my Queen."
The High Queen looked concerned, “It is My privilege to do so. Be safe, My Desire. Remain high in the winds, as you vowed."
Sle'nel’ strapped her bow and arrows to her back, and her sword to her side, “I plan to use no weapon. We will be quick. I plan to find the location of these two, only."
"Plans are simply plans. The actuality often takes on much different outcomes than we often prior think on them."
"I will return by midmorn. Look for me from the north."
"We will be in the arena waiting for your return."
Sle'nel’ looked at her, began to leave, then turned back, embracing and kissing her lover. The High Queen held her as if they had been separated for many cycles.
Sle'nel’ gave her one last kiss, then quickly went to R'lodin'lindor. She explained the mission to her, using her Elfin language. Uthrn had never prior seen an Elf's flying horse and was standing in shock, half-afraid of the great, massive horse.
Sle'nel’ looked at her briefly, shaking her head, “Get on, Uthrn. We have few enough moments as it is. If you are afraid, then step back, as I have no patience for your hesitation."
Uthrn's eyes were wide in dismay at the horse, but quickly followed the Elf's directions, jumping onto R'lodin'lindor, but wondering how she would remain upon this horse as they flew across the skies.
As The High Queen watched them leave, Sam came up beside her, “A harsh decision, but I think this the better one."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded her head, “Yet, not the easier one."
Sam saw that she hadn't liked making this decision, “It is war, my Queen. Lives will be risked and lost. Your decisions will always, unfortunately, include the cost of these lives."
The High Queen looked at her, studying her, “You would have made the same decision, then?"
Sam stared back, having also been watching the great white horse jump into the air. She sighed, knowing that she was about to tell one of her own weaknesses, “I know this as the correct one, but no, I would have done it myself and risked being killed. If I survived, then I would risk much reprimand. But I would have risked only myself."
"And yet you are The Highest. I wonder if you would do as such now, knowing how much Woden will need your knowledge of The Realm."
"Sadly, it is my first instinct."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked back to the sky, trying to find where their path had taken them, “And mine, as well."
Sam was surprised, “You would go?"
"No longer, but I did so when I first became High Queen. As you said, it was the easiest of the decisions."
Sam gasped, “You? You did as I did?"
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed softly, “Why does this surprise you so?"
"Because I know this is not the best of decisions, and because you seem to never make an error of judgment, such as I overly often do."
Placing her hand upon Sam's shoulder, The High Queen softly replied, “It is enough that I am overly hard on you. You need not be so to yourself. You have been an excellent Highest for Woden and must rely on that strength. We all find our own paths, and we cer
tainly all make our own errors. Place Me not so high as this, Highest. I will fall quickly enough from your graces."
As she turned to re-enter the Caves, she saw Meera and Ann'wn looking slightly dispirited. She silently examined their thoughts, sensing what she thought she would find.
Speaking aloud to their unspoken thoughts, she said, “My Warrior Women, are you prepared to lead the final campaign against the Dungaras in the next few turns? Ann'wn, you will be in-charge of the overall battle. Perhaps you should begin planning your strategies. Warrior Woman of Woden, you will be her Battle Second, along with Uthrn. Next turn's War Council will be most important to your plan of attack. I know how fond warriors are of the actual engagement, but as the leaders in-charge, you will have to decide whether you will fight or lead."
She sensed their thoughts once more, satisfied that they were no longer thinking that they were being punished for their questioning of her, “Force Leader, I leave the battle strategies to you, but be mindful that I expect a quick attack and a quicker success. And I expect that you will bring Me the leader of the Dungaras aliv—"
"—but, Highness, should we not g—"
The High Queen raised an eyebrow and stared into Ann'wn's eyes with a cold, hard expression, “It is a command, Force Leader, not a discussion. I expect no questioning of My decisions or desires. Bring Me the leader of the Dungaras, alive."
Ann'wn caught the annoyance within her Queen, “Yes, my Queen."
"And keep Me informed. You have My leave.” She turned away from Ann'wn, clearly displaying that her commands to Ann'wn were final, then to the others said, “Come. Let us reconvene in the wonderful den that Queen Erthrn has so generously built for us, and listen to the musicians, hear more of Caitha's wonderful songs, and drink the remainder of the eve away.” She looked at her sister with a knowing expression, smiling mischievously, “At least until two of us feel they must depart for more pleasant moments. And Mil'der'in, if you would rather be elsewhere, I would understand."
"No, my Queen. I have been asked to wait, and will happily do so."
During the remainder of the eve, Caitha sang a few songs, told a few stories, then Erthrn and San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gave Sam a few lessons in her powers, frustrating her more, but also causing her to laugh. At late eve, The High Queen excused them, “Thank you for your wonderful entertainment. Good eve to all of you."
They left while she remained, having little desire to return to her now empty chambers. She preferred the feeling of the cozy room, sitting in her most comfortable of chairs where she could yet feel her lover laying upon her. She sat, gazing into the fire, offering up her meditations throughout the remainder of the eve.
* * * *
They were high into the sky with R'lodin'lindor, heading in the direction to the land of the Mungardies. Sle'nel’ knew that her flying unicorn wasn't a fearful horse by nature, but sensed that flying over the Mungardies’ lands wasn't an adventure R'lodin'lindor would freely take on without good reason.
Sle'nel’ turned her head to speak to Uthrn, who rode behind her, “Where would you have her first go?"
Uthrn was holding on to Sle'nel', but was highly uncomfortable doing so, knowing that no one was to touch The High Queen's lover. She answered with whispered hope that her directions wouldn't lead them to their death, “Begin in the far north and work our way to the middle of their lands. They wouldn't expect anyone to come from that direction."
They covered the territory quickly and safely all due to R'lodin'lindor's ability to fly so quietly when they had the need to fly down for a closer look. Sle'nel’ knew that the chances of finding the Master during the late eve were worse than slim, as she was most likely somewhere inside a dwelling. But the eve was a warm one, so there was some, but little hope.
The women Sle'nel’ saw were much the same as she had seen earlier this turn. They all mostly wore the same type of tunic and their hair was in the same style of almost bald. As they examined each town, Sle'nel’ was careful for R'lodin'lindor not to be seen. She kept her flying as high as possible, even in knowing that the intelligent Mungardies wouldn't be looking for an enemy from the sky.
After examining each town carefully, Uthrn would say, “No. Not this town. We can move on, Elf Princess."
As they rode between the various towns with no luck, she began to wonder if there were any hope at all in the mission's success.
She didn't think so, but also didn't allow the thought to alter her hope for such.
They were getting deeper into the Mungardies’ lands, with little protection between the towns as they moved closer toward their center. Uthrn whispered into Sle'nel's ear, “I think we will not be able to find her this eve. She is most likely inside. But even if she is not, this next town is their largest, and it will be impossible to locate her."
Sle'nel’ said nothing, but wasn't giving up so easily. She was sorry she had brought Uthrn with her. She knew that Ann'wn wouldn't have succumbed to the almost certain possibility that Uthrn was correct.
Whenever the moon was absent from the sky, the sky was usually ablaze from the light of the stars. But this eve the clouds provided a gray-black background that sheltered them well. Knowing this, both Sle'nel’ and R'lodin'lindor took even greater chances, flying low, looking for unusual dwellings that signified someone special, or a gathering of women.
They flew low, making a dog to bark at them as they whooshed quickly past it. Sle'nel’ didn't see any of the signs of what she searched for, becoming frustrated. They went up higher for a moment, and she turned her head to Uthrn, “Is there a town that is more suited for a leader? One that is not just large, but perhaps wealthier?"
Uthrn spoke into her ear, “I know not, Elf. It has been long since I have seen any of these towns."
As the eve was beginning to turn into the very early morn, Sle'nel’ knew that they would have to give up the search soon. They were flying over a long lake, when R'lodin'lindor became more animated, taking them to where she thought they should look. Sle'nel’ smiled to herself, recalling from her mother's memories that her Elfin horse had instincts and intuitions far beyond her own. She smiled again as she saw that at the end of the lake was a gathering of some sort, like a party, Thank you, R'lodin'lindor. You may have given our mission its success.
Tents were assembled well away from the lake, and many torches for light had been provided. Dancing was yet occurring, and there were what looked to Sle'nel’ like hundreds of guards surrounding the occasion.
They flew upwards a bit, while Sle'nel’ turned to Uthrn, “I know not what we found, but there is someone of importance down there. Did you see all the guards?"
"Yes, my Elf. By chance, I think we just became lucky."
She had R'lodin'lindor fly across the affair, as low as they thought they could get away with. As they came to the edge of the lake, they began to turn back upwards so as to take another fly over the party, when Sle'nel’ saw someone standing at the edge of the lake. Someone dressed in garments similar to what her Queen had described. She pointed downward. They were now almost too high for Uthrn to see well, but she recognized the vest. It was the vest of a Master.
They took another flight over the edge of the lake, remaining high. Sle'nel’ saw the hair, as The High Queen had mentioned, and now the vest. She spoke to Uthrn, “She is with someone. But only one. We could take her. It would make a fine present to The High Queen. What think you, Uthrn? Are you up for a little risk this eve?"
Uthrn gulped, “A little risk, Elf?” The Elves having been long gone from The Realm, very few recalled that they tended to see such great risk as merely mild entertainment. Uthrn, while brave beyond measure, was stunned in the obvious understatement.
Sle'nel’ outlined her plan to Uthrn, who agreed to it. R'lodin'lindor dropped Uthrn off at a distance from the site where the Master was now indulging in a sweet physical moment with a lover, no longer with her garments on. Sle'nel’ prepared her bow and arrow, but remained well high, and off just above the t
rees until she was assured that Uthrn was in place. From any direction on land, except by the secluded lake or by air, the Master was well-guarded. But wanting her privacy, the guards remained well away, never expecting any attack to come from the air or the lake.
Sle'nel’ knew that her plan entailed exacting luck, but felt it worth the effort. With the capture of the Master, her Queen and The Realm would know much more of what they faced in the Mungardies. When she saw that Uthrn was in-place, she took a deep breath, released it, then patted R'lodin'lindor's neck.
It is the moment.
R'lodin'lindor landed at the lakeside in almost complete silence, standing as still as she could. The Master was so engaged in her physical pursuits with her lover that it took a moment for her to notice them. But Sle'nel’ knew that such a Master would be quick.
And she was.
In only a moment she had retrieved her sword and knife and was facing the Elf with no fear, and with no garments.
The lover had stood still, stunned. Sle'nel’ knew she had only a moment prior to the Master calling for her guards. Without hesitation, she let fly an arrow, reloaded, and let fly another. The Master threw a knife at Sle'nel', connecting. But Sle'nel’ had also hit the Master where she had planned, as well as the lover. Now it was up to Uthrn. With all now riding on luck, Sle'nel’ could only hope that Uthrn was able to do the rest, as she now had a knife sticking out of her leg.
Uthrn was there the moment the arrow went into the Master's midsection. It was an overly dangerous location to place an arrow, but they needed to remove any possibility of the Master being able to fight back. Uthrn hit the Master on the head, knocking her out, then heaved her over her shoulder. She looked at the Master's lover, and their eyes connected. The lover had also been shot by one of Sle'nel's arrows, and Uthrn thought that she should disable this one also, but there were no moments.
There was a moment of questioning by the lover, but Uthrn gave it no thought. For the sake of haste, she ran with the Master over her shoulder to R'lodin'lindor. As she approached the great horse and was mounting, the lover came to her senses and screamed. The guards were upon them almost immediately, but Sle'nel’ had forced herself up onto R'lodin'lindor as she saw Uthrn running to them. Uthrn threw the Master on the back of the horse, then jumped and clawed her way up as quickly as she could, sitting on top of the Master. Sle'nel’ sensed many guards now coming out of the forest, almost upon them. Without waiting, she urged R'lodin'lindor up into the sky. Arrows were flying at them from all directions, but Sle'nel’ just bent down to her horse and said in her Elfin language, “Fly like the wind, R'lodin'lindor, or we all die here."
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 37