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

by Robbie Collins

  Sle'nel’ got up, her leg extremely painful and stiff, wrapped a cover around her, and placed one over her lover. She took her walking cane and limped to the door.

  Uthrn was glad to see her, “Thank you, Elf. I was afraid to—"

  "Afraid of The High Queen, Uthrn? Some warrior you are."

  Uthrn nodded, “Most so. You are the only one who is not, Elfin Princess."

  "Why are you here, Warrior?"

  "The High Queen is needed. There has been a slight mishap."

  Sle'nel’ saw that Uthrn looked nervous and upset, “Wait here."

  She hobbled back to their bed and lay down beside her Queen, “My Love, Uthrn is here. They have need for you at the borderlands."

  She was shaking her gently. Suddenly, The High Queen pulled Sle'nel’ to her, kissing her. It was a kiss of more meaning than a simple ‘good morn'. Sle'nel’ enjoyed it for a moment, then pulled away, “They are at the door awaiting your presence."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln opened her eyes, “Will you come?"

  "I have little to do with this affair."

  "I would like you with Me if you can ride. How are your wounds, My Desire?"

  "Worry not about my wounds. They will heal. I will attend if that be your desire."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln rose and wrapped a cover around her, “I will have the attendants enter. Did Uthrn bring our horses?"

  When finally prepared, they walked back across the bridges to where Uthrn, Erthrn, and all the guards now waited. Assuming that she was now leaving to the surrender site, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was pleased that one phase of their battle was over.

  Thank the Mothers. Now all we face are the most capable Mungardies.

  Sle'nel’ had brought along her staff and bow and arrows, hoping neither would be necessary, but knew that something was being withheld from her lover.

  As they mounted, The High Queen saw her Healer also waiting for her.

  Why is My Healer here?

  She bowed her head a little, “Good morn, Healer. Why are you here with us for the surrender?"

  The Healer just looked at her, saying nothing and looking very solemn—a very strong sign for The High Queen.

  She studied the others, thinking that Erthrn should be looking pleased this turn, but saw her looking troubled.

  She suddenly frowned, narrowing her eyes, finally sensing that something had gone wrong. She studied Uthrn's, then Erthrn's thoughts. Sle'nel’ saw her face change from pleased to more than angered. She saw her Queen's entire stance change to that of intense rage. The High Queen's horse felt her emotions, becoming agitated. She studied her Healer's thoughts, then glared at Uthrn.

  In the soft voice she used only when well angered, she said, “Tell Me.” The Healer was quite glad that tone had never prior been used on her.

  Erthrn replied first, “It wasn't expected, my Queen. It was thought the Mungardies would attack the Valley, looking for you. It occurred in the small outlying villages, only. Prior eve."

  Uthrn nodded, “Ann'wn is quite upset by this, High Queen."

  "Quite upset, you say? Then she must be excellent at controlling her emotions, as I am in full rage."

  Sle'nel’ saw the nearby guards wince in fear at The High Queen's anger.

  Erthrn was visibly shaken from the report Uthrn had given her just prior, “This wasn't revenge for taking the Master, Highness."

  The High Queen was angry at Uthrn, but Erthrn had stepped into her rage, “Tell Me something I know not, Erthrn.” She looked at Uthrn with narrowed eyes that spoke of cold fury, “Why was I not informed of this prior? How long have you been here waiting for Me, afraid to tell Me of this?"

  "My apologies, High Queen, but I wished not to disturb you earlier."

  The High Queen stared at Uthrn with a look of barely controlled fury—her eyes narrowed, her face muscles rigid, and her lips clamped tightly together. She all but spat out her words “You call yourself a Force Leader? You had not the courage to face Me on this, Uthrn? This should have been prevented. I warned you of this possibility."

  Uthrn bowed her head in shame, knowing what it meant to have The High Queen call a warrior by their given name while in such a presence, “Yes, High Queen. As did your sister. She told us to be mindful of the villages nearer to the Mungardies."

  "My sister?” Her horse skittered nervously, feeling the tenseness of the moment, but The High Queen held her effortlessly, “One who knows so little as this of The Realm and the Mungardies, and yet even she told you? I am well ashamed of our win against the Dungaras this turn. We have not gained anything, Uthrn."

  She turned her horse toward the direction they now headed, “Be of some use to Me this turn. Lead us, and say no more. Take Me to these villages."

  "But, my Queen—"

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ raised her hand toward Uthrn, sending her immense powers into her. Uthrn was knocked well off her horse with great force, the powers sending her flying back a long distance. She fell hard upon the ground, wrenching her entire body in the shock, while reopening her leg wound.

  "Am I yet understood, Uthrn? Or would you like to question Me further?"

  Uthrn shook her head as she rose from the ground, keeping her head bowed in shame, “My apologies, Highness."

  All the guards could tell that Uthrn's body hurt badly from the severe shock of hitting the ground so hard. She mounted slowly and in great pain from her prior wounds, and now from the great jolt The High Queen had just given her.

  Erthrn closed her eyes as Uthrn hit the ground, moaning softly to herself at the sound of the hard impact. While well knowing that Uthrn should have known better than to question The High Queen, no warrior could withstand the embarrassment of the moment.

  "Can I at least assume that all the other healers have been called for and are now on their way?"

  "Yes, Highness.” She then led the way. As San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ followed, she said one thing to Erthrn as she passed her, “We are saddened this turn, Erthrn, because of our warriors’ inability to think."

  Erthrn knew that a grave error had occurred, “I am sorry for this, my Queen."

  They rode quickly, pushing their horses across the great lands. By midturn, they had reached the borderlands. Uthrn asked The High Queen if she would like to see Ann'wn before going to the now destroyed villages.

  As they halted, The High Queen's Healer rode up beside her, “My Queen. May I have a moment to tend to Uthrn's leg? It bleeds quite badly now. Our forced ride was very hard on her, as was the blow you gave her."

  Her tone was flat, but left no question as to her feelings, “Leave her."

  The Healer saw her Queen's expression and knew not to push the moment. There were few moments when The High Queen was as angry as this, but this was most certainly one of them.

  The High Queen dismounted. A guard came to her, kneeling and bowing her head, “High Queen."

  "Where is My Force Leader?"

  "Another battle against the Mungardies began at the borderlands, Highness. She went to the fight. We sent many of our forces with her."

  The High Queen looked to Uthrn, “I will have this one take Me. You remain here. Give Me your sword and other weapons. Send the healers to where they are needed. You are now the center of command until Ann'wn returns.” She turned away from her, looking at Erthrn, “As if any of them know what to do."

  Speaking once again to Uthrn, she said, “But prior to our leave, I would like to speak with the leader of the Dungaras."

  Uthrn shook her head, more ashamed than she ever remembered. She could now barely speak, “She has been taken, High Queen."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was so angry at the statement that she could only see white light in front of her.

  "TAKEN?"

  She forced herself to some control, Breathe.

  Control your emotions.

  She closed her eyes for a moment.

  Breathe.

  She took a deep breath, held it, then released it. It didn't help. All she co
uld see were the charred remains of the villages that Uthrn held in her head.

  She breathed in deeply once more, then opened her eyes. Softly, trying to remain somewhat in control of her emotions, “Explain your meaning."

  Uthrn nodded, “Yes, Most Honored and Great High Queen. By the Mungardies."

  The guard spoke, “Forgive my interruption, High Queen, but it is why Ann'wn goes to fight. We know where the leader of the Dungaras is, and we fight the Mungardies that now hold her."

  She looked down at the kneeling guard, “What is your name, warrior?"

  "Thern'nin, my Queen.

  "Lead us there."

  Uthrn bowed her head even further, “My Queen, I beg you."

  The High Queen knew she had been hard on Uthrn, as Uthrn had to take all her wrath while Ann'wn was off fighting, but her anger was beyond control, “Speak, before I am moved to cut out your tongue."

  Sle'nel’ winced, never having heard her lover use such harsh images.

  Erthrn also winced, well knowing that The High Queen was capable of such, if pushed to the moment. She hoped Uthrn would be more cautious.

  "I beg you, my Queen. Please let me fight against these Mungardies. Please let me begin to make correct that which I wronged."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln was about to respond when her Healer interrupted, “She is overly injured to fight, my Queen."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln looked at Uthrn, ignoring her Healer, speaking softly but with immense anger, “It is easier to die in battle than face a Queen's wrath, is it not?"

  "I will not do so, my Queen. Please let me make it correct. I plead of you."

  "And you believe you can recapture the leader of the Dungaras as easily as this?"

  "It is my duty, my Queen. I beg you."

  "VOW, Uthrn! Vow to Me that you will not take the easy path and die in battle."

  Uthrn bent low, placing her lips upon The High Queen's boots, kissing them, “I vow this to you, my Queen."

  "But if you fail this mission, Uthrn, I will be the one to have your life."

  "My life is important only if you so choose it so, my Queen."

  "Then rise, and lead us."

  They mounted and headed out, with San'lr'in'thel'ineln turning to her Elf, “We head into battle, My Desire. Are you prepared?"

  Sle'nel’ merely nodded, fingering the number of arrows she had brought with her to see if there were enough. As they approached the battle site, The High Queen could see that Ann'wn was fighting with all her force, but was well outnumbered by the Mungardies.

  "Remember our stars, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ prepared her bow and arrows as she saw her Queen take out her sword, “To our stars, my Queen."

  Sle'nel’ dismounted and sent her horse away, while The High Queen rode hers straight into battle, as did all the remaining warriors. Sle'nel’ could see her Queen using her powers as she rode into the center. Taking swift aim, Sle'nel’ shot one arrow after another from a great distance. She was careful to make each arrow count, seeing that they were indeed well outnumbered.

  Uthrn had prepared what remained of her warriors, mounting a strong aggressive front. They sought to regain their pride and were fighting in their own rage. Sle'nel’ saw Sam fighting courageously with Meera beside her. As Sam and Meera were being overtaken, they saw that well-placed arrows were helping to even their odds. Looking back over her shoulder quickly, Sam saw her former lover, who briefly nodded to her. With the momentary assistance, Meera and Sam were able to take back the control of their battle. Sle'nel’ then looked for her Queen, having lost sight of her.

  She found Uthrn battling mightily against four Mungardies. Sle'nel’ took aim, shot an arrow, then another. She then kept searching for her Queen, hoping that Uthrn could handle the two remaining Mungardies. Then she found her. Many Mungardies, all with swords, surrounded her Queen. San'lr'in'thel'ineln was fighting them desperately, using her powers, using her sword, but tiring. One Mungardies was about to take The High Queen from behind, her sword raised above her head.

  Sle'nel’ shot an arrow. Then another. And another, moving closer each moment. Connecting and killing a Mungardies with each. Shooting her arrows so quickly that the Mungardies couldn't tell where the enemy was coming from. The High Queen could sense that her lover was behind her, helping. But Sle'nel’ had run out of arrows. She picked up a sword from one of the dead Mungardies, feeling its intense weight. She hoped she could wield such a heavy weapon, wishing for more arrows.

  The High Queen was no longer encircled, but was yet well outnumbered. The Mungardies had been taught well by their Master, but fortunately, not well enough. She used many of her fighting powers, assailing the Mungardies with balls of fire, flying stones, a small dust storm, all the while raging with her sword, showing herself a far better Master than the one who had taught them.

  Then suddenly, she sensed her lover directly behind her. Sle'nel’ said, “Watch your back, my Queen."

  The High Queen stole one quick glance at her lover, and saw her sword. While fighting, she asked, “Can you even lift that sword, My Desire?"

  "I will have to. I ran out of arrows."

  The battle had begun long prior to The High Queen's arrival with a number of five-to-one, in the Mungardies favor. Ann'wn and her warriors had done well just to hold them. When The High Queen and Uthrn arrived with their reinforcements, the battle turned against the Mungardies. As soon as Uthrn saw that her warriors could manage the remainder of the battle, she set out to re-capture the leader of the Dungaras. She moved quickly through the buildings, searching. After much long searching, she finally found her. Seven Mungardies were placing the Dungaran leader upon a horse so as to take her away into the Mungardies’ lands. Uthrn knew that they hadn't yet seen her. She ran swiftly toward them, making no sound, ignoring the screaming inflamed pain of her leg. Ignoring her ripped apart muscles that were rebelling against her. Ignoring the blood that was flowing freely from her leg.

  They saw her when she got close. She was coming so quickly that they knew they would have to fight her if they were to get away from the battle. Seven-to-one, and Uthrn was already well wounded. Uthrn wouldn't be able to recall her battle against the seven, but another warrior described it, having seen it from a distance.

  "Uthrn ran at them so quickly that she ran straight into one of them, knocking her down, then stabbing her with no wasted effort. Pulling her sword, she swung it fiercely, surprising two more and killing them. All within the snap of a twig. Facing the remaining four, she screamed like a huge injured animal, and as if she were a crazed woman, threw herself upon them. As they all went to the ground, she used the hilt of her sword, smashing in one's face, then raising it in a swing, connecting to another's leg, and stood yet again. She faced the two squarely, then screamed again as if a banshee, into the air. When the other two saw this mad crazy warrior, blood streaming down her leg, and blood now streaming down her face wounds, they ran into the forest. A most astonishing sight, as I have never prior seen any Mungardies run from battle."

  Uthrn staggered back to the others, leading the horse that the Dungaran leader was tied upon. She limped in great searing pain, barely able to see out of her right eye. Her arm had a large gash upon it, and blood flowed down it quickly, dripping from her fingertips. Her face and neck were smeared with blood and mud. Her sword was also dripping with blood, and her feet sloshed in the blood now inside her boots. By the moment she arrived back to the others, she no longer remembered who or where she was. But when she saw The High Queen, she gave the reigns of the horse to another warrior, fell to her knees, bowed her head, then began to cry in body-wracking sobs.

  The High Queen had a few gashes of her own, but none overly serious. With her expression displaying anger from the battle and all the mishaps, she stared at this most pitiful and sad of warriors. Her eyes remained fearsomely cold and detached, as if the warrior before her was the most loathsome one in all The Realm. She took out her sword and raised it. Sle'nel's eyes opened widely in
disbelief, seeing that The High Queen was about to behead Uthrn. Ann'wn bowed her own head, thinking that she might be next.

  The High Queen's Healer came up to her, “My Queen, don't do thi—"

  The High Queen raised her hand to her healer, looking to her briefly, angered at the interruption, “This is not your affair, Healer. Remain well away from it."

  She then looked back to Uthrn. For a moment, she closed her eyes. When she re-opened them, she gripped her sword with both hands. Resting it lightly upon Uthrn's head, she then touched it to each of Uthrn's shoulders, “Warrior Uthrn. Force Leader of Queen Erthrn and Rns'deln'. In the name of The Realm, and as High Queen, and in front of all these witnesses, I pronounce you as a Black Guard in full stead and with all due privileges of The High Queen's Black Guard. Vow your oath, Black Uthrn."

  Uthrn was fully surprised but kissed her High Queen's boots, “As Black Uthrn, I vow my allegiance to only you, High Queen. My life is yours."

  "Stand before your Queen, Black Uthrn. You are now a Black Guard of The High Queen of The Realm."

  She moved back a step so as to allow Uthrn the room she needed to haul herself back into an upright position. Uthrn looked up at her Queen in total confusion, and mustering all the final energy and reserve she had, she stood, bowing her head to her Queen, tears streaming down her face.

  "My Only Queen. I pledge you my undying allegiance."

  "You have done as vowed, Black Uthrn.” The High Queen held out her sword to Uthrn, “The High Queen's battle sword is rightfully yours, Black Uthrn. You have well earned it."

  With tears yet streaming down what could be seen of her bloodied and dirty face, Uthrn tried to speak, “My High Queen, I—"

  In spite of knowing how gravely injured Uthrn was, The High Queen knew that she had to give Uthrn back her respect, “Black Uthrn. Take Me through the Dungaran villages that the Mungardies have destroyed."

  The Healer, seeing that Uthrn needed to be tended to, began to approach her Queen, but The High Queen just shook her head, dismissing her. She looked to one of the guards, “Untie the leader of the Dungaras. Guard her well but bring her with us."

  Defying her wounds, Uthrn led them through the burned-out and completely destroyed town. The voices of the dead rose in The High Queen's sensing as she walked through what remained of the village. Sle'nel’ walked beside her, as did the Dungaran leader. Everywhere they looked, remnants of prior lives were all that remained. Many Dungaras had been tortured, ripped apart by the Mungardies in payment for not following the Mungardies’ orders. All the Dungaran children were also dead; also tortured. The High Queen walked slowly through the village, looking upon the horrors of burned Dungaran remains, of violent deaths, and of terror upon their now silenced faces. The High Queen walked slowly, her heart aching for this senseless slaughter. She guessed that this was one of the villages that A'lon'lden had spoken of—a peaceful Dungaran village. One she had never thought possible in the Dungaras’ realm, but one that was now gone as a testament to the violence that ruled her realm. As she continued to walk through the village, she saw no sign of weapons, no sign of defense of any sort.