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

by Robbie Collins

  Sle'nel’ woke first, feeling tired, yet fully satisfied. She looked at her Queen, studying her as she slept. Never prior had she felt such contentment with another, or such love. She removed some hair from The High Queen's face, then lay still, enjoying the peace of the moment. The High Queen sensed her movement, yet slept soundly. Sle'nel’ moved closely into her, feeling her warmth. As she lay waking from their long undisturbed eve together, she listened to the sounds of the lake, of the animals about it, and sensed some movement coming toward them. She guessed that it was late morn, and guessed that they had slept for longer than any prior moment given to them. They had gone to bed prior to even the sun's set, and Sle'nel’ sensed that it was now well after the morn.

  She listened as she heard the footsteps, silently rebelling against them, hoping it was the attendants only. She covered the both of them, then closed her own eyes and settled in, hoping that whoever it was would quickly leave.

  "High Queen. Jandra."

  She opened her eyes, recognizing Caitha's voice. Whispering, she replied, “Caitha? Why do you come?"

  Caitha smiled down at Sle'nel', “The others are cowards, as we suspected. There is an urgent message from the leader of the Mungardies. She would like to negotiate a temporary truce. Will you awaken The High Queen for me?"

  Sle'nel’ could feel that San'lr'in’ had awakened, and was now just listening. The High Queen opened her eyes, looking at Caitha, “Why is it that our storyteller and singer of songs is the only one with a brave heart?"

  "I have nothing to fear from you, my Queen, like the others do. Good morn. Would you like your attendants to bring in the food and your garments?"

  "Tell Me of the message, Caitha."

  "That is all I know, M'Love. A small party of Mungardies came to the town this morn asking for you. They carry the message, but told Queen Erthrn this part of it only."

  "A temporary truce only? Why should I waste My moments on such a thing? She just desires more moments to rebuild her forces. So it would seem I have made her fearful of what we might now do."

  She looked to her lover, then back to Caitha, “Caitha? Would you mind waiting on the first island for just a little while, until I think on this for a moment?"

  "Your attendants wait across the lake, my Queen. Call me when you would like them to help you."

  San'lr'in’ rolled over onto Sle'nel', resting upon her, kissing her, “I quite like this. But I like it better when we are reversed."

  She moved back, as Sle'nel’ lay upon her. They rested in each other's arms for a moment, Sle'nel’ kissing her now and then.

  "How many more marks did you give Me last eve, upon My neck?"

  "They are not just upon your neck, my Queen. I am well offended that you know this not.” She began touching various parts of San'lr'in's’ breasts, stomach, and neck. “Here is one. Two. No, three. Wait, four. Ah, here is another. And yet another."

  The High Queen was laughing, “You are worse than those wretched creatures in the small shallow warm lakes."

  "You seemed not to mind prior eve."

  San'lr'in’ smiled, “In truth, you make Me wild and desirous of you by doing such."

  "Are you going to meet with the leader of the Mungardies?"

  "Not for a temporary truce only. Why waste our moments?"

  "Will she not become angry?"

  "So? It will also make her all the more afraid. She will counter with even more, such as a half-cycle truce, or a full-cycle truce. I think she now tries to push Me."

  "Should I call Caitha back so you can deliver this message?"

  "I will have Caitha bring Erthrn, Ann'wn, Meera, and your former lover. I think it is the moment to give your former lover an important task. One in which she should be quite well prepared for."

  "Would you like me to call in your attendants to dress you?"

  "I will have Caitha call them to us, and then return to you. They will have to deal with our needs this turn. I am well tired of tending to everyone else's needs for the moment. It is the moment for Me to tend to you, only."

  Sle'nel’ touched her cheek, “You always do, my Love."

  She delivered her message to Caitha, then returned quickly to Sle'nel', shedding her cover as she entered the bed. She moved into her now resting Elf, feeling her softness and easy breathing.

  The High Queen turned to her, looking tired, “There are some rewards for being High Queen. Feeling you next to Me is one of them."

  It took some moments to gather Sam, Meera, Ann'wn, and Erthrn together. By that moment, Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ had returned to sleep, so were re-awakened when the small group had finally arrived. The attendants came directly behind them, knowing that they might as well disturb The High Queen now instead of later.

  As Sam entered, she became somewhat surprised and embarrassed to see Sle'nel’ in the bed with The High Queen. While she was well used to Sle'nel’ no longer being hers, it was difficult to see her in bed with her sister. Sle'nel', yet sleepy, simply rolled onto her side away from the group, covering herself even further. She cared little what they had to say this turn.

  The High Queen looked upon her lover, seeing her turn away from her former lover and the others, laughing quietly to herself. As they all entered, they knelt and bowed their heads, “High Queen."

  Never prior had any of them seen The High Queen so less than formal. She rose, covering herself with one of the covers as she did so, “Good. You are finally here. Erthrn. I would like you to take The Highest to meet with this leader of the Mungardies. She is to serve as our ambassador, or some such title, and as Assistant to The High Queen. Sam'r'in'thel'ineln', I would like you to tell the leader of the Mungardies that she wastes our moments, and that if she would like a truce, she is going to have to deliver much more than her current offering. Be firm, and allow for no softness in this. Can you do this for The Realm?"

  Sam was surprised at her new role, but well pleased that she was to be her sister's messenger this turn, “I can do this for you. You would like me to appear strong and displeased by her current offer. What if she offers more while I am there?"

  "Tell her that I will have to think about it and will get back to her, but that I have been well displeased at her first offer."

  Meera bowed her head, “My Queen. I think she will ask for the children to be returned."

  "I expect as such also, Warrior Woman of Woden. But it will not be so. I would rather unleash D'klr'dil upon her once again. Give her no measure. Give her no hint of what you think. And My sister, beware of her tricks. Erthrn, you will need to see to this. And all of you, take many guards and be well prepared for battle. And be warned: Say nothing about our Elf. Even if she mentions it. Let no sign appear that an Elf now lives in The Realm. Where has she agreed to meet?"

  "At our border."

  "Good. Be cautious. Say little. Do less, and give nothing away. Return to Me upon the completion of your mission. Ann'wn, I expect you to bring them all back safely to Me. And My Sister, I expect you to remain as firm as you believe that I would."

  "As you say, it shall be so, my sister."

  They bowed, then exited the island dwelling. San'lr'in’ laid back down and moved into her lover, “Where were we, My Love?"

  Throughout the morn and midturn, they slept, grew intimate, and ate their meal in the bed. By late midturn, they had decided to rise and wait for the group's return. Sle'nel’ was sitting at the lake's side, petting and touching all the animals that came up to her, while The High Queen sat once again upon one of the chairs near her.

  "Even the fish come up to you, My Love?"

  Sle'nel’ laughed lightly, “So it would seem."

  "Look over there. The lovers come to you."

  Sle'nel’ looked across the lake and saw that the two lovers that made their haunting cries throughout the eve were indeed swimming over to her. She petted their heads lightly and scratched the back of their necks.

  "And this has occurred throughout your life?"

  "A
s far as I can recall. Except there were none such as these in Woden. Mostly just the ducks and all the barnyard animals. Also, the occasional bird, but none such as yours."

  As Sle'nel’ mentioned The High Queen's raptor, San'lr'in’ began to wonder what had happened to her winged messenger.

  Sle'nel’ rubbed her wounded hand lightly. San'lr'in’ frowned, seeing her do so, “Does your hand hurt you?"

  "Some ... yes."

  The High Queen rose, “Let Me help you to remove some of this pain."

  "I was wondering if my staff had some of the healing spells within it."

  San'lr'in’ shook her head, “While some spells can be used upon ourselves, the staff cannot be used in this fashion, My Desire. I am sorry for this."

  "Why is this so?"

  "It was considered a most corruptible of powers, so its abilities were constrained only to the external."

  "How do you know of all these things?"

  "It was My training. I trained all the turn, from sun's rise to the sun's set. Much of the turn was spent on the powers, then on the weapon usage, of the sorcerers’ spells, upon the mystical abilities, then upon The Realm's past.” The High Queen went over to her and crouched down beside her, “Hold out your hand, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ did so. The High Queen undid the bandages and looked upon the wound, displeased by what she saw, “We need to call The Healer. The infection sets in more deeply now. I must not have cleaned My sword from its prior usage, or this infection wouldn't have occurred. We will have to clean out your wound, My Desire."

  "More pain? I grow well weary of it."

  The High Queen looked upon her lover tenderly, then placed her hand gently over Sle'nel's wound. She muttered some words, then moved her hand to Sle'nel's head. After a few moments, she removed her hand, then rose, “I will call The Healer to us. We will tend to your wound, then tend more to your pain."

  The Healer came quickly and examined the wound. She stood and spoke to The High Queen, “It is well infected, as you have said. I have developed a new ointment we might try. It may prevent having to reopen the wound to cleanse it."

  "Your back ointment works well, so let us try."

  "It should also help to reduce the swelling some, and to also relieve a small amount of the pain. But the wound is quite swollen.” She shook her head in dismay, “Most inflamed."

  "How long prior to us knowing if it has worked?"

  "Perhaps by the morn. Perhaps as early as this eve. I am hoping it also helps to reduce the scaring effects of such a wound, so as to help keep the muscles from stiffening later."

  She held the container out to Sle'nel', “I am going to have you rub this ointment on your own wound, Elf, so that I cause you no further pain. You should feel no pain from its application, only a coolness, and hopefully a slight immediate decrease in your pain."

  As Sle'nel’ lightly rubbed it into her very swollen cut, she felt some instant relief, “What is in this? This already feels improved."

  She shrugged, “Some roots, essences, spells, and so on. Just general alchemy."

  When Sle'nel’ was done, The Healer placed on a new bandage, “We will check on it again this eve, my Elf. Until then, let me remove some of your pain for you."

  As both The Healer and The High Queen helped Sle'nel’ to displace her pain, the group returned from their meeting with the Mungardies leader. The High Queen could tell that they were pleased, and hoped it went as well as they had thought.

  "We are invaded."

  The Healer looked up to her Queen, “I will leave now, High One, but will return later this eve, with your leave."

  "Remain if you wish, Healer. We will be having a small party this eve, so it would seem."

  The Healer was pleased, knowing that Ann'wn would be there, but also knowing that it would make little difference to Ann'wn that she was.

  San'lr'in’ had called for a party, and Erthrn and the attendants happily complied. San'lr'in’ had also requested that all her traveling companions be invited to the party, as well as Uthrn, who would now be traveling with them. Throughout the eve, entertainment, food and drink were supplied in large quantities, while Erthrn and Sam told stories of the leader of the Mungardies, and of their successful mission.

  Erthrn was most pleased with their mission, “You should have seen your sister, my Queen. She was most excellent. The Mungardies leader said, ‘I command that our five children be returned to us if this truce is to go forward.’ Your sister just looked upon her and said, ‘Then the meeting is over. We have no need of your demands.’ And then she turned and began to walk back to her horse."

  Meera added, “The Mungardies leader looked frightened at that moment."

  Sam added her own version, imitating the Mungardies leader, “Then she called me back: ‘Ambassador. Come back. Ambassador.’”

  Erthrn continued the tale, “Your sister was magnificent. She turned to her and said, ‘You have but one moment to make this of worth for The High Queen of The Realm, or we now leave and will not return. She is overly busy to tend to your petty demands.’”

  Meera nodded, “It was amazing, in truth. The Mungardies leader then motioned for Sam to sit across the table from her."

  Sam continued her imitation of the Mungardies leader's voice, “Thank you, Ambassador. Allow me to ask it in another way, if I might. Is there any chance that we may negotiate for our children's return?’”

  Erthrn just laughed, “Your sister just told her, ‘Not within the bounds of a mere truce. Perhaps The High Queen may consider the possibility if a full peace were given, but not until then.’”

  San'lr'in’ was listening carefully for any missteps taken, but began to see that her sister had indeed performed her task well, “Is there a truce?"

  Sam looked at her and shook her head, “No. I thought it not my place to provide as such. Besides, it seemed all the more entertaining to keep her waiting. She offered much, and on your terms only. I agreed to nothing of her requests. She agreed to provide no fighting or retaliation for one full cycle, beginning this turn."

  "Are her offerings documented and sealed?"

  "They are, my Queen.” Sam opened up a small pouch and handed the document to her sister.

  San'lr'in’ read it carefully, then re-scrolled it, and handed it to Ann'wn, “Well done, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. I could have done no better. Was she surprised you were sent in My place?"

  Erthrn laughed again, “She was angry at first, then thought better of it when your sister turned yet again, and began to walk away."

  "How can you be certain this was their leader, and not some imposter?"

  Erthrn smiled, “I took Uthrn with us."

  The High Queen smiled in return, “Well done."

  * * * *

  The High Queen allowed the party to continue for a while longer, then took Ann'wn and Erthrn aside, “Erthrn, My friend. We leave from your sweet company in the morn. I will meet with My Counselors upon My return from El'fs'nd'lle', and inform them that I move My reign to your town for a half-cycle, once a cycle."

  "I am honored, my Queen, and will look forward to your return. We will celebrate your reign as High Queen in our town at that moment. Until then, we will continue with the construction of your surprises. My Queen?"

  She nodded at Erthrn.

  "I would like to provide a ceremonial recessional for you as you leave, for our town. Will this be acceptable to you?"

  "It is fine, Erthrn. I will comply with your needs and wishes. And you may inform your subjects that I will return soon. Erthrn, My friend, are you certain you are well prepared for what follows with Me when I bring My reign here?"

  "Yes, my Queen. We will be well prepared, and in truth, look forward to it. You know I have long looked to this, and welcome you into this valley with an open heart. We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us, Highness."

  "In truth, Erthrn, you have spoiled Me. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and will now be well rewarded."

  "Thank you, m
y Queen. You give me great honor. And we will always continue to spoil you. Your Valley has overused you, Highness. We will see more greatly to your needs. And your Elf will be most valued amongst us."

  "You know that Uthrn now leaves your town with us. Is this acceptable to you?"

  Erthrn bowed her head, “It is, my Queen. I have already replaced her with another, as my Force Leader. But I will miss her ability."

  "Thank you, Erthrn, for your generosity and grace. You please Me well."

  Erthrn returned to their small party, while The High Queen turned to Ann'wn, “Force Leader. Prepare for our journey. Uthrn will now be traveling with us, but under your command. Do you know the way to the Women of the Trees?"

  "No, High Queen. But your Elf has told me that her horse knows where they dwell."

  "It is one-and-a-half turn's journey from here only, at a casual pace. We head directly west from here for one turn, then northwest in the morn, from there. We will be searching for some small caves in which to spend our eve. Mor'inl’ may recall these caves. She was with Me when we went there, once long prior."

  "High Queen?"

  She waited.

  "You have been to these Women of the Trees, prior?"

  She nodded.

  "They live up in the trees, High Queen?"

  "No. They live inside the Trees."

  "Oh. Thank you, Highness.” Ann'wn bowed and began to leave.

  "Force Leader. Wait."

  She turned, and bowed her head, “High Queen?"

  She studied her for a moment, then sighed, “Walk with Me, Force Leader."

  They walked back across the bridges into the main portion of The High Queen's Gardens.

  "Is all well with you?” San'lr'in’ knew there were yet many tensions between the two of them, and she wanted them gone by the beginning of the journey.

  "High Queen?"

  She sighed deeply, “Ann'wn. Tell Me of your thoughts."

  "They are always open to you, High Queen."

  She sighed again, trying to keep her patience, “Tell Me of them. Save Me the effort. Pretend it is a favor for Me."

  In response, Ann'wn fell on her knees before her Queen, bowing her head to the ground, “I am deeply sorry, High Queen. Never have I wished to displease you. It is my single goal to serve you and The Realm well. I am now embarrassed and humiliated in your presence, High Queen, and you have every right to think lowly of me. You should have beheaded me. I have no right to serve you."