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

by Robbie Collins

  The High Queen smiled softly, “Now and then I can recall a few spells, but I am no sorcerer. When are you going to learn all these spells? I have great need for you to do so."

  "Since there are only two or three of them, my Queen, I will remain up through this eve and learn them for you."

  San'lr'in’ laughed, well knowing it a most difficult task.

  "What is out there, my Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ looked at Ann'wn, “The dark magic of The Realm. It will be far safer in the morn. No one can leave the cave until I remove the spell, but at least nothing will be able to enter, either."

  Sle'nel’ looked at Ann'wn, “Is there anything to eat? I'm starved."

  The cave was quickly made hospitable, and by the moment all was arranged, so was their meal. Uthrn and Sam were sitting across the fire from San'lr'in', while Sle'nel’ sat beside her. Meera, Caitha, and Ann'wn were also near, as was Mil'der'in.

  "High Counselor. I am surprised you sit with us this eve."

  Mil'der'in smiled at her Queen, “Everyone needs rest at some moments, my Queen."

  The morn came safely upon them, having been protected by San'lr'in's magic. Ann'wn woke the travelers, and the morn preparations began. Sle'nel', per her usual, thought the morn overly early and covered her head against the noise and light of the morn.

  San'lr'in’ shook her gently, “Wake up, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ turned her head back to her and looked at her, “Are we yet alone?"

  "Hardly this.” She leaned over and whispered, “But I think we're not alone in this desire. Your former lover and Uthrn spent the eve together, but slightly apart. I think them well frustrated while in this cave."

  Sle'nel’ rose and wrapped a cover around the both of them as she embraced her Queen, “While I am delighted for Sam, her misery makes mine not all the better. But you do.” She kissed her for a long moment, “I love you."

  "And I thank you for this, and am always amazed at such. And I you, My Elf, as well."

  Sle'nel’ unwrapped the cover from them, “Do we arrive to the Women in the Trees this turn?"

  "After midturn."

  "Is this forest dangerous for us to pass through?"

  "I think not in the morn. But we should leave quickly. Hold onto your staff as we travel through the forest of the dark magic this morn. There are none that reside here that wish to see your staff wielded against them. I think they have sensed your presence as High Sorcerer of the Stones, and I am grateful for it."

  "And I sensed their presence prior eve as well. They are nothing I wish to meet, though. Who or what are they?"

  "Long prior sorcerers that have twisted themselves into inescapable forms, and are now trapped for their own eternity. In the dark of the eve, they hope for ones such as ourselves so that they may trade our bodies for theirs."

  "Why did they not try to do so, then?"

  San'lr'in’ looked at her, unsmiling, “Come with Me."

  They walked to the cave's entrance. San'lr'in’ bowed her head for a moment, quietly chanting some spell. She raised her head and hands, chanting the last of the spell. The energy source returned again, as it had the prior eve, but on this moment, the web was removed.

  She moved to where the web had been, “Come. Look upon the ground."

  Sle'nel’ did so, and gasped, “There are tens upon tens of footsteps here. All these tried to get into the cave during the eve?"

  "They tried. Some died in their efforts when they touched the web."

  "Will they not try this morn, as well?"

  "They avoid the sun."

  Sle'nel’ had bent down to examine the footsteps more closely. She rose, looking surprised, “Woden seemed so simple. How is it that all this exists and we knew nothing of such?” A slight shiver of foreboding swept through her body.

  * * * *

  Ann'wn led the travelers through the forest of the dark magic, in the northwest direction The High Queen had said. They traveled quickly and quietly, but with Sle'nel's staff well visible. As they rode through the forest, Sle'nel’ could yet smell them, gladdened that she could no longer hear their presence or moves.

  They traveled through the forest until midmorn, finally exiting, and well relieved at their escape from any sorcery or battle. After the forest, they rode across the high grasslands until after midturn, when they arrived to the forest in which the Women in the Trees dwelled.

  "Ride alongside Me as we enter their forest, My Love.” San'lr'in’ reached out for Sle'nel's hand.

  Sle'nel’ felt San'lr'in's slight hesitation, “Do you not wish to be here with them?"

  She sighed deeply, sounding tired, “They have called the High Council together."

  "The High Council? Are these the ones who voted you in as High Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “The Deep Mystic Council."

  "You think they are angered?"

  "I know not. But never prior have they called the council together since they made me High Queen."

  "When does it meet?"

  "This after midturn, I would guess."

  Sle'nel’ knew her lover was concerned as to why the High Council had called itself together, but didn't wish San'lr'in’ to be so worried. She smiled and tried to make a game of it, “Let us place a wager on this. I wager that they meet to offer their assistance to you."

  "I think you will lose this wager."

  "Good. Then what is it you wish to be the wager?"

  "If I win, you attend the Ceremony of the Cave with Me."

  "I know not what this is, but I agree."

  "And if you win? What is it you would have from Me?"

  "A surprise. You must trust me."

  San'lr'in’ was already surprised, “I am well intrigued."

  Following Mor'inl's lead, they rode their horses slowly into the forest. After many moments, Mor'inl’ halted, and San'lr'in’ turned to her lover, “We dismount and walk from here."

  Sle'nel’ and The High Queen walked into what San'lr'in’ knew was the center of the Women in the Trees’ town. None of the travelers could see any sign of a town, or any sign of the women they thought would be waiting for them. Most thought that their Queen was lost in the middle of the forest.

  Sle'nel’ whispered lightly to her Queen, “They are here. I feel them."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “As do I. They will appear when they feel no threat."

  Sle'nel’ suddenly saw a door open in one of the trees, noticing that it was a well-disguised door. Then, another door opened on another tree. The Women in the Trees all began coming out to meet their visitors. Door after door opened in each of the trees, surprising all the travelers, as they hadn't seen anything that looked other than the forest when they had first arrived. Even now, as the women exited from inside the trees, the doors yet looked as if they were the trees’ trunks rather than doors. And even as the doors closed, the travelers could see nothing but a tree trunk.

  The women were all as short as the Waifs, but not of the same build. The Women in the Trees resembled the Mystics in the Valley, but simply shorter, while the Waifs were entirely different in their build, being slender as sticks. A small group of the women came up to The High Queen and Sle'nel'.

  They knelt and bowed their heads, “High Queen of The Realm."

  San'lr'in’ smiled and softly said, “Please rise. We are honored to be here in your presence. Queen Torsn'dynl', it is good to see you once again."

  They all rose, then looked at Sle'nel', bowing their heads slightly, “The Realm's Elf. You are most welcomed this turn. All our women wish to look upon you, as it has been long prior since we have seen an Elf."

  Sle'nel’ bowed her head, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. Thank you for inviting us to your town. It is good to see you again."

  Introductions were quickly given, and then Queen Torsn'dynl’ directed them to one of the trees, “Come. We must leave the outside for now. We have seen others about waiting for you, but none with good intentions. It is why we were not outside upon your arriv
al. The forests are not safe these turns. We will tend to your horses and keep them safe. Quickly. Follow us into the trees."

  With the exception of The High Queen, none of the travelers had ever been to visit with the Women in the Trees, so had no idea of what to expect.

  Sam came up beside her sister, “How will we fit into these trees?"

  The High Queen laughed, “Patience, Sister. You will see in just a moment."

  "But they are so much shorter than we are."

  "You trust your eyesight overly. The Women in the Trees are among the oldest of the Mystics in The Realm. I think they will manage to understand that we stand a bit higher than they do."

  The High Queen had placed her arm out for her lover, and Sle'nel’ followed her lead, resting her own on top of it. They followed Queen Torsn'dynl’ to a tree. As they arrived at it, Torsn'dynl’ moved her hand slightly, and a door opened, “Please follow me."

  The High Queen stepped through the door first, ducking her head as she entered. Then, one-by-one, all the other travelers followed. As she crossed through the door, Sle'nel’ was surprised to see a circular staircase that led them down. They wound their way slowly down the long wooden staircase that was built directly from the tree. She examined the staircase carefully, seeing that it was carved from the tree, yet an integral part of the tree, and yet a part of its life structure.

  After several spirals down, they finally arrived to the Women in the Trees’ dwellings. Caitha's eyes were wide in disbelief as she saw that these women lived similarly to the Warriors of the Sword, although underground instead of in caves. They entered into a large room meant solely as a gathering room; a room that was as any of their own rooms, except with giant roots displayed throughout the walls. She thought the merging of the tree limbs into their buildings quite beautiful. Torsn'dynl’ waited for all of them to finally arrive.

  "We are safe here, as our enemies cannot enter our trees. Welcome to our home. As you can see, we live underground. We will take you to your rooms so that you may rest, give you a tour of our town, and will then meet again for our eve meal. There is a grand celebration this eve in honor of your arrival. I will see you all again, there."

  The Women of the Trees took all the travelers to their various rooms, leaving Sle'nel', The High Queen, and Ann'wn.

  Torsn'dynl’ spoke to San'lr'in', “Will she not leave your side?"

  San'lr'in’ hadn't noticed that Ann'wn was yet with them, “It is her duty, but if it is necessary, I could order it as you wish."

  She chuckled, “Does she think she could match our abilities?"

  "She knows not of your abilities."

  Queen Torsn'dynl’ nodded, accepting the statement, “You have been told that the High Council is here. Are you prepared to now meet with them?"

  San'lr'in’ bowed her head slightly, “I am at your service while I am in your company.” Sle'nel’ sensed it wasn't with pleasure that she said as such.

  "They await you now."

  "To your will, Queen Torsn'dynl'."

  * * * *

  Torsn'dynl’ led them to the meeting room. As they entered, Sle'nel’ was surprised to see so many of them, and so many different types of Mystics. Torsn'dynl’ motioned to San'lr'in’ and Sle'nel', “You all well know our High Queen of The Realm, San'lr'in'thel'ineln', and now you meet The Realm's Elf, Sle'nel'.

  Each of the Deep Mystics rose, and one-by-one came to their Elf, touching her and kissing her hand. After a few of them, Sle'nel’ was introduced to one she had very recently heard of, “Our most honored Elf, I welcome you. And you will soon be visiting our town where we have a great surprise for you. I am Lrn'drn', Queen of the Waifs."

  "I am honored, my Queen."

  She met the leaders of all the Deep Mystics who had voted in her lover as High Queen, and was amazed. She had assumed that the ones to vote her in as High Queen were the Mystics, such as in the Valley. After they each introduced themselves to their Elf, Queen Torsn'dynl’ convened the meeting. San'lr'in’ couldn't tell their intentions, but guessed that they wouldn't be to her liking.

  Torsn'dynl’ motioned to the Elf, “Our Sle'nel'. We must meet with The High Queen alone. Please wait outside the doors. We apologize for this ... inconvenience."

  Sle'nel’ looked at Torsn'dynl', then to her lover. She saw that San'lr'in’ nodded her acceptance.

  But a memory stirred in Sle'nel's mind; a memory that had been given to her by her mother, “I remain here as the only Elf left in all The Realm. It is my privilege, as has been granted me by my Elfin-Mother. She also sat within your ranks, as one of the Deep Mystics. It is now my due, and I now invoke my right."

  Torsn'dynl’ was clearly surprised, and somewhat upset by Sle'nel's surprise move, “But, our High Queen is your lover, and it will create an interference."

  San'lr'in’ was intrigued by her lover, never knowing her to be so strong as to stand up against all the Deep Mystic leaders across the entire realm.

  "Then consider me as her advocate. I know that this has been done prior.” Sle'nel’ stood defiant, looking as one of the now-lost great Elves, steadfast in her decision.

  "San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. What do you have to say about this?” Torsn'dynl’ was hoping that San'lr'in’ would provide a voice of rationality.

  Sle'nel’ moved slightly forward, raising her hand to her lover to prevent her from speaking, “She also has no right to remove me from this High Council. She is a Mystic only, but I am of the Deep Mystics. This is my birthright and my due. Either except me now, as is your duty, or I will call the official charge of injustice against the table."

  "You know of this?” Torsn'dynl’ was surprised, but Sle'nel’ noticed that some of the other Deep Mystics were grinning slightly at the argument.

  "This hesitation halts now, or I will invoke the charge. Where is my seat?"

  Torsn'dynl’ was quite visibly upset with this, but N'orn'nntil', Queen of the Women of the Waters rose, laughing, “Torsn'dynl'. Leave her. She is correct. You know that her mother sat with us. Besides, it is good to have an Elf returned to our table. Their voice of Elfin reason has been long missed."

  The others nodded in agreement. Torsn'dynl’ shook her head, but yielded, “Take any empty seat, Elf. You are correct. It is your due."

  Once Torsn'dynl’ and Sle'nel’ were seated, Ersh'delrin', Queen of the Mystics of the Winds, stood and addressed the table and The High Queen, “I, as head of this convening, begin this deep matter between us.” She motioned to a chair, “High Queen of The Realm, please sit among us."

  San'lr'in’ was now intrigued. She knew that if they were to reprimand her that they would keep her standing, so guessed that this was now another issue. She sat, listening.

  Ersh'delrin’ continued, “High Queen. You honor us with your presence. Many cycles prior, all of us now at this table voted you in as The High Queen of The Realm. We have not gathered since that moment, leaving The Realm to your care. You have experienced many trials in your reign, and have held true to your vows, of which we are most pleased. But this has not surprised us. Your reign has been a great one, perhaps the greatest of all our eons. And with much surprise to all of us, you have returned the Elf to her rightful place. You have chosen wisely in this partnership, you have brought together the needed components to complete the collective, you have saved the Future Supreme Sovereign, and you have made many correct but overly harsh decisions for the better of The Realm. Sadly, they have weighed heavily upon you, but this couldn't be helped. Even more sadly, I must say that of all your challenges though, your greatest ones are yet to come. It is for this reason that we have assembled this turn. And for which we are most embarrassed. But we meet to place our ... misjudgment ... to the right."

  She sat, and Torsn'dynl’ rose, “We gave you many powers long prior in hopes that you would use them wisely and with discretion, and in hopes that you would be able to use them so that you could remain alive long enough to save The Realm. This you have done far better than we dared hoped. As N'or
n'nntil’ has spoken, you have remained true to your vows, and you have pleased us well. In response to your excellence, we find ourselves embarrassed for what we have given you ... for we have given you little support, no encouragement, and much difficulty. We were aware that the Spirit Mothers were, shall I say, somewhat misguided, yet we did nothing. We were in fact aware of many of the difficulties that you have handled so well, yet we remained aloof from your struggles. To make ourselves feel better about this, we rationalized that we were testing you, to make certain of your strength and courage. You have done so well that we now find ourselves more than embarrassed. You have truly become The High Queen of all The Realm."

  She sat, and Ersh'delrin’ rose once again, “Long prior, when we first voted you in as High Queen, we remained uncertain of your ... well ... of your commitment, due to a prior High Queen's lack of such. Because of this, we withheld a few powers from you. Sadly, they are the greatest powers of them all. It is for this reason for which we are embarrassed. We should have given you these powers long prior, but were afraid, our Queen. It is now the moment, and we now give all that you will need, and all that we have to give, freely and openly, knowing you will use them well. No longer will we doubt your abilities, Highness. You have our absolute trust in your reign, and have long deserved to hear us say this to you. You have protected The Realm well. Please stand, High Queen."

  One-by-one, each of the Deep Mystics came up to The High Queen, knelt and bowed their head before her, and pledged their high esteem to her. San'lr'in’ was astonished at their statements and actions, knowing how proud and withheld these Deep Mystics were. She was also surprised that they had withheld powers from her. She now knew why they hadn't wished Sle'nel’ to remain in the room, as they didn't wish her to know of their embarrassment.

  When they were done, she paced across the room for a moment. She didn't quite know what to say. She was slightly hesitant regarding taking on more powers, knowing that adding the great powers to her already existing ones could be extremely difficult, and perhaps immeasurably painful. She had gone through much in her reign and doubted that she could willingly endure the pain that these would cause, however temporary it would be. Yet she knew that when The Realm was finally to face the long uninvited humans from so distant, all The Realm's powers would have to be for once, firmly focused. And she knew that she was meant to be the one to focus those powers.