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

by Robbie Collins

  Ann'wn allowed one moment of rest during the turn, but kept them traveling until just at the sun's final setting. With only a few moments remaining of half-light, all the travelers quickly prepared for the eve, eating their eve meal around a very small fire.

  Ann'wn and San'lr'in’ spoke of the eve's guarding arrangements. Ann'wn persuaded her Queen to rest for the eve since they had so many guards about them, and especially since their scouts were out actively searching for any enemies.

  Throughout the turn, The Healer watched her Queen carefully. In their morn session, The Healer had felt that The High Queen's mind was being taken over by the pain that yet remained from her transfer of powers. The Healer watched, seeing that her Queen's eyes darted about her during the turn as if afraid of attack, an emotion otherwise unknown to San'lr'in', and a behavior The Healer had never prior seen in her Queen.

  "We must tend to your meditations, my Queen."

  She waved her hand, dismissing her, wanting to be left alone, “Leave Me, Healer. I have no patience for this now. This morn's was sufficient, if not overly difficult."

  "Then it is even more important that we do so, or you will relive the transfer moment throughout your eve, and perhaps well into next turn."

  "If I yelled it, would it matter to you?"

  "I am sorry, my Queen, but it is my duty to keep you well, and you yet have the memory of the pain remaining in your head."

  The High Queen looked at her sharply, growing in her anger “How do you know of this?” She studied The Healer for a moment, reaching into her mind, as was her privilege, “The Young One. Of course. That will teach Me to trust anyone."

  The High Queen began to turn away from her Healer, when The Healer argued, “No trust is broken when it is strictly for your benefit, High Queen. No harm is meant. She felt it, my Queen, and I sense and see it. It will continue to twist your mind if we remove it not for you. I mean not to interfere, my Queen, but please allow me to tend to your need, or it will begin to consume you. Already you should be feeling feelings you have never prior felt. Fear, perhaps?"

  The Healer knew that her Queen would now become angry, but knew she needed to demand it. The High Queen turned to her, enraged and embarrassed, knowing her Healer was correct, “You have no right, Healer. You have—"

  "I do, my Queen.” The Healer bowed her head, “With your grace, I have that right, as is my sworn duty to you."

  Sle'nel’ watched the interchange from a short distance away, amazed, not knowing what her Queen had been facing. She wondered if she should interfere, but decided to allow The Healer her moment.

  San'lr'in’ looked angered beyond rationality. She glared at her Healer, “You dare question Me, Healer?"

  "Yes, my Queen. If I must, I will make issue of it. I must so that it goes no further in your mind. Even now, it begins to twist your thinking."

  "You would take no such privilege."

  "I would, and I do, my Queen. And I am sorry for it. It would go better if we did this together, my Queen, but I will do it, either way."

  San'lr'in’ felt herself begin to lose control, enraged to the point of giving great harm, raising her hands so as to use her powers against her Healer. She halted herself, suddenly realizing The Healer was correct. She lowered her hands, then lowered her head, taking a big breath, then sighing, ashamed.

  Softly, she said, “It is as you say. I saw it not. I am sorry, Healer."

  The Healer went quickly to her Queen, placing her hand upon her head, softly yet firmly, “We must be quick. It moves more quickly than I had thought possible. Focus my Queen, and allow me to guide you. I will do you no harm, my Queen. Trust me. Breathe."

  San'lr'in’ let The Healer begin to move her away from The Realm, My mind resists. It wants Me not to go there with you.

  Ignore the voice, my Queen. Hear my thoughts, only. Hear your heart. Focus on your breathing.

  No. You will hurt Me.

  Regardless of her efforts to cooperate with her Healer, her mind resisted, pushing the emotion of fear more strongly forward into San'lr'in'.

  Breathe deeply, my Queen. This is all.

  Just breathe?

  Breathe. Only this.

  She did for many moments, and began to trust that nothing else would occur.

  Let us now move into your second meditation. Focus on your heartbeat. Hear only this.

  Only this?

  Listen to your heartbeat.

  The Healer began to remove the twist to her Queen's mind, the fear that had begun to take over, but San'lr'in's mind reacted, No. It will hurt.

  The Healer sighed, then moved her Queen quickly into a state of unconsciousness. As she did so, she removed her hand from her Queen's head, catching her Queen as she began to fall. Ann'wn and Sle'nel’ were instantly at The High Queen's side. The Healer raised a finger to her lips to keep them quiet.

  Once again, she placed her hand upon The High Queen's head, entering her mind from another passage. She was intent at this moment to rid her Queen of the twist in her mind. She worked for many moments to locate it. When she did, she moved it to a different location in her Queen's mind so that it would be easier to remove once The High Queen was reawakened.

  The Healer looked at Ann'wn and Sle'nel', “Give me a few more moments. The transfer of powers into her left her mind with a twist that begins to overpower her logic."

  "Is she in pain?"

  "She now fears pain, and fear is not an emotion this one has ever prior had. It is beginning to paralyze her."

  "How did you know of this?"

  She looked at Sle'nel', “I saw it in her eyes this turn. Ann'wn, when I wake her, keep her from rising."

  Ann'wn nodded. The Healer took a deep breath, re-gathered her abilities to her, then focused back onto her Queen. She placed her hand on The High Queen's head, waking her.

  The High Queen was startled to be lying on the ground as she woke, “What happened?"

  "Remain as you are, my Queen. We are not yet done."

  She began to rise, but Ann'wn held her down.

  "Into your first meditation, my Queen, and quickly so."

  The High Queen did as requested, allowing The Healer to guide her, “Breathe."

  For many moments, The Healer led her deeper into her meditations, when finally, she was at the spot needed.

  Feel this fear, my Queen?

  I feel it, but it makes Me not afraid. How is this possible?

  I moved it away from the other feelings. Focus upon it so that we may remove it.

  The High Queen focused on her fear, seeing it truly for what it was, then helped The Healer to remove it from her. When The Healer was satisfied that it was complete, she led her Queen back into The Realm.

  "Breathe. Focus. Return to the sound of my voice."

  The High Queen opened her eyes, seeing her Healer, “Worse than a battle."

  The Healer smiled and nodded, “At least we won, my Queen."

  Ann'wn helped her Queen to stand, then left her to her Healer, as did Sle'nel'.

  San'lr'in’ closed her eyes for a moment, searching within, then looked back to her Healer, “The weight of that burden is gone. How did you know?"

  The Healer smiled, “I have my ways, my Queen, as you have yours."

  The High Queen placed her hand upon her Healer's cheek, “I owe you My mind's life, Healer. Anything you want is yours. Just tell Me, and I will make it so."

  The Healer blushed, “To be in your service is enough to provide adequate challenge, my Queen."

  The High Queen laughed, “Of all the things one could ask for, is this the best you can do, Healer? Not a new room for all your concoctions? Or more assistants? A new dwelling?"

  The Healer turned from her, waving her own hand in dismissal, “Perhaps there is yet another twist in this one's head. She blathers on as if she has no mind of her own..."

  The High Queen watched as her Healer went to her own bed. She sent her thoughts to her, Thank you, Healer. I am most grateful.

&
nbsp; The next turn moved once again in the same fashion, as they traveled quickly across the great lands of The Realm. Throughout the turn they moved ever closer to the large mountains in front of them, knowing they would be upon them at the next turn. The scouts were doing their duties well, providing reports of ‘all clear’ throughout the turn as they changed shifts. San'lr'in’ had slept well through the eve, feeling rested for the first moment since her new powers had been transferred into her. She also enjoyed the ride throughout the turn, now that her mind was free from the burden it had taken on.

  They traveled once more into the late after midturn, halting only as the sun's set fell deeply into the horizon. With the scouts all about them, Ann'wn took the risk of a fire for much of the eve, allowing their meal to be better prepared. San'lr'in’ wondered as to where their enemies had gone, but decided to let the scouts take her concern from her, trusting in her elite guards’ abilities to keep them safe, or at least well-warned of danger.

  Ann'wn woke everyone early at the beginning of the turn. They prepared quickly, riding out within mere moments. As they made their way to the mountain pass, one of the scouts came riding hurriedly up to them.

  She bowed her head, “Force Leader."

  "Tell me."

  "The High Queen's sister, Force Leader. We have found her and her escort. All are dead."

  The High Queen heard the messenger and rode up to Ann'wn and the scout, “Take Me to her."

  No words were spoken, all knowing that the report was nothing The High Queen wanted to hear. Sam rode next to her sister, shocked at what she had heard. As the scene unfolded before them, San'lr'in’ looked quickly about, realizing that her sister had been ambushed.

  She dismounted, walking amongst the now dead escort, moving to her sister.

  Ann'wn, Uthrn, Meera, and An'ther'on were all around her, ready to protect her. San'lr'in’ and Sam knelt next to Sume'n'tinel'ti'non when they found her, and The Healer stood nearby. Sle'nel’ was also nearby, but held her bow ready, sensing that others were about them, but well hidden.

  San'lr'in’ placed her fingers on her sister's neck while looking upon the multiple wounds. She winced slightly as she saw that her sister had been stabbed deeply near her heart, had three arrows in her main body cavity, and had been hit on the head with something very hard.

  "She is dead, my Queen. There is nothing you can do for her."

  San'lr'in’ looked up and responded quietly to the speaker of the statement she didn't need to hear, “An'ther'on. My Elf senses danger. Please check with her to see where her senses lead us."

  The Healer watched The High Queen with a knowing look, but said nothing. San'lr'in’ returned the unspoken look, but shook her head ever so slightly. Only The Healer saw it, nodding as lightly her understanding.

  Sam just asked, “Is she dead, as they say?"

  Meera and Uthrn couldn't be certain, as The High Queen wouldn't allow them near enough.

  "I feel a slight heart beat within her, but she is seriously injured."

  The Healer placed her fingers upon The High Queen's sister's neck, checking, but saying nothing. Sele’ stood by, now knowing to never interfere with her High Queen, but well knowing that her Aunt was most certainly neither breathing nor with a heart beat.

  "Black Uthrn. Check with the Black Guard and make certain all is safe. The Healer and I have much to do here and will need many moments. This one lives, but barely so. We will try to prepare her for travel."

  Uthrn nodded, “Yes, my Queen.” She then left to her duty.

  Sle'nel’ came over, seeing that all the elite forces were busy scouting for their enemies and ensuring their safety.

  San'lr'in’ closed her eyes, gathering her powers to her.

  "Must you do this, High Queen?"

  She re-opened her eyes, looking at her Healer. To make certain, she asked her Elf, “Tell Me of what you know of Sume'n'tinel'ti'non's role in The Realm, Elf."

  Sle'nel’ crouched down, speaking softly, “She is essential. She is to be a great Sorcerer in The Realm."

  Sam was surprised, “How do you know of this?"

  "The Sorrows of the Stones have indicated this."

  While they had been talking, Sam had reached over, trying to feel what was left of her sister's life within her, “She no longer lives, my Sister. She is—"

  San'lr'in’ turned quickly to Sam, whispering, but forcefully so, “Quiet! No one speaks of what now occurs. Sister, keep your tongue to yourself. Sele', I may need your assistance, but say nothing."

  The Healer spoke softly, “I have no powers for this, but can help, and you know this well. You should not attempt this alone. Sele’ can also channel for you. Otherwise, it may place you into an unconsciousness for a few turns, from which I cannot remove you."

  "It is overly great a risk for you and the Young One."

  Sele’ spoke softly, trying to control her young, but uncooperative voice, “I can help, my Queen. Like you, I was born with this power."

  "But you know it not."

  "There is no one to help either of us in this regard, is there, my Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ looked at her Healer and nodded, yet speaking quietly, “I agree to your assistance. But first, we must remove the arrows."

  The Healer looked at her Queen as if she were crazy, but began to do as needed. One-by-one, they pulled out the arrows as gently as they could, so as to prevent more damage. When that was done, The High Queen examined the other wounds more carefully, seeing that there was nothing further she could do at the moment.

  "I must bring this power to Me, and hear it, prior to beginning.” She looked about her, “Force Leader and Warrior Woman. Make certain no one comes near. This must not be seen. To all else, she yet barely lives. We now just prepare her for transport. This will take more moments than you suspect."

  The High Queen closed her eyes, focusing on her never prior-used power. As far as she knew, this power had gone unused for even many cycles prior to her. As she began to concentrate, Sele’ interrupted her, “Highness, may I be so bold as to inquire if I may listen into how your bring this power forward so that I will know it better?

  San'lr'in’ thought on it for a brief moment, then nodded her consent. She then brought the power forth in her mind, studied it carefully, relearning what she now needed to do. When she was completed, she re-opened her eyes.

  She turned to The Healer and spoke so softly that no one else could hear her, “Healer. I have need of both My hands, so you will have to take a risk on this. You are to use only one hand, and with only a slight connection into My mind. Probe not deeply. Remain only on top of My thoughts and spells. With your other hand, touch Sele', but also with a light connection. No matter what you think occurs, remain only partially connected. This is both a spell and a power, combined."

  The Healer nodded her understanding.

  Sele’ was beyond excited.

  Sle'nel’ and Sam watched in amazement as their High Queen passed her hands back and forth in an opposing manner over Sume'n'tinel'ti'non's dead body. They watched for a long while seeing nothing, when suddenly a soft white light began to glow just around and over the body. The High Queen chanted her spell, Sle'nel’ surprised to find she recognized the long-unused old and forgotten language of the ancient Elves, but didn't know its meaning.

  So, this is an Elfin power that was given to my love.

  The High Queen chanted for many moments, her hands in constant motion over her sister's body. When the spell had been brought forward and successfully given, she focused her hands over the three major wound areas, slightly touching each while chanting yet another spell. The Healer watched carefully, noticing that the wounded areas looked slightly healed. When completed with the spell portion of the power, she halted her chanting, closed her eyes, sat back for a moment, bowed her head, and gathered the power to her. When she had collected it all into one location within her mind, she opened her eyes, held out her hands and muttered a few words.

  Sle'nel�
� and Sam both jumped at the noise of the energy force that erupted from The High Queen's hands. They were stunned to see that it was as if lightning had been transferred into Sume'n'tinel'ti'non's body, watching as the body jerked up violently at the force. The High Queen said yet a few more words, and once again, the energy force left her hands with great strength, but at this moment, the force was sent directly into her sister's unbeating heart.

  The High Queen fell back slightly from the force of the power, her eyes yet intent on her sister. She watched, looking for the one sign she hoped would come. Suddenly, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non's body gasped in a deep breath, and The High Queen smiled, exhausted, “She lives."

  The Healer had already removed her hand, breaking the connection, knowing that The High Queen was completed with her part of the process. She then moved to her Queen's sister, seeing if there were any further healing she could provide. She heard moaning, and moved closer to her Queen's sister's face, checking for the sound.

  "Help me."

  The Healer looked at her Queen, “She lives, and speaks."

  The High Queen nodded, “She is in your hands now, Healer. Take care of her. We leave when she is ready to be moved."

  The High Queen began to stand, but The Healer needed more information, “Tell me of what you healed, my Queen. Her heart?"

  "It is badly bruised. The opening has been healed. It will not bleed inside her."

  "Her head?"

  "Sadly, I could mend not her demented mind that is so set against Me, but her mind will recover. A severe head injury, some momentary memory loss, and much pain. Yet, nothing more than this."

  "Her arrow wounds?"

  "The internal vital parts are sealed and no longer bleed inside her. But they will hurt, and fiercely so. There was much damage. I doubt she will be able to walk well for a few turns, as her muscles in this section were severed. They are no longer as such, but will provide much pain in their final healing."