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

by Robbie Collins

  "It would appear I have hit on a tender spot within you. Temper, sister. It was only a word."

  "I am tired of your bitterness and sarcasm."

  "Sit. I have something I am trying to tell you. Have some patience."

  She sighed, looked at her sister, then sat, “What then? I can take little more of you. If it had not been for My Healer, I would have given you a deep sleeping spell to take you through the rest of the eve and well into the morn."

  She laughed, “Good. You can be real. I find myself at an embarrassing moment with you. I have long hated you, this is truth, yet at this moment, I am grateful to you."

  "Grateful? You know of this word?"

  "Now who is being bitter? Thank you for bringing me home. And thank you for tending to my town until I am well."

  San'lr'in’ put her hand on her sister's forehead.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I am checking to see if you are with fever. You sound not like yourself."

  Sume'n'tinel'ti'non slapped at her sister's arm, “Halt this."

  San'lr'in’ laughed, and then so did her sister.

  "Are you hungry?"

  "I am tired."

  San'lr'in’ placed her hand on her sister's head, gently, “I am going to give you a sleeping spell. It will last only until the eve, but will help you to sleep better. I will have one of My attendants remain with you. When you awaken, you should eat."

  "I have need of your storyteller this eve. And bring your Elf, and our other sister. And I suppose you should come also."

  "Gracious of you. Can you feel the sleeping spell yet?"

  Sume'n'tinel'ti'non closed her eyes and nodded, “I..."

  San'lr'in’ quietly left the room, feeling both frustrated yet pleased with the small progress between her and her sister.

  Caithryn was waiting outside the door. She knelt and bowed when she saw The High Queen, “Great High Queen."

  "Rise, Caithryn of Sansthera."

  "We are ready to give you the tour you requested. Your party of travelers awaits you outside. It is my privilege to guide you."

  San'lr'in’ motioned with her hand, “Lead on, then."

  Caithryn led them while one of the town's lesser leaders spoke about the various buildings and dwellings, “And this is one of the First One's living quarters. It was constructed to hold all of them, initially. We no longer use it as it decays, but we don't know how to repair as such. All the fabrics are but strange to us. The journals tell us that it soon became what they referred to as their greenhouse, where they grew the plants they brought with them. Long prior to now, the later dwellers of this town replanted the plants all around this area. They have long prior incorporated themselves into the nature, and no longer can we tell their plants from ours.

  "I understand that Woden is similar in design to Sansthera, Highest of Woden. This doesn't surprise me, as the women and men that but left here had also built this town. We will be giving you the journals of the First Ones after our tour, Highest. The High Priestess has bid it so.

  "The first domed buildings lasted only a short while. They rebuilt these five big ones, keeping the same frame structure. It is a metal of some sort, but nothing we can reproduce, and it has lasted all these eons. And over here is something they used to ride in, instead of horses. It ran on the sun's energy source, but we know not more than this, except that it used four wheels. Here. Look at this wheel. See how flexible it is? It is of another material we know not of, but never seems to decay."

  San'lr'in’ cared little about the details of the First Ones. She was just anxious over her sister's urgency, wanting to see how she now knew that the humans were returning. She looked around, ignoring the chattering of the human guide, seeing that whoever the First Ones were had selected their site well. It was secluded, in a valley, easily protected, near the sea, with fresh water, and with much forest around them.

  So, it seems that they were intelligent.

  "You are not listening to the guide.” Sle'nel’ had wrapped her arm through her Queen's, whispering to her.

  The High Queen smiled at her, “Nor are you."

  "Sam is. And so is Caitha."

  They began to walk away from the group, closer to the long building, “Did Caitha speak yet with Caithryn?"

  Sle'nel’ pulled her Queen's arm to her more tightly, “She did. It would appear it is the same line, as you must have been thinking. Like long-lost sisters. Something you should know well of."

  "Sisters! They frustrate Me."

  "How is it you have learned to be so closely connected to me, my Queen?"

  "What is your meaning, Elf?"

  "You have never prior been connected to anyone for any great length of moments."

  "So?"

  "So. You have never had to work through any relationship issues. And I am an Elf. I give you not the same issues as the others do."

  "Perhaps this is why I am so attracted to you."

  "Perhaps."

  The High Queen halted and pulled Sle'nel’ into an embrace, kissing her. She moved her against the door of the long building, moving closely into her, wanting her. She kissed her again, missing her touch.

  After a short moment, she heard a voice, “Great High Queen?

  San'lr'in’ sighed, shaking her head to Sle'nel', “I am sorry, My Desire. We have been missed.” She looked around at the tedious lecturer.

  "Great High Queen? Please allow me to show you to your quarters so that you may be prepared for the eve meal."

  San'lr'in’ nodded to Caithryn.

  They were taken to their rooms, The High Queen saying nothing during their return. As she entered the beautiful room, she looked at her Elf, thinking she had neglected her. She was disappointed to find that her attendants were waiting for her, “Oh, my Queen. You are arrived. We were just selecting your gown for the eve."

  "How long do we have until the meal?"

  "Soon. Would you like to rest for a short while prior to us preparing you, Highness?"

  "Yes. Thank you."

  "One of us will be waiting, along with a guard, outside your door."

  As they left, she said, “I am sorry that I am such an overly demanding lover, My Desire."

  "What brought this on, my Queen?” Sle'nel’ was startled by her lover's statement.

  "You pointed out to Me that I am not very good with working through the issues involved in relationships."

  Sle'nel’ laughed, “Is that all?"

  "What do you mean by this?"

  "I was just suggesting that perhaps you should give a little more ... well ... patience in regard to your sisters. The three of you share many similar characteristics, you know."

  "Such as?” The High Queen wasn't certain she wanted to hear this, but was curious.

  "You are all demanding. But then, you are all used to being in control. You are all extremely solitary in your quiet moments. You are all regarded as requiring much need of physical intimacies. All three of you have been rather unsuccessful in long-term relationships. You and Sume'n'tinel'ti'non share many of the same physical behaviors, such as waving your hands about as you dismiss an idea or person. And all three of you sigh deeply as if you were tested to the ends of your patience."

  Sle'nel’ was laughing by now, enjoying the comparison. The High Queen looked at her in dismay, recognizing herself in these statements, but not wishing to be connected to her sisters in these fashions. She had thought herself more unique in these regards.

  "I suppose you are the one to know each of us the best. You were the lover of one, the only one the other trusts from My realm, and you are now My lover.” She looked at her with a raised eyebrow, trying to look serious, “You are not planning on casting Me off for my elder sister, are you, so that you can know each of us in this fashion?"

  Recognizing the look, Sle'nel’ laughed again, “It would depend, my Queen."

  San'lr'in’ tried to look surprised, watching, as the Elf moved closer to her, “Depend? On what?"

&nbs
p; Sle'nel’ moved into her, backing her slowly across the room toward the bed, teasing her, “On how interesting this relationship remains."

  "Interesting? But you are an Elf and could never leave the union."

  She moved her Queen into the corner, beginning to touch her, “But I am only half-Elf. Your elder sister pointed this fact out to me."

  The High Queen saw that she was teasing only, beginning to enjoy Sle'nel's advances, “What would help to keep this union interesting, My Half-Elf?"

  Sle'nel’ had taken hold of The High Queen's gown with her fingers, at the seams that just covered the private parts of her breast. She moved her fingers up and down the seam slowly, touching her lover's breasts lightly as she did so, finally removing the gown from her breasts. Just as she was placing her lips to San'lr'in's most tender spot on her breast, Sle'nel’ said, “I can think of a couple of things that would keep it interesting, my Love."

  The eve meal was readied just for the travelers, as the High Priestess couldn't yet attend. Sele’ was eating with the sorcerers at the other end of the long table, yet tired from their long journey. The High Queen thought the meal unusual but delicious, having decided she was hungry. Sle'nel’ watched with great interest that her Queen ate well after their moments together. She laughed lightly to herself.

  "What amuses you so, My Desire?"

  "You. Your ways make me laugh."

  "Me? Why is this?"

  "You now eat your eve meal. You seldom do. Yet, there are particular moments you will do so."

  "I am hungry. Should I not eat?"

  "Of course, my Queen. And you should eat more, and more often. You are getting way overly thin. But you seldom eat an eve meal."

  "I do if I am hungry. And I am hungry."

  She saw that Ann'wn was laughing, as were Meera, Caitha, Sam, Uthrn, and even her Healer and Mil'der'in.

  "Why does everyone laugh?"

  Sam was laughing so hard that tears flowed down her face.

  Sle'nel’ was also laughing out of control, so Caitha responded, “My Queen. You always seem to be hungry after certain physical exertions."

  Everyone was now laughing hysterically, while San'lr'in’ just stared at Caitha, her brows frowning. She thought about what Caitha had said for a moment, looked down at her food, and then also began to laugh, “So much for privacy."

  After their meal, San'lr'in’ announced to her close companions, “The High Priestess would like us to entertain her this eve. Bring your sweets, and let us reconvene in her room. My Storyteller, she has requested your service specifically this eve. And Highest, bring the journals with you."

  As they entered her room, The High Queen saw that her Healer had returned. While everyone else settled in the sitting area, San'lr'in’ went over to her sister and Healer.

  "Does My Healer torture you as she does Me?"

  "I tried to take her from you, but she seems to like your evil temper."

  San'lr'in’ saw a look of kindness escape from her sister's eyes, to her own Healer.

  "You have removed her pain for the eve?"

  "No. Just some, while they visit with her. When they leave, I will need your assistance."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “I am willing.” She looked down at her sister, “Have you yet eaten?"

  "Your Healer was kind enough to feed me and keep me company."

  San'lr'in’ was curious over the relationship forming between them, but said nothing of it, “I have brought My Storyteller, as you wished."

  Sume'n'tinel'ti'non sat up slightly, “Good. Storyteller. Come to me. Sit next to me. Tell me the stories of the First Ones’ arrival."

  While Caitha began her story, The Healer motioned with her head to the side of the room, hoping her Queen would understand. Slowly, The High Queen moved across the room toward her Healer, interested in the story Caitha was telling, but more curious as to what The Healer wanted.

  They stood next to each other as if listening to Caitha, while The Healer whispered, “She is in great pain, but begins to endure it better, so some of it must be leaving."

  "This could not be the reason you ask Me here."

  "How well do you know her, Highness?"

  "Not well. I know only that she hates Me and wishes Me dead."

  "Have patience with her, Highness. She is deeply troubled by all that has occurred. Learning that her Spirit Mothers lied to her has harmed her greatly, yet she will not speak of this to you."

  "She yet hates Me and wishes Me dead."

  "No, my Queen. This is not so. You sound like a child in this regard. She just knows not what to do with all her long-prior feelings. She has never felt much kindness prior, and you confuse her. She has spent her entire lifespan trying to get even with you, only to discover that you have perhaps had a worse upbringing than even her, yet you remain caring and kind to her."

  "So? Even a Mungardies can show kindness."

  "You were raised to trust no one, Highness. It took me many cycles to earn your trust, and even then, it was only after we were lovers that this trust occurred."

  "So? What of this?"

  "Neither of you know how to trust, Highness. She was raised as a R'kin'dles. They are taught to be suspicious. And then her Spirit Mother reinforced her suspicions of you. It is not easy, my Queen, to finally learn that all you have known in your life as truth, is now false."

  "It would seem that all are tending to My lack of abilities with relationships, this turn. I will keep it in mind, Healer. Is there something I should know that now occurs between you and her?"

  The Healer laughed lightly, “No, High One. I am not becoming her lover. I am vowed to your service, and to the service of Healers. But if you happen to find me a good lover, the—"

  "Go find your own lover, Healer. I have all I can do with My own relationships, it would seem."

  San'lr'in’ moved back to Sle'nel', who was now sitting on the large bed, eating her sweet. When she saw her Queen return to her, she gave her bite of it and began listening to Caitha once again.

  When the story was done, the High Priestess looked to Sam, “Youngest sister. Read from the first journal entries. I have never prior pieced this tale together, and it is now the moment."

  Sam opened the first journal and read the heading:

  * * * *

  Journal #2—In Space—2449—May 19th—Entry #1 (05192449)

  * * * *

  She looked up, “Where is the first journal?"

  Sume'n'tinel'ti'non looked puzzled, “First journal? This one speaks of their landing, does it not?"

  Sam read a little to herself, then nodded, “Yes. But there must be a first one that tells of their departure from wherever they came. This says it is Journal 2."

  "I know not of this journal. You now have all we have recovered."

  "These were the buried ones?"

  "Yes. They were found many cycles prior, and this was all of them. But I understand that Woden has all the final ones."

  "Of their departure from here."

  "Read. This first one must be lost to us, or yet buried somewhere."

  Sam, slightly disappointed, sat back in her seat and began to read:

  * * * *

  I've been woken from my space-sleep. All seems to be well with me and with all the others who've also been awakened. Just as we were placed under, just before departure, I had a sinking feeling that I would never wake up again. Yet, here I am, and we arrive soon. I can't see our new world yet through our lookout stations, but can see it through the internal telescope.

  The ship is still under its own guidance system, but will shift over in the next few days or so, as everyone awakens. I'm in charge of making sure that our surface equipment is readied, so my next days prior to landing will be busy.

  I know we've been gone for years now, but it feels like yesterday. I met all these others prior to leaving, and we were made to do bonding activities (I abhor bonding activities) together so that we would learn of each other's need, and so on. B-o-r-i-n-g. Yet
, as I awaken and see them again, I feel like I've never met them before. My mother would tell me that it's my anti-social behavior coming through, again.

  A new world. I can hardly believe it. Here we are light-years away from home, building a new world. It's uninhabited, from what information we've gathered on it, so we'll be solely on our own.

  Our captain hasn't yet been awakened, but our site-leader has, and he seems nervous. Perhaps it's just the time warp he's experiencing, as I feel a little nervous myself, for no good reason. And he seems amazingly distant and aloof. But I recall that he was selected as site-leader for his outgoing and open personality. I'm sure it's just the space time warp he's feeling.

  * * * *

  "That's the end of the first entry."

  "It tells us not much, does it?"

  "Why did they think The Realm was uninhabited?"

  "Read another."

  * * * *

  Journal #2—In Space—2449—May 28th—Entry #2 (05282449)

  We land in two days. I'm so excited that I'm about ready to burst. I've checked all the surface-going equipment three times already, just trying to keep myself busy. There's little to do except wait now, as all our things are packed and ready for the final landing.

  We're going to be jettisoning from our main station tomorrow, and will then maneuver into landing orbit. I can hardly wait. It seems like Christmas to me. I've just been awake for a few days, yet I'm ready to go nuts in this small container, and everyone is so noisy. I want out of here.

  I wonder what it will be like.

  * * * *

  "That one was short. I will continue with the next one."

  "What is a day, or tomorrow? I know not these terms."

  No one answered the question, so Sam continued:

  * * * *

  Journal #2—Landed—2449—June 2nd—Entry #3 (06022449)

  We've landed successfully, and all is well! I'm glad to be off our spaceship. I love it here. It's outrageously beautiful. It's always what I've imagined that Earth was so many eons ago, prior to all human life, except that there are no dinosaurs here. And thankfully, no cities. I'm tired of cities.