The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV]

by Robbie Collins

  Yet without thinking, and yet with their minds fogged from sleep, Ann'wn rolled over and kissed her eve's sleeping partner. The kiss was returned fully for a moment, then Shr'dler'in woke to her complete senses. She jerked back as her eyes stared widely at Ann'wn.

  "Ann'wn! What are you doing here?” She shook her head, trying to clear it of sleep, “I am sorry, Ann'wn. My sincerest apologies. I should have touched you not so inappropriately."

  Ann'wn also jerked wide-awake when Shr'dler'in had done so, equally surprised at what had just occurred. She rose quickly, “No, Shr'dler'in. It was my fault. Please accept my apologies. I was just reacting to the feeling."

  They broke down their camp, Ann'wn wondering who had prepared it for them. She heard Shr'dler'in laughing quietly to herself.

  "Why do you laugh, Healer?"

  "You are a good kisser, Force Leader. This knowledge of you surprises me. Thank you for keeping me warm during the eve."

  Ann'wn blushed, wishing she could kiss Shr'dler'in again. Wishing she was yet being held in her arms. Softly, she said, “In truth, Healer, it was my pleasure."

  "What did you say, Ann'wn? I could hear you not."

  Ann'wn, yet blushing and well frustrated with herself, went up to Shr'dler'in. She stood directly in front of her, looking at her.

  "What is it, Ann'wn? Have I upset you in my carelessness?"

  Ann'wn, having always focused on being a warrior, didn't know what to do with the feelings she was experiencing with Shr'dler'in. She had never prior felt as such.

  "I ... uh ... I mean ... I too ... I mean ... Thank you for the...” Finally, she said, “By the Mothers, our Queen is correct. I am a coward."

  With that, she pulled Shr'dler'in to her, embracing her tightly. She kissed her fully, unable to control her desire and need. Shr'dler'in was shocked, but found her body willingly moving into Ann'wn's deeply passionate and searching kiss. It was everything she had for long-prior thought it would be. After a long moment, Ann'wn pulled away, stared into Shr'dler'in's eyes, touched her cheek tenderly with her hand, then turned and left.

  Sle'nel’ watched quietly and unnoticed from a distance, smiling to herself.

  The Healer stared at her as Ann'wn walked away, wondering what would now occur between them. She sighed, assured that it was no more than a brief accident.

  As The High Queen had predicted, it had snowed on them through the eve. Ann'wn frowned as she looked up at the pass, seeing that it was yet snowing up on the mountain, and heavily so. She knew this turn and eve would be cold and most difficult for them.

  She went to An'ther'on, “Have some of your guards break the path for us. Have them leave now.” She pointed to where she thought they would halt for the eve. “There. Have them search for shelter. And have The High Queen's shelter prepared for her if they cannot find any caves or overhangs."

  They began their journey in the early morn, but later than usual, and well after the sun's rise, Ann'wn giving An'ther'on's guards the moments they needed to be well in the lead. Finally, when all was prepared, Ann'wn had An'ther'on and Uthrn lead the journeyers, while Meera, Sam and a few of the Private Guards guarded the rear. Ann'wn had most of the Black Guard out on patrols, searching for any danger that might be coming their way.

  The turn was long, while the path remained deep with ever-deepening snow. They trudged their way through the steep pass, moment by moment, with no reprieve from either the snowstorm or the intensity of the upward path.

  As the eve came, they halted on a slightly widened-portioned of the path, making camp in the most miserable of conditions, and making all to share tents. As soon as they made camp, all went directly to their tents, well exhausted from the turn's upward journey. Ann'wn watched with a saddened sigh as The Healer went into a tent with The High Queen's attendants.

  The morn provided no release from the snowstorm, but Ann'wn made them to push on, hoping for better conditions once over the pass. The path up to the gap's ridge was now even steeper and more winding, heavier with snow than their prior turn's journey. In some places, the path became nothing more than a narrow ledge, with no room for error. On one of the ledges, An'ther'on indicated that everyone needed to dismount so that they could walk the ledge instead of ride it.

  At after-midturn, as they neared the gap, The High Queen called Ann'wn to her, “You must have An'ther'on's guards return. They know not the way. We will travel as a group from here. In a short while, I must look for the tunnels."

  The tunnels were a well hoped-for sighting, so the thought that they may not find them shocked Ann'wn into depression.

  "Will they not be able to see them, my Queen?"

  She shook her head, “I fear that even I will miss them, and I have been this way prior. They are well hidden. And in this snow, I am not certain they can be seen at all."

  "Perhaps Mor'inl’ knows the way, Highness?"

  She shook her head lightly, “No. It was far long prior, and I was alone."

  It began to snow even heavier as they re-started their journey up to the pass. Ann'wn was watching The Healer from behind, wondering what to do with her new-found feelings for her, but also wondering what to do about her own undesired relationship with the High Counselor. All she really knew was that she wanted to lie in The Healer's arms this eve, and for many eves after. As they continued to trudge up the path, she studied The Healer, admiring her beauty. Her body shivered uncontrollably as she thought about the feeling of The Healer's soft hands upon her body.

  How have I been so blind as this? How could I have long desired this woman yet never seen it? She is beautiful.

  They had entered onto a series of steep and slippery switchbacks, and everyone was now forced to walk instead of ride. Trudging through the deep snow step-by-step, they spent the remainder of the after midturn arriving to the top of the switchbacks. They had hoped to be able to re-mount and ride the horses after the switchbacks, as the trail widened, but the snow was so deep that they had to continue to walk. The High Queen had moved to the front, trying to recall where the tunnels began. She knew she had few moments prior to the sun's setting. After that, they would once again be forced to build camp out in the open.

  "Can we not help, Highness?"

  They were in a small valley high up on the mountain, in the gap area. There were many huge boulders on each side of them that well hid the two mountains’ sides, so the tunnels couldn't be seen.

  "They are on the right side ... I think ... or did I come from the wasteland side? Yes, this must be so as there was no snow. But then I would have entered through the mouth of the ... yet I recall well the switchbacks we just achieved. The caves must be around here, behind these boulders.” She turned around while scanning the area, “Have your guards look upon the walls of each of the mountains, behind the boulders. But then, a rockslide could have covered the entrance to them.” She looked frustrated, “My apologies, Ann'wn. It is the best I can do. It has been since my youth, overly many cycles prior."

  Even if they had hundreds of guards with them, the length of the pass would require more of the sun's assistance than they presently had. Ann'wn knew that luck was all they had at the moment. Like all the others, Caitha had also begun helping in the search, humming to herself as she did so. She wandered around fairly aimlessly, but remaining close to the mountain's side when she saw that she had frightened a small animal. She watched it go to the mountain's side, then disappear. She followed its path behind some boulders, then suddenly saw the opening. It had been, as The High Queen had suspected, partially covered over by many rockslides over the cycles.

  She walked back to Meera, “M'Love, I have found the opening to a tunnel."

  Meera just looked at her in total disbelief, “You did? How? Where?"

  "I frightened a little animal, and I watched it disappear into the opening as I followed its path."

  It took great effort to clear the entrance just enough so that the horses could enter, but they were all well motivated to get out of the increasi
ng snow, including the horses. After they were all regrouped inside the cave, Ann'wn began to give orders to build camp for the eve.

  The High Queen interrupted her, “No, Force Leader. We must continue. Travel until the first fork in the tunnel. Take the right fork. Then to the second fork. Again, take the right fork. We will then come upon a large area where there are many available paths. That is where we head for the eve. There is water there, and some interesting features. Tell the Sorcerer Women to light the way for you. We can ride the remainder of the way."

  As they were traveling through the tunnel, Sle'nel’ rode next to San'lr'in', “These tunnels, my Queen. They are in my memory."

  The High Queen nodded, finally removing her hood, “I would be more surprised if they were not. These tunnels are the site of The Realm's most terrible battle between the Elves and the R'kin'dles during the first High Queen's reign. It was in this battle that both sides lost all their forces. Caitha might know of this story. It is considered as one of the saddest moments for The Realm. And the battle should never have occurred. It was after this battle that D'klr'dil must have given the first High Queen your staff, as this was the last battle of its era. After hearing Caitha's story of D'klr'dil, that part of The Realm's past now makes some sense, as no one could ever explain to Me why there was sudden peace after so much hate and war. Overly many were lost during that era. The Mystics nearly wiped themselves out at that moment. I hope that we never face such a battle as this.” She shivered as a chilling foreboding ran through her.

  Ann'wn, Sam, Uthrn, The Healer and Sele’ had also been listening to The High Queen's story. Sele’ announced her interest, “Isn't Aunt Sume’ a R'kin'dles, Aunt High Queen?"

  "Some."

  "Why were you here prior, Highness? And why were you alone?"

  She looked at Ann'wn and raised an eyebrow, “You ask much of your High Queen, Force Leader."

  Ann'wn gulped, knowing she had overstepped her privilege.

  "It was another test.” Mil'der'in had answered the question.

  Sele’ nodded her understanding, “Did she succeed in this test, High Counselor?"

  The High Queen looked over to her, raising another eyebrow, “Am I not here, beside you? If I had not passed the test, I would be dead."

  "How many cycles did you have, Aunt High Queen?"

  The High Queen looked to Mil'der'in, who now also rode near her, “You seem to recall this moment more than I do."

  "She had eleven cycles, upon her return to the Valley."

  "Eleven? Only this?” Ann'wn was surprised, “Alone? Here?"

  This, and many countless other tests such as this were some of the reasons San'lr'in’ had come to think of herself as a slave to The Realm. Sam began to understand why The High Queen thought her to have a loving upbringing, recognizing that her sister's teachers had expected overly much from such a young one.

  "Will I have to do this also, Aunt High Queen?"

  "I will not allow this test to occur on you, Young One, yet other tests will occur."

  "But why? I want to be with you, Birth-Mother and Mother."

  "So that you are never soft, Young One."

  "You are. I have seen it in you."

  She nodded and sighed, “And My teachers will tell Me that I have not remained as they wished."

  Sle'nel’ raised her own eyebrow, “Perhaps it is the moment for you to tell them otherwise."

  The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', thinking about her statement. Quietly, she replied, “Perhaps you are correct. But they will challenge Me."

  Sle'nel’ nodded, then looked ahead to where they were headed, thinking that she wasn't going to like these teachers very much, “And they will lose, as they should. Their moments with you are over."

  The snow was heavier outside than it had been all the turn, but they no longer cared. They were now traveling in the well-sheltered and warmer tunnels. Ann'wn was relieved, having seen that they were all beginning to be well ravaged by the cold conditions, including the horses. She would have her forces see to the horses, knowing the intense need they would have of them through the journey.

  "Is it safe in here, Highness?"

  She looked at Ann'wn, then looked around the caves as they rode, “I know not. Never prior, but these tunnels look well unused now.” She looked at the undisturbed paths, wondering why the tunnels were no longer used.

  "Prior, there was much passage in them, as it is the quickest route through these mountains.” She shivered again as she recalled her long-prior moments in these tunnels. She had been young, but with few weapons, well weakened and wounded, and all but starving. Looking now about her, she recognized a few of the small cracks in the walls in which she had hidden herself, coming out only when those who traveled the tunnels slept.

  Her scouts explored every passage possible as they traveled, looking for signs of life. Finding none, they finally arrived at a cavernous room within the tunnels. They were surprised at how large it was, as it spanned at least eight tall trees’ height, and was as large as an arena. A small waterfall splashed into a pool at one side of the room, and Ann'wn could see where all the past fires had been built. As they looked around, and as the Sorcerer Women continued to light the various parts of the great cavern, Sam saw all the small shelters scattered along the sides of the great room. Ann'wn had given orders to make camp and to guard all the passageways, as she now saw what The High Queen had meant. There were twenty-three different passageways that led away from the great room.

  A soft ground-bed was made for The High Queen in the largest, but safest of the side-rooms, while other preparations also occurred. From long prior, various seats from dragged-in logs and rocks had been made around the fire, and The High Queen and all her companions were now using them as they completed their eve's meal.

  Sele’ came up to The High Queen, moving onto her lap, “Tell me the story of why you were here, Aunt High Queen."

  "Do I want you in My lap this eve, Young One?"

  Sele’ just giggled.

  The High Queen smiled, “As the High Counselor said, it was a test of what My teachers had been trying to teach Me. After I left a rather unfortunate moment, I was to find My way through the pass and the tunnels, defending Myself as necessary, and finding My own food and water. Obviously I did, as I am now here to tell you of it."

  "Were you frightened?"

  She laughed lightly, “No. I was angry, per My usual feeling."

  "Did you have to defend yourself?"

  The High Queen nodded, “I had only My sword and knife and was forced—"

  They heard a scuffle down one of the passageways. They watched as An'ther'on brought a young girl of about fifteen cycles forward to Ann'wn, holding tightly onto her, “We found this one down one of the passageways. She began to fight us, calling us brutes.” Yet holding onto the young girl, An'ther'on looked up, somewhat confused, “What is a brute?"

  Placing Sele’ upon the ground, The High Queen rose and listened as Ann'wn questioned the young girl.

  "What are you called?"

  "Why should I tell you? Leave me be! Let me go! My mother is sick. She is dying. I must return to her. I was out searching for food only. You are the ones trespassing here, not me."

  An'ther'on shoved the young girl to the ground, “A likely story. How many are with you?"

  The young girl stood back up, daring An'ther'on to shove her again, “It is easy to fight one with no weapons. You are nothing but a brute, and a coward."

  "Who are you?"

  "I am a St'en'giln. Who are you?"

  "We are from the Valley. Tell us how many are with you."

  The young girl crossed her arms in front of her, defiantly, “I must return to my mother. She is ill. You have no right to keep me prisoner. I have done nothing to you."

  "Not until you tell us how many you are with."

  "Just my mother. Now please. Let me go."

  The High Queen and her Healer had walked over, “Where is your mother. We can help
heal her.” She motioned to her Healer, “This is our Healer. If you take us to her, we will try to help her. We mean you no harm."

  Ann'wn and An'ther'on both thought this an unsafe idea. Ann'wn spoke softly to her Queen, “Please let us scout the area first, Highness."

  "That is fine, Force Leader. We will follow at a distance."

  Sle'nel', Sam, Sele', Uthrn, and Meera all followed with The High Queen, wondering where this young girl had come from. They walked down many paths, taking many long moments, following the guards’ boot prints. When they arrived, both The Healer and The High Queen went immediately to the ill woman, seeing her lay upon the ground.

  The High Queen gasped with complete surprise when she saw the woman, and sat back, wondering how this was so, “By the Mothers. Not her also."

  "What is it, High One?"

  Speaking softly, she said sadly, “This woman was one of My long-prior teachers. She was one of the great masters, even at her young cycles. This is Be'rn'. The third of all the Masters."

  "Second only to you then, Highness?"

  She shook her head, saddened, “It is so. Can we save her? She has done much for The Realm."

  The Healer examined the woman then looked up at her Queen, shaking her head softly, “I am sorry, Highness. There is nothing we can do."

  "What does she die from?"

  "Long illness, it seems. I can do nothing but make her comfortable as she dies."

  The High Queen looked tormented in the moment. She shook her head and she looked sadly upon the dying Master, “Why must I have to waste My powers on My sister who gives little to The Realm, while I have no choice but to let this great one die? Why must The Realm be so unfair as this?"

  The Healer placed her hand on The High Queen's arm, “I am sorry, High One. I wish there were something I could do, but there is not. I would give all my healing powers, but I know nothing to halt this type of sickness."