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

by Robbie Collins

  Ann'wn had watched her lovingly, but with full concern throughout the long turn and eve, now gladdened for her lover's awakening, “We are well north of the spot you told as most dangerous. We rode with haste throughout the turn and eve. We must rest the horses now. Are we safe enough here?"

  The Healer shook her head, returning back to exhaustion, “No. Ride until midturn. Then we can camp. We must be closer to the Sorcerer's Forest."

  Ann'wn knew that The High Queen hadn't yet woken, as well as the long-prior teacher, but saw that Sele’ now sat upon the horse on her own, safely encompassed in Ern'seln's tender care. Ann'wn knew that their horses were exhausted, but the threat of great danger was the more urgent of the needs, so she made all to continue their hasty journey.

  At midturn, and at the heat of the turn, Ann'wn halted all her forces near some great boulders, knowing that they would provide at least a minimum of shade, an improvement over the now glaring sun that had followed them throughout the turn. They made camp and ensured that the horses had the first drink of the now diminishing water reserves, knowing that they would have to rely on their horses for another full turn of overly dry travel.

  Ann'wn's forces placed their tent covers over and between the boulders, creating enough shade for all to rest under, including the horses. One of the guards who knew something, but little, of dry conditions busied herself and a few others digging and lining small holes, and then covering them so as to try to collect some water. The High Queen and the long-prior teacher were placed gently under their own private shelters so that The Healer could tend to them as needed. Neither had made any movement back toward The Realm, remaining fully unconscious.

  Sle'nel’ was worried, as was The Healer, but Sele’ reassured them, “She risked much and spent all her powers and energies to do as she did. No one has accomplished such a feat as this, prior. No one. Many have stepped into the OuterRealm, but none have returned. The High Queen returned, and also returned with this long-prior teacher. It took great effort, but she will recover. Give her the moments she needs, Birth-Mother. I know her mind, and she will return. She now has much desire to rid The Realm of this Dark Sorcerer."

  The Healer listened carefully, “This is why she felt it necessary to return with this long-prior teacher."

  Sele’ nodded, placing her small hand lightly on her Queen's head. She moved into The High Queen's mind for a moment, trying to learn where her High Queen had placed herself until her powers returned to her.

  She looked back up, “She is yet far from The Realm, but is trying to move closer. Her strength is returning slowly. She could use some nourishment, Healer."

  The Healer made some of her healing tea and made The High Queen to swallow it, little by little. She also gave some to Sele’ as well as the long-prior teacher. Ann'wn stood nearby, wanting to be with her lover, but knowing that The Healer's place was now with The High Queen until her recovery. Sle'nel’ sat nearby, waiting, and at some moments, speaking to her Queen.

  Ann'wn came to The Healer for a moment, “We will leave in the mideve so as to travel in the coolest part of the morn. We will then camp by midturn to avoid this intense heat, once again. Hopefully, by that moment we will be near the Sorcerer's Forest. When do you think The High Queen will return to us?"

  The Healer looked up at her, “I know not, Force Leader. I wish I did. She removed all but the very minimum of her life's energies to return with the long-prior teacher. Even when she returns, I know not how long before she can call her powers to her once again. Even now, it takes all her energy to breathe."

  "The long-prior teacher?"

  "She lives. The High Queen will need to help when she returns to The Realm. I am afraid to bring this one back into our realm overly soon. She is not of this era, and will face a disorientation even in the knowing of it. She is from a long-prior moment, Force Leader."

  Ann'wn bent down and gave her lover a soft kiss, “I miss you, but am fully amazed at your abilities. I will bring you and the Elf's eve meal to you when it is prepared."

  The Healer looked into her lover's eyes, wishing she had the moments to spend in her strong and overly desirous arms. She replied softly, “Thank you."

  Both Sle'nel’ and The Healer were leaning against the boulders, on opposite sides of The High Queen. They had tried to remain speaking so as to give their Queen a direction and focus for her return, but had finally run out of words. And they were exhausted. While much of the camp rested, The Healer and Sle'nel’ remained awake, trying to bring their Queen back into The Realm. But now they just sat, staring at her. The Healer began to drift off to sleep, as did Sle'nel', when suddenly, Sle'nel’ felt a hand upon her leg, and The Healer sensed movement about her. They both jerked wide awake, seeing that The High Queen's eyes were open and that her hand was resting on Sle'nel's leg.

  "High One. You return to The Realm."

  "San'lr'in'. You are returned to us."

  She blinked slowly, unsure of where she was, but somehow sensing this Elf that sat close to her was important. She breathed in deeply for one moment, and then began to close her eyes.

  "High One. Remain with us."

  "San'lr'in'. Look at me. Remain awake, my Love. Come to me."

  San'lr'in’ heard her name and struggled to remain awake. She felt completely disoriented, not knowing where she was or who was with her. She did as commanded of her, and looked at the Elf.

  Sle'nel’ could see that her Queen would be unable to remain awake for long, “Say something, San'lr'in'. Did you find the Dark Sorcerer?"

  The Healer asked, “Who is this long-prior teacher that you bring back with you?"

  After a moment of her Queen simply staring at her, Sle'nel’ tried again, “Speak to me, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'."

  Having been taught to respond to all commands given to her during her long-prior cycles of training, she now struggled to obey. She wanted to speak, to answer, but couldn't find the energy. Sle'nel’ saw her Queen trying, but saw that she couldn't.

  She placed her hand on her cheek, “It is not important, San'lr'in'. Rest now. We will try again later."

  San'lr'in’ closed her eyes, grateful for the reprieve, but not knowing or understanding why. Her eyes shed a few tears as she closed them, for reasons unknown by any of them. Sle'nel’ gently dried the tears from her face, looking upon one of them, wondering what The First High Queen had seen in her lover's tear. As had occurred between her and Sam what seemed like so long-prior, she now wondered if the Mystics used tears such as these as the basis for new life. She wondered if she took this tear to her, she would bear her and San'lr'in's child.

  The High Queen remained unconscious throughout the remainder of the turn, now making all those about her overly concerned. Even The Healer had thought that her Queen would have been a little more returned to The Realm. But regardless of The High Queen's condition, Ann'wn knew that they had to continue to move forward, hopefully toward water, as their supplies wouldn't hold much longer. True to her word, she had them leave at late after-eve, well prior to the sun's rise.

  Once again they traveled with haste, determined to leave the dry lands behind them. They traveled until midmorn, while Ann'wn sought out a suitable place to camp. They had seen very little in the way of landscape except for sand and some dunes. Finally, as they approached the scorching heat of the turn, they began to see that the landscape was changing, however little. A few stunted trees and other assorted tree-like plants, but with spikes sticking out from them, stood before them offering some sort of shelter. They halted and made camp for the remainder of the turn, knowing they would once again have to continue their long journey during the late after mideve.

  The High Queen hadn't stirred the entire turn's travel, so Sle'nel’ expected little change during their moment of rest. As she leaned against the trunk of a tree, watching her lover, she wandered into her own deep sleep, overly tired from their long journey. She again woke to The High Queen's hand upon her leg. She looked at her for a long moment, wonde
ring if her lover was yet ready to communicate more fully than prior turn.

  She bent down closer to her and softly said, “San'lr'in'. My Love. Can you hear me?"

  She rose back up, allowing her Queen to focus on her, and waited. She watched as her Queen tried to swallow. She slowly gave her a cup of water, then waited once again, allowing The High Queen to re-enter The Realm at her own rate.

  The High Queen moved her hand once again, trying to touch Sle'nel's hand. Sle'nel’ took The High Queen's hand into her own and held it, knowing that San'lr'in’ was trying to reconnect.

  Sle'nel’ saw it said more than she heard it, as her High Queen finally spoke, “Elf."

  The Healer had entered their shelter and also saw that her Queen was attempting to communicate. She sat on the ground next to Sle'nel’ and The High Queen, “She tries to re-enter The Realm."

  Sle'nel’ thought the effort overly difficult, “Is there nothing we can do to help her?"

  The Healer thought about it for a moment, then placed her hand gently on her Queen's head, entering her thoughts for a moment, “She is yet confused and cannot accept that she is in The Realm. The OuterRealm yet seems to have a slight hold on her."

  "We need to break this connection. Can you not do this, Healer?"

  "I can, but I fear to do so. She jumped from the OuterRealm back into The Realm, an impossible feat. It cannot be done, but here she lies before us, having done it."

  "She might have done it, but she yet remains apart. Help her, Healer. She seems unable to do this thing, alone."

  "I could try working through the meditations, then bringing her back through them. Perhaps this would help. But I cannot go into the final meditations. Only High Queens can enter the eighth."

  "And Sele'. She can. San'lr'in’ took her through it as they went to the OuterRealm."

  The Healer nodded, “This is so. I should have thought of this sooner."

  They had Sele’ brought to them. When she arrived, she looked down upon her High Queen, “What can I do for you, Healer? I am more than ready to help our High Queen."

  "Can you take us into the eighth meditation?"

  Sele’ thought on this for a moment, “Ah. You think that if we bring her back through her meditations, as should have been done prior, then she will once again set foot in this Realm."

  "It is a guess, but the only one I have."

  "Let us try. I think I can, although I have been there only once. There might be pain in the process, Healer. Are you prepared for this, as we try to bring her back through them? Should we get to the eighth, and begin with her there, or begin with her at the first?"

  Sle'nel’ knew little of the meditations, but took a guess, “I think she remains yet in the eighth, and the step beyond, so bring her into your thoughts at the eighth."

  Sele’ nodded, “This makes much sense, and she certainly is far from the first few meditations, at any rate. Ready, Healer?"

  The Healer nodded, and together moved through the meditations. When they reached the eighth meditation, Sele’ was somewhat uncertain about it, but took the risk and brought them into it successfully. At that moment, she removed herself slightly, then touched her Queen's head, awakening San'lr'in's senses and bringing them with her into the eighth meditation. The High Queen seemed stunned, but touched their minds, acknowledging their presence.

  Sele’ sent her thoughts to her Queen, telling her that her mind refused to re-enter The Realm, and telling her that they now sought to help her return to The Realm by bringing her back through the meditations. Yet quite distant from them, San'lr'in’ thought it an interesting notion and agreed to the effort, thinking and feeling herself as an observer, only. Slowly, one meditation after the next, they brought The High Queen back into The Realm. At each meditation, they could feel their Queen's resistance, but Sele’ remained firm and convincing, assuring her Queen that they would only proceed upon her agreement. Sele’ could sense that The Healer's guess was correct, as each meditation brought her Queen closer and closer into The Realm. She could feel it as so.

  When they finally, after many long moments, reached the first meditation, Sele’ halted briefly, informing her Queen that they would now proceed back into The Realm. She sensed no fear in her Queen, so was pleased, but did sense some displeasure at the thought.

  Your Elf awaits your return, Aunt High Queen. She is sad without you.

  Sad? Why is this so? She knows well of My love for her.

  She cannot be with you.

  But I am yet there.

  No. Your mind remains apart.

  It is more peaceful here.

  Are you not bored? What is there to laugh at, here?

  There is nothing here. No killing. No hate.

  No love. No amusements.

  There are no responsibilities here.

  You would leave me alone to see over this realm, without you? And your Elf?

  There was no response for a long moment, No. I would leave you or the Elf not alone, as I have felt all My cycles.

  Ready to re-enter The Realm, my Queen?

  She felt her Queen respond rather than heard it. She sent her thoughts to The Healer, and The Healer proceeded into their normal fashion of returning to The Realm.

  "Breathe, my Queen. Focus. Hear my voice and return to me. Breathe. Listen to the sound of your breathing. Focus upon it. Slowly, Highness. Breathe."

  The Healer waited a moment as she removed herself from the first meditation in order to watch her Queen. She didn't yet see any response, so tried again, “Breathe deeply, my Queen. Focus. Hear my voice. Concentrate only on this. Focus. Breathe. Return to my voice, Highness."

  After many attempts, she finally saw the sign she longed hope for. The High Queen took a deep breath, then another. Sle'nel’ lay down next to San'lr'in’ and placed her arm over her. She spoke softly into her ear, “San'lr'in', I need you. Come home to me. Hear my voice. I need you. I will not make it to El'fs'nd'lle without you. The Realm needs you. I miss you, my Love."

  She felt her lover breathe deeply for the first moments in many. She cried softly, making no sound, a tear falling down upon San'lr'in's face. The Healer watched, surprised, as The High Queen raised her own hand to her face and removed the Elf's tear from her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked upon it, “Why do you cry, Elf?"

  Sle'nel', The Healer, and Sele’ all smiled, “She is returned."

  * * * *

  "No. We cannot leave here. She must rest."

  "We must leave, Healer. I am sorry, but we now run short of water. If we remain longer, we will die here. We must leave."

  "No, Force Leader. She just returns to The Realm. We must give her one more turn of rest."

  Ann'wn shook her head, “I am sorr—"

  "Cut open the spiny trees. They hold much water in their base."

  They all looked at each other, then suddenly realized that their Queen had made the statement. They looked down at her resting form, seeing that her eyes were yet closed.

  Ann'wn nodded, “I have seen these strange trees. We will go do this now. I will report back to you what we find."

  "Return with food, Force Leader. For all of us, including our Queen."

  "Sele'. Connect yourself to Me."

  Sele’ touched her Queen's head lightly, well pleased with herself for bringing her Queen back into The Realm.

  You did well, Young One. I am proud of you.

  Thank you, Aunt High Queen. At least I feel useful, which is more than I do with my teachers.

  The teacher I brought back?

  She lives, but remains as you did. I fear to bring her back, given how long she has remained apart from The Realm. We await your command in this regard.

  Good. You have done very well. The teacher is also a Master. You and Ern'seln’ can return her first three meditations to her, as she has long prior forgotten these.

  Yes, my Queen. It will be so.

  The High Queen thought about her meeting with The High Queens, How old is your mind, You
ng One?

  It regains its age upon every turn. Memories return to me often.

  I must rest now.

  You will take nourishment, then you will rest. But first, quickly send me your thoughts on what we should do regarding the Sorcerer's Forest. I have none of these memories as yet.

  Wait another turn. There is enough water in the spiny trees to hold us. Then I can lead the way. Caitha will be most important for us. Have everyone prepare a blindfold.

  Yes, my Queen.

  As Sele’ sent her last thought, she could tell that her Queen had already returned to sleep, sorry that she would have to reawaken her when their nourishment came, but was pleased at their conversation. As a memory given to her even prior to her birth, Sele’ had been warned that none were certain if The High Queen would come to accept her as worthy. While she yet had much to prove to The Realm and her Queen, she now knew she had The High Queen's care.

  As foretold by their High Queen, the insides of the overly spiny plants held enough water to sustain them far beyond one turn, with enough to refill some of their supplies, even given its strange but acceptable taste. Sele’ and Sle'nel’ woke the High Queen long enough to eat and drink, then allowed her to return to her needed rest. The Healer remained close by her Queen, waking her every short while, making her to eat and drink again in an effort to help restore her energies. All she could do for the long-prior teacher/master was to provide her with enough drink. Sele’ and Ern'seln’ had also reminded the long-prior teacher/master of her first three meditations, hoping these would help restore her to The Realm so that their Queen wouldn't have to do as such, later.

  As they sat near their High Queen, Sle'nel’ looked upon her Birth-daughter, studying her for many long moments.

  "Who are you, Birth-daughter? In truth."

  "I am your Birth-daughter, in truth, and Future Supreme Sovereign of this Realm."

  "Be not tedious, Birth-daughter. Which part of you is Elfin?"

  "I hold most the Elfin powers, such as you, as well as other-than Elfin powers. I will be able to fight as an Elf, and hold these memories now. I have the acute senses of Elfin-kind, such as your hearing and sight. And I will live out almost the length of an Elfin lifespan."