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

by Robbie Collins

  By the final moment of the sun's departure, they were finally finished with their long trek through the Sorcerer's Forest. With the exception of the five lost warriors, all the others had made it through. What The High Queen hadn't informed them of was that the worst part of the journey through the forest was often the eve after.

  "Healer. Your services will be well needed this eve. Many will recall their fears throughout the remainder of this eve."

  "You knew of this, my Queen?"

  "Was it not enough to first obtain the forest, Healer?"

  She nodded, “Yes, my Queen. But many are now in mental discomfort. And they appear to be quite damaged by this journey."

  The High Queen raised her eyebrow and looked directly into her Healer's eyes, “You will recall, Healer, that it was your lover who chose this route to El'fs'nd'lle.” She lowered her eyebrow, then looked more softly at her Healer, “But perhaps it will be for the best, as El'fs'nd'lle is not the best place to face the Dark Sorcerer."

  "Will you or the Elf need my services this eve, High One?"

  "There is no need. Would you like Me to check you, Healer?"

  "No, High One. You protected me well, but it was quite the journey."

  "Indeed. You seem to be the master of understatement, Healer. I wish you well in your healing practices this eve. Give Me your report in the morn. I would also like a report then on our newest member of our journey."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter V

  The Dark Sorcerer

  San'lr'in’ was kneeling beside Sle'nel', in their tent, “Do you recall our journey through the Sorcerer's Forest, My Desire?"

  "Some. Not much. Was it terrible?"

  "Thankfully, we are through with it. She brushed some hair away from Sle'nel's face, touching her forehead lightly, “You are so beautiful. How is it that I was fortunate enough to capture your attentions?"

  Sle'nel’ laughed, beginning to look tired, “It must be your red hair. I find it irresistible. Are you coming to lie down?"

  "In a moment, My Desire."

  The High Queen was tired from their journey through the forest but could feel the Dark Sorcerer search for her thoughts, most displeased with his ability to do as such. She waited for Sle'nel’ to fall asleep from the sleeping spell. Once Sle'nel’ was asleep, The High Queen quietly said, “Forgive Me, My Desire. I cannot risk you on the Dark Sorcerer.” She lay down next to Sle'nel', hoping the eve would be a quiet one.

  When she awoke in the morn, Sle'nel’ was already risen. The High Queen rose, opened the tent flap to her attendants, and prepared for the turn, “Have Sle'nel’ brought to Me."

  After some moments, Ann'wn and Meera arrived. They only bowed their heads instead of kneeling, a sign The High Queen knew well, “Tell Me."

  They looked worried, “The Elf, Caitha, and The Healer are missing, Highness."

  Her heart and mind rose suddenly to a shrill peak of desperation, the intensity of the knowledge stabbing her in the heart, “Missing? Have you searched for them?"

  He has them! By the mothers, please tell Me this is not so.

  "Yes, my Queen. We found their boot prints to the horses, then their horses’ trail, but they must have left just after the late eve. We will need to ride hard to catch them."

  NO!

  She fought to control her raging fear, “All three? Together? Prior late eve?” The thought of such brought her emotions blazing forward.

  Ann'wn nodded, “Yes, my Queen."

  She frowned, narrowing her eyes, turning angrier than she could ever prior recall, “The Dark Sorcerer. I thought I had prepared Sle'nel’ for such.” She turned and looked at the ground, seeing Sle'nel's staff, bow and arrows, “They are without weapons."

  "Yes, Highness. All three seem to have gone together, without weapons."

  "Gather a small group. Bring The High Queen's sword, and the Elf's staff. We must leave quickly. Do you know where they head?"

  "Not yet, Highness, but I have trackers on it."

  She kept her worst fears to herself, “Let us depart."

  "I go with you, Sister."

  She looked at Sam, then nodded.

  She had the attendants place on her necklace of red stones and crown, tied the pouch with the large red stone to her sword belt, and picked up Sle'nel's staff. She took her long cloak and headed for her horse. Ann'wn handed San'lr'in’ her High Queen's sword, “No, Force Leader, I have much need of The First High Queen's sword."

  Suddenly, she heard, “High Queen?"

  She turned to the quiet barely-known voice and looked upon her, “I must depart, Young One."

  "Look for them in the red-stoned rock-face. In the caves. Well east of here."

  San'lr'in’ studied her for a moment, “You are a Seer?"

  The young girl she had saved in the Grandmother's dwelling nodded.

  The High Queen sheathed her sword as Ann'wn handed it to her. She studied the young girl for another moment, placed a hand gently on her cheek, then suddenly turned back to her Force Leader, “Come. We must fly like the wind if we are to save them."

  Ann'wn was awed with The High Queen's apparent calm resolve. She felt sickened, knowing that her own lover was in deep jeopardy at the moment, so didn't know how The High Queen remained without emotion. She couldn't know how angry The High Queen was with herself as they left.

  How stupid I was to think that a mere sleeping spell would have kept My Elf safe.

  She blamed herself for the occurrence, but kept thinking, Please let them be kept safe from his terrible harm.

  Her rage was so intense that she could barely breathe. Her muscles were rigid in their tenseness from the extreme emotion of wrath that now consumed her, her teeth clenched tightly together. She struggled against it, knowing she had to remain in control of her emotions, knowing she had to keep hope strongly to her, but the rage was unyielding in its incessant and unrelenting torrent. Her entire being wanted to erupt in fury, but she found only herself in which to be angry.

  She placed on her cloak's hood then looked at Ann'wn, “Is all in readiness?"

  "Yes, my Queen."

  Meera came up to San'lr'in', “Highness? If he has harmed them in...” She couldn't find the words to complete her thought.

  San'lr'in’ well knew the hopelessness that Meera was feeling, but had to force herself away from such. Amongst all of them, and in spite of Sle'nel’ being among the kidnapped, The High Queen knew that she needed to provide the leadership necessary to retrieve their lost ones, “Let us just rescue them prior to him killing them, Warrior Woman."

  She turned to Ann'wn, “Ride hard, Force Leader. We must catch up to them prior to him expecting us to do so."

  They rode as quickly as their horses could run, following their trackers’ trail. Ann'wn had An'ther'on lead them, and she rode next to The High Queen. Ann'wn had brought her most skilled warriors with her. Among those now riding with her were Meera, Sam, Fon'elnn', Uthrn, and the bravest of all Ann'wn's other warriors. She watched The High Queen carefully, knowing that she must be concerned over Sle'nel', Caitha, and her Healer's capture, but was amazed that she showed no outward signs of it. Yet, throughout the entire journey, she saw that her Queen hadn't said one word to anyone, nor had she looked around. But she did notice The High Queen's deep frown and narrowed eyes.

  If he has killed them, even D'klr'dil will think her life as blessed in comparison to what this one will suffer.

  By just after midturn, they had reached the point where their trackers could find no further tracks. Ann'wn rode forward and spoke with them briefly. As she waited, The High Queen looked up into the sky and gave a soft whistle, hoping that she would receive a reply. Ann'wn rode back to her Queen.

  "They have lost the trail, Highness."

  "I am astounded they were allowed to travel this far with it. He must be over-using his powers, and weakening, or he would have hid it long prior."

  Then she thought to herself, Either that or he is preoccupied
with his new amusements.

  "Should we separate to see if we can re-find the trail, Highness?"

  "Give Me a moment, Force Leader. Let the others dismount until I am ready to depart."

  After a few moments, she heard the hoped-for reply. Her great raptor was flying to her. She looked around at the skies but per usual, she couldn't see her until the last moment. She held out her arm and waited. Suddenly, she saw the great raptor come swooping down to her, finally landing gently upon her arm. Ann'wn watched from a short distance away, wondering what her Queen was saying to the large bird. She watched as the bird departed, then looked at her Queen, guessing they would now leave.

  The High Queen dismounted and stood slightly apart from all as she went into her meditations.

  "My Queen?"

  Ann'wn seldom interrupted her meditations, “What is it, Force Leader?"

  "May I have your leave to begin our search while you enter into your meditations?"

  She tried to control her impatience enough to explain, “Force Leader, I do these not for My amusement. I do these now to find them. It is the quickest way in which to do so and will save us many moments, if I am allowed to complete them. I know what I do, Force Leader."

  Ann'wn looked lost and well saddened, “Yes, my Queen.” She turned and walked away.

  The High Queen sensed her deep brokenness, “Ann'wn."

  She turned back, “Yes, my Queen?"

  "I blame Myself for their kidnapping and want them returned even more than you. I am desperate in this search, but cannot show this to you. Do you understand this?"

  "I think so, my Queen. I just need to keep as busy."

  "We will leave as soon as I find where he has taken them. Understand this, Force Leader. I am in deep fury at this, but I must take great caution to make no mistakes this turn, as one mistake could cost us their lives. We must make certain so that we lose no moment in finding them."

  "Yes, Highness. We will be ready when you are."

  When San'lr'in’ achieved the meditation she desired, she looked carefully across The Realm's lands, searching for signs of her lover, her Storyteller, her Healer, or the Dark Sorcerer. She began her search close by, then slowly and painstakingly worked her way outward, remaining patient and thorough, knowing she had no moments for mistakes; knowing she had to find them.

  After much careful searching, her mind finally saw something, There! As the Young Seer has said.

  As The High Queen finally came out of her meditations, she saw that Fon'elnn’ had entered into the Master's meditations. Ann'wn listened as they spoke quietly to each other.

  "Did you find him, Master?"

  "It being most difficult, but I thinking he being held up in the Great Rock Face. Another half-turn to a turn's riding."

  "I felt the same. Allow him not into your thoughts, Master."

  "No, my Queen. And you must remaining masked as well."

  "Do you know the way?"

  "Yes, my Queen."

  "Then guide us with all haste, Master. Make it less than a half-turn's ride."

  She bowed, “My Queen."

  The High Queen returned the bow to Fon'elnn', then turned and went to her horse, mounting as she spoke, “We depart, Force Leader. We must move quickly so that he has little opportunity to kill his captives. Head northeast of here. Fon'elnn’ can lead the way. We will hopefully arrive at sun's set, and will face him at that moment, as he won't expect us until well past midturn next."

  They rode as swift as lightning, each becoming more worried with each passing moment. For each of them, the moments passed by as if the moments in The Realm had slowed to a screaming crawl. As the sun's set had long-prior occurred, The High Queen finally saw the large rock structure that she had felt in her mind.

  He is there. I can feel him.

  She desperately wanted to know if Sle'nel’ and the others were safe, but knew she couldn't risk him being able to detect her thoughts. They rode until they were near enough, remaining well hidden in the surrounding forests. Fon'elnn’ halted them at the edge of the forest where the empty expanse began up to the large rock-face. It would only take a few moments to achieve the rock, but she hadn't yet found the cave's opening. Fon'elnn’ dismounted and motioned that everyone was to remain silent.

  The High Queen's great raptor called from overhead. The High Queen gave a soft whistle, then held out her arm. For many moments, the raptor and The High Queen seemed to communicate, then the raptor flew off, back into the skies far away from their eyesight.

  The High Queen had learned what she needed to know, “They are here. He has many guards about him within the entryway.” She sighed deeply, heavy with emotion, “They have been here since the early morn."

  A sky of brilliant stars and a bright partial moon had risen with the sun's set, so Fon'elnn’ informed Ann'wn and the others that they would wait until cloud covering or until moon's set. San'lr'in’ was anxious to get inside and save her lover from the Dark Sorcerer, but saw the bright moon. Using the lightest spell possible so as to remain undetected by the Dark Sorcerer, she made some clouds to visit their portion of the sky.

  * * * *

  "What will it be, Elf? You or one of them?"

  Sle'nel’ looked at the Dark Sorcerer, remaining silent. She studied his movements and his thinking, trying to waste the moments. As she did, she knew that San'lr'in’ and the others would already be on their way. She knew that if they could be found and if The High Queen could arrive before he killed them, San'lr'in’ would save them.

  I know they come.

  "You think they will be able to save you prior to your death, Elf?” He laughed, “Don't be as foolish as this. We are well hidden. Even with her powers, she will take at least another turn to find us."

  She looked into his eyes, wondering how strong his powers really were.

  He laughed absent mindedly and spoke to himself, “And then she will be mine."

  Sle'nel’ was trying to remain alert, but wished she could lie down. He had beaten her badly throughout the long turn, and displayed no signs of halting. She struggled to keep her mind in full awareness. He had yet to use his powers since their forced arrival, choosing to physically beat them instead. She wondered about this, wondering if he had been over-using his powers. She glanced over to The Healer, feeling sorry for her. The Healer had been beaten, then knocked unconscious. The Dark Sorcerer had then thrown her harshly down upon the cold stone floor, leaving her to her own resources.

  At least she is yet alive.

  "Yes, Elf. She is. It is you who will die, and soon. But I have at least until the late-morn, as there is no chance that they could track us here prior to this. They must first find us. So I have the full eve to have my pleasure with the three of you. And I have always wondered what it would be like to be with an Elf. You know of course that I am part R'kin'dles. And they always desire two things—to be with an Elf, and to kill an Elf. I will be able to do both, most honored High Sorcerer. And with your death, the Elves will never again return to The Realm, and I will become High Sorcerer."

  "Others will find a way to return the Elves to The Realm."

  He raised his hand and struck her backhanded, with full force, “I care not for your responses, Elf. I much prefer you silent."

  She had lost track of the many moments he had hit her on the side of the face, yet she tried to remain defiant. There was little else she could do, as her arms and legs were shackled tightly against the wall.

  San'lr'in'. We need you.

  She let her head lower for a moment to give it a chance to clear. She could feel blood running down her badly swollen cheek and neck and feel her head pound, but gave little attention to them. She risked a glance toward Caitha. Like The Healer, Caitha had also been beaten and knocked unconscious, but he had yet to do anything else to her.

  Suddenly, his tone became angry, “Where is your staff? You were to bring it with you!"

  She licked her lips, tasting blood and needing water. She felt thirsty a
nd wondered how much blood she had lost, “Apparently, it didn't follow. Your spells must be weaker than you believe them to be."

  He hit her again, harder upon this moment, “Insolence will cost you, Elf. Where is your staff? I must have it!"

  Her head and jaw hurt from the blows to her face, but she displaced the pain as the Sorcerer Women had taught her. She could barely see out of her left eye, “You are the one to bring me to you. I was unaware that I came. How was I to know to bring it? Did you give it a personal invitation?"

  He stared at her, fully angry at the moment, but suddenly smiled as he hit her again. She could see that he delighted in causing pain to others, but she also saw that his moods swung widely within a short span. She thought that if she saw him as an ordinary stranger, she might think him alluring, but couldn't now find it within herself to think any kind thoughts of him. She had woken from whatever trance he had placed upon her, tied to the wall, and to the sight and sound of the beatings he had placed upon The Healer. As he beat The Healer, pounding her relentlessly, finally smashing her head solidly upon the stone floor, Sle'nel’ became sickened as she saw him smiling wickedly with each blow.

  Looking at him now, his smile sent shivers of revulsion throughout her body. He was pleased that he could stir such emotion, “You are a most beautiful woman, Elf. Not as beautiful as some of the prior Elves I used to know, but more beautiful than any Mystic I have seen in this era. The High Queen is lucky to have such as you. I wonder if she will desire you after I have had my fill of you. But I think I will have some fun with the Storyteller prior to you. She also is quite beautiful."

  Up to this moment, the Dark Sorcerer had focused most of his attentions on Sle'nel', and she wanted it to remain this way. She had never prior thought herself as brave, but couldn't stand the thought of having to see and hear her friends being beaten or tortured. She had seen Caitha and The Healer being beaten, and it had been enough. She forced herself to remain alert so that she could keep his attentions focused only upon her, “You have knocked her unconscious. She will be of little use to you."