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

by Robbie Collins

  "A sad tale, in truth. What about this one?"

  Sle'nel’ was pointing to the tattooed drawing on her lover's chest. The tattooed drawing began at the base of The High Queen's neck and continued to fully just below her breasts.

  "I seldom allow this one, but is the most fearsome of all."

  The drawing was a complex one, displaying an eye, but an eye that had been pierced through with a large, extremely pointed, and ornate dagger. Surrounding the eye and dagger was a criss-crossed oval pattern, as if the eye were safely encased or fully imprisoned within it. The eye was fearsome looking, yet appearing that even though fully pierced, it could yet fully see. Blood dripped from both the dagger as well as the eye. The drawing was truly a work of art, as even with all this detail, the oval design appeared to be alive, with swirling movements. And it was the only one of the tattooed drawings that used full color.

  "Long prior, in the sixth High Queen's reign, it is said that one of the greatest of all sorcerers lived. But she was most evil, and used her sorcery against The Realm and The High Queen. The High Queen was eventually forced to fight her in a moment when the only weapon she had was this dagger. She was losing the battle, as was to be expected against so great a sorcerer, then recalled her learnings that this sorcerer had one weak location—her eye. But The High Queen couldn't recall which eye was the one that would halt the sorcerer permanently, and like the third High Queen, had one chance only to win the battle. The legends say that this High Queen was the least skilled in the weapons, so winning against so great a sorcerer was considered as impossible by this High Queen, as she herself had few sorcerer skills. But she was chosen from a great line, and like those prior to her, had great resolve in her vows. She pulled the dagger from its sheath and placed what few powers she had fully into it. Breathing deeply, then holding her breath so her arm wouldn't shake, she took aim, guessed as to which eye, then sent the dagger to the sorcerer. The sorcerer knew that this High Queen had no abilities against her own, so saw the dagger as a mere child's toy, never even trying to halt its passage.

  "Surprising to all, the High Queen's aim was true and steady, and her guess as to which eye had been correct. The dagger pierced through the eye, entering deep in the sorcerer's brain, killing her instantly. A most unexpected outcome. This High Queen had been a quiet and somewhat timid High Queen, more interested in negotiations than battle. As such, she had fully surprised those in The Realm, as she stood up firmly against this greatest of sorcerers, never flinching from her duty. This High Queen was never challenged again during her reign, as no one had ever thought it possible to win against this sorcerer."

  "But what of the design? And why is this considered as the most fierce of all the designs?"

  "Ah. The design. The High Queen was a most intelligent of Queens. Once the dagger hit into the sorcerer's eye, The High Queen used her own powers and called the sorcerer's powers into the dagger. As The High Queen pulled her dagger from the now dead sorcerer, all the sorcerer's powers transferred into the dagger. The High Queen carried them for the remainder of her reign, and from thereon, all were most afraid of this Queen. This is why the eye appears it yet sees, as the sorcerer's powers were yet alive."

  Sle'nel’ studied the dagger drawing, nodding to the tale, “I have never seen such a weapon as this. It is almost beautiful in its design, yet fully angry looking. I wonder what happened to it."

  San'lr'in’ pulled her dagger from its sheath and handed it to Sle'nel', “It is The High Queen's dagger, and is seldom worn or used. This is her dagger."

  Sle'nel’ raised her eyebrows, surprised, “And the powers?"

  "As you now think, they are mine. I keep them stored within the dagger, even after all these cycles."

  They stood quietly for a moment while Sle'nel’ looked more carefully at the drawings, now attaching the tale to them. After a few moments, San'lr'in’ said, “I think we have kept your audience waiting long enough, Elf. It is your moment, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ nodded. She handed the dagger back to San'lr'in', and they both led their horses to the procession, “I would think you a most frightening High Queen if I didn't have the pleasure of sharing your bed."

  * * * *

  Ann'wn was glad when she finally saw The High Queen and Sle'nel’ arrive. She bowed her head slightly to them, then took their horses’ reigns and guided them to their location within the procession. As was typical, The High Queen was placed somewhere near the middle for greater protection. Ann'wn looked upon her Queen and the Elf, and was once again amazed at their beauty as well as their garments. And she had taken astute notice that her High Queen stood much differently in The Realm these turns, fully displaying herself as a Warrior High Queen.

  Meera saw them arrive, and bowed her head to her Queen. She was to ride directly in front of her Queen, alongside Ann'wn. She noted that Sle'nel’ rode upon her horse as if she had been a horsewoman her entire lifespan, a far-different stance from when she was in Woden, and she was pleased. Like Ann'wn, she also was amazed at their garments, as well as their exceptional magnificence of appearance. And she was fully amazed at The High Queen's Warrior garments, noticing that The High Queen chose to send a strong and formidable message to The Realm as she rode fully armed.

  Many armed guards, all dressed in their finest warrior garments, were lined well in front of The High Queen. After the armed guards came the guards that carried The High Queen's banners, presenting a colorful and highly ceremonial display. At a short distance behind the banners, Sle'nel’ rode alongside San'lr'in', in the middle of the procession, and in the position of honor. Slightly behind San'lr'in’ and Sle'nel’ rode Mil'der'in, with Sume’ riding alongside her. The High Priestess looked more enchanting this moment than any had ever seen of her, and Caitha thought that perhaps it was that Sume’ finally felt as part of a family. Sam followed behind Mil'der'in and her eldest sister, with Sele’ riding with her, and Uthrn’ riding alongside her. Caitha rode directly behind them, next to The Healer and Fon'elnn', and the rest of the travelers fell in line behind them.

  As soon as Ann'wn had placed her Queen and Sle'nel’ into the line-up, she quickly mounted her own horse and gave a nod to her guards. The long-awaited procession finally began its final trek to the gates of El'fs'nd'lle.

  As the procession finally began moving, Sle'nel’ turned to her lover, “How long prior to our arrival at the gates? I cannot see them."

  "Not far. A few moments. Given the procession, and given the numbers that now await your arrival, it will take a little longer than usual, but not long. Have patience and enjoy the moment. The Realm is here at this moment for you, My Desire. The rest of us merely provide the spectacle, but it is fully you only that they have come to see this turn. This is a great, great moment in The Realm. Look about you as we travel, as you will see all the cultures here this turn. This is the greatest gathering of the communities for many prior cycles. All for you, Elf."

  Sle'nel’ began to look ahead of them, trying to see the gates, but whispered to her Queen, “Then why is it I don't feel all this as necessary?"

  "You were not raised as you were meant to be, so know little about how you should be feeling at this moment. If your Birth-Mother had raised you, you would know of your duty, and of all your past. Now it unfolds before you as only a surprise."

  Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in', looking somewhat saddened, but mostly displaying only the Elfin detached look, then held out her hand to her Queen, “Here beside you, all is worth it."

  The High Queen held Sle'nel's hand for a moment as they rode side-by-side, then dropped it as they arrived to all those that had waited so long to see Sle'nel', “This is your moment, Elf. Enjoy it. They are here only for you. For one of the few moments in The Realm, I am a mere decoration, only. They await your acknowledgement of them, My Desire."

  Sam felt comfort in holding her daughter, “Daughter? Do you have any memories that were given to you of El'fs'nd'lle?"

  Sele’ nodded her head slightly, “S
ome. I will have more come to me upon our arrival. Are you as excited as I am, Mother?"

  "I knew nothing of The Realm, yet here we are in such a place as this. There was no imagining such as this in Woden. What is to be your role in all of this, Daughter?"

  "Birth-Mother will oversee it and the Elves until they arrive to their force, then they will take-over from there. My role is to oversee all The Realm, so will take care of the Elves in this fashion, but not as Birth-Mother's role, and not as High Queen's role. My role is to be far different."

  "We must speak of this one turn soon."

  "Yes, Mother."

  Sle'nel’ looked around, trying to acknowledge all those along the path who came to catch a glimpse of the single Elf that was to now return the Elves to the Realm. She had never seen so many differing types of Mystics as now lined the path before her. She recognized the Waifs, the Spirit Mothers, the Warriors of the Sword and the Women of the Soul, and all the other Mystic and Deep Mystic cultures she had prior met, but saw many others yet unrecognizable to her. Many held out their hands in hopes that she would honor them by touching them. Guards were fully on her side so as to prevent her from harm, but as she could, she held out her hand and touched them.

  San'lr'in’ saw Erthrn and bowed her head to her slightly, acknowledging her assistance in ensuring the safety of the turn. Erthrn also bowed her head, seeing how commanding The High Queen was in her Warrior garments, then bowed her head slightly to Sle'nel'. San'lr'in’ saw that many of Erthrn's guards were all about them, fully armed and prepared for any moment. She was pleased.

  "Look, My Desire. Even the animals of The Realm line the path. I have never prior seen so many of The Realm's birds as now rest in the trees."

  Sle'nel’ looked to where her Queen was indicating, seeing that many animals, as The High Queen had said, were indeed all around them, yet remaining a distance away from the Mystics now lining the path.

  "All these surely couldn't just be here to welcome the return of the Elves to The Realm."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “Most certain, Elf. This is truth. Many of The Realm's tales include the Elves. Many of the future tales also include the Elves. All of us now in The Realm live in a most unusual moment, as no Elves have been about, yet stand out in most of The Realm's tales. It is like they are yet here, but not. And while those in The Realm hear of the Elves upon most turns, it has been long prior since the Elves have been seen. For many cycles, only a few Elves remained to complete their final tasks for this moment's preparations, but were not highly visible throughout The Realm. So these Mystics now about you come to look upon you, as it reminds them of who is yet to come."

  Sle'nel’ nodded her head to Erthrn'; nodded as she passed by the Queen of the Mer'den'sngs, and Ersh'delrin', Queen of the Mystics of the Winds, and many others.

  "How did they know to come, at this moment?"

  "El'fs'nd'lle has begun to send out its signals. They could feel the change in the winds."

  "This surely is not possible."

  "It is truth, Elf. Most certain. Upon the moment that you received the key to El'fs'nd'lle', the change was felt throughout The Realm. And as others saw who was coming, they also came. How else could you explain this?"

  "But there are overly many. This is more than I have ever prior seen. This is far more than any I have seen prior, combined."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, also amazed at the numbers now about them, “Hundreds and hundreds, My Elf. For you. For The Realm. One of My sacred vows has finally been achieved. It finally comes forward. And all those about us sense this is so."

  Sle'nel’ looked at her with her head cocked slightly to its side, and a slight smile, “I hope there are not overly many of these sacred vows, my Love. This could become quite challenging."

  * * * *

  After many moments of riding along the processional path, The High Queen made a slight motion to Sle'nel', “There is your gate, My Desire. We finally arrive."

  Sle'nel’ looked to where her Queen was indicating, and became amazed. She had memories of them, but her memories hadn't shown her their magnificence.

  "We should have spoken of this sooner, My Elf, but I can only assume that you know what to do once we are at the gate."

  Sle'nel's eyes opened widely, as if in surprise, “Open it, of course. Why? Is there something else I should know?"

  San'lr'in’ rolled her eyes in dismay, “Perhaps it will come to you once this first task is completed."

  "I assume we enter. Is there something else I should do?"

  San'lr'in’ laughed lightly, not fully displaying it to the crowds about them, “I suppose that we must now place our trust in the prior Elves, hoping that they will guide you through this moment."

  Sle'nel’ didn't smile, but looked at her Queen out of the side of her eyes now, “Now you tell me of this, my Love?"

  "As throughout our journey, all remains as a surprise. My teachers often told Me that much of what I was to do was to face the challenge at the moment, understanding that while we can be prepared for many things, most of what we face will be that in which we are unprepared."

  "Will all these now about us also enter into El'fs'nd'lle'?"

  The High Queen shook her head in bewilderment, “I was hoping you would know this answer. Now we can only assume that your prior Elves will give us the answers to all our questions, in this regard."

  "And what if they don't?"

  The High Queen smiled knowingly, “We will act as if they do, of course."

  Sle'nel’ also smiled, realizing that her lover was correct. They would merely have to improvise as necessary, “Of course, my Queen."

  They finally arrived at the gate, seeing that it was magnificent and beyond comparison to anything she had prior seen, and fully preventing all harm. Sle'nel’ and The High Queen waited upon their horses as Ann'wn and Meera moved the crowd away so as to allow room for Sle'nel’ to do as she needed. When Ann'wn was satisfied that there were enough guards to keep Sle'nel’ and The High Queen safe, Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ dismounted. Sle'nel’ looked at the gate now before her, bowing her head for a moment.

  "Is all well, my Elf?"

  She looked at her lover, “There is another gate. Far further down the path."

  The High Queen nodded, “Yes, this is so. After this one is opened, we will have to remount and ride down into the valley. I would guess that all now present will follow you to the next gate, and it is from there that they will not be allowed further entrance into El'fs'nd'lle'."

  "At least we have one question answered."

  "Indeed."

  Sle'nel’ walked up to the gate and placed her hand upon it. She felt it for a moment, as was somehow directed of her, then turned back to San'lr'in', “Sele’ needs to be here for this moment. She needs to learn of this."

  The High Queen nodded to Ann'wn to do as such, as Sle'nel’ didn't speak much to others upon these turns, yet reserved and withdrawn from her moments with the Dark Sorcerer.

  As Sele’ arrived, she bowed her head, “Birth-Mother. High Queen. I am here at your bidding."

  "Remain watchful this turn, Birth-daughter. You are part Elf and need know of these things."

  Sle'nel’ looked at her lover, “This is the moment. Are we prepared?"

  San'lr'in’ nodded, smiling softly, “I have waited long for this moment."

  Sle'nel’ turned back to the gate, once again placing her hand upon it. She could feel the force field that had so long protected El'fs'nd'lle from harm. She bowed her head for a moment, wondering, sensing another's presence. Hearing breathing close to her, she looked up, only to see that no one was close to her.

  As she wondered what she must now do, she heard a voice, Open the gate, High Sorcerer. Have no fear in this. I will guide you from this moment.

  Looking confused, she searched about her, seeing that none heard the voice.

  San'lr'in’ saw her confusion, then sensed into her thoughts, finding that Sle'nel’ heard something. She looked down at
Sele', who was holding her hand, “Can you hear what your Birth-Mother now hears, Young One?"

  Sele’ looked up at her, “No, my Queen. I would need my powers to do as such. But it does look like she is listening to someone, or something."

  Sle'nel’ looks around, “How?"

  Just open it. It will respond to your touch.

  "But the key? Will I not nee—"

  The key is needed at the second gate only. Open the gate, Great Elf. It will respond fully to your touch.

  The voice was unknown to Sle'nel', but she sensed the presence to be friendly, so had no fear. She placed her hand on the gate's latch, slowly pulling it back. As vowed, the gate responded to her touch, easily so, swinging open slowly with a great loud creaking. As they opened, The High Queen noticed cooler air arising from the Elfin valley far below, surprised that the gate held in even the cooler Elfin valley air. The overly large crowd cheered loudly, now seeing that the long-awaited vow was to finally come to its completion.

  Sle'nel’ looked surprised once again, thinking this as overly simple. She turned to her Queen, “It appears to be open. It would seem we should continue to the next gate."

  Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ remounted their horses, then signaled Ann'wn to follow. At this moment, Ann'wn knew that there was little need to provide protection to The High Queen from the front. She positioned all the guards behind them, then signaled to all those who had lined the path to also follow.

  As everyone passed through the first gate to El'fs'nd'lle, they were given their first glimpse into its valley, far below. El'fs'nd'lle sat fully in a valley, surrounded by massive mountains on all sides. The procession began its journey from a pass between the great mountains, and most had thought that their journey would be directly into a valley, instead of down the steep path they now faced. As many as they now numbered, when viewing the scene from across the Elfin valley, they appeared only as ants descending a steep hill. The path was well built, however, and provided little challenge, but only two could ride side-by-side.