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

by Robbie Collins

  This is good, as we now need to move these powers into her staff. Are you able to do as such?

  San'lr'in’ rose, “I can do this, if the staff is as strong as this."

  It is the strongest staff ever prior made, and will hold twice this many, if given the opportunity. Strange, is it not, that all these powers that we now unite have not been united since The First High Queen's moments.

  "D'klr'dil was the one to unite all the sorcerer's spells, Teacher."

  Ah, D'klr'dil. Is she yet around?

  "She is. I have just learned of this tale of her."

  A sad tale, indeed. In my moments as High Wizard Sorcerer, I often tried to change her back to her Mystic form. But alas, to no avail. It is my guess, however, that with the amazing powers you now hold, there might be a small hope. You might consider this in your future moments.

  "I will do as such, Teacher."

  But now, we must transfer these two Dark Sorcerer's powers into the High Wizard's staff.

  "Is Sle'nel’ prepared for such powers as these?"

  With you by her side, she will find her way. She is an Elf, High Queen, so will not succumb to these dark powers.

  Sle'nel’ came through the front door to the porch, having been directed to do as such by her own guide, “My Love, you called for me?"

  San'lr'in’ looked toward her and held out her hand, “There is someone you must meet, My Desire."

  Sle'nel’ took her hand and looked around, puzzled, “Meet? I see no one."

  My Daughter. At long last we are arrived back together.

  Sle'nel’ paused, then hesitantly asked, “...Mother?"

  * * * *

  Sle'nel’ recognized her mother's voice from her memories. It was as engrained in her mind as was Woden, and as soothing and peaceful as her lover's glance. But the fully unexpected sound of the voice startled her.

  Yes, my Daughter. At least in spirit.

  "How can this be so? I hold the memory of your funeral."

  It is a long tale, best left for another moment, but it is now managed in that we gave up a portion of our lifespans so that this could be so.

  "I cannot see you."

  No, and I am sorry for this. There was a slight pause, then Is'en'nel, Sle'nel's mother, continued, My daughter. Truly we have placed much upon you, and with you stolen from The Realm for overly many turns as this, the burden is even greater, but what and who we are as a race lies now fully upon your shoulders.

  Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ heard a sigh, then the voice continued, I wish I could hold you, and show you of your spells, and what you can do with them. But this is now for you to find, and I know you will do so. But we must be content in this, as no matter how little it seems, it took much on our parts to provide even this. And sadly, we must proceed in what must now be completed, as much is left prior to the Elves return, and many of our moments pass quickly.

  Sle'nel’ became angered, “Am I to meet you as I met Birth-Mother, then? As quickly as this, then you leave? How fair is this?"

  It is not fair, but my love for you will have to provide the strength and support you need, that and the love of this great High Queen who stands beside you. Be strong, Daughter, as many rely upon you. I am truly saddened that I have been unable to give you the lessons that would have made this task all the less burdensome. But you will find your way, as your path has just begun.

  The voice sounded as if it held an eternity of patience.

  Sle'nel’ lowered her head for a moment, thinking, “Yes. I have been given the greatest of loves. Yet while it makes it the easier, it doesn't make it the more fair."

  Suddenly, Sle'nel’ could feel her Mother's presence, as Is'en'nel moved her spirit next to her, speaking aloud, but softly, close to her ear, “I love you greatly, Daughter."

  Sle'nel’ gasped, “I can sense your smell. I now recall this smell.” Sle'nel’ moved her hand to her cheek, touching it, “And I can feel your touch upon my cheek."

  Is'en'nel’ was pleased, as she had spent much effort to bring her daughter's memories of her very earliest moments back to her. “I wish that I could hold you, but this will have to do. As sad as it is for you, it provides me with great joy to see you so grown as this. I sense greatness in you, Sle'nel'. You will provide the strength, courage, and ability finally to return our Elves. But I must move us forward in this moment, as we have much to do. First, go to the Great Reflecting Pool. I will guide you from there."

  Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ walked to the reflecting pool, then waited.

  "Retrieve your sword, Daughter, as you saw me do upon one moment in your youngest of cycles. This memory was given to you."

  Sle'nel’ looked at her lover for a quick moment, then walked knee-high into the reflecting pool. Feeling inadequate, she struggled to do as her mother bid, “I am Sle'nel', the High Sorcerer of The Realm, the Healer of Hearts, and the daughter of Is'en'nel'. I call the High Wizard Sorcerer's sword to me, in the name of The Realm, and in the name of all the Elves."

  There was no sound in return, but after a few moments, ripples began to occur in the reflecting pool. Magically, an image appeared near her, deep within the water. Sle'nel’ watched as the image unfolded before her, watching as it turned into the magically bright and shiny Elfin sword. Without fanfare or fear, she reached her hand into the pool, grasped the hilt of the sword, and pulled it out.

  Holding it before her, she saw that its hilt had been forged into the most intricate pattern, like metal lacings. She touched the shiny sword, amazed at its strength and brightness. Never prior had she seen such a sword as this. Nowhere in The Realm did such a metal exist. She stared at the blade, seeing her image reflect in it as clearly as her image reflected in the pool.

  "It is the great Elfin sword from eons past, Daughter, and the sword of the High Wizard Sorcerer. It is not of this Realm, but from long prior, before the Elves came here. It is forged like no other, and is stronger than all others. But light, like the step of an Elf. And it contains powers of its own, making a skilled swordswoman all the more improved. Carry it proudly, Sle'nel', as it is from a long, long prior line, cycles beyond counting. This was my sword, and is now yours."

  Sle'nel’ marveled in its feel, sensing its strength, and sensing the powers that lay deeply within it. She held it in her left hand, astounded that it felt at home in her grasp.

  "Now come and stand near your lover.” The voice halted for a moment as Sle'nel’ returned, then spoke again, “High Queen, you must now place the sorcerer's powers within your High Queen's sword."

  San'lr'in’ nodded as she took the great red stone from its pouch. Bowing her head, she whispered a long unused chant, causing the red stone to remain in the air on its own. She removed her sheathed sword and whispered yet another chant, holding the sword out next to the great red stone. Suddenly, she moved the sword back away from the red stone, then quickly brought it with great force to it, hitting it solidly. She held the sword firmly against the red stone, allowing the sorcerer's powers to move from it into the sword. Great sparks of red escaped quickly from the red stone, making the sounds of lightning strikes hitting the ground.

  When no more sparks or sounds emerged from the red stone, she placed a hand underneath it, and once again whispered a chant. As the red stone was released from the spell, it fell into her hand. She replaced it into its pouch, then removed her dagger from its sheath. As with the red stone, she gave a spell so that it remained in the air on its own, as she slightly touched the red stone. She gave another chant, now transferring the sorcerer's powers from the dagger into her High Queen's sword.

  Sle'nel’ watched in fascination, ever amazed at the vast amount of powers, sorcery and knowledge of her lover.

  Resheathing her dagger, The High Queen said to the wind, “It is done. All the sorcerer powers I have saved for The Realm are now in The High Queen's sword."

  Is'en'nel’ replied, Well done, High Queen. Daughter, remove your sword and do as your High Queen now commands of you.

>   She did as her mother said, then looked at her lover. San'lr'in’ touched her sword to Sle'nel's, “Do you recall what I commanded of your prior lover at the foot of the tunnels?"

  She nodded, “You had her meet your sword fully, as if in combat."

  "Mostly this. But as the swords fully meet, they must be held together until the spells are transferred. This is not an easy trick, Elf, and will require much strength of mind, as the transfer will cause some pain."

  "And to you, as well?"

  The question was ignored, “You must strike My sword fully, Elf. With no fear. Are you able to do this?"

  "No. I can sense the strength in my sword. I know not if it will harm you."

  "Your sword will not cause Me harm. You must trust Me. I know of no other way to transfer all these spells in so short a moment as this. If we had more turns, we could do as such with no pain, but you must trust Me, Elf."

  Sle'nel’ sighed, “There are moments in this Realm that seem most unfair."

  Quietly, The High Queen sent her thoughts to her Teacher, Call My Healer to Me, Teacher. I will have great need of her in a few moments.

  Consider it done, High Queen.

  They both raised their swords, as San'lr'in’ repeated, “With all your force, but without allowing them to move apart. Hold them firmly together. This is the essential moment. They will desire to move apart, and we cannot allow for such."

  Sle'nel’ nodded, “Upon your command, Lover."

  San'lr'in’ looked deeply into Sle'nel's eyes, then at their swords, “Now."

  The clash as the swords hit rang throughout the Elfin valley. Sparks flew from the swords as if they were creating lightning. And pain rang swiftly throughout San'lr'in's body, as she used her powers to remove most of it from her lover.

  Holding the swords tightly together, Sle'nel’ could feel some pain, but could also see that her Queen had somehow taken the burden of it into herself. She saw that her Queen was gritting her teeth, and grimacing tightly against the pain that now rocked through her body. Sle'nel’ wanted to scream out to prevent it, and wanted desperately to remove her sword and halt the transfer, but knew that her Queen couldn't go through this yet again. So she remained firm, but concerned and upset.

  When the sparks finally halted, The High Queen dropped her sword and doubled over, barely able to stand. By this moment, The Healer had arrived and went quickly to her Queen's side, “Quickly, High One. Allow me to help you enter your first meditation."

  She placed her hands on her Queen's head, “Focus. Breathe. Concentrate upon your breathing."

  The High Queen struggled, wanting to scream out against the great pain deep inside her, but did as her Healer commanded, Breathe. Hear your breathing. Hear your heart.

  What felt like eternity for her, The High Queen finally entered into her first meditation, slightly removing herself from the pain, then allowing The Healer to take over, “Hear your heart. Feel it beat in your chest. Hear yourself breathe. Only this."

  The Healer worked quickly to remove the main part of the pain, then said, “Move into your second meditation, High One."

  After a few more moments, The Healer felt that much of the pain had been removed, then began to move The High Queen back into The Realm.

  "Hear my voice, High One. Come to my voice."

  Finally, San'lr'in’ re-entered The Realm, raising her head slowly, yet feeling some slight pain, but vastly improved. She re-focused, then looked at her Healer, “As ever Healer, I am in your debt. Thank you."

  The Healer smiled gently upon her, “You have no need to thank me, High One. It is The Realm that should thank you for what you give to it. I can sense that you are yet with pain. Shall we continue to remove more of it, or can you manage?"

  San'lr'in’ moved her body slowly for a moment, then shook her head, “I can tend to it later."

  She went to Sle'nel', who was now standing slightly apart, and somewhat angered, “Why did you do as such? I could have taken more of the pain. You took my share. This is not fair."

  San'lr'in’ smiled a wicked smile, also slightly leering at her Elf, “Surely you must know that I would never willingly place you with any pain. I aim to give you pleasure, only."

  Sle'nel’ blushed, “Halt this! You make me to laugh, yet I am most angered with you."

  "Then take it out on Me, Elf.” And she kissed her most desirously and strongly, making her lover return the strength of the kiss.

  Sle'nel’ pulled away after a moment, laughing, “You are wicked."

  San'lr'in’ laughed also, then said, “Now you must place these spells into your staff. Do you know how to do as such?"

  "Into my staff? But why?"

  "This will be the first moment in all The Realm since D'klr'dil and The First High Queen that this much sorcery will be reunited into one place. Your staff, My Desire, is the only weapon that can hold all these spells, and you are the only one to be able to hold them well away from the dark powers."

  "Have I not enough, already? Even now, I couldn't possibly use it all."

  "Perhaps, but it is not for you to say. You are the High Sorcerer, the keeper of the sorcery. It is your role, Elf. Yet, even as much sorcery as this, it is not all of it."

  "Life was certainly much simpler in Woden. What do I now need to do?'

  Her mother spoke, “You now must cause your staff to remain suspended, in the same fashion as your lover did with her dagger and red stone."

  Sle'nel’ nodded, asking her staff the spell to do as such. After reading it and memorizing it, she gave the spell for it to do so. Surprised, Sle'nel’ saw that her staff remained fully in the air, on its own.

  "Now you must bring your sword down upon it with all your strength. All your strength, Daughter, holding it there as you did with your lover's sword."

  "It will break the staff. It is made of wood, only. This sword will most certainly break it in half."

  "Trust the spell, Daughter. This will not occur."

  In a feat of great trust, Sle'nel’ brought her newly acquired Elfin sword down with all her force upon the staff, using all the sword's strength and sharpness against it. Even as she did as such, Sle'nel’ believed the staff would most certainly break. But as the sword met the staff, and as Sle'nel’ held the sword tightly connected to the staff, she saw that its strength held, and watched as small lightning rods flew out of the sword.

  For the first moment in many long prior cycles, most of the sorcerer's powers were together once more, rejoined and unified. She dropped her sword, then gave a quick chant, releasing the staff from its spell, holding out her hand to catch it. As Sle'nel’ began to fall to the ground from the pain, she took quick note that neither the sword or the staff were damaged, but noticed that the staff felt far heavier.

  The Healer and San'lr'in’ helped removed Sle'nel's pain.

  "It is enough for this turn. In the morn, we will begin the task of returning our Elves to The Realm. Rest well this eve, Daughter."

  Sle'nel’ hadn't released her staff since the transfer of powers. She held it out to her lover, “Feel its weight."

  San'lr'in’ looked at her quizzically, taking the staff hesitantly. As she did so, she felt the difference in the weight, “I had never expected as such. Most amazing to think that spells weigh as much as this.” But she also felt something else. Something overly dark that left her wondering. A feeling she had also felt just the prior morn.

  She handed it quickly back to Sle'nel', never wishing to bring such a thing to her if it could be avoided. She shivered lightly at the knowledge that some unknown power was trying to make contact with her, through the sorcery spells, and she wished well to avoid them. Closing her eyes, she wished she hadn't felt yet another dreaded sense of deep foreboding.

  Will these dark moments never end?

  * * * *

  Ann'wn had provided quick order to the turn's tasks, allowing her forces some relief from their long journey, while they all took turns at the various camp needs. She also allowed
her forces to rest in the Elves’ dwellings during the remainder of their visit, and her forces were well pleased and grateful.

  Refreshing themselves after what seemed an eternity of traveling and sleeping upon the dirt, everyone helped to prepare a feast for their first eve's meal in El'fs'nd'lle. Sle'nel’ sat next to her lover, as San'lr'in’ sat at the head. This eve, The High Queen had asked that her elder sister sit at the other end of the table, with Erthrn near her, in hopes that Sume’ would find herself desirous of her.

  Much music, food and merriment occurred throughout the eve. Sam was sitting on the other side of Sle'nel', while Uthrn was off challenging others to contests. Sam was grateful for the reprieve, yet wondering how to inform Uthrn that their moments together were no longer pleasing. The Healer was sitting next to her Queen, with Ann'wn on her other side. And Mil'der'in and Fon'elnn’ sat in the middle of the table, entertaining the Deep Mystics.

  San'lr'in', as was her usual, observed the events, moving in and out of conversations casually, mostly without thinking, often amused by them. Mil'der'in would make a most excellent Queen of The Valley. Why does she not wish this role?

  She saw that Roen and Ern'seln’ were yet shy, but becoming bolder with each other, now holding hands and whispering often to each other. She saw them giggling, wondering if she had ever prior done as such.

  Sle'nel’ had also seen Roen and Ern'seln's growing need of each other, “I think that it is perhaps the moment that we move Sele’ to another's care for the eve, my Love."

  San'lr'in’ closed her eyes for a moment, calling herself fully back into The Realm. She looked at her lover, then at her lover's hand, seeing it as beautiful, yet strong and assured. She touched her own hand to Sle'nel's, caressing it softly, “I have already tended to the issue, My Desire. She will be with your prior lover, as she has asked for such. She wishes to be with her, as she will be taking her leave in one more turn."

  She thought Roen a striking young Mystic, especially since the fear had moved away from her face and eyes. Like Sam, Roen had intense blue eyes that were highlighted even the more with her now emerging blonde hair. As she looked at Ern'seln, she thought her a perfect contrast to Roen. Ern'seln's hair was now short, but blacker than a moonless eve, and her eyes were as intense in their coloring as Roen's, but a shocking shiny gray against Roen's deeply intense and shiny blue. She thought that their pairing was striking, but thought that in their youth, the companionship would most likely fail. She also saw that Roen was beginning to use her right-hand more, the hand that was now missing two fingers.