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

by Robbie Collins

  "We are almost arrived."

  She heard Sume’ softly add, “To wherever it is we now head."

  She continued ahead, but now more slowly and cautiously. In a few moments, she came to what she defined as a small entryway, and then saw that a room lay directly through it. An unbelievably large room.

  "Enter, but add no light. The lights will be provided as you proceed."

  * * * *

  The unfamiliar voice spoke primarily to Sle'nel', but all were allowed to hear. As her eyes grew more accustomed to the dim light, she noticed that a small greenish light glowed from far overhead, allowing all to finally distinguish the room's oval shape.

  Another voice spoke, causing them to start at the interruption to their now silent thoughts. “Sle'nel'. Elfin daughter of the great High Wizard Sorcerer. Elfin daughter of Is'en'nel', Birth-daughter of M'arain. High Sorcerer of The Realm. You have been called upon to this task that now lies before you. In all The Realm, only you have the ability to return the Elves. What now surrounds you has been held long secret and sacred in all The Realm, safe from harm; safe from certain death.

  "The Realm has, through these long cycles, finally come to the moment in which it is safe for the Elves’ return. For after this many cycles, the long-prior humans have begun to become as one with The Realm, understanding and accepting the Mystic ways. Even with the humans that now live in The Realm, a threat no longer exists to the Elves.

  "But, as predicted, a new threat comes. The plans so long prior set forth have finally emerged. It is upon this moment in all The Realm's long prior cycles that many forces are brought together as one to save The Realm from further unwelcomed invasion, and to prevent certain death to the Mystics, which now include our humans. Prepare yourself to see that which was begun two-hundred cycles prior. Here lie the Elves that will now be returned to The Realm ... through you."

  San'lr'in’ thought the presentation a little uncharacteristic of the Elves in that it was overly dramatic. But given the amount of planning and resources that must have been brought to this moment, she understood the desire.

  Sle'nel’ was becoming quite impatient and just wanted to halt the voice so that she could get on with her task, when her Mother finally spoke, “Forgive us, Daughter. Even after all these long cycles, we know not fully how to prepare you for such as this. So we now show you the magnitude of what has had to be prepared, and will then answer your questions."

  The light slowly grew in its intensity so that everyone's eyes could adjust. As it did, Sle'nel's eyes widened in disbelief, as she turned fully and slowly around the oval room, seeing the same shocking sight over and over again, one after another.

  "By the Mothers!"

  "How could this be?"

  "So many as this?"

  "Who are they?"

  "They look fully grown."

  "How was this accomplished?"

  "This be not possible!"

  "Such a thing cannot occur!"

  "They look as if they sleep."

  "Are they real?"

  "They look dead."

  "The Elves!"

  "The Elves?"

  They unknowingly all did as Sle'nel', turning slowly around the oval room, looking at the sight that now lay fully before them. They had never seen as such in all The Realm, but could never have imagined such a sight, either.

  Sle'nel’ softly asked a question, to no one in particular, “How many Elves are there?"

  Her mother answered, “One-hundred-ten."

  San'lr'in', long prior taught to never be too surprised by anything, went up to one of them, inspecting her closely. She then went to another, then another, examining their looks, examining their faces, sensing as she could, into their memories, when finally she said, “They are with child."

  Again, Sle'nel's mother responded, “They are, fully. Within one to six moons, all are scheduled to give birth."

  Sam opened her eyes in shock even more fully, even given her already astonished stance, “There will be two-hundred-twenty Elves within six moons? All from differing lines?"

  "As planned, all from differing lines.” Is'en'nel’ confirmed Sam's question.

  Surrounding them on all sides of the room were One-hundred-ten Elves, each in their own enclosure, each appearing to be fully asleep, while standing. Sume’ marveled at the enclosures, seeing that each Elf was encased in a form of liquid that appeared to be water, but water that was lightly rose colored.

  Sam couldn't understand it, “How do they breathe?"

  Is'en'nel’ explained, “As the Elves began to die out once again from the human contact, as had occurred on Earth so many, many eons so far prior to any of our understanding, we began to experiment so that we would not die out again. Although we were rescued in that long prior era, we appear to have been on our own from that moment. We never did accomplish what we originally planned, which was to provide a healing for this plague, but we did discover that we could make liquid spells. With much more experimentation, we at long last learned how to temporarily suspend life if the life were properly stored inside the liquid spells. It took many more long cycles prior to suspend life for any great length of moments, but it was at long last accomplished. Then we have merely waited until the moment was correct, until the Elves could return without fear of the illness."

  San'lr'in’ stood amazed, her eyebrow slightly raised, “And all this was accomplished apart from The Realm's knowing?"

  Is'en'nel's voice came close to her, “As was needed. It had to be kept secret."

  Sam nodded, understanding, “And is why you built this so far below The Realm."

  "Secrecy was perhaps even more important than the discovery of liquid spells, as without secrecy, all our discoveries would have mattered not."

  Sle'nel’ kept shaking her head lightly, fully astounded, “But how am I to return them from these liquid spells, and why me? You are here. Why do you not do this?"

  "Because we are not really here, my daughter. Not in truth. Remnants of our prior selves are here, only. This was another element we had to master in order to keep the Elves safe, and in order to have them returned. Once we discovered that we could develop liquid spells, we used them in suspending life, but we also practiced, and mostly perfected, using such a thing to continue life, even if only partially so. But it took a sacrifice on each Elf's life to be here this turn. Although we managed to continue the life using the liquid spells, we had to each give up part of our lives to do so, and we also had to sacrifice our being. While I am here, I am so only in spirit. It was the only portion of life that we were able to maintain. We never had the moments necessary to accomplish this attempt, fully, as we began to die out overly quickly. Even in this, there have been unending complications we could not control."

  The voice of Is'en'nel's spirit went closer to The Healer, “It is now for you to take our experiments further, Healer. We have left all our notes for you, as you are the chosen Healer to do as such. Out of all these Elves before you, only six of the babes have the inclination toward healing. And you have been chosen to be their teacher in such. You will find our notes in the books on the table. Your name is upon them. They are now yours. All our successes and all our failures. For your eyes only, Healer."

  The Healer startled at the report, fully surprised. Even San'lr'in’ stood astonished in the tale, curious yet growing angered at how all of their lives had been so planned and controlled. She let the moment pass, saying nothing.

  As was everyone else, Caitha was staring at the encased Elves, “Look how beautiful they are. And they all look as Sle'nel’ does."

  Sam pointed, astounded, “And look at their ears. It is truth. They did have different ears."

  "How are they to be returned to The Realm? Is it not dangerous?” Sle'nel’ had asked the question, wondering if some of the Elves’ lives might be lost in the process.

  Is'en'nel's voice once again appeared close to her daughter, “It requires you to do as such, as you are the keeper of The Realm's s
pells, and you are also an Elf. They are encased fully within a liquid spell, and only a spell by an Elf can undo as such. You are that Elf. Search deep in the memories, Daughter, as the needed spell was given to you upon your birth. When I first touched you upon your birth, I instilled the spell deeply within you for safekeeping. Even the Spirit Mothers never found it."

  San'lr'in’ asked, no longer fully pleased, “How many cycles have they?"

  "They are between nineteen and thirty cycles."

  "They have been given the collective memory of the Elves, then?"

  "You are correct, High Queen. It is so. They each hold the collective memory."

  "Who is to watch over them?"

  "You, of course, as High Queen, and my Daughter, as Queen of the Elves."

  San'lr'in’ raised her eyebrow and frowned. It went unnoticed as Is'en'nel’ continued, “But the moments disappear overly quickly. We must proceed. My daughter, this is what we—"

  San'lr'in’ stepped into the conversation, “Forgive Me, High Wizard Sorcerer, but it would seem that our lives have been well planned for this moment. Perhaps as planned as the Spirit Mothers had done with Woden, My Sister, and the Elf."

  There was a moment of silence, then Is'en'nel’ spoke again, but with a hint of caution, “High Queen. I know that it must feel as such, but we had only urgent moments. We were desperate. As you say, this moment was planned as no other, but never were we certain that the needed moments could arrive together. In truth, I am surprised that our plan has come together."

  "Your scheme, you mean?” There was another moment of silence, and she continued, “I am nothing more than a mere pawn in your schemes. Yours, and everyone else's. Is this not truth, High Wizard Sorcerer? Much like the Spirit Mothers have done."

  Again, there was a pause, and Sam found her heart beating wildly in her chest, never guessing that her sister, The High Queen, would begin to question this moment. All had seen The High Queen's excitement about the Elves’ return, so the moment was confusing as well as troubling. Sle'nel’ stood frozen in the moment, but not displeased that someone was questioning the Elves’ role in this act, uncertain of it herself.

  Is'en'nel’ responded carefully, “It must feel as such, High Queen. Is this not what you would have done? Do you not control if it were desperately needed?"

  San'lr'in’ walked slowly around the room, eyeing each Elf carefully, “As I was taught so well to do, High Wizard Sorcerer. But now I question even that.” Her tone was measured and sharp, noticeably displeased. Ann'wn stood astonished, but prepared herself, knowing her queen was angered in the moment.

  Ersh'delrin', Queen of the Mystics of the Winds, suddenly challenged The High Queen, “San'lr'in'! Think of what you now do. You dare to question the prior High Wizard Sorcerer? You dare to question whether the Elves should be returned to The Realm?"

  San'lr'in’ remained silent, yet stared at her with eyes of ice that no one wished upon them. The room remained awkwardly quiet, each knowing of San'lr'in's anger, each knowing of her power as High Queen. After a few moments, and ignoring the comment, she quietly said, “High Wizard Sorcerer, I have a question."

  Is'en'nel’ didn't hesitate, “I am here to answer your questions honestly and to your satisfaction, High Queen. I hope we have done nothing that would intentionally seek your displeasure."

  "No?"

  "It is truth, and I vow this to you as your former teacher."

  She nodded her head slowly, looking down for a moment, thinking, “Yes. You are one of My many former teachers, which begs the question even further, however. Please forgive the nature of My question at this moment, Is'en'nel', as I have had few moments in which to prepare it fully."

  "You are angered, my Queen."

  "An understatement, Is'en'nel'. But let us entertain ourselves for the moment. If what you have said is truth, that many were prepared to be here, exactly at this moment, without either their consent or full knowledge, then tell Me, what has been planned for us in our futures, as I dare not now think that I have full charge over My destiny? Am I, in truth, High Queen? Or am I a mere pawn in all your grand schemes? As are My sisters, I would guess, and certainly as is Sle'nel'."

  "You think that we have schemed, as had the Spirit Mothers, High Queen?"

  "Is this not a most logical assumption? As you taught Me, Teacher?"

  "You wish not the Elves to be returned to The Realm, Highness?"

  She was displeased that so many thought they could freely question her, “Do you forget to who you question, Teacher?” No one was allowed to question The High Queen without her leave.

  There was a gasp by the Deep Mystics, but they knew to hold their thoughts to themselves while San'lr'in’ was as angry as this.

  Is'en'nel’ remained fully patient, and with full understanding, “My apologies, High Queen. Yes, we did plan for this moment. But I know not how to answer your question in regard to your future."

  "Then I will ask it of you in another fashion. Tell Me, Teacher. Tell Me how many of these Elves are also as controlled?"

  "Controlled, Highness?"

  San'lr'in’ waived her hand as if in dismissal, pacing, “What if, Is'en'nel', I were to tell Sle'nel’ that only, say, seventy of these Elves were to be returned?"

  "Seventy, Highness?"

  "Yes. Seventy. Would that be acceptable? Seventy is enough to establish a new population, is it not, especially given that each is with child?"

  There was no response for a moment.

  Torsn'dynl', Queen of the Women of the Trees, replied instead, “It is as you think, Highness. Seventy Elves is enough to establish a new population, considering the new ones, but unless all are returned, they will not have the strength of the collective to provide for their planned future."

  "So, these Elves’ futures are planned for them, as I thought?"

  "It is so, High Queen, in one sense."

  San'lr'in’ walked up to one of the sleeping Elves, “What is this one's destiny, Teacher?"

  "Lover of animals, High Queen."

  She went to another, standing in front of an Elf that looked slightly different from the others, “And this one?"

  "A teacher of the young ones, Highness."

  "And her birth-child?"

  "A weapons maker, My Queen."

  San'lr'in’ looked fully saddened, “Why? Why must all of them be as controlled as this?"

  "For The Realm, Highness, such as you. Their breeding has been placed into their minds so that their lines will continue to strengthen. Only this. So that they will not again face such extinction. So that all our skills and knowledge could be transferred and moved forward."

  "You are telling Me that, as the Spirit Mothers of The Falls did with Sle'nel’ and My Sister, now occurs with these Elves?"

  Meekly, Torsn'dynl’ answered, “It is so, Highness, so that the line grows stronger, instead of weaker. There is nothing else. There are no schemes to have them take over The Realm, or such as this. Only to strengthen the line so as to prevent further plague upon them. I say truth, Highness. I vow this to you with my life."

  San'lr'in’ sensed into her thoughts, then nodded her head lightly, “Yes. I sense you speak truly. But Is'en'nel', how can I be assured her mind wasn't planted with this seed, as well?"

  After a moment, Is'en'nel’ responded, more hopefully, “I have a way, High Queen, for you to be fully assured across all the issues, but it will take some trust on your part."

  "Tell Me."

  Is'en'nel’ sent her thoughts to her privately. The High Queen nodded, “I agree to this."

  Is'en'nel’ quietly slipped into The High Queen's mind, allowing The High Queen to have access to all her thoughts and knowledge. It was an act of desperation that caused much pain to The High Queen, but also caused many loss of moments for Is'en'nel'. But she did it willingly for The High Queen, for her daughter, for all these Elves, and for The Realm.

  The Healer had been watching the moment carefully, fully guessing as to what now occurre
d. She was displeased that her Queen had consented to this so easily, but understood that her Queen felt there to be no other alternative. As had occurred with the Spirit Mothers, The High Queen was accessing all the knowledge and thoughts of the prior High Wizard Sorcerer, not an easy or painless task.

  The High Queen stood perfectly erect as if nothing were occurring, but as The Healer placed her hand lightly upon her Queen's head, she could feel the inner turmoil and great pain. She sensed that her Queen had entered into her second meditation, surprised that The High Queen could do as such so rapidly as this, now, Her strength grows daily, it seems.

  Catch her, Healer.

  Is'en'nel’ had sent a quiet and tired sounding message to The Healer, letting her know that their transfer was complete. The Healer saw that The High Queen had no intention of falling, so guessed that Is'en'nel's message was far more figurative. She sensed more deeply into her Queen's thoughts, then learned what Sle'nel's mother had meant by the statement.

  You are in The Realm, my Queen. Hear your heart. Hear your breathing. Hear my thoughts.

  Having connected to a half-living/half-dead Elf had caused a disturbing disorientation for The High Queen. She could no longer tell if she were in or out of The Realm, and struggled for balance in her mind.

  Sle'nel’ waits for you, High One. Listen to the sound of my thoughts.

  Come to me, High One.

  Return to The Realm, Highness.

  Hear your heartbeat, High One.

  After many moments, The High Queen opened her eyes and re-oriented herself to the room and to the task at-hand.

  "My Queen?"

  She looked at her Healer, “I am fine, Healer. Thank you. Now we must make haste, as we need the assistance of the prior Elves, yet their voices will end for us overly soon.” She looked at Sle'nel', “Have you found the code that was given to you upon your birth, My Desire?"

  Sle'nel’ nodded, “I think so."

  San'lr'in’ turned to the Deep Mystics, “I will save My anger for later, but in truth, forgive your hesitancy. But to all those in The Realm, hear this—I fully expect that this will be the final moment in The Realm that information will be withheld from Me. I have no need, henceforth, of those who seek to control My reign. From hereon, no grace will be granted, no matter the issue, no matter the race, no matter the speaker."