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

by Robbie Collins

  The moment The Healer had completed the removal of the knife, she had told Ann'wn to send for Sle'nel'. But there was little expectation that she would arrive within the moments necessary.

  For a brief moment while tending her Queen, The Healer looked at her own lover, “Has Krl'lnn’ yet been found?"

  Ann'wn shook her head, “Not as yet, but she cannot leave the Valley, so she will be found. All are now looking for her. In truth, I have never prior seen the forces as motivated. They have taken this most personally."

  Erthrn had become overly anxious to stand around and wait, so decided to take part in the search for Krl'lnn'. Her anger was so deep that she wished she could personally take charge of this would-be assassin's punishment, but knew it wasn't to be. It had already been commanded by Mil'der'in, who was now acting in place of The High Queen, that once captured, Krl'lnn's punishment would wait until The High Queen's return to her reign.

  "When will the messenger reach Sle'nel'?"

  "This turn, perhaps, but likely the turn-next."

  Besides removing San'lr'in's pain, The Healer knew she had done all she could for her. She wished that Sle'nel’ could arrive soon so as to provide the voice that would compel The High Queen back into The Realm. In her concern and exhaustion, she had forgotten about R'lodin'lindor.

  A large commotion suddenly occurred outside The High Queen's complex, and Ann'wn was immediately alerted. She followed the guards to the outside courtyard where many now awaited any report regarding The High Queen, but upon her arrival, she halted, fully stunned at the sight now before her. Sle'nel’ had arrived on R'lodin'lindor, and so had fifteen of the newly returned Elves, all on their own great flying unicorns.

  The Mystics of the Valley and The Realm had never seen such a sight during this era, and all were now staring at the great winged horses that consumed the entire courtyard, awed by their great size and presence. Such a sight was held only in the long-prior stories, so the guards looked as bewildered as the Valley's residents, none knowing what to do. Sle'nel’ gave no acknowledgement to those surrounding her, moving quickly toward The High Queen's chambers.

  When she saw Ann'wn, she frowned, “How was this allowed to occur, Force Leader?"

  She kept her pace quick, forcing Ann'wn to run after her, “A surprise, Elfin Queen. Krl'lnn escaped during the procession. She will be found."

  Sle'nel’ suddenly halted and turned back to Ann'wn, glaring, “You are not telling me that she is yet uncaptured, are you, Force Leader?"

  Mil'der'in had come to greet Sle'nel', and overheard the conversation, “All our resources have been turned to her capture, Queen Sle'nel'."

  Sle'nel’ turned to Mil'der'in, “She is mine to punish, Mil'der'in."

  Mil'der'in placed her hand on Sle'nel's arm, trying to calm her, “We will speak more on this later, Queen of the Elves. For now, let us take you to see—"

  Sle'nel’ glared at Mil'der'in, “You may be in charge of The Realm for the moment, Mil'der'in, but if I must, . will go hunt Krl'lnn myself. Force me not to this, as I and the other Elves have better things to do at this moment."

  Ann'wn stepped forward, “Sle'nel', she cannot—"

  Sle'nel’ turned, giving her full anger upon Ann'wn, “The High Queen's life is your responsibility, Force Leader."

  Ann'wn lowered her head and was about to respond, but Mil'der'in acted as she knew The High Queen would desire of her, “Sle'nel'. Halt this. Ann'wn's forces are doing all they can at this moment. The High Queen awaits your presence, but she is fully unconscious and hasn't returned to us since The Healer removed the knife."

  Sle'nel’ was yet angry, but conceded the moment, “I want Krl'lnn as mine."

  Mil'der'in stepped forward even further, trying to soften the moment, “I cannot make this vow to you, Elfin Queen, but I will vow that no one will kill Krl'lnn until The High Queen's return to The Realm."

  Srn'threln', Sle'nel's High Elfin Counselor, had finally caught up to her. She bowed her head to both Sle'nel’ and Mil'der'in, “Mil'der'in, High Counselor, thank you for your words of negotiation. I am certain that Queen Sle'nel’ hears them well, but is deeply concerned in the moment, as are we all. Perhaps we should take her to The High Queen's chambers and continue this conversation at another moment?"

  She turned to her Queen, “Elfin Queen. If must be, we will find the traitor. So there is no need for you to be concerned on this. Think only of The High Queen on this moment."

  Mil'der'in bowed her head briefly to Srn'threln', relieved for the voice of reason, “Elfin High Counselor. We are pleased for your presence, even in spite of the sorrowful moment.” She motioned her hand, “Please, as you say, let us take Sle'nel’ to our High Queen."

  Sle'nel’ looked at Mil'der'in for one last moment prior to going to her High Queen's chambers, “I will concede the moment, High Counselor of The Realm, but know this. If The High Queen dies, there is not one in this Realm that will not feel my wrath. Not one."

  Mil'der'in bowed her head once, “And I will stand willingly at your side as you do this, Queen Sle'nel', with my full understanding and approval."

  Mil'der'in's statement was enough to finally soften the moment. Sle'nel’ took a deep breath while placing her hand on Mil'der'in's arm, then spoke in a more controlled fashion, “Thank you for your patience with me, High Counselor. The moment is not an easy one."

  Mil'der'in took Sle'nel's arm and wrapped it into her own, “I understand, Sle'nel'. I feel as such anger within me, as well. Come. You need to see to your lover."

  Sle'nel’ entered the room with no notice of anything or anyone except her lover, now laying upon a table. She went directly to her, looking at her carefully. She placed a hand gently on San'lr'in's forehead, “What has this Realm done to you, my Love?"

  She bent down close to San'lr'in's ear and whispered, “Return to me, my Love. Remember our stars. Return to me. Come home to me, San'lr'in'."

  Everyone in the room was hoping for a miracle, but saw no change in The High Queen. The Healer had been sleeping lightly as Sle'nel’ entered, but moved slightly away from The High Queen as Sle'nel’ came to her. She watched The High Queen's breathing and heart rate closely as Sle'nel’ spoke to her, seeing a slight change. She was pleased, but kept the knowledge to herself, not wishing to interrupt the moment.

  Sle'nel’ moved closer to her Queen's face, “If you return not to me soon, my Love, I will be forced to find and torture Krl'lnn’ on my own. And if you die, I will have the entire Realm consumed into the Sorrows, my Queen. Know this as truth. I vow to you that I will do as such."

  There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Sle'nel’ would keep her vow.

  Sle'nel’ listened quietly while The Healer gave her a report on The High Queen's condition, her eyes intently focused on The Healer and her words. When the report was completed, she turned back to her lover, speaking softly to her while she brushed the hair gently away from her face, “I am so sorry for this, my Love. I should have been with you to prevent as such."

  Her heart fell deeply into her chest as she examined her lover's condition. Sle'nel’ saw that her lover's eyes, now closed firmly against The Realm, looked saddened even in their unconsciousness. The long moments passed by as if The Realm itself had halted for all eternity, but no one noticed. Sle'nel’ bent down and gave San'lr'in’ a soft kiss upon her lips, “Feel me, my Queen. Feel my need of you.” She kissed her gently and sweetly once again, “Hear my vow, San'lr'in'. If you die, I will hold the entire Realm responsible for your death. I vow this to you, my Love."

  As moment after long, slow moment passed by as if all the moments had come to a grinding halt, so did everyone's hopes of The High Queen's return. The Healer watched as Sle'nel’ bent down once more to The High Queen's face, kiss her softly, then waited for another long moment. The Healer continued to watch, wondering as to what was occurring, unknowingly holding her breath tightly to her, her eyes beginning to widen in surprise. Suddenly, Sle'nel’ laughed softly, then rose. The Healer
saw that a smile was upon her face.

  As Sle'nel’ again told San'lr'in’ of her vow to consume The Realm within the Sorrows, San'lr'in’ had finally heard and returned a comment, “Then I best live, My Desire."

  Unknown to The Healer, The High Queen had kept herself within a meditation so as to avoid the deep flaming pain within her. When Sle'nel’ had told them of The High Queen's comment, The Healer, finally relieved, breathed once more, then quickly provided even more healing and removal of the pain.

  She saw The High Queen wince slightly, “I am removing some of your pain, High One. But I most sincerely and humbly welcome your return to The Realm. We have missed you greatly."

  The High Queen opened her eyes a little and spoke softly and with obvious pain, “With this pain, it is no place I wish to be, Healer. What have you done to Me?"

  The Healer laughed, “The tale is overly amazing to believe, my Queen, in truth, even to me. It is enough that you are returned to us."

  The High Queen raised her arm toward her sister, “High Priestess. Thank you for what you have done."

  Sume’ frowned, “I know not if what I have done is for the good, San'lr'in', as much now awaits you. It is no easy task for me to return your life to you so that you can face the Wizard of the Ravens.” She looked up to her lover and Ann'wn, a deep frown yet upon her face, “Queen Erthrn. Force Leader. Inform The Realm: The High Queen lives!"

  * * * *

  By the next turn, The Healer had removed enough of the pain that San'lr'in’ was able to speak for a short while. She called for her sister.

  "Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. Much is needed from you at this moment. The War Council must begin, and you must tell them of the Wizard of the Ravens."

  Sume’ looked down at the sister she had once wished dead, and saw her great dedication to The Realm. She felt her heart soften to her in a fashion that hadn't prior occurred. So that her sorrow and love wouldn't show, she tried to lighten the moment, “Is it not enough that you nearly died, Boring One? The Realm can take care of itself for a moment."

  The High Queen raised her right hand, the only part of her that seemed to cause no pain when moved, and touched Sume's arm, “Take care of Mil'der'in during the War Council. The Deep Mystics will demand much of her."

  "I can control the Deep Mystics.” Sume’ lowered her brows, “Why did you give me your powers?"

  "I was dying. You are My sister. You would know what to do with them."

  No one had ever granted her such acceptance, “But they are a High Queen's powers, San'lr'in'. They should have gone to Mil'der'in."

  "No. This is not truth, High Priestess. They must remain in the line. If I die, you must become High Queen."

  "This is outrageous, San'lr'in'. You must be delirious. Mil'der'in is trained for such. And I cannot carry such powers. In truth, no one can, except you!"

  "The powers are of the line, as is the position. Transferred to another not in the line, they are halved in their strength.” San'lr'in’ was weaker than she had ever felt, even given that she knew the edge of death well, “You took a great risk to return them to me. I could have died. The Realm would never again see these powers."

  "I knew that if they were returned to you, you would be compelled to live."

  San'lr'in’ stared at her for a moment, her emotions deeper than she had the strength to bring forward, “I am, in truth, most grateful for you, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non."

  They discussed the War Council for a moment, then Sume’ nodded, “I will take care of your Realm for you, San'lr'in'. But for the moment, only. You must recover, as my patience has quick limits."

  The High Queen spoke with Ann'wn and Mil'der'in briefly, then The Healer demanded, “Enough! Out! Everyone out! She needs rest."

  The Healer went to The High Queen, “You have done overly, High One. You must rest. You cannot place such burden on your heart while it yet heals. I cannot lose you again. My heart cannot take it."

  The High Queen's eyes pleaded with The Healer, “This table is hard, Healer. Am I here so that I can be easily carried on My last march?"

  The Healer laughed, “No, High One. I have no intention of this table becoming your funeral plank. Not by my hands. But if you are ready, I will have you moved to your bed."

  The move was difficult for The High Queen, but she suffered it silently as The Healer had the guards move her. When she was finally moved and made as comfortable as possible, Sle'nel’ sat by her side, feeding her. She felt even more weakened after the move.

  Her eyes gazed gratefully upon her lover, “You came."

  "Why would I not?"

  "How did you know of what occurred?"

  "The feeling was given to me."

  "Ah. The Lour'den Ceremony."

  Sle'nel’ smiled, “You cannot get rid of me as easily as this, my Love."

  The High Queen moved her hand so as to touch Sle'nel's, “Thank you.” She then let her heavy eyes close, comforted in her lover's presence, her hand remaining on Sle'nel's.

  * * * *

  Sume’ had begrudgingly allowed herself to be clothed in one of The High Queen's gowns. Her looks were never as radiant as Sam or San'lr'in's, but with The High Queen's attendants now tending her, she looked much finer than prior and even captured a few motivated looks. But Erthrn was yet in Sume's bed every eve, well pleased in the union. The events of the turn allowed Sume’ no notice of anyone's attentions, as she was having to protect Mil'der'in against the aggressive demands of the Deep Mystics.

  She stood and tried to remain as she knew her sister would, “Your demand is unheeding of The Realm's Mystics. They cannot survive against the Wizard, and this you well know. You cannot sacrifice them overly easily."

  Queen Torsn'dynl’ of the Women of the Trees desired it otherwise, “Sacrifices must be made, and The High Queen's forces are well enough trained. They must attack the Wizard's Keep."

  Mil'der'in tried to take back her own authority, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. High Priestess. Perhaps another solution can be found."

  Sume’ turned her head slightly and whispered in a tone that left no guessing as to her wishes, “If you cannot do better than this, at least have the intelligence to remain silent. You are overly passive against them. They will consume you."

  Sume’ turned back to the War Council, wondering what San'lr'in’ would do in this moment. Not knowing, but knowing well that San'lr'in’ would expect her to moderate rather than fight the War Council, she decided to divert the issue, “We haven't heard from The High Queen's Force Leaders. What have you learned?"

  At the end of the long turn, Sume’ reported what she considered to be the unfortunate events of the turn's War Council to San'lr'in', “The Deep Mystics are useless and overly commanding. They are nothing but cowards that use others."

  "They are difficult, but necessary. You must find a way to incorporate them into the battle. Their magic is much needed against this Wizard."

  "In truth, San'lr'in', they fear her."

  "You do not?"

  Sume’ waved her hand as if dismissing the notion, “No. If we live, we live. If not, we die. I refuse to fear yet another tyrant."

  "Allow Mil'der'in more effort in this."

  "She is worthless against them. She simply attempts to negotiate."

  "She knows what she is doing, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. She has negotiated her stance well, prior. Give her the moment to twist their thinking. It is her strength."

  "She is weak."

  "You are wrong. She is just weak against you."

  Sume’ sighed, “I will try, but this entire affair pushes against my limits. How do you tolerate all this idiocy about you?"

  Sle'nel’ laughed, “She asks the same, High Priestess. She is just able to display more patience than you."

  San'lr'in’ smiled, “She speaks truth. She often hears what I say under My breath, and it is the same as you. They frustrate Me as well. Has the High Counsel spoken as yet?"

  "Not as yet."

  "They will frustrate you even
more than the Deep Mystics."

  The second turn of the War Council went as San'lr'in’ had predicted. Sume’ was more than frustrated, but at this moment it was with the High Counselors. She breathed in deeply, then sighed, trying to hold what little patience to her that she had remaining.

  "Can The High Queen halt the Wizard, with her powers?"

  "Not alone. And there are many others now with the Wizard, High Counselors. Forget not the ravens. They keep her well informed."

  "Ravens. Bah! They cannot harm us. They are just birds. We will merely shoot them with our arrows."

  Mil'der'in and Sume’ were standing side-by-side as representatives of The High Queen. Mil'der'in overheard Sume’ mutter to herself, “Surely these idiots cannot rule The Realm."

  Mil'der'in laughed lightly, and Sume’ turned to her, “I have lost my patience with them. You try to make them see sense."

  Mil'der'in looked to her and smiled, “They have just twisted themselves into our net. Watch, High Priestess. This is the moment I have hoped for. Now they are ours."

  Mil'der'in turned to the High Counselors, “You have offered a most excellent negotiation, High Counselors, and we will take you at your word. We will be responsible for the removal of the Wizard, while you and the forces that you command will be responsible for the ravens. It is agreed. You can shoot them with your arrows, if you would like. All of them."

  Sume’ chuckled to herself, now seeing that San'lr'in’ had been correct. She whispered to Mil'der'in, “Well done, High Counselor. Look at them sputter. But do you believe that they will be able to deal with all these ravens?"

  Mil'der'in nodded, “The Elves have already volunteered their services, as well as the services of their great winged horses. We will tell the High Counselors this at another moment, however. After they recover from their shock."

  Sume’ laughed aloud and slapped Mil'der'in on the back, “I couldn't have done better."

  * * * *

  Sle'nel’ had spent her turn with San'lr'in', not caring that she was missing the War Council, “You shouldn't try to sit up, San'lr'in'. It is overly soon."