"Yes, Highness."
San'lr'in’ went to a nearby guard, speaking quietly to her. She nodded at the guard's answer, then began to exit by its back entrance.
"M'Lady?"
She turned to the voice.
An attendant held out a cloak to her, “Please, my Queen. It is chilly outside."
She sighed, “If I must."
San'lr'in’ allowed the cloak to be placed on her, then exited the rear entrance. She followed the path to another lake, toward the opposite side of the dwelling from the lake they entered. She knew the path well, but frowned at the memory of it. She looked about her and saw that the plants and trees of the forest had grown considerably since her last visit to the lodge. She long prior had thought it a most beautiful of sites, but now only saw it as marred and imperfect, ever angry with herself over her prior decision.
Meera saw her hesitate for a moment at a small meadow. She observed from a safe distance as The High Queen knelt and touched the ground. When The High Queen rose, she closed her eyes, then stood perfectly still for a few moments.
You open your mind to me, once again. So this means you have lived through my little trial of you. Well done, High Queen. You are of much worth.
San'lr'in’ hadn't wished to have this Wizard of the Ravens enter into her mind upon this moment, so gave no response.
You are well weakened by my little trial, though. I feel this as truth. I can repair this damage to your heart, High Queen, should you allow.
Again, San'lr'in’ sent no response.
My messengers tell me of your great beauty, High Queen. Perhaps from this moment, I will spare you so that you can be mine. I have great need for such as you.
San'lr'in closed her mind to the Wizard's thoughts, but was intrigued at the Wizard's desire, wondering if she might be able to use it against her in some fashion. She moved into another meditation, restoring some of her powers to her.
"Have you been guarding her since she left the lodge?"
Meera looked at Ann'wn for a moment, then turned back to further watch her Queen, “As you commanded."
"What has she done?"
"She walked down the path to where it became somewhat dense, then examined it for a moment. She then walked to the meadow, knelt down, and placed her hand upon the grasses. When she rose, she did as you now see."
"That is where she battled the traitor."
"Why would she wish to recall that moment? It was just another enemy, or does she do as such for all those she has defeated?"
Ann'wn shook her head and sighed, “No. Only for those she trusted. She hasn't returned to this lodge since that moment. Does she now seek Sle'nel'?"
"She asked the guard for Sle'nel's location."
"Good. Perhaps her memories will now become more pleasant ones."
The High Queen took another look at the location of the long-prior battle with the lover-traitor, closed her eyes, then sighed deeply, trying to rid herself of the heavy memory. She then continued down the path to the other lake where a small wooden dwelling was located at the shore, used to keep the boats safe. She looked up to the top of it, where a covered deck had been rebuilt since her last visit, and saw Sle'nel’ practicing her spells. Without letting Sle'nel’ know of her presence, she looked out to the lake and watched Sle'nel's spell dance across the water—a small swirling whirlwind.
She looked back up to the covered porch and saw that Sle'nel’ was holding her staff out toward the whirlwind.
"How was your meeting?"
The sound of the well-known voice caught The High Queen completely unaware. She turned toward the voice, confused, “How did you surprise Me so?"
Sle'nel’ laughed, “A sorcerer never reveals her secrets."
The High Queen looked back up to the covered porch, “Then who, or what, is up there?"
"An image, only."
San'lr'in’ suddenly smiled, well amused, “I am well pleased, High Sorcerer. You have learned much since My prior observations. You sensed My presence?"
Suddenly, Sle'nel's voice came from another direction, “I followed you."
The High Queen looked toward the new direction of the voice. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, then turned back to the image she had just spoken with, seeing Sle'nel’ yet standing there as well, then checked up to the covered porch, seeing as she expected. Sle'nel’ was fully in three locations at one moment. She turned back to the new voice, her eyes sparkling in delight, “You have mastered the staff, My Desire. I am truly pleased. Now then, who is the real you?"
Sle'nel’ smiled a knowing smile to her lover, “Perhaps you would find that three of me are that much more desirable, my Love."
San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, agreeing, “It is not an unwelcome notion, High Sorcerer. But being entertained by one so knowledgeable in the magic craft already provides much allure. When did you learn such sorcery, My Desire?"
Sle'nel’ wrapped her arm through her lover's, “My Mother taught me much about the uses of the staff while I was in El'fs'nd'lle. She taught me to interweave the spells. I knew not that this was possible."
They began walking back to the lodge, “I yet see you in two other places, Elfin Queen. Will they remain there?"
Sle'nel’ laughed, “I forgot about the images.” She waved her staff, and they disappeared.
"You have mastered the sorcery of being invisible?"
Sle'nel’ shook her head, “I have mastered the illusion only. Sorcerers cannot be truly invisible, but we can cast notice elsewhere, as needed, making me seem as invisible, yet present."
"A neat trick."
Sle'nel’ looked up to her High Queen, her eyes twinkling her amusement, “I have a far better trick than this, my Love."
"Oh? And would you care to share as such?"
Sle'nel’ reached up to her lover and kissed her. The High Queen placed her arms around Sle'nel', returning the kiss.
"I have missed you."
San'lr'in’ touched her cheek, softly replying, “And I you, most truly.” They kissed and embraced again, San'lr'in’ relaxing into the moment. Sle'nel’ began to lead her back to the lodge.
"Must we return to this lodge so quickly, My Desire?"
"You need not do this.” She brought the staff up to her and made a quick motion. “But you will miss the surprise I have for you."
Suddenly, she was gone. The High Queen looked around, seeing nothing except the landscape.
"My Queen. Where did the Elfin Queen go? Should I look for her?"
San'lr'in’ laughed lightly, “I think not, Warrior Woman. I know well where she is.” And she walked off to her rooms in the lodge.
The High Queen's wing was well guarded, but she ignored the guards as she entered through the heavy wooden doors. She walked down the long passageway to her main rooms, entering as she arrived. She found Sle'nel’ waiting for her, as expected, and smiled at her lover.
"You continue to surprise Me, My Desire."
Sle'nel’ came up to her, beginning to undo The High Queen's gown, “I wouldn't have it that you become bored."
The High Queen laughed, “You think I could become weary of you, in truth? Hardly this."
Sle'nel’ pulled her close, providing a deeply passionate kiss. San'lr'in’ moaned her pleasure and began to untie Sle'nel's garment. Sle'nel’ took control of the moment, moving San'lr'in’ onto the bed. She moved between her legs, gently forcing San'lr'in’ to surrender to the moment. Resisting slightly for a moment, San'lr'in’ finally gave in to Sle'nel's desires, fully desiring the very knowing advances of her lover.
They laid entwined in each other's arms when their moment of urgency was completed, “This is a beautiful dwelling. Why have we not come prior?"
San'lr'in’ tried to evade the story, “The reasons for such have not been compelling, but this meeting has called together overly many to use the small dwelling."
They were prepared for the eve's meal, then met everyone in the dining hall, another magnificent room of massive wo
oden logs and large windows that overlooked the sparkling lake.
Sume’ came up to them as they entered. San'lr'in’ noted that she seemed anxious, “She has reached into my thoughts, San'lr'in'. We must do something."
San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Sume's head, “Allow Me to enter your thoughts, High Priestess?"
Sume’ nodded, “Do so."
San'lr'in’ searched into Sume's thoughts, finally finding what she sought. She jerked her head back slightly as she found the Wizard's message, then moved her hand to her heart.
The Healer was instantly at her side, “Pain, High One?"
San'lr'in’ took a deep breath, finally able to do so, “She is stronger than I had first thought."
She sends yet another trial. Why does she seek Me?
* * * *
Next turn, the newer force leaders attended the war council along with a few of the older ones, and with some surprise, so did the Force Leader of the Mungardies. As the prior turn, The High Queen sat deeply back into her seat, listening, but also resting.
"With respect, Young Force Leader, you know nothing about such an enemy."
The new Force Leader sat down, but was angry at having been dismissed so easily by one of the older force leaders. The High Queen looked at the group, speaking for the first moment all the morn, “Please continue, Force Leader. You may be new to this role, but I am most eager to hear your thoughts."
The more experienced Force Leader resisted, “But, my Queen, this one is overly young in her decision-making. She hasn't the experience we do."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow at the Force Leader, “Is this not an open forum, Ge'vin?"
The Force Leader winced slightly at the use of her name, knowing it was a show of displeasure from her High Queen, “Yes, my Queen, but I—"
San'lr'in’ interrupted her, “Good. Then tell us more of your thinking, our new Force Leader."
It hadn't gone unnoticed that The High Queen had used the formal title to the younger Force Leader while using the more-experienced Force Leader's name, only. The young woman rose, “As you say, my Queen, I think we should attack on eight sides. Four quadrants using the catapults, and the other four using flaming arrows, without rest for two full turns, even through the eves. Only after this should we send in our land units to raise the ladders and the battering rams to open the gates. But she will be expecting this form of attack, so during this campaign, we must also begin a more unexpected assault."
"What would be this unexpected assault, Force Leader?"
"Boulders, my Queen."
Ann'wn was intrigued, but cautious, “Boulders, Force Leader?"
The Force Leader turned to Ann'wn, “Boulders, my Force Leader. I have heard there is a slight hill at the rear of the Keep. We will move the boulders to the ledge, holding them there until they are needed, and then allow them to role down the hill with great momentum. It will require many, but they will cause extensive damage."
"And how are we to keep these boulders a secret, Force Leader?"
"Magic."
All turned to Sle'nel', who had spoken the word. She merely shrugged, “It is easily enough accomplished."
"And how are we to keep the Wizard from detecting this magic, Elfin Queen?"
San'lr'in’ smiled at her lover and answered for her, “By disguise, as she did prior with Me. By making it appear not, while making another location appear as such."
"They will be expecting the boulders from another side, my Queen?"
The High Queen nodded, “Exactly this."
Ann'wn nodded, “Perhaps it could be accomplished."
"What are you called by, Force Leader?"
The Force Leader bowed her head, “Nor'onth, my Queen."
The High Queen bowed her head briefly, “We thank you for your words, Force Leader. You are most welcome at our War Councils.” She looked to the Force Leader of the Mungardies, “Mungardies’ Force Leader. What are your thoughts on this battle?"
The Mungardies woman had said nothing during the entire meeting, but listened intently. Upon a few moments, The High Queen had seen her offer an imperceptible squint of the eyes when Ge'vin had been offering her own thoughts. The High Queen knew well that the Mungardies’ Force Leader had as little patience as her own.
The Mungardies woman bowed her head slightly. Her answer was softly spoken but harsh in its delivery, “Until a moment prior, I had thought your Force Leaders as incapable. But I see that you think as I do. Perhaps the next turn will bring us further to where we need be against this Wizard that plagues all of our communities. I will hold my own thoughts until then, High Queen."
"Your thoughts are welcome whenever you wish to provide them, Force Leader."
The High Queen looked to Ann'wn, Erthrn and Fon'elnn', “This is a good beginning, but we must do much more. As Force Leader Nor'onth has said, we must offer the sheer force against the Keep, as well as the unexpected, but endlessly. Get creative, Force Leaders, as nothing that is common will work against this Wizard. Nothing. She long prior defeated a hundred fold more forces than we have."
"But she hasn't the numbers as she did prior, my Queen."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow, then sighed, as she turned back to Ge'vin, “No? Tell Me, Ge'vin, why do you think as such?"
Ge'vin gulped, “There are not this many across all our realm, Highness."
Fon'elnn’ laughed sarcastically, “The Wizard using not those in The Realm, Ge'vin."
"Then who does she use?"
Fon'elnn’ looked to her High Queen, “Would you caring for me to answer, Highness?"
She nodded.
"She stepping through the OuterRealm, Ge'vin. She having this power and ability. Her forces not being as strong as ours, but they outnumbering ours by many."
"How do you know this?"
Ann'wn looked at Ge'vin, exasperated by her, “Have you not been listening, Ge'vin? The High Queen's Black Guard have been scouting the Keep. We have been informed that there are eighty to our one. It is why Nor'onth has suggested that we remain as distant until the numbers have been more evened."
"What about the Ravens?"
San'lr'in’ kept her Force Leaders at the meeting all throughout the turn, and then again the next turn. As had been hoped, the older Force Leaders began to silence themselves as the younger Force Leaders brought forward all their new and more creative plans. Even the Mungardies’ Force Leader provided a few of her thoughts, for which The High Queen had been pleased.
"We have come much further in our plans this turn, but yet have much further to move. Draw out your battle plans this eve, and bring them in the morn. We begin at the morn meal. We must have more backup plans, and well-coordinated ordered efforts. You have My leave. Ann'wn, Erthrn and Fon'elnn'. I have need of you."
Ann'wn bowed her head, “Highness?"
"Have you received the report I have requested from our traitor?"
Erthrn nodded, “Her tale changes, Highness. She has provided four differing tales. She has told us that she did as such for the prior First Master. Then she told us that she did the Wizard's bidding. Upon a third moment, she said that she did it for The Realm on her own accord. Then, early this morn, she informed the guards, after a little persuading on their part, that there is a large group of displeased warriors who seek a new High Queen."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow, “She is this strong? Pity that she has been called to the dark powers. We could use such strength about us. Take Me to her."
They walked well into the forest, finally arriving upon a small meadowed clearing. The High Queen sensed that many of Ann'wn's forces were present, and saw that Krl'lnn’ was tied up to a stripped tree which had been made into a pole. She noted that Krl'lnn’ looked as if death would be a most welcomed friend.
Ann'wn called to her guards, “Bring her down. Bind her arms and legs well."
The guards wasted no care in bringing Krl'lnn’ to the ground, letting her drop heavily. Krl'lnn’ screamed her pain, no longe
r able to withstand it in silence. But San'lr'in’ saw that Krl'lnn's eyes remained as fiercely resolute in their stance, regardless of the pain she had endured.
"You need waste no moments on feeling sympathy for this one, Highness. She has been raised with hate in her heart."
San'lr'in’ responded to the voice without moving her gaze away from Krl'lnn, “She has had little choice in her stance, Queen Erthrn. She is ignorant of what she does. Her mind has been twisted to this act. She did this not of her free will."
"Perhaps this is so, my Queen, but it matters not. She attempted to take your life. A cycle of torture is overly short for this one."
She looked at Erthrn for a moment, “If you and I take not a softer stance to a wasted life, Erthrn, then who will? Our forces? Her life was ravaged long prior to her own understanding, and this is no fault of hers. She is overly young for this much hate. And she would have made a fine Master had she not been used in such a fashion."
Erthrn met her Queen's eyes, ever longing to belong to her, “Perhaps you speak truth, my friend, and is why you were chosen as High Queen. But it cannot make the moment softer for her."
"A harsher truth, Erthrn. It is as you say, and she has suffered for her act."
The Healer had come up to her Queen, “You cannot do this alone, High One. You have much in front of you to use up on this one."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow, curious, “You wish to deal with this one, Healer? Are you prepared for this?"
"I care not for her, only for your health, High One. Someone must tend to it, as you don't do as such."
"She is readied for you, my Queen."
She walked up to the well-tied Krl'lnn, seeing the desperate look in her eyes. San'lr'in’ could sense the immense pain within her, and felt saddened by it. She placed her hand softly on Krl'lnn's head, then reached deep into her thoughts. She closed her eyes as she sensed into Krl'lnn's past, searching deeply for the real traitors to The Realm. As she did as such, she felt The Healer's hand come to rest lightly upon her own head.
The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] Page 55