Sam placed her finger to U'Aine's lips, “I know, Master. You need not say this. I feel the same. You will remain in my thoughts. Go and find my sister, for The Realm, Master."
U'Aine nodded, gathering all her Master training firmly to her, trying to force herself into a more distanced stance, as would be needed from her, “I will take you to Ann'wn, and will leave from there."
* * * *
The warrior had a seldom-seen frantic look upon her face, “Force Leader. They continue to come at us. They are never-ending in their numbers, and we are running low on arrows."
Ann'wn looked around at the battle scene, knowing that they had killed as many as possible without yet engaging in the hand-to-hand combat, “It is the moment. Take up the swords and spears. Move in quickly, and move through the lines—as planned, with the horses at full speed.” She turned toward Erthrn, “We will begin the third phase of the attack when I see that your forces have moved through the front lines. Remember to remain away from the east side of the Keep."
Erthrn bowed her head, “It shall be done."
"Force Leader. We cannot hold them any longer."
She turned to the voice, seeing another of her battle-weary leaders. She was surprised to see this one so defeated looking, “Fall back as the Private Guard move in. They are fresh and will hold them until the next phase."
Mil'der'in stood next to Ann'wn, “It is the moment for Sume’ to begin."
Ann'wn didn't move her eyes from the battlefield, “Tell her to begin after the sword fighting begins. Tell her to then begin with all her might. And Sele’ also. We need to gain entrance into the Keep."
"I can no longer see Sle'nel'."
Ann'wn had lost sight of her a half-turn ago, and wasn't pleased, “Our only hope in this regard is that the Warrior Woman of Woden is with her."
"When will the Elves and the flying horses arrive?"
"They have already arrived, long prior and now just wait for their moment. Sle'nel’ prepared the Elves well. They know the plan."
Mil'der'in looked to her and placed her hand on Ann'wn's shoulder, “Any word from The High Queen?"
Ann'wn merely shook her head.
"Force leader. What, or who are these that our forces now fight against?"
She turned to look at her lover, “I know not, Healer, but The High Queen told us that they have come through the OuterRealm. They don't fight well, but there seem to be unending numbers of them."
The Healer looked at the multitudes upon the battlefield, “How are we to halt that which is unending in their numbers?"
"Let us trust that The High Queen knows well what she does."
The Healer nodded in full trust, “She does. Of this I know. I understand it not, but I know fully she will achieve her goal."
* * * *
"I have the Wizard's permission to explore her Keep."
The guard didn't move, “I am sorry, High Queen. I act on orders."
The High Queen made a slight movement with her hand, casting a sleeping spell onto the guard, “Of course, Guard. I understand."
She lowered the guard to a nearby chair, then entered the forbidden passage quietly, trying to avoid any other guard. She saw nothing but darkness as she peeked in through the door. Waiting for a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light, she listened carefully to the muffled noises ahead of her. Moving silently but quickly down the long, dark hallway, she felt relief that no guards were outside any of the many doors she passed, except for one. As she saw the guard, she halted, hoping that this would be the door she sought. The guard seemed quite bored, but avoiding any further risk, she used the sleeping spell again. As the guard slumped to the floor, she cracked the guarded door open.
She sighed in frustration as she saw yet another dark hallway. She entered it, moving quickly down toward the bright light and the noise. She listened, smiling briefly as she recognized the sounds. As she neared the light, she kept her distance, but saw what she expected to see.
The portal. Finally.
She watched for a moment as the Wizard's forces entered from the OuterRealm into this realm, through what seemed no more than a shining archway. The arch seemed to be standing on its own as the Wizard's legions filed from it in a steady stream, directly out to the outside through the Keep's thick wall. She looked around carefully, her eyes narrowing.
Where is it? Where is the sphere?
She began to feel herself panic, knowing the urgency of halting these forces, but knowing that she hadn't yet found the key to lock this portal against them. She grew angry with herself, having assumed that the sphere would be in the same location. Her desperation grew, especially now in seeing the great numbers her forces were having to battle.
She closed her eyes for a moment and moved lightly into her meditations, trying to sense the energy's location.
It is not in this room. Her frustrations were becoming uncontrollable, well knowing that she needed to complete the task soon or face a greater risk of detection upon each moment, and then, failure for The Realm.
She tried again, then felt it, Of course! It is beneath this room.
She turned quickly and retraced her steps, removing all the evidence of her presence as she went.
Re-entering the first hallway, she sensed the air about her, seeking cooler air, knowing that such would indicate a passage to the lower levels. She walked the long hallway slowly, sensing no change. Then, as she neared the doorway from which she had first entered, she felt it.
Finally. Cooler air.
She was surprised in seeing that it wasn't another doorway, but a stairway down that had been hidden just slightly to the side, yet behind of the door she had first entered. Beginning the stairway, she moved steadily down into the hollows of the Wizard's great Keep, avoiding the use of any light. She moved her hand lightly along the wall to help guide her, feeling nothing but a cool slimy substance upon it.
The further down the circular stairway she went, the darker and cooler it became. She brought forward a spell, bringing a small ball of light to her, now having no choice but to do as such. As the spiral staircase ended, she saw a crossroads of four separate paths in front of her. She bent down and examined the dirt paths, then rose, examining the right one. She received no signs from the path of its destination. She went down it a ways, then halted.
She heard moaning, guessing the sounds to be from prisoners in their cells. She returned to the crossroads and chose the next path. Hearing voices, she chanted another spell to remove the ball of light from her. She had brought no weapons with her, not wanting them on her in case she was caught. She moved slowly down toward the noise, listening as she went.
"...glad I am not in that battle..."
"...nothing but ... coward...."
"I AM NO COWARD! Take ... back ... kill you!"
She heard the sound of swords clashing against each other, then moved quickly to the edge of the room. Once there, she made certain to stand against the unlit wall so as to remain away from the shadows. She was grateful for the guards’ inattention to their duty, hoping there were only the two of them. As the two guards fought each other, she cast a sleeping spell upon them, as she had done to the other guards. As they fell quietly to the dirt floor, she stepped over them to study the lock upon the closed door. After a brief moment, she moved her hand slightly, unlocking it. She entered inside, brought the small ball of light to her once more, then anxiously examined the room. Her frantic eyes came to rest on the only item in the room.
Thank the Mothers.
She closed her eyes for a moment, sensing for the portal. After a moment, she sensed it directly above her, but far so.
She was stunned, This sphere has greater power than I thought to be so overly far removed from the portal.
Moving to the middle of the otherwise empty room, she examined the item she had sought. A large round crystal ball had been carefully set onto a chest-high pedestal. Feeling its power call to her, she fought the urge to touch it, to become on
e with it. Yet, even as she fought against its great powers, she felt deep awe in the moment.
The Crystal Sphere of the OuterRealm. After all these eons.
In truth, until just a moon prior, she hadn't believed the sphere yet existed in The Realm, believing she would have felt its presence. She could feel the energy it was both using and emitting, knowing fully that it was acting as the door between this realm and the OuterRealm. She had heard many legends of this crystal ball in the tales of the storytellers, tales of immense powers well prior to The High Queens’ line, but knew that it no longer existed in her known realm. She stood staring at it in wonder, now seeing that it indeed did exist, and in her known realm.
How do I halt it from its powers?
She allowed herself a moment to work through her plan, wishing that all the prior High Queens could assist her.
Crack it.
Her heart jumped at the unexpected sound that rang in her mind. She whispered, “How are you here, Teacher?"
Someone needs to tend to you, Highness, and I have more final moments. After you shared your concerns with me, I knew you might need my assistance, so a few of the other Elfin Spirits gave me their final moments. But enough of this. In my era, I studied the Wizard of the Ravens carefully, always wondering what we would do should she return within our lifespans. But I now see that there is little reason for my presence, as I should have known that you would take good care of our realm.
The High Queen could barely believe that Is'en'nel's spirit was yet with her, and in this room, “But how—?"
Quickly, Student. You have few moments.
"I will have to make it look like the guards did as such."
Yes, during their swordplay.
"Can this sphere not be repaired, if it is only cracked?"
We cannot break it. This is all I know. If we break it fully, the OuterRealm gains a fully opened entrance into our Realm that cannot be sealed. If we crack it, we can never again enter the OuterRealm, but it also then cannot come into our Realm.
The High Queen shivered at the thought of what she had been about to do, “Then it is most certain a good moment that you are here, as I would have broken it.” She went quickly back to the guards and removed one of their swords, “Let us hope this works, Teacher."
Indeed, High Queen.
She raised the sword, then brought it firmly down upon the crystal ball. She raised an eyebrow when she saw that it had no effect, surprised.
Quickly. Again. Your moments are passing.
She brought the sword fully down upon the crystal ball again, closing her eyes at the moment of impact. Her heart was beating uncontrollably, hoping she hadn't fully broken the ball. She heard the impact, then winced.
You did it! Now hurry. Move the guards.
Amazed, The High Queen looked at the crystal ball and saw a great crack in it. She heard her Teacher's words, then moved quickly to the outer hallway and dragged in the guards, placing them strategically. She backed out of the room, removing her sorcery signs as she did so, and removing footsteps and other physical signs from the dirt floor.
She looked down the hallway, then began her exit. As she came to the crossroads, she halted.
Why do you halt?
"The prisoners."
You cannot worry over them. You will do no one any good if you cannot complete your mission.
"You know of it?"
Move, Student!
The High Queen ran quickly up the stairs. As she reached the main floor, she turned back to the guard onto which she had first placed her sleeping spell. She stood in front of the guard, slowed down her own breathing and heart, then woke her.
Acting like no moments had passed, she responded to the guard's prior statement, “Of course, Guard. I understand."
The guard awoke, but looked confused. She shook her head, then said, “Thank you, High Queen."
As The High Queen moved away from the door, she waived her hand slightly, making the guard to forget the moment. She then entered her room, finding her attendant yet asleep from the spell she had given to her. She undid her spell, waived her hand, dismissing the attendant's memory of the moment.
She picked up their conversation as if in the middle of it, “...food in the Valley."
The attendant shook her head, “Huh? Oh, yes, High Queen."
Your garments, High Queen. They are dirtied from the dirt floors.
She felt a sudden sense of panic, then calmed herself, Thank you.
Thinking quickly, she rose, “I need a short nap, Attendant. My heart needs rest if I am to entertain the Wizard this eve.” She waived her hand lightly, making the attendant to once again fall asleep, but only lightly, knowing that the Wizard would need to be able to wake her. She got into the bed and arranged the covers over her gown.
Quickly. She comes. But you are yet in your gown.
"Let us hope that I can argue my case well, Teacher."
She laid her head down on the pillow and willed her heart to slow down to a sleeping pace. She removed all her thoughts from sensing, placing in a pleasant dream of the Wizard instead. She gave a small spell of pleasant aromas in hopes of masking the musky scent from the dungeon she had taken on, then gave another spell to hide the scent of the spells. She then allowed herself to move into her third meditation as she waited for the Wizard.
Sweet visions, Student.
She smiled lightly, as in a dream, silently thanking her teacher.
Suddenly, the Wizard stormed into the room, glancing about, searching for The High Queen. As she looked around the room, she became confused in the scene. All looked in unanticipated order. She saw the attendant, and shook her, “Attendant. Get up! You have fallen asleep. Tell me. Has The High Queen been here all the moments?"
The attendant fell to her knees, bowing to the Wizard, “Yes, Most Honored Wizard. She was tired. She was going to explore the Keep, but decided against it. She said that her heart needed to rest prior to being with you for the eve. She has been wounded most recently, Wizard, in her heart, and wanted to be fully rested for you."
The Wizard went quickly over to the bed and stood, studying her guest carefully. She was fully angry, well beyond control, but could sense only pleasant thoughts from her, and grew even more confused. San'lr'in’ stirred, then acted as if she were waking.
She opened her eyes, then startled, “Wizard. It is you. Have you come already? But I am hardly prepared. You should have sent a messenger, and I would have been made fresh for you."
The Wizard sensed into San'lr'in's heart, yet confused, “Your heart is still weakened from my stupid attempt on your life?"
San'lr'in’ reached up to the Wizard's neck and brought her to her, kissing her, “Hmmm ... Wizard. Would you care to join me?"
The Wizard stood back up, smiling, somewhat softened, beginning to believe that her visitor had not caused the sphere's breaking, “I cannot, sweet desirous one. Something of great urgency has occurred that needs my attention, but I will return, and gladly so, to your bed. But is your heart still weak?"
San'lr'in’ placed her hand to her heart, acting the role, “Somewhat, My Wizard. I only nap so as to be well rested for you. It yet makes me tire over easily."
The Wizard examined San'lr'in's thoughts once again, sensing only truth, desire and a weakness of the heart. She sighed, now fully believing that the guards’ carelessness had cracked her beloved crystal ball, instead of San'lr'in'. Her heart softened to her soon-to-be lover, “Allow me to repair your heart, the desire of my own heart."
San'lr'in’ quickly grabbed the Wizard's hand, “No, My Wizard. I cannot accept such a gift as this. You cannot be weakened in this moment. I am fine, and given the gracious rest you allow of Me, I will recover most quickly. In truth, My Wizard, you will not see any weakness when our moments together finally arrive. Kiss Me instead, My Wizard."
San'lr'in’ pulled the willing Wizard down to her, making her to lay upon her. The Wizard began to kiss her, but was well pleased when her High
Queen kissed her fully, in return. San'lr'in’ used all the experience she had gained from her many lovers, exploring fully the Wizard's mouth, holding her head tightly to her with one hand placed at the back of her head, and moving her other hand between them, down to the Wizard's greatest need.
She continued to kiss the Wizard, dissolving her need to leave. The Wizard hesitated briefly, then moved fully into the moment, beginning to explore San'lr'in's body, wanting more.
As suddenly, San'lr'in’ halted the moment, acting somewhat upset. She knew she couldn't allow the Wizard to see her dirtied gown, “Leave now, so that you can come back fully to Me when the moments are yours. I want no blame for whatever takes you from this moment."
The Wizard was gasping in her need of the moment, yet rose, “You are correct. I will return in a short while. I promise that our moments will occur soon, my desirous one. It is I who am to blame for this most inopportune moment.” She straightened her garments, then smiled at San'lr'in', “I knew better than to think you a traitor, High Queen. I now know fully that you have come willingly to me."
San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, “Traitor? Me? Yet, I will desire to remain no longer if you and I cannot have more moments, Wizard. I came not so as to enjoy your Keep."
The Wizard looked outside the window, “I will return as the sun's set occurs. In truth, it will be difficult for me to wait until then, but I must attend to another affair. Until then, my desirous one."
San'lr'in’ smiled knowingly at her, “Until then. I will be waiting for you, fully."
* * * *
"Force Leader. Their forces seem to be diminishing. Their ranks are not being re-supplied, as they were prior."
Ann'wn continued to study the bloody battlefield, “Yes. I have also seen this."
Mil'der'in spoke softly to her after the guard departed, “Our High Queen did as such?"
"I cannot imagine that the OuterRealm would run out of numbers, so it must be that our High Queen has managed to halt their passage, although I cannot guess how she has managed as such."
The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] Page 63