The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (3 page)

Ann'wn, Sam, Uthrn, The Healer and Sele’ had also been listening to The High Queen's story. Sele’ announced her interest, “Isn't Aunt Sume’ a R'kin'dles, Aunt High Queen?"

"Some."

"Why were you here prior, Highness? And why were you alone?"

She looked at Ann'wn and raised an eyebrow, “You ask much of your High Queen, Force Leader."

Ann'wn gulped, knowing she had overstepped her privilege.

"It was another test.” Mil'der'in had answered the question.

Sele’ nodded her understanding, “Did she succeed in this test, High Counselor?"

The High Queen looked over to her, raising another eyebrow, “Am I not here, beside you? If I had not passed the test, I would be dead."

"How many cycles did you have, Aunt High Queen?"

The High Queen looked to Mil'der'in, who now also rode near her, “You seem to recall this moment more than I do."

"She had eleven cycles, upon her return to the Valley."

"Eleven? Only this?” Ann'wn was surprised, “Alone? Here?"

This, and many countless other tests such as this were some of the reasons San'lr'in’ had come to think of herself as a slave to The Realm. Sam began to understand why The High Queen thought her to have a loving upbringing, recognizing that her sister's teachers had expected overly much from such a young one.

"Will I have to do this also, Aunt High Queen?"

"I will not allow this test to occur on you, Young One, yet other tests will occur."

"But why? I want to be with you, Birth-Mother and Mother."

"So that you are never soft, Young One."

"You are. I have seen it in you."

She nodded and sighed, “And My teachers will tell Me that I have not remained as they wished."

Sle'nel’ raised her own eyebrow, “Perhaps it is the moment for you to tell them otherwise."

The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', thinking about her statement. Quietly, she replied, “Perhaps you are correct. But they will challenge Me."

Sle'nel’ nodded, then looked ahead to where they were headed, thinking that she wasn't going to like these teachers very much, “And they will lose, as they should. Their moments with you are over."

The snow was heavier outside than it had been all the turn, but they no longer cared. They were now traveling in the well-sheltered and warmer tunnels. Ann'wn was relieved, having seen that they were all beginning to be well ravaged by the cold conditions, including the horses. She would have her forces see to the horses, knowing the intense need they would have of them through the journey.

"Is it safe in here, Highness?"

She looked at Ann'wn, then looked around the caves as they rode, “I know not. Never prior, but these tunnels look well unused now.” She looked at the undisturbed paths, wondering why the tunnels were no longer used.

"Prior, there was much passage in them, as it is the quickest route through these mountains.” She shivered again as she recalled her long-prior moments in these tunnels. She had been young, but with few weapons, well weakened and wounded, and all but starving. Looking now about her, she recognized a few of the small cracks in the walls in which she had hidden herself, coming out only when those who traveled the tunnels slept.

Her scouts explored every passage possible as they traveled, looking for signs of life. Finding none, they finally arrived at a cavernous room within the tunnels. They were surprised at how large it was, as it spanned at least eight tall trees’ height, and was as large as an arena. A small waterfall splashed into a pool at one side of the room, and Ann'wn could see where all the past fires had been built. As they looked around, and as the Sorcerer Women continued to light the various parts of the great cavern, Sam saw all the small shelters scattered along the sides of the great room. Ann'wn had given orders to make camp and to guard all the passageways, as she now saw what The High Queen had meant. There were twenty-three different passageways that led away from the great room.

A soft ground-bed was made for The High Queen in the largest, but safest of the side-rooms, while other preparations also occurred. From long prior, various seats from dragged-in logs and rocks had been made around the fire, and The High Queen and all her companions were now using them as they completed their eve's meal.

Sele’ came up to The High Queen, moving onto her lap, “Tell me the story of why you were here, Aunt High Queen."

"Do I want you in My lap this eve, Young One?"

Sele’ just giggled.

The High Queen smiled, “As the High Counselor said, it was a test of what My teachers had been trying to teach Me. After I left a rather unfortunate moment, I was to find My way through the pass and the tunnels, defending Myself as necessary, and finding My own food and water. Obviously I did, as I am now here to tell you of it."

"Were you frightened?"

She laughed lightly, “No. I was angry, per My usual feeling."

"Did you have to defend yourself?"

The High Queen nodded, “I had only My sword and knife and was forced—"

They heard a scuffle down one of the passageways. They watched as An'ther'on brought a young girl of about fifteen cycles forward to Ann'wn, holding tightly onto her, “We found this one down one of the passageways. She began to fight us, calling us brutes.” Yet holding onto the young girl, An'ther'on looked up, somewhat confused, “What is a brute?"

Placing Sele’ upon the ground, The High Queen rose and listened as Ann'wn questioned the young girl.

"What are you called?"

"Why should I tell you? Leave me be! Let me go! My mother is sick. She is dying. I must return to her. I was out searching for food only. You are the ones trespassing here, not me."

An'ther'on shoved the young girl to the ground, “A likely story. How many are with you?"

The young girl stood back up, daring An'ther'on to shove her again, “It is easy to fight one with no weapons. You are nothing but a brute, and a coward."

"Who are you?"

"I am a St'en'giln. Who are you?"

"We are from the Valley. Tell us how many are with you."

The young girl crossed her arms in front of her, defiantly, “I must return to my mother. She is ill. You have no right to keep me prisoner. I have done nothing to you."

"Not until you tell us how many you are with."

"Just my mother. Now please. Let me go."

The High Queen and her Healer had walked over, “Where is your mother. We can help heal her.” She motioned to her Healer, “This is our Healer. If you take us to her, we will try to help her. We mean you no harm."

Ann'wn and An'ther'on both thought this an unsafe idea. Ann'wn spoke softly to her Queen, “Please let us scout the area first, Highness."

"That is fine, Force Leader. We will follow at a distance."

Sle'nel', Sam, Sele', Uthrn, and Meera all followed with The High Queen, wondering where this young girl had come from. They walked down many paths, taking many long moments, following the guards’ boot prints. When they arrived, both The Healer and The High Queen went immediately to the ill woman, seeing her lay upon the ground.

The High Queen gasped with complete surprise when she saw the woman, and sat back, wondering how this was so, “By the Mothers. Not her also."

"What is it, High One?"

Speaking softly, she said sadly, “This woman was one of My long-prior teachers. She was one of the great masters, even at her young cycles. This is Be'rn'. The third of all the Masters."

"Second only to you then, Highness?"

She shook her head, saddened, “It is so. Can we save her? She has done much for The Realm."

The Healer examined the woman then looked up at her Queen, shaking her head softly, “I am sorry, Highness. There is nothing we can do."

"What does she die from?"

"Long illness, it seems. I can do nothing but make her comfortable as she dies."

The High Queen looked tormented in the moment. She shook her head and she looked sadly upon the dying Master, “Why must I have to waste My powers on My sister who gives little to The Realm, while I have no choice but to let this great one die? Why must The Realm be so unfair as this?"

The Healer placed her hand on The High Queen's arm, “I am sorry, High One. I wish there were something I could do, but there is not. I would give all my healing powers, but I know nothing to halt this type of sickness."

The High Queen nodded, and they began removing some of the dying woman's pains.

"What are they doing to her? Let her alone!"

The young girl was now screaming, wanting to be with her mother, but An'ther'on held her tightly until The High Queen was ready.

Having been given some relief from her pain, the woman was finally able to open her eyes a little, “Who are you?"

San'lr'in’ leaned slightly forward and placed her hand on Be'rn's cheek, “I was only a young girl when we last practiced together, Third Master."

She studied the voice for a moment, examining the face carefully, and raised her head slightly, “San'lr'in'? Is it really you? High Queen?” She was well surprised.

"It is Me, Great One."

Her efforts tired her quickly, and she lay fully back down, “Am I dying, finally?"

The Healer answered, “I cannot heal you, Master. I am sorry."

"I have known for a long while that I was to die, so feel no sorrow for me. Thank you for removing my pain. It was great pain. My daughter? Is she here? Is she safe?"

San'lr'in’ nodded, “She is here with us. She is safe."

The woman moved her arm to San'lr'in's, touching her, “You must take her with you. She is well trained and can be of great use to you. Please let her fall not into the hands of our enemies. We were just now on our way to you. I was coming to you to place her in your service."

"I give you My vow, Be'rn'. I will place her under My personal care. You have given much to The Realm, and this is little you ask of it in return."

"You are on your way to El'fs'nd'lle?"

"We are."

She nodded her head lightly, resting, as if comforted from the report, “Good. She can help. Please consider her as yours, my student. I die pleased in knowing that she will be in your care. She knows more than she believes, and more than most will be able to understand. I have given her all my powers and strengths. You can count on her, my Queen. She is prepared to give her service to The Realm. She is well trained, for you."

San'lr'in’ smiled gently at her, “My vow is yours. She will be well cared for, Master. It is sad that another must lose so much to The Realm."

The woman tried to rise, but couldn't, so grasped tightly onto The High Queen's arm instead, “One turn, Highness. One turn all will be correct because of what we have given for The Realm. You most of all must always know this, as it is you who must give the most. Many fight for you who you know not, my Queen, because of what you give to The Realm. It is you, San'lr'in', who draws our purpose together. The Realm relies on you, Highness. And I now give my daughter to you because of that. Never, my Queen, never give in to the dark thoughts. You have legions of followers who look to you and follow you. One turn, it will all have been worth it. And you will live to see this as so. Unlike all prior, your reign will change the future of The Realm."

The Healer listened quietly, pleased that someone else other than The High Queen's own forces could tell her of this.

"Even on your death bed, Be'rn', you tell Me that all has been worth it, when you have led such a life as this?"

She pulled San'lr'in’ more closely to her, “If I were thirty cycles younger, and knew what my life was to be, I would yet do the same. This is how much I believe in what you now do for The Realm. Be strong, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. We taught you to never be weak, and this is what we meant. You must be strong in the knowledge that what you do is correct."

"I have given you My vow, and so shall it be. I am sorry we can help you no more than this, Be'rn', but rest assured in My vow. Your daughter is now in My care."

Be'rn’ pulled The High Queen to her one last moment, whispering, “Then I die well pleased and most grateful to you. And it comforts my heart to see you once again. But beware, High Queen. There are traitors even within the ranks of those who remained loyal. I have sought them my entire lifespan after the break, but with only minor success. Beware of the Masters. Trust no one. Very few of them remain loyal to The Realm, and even those now hide in their disguises. Another request, my Queen."

"Anything, Master. All you need do is ask, and I will make it as you wish."

"She yet knows not that you are High Queen."

"Worry not over this. She will be informed, and she will be under My care from this moment. Rest in this knowledge."

"One final item, Highest. Be overly mindful of the Spirit Mothers. Just prior to this illness taking my energies from me, I was watching them. I have great suspicion of their actions at this moment. Methinks they hide much from you and The Realm."

"I will heed your words, Be'rn', Third Master, and am grateful for your wise council."

"Thank you, Highness. And remember, High Queen, trust no one of us further, without your own assurance in this. But my daughter will now be the beginning of the new line of Masters. She is trained differently, and never again will they desire the powers so much."

The High Queen listened carefully, nodded to Be'rn', and clasped her hand to her own for a moment. From Master to Master, they sent their own private thoughts to one another.

"Master. I am humbled in your gift."

"Never lose hope, Highness. At some moments, hope is all that remains."

The High Queen placed her hand on Be'rn's cheek, then rose and motioned to An'ther'on. She brought the young girl to The High Queen.

San'lr'in’ looked her squarely in the eyes, speaking softly to her, “We could remove her pain only, Young One, but she is now dying. It is the moment for you to say your farewells to her, and for you to be brave. She will expect this of you. She requests your presence."

The young girl nodded her understanding and went to her mother. The Healer came over to The High Queen, “A sad moment, my Queen. Are you with much grief?"