The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (35 page)

"And well guarded. And well apart from you and the Elf."

"I have given My vow to meet with the High Master, Force Leader, face-to-face. This must be so as it is the agreement. And it is needed if We are to gain entry into El'fs'nd'lle’ safely. I wish not to fight all of them if such can be avoided."

"Can it be avoided, my Queen?"

The High Queen thought on the question for a moment, “A battle? I believe such can be avoided. I am risking much in this belief."

"But you omit something of importance, my Queen?"

"The Master has challenged Me, Force Leader. If I win, we enter into El'fs'nd'lle safely."

"And if you were to lose, Highness?"

She knew the answer, but couldn't find it within herself to inform Ann'wn of it, “You will yet enter El'fs'nd'lle safely. Make the arrangements, Force Leader. I will be awaiting your notice when all is ready."

Knowing that The High Queen had directly avoided answering her question, but having won their disagreement, Ann'wn bowed her head, “Yes, my Queen."

A messenger, and Apprentice-Master, had arrived to their camp in the early morn, carrying a request. The High Queen knew of its implications, but kept the knowledge of such to herself. The note had been written by the High Master, her long-prior teacher, and had been simply stated:

San'lr'in'thel'ineln':

I formally challenge you for your reign.

The El'fs'nd'lle Gates are secure.

The Elf's entrance will be safely provided.

Ll'strin'll

She had read the note quickly, holding any thoughts well within her. She then looked at the messenger, “Apprentice-Master. Inform the High Master that the terms of the note are accepted. She is welcomed in two turns."

As she left, San'lr'in’ sighed, then went to her lover, “My Elf. The Masters have requested a meeting with Me."

"A threat, you mean."

San'lr'in’ stared into her eyes, ever surprised at her Elf's clarity of mind, “Yes, this is so. I have need to inform you of what now occurs."

"I already have guessed at this."

"You are angry."

"Yes. They seek now to control The Realm. I also will fight them."

"You cannot. You yet have not your Elfin sword. You would lose against them."

"No, I wouldn't. I would lose against the High Master, but this is all."

She remained patient, “You cannot fight this fight, My Desire. You are as yet overly injured."

"Why must you risk yourself? You are like Sam in this regard."

"Why should others be risked when this is the real issue, My Desire? Is this not My duty?"

"You have not all your powers returned to you."

"I will have them returned to Me by their arrival.” She touched Sle'nel's check softly, smiling, “Trust Me, My Elf?"

Sle'nel’ couldn't fight against her Queen's charms, “Of course, my Love, but they have had overly moments to practice their abilities, while you have had to rule The Realm. How fair is this?"

She smiled again, and on this moment her eyes danced, “Trust Me, Elf. All My training has been for this moment. I have always known this moment would arrive, and am prepared for it."

Sle'nel’ looked sadly at her, “Will this fighting ever be over?"

San'lr'in’ nodded, “If I can win this challenge, much will change. But now I must prepare for this challenge. I must tend to My powers."

"Why does your prior teacher challenge you?"

"When I think prior on all the moments of training, I see clearly that there were always tensions between us. Of course, I knew this not, then. I had just thought she was displeased with My lack of ability. From the present, looking prior, I wonder if perhaps she was jealous of My abilities, even then. Most certainly, she hopes to be High Queen, and hopes to be so as the Elves return to The Realm."

"Why has she waited this long?"

The High Queen thought on Sle'nel's question for a moment, “Perhaps the Masters that broke away from her group have remained overly strong for her to yet make such a move. I know not but am certain that we will learn of this."

The meeting was to occur in two turns. During the moments of waiting, The High Queen prepared herself well. Well since the Masters had fought long-prior against each other, and since the High Master had left the ranks, San'lr'in’ knew that at one moment in The Realm, the High Master would challenge her for her reign as High Queen. She had always felt her teacher's jealousy, but had always received the very best of her training, as well.

Nothing is simple. And we seem to ever contradict even our own self.

She had always known this would occur, and had always known one of the reasons—The High Master thought her as weak. San'lr'in’ also guessed that the High Master had wished to be High Queen, thinking herself the better choice.

She now comes. The Highest Master of all to challenge My reign. If I win, we enter into El'fs'nd'lle freely, all the other battles fought and already won by her. If I lose, she becomes High Queen
.

For two turns The High Queen called all her powers to her. She entered into her meditations and recalled all her spells and powers. She brought forth all her knowledge and abilities, all her training and efforts, all her wins and losses. Through the two turns, she held onto the First High Queen's sword, feeling it, making it come to her in all its powers. Through the two turns, she held the large red stone to her, allowing its powers to come into her, allowing its powers to enhance her own.

Also during the two turns, Ann'wn prepared by having Fon'elnn’ and Ern'seln’ teach her forces some of the easier of the Master moves, in case they had to fight against them. She participated as well, as did Meera and Sam, ever trying to improve their sword abilities and Master's training. She watched Ern'seln’ practice against Meera, seeing her as a fine warrior.

"No, Warrior Woman. Your moves are yet overly large."

Ann'wn saw that although she was young, Ern'seln's skills were great, almost as good as Fon'elnn's. Ern'seln’ was already as tall as Ann'wn, and very pretty in her youth. Her hair was far longer than most, but she hadn't yet provided it in any particular fashion, so it hung upon her wildly, blowing about during any exertion. But it was Ern'seln's eyes that captured Ann'wn's attention, as they were as silver gray as a sword's blade, and as shiny. She now knew it to be a mark of the St'en'giln, one of their most distinctive features. She saw that Roen sat nearby, watching Ern'seln', her protector. Ann'wn also saw that upon a few occasions, Ern'seln’ would smile over to Roen.

As the two turns were completed, the Masters entered The High Queen's camp. Ann'wn met them, wondering if battle would occur prior to her Queen's readiness.

"You are accepted into our camp. My guards will relieve you of your weapons. High Master, The High Queen has acknowledged that you will keep yours with you."

The High Master examined Ann'wn, “Your guards are no match for us, Force Leader, but we will comply."

Ann'wn wasn't about to allow this Master who now challenged her Queen any leverage, “I have fully trained archers at the ready, High Master. One wrong move and your Masters will never be given the opportunity to display their Master skills. Have them place their weapons upon the ground, then have them move well away from them."

Ann'wn had known better than to risk her forces against such highly trained swords women, so relied on many archers for the turn. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw the Masters comply. When all was ready, Ann'wn went to San'lr'in'.

"My Queen?"

She exited her meditations, already having sensed the High Master's presence.

"They have arrived, Highness."

"Yes, Force Leader. I am aware of their presence. Many attend with her. Be watchful of them."

"Yes, Highness."

She turned to her, “Force Leader, you must listen to Me for a moment."

Ann'wn could tell that it would not be a report of her liking. She bowed her head, “Yes, my Queen."

"I am being challenged for the reign of High Queen of The Realm at this moment, Force Leader. Do you understand this?"

"For High Queen, Highness? How can this be so?"

"The High Master thinks Me overly soft, Force Leader, and perhaps she is correct from her way of thinking, but the challenge is correct in its presentation, and I must comply. Either way, Force Leader, the Elves will be returned to The Realm."

"But, my Queen, this is not—"

"This is not for you to question, Force Leader. It is for you to comply, as I command it so."

"But, my Queen, this makes her a traitor."

"Yes. This is so. But when a High Master challenges another, the challenge cannot go unaccepted. It is the way of the Masters, Force Leader. If I win, she will be known as a traitor, only. A high cost for her to pay, even in her loss."

Ann'wn didn't like the sounds of it, but couldn't argue against her Queen, “Yes, Highness."

The High Queen smiled at her, knowing that Ann'wn needed some hope, “Look at Me, Force Leader."

Ann'wn looked into her Queen's eyes, “My Queen?"

"Do I look like I plan to lose against the High Master this turn, Ann'wn?"

Ann'wn saw a sparkle in her Queen's eyes, a most welcomed and assured sparkle. She felt improved just by seeing such, “No, my Queen."

The High Queen yet smiled at Ann'wn, her eyes glinting their playfulness, “Trust Me, Force Leader?"

Ann'wn smiled, “To the death, my Queen."

"Then you will be well entertained on this moment, as this has been a moment you have long awaited. For the first moment in all The Realm, you are to see true Masters fighting to their end."

The attendants were preparing The High Queen for the meeting with the High Master, “Do you wish your crown, Highness?"

"Yes. But arrange My hair for battle."

"Which garments do you require for this meeting, Highness?"

"My Full Warrior High Queen garments."

The attendants were surprised but did as requested, knowing the meaning of such garments, “What else would you require, Highness? Your rings?"

"Dress Me as the Highest of all Queens, excepting that I will be in My full Warrior garments."

As they tended to her, she held onto the First High Queen's sword while also touching the great red stone. She watched her stones come to life, “Tend Me well this turn, My stone. Focus My powers to Me."

"The necklace, Highness?"

"No need."

"Your short boots, My Queen?"

"No. The tall ones."

"Your markings, High Queen?"

"Yes. All of them."

After many moments of preparation, they finally said, “All is prepared, Highness."

"High Queen of The Realm?"

San'lr'in’ turned to the voice she yet barely recognized, “Young Seer. What may I do for you?” She never would have acknowledged another's presence in such a moment, but knowing this one to be a Seer, she became most interested.

She spoke softly so only The High Queen could hear, “Beware of her sword, Highness. It is with poison."

San'lr'in’ met her eyes, then studied her for a long moment. Accepting the information as given, she bowed her head slowly as she closed her eyes, then met her gaze once again. Very softly, but with indication she had understood and accepted the statement as truth, she merely said, “Thank you, Seer for The High Queen."

She left her tent fully prepared for her meeting with the High Master. As she exited, all her forces saw her, gasping in awe. The camp grew silent as they stared upon her. Never had her present forces seen her prepared in such a fashion. As she stood in front of her tent, surveying the scene now in front of her, she looked every bit the Great Warrior High Queen of The Realm. If one knew her well, they could see a slight grin upon her face.

To a warrior, they all thought that one would have to be absolutely crazy to challenge such an assured warrior as this. Her leather boots reached to her knees, her leather pants tucked into them. She wore the tattoos of the greatest of all warriors, the knee and wrist guards of the most accomplished fighter, and her Warrior High Queen crown upon her head. Her sword was sheathed, her hair pulled slightly to the back in preparation of battle, and a design was inscribed upon her forehead that sent shivers into Ann'wn—the First High Queen's sword with blood dripping down from its tip. Another design drew attention from her own warriors, as they had never prior seen it upon her. It was The High Queen's dagger, fully piercing through the heart of its victim. There was little question as to her stance and expectations.

She stood tall and straight with the bearing of a true warrior. She stood confident in her strength and knowledge, and forbidding in her appearance. Her stance was formidable, frightening to even her own ranks.

She looked sideways to Ann'wn, “Take Me to them."

"Yes, my Queen."

She held out her right arm to Sle'nel', “Attend Me, Elf."

Sle'nel’ had also been prepared into her Elfin pants and shirt, and also wore her sword, as well as carried her bow and arrows. She had waited outside their tent, allowing her Queen to be prepared without interruption.

She came forward to her, yet limping, “You are quite the Warrior Queen."

She smiled a smile that Sle'nel’ seldom saw. At that moment, The High Queen's smile was one of fortitude and absolute authority, “We must give the allusion, My Desire. I hope you will await the determination of this challenge, as I will be most pleased to have you by My side at its conclusion. We yet have much to do in this realm of ours, Elf."

Sle'nel’ was pleased that her Queen had taken-on such a stance, “I will be waiting, but please take not overly long to win this, my Queen. My hunger grows even now."

San'lr'in’ laughed, “I will do My best, My Elf."

Given their prior few turns, The High Queen's guard stood well amazed, as on a turn-to-turn basis, while their Queen was ever commanding, it was in a more gentle fashion. But upon this turn, there was no questioning her authority.

Ann'wn and several of her Private Guards escorted her and Sle'nel’ to where the High Master now awaited. The High Queen had intentionally made Ll'strin'll wait, hoping to make her somewhat displeased and impatient, but also knowing that Ll'strin'll would suspect the trick.