The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (58 page)

There was silence for many moments, then Erthrn said, “This sounds not possible. It is a child's tale. Surely nothing more than this."

Sume’ nodded, “It is truth. Fully."

"Here. In our realm? She is yet here?"

San'lr'in’ nodded, “In the Southern Lands. There is much more to this tale, but this provides you with the story, as it is believed to be as truth. It is said that she murdered well over thousands upon thousands, upon thousands of subjects across her reign."

Ann'wn was stunned, “They had as many as this?"

"You knew she was there, High Queen?"

"Yes. I have seen her, asleep."

All were quiet, silenced by the tale, not prior knowing of such, and having no notion of how to rid The Realm of this Wizard.

Sume’ turned to San'lr'in', “She is fully awake?"

"She awakens, yet is already calling her forces quickly to her."

Fon'elnn’ nodded her understanding of the tale, “I am recalling this story. The First High Queen went to seeing her upon two occasions, of which I am being aware. As you saying, she was being asleep."

San'lr'in’ nodded, appreciating the confirmation, but thinking it odd that so many High Queens had to check upon the sleeping Wizard, yet, like it was with their grandmother, none could remove her from The Realm.

Sume’ went up to her, “Even your powers can be no match for hers."

She accepted the harsh moment, “It is truth. I will have to find another way to defeat her."

"Are the Mungardies with her, Highness?"

"I think not. I think they have also felt her and flee in their fear."

Ann'wn looked stunned, “The Mungardies are afraid of her? But they fear nothing."

Sume’ whispered, but all heard her, “I am afraid, San'lr'in'. I am afraid for you."

As she was trained, San'lr'in’ felt no fear, and knew to display only strength, “We will find a way, Sister. We must save the R'kin'dles from certain extinction by her hand.” She turned to Ann'wn and Erthrn, “Call for a War Council, in the Valley. I want all The Realm's Force Leaders present, without exception. It is My command."

"Yes, my Queen."

She had turned away from Erthrn and Ann'wn, but now turned back, “Oh, and Force Leader?"

"My Queen?"

"Send a message to the Mungardies informing them of this Wizard. My guess is that they are already aware of her awakening. Then invite them to the War Council. Inform them that I guarantee their safety. And send a messenger to all the Spirit Mothers and the Deep Mystics. Command their presence."

Ann'wn nodded her head once, “As you say, my Queen."

The High Queen turned to Mil'der'in, “Inform all the Rulers of The Realm that they are commanded to attend a Ruler's Meeting."

"Yes, Highness."

"This is all I have for now. We leave in three turns. You have My leave.” She turned to her sister, knowing that this was the moment she would have to ask Sume’ of her service, “Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. Please hold, as I have great need to speak with you."

Sume’ waited with The High Queen until the others had gone, “Keep me not in suspense. I detest being kept waiting."

San'lr'in’ merely looked at her, ignoring the statement, “I will not be able to do this alone, Sister. I am asking for your help in this matter. But prior to your answer, I want you to know full well that this will be most dangerous. My death is nearer in this battle than ever prior."

Sume’ looked at her as if she thought The High Queen stupid, “You will not die. And of course you need my help. Afterall, I am High Priestess of the Sorcery, but you will also need Sele's powers, as well as Sle'nel's, as they also carry the sorcery. And I know fully this to be dangerous, but if she is awakened, as you say she is, then there is danger all about us. You and I will be the first to die if she is allowed to begin her killing, as she cannot keep us alive and against her. There is no choice, San'lr'in'. We either kill her, or she will kill us. But I suspect you know more than you now tell."

As her usual, she ignored the statements she didn't wish to consider, “You have not yet sensed her presence?"

Sume’ nodded, “I have sensed something, but couldn't yet place it. I know not these meditations of yours, so she hasn't found an open and willing path into my senses ... yet. She will."

San'lr'in’ moved up close to her, her eyes pleading, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder, “Will you come with Me?"

Sume’ looked at her for a moment, not wishing to give away all her independence, “This will require all our efforts, San'lr'in', but I have two conditions."

The High Queen waited.

"You allow me to help teach and raise the one-turn Queen of the Elves, after this one's defeat."

San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, “And I have a condition."

Sume’ turned her head slightly sideways, studying her sister, “What is it?"

"You also help teach and raise the one-turn Future Supreme Sovereign."

"Both the future Elfin and the future Realm's Queens?” She smiled, “Agreed."

"Your other condition?"

"You will not keep anything from me in regard to this Wizard."

She considered the statement, wondering if she were about to lie. She didn't wish to lie to her sister, but felt she had no choice, “Agreed, under two conditions."

Sume’ looked sideways at her once again, “Tell me these."

"You become My counsel in this concern. You remain at My side until we achieve this battle. I can trust only you and Sle'nel’ in this concern, as you are both Sorcerers of high reputation."

"And the other condition?"

"You help Sle'nel’ learn all her spells."

"All these conditions will require that I remain in the Valley with you until we have beaten this Wizard, yet I have many demands in this regard."

"They will be met."

"All of them?"

San'lr'in’ laughed, “Must I twist Erthrn's arm to remain in your bed, as well?"

Sume’ smiled wickedly, “Now there is a demand I hadn't thought of myself. You know, San'lr'in', you surprise me at moments. And did you know that she is a quite capable lover?"

"Your demands will be met, but you will need to meet mine as well, as My counsel."

"Such as?"

"You will need to call your patience to you when we meet with the Rulers of The Realm."

"This? I must do th—?"

"And keep your patience with the Deep Mystics."

"Them also? How am I to do as su—?"

"And with all the Force Leaders."

Sume’ raised an eyebrow, “Your reign as High Queen has suddenly become less appealing to me. But I will agree to these demands."

"Then we are in agreement?"

Sume’ studied her sister for a long moment, knowing fully what she was about to do, “I never thought that we could remain in the same place together for any length of moments, but now you have us together over a common cause. You are indeed a good leader, San'lr'in', as you are even able to make your enemies admire you."

"And you will come to Woden with us."

"You command me, Sister? I will not be commanded."

San'lr'in’ smiled, using her charms, “Come, Sume'. Come with us and enjoy our journey and visit with our youngest sister."

Sume’ had been pleased at the thought, then suddenly frowned, “You are not going to inform her of the Wizard, are you?"

It wasn't a question. Sume’ had guessed that San'lr'in’ would keep this knowledge from Sam, “I see no reason to do as such. Her powers are overly weak, and there is no reason to instill fear in all of Woden. They yet recover from their just-prior battle."

"She will feel excluded, as she has a true warrior's heart."

"Then you will have to counsel Me on how to make her feel otherwise."

Sume’ grinned at the thought, “So, you are devious as well as a good bargainer.” She paused for a moment, then said, “I have one further need."

San'lr'in’ examined Sume's thoughts for a moment, then nodded, “It will be done, and quickly so. I will save the R'kin'dles."

They walked out of the room together, pleased in their negotiations, and pleased in the opportunity to bring them more closely aligned as family. But The High Queen also had her fears in this regard, not wishing to place any of her alliances in such certain danger.

After their agreement, San'lr'in’ walked alone on the Elfin paths, a thousand thoughts going through her mind. She was beginning to piece together what had remained hidden from her for overly long. She knew now what the Spirit Mothers had worked to prepare. She now knew why all the powers were coming together in her lifespan. And she knew now why the R'kin'dles were so important to The Realm.

She stood upon a bridge looking into the sky. To herself she whispered, sending her message, “Wizard of The Ravens, you have met your match in this era."

After the meeting, San'lr'in’ went to the Reflecting Pool for her meditations. She felt an urgency to examine the Wizard of The Raven's return to The Realm more fully. She had prior hoped that this would never have occurred in her reign, now finding herself once again far overly burdened.

She was interrupted in her meditations, “High Queen."

She removed herself from the meditations, upset with herself for not sensing a presence. She turned to the known voice, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. Queen Ersh'delrin'. What may I do for you?"

"We have heard the rumor. Be it truth?"

She nodded slightly, sighing, thinking that the report had traveled overly quickly, “I have felt her presence.” She saw that they looked nervous and upset, not caring if they were or not.

"What are you going to do, High Queen? You will need to act quickly, prior to her regaining all her powers."

She narrowed her eyes, suddenly eyeing them with displeasure, “Is this not why you chose Me as High Queen?"

"This is not the moment for such pettiness on your part, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. This is a deep matter. What are your plans?"

She raised an eyebrow, “You think I feel this not as a very deep concern? You are afraid. Why is this? Is there yet something remaining of which you have not informed Me?"

Ann'wn and Meera had been guarding their High Queen and were now witnessing the exchange, wondering why the Deep Mystics were so fearful of this newly arrived Wizard. They could see Sle'nel’ walking up toward the small gathering. Ann'wn had a momentary thought that they should halt her, but decided that she also needed to witness this.

"We lied not, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. We have given you all the powers."

Slightly angered, she could sense that they had left something aside, “But...?"

Torsn'dynl’ shifted in her boots, “Well, perhaps we omitted how these powers could be enhanced. If you could return to us, to the Women in the Trees, on your way to the Valley, then we—"

She no longer even tried to control her anger, “No! This will not occur. You will come to the Valley. You have remained apart from The Realm's dangers overly long. There is to be a War Council. I expect your presence, in force. And there is to be a Ruler's Gathering following this. You will be there. If you wish Me to protect you from this Wizard, you will come fully into The Realm from this moment. And you will give Me all that I will need for this battle."

"But my Queen, it is one of your sacred vows."

"Silence, Ersh'delrin'. This is not to be spoken. You have broken the vow of silence in this regard. If you desire My protection, then you will return fully to The Realm, beginning with the War Council. I have no more to say to you. Leave Me."

Sle'nel’ had overheard most of the exchange, wondering what had made her lover overly angry. As an Elf, she loved the Deep Mystics well, by instinct, but as she did with the Spirit Mothers, found them ever challenging and aloof in their stance. She placed herself next to a tree, as was her nature, remaining well away from the argument so that the Deep Mystics couldn't use her against her lover. Sle'nel’ also wondered as to the mention of yet another sacred vow.

After they left, Sle'nel’ went to San'lr'in', seeing that her lover had her eyes closed and was trying to distance herself from The Realm. As she drew near, The High Queen sighed, then held out her hand to Sle'nel'. Sle'nel’ took it, watching as The High Queen brought herself back into The Realm.

"You heard?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, “Who is this wizard?"

San'lr'in’ placed her hands on Sle'nel's head, then gave her the tale of the Wizard.

Sle'nel’ took one of her lover's hands into her own, then looked into her eyes, shrugging at the report, “Then it is fortunate that Sume’ and I can help in this."

San'lr'in’ laughed lightly, loving that her Elf showed no fear, “My fortune is that you stand next to Me at this moment, My Desire. This knowledge has well frightened everyone else."

"Another Sacred Vow?"

San'lr'in’ looked at her, but said nothing.

Sle'nel’ sighed, “It seems to me that the Deep Mystics and the Spirit Mothers have prior sensed that this one would return sooner than expected, given that it seems to be another of your sacred vows. Perhaps they even made her return as so. But they cannot do this merely to test your strength. There must be some need of this wizard's powers."

San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, intrigued at Sle'nel's insight, “Perhaps. Your mother has just reminded Me that there is usually a reason when such dark moments occur."

Sle'nel’ nodded, seeing sense in the statement, guessing that the Spirit Mothers had awoken the Wizard of the Ravens for a need within The Realm, “I will be unable to attend the War Council, but I will meet you on your journey to this Wizard."

San'lr'in’ took Sle'nel's other hand, holding both of them. She smiled, “Thank you for this, My Desire, but allow Me to think on this. I know not yet what needs to be done in this regard."

"The Elfin Lour'den’ Ceremony? Should I delay this?"

San'lr'in’ saw that Sle'nel’ was remaining strong, but sensed her disappointment. She brought Sle'nel’ to her, holding her tightly, speaking softly into her ear, “I vowed that I would give you your every request, and would give you pleasure only. Let us do this ceremony, if that yet be your desire. But think on this fully. I know little of this wizard, yet I must fight against her."