The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (63 page)

They have asked to return so that they may help in this battle. The ravens of the Wizard killed many of their long-prior kind, and they have not forgotten this. They wish to help The High Queen in this battle.

Sle'nel’ said nothing, understanding the dark moment now before them. She looked at Srn'threln', then turned and mounted R'lodin'lindor. The happy moment that this should have been now looked well other than that.

Sam's journey to Woden was finally in its last stage. Sam knew the route to Woden by now, having already prior traveled it, but let the guards lead the way. U'Aine wasn't in sight, choosing to guard in her own fashion. They traveled steadily upon the first turn after the Valley, camping in a clearing near the middle of a forest that the guards knew well, enjoying the soft glow of a small fire.

"The skies have favored your journey, Highest."

Sam heard the voice, smiling as she turned toward it, “And I be most grateful for such. What did you see during your journey this turn, Master?"

U'Aine sat down near her, ever amazed at Sam's sparkling frost-blue eyes, “A wondrous sight, in truth."

"Oh? I haven't been able to see any wondrous sights between Woden and the Valley. It seems like we travel this path only in haste."

"The sight is a vision of beauty, Highness, with the most beautiful hair and eyes, and sits upon a horse as if she were born to it. It requires my every training to remove my eyes from this sight."

Blushing, Sam said nothing. She had enjoyed U'Aine's company during the journey, but hadn't allowed it to move toward anything more than fireside talks, even in spite of her own desires.

"Our moments move quickly toward Woden, Highest. We will arrive as scheduled. Might there be something I could do for you prior to our arrival?"

Sam shook her head, “No. We will just enter. Woden will do the rest. We are not like the Valley in this regard. There will be no formal ceremonial procession."

U'Aine shook her head, “As The High Queen will face upon returning to the Valley.” She laughed lightly, “But I know well that she tolerates these only. It is part of her burden."

Sam looked at U'Aine, knowing that she had watched San'lr'in’ quietly from afar for many cycles, “She indeed has the burdens of The Realm upon her."

U'Aine heard a noise and looked up into the trees, “Highest? Do the Woden lands always have this many ravens about?"

Sam had also seen the unusual number of ravens following them throughout the turn, “No, at least not that I have noticed. Their numbers seemed to but have greatly increased since my last journey to Woden."

A long-prior memory nagged at U'Aine's mind, but she let it go for the moment, “I am looking forward to seeing your Woden, Highest.” She looked into Sam's eyes, seeing the blue of all the skies and waters of The Realm. She had restrained herself from pushing herself onto Sam, but her resolve was growing away from her.

Sam returned U'Aine's look, also failing in her vow to herself. She touched U'Aine's face lightly, “And I look forward to you seeing my Woden, Master."

U'Aine brought her hand up to Sam's, touching it softly. She felt herself shiver slightly as their flesh touched. They were sitting close enough that U'Aine could smell Sam, wishing to lose herself in The Highest's hair. She brought Sam's hand to her lips and kissed it softly.

She then kissed Sam's cheek, “Would you like to go see the lake? It is nearby. Not even a moment's walk from here. The stars’ shine reflect brightly upon it this eve."

Sam rose, “I knew not that there was a lake here."

U'Aine motioned to the direction, and as they headed down the animal path, U'Aine took Sam's hand into her own, both shivering at the touch. As U'Aine had vowed, Sam could see the lake through the trees, surprised at its beauty.

"This is much like my sister's lake in the Valley. A most beautiful sight."

"Her lake is most special, indeed, but this is nearly as beautiful.” She looked at Sam, “Yet, in all its beauty, it pales in comparison to your own.” She kissed Sam lightly.

Sam sat down on a soft patch of ground. U'Aine sat down next to her, “Look up at the stars, Highest. Are they not amazing?"

Sam laid down on the ground, gazing up to the stars, “The First Ones of Woden came from somewhere out there."

U'Aine lay down beside her, propping herself on her elbow so that she could look at Sam, “I have heard this tale. Brave women."

"I cannot imagine what their journey be like. While we travel amongst forests and plains, is all they see this sky and its stars?"lai

U'Aine thought about it for a moment, then shook her head, “In truth, it is beyond my understanding, in any regard. It must be a feeling of isolation beyond than any other."

U'Aine bent over slightly and gave Sam another kiss. Upon this moment, the kiss lasted a moment longer, but neither held the other, simply enjoying the kiss.

Sam found herself desiring much more, but refused to move herself toward it, “Did you like remaining but so distant from The High Queen and the Valley, Master, in all your travels? Were you not lonely?"

U'Aine laid upon the ground and gazed at the stars, “The stars became my friends upon many moments, for the lack of another. The Realm needed as such."

Sam leaned on her elbow, returning U'Aine's gaze. She thought her a stunning warrior woman, finding U'Aine's sculpted face overly compelling. In spite of her many experienced cycles, U'Aine remained remarkably young and innocent in appearance, “The stars are no one's friend, U'Aine. They merely remind us of our loneliness in this Realm."

She bent down slowly to U'Aine's face and stared into her eyes. She brought her hand softly to U'Aine's cheek, then kissed her fully. U'Aine moaned at the feeling, and with no more control left to her, she placed her arms around Sam, bringing Sam on top of her, holding her tightly. The kiss lasted many moments, moving their urgency suddenly forward.

U'Aine was a strong warrior woman, but Sam found her gentle and completely open, without being demanding. Sam broke away from the kiss and looked down into U'Aine's face.

"What do you see, Highest?"

"Someone I would like to know more of."

U'Aine placed her hand lightly on the back of Sam's head and brought it close to her, “Allow me to show you my need, Highest, so that you may know more of me."

She returned Sam's kiss, moving the kiss even further in its urgency and intensity, until she heard Sam moan her own pleasure. They enjoyed the kiss for a long moment, then Sam began to move away, back to her spot on the ground.

"Highest, did you not enjoy this moment between us?"

Sam sighed and looked at the stars once more, “What do you think it must be like for those up there that now come to The Realm?"

U'Aine knew enough to give Sam the distance she needed, “Wonder. Perhaps some fear. Loneliness, perhaps."

"Yes, U'Aine. I enjoyed the moment. Perhaps overly."

U'Aine made no move to take the moment further, allowing Sam to do as she needed. They gazed at the stars for many moments, then Sam moved back over to U'Aine and kissed her once more. But upon this moment, she placed her hand on U'Aine's breast. As they kissed, she unbuttoned U'Aine's shirt, then touched her. U'Aine moaned and pulled Sam more fully to her. For the moment, Sam thought no more of the humans now in the skies above them.

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As they neared the Valley's western gate, Ann'wn saw that a small group awaited them. She sent one of the guards running ahead up to the messengers. While The High Queen's band of travelers kept moving steadily toward the gate, Ann'wn saw that the guard she had sent remained with the small group, indicating that all was safe.

She turned her horse back to her Queen's, “Your Counselors await you, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ removed her hood and looked at the small group now awaiting them, “Indeed. Once in the Valley, they are never far from Me, are they?"

Ann'wn knew that The High Queen's comment wasn't a question, “So it would seem, Highness. Would you like me to dispatch them?"

San'lr'in’ shook out her hair, then sighed, “No need. I suspect that they will enter with us and that a procession has been readied."

"Yes, Highness. It is so. I saw the scout just early this morn. They are well notified. Would you like me to have them entertained away from you?"

San'lr'in’ smiled lightly at the thought, but shook her head slightly, “Let them be. They are merely anxious for our return."

The procession was as any other to San'lr'in', but was a special one to nearly every other in the Valley. They were excited about their High Queen's return, seeing the returned Elves, and that all The Realm's forces were coming together in the Valley for the War Council. As usual, the Counselors rode first, followed by Sume’ and Sele', The Healer, The High Counselor, the Elves and finally The High Queen. She rode alone this turn, with no one at her side, and found that she greatly missed Sle'nel'.

Remain as safe, My Elf.

The procession had begun just at the entrance to the Valley's town, and wound its way slowly into the center of it, then toward The High Queen's complex. Sume’ was surprised at the length of the procession and all the ceremony and formality it afforded.

Musicians were scattered throughout the long procession, providing the ceremonial music along the formal journey. The procession path was fully lined by most of the Valley's residents as well as many throughout The Realm, now come to hear the War Council.

As they at long-last neared the center of the Valley's town, Fon'elnn’ rode up to Ann'wn with great haste, ignoring the crowded path about her, “Force Leader! Halt this procession!"

Ann'wn heard the urgency in The Master's voice, “What is it?"

"Krl'lnn'. She is no longer riding in the processional."

Ann'wn's concern rose instantly, “Find her!"

Ann'wn informed her guards, and all went on high alert, searching the crowd for her. While neither the crowd nor the processional noticed the guards’ new focus, The High Queen raised an eyebrow, sensing the urgency now about her.

After giving her commands, Ann'wn positioned herself next to her Queen, a most unusual placement that didn't go unnoticed by those riding in the procession. Taking no notice of The High Queen's reaction, Ann'wn kept her eyes scanning the crowd, then turned to her, “My Queen. We must remove you from the processional."

Fon'elnn’ had gone into the crowd searching for Krl'lnn', while Queen Erthrn also positioned herself next to San'lr'in', beginning to take her reins from her.

The High Queen looked at Erthrn, “I am able to guide My own horse, Queen Erthrn."

"We must remove you from this procession, and quickly so, High Queen. You are in great danger."

Ann'wn's eyes kept scanning the crowd, as did Erthrn's. Ann'wn hoped beyond hope that her guards would find Krl'lnn', and quickly so. She knew that she and Erthrn would have to remove The High Queen forcefully from the procession, but also knew that it had to be done. She turned to her.

"My Queen. You must allow us to remove you from the procession."

San'lr'in’ turned to her and spoke quietly, “Force Leader. We have only a few moments remaining. Surely you will find our young trai—"

Ann'wn had begun to look away from her Queen in order to scan the crowd, but heard The High Queen suddenly halt her statement, providing a pained moan in its place. Ann'wn jerked her head back to her Queen, instantly on high-alert. Her worst imaginings came true as she saw The High Queen visibly grimace while her hand moved to the knife that had sunk so deeply into her chest.

Noooo! Not The High Queen!

San'lr'in's now free-flowing blood quickly began to discolor her gown. Ann'wn watched in slow-motioned horror as The High Queen's eyes closed, and as she began to fall off her horse.

Erthrn saw the knife enter near her Queen's heart, and instantly reached over and grabbed The High Queen by the waist just as San'lr'in’ had begun to collapse, pulling her onto her own horse. As soon as she had The High Queen firmly against her, she kicked her heels into her horse and raced through the crowd, yelling at Ann'wn, “BRING THE HEALER!"

Ann'wn was fully in shock, but well trained. The moment she saw that her Queen had been wounded, and that Erthrn was taking The High Queen to her quarters, Ann'wn went to The Healer.

"Quickly. Jump onto my horse. The High Queen has been wounded."

The Healer wasted no moments on questions, doing Ann'wn's bid without hesitation, but saw that the report had already begun to spread throughout the crowd. As Ann'wn placed her arm around The Healer's waist, they began their race toward The High Queen's complex in hopes of saving their High Queen.

Sle'nel’ was walking along the peaceful paths of El'fs'nd'lle while Srn'threln’ was giving her the reports of the turn, “Many throughout The Realm already ask of our service. I would advise against as such until our numbers are more fully returned, Queen Sle'nel'."

Sle'nel’ thought of San'lr'in', fully understanding why she sighed as often as she did, “Must you call me by this most ridiculous of titles? Please try to refrain from such. And I agree. You will overly risk the Elves’ safety. But who requests your service?"

"The Highland communities have requested that we supply our healing to their community. They have apparently gone many cycles with little health care."

"Are they not within The High Queen's care?"

"They are, but choose to remain apart from such. They are small folk, and wish not to be noticed. The Elves cared for them throughout our moments, but since our departure, they have suffered."

"We can inform The High Queen. Between El'fs'nd'lle and the Valley, something can be done without overly risking the newly-returned Elves. Or perhaps they might wish to visit El'fs'nd'lle."

Srn'threln’ nodded and provided three other requests, while Sle'nel’ listened and responded as best she could.

"Have all our newly-returned Elves now been fully returned to our great winged unicorns?"