The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (15 page)

The second occasion she had seen the same Master as she had lain in her bed recovering from the loss of her lover and her deep back wound, just a few turns after the incident. She had awoken to the sight of the Master standing over her. She passed this image off to her high fever, as no one else had seen the image. Her Healer at that moment had told her she would never walk again, but after the image of the Master, her back began to heal and she was able to move her legs. She vaguely recalled that the Master had told her a story and had applied some of her healing skills. She never remembered the story, but did recall her voice.

The third occasion was as she and Sle'nel’ rode back into town for the celebration of their union. She had caught only a side glimpse of her, but she thought she had seen the Master standing in the crowd, watching her. When she looked again, the Master was gone.

She had drawn her own conclusions to the mystery, never speaking of them, yet always wondering if what she had seen was real. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ often guessed as to why her teacher would, if she were yet alive, remain hidden. So San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ never mentioned the Master's name, hoping that The Realm would forget who she was in case her teacher needed secrecy. The former High Queen had been killed through an almost successful takeover and betrayal of The Realm. She could only hope that who remained of the Masters now remained hidden from The Realm to prevent as such again. But San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was also taught to trust very little, so withheld her skills from all until needed, not wishing to give anything away to anyone who might be able to use it against her.

And I have no proof that the Masters were ever truly loyal to The Realm. They all seemed overly controlling for My liking.

The High Queen looked over to Sle'nel', wishing to rid herself of these thoughts. She smiled, grateful for her. Never prior had she anyone to turn to in order to forget her worries and concerns. For many cycles she had spent countless eves in her gardens, meditating with the hopes of casting off her worries of The Realm for a few moments. It seldom worked, but since she couldn't sleep, she practiced the skills of controlling her mind, as her teachers had taught her. Now, with Sle'nel’ with her, she thought The Realm an easier place. But she worried about that also, thinking that she would have to be more mindful of complacency. For the moment though, she gazed into her lover's eyes, loving their golden sparkling color.

She remained deep in her own thoughts about the Masters as the conversation continued without her. Meera asked Ann'wn how long she had been leader of the forces. Ann'wn was explaining while The High Queen once again contemplated on the Masters, wondering how, if necessary, she could contact the one she had long sought.

Ann'wn asked, interrupting her Queen's thoughts unknowingly, “How long do we remain, my Queen?"

She sighed, interrupted in her thoughts, knowing well that she needed to return to the Valley, “Would any of you like to remain one more turn?"

Sle'nel’ spoke to her, softly, “I know you must return, but if you can spare one more turn, we would all be most grateful. I would guess that you have never prior been able to relax with your closest of advisors in this fashion. While I have not known you overly long, I have never seen them able to converse so comfortably with you, as they do here."

No one else would have dared mention this, but The High Queen knew it was true. She had sensed it herself upon prior turn, recognizing it as Ann'wn spoke more to her. She knew it could last for these moments only though, as she could allow no such questioning as this when in the presence of others. She knew that she would need to return herself to her role as queen in The Realm soon, and with increased dedication.

She looked at Sle'nel', knowing her boldness in confronting her on this issue. She smiled at her softly, “Perhaps none are as brave as you, My Love.” She glanced over toward Ann'wn, “I assume you left messengers prepared with our location, should I be needed."

Ann'wn bowed her head, “Yes, my Queen. That and I made certain Mil'der'in was prepared to handle all your lesser meetings in your absence. You had nothing of large importance for even a few turns from now."

"Good. We can remain one more turn. I need to speak to the Dungaras and to A'lon'lden anyway, prior to our leaving."

Sle'nel’ looked puzzled, “Why must a Queen remain as distant as this? It seems overly difficult and lonely."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked saddened by the question, remembering all her training, and what she thought was an overly lonely childhood full of intensity and seriousness, “Sam'r'in'thel'ineln', do you know the answer to this?"

"I would but guess that you were taught to be this way. It be unlike Woden, though, where I have many friends, while you seem to have few, if any."

Meera looked at her Queen, responding for her, guessing at, but truly knowing the answer. It was one of the reasons Meera respected this Queen so. Her sacrifice to her position was even greater than any warrior gave, “She was taught to have no friends, so no one can be used in hostage, and no one can betray. She was taught to trust no one.” She waited a moment as The High Queen looked upon her, then said, “And she was taught to remain aloof so that her closest advisors’ deaths would mean little to her. The closer she becomes to her advisors, the more vulnerable she makes her position."

Sle'nel’ was surprised but remained silent. Sam looked at her, now even more in awe, “So, you have given up your life, as you said, to The Realm. But do you not now become vulnerable because of Sle'nel'?"

Ann'wn answered, “A Queen becomes overly hard unless some gentleness is provided. It is up to her guards to protect her lover from the possibilities of hostage or betrayal. Even without a lover, we treat hostage and betrayal as always a potential. With the addition of Sle'nel’ and the new Future Supreme Sovereign, the challenge is increased even more."

"San'lr'in'thel'ineln', who trained you to be Queen?"

The High Queen looked at Ann'wn as she answered her sister's question, “Oh, just some teachers that are no longer of The Realm. They died long prior but were good teachers. I hated them of course, in My youth, but as I became older I realized what they had given to Me. As they died, I inherited some of their powers and strengths, much like Sle'nel’ just inherited her Elfin past from her Birth-Mother and Mother's memories and powers. It was their sacrifice to The Realm. Our past was even more mystical than now. It is hoped that it will become so, once again."

"Are there such teachers to train me?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shook her head, “They are all gone now. But your powers have been saved for you, and you will be well taught. Sume'n'tinel'ti'non will hate you well for them, as she now hates Me. It is the powers that she seeks. But be mindful, My sister. You seek power, but the powers will soon seek you, and as that occurs, you will be tempted to use them against The Realm."

Sam was truly shocked, “Against The Realm? Why would I do as such? It is for The Realm that I now seek them."

"But the powers must be well controlled. All the powers have a dark quality to them, as well as a bright one. Look upon Sle'nel's power that the Sorrows gave to her. It is one of the darkest of them all, yet only an Elfin Faerie can hold the power without turning to evil. Even Sle'nel’ will have to face herself as she uses her power upon some turn, as will your own daughter. The pact we make within ourselves in regard to the powers given to us is not always of our own choosing. It is why I advise you to never trust yourself. Always question your decisions, as others can use a power to twist your thinking. According to Far'lin'ter'il, this has already prior occurred to you."

"And yet, it felt like it was my choice."

Sle'nel’ nodded, “And mine, as well. Although, looking back at prior, I find moments in my memory that make me wonder. It didn't always seem as correct."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was intrigued, “And if you were to begin the turn of events once again, but knowing your mind had been twisted so that you two would come together, would you have thought any differently?"

"How can I know of such?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knew her sister had been irritated at her question, but hoped she remained with an open mind, “At what moment do we choose to question even our very own motivations? That is how difficult it is, and how fully undermining such actions can be. It is why I choose to force Myself to reflect and reverse My thoughts to check My own thinking. One cannot know when a concealed thought has been planted, and yet, I must know. It is of My vow."

She rose, offering her hand to Sle'nel', “Since we remain yet another turn, decide among yourselves what it is you would like to do next turn. We will discuss it in the morn. Until then, I bid you a good eve."

Sle'nel’ took her hand, rising, knowing her Queen had enough of the questions for one eve. And Sle'nel’ knew that R'lodin'lindor was waiting for them. They left the banquet hall, walking down the path to where their ride waited.

"Where do we head, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ smiled, saying only, “It be a surprise for you. And a gift for R'lodin'lindor."

The High Queen accepted this, and they both mounted. She could see that R'lodin'lindor was excited beyond any moment she had seen prior. They flew high, as was usual to avoid conflict, but came quickly down upon a great lake. As they neared the land, The High Queen could see that no one lived near the lake, and was one she had never seen prior. The forest was untouched for large distances, heavy with old first growth. R'lodin'lindor landed on the shore, and Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “Wait here, my Queen. I will be a moment only."

She watched as Sle'nel’ went to the lakeshore, bent down, speaking to what looked like the lake only. The sun was yet somewhat in the sky, so The High Queen couldn't see the little ones, but they were there. One of them had been chosen, but all the others were around, excited that yet one more of them was about to come into The Realm. Sle'nel’ held out her hand, waiting until the little light landed upon it. When it did, she gently closed her hand to keep the little light from harm. She remounted, smiling at her queen, but saying nothing, “We are ready, R'lodin'lindor."

R'lodin'lindor took off quickly but smoothly, heading directly toward the Sorcerer Women in the Mountain. The High Queen began to see where they were headed, but wondered why. She placed her arms around Sle'nel', enjoying the ride and looking upon the land. They once again flew high, and after many moments dropped down to the Sorcerer's tiny village.

After they dismounted, The High Queen petted R'lodin'lindor's great head, now guessing as to what was about to occur,
So, we are about to witness yet another great unicorn such as you enter The Realm. I knew not, R'lodin'lindor. I knew not that there was one of you for each of the Elves. I knew not that you were dying because Sle'nel’ had become lost to The Realm, and to you it was as if she died. I am well pleased that you will no longer be alone. Now what do we do about our last Elf, my friend, as she remains alone?

R'lodin'lindor nudged her, loving her, not able to answer, for she had no answer to this question. Instead, she waited as patiently as she could for Sle'nel’ to bring out Sele', and have the little light become bonded to its own Elf, no matter how little Elfin background Sele’ carried within her.

Sle'nel’ emerged from the hut where Sele’ was living, carrying her in one of her arms. The Sorcerer Women had all been called and were arriving near R'lodin'lindor, Sle'nel’ having told them of what was to occur. Sele’ looked a few moons older to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', even though it had been only a few turns since she had last seen her. She knew that she would grow quickly, and was gladdened for it.

Sle'nel’ brought Sele’ over to R'lodin'lindor, then opened her hand. The sun's moment in the sky was gone now, so all could see the little light dancing. Sle'nel’ held Sele’ close to her, though, knowing what was to occur. The little light flew up to Sle'nel', kissing her upon her lip softly, then flew to R'lodin'lindor, where it did the same. Then it darted over to Sele', flying around her head, listening to Sele's giggles. Sele’ pointed to the little light, smiling and softly giggling. The little light touched Sele's finger, then flew nearby and landed upon the ground. As they all watched, the little light began to magically grow. Slowly, the little one grew before them, until it was nearly the size of R'lodin'lindor. When she was done growing, she walked gracefully over to R'lodin'lindor, nudging up to her. R'lodin'lindor was so excited she could barely contain herself. Finally, she was no longer alone in The Realm.

"What is her name, my Love?"

"I knew not how these magnificent creatures were named until my Birth-Mother gave me my Mother's memories. I named R'lodin'lindor long prior. Sele’ must now name this one."

The High Queen was mildly surprised, never really knowing, but thinking it made sense. She looked upon Sele', “Well, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n. You heard your Birth-Mother. What name do you give R'lodin'lindor's love?"

Sele’ thought about it for a moment, then sent her message to all,
D'ron'stri'nil'
.

"Interesting. You choose one of the long-prior ancient names. Well done, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n."

Sle'nel’ looked upon her Birth-daughter, “Treat her well, my Birth-daughter. While you are only part Elf, she will expect the same Elfin love as I give to R'lodin'lindor. Have respect for D'ron'stri'nil', as she is now bonded to you and will protect you with her life."

Sele’ sent a final message to her Queen, to her Birth-Mother, and to R'lodin'lindor,
Thank you. I will cherish this gift
.

Sle'nel’ handed Sele’ back to one of the Sorcerer Women, knowing that the next moment she saw her Birth-daughter, she would probably be walking. She said her good-byes to Sele’ and to the Sorcerer Women, then went to D'ron'stri'nil', “We welcome you to The Realm. Would you like to fly beside R'lodin'lindor while she takes us back to our Isle? Sele’ has no need for you this moment, and R'lodin'lindor would very much enjoy your company."