The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (21 page)

The battle lasted far longer than their injuries could withstand, but their determination held them fast to the cause, each of them finding a force within them to keep fighting. After many more moments and many more injuries, the battle was won as The High Queen took down the last two Dungaras. Ann'wn struggled to keep herself upright as she went from one Dungaras to another, ensuring herself that they were dead.

The High Queen, seriously injured and well beyond sheer exhaustion, looked about her. She saw her sister lying upon the ground with many injuries.

She went to her, examining the wounds. Seeing that they weren't fatal, she said, “I go to help the others. You will live."

Sam nodded, weary and in much pain. The High Queen went to Meera, but saw that Caitha was tending her well, “How are her injuries?"

"She loses much blood."

The High Queen nodded, placing her hand upon Meera, giving her a spell to slow down the bleeding. She then examined Ann'wn and saw that she needed the same. As she went up to Ann'wn, Ann'wn resisted, “No, my Queen. You have given enough already."

As she spoke, Ann'wn staggered, then fell hard to the ground. The High Queen gave her the same spell to slow down her blood flow until they could receive some help. Caitha was also injured, but less so than any of them, so The High Queen returned to Sle'nel', seeing her yet battling, but battling against only ghosts. The High Queen studied Sle'nel’ for a moment, noting that she had been hit in the head with the side of a broadsword. She saw that Sle'nel’ was well-dazed and confused, not even knowing where she was or why she was fighting.

The High Queen went as close as she dared, “Place down your sword, My Desire. The battle is won."

Sle'nel’ was dizzy, barely able to see anything straight, now fighting against the voices in her head.

More forcefully, The High Queen said, “Halt, Sle'nel'. It is enough. Come home to Me. Remember our stars."

Sle'nel’ looked toward the voice, not recognizing it. But the command reminded her of something she was supposed to remember. Standing silent and confused, she dropped her sword, blood streaming from a wound to her lower side stomach area and from a wound on her arm. Seriously wounded, in shock from loss of blood, and with a deep concussive injury on her head that was bleeding freely, she could stand no longer, falling upon her knees, then to the ground, into full unconsciousness. The High Queen knelt beside her, giving her what healing powers and spells she could with what energies she had remaining within her, which were depleting rapidly.

She whispered to Sle'nel', “Sle'nel', come home to Me. Remember Me."

With great effort, she then stood, looking up to the skies, hoping to see her raptor. She had been looking for it since the close of the battle. Seeing something way up in the sky, she gave a soft high whistle, hoping it was there. She looked back down at her love, knowing that they were all now in great danger, as they were all overly wounded to even help each other. The only woman among them that could help was Caitha, so The High Queen sighed deeply, knowing she would have to now place her trust in this gentle storyteller.

She stood momentarily holding out her good arm, waiting for her raptor. When it landed, she gave it a quick message, then helped it to fly off, hoping beyond hope that the message would be delivered. After she called for the horses to return to her, she went to Caitha.

Caitha stood, looking well injured herself, but with no serious wounds, “Caitha. I have great need of you."

Caitha looked at The High Queen, seeing for the first moment how gravely wounded she was. A great gash was upon her side with blood almost pouring from it, and another gash was from her shoulder and across her arm.

Looking at The High Queen's face and seeing it completely white, she said, “My Queen. Place a spell upon yourself to slow down the blood flow. You are seriously injured."

The horses returned. The High Queen went to her own horse as well as to Mor'inl', Sle'nel's horse, “We all die unless help arrives soon. I have need of you to retrieve help and lead them back to us as quickly as possible. Mor'inl', your love lies dying and I have nothing left to help."

She turned to her own horse, “And I am dying from My wounds. Go quickly, and return even more quickly, or we all die here."

The two horses, instantly frantic, left with haste, determined in their mission. The High Queen began to stagger, like some of the others had done, from the shock of lack of blood and from the depletion of her energies, “Listen well to Me, Caitha as I will be unable to maintain awareness much longer. I have sent for help. If it doesn't arrive soon, we die here. You will not be able to get us upon what remains of our horses. Do as you can to halt the bleeding. But I have great trust in My messengers. Within a short span, help should arrive."

She turned, staggering back to her Elf, laying beside her, placing her hand upon Sle'nel's. Closing her eyes, she sent the very last of her energies into Sle'nel', hoping to help slow the flow of her blood. Before slipping into her own unconsciousness, she sent one last message,
I love you, My Desire. Come home to Me. Fight!

The High Queen knew nothing of the rescue and their return to the Valley. When she finally opened her eyes after five turns, she found herself alone in her room. She closed her eyes again, feeling weak and exhausted. Listening to the sounds within the adjoining room, she heard her Healer speaking softly to Sle'nel'. Breathing in more deeply, she was comforted in knowing that Sle'nel’ lived—the first concern in her mind as she awoke.

She lay quietly without moving, assessing her own wounds. She now knew it hurt to breathe deeply. She shifted her body, feeling jolts of pain from her left shoulder and arm and from her right side as she moved. She mentally pushed the pain away, suddenly breathless from the sharpness of it.

The Healer heard her move. She came to The High Queen's side, “My Queen. You have finally awakened."

The High Queen opened her eyes for a moment, seeing her Healer standing above her. Trying to regain her energy and having difficulty with speaking, she simply asked, “Sle'nel'?"

"Recovers from her body's wounds, but has a great head wound, High One. Her mind is dazed and she remembers nothing at present, except something about stars. I hold hope for her to recover as the swelling decreases in her head."

The High Queen held her thoughts to herself,
Poor Sle'nel'. Alone in The Realm, and now remembers nothing
, but then needed to know more, “Ann'wn? Others?"

"They all live and recover well. You and your Elf were the most seriously injured and were all but dead when I finally arrived. Ann'wn reports that you killed well over twenty-three of the Dungaras during the hand-to-hand combat and that there was well over two hundred-fifty Dungaras prior to the battle that you used your powers upon. Your counselors are quite upset at you for taking such a risk as this.” The Healer smiled at her Queen, hoping to lighten the moment, “Would you like me to place a spell of silence upon them?"

The High Queen listened, but her eyes grew heavy. She closed them as her Healer said her last words, not hearing the jest. She fell into a deep sleep as she sent one weak message to her lover:
Come back to Me, My Desire
.

Two turns later, The High Queen awoke again, feeling some energy restored to her. For a moment, she tried to gather her memories together of the battle. While she recalled well their fight against the Dungaras, she couldn't find any memories of their rescue or journey back to the Valley. She moved slightly, feeling the sharp pain from her side and shoulder. She decided not to remove the pain, saving her energy. She wondered if it were eve or turn, but didn't really care. She slowly tried to sit up, but felt a hand hold her down.

She turned her head to where the hand was, seeing Ann'wn sitting next to her.

"You must not yet move, my Queen. I will get your Healer."

So softly that it surprised even herself, she said, “Sle'nel'?"

"She recovers from her sword wounds, my Queen."

"I must see her."

"See your Healer first, my Queen."

She began to rise, not liking Ann'wn's response. Ann'wn reached down again gently, holding her Queen down, “Please, my Queen. Let us speak first to The Healer, then we will try to arrange this."

With only one focus, she ignored Ann'wn's pleas, “Help Me to sit up, or leave Me."

Since her left shoulder and arm were well injured as well as her right side near her ribs, any movement caused severe pain, everywhere. She struggled against it, forcing herself to endure the pain, wanting to see Sle'nel'. The bandages were firmly against her, wrapped well around her waist, and wrapped well around her chest, holding her arm tightly to her body.

The Healer entered the room, seeing her Queen trying to sit up, “My Queen. Halt. You must not."

"I must see Sle'nel'."

"Listen to me for only a moment, High One, then we will take you to her."

The High Queen looked at The Healer, waiting.

"She will not recognize you, my Queen. She is yet deep within her own head, away from The Realm."

They helped her to rise and walk to the room in which Sle'nel’ had remained prior to their union. As they entered the room, she saw her Elf lying upon the bed, her eyes focused nowhere. The High Queen was glad to see her awake but sensed that Sle'nel’ was indeed far from The Realm.

They began to help her sit upon a chair, “No. I wish to sit upon the bed, nearer to her."

The Healer shrugged at Ann'wn, not wishing to argue with her Queen. They both helped her to sit on the bed.

"High One, I must tend to your injuries when you are done."

"Leave Me.” Her tone left no room for negotiation, so Ann'wn began to leave with The Healer, “Force Leader, remain. I have need to speak to you when I am finished."

Ann'wn went to a chair slightly away from the bed and Queen, sitting and waiting for her Queen, glad to rest for a moment from her own injuries.

The High Queen looked at Sle'nel’ as Sle'nel’ stared into this strange woman's eyes, “How are you feeling, My Desire?"

She placed her hand gently upon Sle'nel's cheek. Sle'nel’ closed her eyes as The High Queen touched her, remembering the wonderful feeling of the touch, but not recalling the woman. She said nothing but searched in her memory for this voice. She re-opened her eyes, studying this strange woman sitting next to her. The High Queen smiled gently at her, sending her a few images. In her mind, Sle'nel’ saw an image of the stars, of R'lodin'lindor, and an image of the little wonders.

The High Queen saw that Sle'nel’ turned her head slightly, recognizing something. She sent more images, slowly one-by-one, letting Sle'nel’ think about each for a long moment. Of their first kiss. Of the gardens. Of the Sorrow of the Stones. Of the Sorcerer Women. Of the dwelling they remained in during their first union together.

She could only hope that it would help stir Sle'nel's memories, but also knew that it would give her something to hold on to until her full memory did return. Sle'nel’ continued to study this woman, feeling some long gone memory trying to return to her, “You saved me once."

The High Queen nodded, speaking slowly and softly, “Do you recall this?"

"A forest. I remember you looking at me. I remember your eyes upon me.” She struggled to pull the memory to her, “You touched me."

The High Queen nodded again.

"Upon my arms. And you smiled at me, as you do now."

"Can you bring to mind why I was there?"

"Only that I was dying."

The High Queen sent another image of their stars.

Suddenly, Sle'nel’ looked at her, startled, “I remember R'lodin'lindor."

"What do you remember of her, My Desire?"

She shook her head, again struggling with the memory, “Her. Only. Standing. No, wait. Flying. She flies."

Sle'nel’ winced, placing her hand on her forehead. Her head was beginning to pound again from the swelling. The High Queen put her own hand upon Sle'nel's head, removing some of Sle'nel's pain. The High Queen winced slightly from taking the pain before she could remove it, trying to move away from her own pain as well, well-weakened from her own injuries.

Ann'wn watched in silence, not pleased, but trying to understand why her Queen took such risks as these.

Sle'nel’ looked questioningly at this woman, “What is it you did, just now?"

"I helped your pain to remove itself so that you might feel better."

Sle'nel’ continued to study this beautiful woman before her, sensing that she knew this woman very well, “You are beautiful. You sent me an image of us as lovers. Be that true?"

The High Queen laughed softly so as not to injure her own side, “Very much so, My Desire."

"I know that term well. Someone uses that name with me all the moments. It must be you as I can hear the same quality of voice. But I cannot bring it to my mind."

"It will come, My Love."

Softly, in a whisper, she asked the woman sitting upon her bed, “Who is that woman sitting over there? I know her not."

The High Queen sent an image of Ann'wn carrying the sleeping Sle'nel’ in her arms, back to the dwelling at the Scared Isle. She gave her an image of Ann'wn coming in upon them as they were naked in the same dwelling, showing Sle'nel’ of how she laughed at Ann'wn's embarrassment.

Sle'nel’ studied Ann'wn for a moment, staring at her while trying to bring forward her memories. The High Queen studied Sle'nel', entering her mind, searching for the memories. She could sense that they were there, at least some of them, so decided to let Sle'nel’ rest for a while.

Sle'nel’ asked, “Who am I?"

The High Queen's pain was returning in force, her wounds angered at the position in which she now sat overly long. Ignoring them, The High Queen touched Sle'nel's cheek again, softly, sending a message to her of peace and love, “You are My Desire. You will be recovered soon. Have patience My Love."

"Who are you? You have given me memories of some of our moments together, but who are you?"

"Later, My Love. All will return to you. Perhaps when both you and I feel improved, we can walk out to the gardens. They might help restore some of your memories. Rest now. When you awaken again, perhaps some of your memories will be returned to you.” With her hand yet upon Sle'nel's face, she sent a small sleeping spell to her. She remained until Sle'nel’ fell back to sleep, resting more peacefully this moment.