Read The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Online
Authors: Robbie Collins
Her speech had taken many, many moments, as she hoped both to tire out the Counselors, as well as to concede to their concerns. They had listened attentively and with great interest, “Thank you for your account, Princess. It did help us know the reason for The High Queen's action. I can see that we have much to consider. We hadn't known much about the betrayals."
Sam rose, “If I may take just a moment, Counselors?"
"Of course, Highest of Woden. You are recognized."
"I have prior long thought that a Queen such as my sister would never be as dedicated to The Realm as I have seen in her. Perhaps you but know this, but when we first met I approved not of her. After watching her ways in The Realm, I find myself in disbelief of her absolute commitment to The Realm. In truth, she has given up all possibility of a normal life and has foregone countless personal pleasures, choosing instead to remain focused upon her charge. I had thought myself dedicated to Woden, but after observing her, I know that I have been but a mere beginner as a leader. You have chosen well. Her few moments away from the Valley are only due to her commitment to her duty."
One counselor smiled at Sam, “Of this we know well, Highest. In truth, while we chastise our Queen, it is merely because she is so valued. But thank you for your thoughts, Highest."
The Counselors turned to each other, speaking amongst themselves for a moment. When they were done, they turned back to The High Queen, “Highness, perhaps we have been overly harsh this instance. While we hope for better communication, we can see the logic in your silence when a betrayal is involved. But we would hope that you keep our concerns at the fore of your actions."
The High Queen nodded, hoping she had yet enough strength to answer them, “I understand, Counselor, and will respect your desires. If I have erred or have senselessly been inconsiderate, you have My sincerest apologies."
"Thank you, Highness. We understand that you have requested that our forces increase our attacks upon the Dungaras. We thank you for this. May we meet again in a few turns when you are feeling improved?"
She rose, staggered from her pain for a moment, then nodded to them. Ann'wn offered her arm, as was considered proper for her to do with The High Queen. The High Queen gratefully placed her arm upon Ann'wn's, relying on it far more than she normally did, wishing to find someplace that would allow her to rest. As she left, the Counselors all rose and bowed their heads to her.
Sam and Meera went to Sle'nel', taking her arm, and escorted her out. Once outside the Counselor's Chambers, The High Queen turned to her Elf, “To rest, or to the small banquet room for our midturn meal."
Sam spoke, instead, “It has been arranged, Highness."
The High Queen was feeling overly pained from her wounds, and unbelievably worn out, but as she looked upon Sle'nel', she saw her to be as pale and weary as she felt. The meeting had lasted well into the late after midturn, much longer than expected. In a normal circumstance, she would have long prior lost her patience with them, but was amused to watch her Elf capture their attention, as well as her sister, wearing them out. She considered it an excellent strategy and vowed to remember it for the next moment they were upset with her.
Sam, Meera and Caitha had taken charge of the midturn meal, wanting it to be special. Upon meeting The High Queen, they had all felt a sense of great awe, but after they had seen her abilities as a warrior, their awe was beyond description. Although they had been well injured, they were yet alive. They fully knew that had it not been for this High Queen, they would now most certainly be dead.
Sam had faced a moment of revelation upon the battle's conclusion. While she had begun to think highly of her sister while at the Sacred Isle, she had thought she knew her well. After watching her sister in battle, she realized what dedication and determination meant, knowing that she hardly compared. Although Sam was a great warrior and would never retreat from battle, as they had battled, never had she felt they could prevail against such odds. After the battle, she realized that her sister had never accepted losing as the answer, having every intention of winning. As did Jandra. She renewed her vows of dedication to The Realm, now knowing what commitment it would take.
The banquet was a small one, but well prepared, complete with the musicians. The Healer came to take care of Sle'nel’ and The High Queen, giving them spells to help relieve their pains.
Mil'der'in came directly after the Counselors had completed their affairs, going directly to Sle'nel', “A masterful job, Princess. The Counselors were well pleased to have The Realm's only Elf honor them so."
Sle'nel’ nodded her head in acknowledgement while The High Queen looked over to Mil'der'in, “They were quite upset with Me. I have never prior seen them so."
"As I also am upset with you, Highness, but am greatly relieved that you live. You had me most concerned."
The High Queen raised her hand, palm up, “Enough lecturing, High Counselor. There was nothing else to be done about it."
"Highness, are you up to performing The High Queen's Audience next turn? I would be most pleased to scribe for you if so."
The High Queen nodded, laughing lightly, “No one likes this duty. I will do so, with you there. At the least, I can just sit."
None of them were healed enough to dance, except Caitha. She grabbed Mil'der'in's arm, “I know you know me not, but any friend of The High Queen's be also mine. Dance with me, as Meera cannot."
Mil'der'in looked shocked, quickly glancing to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', who was smiling, “Go. You will find her good company. And you have had enough of talking for one turn."
Food had been placed on small tables near The High Queen and Sle'nel', and they ate their share. The Healer stood around watching over them.
After they finished eating, The High Queen noticed that Sle'nel’ looked improved. She also felt improved, being allowed to rest as well as restore more of her energies with the meal, “It would seem your memories have returned to you, My Love. How did this occur?"
"A healer came in and gave a few of my memories to me. She said that the others would return as they worked their way through my confusion."
"Another healer?” Not pleased, she turned to her own healer, “Do you know of this, Shr'dler'in?"
The Healer shook her head, “No one tends to you except me, Princess. No one.” She looked at The High Queen, “And no one certainly has this ability, of which I am aware."
The Healer's words meant nothing to Sle'nel', “She left a message for you."
The High Queen was concerned, wondering who had entered her room undetected, something she considered as an impossibility in the Valley. “Did she give you her name, My Love?"
"U'Aine'."
The High Queen jerked her head back, fully startled, her eyes widening in disbelief. She looked up at The Healer, who also knew the name. No words were spoken between them, yet they both knew what the name meant to The Realm, “What was the message, My Love?"
"She said you would know where to find it."
The High Queen raised an eyebrow, knowing where the message was hidden. She decided to wait until they were back in their room before retrieving it from Sle'nel's mind. Even now knowing who had entered her room without detection, she yet wondered how. The late after midturn quickly became the eve, and San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was feeling in need of more rest. She had spoken with her sister, with Meera and Caitha, and with her High Counselor throughout the eve. Sle'nel’ listened as she spoke, but offered very little in the way of conversation. The High Queen guessed that Sle'nel’ had been correct in that only a few memories had been returned to her.
She turned to her Healer, “I need rest."
Wishing all a good eve, they returned to their room with The Healer. The Healer changed their bandages, then turned to The High Queen, “Do you need me to find this message?
"Remain for a moment in case, but I think not.” She turned to Sle'nel', “The other healer that returned some of your memories to you has left a message for Me in your mind. May I retrieve it, My Love? It will not cause you any pain or discomfort."
Sle'nel’ nodded, and was directed to sit upon the side of the bed. The High Queen placed a hand upon Sle'nel's head as she instantly began searching for the message. It took only a moment and wasn't hidden far from sensing. She made a quiet surprised sound, looking at both The Healer and Sle'nel'.
"Bring me Mil'der'in."
When Mil'der'in entered, The High Queen told her briefly of what had occurred with Sle'nel’ and U'Aine', “She informs Me that many now journey to El'fs'nd'lle, but not all with good intent. She suggests I bring My forces, along with My sister. She asks Me to inform you that Ll'strin'll awaits at the Elfin gate, but that you should give her up to The Realm, as she has turned against The Realm, and against Me."
Mil'der'in spoke softly, “As we had guessed then. I am most saddened to learn the truth by this report, but am not surprised. I often felt she pretended to love me only to obtain knowledge of you and The Realm. How do we know this message is not a trick, Highness?"
The High Queen thought about it for a moment, “We don't. I only know that the message seems to be from U'Aine', and feels like it is such. Sle'nel’ saw her, and I know of no other who can slip through all our protection so easily as this. Forget not, Mil'der'in, she saved Me once long prior, and has always shown herself at certain moments, displaying her loyalty. But it is most certain that obtaining El'fs'nd'lle will not be as easy as I initially thought. Our battleground seems to be set. There is one other item, Mil'der'in."
"Yes, Highness?"
"U'Aine’ sends you her best regards and would most enjoy some quiet moments in your presence."
"She yet seeks me as her lover?"
"So it would seem."
"Even after all these cycles? Even after Ll'strin'll?"
"U'Aine’ does seem to be most loyal, in all regards. Do you wish to go? I would most appreciate it. In these moments of betrayal, your presence and counsel would be most welcome. And it might prove of interest to you."
Ll'strin'll, who was also the High Master and one of The High Queen's former teachers, had been Mil'der'in's lover once long prior, for a short moment. The High Queen and Mil'der'in had guessed that she had lived through the Masters’ battle, but lived now against The Realm. Mil'der'in had never again taken a long-term lover, thinking that her position, so close to The High Queen, was overly at-risk from those who would betray The Realm. Just prior to the Masters’ great battle between themselves, U'Aine’ had informed Mil'der'in of her love for her. It amazed both of them that U'Aine’ yet declared this love.
"If you would like my presence with you, I will do as bid. As you say, it might be of some interest."
"Then I am pleased. Good eve, Mil'der'in. Thank you."
She said her farewells, “Highness. Princess."
She left, taking The Healer with her.
After they left, Sle'nel’ said, “Mil'der'in is a beautiful woman, and amazingly intelligent and witty."
The High Queen nodded, smiling, “Yes, My Love. She is all those things."
"Is she a former lover?"
The High Queen didn't respond right away, thinking on her past, “No, not this. Good friends only. When I desired her, she had someone else. When she desired Me, I was with another. When we finally did match our moments, we both knew we were not meant to be together. And she is needed as My High Counselor. We have a law that The High Queen cannot have union with her High Counselor. For one brief moment only I resented it, but soon saw its benefit. She must act both as My advocate and as My opponent when she thinks Me wrong. Such would tear apart a union."
The High Queen lay down upon the bed, “Why do you hesitate, My Love? Do the memories of us frighten you in any way?"
She sat upon the bed, “Did I do wrong in listening to this healer?"
The High Queen shook her head as she held out her hand, “No, My Love. You did well. Come to Me, My Love, and tell Me of what memories you have regained."
Sle'nel’ stood where she was, unmoving, “This healer told me that you love me beyond all else. Be this true? And how would she know of this? Do you trust her?"
The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', deciding to tell her, “You just met one of My teachers, My Love."
As she made the statement, she saw that Sle'nel’ once again shook with apprehension. She rose from the bed, not yet an easy task, and went to her, “What is it, My Desire? Why do you shake so?"
"Be it truth about The Highest? She be the same person I met this turn?"
"Let Me give you My memories of this, My Love."
The High Queen sent her the image of the forest. Of Sle'nel's pregnancy and birthing, of their frantic trip to the Valley, Sle'nel's illness, and of Sam's betrayal. She then sent her other images of what occurred after, showing her of the Ancients, of their trip to the Sorcerer Women, and of their first turns together in the forest dwelling. She left out Sle'nel's role as High Sorcerer until she returned that memory to herself.
Sle'nel’ laughed softly, “Poor Sam. So this is why I felt so uneasy around her this turn."
The High Queen laughed. She sent one more image of them at the dwelling in the forest, “Do you know what I said to you then, My Love?"
"I have no picture of you in my head, but remember your voice. You said, “I have gladly died a thousand deaths for this moment."
"I spoke truth. Now will you get in My bed before I fall into unconscious from this pain?"
Sle'nel’ placed her hand on the back of The High Queen's head, drawing her to her. She kissed her passionately, as if they had been separated and now just returned. The High Queen didn't know where to place her hand for fear of hurting Sle'nel', but settled for holding the back of her neck. The kiss was intense, causing The High Queen to moan, gladdened that her Elf was finally returning to her.
They slept peacefully throughout the long eve. Even The Healer was surprised at how deeply and quietly they both slept, knowing fully that both of them tended to have horrible visions of cruelty in The Realm. In the morn, The High Queen awakened to Sle'nel's touch upon her face.