The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (29 page)

"A good report. Send messengers calling a brief assembly just prior to the moon's rising, in the Great Dining Hall."

"Of all those in the Valley, Highness?"

"Of all the leaders currently present."

She turned back to Uthrn, “We may leave when I arise in the morn. No sooner than this."

Uthrn bowed, “As you command, Most Honored High Queen. I will dispatch a messenger directly with my most happy report. Queen Erthrn and all the Warriors of the Sword will be pleased, as will the Women of the Soul. We have many surprises for you, High Queen."

She didn't know whether to be pleased or concerned regarding Uthrn's last statement, but ignored her thoughts, “Please forgive My manners, Uthrn. Have you yet been introduced to Mil'der'in, My High Counselor?"

Uthrn bowed her head and moved her right hand, clasped tightly into a fist, to her left breast, “High Counselor."

The High Queen moved her hand to indicate her sister, “And this is The Highest of Woden, My sister, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'."

Uthrn studied her carefully for a moment, then bowed her head and gave the same salute she had to Mil'der'in. She then went closer to Sam, so Sam rose from her seat. Uthrn moved her hand to Sam's shoulder, as if in greeting another warrior, “I am honored. I have heard the tales of your battle against one called Buron. Most impressive, Highest."

The High Queen watched in amusement, knowing that Uthrn had taken a sudden liking to Sam. The High Queen offered her hand to Sle'nel'. Sle'nel’ took it, rising. The High Queen gave her farewells, and together they walked to the Great Dining Hall leisurely, knowing it would take a few moments for Mil'der'in's messengers to call the assembly together.

"Do you feel up to this journey, My Desire?"

"It sounds urgent enough and the report is positive, so I know that you are truly needed. This is a great moment for The Realm if the reports hold true."

She nodded, “It is a good report. I would rather first the Dungaras surrender, but this is the closest we have come to the moment. What do you think of Uthrn's appearance?"

"Commanding. My Elfin-Mother gave me some memories of them, but nothing specific. This Uthrn looks like she is prepared for battle at all the moments."

"From birth. It is another one of our interesting cultures. Two cultures exist side-by-side, but are widely different. Somewhat like your Woden and Hengist. The children of these two cultures are given a sword upon their birth. At the moment of their first steps, if they carry the sword with them, they become accepted as one of the Warriors of the Sword. If they don't, they become accepted as a member into the Women of the Soul. The Warriors of the Sword, as you have seen in Uthrn, are wild in appearance and highly skilled fighters. The Women of the Soul are healers and seekers of peace. Two differing tribes, but one clan. Their togetherness strikes the balance they feel needed in all things. The Women of the Soul are also the Birth-Mothers of all the children between them."

The assembly was waiting upon The High Queen's arrival. She looked at everyone in attendance, “Honored Counselors and Advisors. All others. Thank you for coming on this short notice. I will be brief. I have a good report and have need to inform you of what is about to occur. We are close to bringing the Dungaras to surrender. At this moment, they retreat and are weakened. My Force Commander has informed Me that fourteen of the Dungaras’ force outposts were taken and destroyed and that many of the high force leaders were captured. I now leave with the protection from the Warriors of the Sword to attend a battle council to be held in their village. We believe that now is the moment to strike with even more force so as to compel the Dungaras’ final surrender. I will be absent from the Valley for many turns. As you can hear, the mission is vital. Upon My completion of this mission, I will be traveling to El'fs'nd'lle with the Elfin Princess. We have received word that some of the Masters live and await us in El'fs'nd'lle."

At this announcement, there were many murmurs in the room. There were few in all The Realm that believed any of the Masters yet existed.

"I will take Woden's Highest and our future Supreme Sovereign of The Realm. Although I am keenly aware that My presence is needed in the Valley, I am certain that this report allows you to see that My presence is especially required in The Realm on behalf of the Valley. It is the problem I have spoken to you of upon many occasions. If I stand as both the Queen of the Valley as well as High Queen of The Realm, whenever I have a mission as High Queen, I interrupt My duties as Queen of the Valley. But so it is for now. I wish no offense on any of My Counselors or Advisors, and in deference to you, I have made this decision for the benefit of all The Realm. I wish not to make extra burdens on My Advisors, but so it must be. I am certain that the every turn responsibilities within the Valley will be well tended by My most able Counselors and Advisors. If two or three of My Counselors would wish to attend with Me, the invitation is advanced. I also take our Force Leader, the Warrior Woman of Woden, and her mate if so desired, Sle'nel', Mil'der'in, as High Counselor, My Healer, and attendants. I will hear no objections to My decision, as I expect none. If there are questions, My Force Leader is here to speak to the ongoing battle with the Dungaras."

She sat, waiting for the outbursts that she hoped wouldn't occur, guessing that they would. She waited many moments, but no one raised any issues. Surprised, she rose once again, “Hearing no comments or dissension, I thank you for your understanding and consent."

One of the Counselors rose, “High Queen. I understand the urgency of these missions. I am pleased that your effort to defeat the Dungaras is finally occurring. I support the final push to place an ending to our battles against them, and in this regard, certainly understand the need for your absence. I wish you a safe and productive journey in hopes that this is one step closer to peace. Please send messengers every few turns with reports. My only request is for you to take more guards along with you. And please know that with you as High Queen, we need no other Queen for our Valley."

A few of the other Counselors and Advisors agreed with the statement made, and The High Queen nodded her assent, “Thank you for your support. I will do as you desire. More guards will be taken with us, on both the journeys. And I will send messengers once every few turns. I wish you and all of us well in the duties that now face us. This assembly is concluded."

At the assembly's conclusion, The High Queen turned to her High Counselor, “Mil'der'in. I wish not to interfere, but would like to offer My gardens to you. I will not be using them this eve. I will see you at midmorn for our journey. I wish you a pleasant eve."

"Thank you, my Queen."

The High Queen and Sle'nel’ left to their affairs, while Sam waited for all to leave, hoping that Mil'der'in would see her. Mil'der'in acted as the hostess for the assembly, seeing all to the exit. After all had left, she returned to Sam, “The High Queen has offered us her gardens for this eve. Would you like to walk through them with me, Highest? They are most beautiful. We could walk to the lake, and then return."

"I would like that, Mil'der'in.” She offered her arm as was done with The High Queen, but Mil'der'in laughed lightly and said, “I laugh not at you, Highest. It is just that this offering is only for The High Queen. I will take your arm as presented at your side. This is our custom in the Valley."

Sam blushed but wasn't truly embarrassed, “It is difficult to know another culture's ways. Thank you. I think I could use you with me more so I don't make but a fool of myself."

"You are certainly no fool, Highest. Just somewhat new to our ways. I suspect that Woden doesn't have such a high culture as exists in the Valley. It is only this way because we host The High Queen. Wherever she is, so is the high culture."

They had left the Great Dining Hall and had begun walking toward The High Queen's Lake, “It is but interesting to know my sister in such a position as this. She has given up her life to this, and given up all her privacy, yet the position be most enviable."

"Enviable?” Mil'der'in thought about it for a moment, trying to recall any moment of a High Queen's life that would be enviable, “I personally think this not so. I find it nothing but overly demanding on her. The Realm keeps her at a distance from any familiarity so as to hold her up as a commanding object rather than someone with a life. She has to remain firm at all moments without succumbing to depression, tiredness or weariness of her responsibilities, all the while displaying fairness, intelligence, compassion, and strength. It is a lot we ask of her for the privilege of maintaining The High Queen in our Valley. Do you have these expectations on you as The Highest of Woden?"

"In truth, not by far to this measure. I suppose that the measure is but determined by the size of the town. In your case, The High Queen is of The Realm while I am but of Woden only. What do you mean by maintaining The High Queen in the Valley? Is she not from here?"

"A High Queen may elect to live in any town within The Realm, as she is High Queen of The Realm."

"Yet my sister chooses to live where she was raised?"

"In this rare case she is also Queen of the Valley, and the Valley would like it to remain this way. Otherwise it would need another queen, and she would yet remain High Queen. I know she has thought to give the Queen of the Valley to another, but the Counselors fight fiercely against this. She argues with them that if she were to die, they would lose both the Queen of the Valley as well as High Queen of The Realm."

"She is correct, though, is she not?"

"She is, but the Valley wants her as both and is willing to face the consequences."

"She is that desired?"

"Yes, and more so."

While she was interested in this topic, she was more interested in Mil'der'in, “Tell me more of yourself, Mil'der'in."

"Truly, Highest, I know not what you see in me. My life is simple. It is my place to oversee the Valley's Advisors and Counselors for The High Queen."

"Not about your duties, Mil'der'in. Tell me about you. Tell me about your love. Tell me what interests you have."

"I have no long-love, but I do have one that intrigues me. She is a Master, and was one of The High Queen's teachers. This was hidden from all, but you will soon learn all the reasons for this secrecy. I no longer know how stands this relationship. I often think of her. As a Master, she can control her mind like no other. She can make mists appear, rain to fall, and she can shape shift into other forms."

"Can The High Queen do these things, as well? I saw her make a large fog in our battle against the Dungaras."

Mil'der'in smiled at Sam, “You will have to ask her that, Highest."

She looked at Mil'der'in, wanting to kiss her, thinking her stunning and exciting, “You know, Mil'der'in. I find you most beautiful."

"Do you not miss Sle'nel', Highest?"

Sam sighed, saddened that a possible moment to kiss her had passed, “At moments, but those moments now become fewer and fewer. She belongs to my sister and is happier than I have ever prior seen. It was my own fault that she left. She should have left me. I was wrong. But it has turned out even better for her, so now it is my moment to go forward. But I miss her not at this moment. In all The Realm, this is where I choose to be at this moment, arm-in-arm with you."

They passed by one of the benches along the path, and Sam motioned to it, “Would you like to sit for awhile and rest?"

"Not yet, Highest. The lake is yet ahead."

"Do you find yourself lonely, at moments?"

"My life is full. I have many friends and many duties to keep myself busy and productive."

They had arrived to The High Queen's lake. Sam was surprised at the beauty of it and its expansiveness, “This is only for my sister? These are her gardens, only?"

Mil'der'in nodded, “One of the benefits, it would seem, although she does share it when she is not in attendance. She calls it her retreat."

"I can see why as this is beautiful beyond words. Have you been here with her?"

Mil'der'in laughed, “A few moments, but mostly she comes here alone. She is more solitary than any of us can imagine, Highest. It is her training. She trusts no one."

"Not even Sle'nel'?"

"Only Sle'nel', as she is an Elf and doesn't lie."

"You speak truth. While I never knew she was an Elf, she never could lie."

The moon was low in the sky, and its shadow bounced across the still lake. Mil'der'in looked at Sam, “You also are a beautiful woman, Highest. Your eyes could cause one to drown in them, they are so much like liquid.” She looked back to the lake, “I love this spot."

Sam moved her gently toward her, looking into her eyes, “Thank you for this eve.” She drew her closer and kissed her. Mil'der'in was surprised only in that Sam waited as long as she did.

She laughed, “You treat me as if I am breakable, Highest."

Before Sam could respond, Mil'der'in went to the shore of the lake, unfastened some of her buttons, and dropped her gown to the ground. She stood fully naked, staring at the lake. Sam found her body beautiful from the back, fully surprised, “The water is refreshing, Highest. I am going for a swim. Care to come with me?"

Mil'der'in entered the lake slowly, turning after a moment, not yet fully in the water. She waited a moment, then turned back toward the lake and began swimming. Sam quickly undressed, following her.

The High Queen and Sle'nel’ had returned to their quarters. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was tired after her turn of The High Queen's Audience, and wanted some privacy with her Elf prior to their new journey, “Do you need another meal this eve, My Desire?"

"No. Just you. Now that my memories are returning, you are all that I desire."

"I allowed Mil'der'in access into the gardens this eve, with your prior lover."

"They could both use some entertainment. I hope only that Mil'der'in is prepared for such as Sam, as Sam loses interest quickly in a new lover."