The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (34 page)

They prepared in the early morn, knowing that this would be the last turn of traveling to Rns'deln'. It had begun to rain once again during the eve and hadn't let up by the morn. The High Queen and Sle'nel's wounds weren't improving due to the long turns’ travel, so the tent and the well-prepared bed had become essential.

Uthrn knelt and bowed her head deeply to The High Queen, “You requested my presence, High Queen?"

The High Queen turned, “Oh, Uthrn. Good. You come. Please rise. How fares our travel?"

"High Queen. It will take us most of the turn, but if we travel quickly we will arrive as soon as early after midturn."

"Even with this incessant rain?"

Uthrn looked up into the sky, “The rain will cease by midmorn, Highness. And Rns'deln’ is well prepared for your arrival.” Uthrn knelt once again, bowing her head, “High Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked down upon Uthrn, “What do you require of Me, Woman Warrior of the Sword?"

Uthrn kept her head bowed, speaking softly, “My Queen. I find myself in an awkward position. I have taken great interest in your sister."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had wondered about this during the prior eve, seeing that Uthrn had become overly attentive to her sister, “I have great need of her, Uthrn, as does The Realm."

"I understand, Highness."

"And I have great need of her to be strong. The Realm needs her to be a most powerful of warrior and leader, My Warrior."

"I understand, High Queen, but I have never prior felt as such. I would do nothing in my knowledge to hurt her, Highness."

"And yet you are a great warrior. She could learn much from you."

"Yes, High Queen. Thank you. I will tend well to your needs of The Highest."

"Then I leave it in your hands. And remember Uthrn, she knows little of the ways of The Realm, and knows nothing of the ways of the Warriors of the Sword."

"Yes, High Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her hand under Uthrn's chin, making her to raise her head. She looked directly into Uthrn's eyes, “While you are a most favored daughter of The Realm, and I have much need of you, never forget these two things, Uthrn. She is My sister, and she is a Highest. Make her stronger, not weaker, or you will answer to Me only, for this."

"I understand, and I can comply with this."

"One more item, Uthrn."

"Yes, my Queen?"

"This will not be an easy relationship for you. The Warriors of the Sword will not find your continuing interest in Sam'r'in'thel'ineln’ something a warrior should consider. You know that you are about to break your vow. No warrior is to love."

"I know this well, Highness. Some things are worth fighting for, Highness."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, “Indeed. And you are experienced enough to know which fight is worth the effort. I wish you well then. But I wonder what you will do should your own queen take a liking to her."

Uthrn said nothing, but knew it as a possibility.

Sle'nel’ had come up from tending to her horse and saw that Uthrn was just leaving, “Is all well?"

"This will be our last turn on the journey, My Desire. We arrive this after midturn."

Sle'nel’ nodded, looking tired even after a long eve's rest. The High Queen moved to her, “Allow Me to remove some of your pain, My Desire. This turn is a long journey for us."

Sle'nel’ shook her head, moving away slightly, “No thank you, my Queen. It is bearable, and I can displace a small portion of it. I wish not to take any of your energies from you."

"It will not, My Desire. And I can get our Healer to help do this if you would accept it.” She touched Sle'nel's face, “Trust Me, My Love. The journey is overly long and rough to begin with such pain as this. I am feeling much improved, but I can see that you are not."

Sle'nel’ nodded, hoping it would help, as she was in much pain, “Only if The Healer will help you to do so."

The High Queen called for The Healer. When she came, they both worked to remove some of Sle'nel's pain. The Healer was quite concerned that one of her wounds wasn't healing, but knew the journey would end this turn, so vowed to take better care of the Elf while they were in the village. As she placed her hands upon Sle'nel's head, she felt her with slight fever.

After they removed her pain, Sle'nel’ nodded, feeling improved, “Thank you."

"Come and eat your morn meal. You will need your strength, Elf. I will make some special tea that will help to restore some of your energies as well as remove some more of the pain.” She looked up at the sky, “And it will also help you to remain warmer, in the miserable rain. I hope you take no chill, Elf. I have just felt that you have a slight fever. You must not become more chilled this turn."

Sle'nel’ was shivering even while wearing her long cloak and hood. It was yet raining, and was yet quite cold. The High Queen chastised herself as she saw the cold drops of water drip from Sle'nel's hood,
I should have noticed this far sooner
. She turned to her attendants, “What do we have that Sle'nel’ can wear so as to keep her warmer?"

The attendants drew Sle'nel’ back into the tent to place warmer garments upon her. The High Queen wasn't pleased with the fever but also knew that it would be better to get Sle'nel’ to the village rather than remain where they were, “Healer. I want her healed. This is not acceptable."

Her response was quick and biting, “Then quit taking her on such journeys as this, High One."

The High Queen breathed in, sighing, understanding The Healer's frustration, as it was her own, “How serious is it?"

"She will be fine. She just needs rest. Their healer will help me with her this eve, and she will be improved soon. It is minor only."

"Thank you, Healer.” She looked at her, grateful for her, “Tell Me, Healer. How was your eve?"

"As any other eve, my Queen."

"You need your own Elf."

"Indeed, High One. Don't we all?"

The journey was wearing on all the travelers. The ground had become soaked, causing the horses to travel slower. The rain had continued, increasing into steady torrents. And the winds had begun, boiling up about them as if the furies from the Stones had appeared. As midturn approached, Uthrn had to decide whether to take a break or to continue the journey in hopes of ending it sooner. Looking back to the Elf, she saw that Sle'nel’ was slumped over on her horse, but that The High Queen's Force Leader sat behind her, holding her. She continued their tortured travel so that they could arrive for the needed rest.

The clouds began to lessen and the pouring rain slowed to a mere drizzle just at midturn. Caitha could see the mountains rise up in front of them as a great and insurmountable wall as the clouds moved apart. Even The High Queen was ever amazed at the sight of these mountains. Seemingly out of nowhere, a chain of great mountains loomed before the travelers with no apparent path through them. As they approached, Caitha began to see the path that wound its way up to a low, narrow pass.

Many of the Warriors of the Sword guarded the pass. They welcomed the travelers, and as they pointed to the last portion of the journey, Sle'nel’ saw the Warriors of the Sword's valley, where their village was located. Sam saw that it was a large valley, but completely encased on one side by the mountains while protected on the remaining borders by great cliffs that overlooked the sea. Meera could see that the Warriors of the Sword had chosen this location due to its natural protection, which acted as a fortress that surrounded the village.

Once through the pass, The High Queen removed her hood. Sle'nel’ had slept lightly during the last portion of their journey, having been given a sleeping spell by The Healer, and was feeling improved. At the beginning of the pass, Ann'wn had returned to her own horse and Sle'nel’ once again rode alone. As they cleared the pass and stood at the entrance to Rns'deln's valley, Queen Erthrn arrived with a few of her own counselors. She rode up to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', then dismounted.

She knelt and bowed her head deeply over her bent knee, “High Queen of The Realm. You bestow us great honor with your presence."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ dismounted and went to Erthrn. She took Erthrn's elbow and made her to rise, giving her a hug and a kiss upon each cheek, “Queen Erthrn. It is good to see you once again. Thank you for your invitation, and for your assistance with this great battle. I have remained away from your valley overly long and am pleased I am once again in your protection. How fare you, My friend?"

Sle'nel’ could see that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was truly pleased to see Erthrn. As the two queens spoke, Sle'nel’ dismounted after she found the village. It stood as a striking contrast to anything she had seen prior, well unlike Woden or the Valley in any regard. There were no dwellings in the Warriors’ of the Sword valley. Sle'nel’ had looked throughout their valley searching for the village, but saw no sign of any building. Looking back toward the great mountains, she finally saw it. The village was impossibly carved out from the caves of the mountainside.

Sam had come up alongside her, “It be the perfect location against their enemies. Their ingenuity is to be admired. Seeing such, I suddenly find Woden overly exposed to all attack. In this valley, the only way an enemy could attack would be to but climb up the cliffs from the sea, then cross the valley to their cave dwellings, or to try to accomplish the small and well-guarded pass. It is brilliant."

Sle'nel’ admired the carvings they had done to enhance their dwellings, wanting to go inside the caves to take a closer look. She felt oddly drawn to them.

Caitha and Meera came up beside Sle'nel', “I wouldn't want to live in these caves for very long, M'Love, as they are probably dark throughout much of the turn. But I do much admire the carvings they have done on the outside of the caves to make them but look more welcoming."

Meera was impressed at the genius of their defense, but didn't know what to think about living deep within their passages.

Sle'nel’ listened as they spoke, but kept her thoughts to herself. She thought of what San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had said to her prior about being The High Queen in this location. She realized why The High Queen had said that it would probably be difficult to bring the high culture here. Comparing the high culture of the Valley to what might be possible here was even difficult to consider. From a quick look, Sle'nel’ thought there must be well over one hundred caves of varying sizes. She wondered how far into the mountainside the caves extended, knowing that the population of these women was many.

She kept her thoughts to herself,
No wonder their mating is so overly open for all to see and hear. There cannot be much privacy in these caves.

Uthrn had dismounted and went to stand next to Sam. She carefully observed Sam's reaction to her homeland and was pleased as Sam rested her eyes upon the caves, “Do you like my village, Highest?"

"Very much. A most brilliant location. I am anxious to see the inside of these caves."

Uthrn was pleased, “And I am anxious to show them to you."

After finally seeing their village, Sle'nel’ turned her attentions to Queen Erthrn. Erthrn was a striking woman and truly a Queen. As much as San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ stood out as Queen of the Valley and High Queen of The Realm, Erthrn stood out as Queen of the Warriors of the Sword and Women of the Soul. She stood far taller than any of the travelers, was stronger looking than even Uthrn, and looked fully capable of beating any challenger. She had a tattoo across her forehead of an animal that Sle'nel’ didn't recognize, many bracelets tightly bound across the top portion of her bare arm, and a silver and gold sword at her side that Sle'nel’ didn't think she herself could lift. Another tattoo of a highly intricate sword began at the base of her neck and continued down to her navel. Like in the Valley, all but the most private parts of her breasts were displayed. But the garments were those of a warrior, and not of a queen. She wore carved-metal wrist guards, carved-metal knee guards, and had boots that laced up to her knees. Her hair was somewhat in the style of Uthrn's, but the queen also had a section of short, standing hair that began at the forehead and went straight back to the base of her neck, running along the center of her head. The section of hair was about a half-a-finger length's width and was dyed a deep yellow. Except for the long braid that hung down her back from the bottom of her hairline, her head was shaved. The effect was arresting and made the queen look terrifying, yet magnificent.

But Sle'nel’ also noticed that Queen Erthrn looked upon The High Queen with much apparent affection and respect. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ turned around after a few moments, motioning for Sle'nel’ and the others to come forward.

They all knelt and bowed their heads to Queen Erthrn, “Rise. With The High Queen present, you have no need to kneel before me. I am not your queen, but I thank you for your respect."

She went to Sam, “Welcome, Highest of Woden. I look forward to you telling us this story of how you defeated the Buron male. The tale is legendary, but I wish to hear it from you. And for you to tell me of your Woden. I would also like to meet your Warrior Woman, as the legends speak much of her as well."

Sam bowed her head, “It is an honor to be with you this turn, Queen Erthrn. Thank you for your invitation. I would be delighted to tell you of this battle. And I would like to learn more of your women and their skill with the sword."

Queen Erthrn nodded, “It shall be done.” She looked upon Sam, fully admiring her beauty. To San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ she said, “I see that your magnificence of looks carries well in your family. Your sister is quite stunning.” Turning back to Sam, she asked, “Have you a mate, or do the Woden Women not take mates?"

Sam laughed, “I have no companion at this moment, but am expected to, according to the Woden laws. We have very different ways than those of the Warriors of the Sword, though."

The High Queen felt a moment of concern when she recognized that Erthrn was interested in her sister. She wondered if Uthrn would choose to defer to her queen, or would challenge her for Sam's attentions. But Erthrn wasn't queen of these Warriors for no reason, and San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ guessed that Erthrn could defeat even Uthrn in any contest.