The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (62 page)

As Sle'nel’ mentioned The High Queen's raptor, San'lr'in’ began to wonder what had happened to her winged messenger.

Sle'nel’ rubbed her wounded hand lightly. San'lr'in’ frowned, seeing her do so, “Does your hand hurt you?"

"Some ... yes."

The High Queen rose, “Let Me help you to remove some of this pain."

"I was wondering if my staff had some of the healing spells within it."

San'lr'in’ shook her head, “While some spells can be used upon ourselves, the staff cannot be used in this fashion, My Desire. I am sorry for this."

"Why is this so?"

"It was considered a most corruptible of powers, so its abilities were constrained only to the external."

"How do you know of all these things?"

"It was My training. I trained all the turn, from sun's rise to the sun's set. Much of the turn was spent on the powers, then on the weapon usage, of the sorcerers’ spells, upon the mystical abilities, then upon The Realm's past.” The High Queen went over to her and crouched down beside her, “Hold out your hand, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ did so. The High Queen undid the bandages and looked upon the wound, displeased by what she saw, “We need to call The Healer. The infection sets in more deeply now. I must not have cleaned My sword from its prior usage, or this infection wouldn't have occurred. We will have to clean out your wound, My Desire."

"More pain? I grow well weary of it."

The High Queen looked upon her lover tenderly, then placed her hand gently over Sle'nel's wound. She muttered some words, then moved her hand to Sle'nel's head. After a few moments, she removed her hand, then rose, “I will call The Healer to us. We will tend to your wound, then tend more to your pain."

The Healer came quickly and examined the wound. She stood and spoke to The High Queen, “It is well infected, as you have said. I have developed a new ointment we might try. It may prevent having to reopen the wound to cleanse it."

"Your back ointment works well, so let us try."

"It should also help to reduce the swelling some, and to also relieve a small amount of the pain. But the wound is quite swollen.” She shook her head in dismay, “Most inflamed."

"How long prior to us knowing if it has worked?"

"Perhaps by the morn. Perhaps as early as this eve. I am hoping it also helps to reduce the scaring effects of such a wound, so as to help keep the muscles from stiffening later."

She held the container out to Sle'nel', “I am going to have you rub this ointment on your own wound, Elf, so that I cause you no further pain. You should feel no pain from its application, only a coolness, and hopefully a slight immediate decrease in your pain."

As Sle'nel’ lightly rubbed it into her very swollen cut, she felt some instant relief, “What is in this? This already feels improved."

She shrugged, “Some roots, essences, spells, and so on. Just general alchemy."

When Sle'nel’ was done, The Healer placed on a new bandage, “We will check on it again this eve, my Elf. Until then, let me remove some of your pain for you."

As both The Healer and The High Queen helped Sle'nel’ to displace her pain, the group returned from their meeting with the Mungardies leader. The High Queen could tell that they were pleased, and hoped it went as well as they had thought.

"We are invaded."

The Healer looked up to her Queen, “I will leave now, High One, but will return later this eve, with your leave."

"Remain if you wish, Healer. We will be having a small party this eve, so it would seem."

The Healer was pleased, knowing that Ann'wn would be there, but also knowing that it would make little difference to Ann'wn that she was.

San'lr'in’ had called for a party, and Erthrn and the attendants happily complied. San'lr'in’ had also requested that all her traveling companions be invited to the party, as well as Uthrn, who would now be traveling with them. Throughout the eve, entertainment, food and drink were supplied in large quantities, while Erthrn and Sam told stories of the leader of the Mungardies, and of their successful mission.

Erthrn was most pleased with their mission, “You should have seen your sister, my Queen. She was most excellent. The Mungardies leader said, ‘I command that our five children be returned to us if this truce is to go forward.’ Your sister just looked upon her and said, ‘Then the meeting is over. We have no need of your demands.’ And then she turned and began to walk back to her horse."

Meera added, “The Mungardies leader looked frightened at that moment."

Sam added her own version, imitating the Mungardies leader, “Then she called me back: ‘Ambassador. Come back. Ambassador.’”

Erthrn continued the tale, “Your sister was magnificent. She turned to her and said, ‘You have but one moment to make this of worth for The High Queen of The Realm, or we now leave and will not return. She is overly busy to tend to your petty demands.’”

Meera nodded, “It was amazing, in truth. The Mungardies leader then motioned for Sam to sit across the table from her."

Sam continued her imitation of the Mungardies leader's voice, “Thank you, Ambassador. Allow me to ask it in another way, if I might. Is there any chance that we may negotiate for our children's return?’”

Erthrn just laughed, “Your sister just told her, ‘Not within the bounds of a mere truce. Perhaps The High Queen may consider the possibility if a full peace were given, but not until then.’”

San'lr'in’ was listening carefully for any missteps taken, but began to see that her sister had indeed performed her task well, “Is there a truce?"

Sam looked at her and shook her head, “No. I thought it not my place to provide as such. Besides, it seemed all the more entertaining to keep her waiting. She offered much, and on your terms only. I agreed to nothing of her requests. She agreed to provide no fighting or retaliation for one full cycle, beginning this turn."

"Are her offerings documented and sealed?"

"They are, my Queen.” Sam opened up a small pouch and handed the document to her sister.

San'lr'in’ read it carefully, then re-scrolled it, and handed it to Ann'wn, “Well done, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. I could have done no better. Was she surprised you were sent in My place?"

Erthrn laughed again, “She was angry at first, then thought better of it when your sister turned yet again, and began to walk away."

"How can you be certain this was their leader, and not some imposter?"

Erthrn smiled, “I took Uthrn with us."

The High Queen smiled in return, “Well done."

The High Queen allowed the party to continue for a while longer, then took Ann'wn and Erthrn aside, “Erthrn, My friend. We leave from your sweet company in the morn. I will meet with My Counselors upon My return from El'fs'nd'lle', and inform them that I move My reign to your town for a half-cycle, once a cycle."

"I am honored, my Queen, and will look forward to your return. We will celebrate your reign as High Queen in our town at that moment. Until then, we will continue with the construction of your surprises. My Queen?"

She nodded at Erthrn.

"I would like to provide a ceremonial recessional for you as you leave, for our town. Will this be acceptable to you?"

"It is fine, Erthrn. I will comply with your needs and wishes. And you may inform your subjects that I will return soon. Erthrn, My friend, are you certain you are well prepared for what follows with Me when I bring My reign here?"

"Yes, my Queen. We will be well prepared, and in truth, look forward to it. You know I have long looked to this, and welcome you into this valley with an open heart. We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us, Highness."

"In truth, Erthrn, you have spoiled Me. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and will now be well rewarded."

"Thank you, my Queen. You give me great honor. And we will always continue to spoil you. Your Valley has overused you, Highness. We will see more greatly to your needs. And your Elf will be most valued amongst us."

"You know that Uthrn now leaves your town with us. Is this acceptable to you?"

Erthrn bowed her head, “It is, my Queen. I have already replaced her with another, as my Force Leader. But I will miss her ability."

"Thank you, Erthrn, for your generosity and grace. You please Me well."

Erthrn returned to their small party, while The High Queen turned to Ann'wn, “Force Leader. Prepare for our journey. Uthrn will now be traveling with us, but under your command. Do you know the way to the Women of the Trees?"

"No, High Queen. But your Elf has told me that her horse knows where they dwell."

"It is one-and-a-half turn's journey from here only, at a casual pace. We head directly west from here for one turn, then northwest in the morn, from there. We will be searching for some small caves in which to spend our eve. Mor'inl’ may recall these caves. She was with Me when we went there, once long prior."

"High Queen?"

She waited.

"You have been to these Women of the Trees, prior?"

She nodded.

"They live up in the trees, High Queen?"

"No. They live inside the Trees."

"Oh. Thank you, Highness.” Ann'wn bowed and began to leave.

"Force Leader. Wait."

She turned, and bowed her head, “High Queen?"

She studied her for a moment, then sighed, “Walk with Me, Force Leader."

They walked back across the bridges into the main portion of The High Queen's Gardens.

"Is all well with you?” San'lr'in’ knew there were yet many tensions between the two of them, and she wanted them gone by the beginning of the journey.

"High Queen?"

She sighed deeply, “Ann'wn. Tell Me of your thoughts."

"They are always open to you, High Queen."

She sighed again, trying to keep her patience, “Tell Me of them. Save Me the effort. Pretend it is a favor for Me."

In response, Ann'wn fell on her knees before her Queen, bowing her head to the ground, “I am deeply sorry, High Queen. Never have I wished to displease you. It is my single goal to serve you and The Realm well. I am now embarrassed and humiliated in your presence, High Queen, and you have every right to think lowly of me. You should have beheaded me. I have no right to serve you."

The High Queen crouched down, placing her fingers under Ann'wn's chin. Speaking softly, she said, “Look at Me, Ann'wn. I command it of you."

Ann'wn looked at her Queen, tears streaming from her eyes, “Yes, High Queen?"

"I place My life in your hands upon every turn. Do you know of this?"

"Yes, High Queen."

Gently, she said, “Why would I behead the Force Leader that has protected My valley and realm so well?"

Ann'wn tried to lower her head, but couldn't, as The High Queen held her head up, “Because I failed you, High Queen."

She wiped the tears from Ann'wn's face, “No. You failed Me not. One of your actions disappointed Me. Do you see this difference?"

"But I did fail you, my Queen."

Very quietly, she said, “No, Ann'wn. Your actions frustrated and disappointed Me. The Mungardies are the ones that failed The Realm, not you. And between My disappointment that we were unable to protect the now defenseless Dungaras, My anger at the Mungardies, and My frustration that Uthrn was afraid to tell Me the report, I became enraged. And yet, never did I think the Dungaras more important than you. Never would I trade a Dungaras or a Mungardies life for yours, My treasured one. Do you see this?"

"But you are angry with me, my Queen."

She thought about Ann'wn's statement for a moment, “You say this because of what I did to your neck and ear?"

Ann'wn nodded.

"I was disappointed with you, most certain, but not because of the Dungaras. In truth, while that most upset Me, My anger wasn't at you until you came forward in front of all the forces. You placed Me in a most difficult of positions. Are you aware of this?"

"No, High Queen. I was merely trying to solve the issue for you, to save you the effort."

She rose, making Ann'wn to also do so. Softly, she said, “Let us strike a bargain. I will not command your forces for you, and you don't do My thinking for Me."

Ann'wn's head was lowered, yet ashamed, “And I will not question your commands, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ saw that Ann'wn was returning to her, but knew that it would be difficult for many moments to come.

"I hope I am not a mean Queen, but I do know that My temper is quick. What occurred the other turn was mostly My anger at The Realm. You must learn to read My moods more carefully. You told Me prior that you are perhaps the best-trained observer in The Realm. Not good enough it would seem, as you didn't really see My anger. You assumed it was directed at you. I make errors also, and I would be less than a good queen if I didn't expect mistakes from My own loyal and most trusted of advisors. Do you understand this?"

"If I make a mistake, my Queen, it could cost The Realm your life."

The High Queen placed her fingers under Ann'wn's chin, and once again made Ann'wn look upon her, “Listen well to Me. Hear Me when I say this—I will die upon some turn, Ann'wn. You must accept this as so. But we will not do so by our own hands to each other. We can only do the best we can, even though I must seek perfection in all of us. Do you know how many of the former High Queen's lived out their full lives?"

"No, my Queen."

"Of thirty-eight High Queens, only six have survived until they died of overly many cycles. Death comes with the position, Ann'wn. The chances are that at some moment, even you will not be able to save Me. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?"

Ann'wn's eyes opened widely at the statement regarding the former High Queens, “This many were killed, my Queen?"

She nodded, “It is so. But if I am killed, another takes My place. It is as simple as this. And the same occurs with you. If you die in battle, then I must replace you. But never, never will you die by My hand, unless you turn traitor. Do you understand yet what I am trying to tell you?"

Ann'wn stood up straighter, “I think so, my Queen. I now understand also why you have been given as many powers as you have. The Realm's leaders that voted you in wished not to see you die as easily as these others."