The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (65 page)

They rode directly west until, just after late midturn, they came to the great sea. Sle'nel’ saw Ann'wn speak briefly to The High Queen, then began their journey once again. Ann'wn took them across the great sea at a furious speed, knowing she had to reach land and the caves prior to the eve. Erthrn had sent ten of her own guards, so the travelers formed a large group. Ann'wn rode in front, as usual, while Uthrn rode in the back. Meera changed her position throughout the journey, while Sam remained at the back with Uthrn. The High Queen, as ever, rode in the middle, well guarded on all sides. Sle'nel’ traveled to the side, allowing the High Counselor her moments with The High Queen. As the sun's set began to occur, land was once again sighted. They touched upon it as the skies rested from the turn's light, sleeping in the blackness of a dark cloudy eve.

Ann'wn halted the group and went to her High Queen, “I can no longer see, my Queen. Should we build camp here?"

San'lr'in’ spoke softly, “No. Mor'inl’ will know the way. We must reach the caves. It is of great importance that we do so, and quickly."

Ann'wn couldn't recall ever prior being upon this landmass so had no idea of what lay upon it. She heard the urgency in her Queen's voice, however, so hurriedly approached Sle'nel', “Elf. We have urgent need of Mor'inl’ to show us the way."

Sle'nel’ nodded, “Tell her what you now search for."

Ann'wn told Mor'inl’ of what The High Queen needed. Without hesitation, Mor'inl’ began leading them forward into even greater darkness. While the other horses were unsure of the terrain, the journey was an easy one for Mor'inl', and one well remembered.

Sle'nel’ rode beside Ann'wn, who was well worried as to their safety. Holding her staff closely to her side, Sle'nel’ also sensed danger all about them, but knew not what it entailed. She smelled their odors, but didn't know what the smells meant. She heard their soft sounds of watchfulness, but knew not of what the sounds came from. She was concerned, but said nothing, knowing that whoever now watched them remained quiet and unmoving. The journeyers remained as silent as possible, barely breathing. Even the horses seemed to step lightly the further they moved inland.

After what seemed an eternity to them, Mor'inl’ halted and The High Queen dismounted. Moving quietly forward but with great haste and keeping on her hood, she went to where Mor'inl’ stood. She halted and began to recite words from a spell. Sle'nel’ watched carefully, always amazed at what her lover could conjure up. Suddenly, in The High Queen's hand glowed a bright swirling light. The High Queen blew softly on it, blowing it out in front of them. Each moment of its movement, it expanded, casting light upon the dark scene around them.

Finally, Ann'wn saw the opening to the caves. She motioned silently to all of them to follow her. As quietly and quickly as possible, all the travelers followed Ann'wn into the cave entrance. As they entered, the sorcerers cast another spell inside the cave, lighting its interior.

The High Queen then turned and faced the cave's entrance. She bowed her head, and for many long moments Sle'nel’ watched as her Queen conjured up yet another spell. Finally, she raised her head up, raised her hands to the cave's entrance, and spoke the words of the spell. All Sle'nel’ heard was, “...the magic web..."

The travelers watched as a current of energy came out from The High Queen's hands toward the cave's entrance, beginning to build a great web across it. After a few quick moments, the energy current halted.

Sle'nel’ looked at her, amazed, “You are quite the sorcerer. Of this I never knew."

The High Queen smiled softly, “Now and then I can recall a few spells, but I am no sorcerer. When are you going to learn all these spells? I have great need for you to do so."

"Since there are only two or three of them, my Queen, I will remain up through this eve and learn them for you."

San'lr'in’ laughed, well knowing it a most difficult task.

"What is out there, my Queen?"

San'lr'in’ looked at Ann'wn, “The dark magic of The Realm. It will be far safer in the morn. No one can leave the cave until I remove the spell, but at least nothing will be able to enter, either."

Sle'nel’ looked at Ann'wn, “Is there anything to eat? I'm starved."

The cave was quickly made hospitable, and by the moment all was arranged, so was their meal. Uthrn and Sam were sitting across the fire from San'lr'in', while Sle'nel’ sat beside her. Meera, Caitha, and Ann'wn were also near, as was Mil'der'in.

"High Counselor. I am surprised you sit with us this eve."

Mil'der'in smiled at her Queen, “Everyone needs rest at some moments, my Queen."

The morn came safely upon them, having been protected by San'lr'in's magic. Ann'wn woke the travelers, and the morn preparations began. Sle'nel', per her usual, thought the morn overly early and covered her head against the noise and light of the morn.

San'lr'in’ shook her gently, “Wake up, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ turned her head back to her and looked at her, “Are we yet alone?"

"Hardly this.” She leaned over and whispered, “But I think we're not alone in this desire. Your former lover and Uthrn spent the eve together, but slightly apart. I think them well frustrated while in this cave."

Sle'nel’ rose and wrapped a cover around the both of them as she embraced her Queen, “While I am delighted for Sam, her misery makes mine not all the better. But you do.” She kissed her for a long moment, “I love you."

"And I thank you for this, and am always amazed at such. And I you, My Elf, as well."

Sle'nel’ unwrapped the cover from them, “Do we arrive to the Women in the Trees this turn?"

"After midturn."

"Is this forest dangerous for us to pass through?"

"I think not in the morn. But we should leave quickly. Hold onto your staff as we travel through the forest of the dark magic this morn. There are none that reside here that wish to see your staff wielded against them. I think they have sensed your presence as High Sorcerer of the Stones, and I am grateful for it."

"And I sensed their presence prior eve as well. They are nothing I wish to meet, though. Who or what are they?"

"Long prior sorcerers that have twisted themselves into inescapable forms, and are now trapped for their own eternity. In the dark of the eve, they hope for ones such as ourselves so that they may trade our bodies for theirs."

"Why did they not try to do so, then?"

San'lr'in’ looked at her, unsmiling, “Come with Me."

They walked to the cave's entrance. San'lr'in’ bowed her head for a moment, quietly chanting some spell. She raised her head and hands, chanting the last of the spell. The energy source returned again, as it had the prior eve, but on this moment, the web was removed.

She moved to where the web had been, “Come. Look upon the ground."

Sle'nel’ did so, and gasped, “There are tens upon tens of footsteps here. All these tried to get into the cave during the eve?"

"They tried. Some died in their efforts when they touched the web."

"Will they not try this morn, as well?"

"They avoid the sun."

Sle'nel’ had bent down to examine the footsteps more closely. She rose, looking surprised, “Woden seemed so simple. How is it that all this exists and we knew nothing of such?” A slight shiver of foreboding swept through her body.

Ann'wn led the travelers through the forest of the dark magic, in the northwest direction The High Queen had said. They traveled quickly and quietly, but with Sle'nel's staff well visible. As they rode through the forest, Sle'nel’ could yet smell them, gladdened that she could no longer hear their presence or moves.

They traveled through the forest until midmorn, finally exiting, and well relieved at their escape from any sorcery or battle. After the forest, they rode across the high grasslands until after midturn, when they arrived to the forest in which the Women in the Trees dwelled.

"Ride alongside Me as we enter their forest, My Love.” San'lr'in’ reached out for Sle'nel's hand.

Sle'nel’ felt San'lr'in's slight hesitation, “Do you not wish to be here with them?"

She sighed deeply, sounding tired, “They have called the High Council together."

"The High Council? Are these the ones who voted you in as High Queen?"

San'lr'in’ nodded, “The Deep Mystic Council."

"You think they are angered?"

"I know not. But never prior have they called the council together since they made me High Queen."

"When does it meet?"

"This after midturn, I would guess."

Sle'nel’ knew her lover was concerned as to why the High Council had called itself together, but didn't wish San'lr'in’ to be so worried. She smiled and tried to make a game of it, “Let us place a wager on this. I wager that they meet to offer their assistance to you."

"I think you will lose this wager."

"Good. Then what is it you wish to be the wager?"

"If I win, you attend the Ceremony of the Cave with Me."

"I know not what this is, but I agree."

"And if you win? What is it you would have from Me?"

"A surprise. You must trust me."

San'lr'in’ was already surprised, “I am well intrigued."

Following Mor'inl's lead, they rode their horses slowly into the forest. After many moments, Mor'inl’ halted, and San'lr'in’ turned to her lover, “We dismount and walk from here."

Sle'nel’ and The High Queen walked into what San'lr'in’ knew was the center of the Women in the Trees’ town. None of the travelers could see any sign of a town, or any sign of the women they thought would be waiting for them. Most thought that their Queen was lost in the middle of the forest.

Sle'nel’ whispered lightly to her Queen, “They are here. I feel them."

San'lr'in’ nodded, “As do I. They will appear when they feel no threat."

Sle'nel’ suddenly saw a door open in one of the trees, noticing that it was a well-disguised door. Then, another door opened on another tree. The Women in the Trees all began coming out to meet their visitors. Door after door opened in each of the trees, surprising all the travelers, as they hadn't seen anything that looked other than the forest when they had first arrived. Even now, as the women exited from inside the trees, the doors yet looked as if they were the trees’ trunks rather than doors. And even as the doors closed, the travelers could see nothing but a tree trunk.

The women were all as short as the Waifs, but not of the same build. The Women in the Trees resembled the Mystics in the Valley, but simply shorter, while the Waifs were entirely different in their build, being slender as sticks. A small group of the women came up to The High Queen and Sle'nel'.

They knelt and bowed their heads, “High Queen of The Realm."

San'lr'in’ smiled and softly said, “Please rise. We are honored to be here in your presence. Queen Torsn'dynl', it is good to see you once again."

They all rose, then looked at Sle'nel', bowing their heads slightly, “The Realm's Elf. You are most welcomed this turn. All our women wish to look upon you, as it has been long prior since we have seen an Elf."

Sle'nel’ bowed her head, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. Thank you for inviting us to your town. It is good to see you again."

Introductions were quickly given, and then Queen Torsn'dynl’ directed them to one of the trees, “Come. We must leave the outside for now. We have seen others about waiting for you, but none with good intentions. It is why we were not outside upon your arrival. The forests are not safe these turns. We will tend to your horses and keep them safe. Quickly. Follow us into the trees."

With the exception of The High Queen, none of the travelers had ever been to visit with the Women in the Trees, so had no idea of what to expect.

Sam came up beside her sister, “How will we fit into these trees?"

The High Queen laughed, “Patience, Sister. You will see in just a moment."

"But they are so much shorter than we are."

"You trust your eyesight overly. The Women in the Trees are among the oldest of the Mystics in The Realm. I think they will manage to understand that we stand a bit higher than they do."

The High Queen had placed her arm out for her lover, and Sle'nel’ followed her lead, resting her own on top of it. They followed Queen Torsn'dynl’ to a tree. As they arrived at it, Torsn'dynl’ moved her hand slightly, and a door opened, “Please follow me."

The High Queen stepped through the door first, ducking her head as she entered. Then, one-by-one, all the other travelers followed. As she crossed through the door, Sle'nel’ was surprised to see a circular staircase that led them down. They wound their way slowly down the long wooden staircase that was built directly from the tree. She examined the staircase carefully, seeing that it was carved from the tree, yet an integral part of the tree, and yet a part of its life structure.

After several spirals down, they finally arrived to the Women in the Trees’ dwellings. Caitha's eyes were wide in disbelief as she saw that these women lived similarly to the Warriors of the Sword, although underground instead of in caves. They entered into a large room meant solely as a gathering room; a room that was as any of their own rooms, except with giant roots displayed throughout the walls. She thought the merging of the tree limbs into their buildings quite beautiful. Torsn'dynl’ waited for all of them to finally arrive.

"We are safe here, as our enemies cannot enter our trees. Welcome to our home. As you can see, we live underground. We will take you to your rooms so that you may rest, give you a tour of our town, and will then meet again for our eve meal. There is a grand celebration this eve in honor of your arrival. I will see you all again, there."

The Women of the Trees took all the travelers to their various rooms, leaving Sle'nel', The High Queen, and Ann'wn.

Torsn'dynl’ spoke to San'lr'in', “Will she not leave your side?"

San'lr'in’ hadn't noticed that Ann'wn was yet with them, “It is her duty, but if it is necessary, I could order it as you wish."

She chuckled, “Does she think she could match our abilities?"

"She knows not of your abilities."