The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (71 page)

San'lr'in’ saw that Torsn'dynl’ and a few other Women of the Trees were standing near the door, smiling, having finally allowed their town's young ones to see and touch The Realm's Elf. Sle'nel’ stole a quick glance toward San'lr'in', but was then consumed by the many children. San'lr'in’ smiled, moving away, not wishing to interfere with Sle'nel's moment.

She went to one of the tables for food and drink, standing and watching the large celebration in all its differing activities. She stood alone, welcoming the moment, finding herself tired and wishing she were back in the Valley, when suddenly a great cloud of smoke appeared, accompanied by a large cracking of lightning sound. The High Queen was initially caught off-guard, but quickly prepared herself, becoming aware that there were no guards directly about her. She readied her powers, soon realizing who came to visit with her in such a fashion.

When the cloud of smoke disappeared, she stood facing the visitor, showing no sign of surprise, “Sume'n'tinel'ti'non, My Sister. What brings you to this festive affair?"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non looked about the event, “You seem to have a large amount of such functions. Are you always at celebrations?” She saw Sle'nel’ with the now terrified children, “And look. The Elf entertains the young ones. How quaint and familial of you, my Sister. Have you finally settled down into family life, then? I wonder how long this will last until you grow bored and seek another.” She laughed with a mean spirit, but watched about her carefully. “Perhaps then, the Elf will finally find her way to me, as I will give her what neither of my other two sisters were able."

Ann'wn, Meera, Uthrn, Sam and all the other warriors and guards were already surrounding her, but San'lr'in’ raised her hand for them to remain away.

Torsn'dynl’ walked toward the two of them, when Sume'n'tinel'ti'non shrieked at her, “Remain away from me, you old hag. Long prior, you lost my trust of you and your kind. I intrude upon your lands as I have need to speak with my sister. I have no need of you. Remain away from me."

Torsn'dynl’ began to object, “This is my realm, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non, and you are not invited. You belong here not with all—"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non raised her hands, sending a great wave of sparks rushing to just in front of Torsn'dynl'. She jumped back slightly, as Sume'n'tinel'ti'non said, “Remain away. I come in peace, but came not to see you."

San'lr'in’ breathed in deeply, then spoke slowly, “Refrain from your sorcery. It is not welcomed here. I wish not to remove it from you, but will do so if necessary.” She paused for a moment, keeping herself calm, breathing, then said, “But you say you have come to speak with Me. Would you be more comfortable in a private setting?"

She had been studying her sister carefully while Sume'n'tinel'ti'non had been speaking to Torsn'dynl', sensing her with much anxiety and fear.

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non nodded, all but whispering, “Yes. In private. Away from all of them. Away from all their treachery. And away from your guards. I vow that I or any of my legions will attempt no attack upon you."

The High Queen breathed in deeply once more, sighing, “And I suppose you will want the Elf with us, as well?"

Again, her sister whispered, “No. This is between you and me."

While surprised, San'lr'in’ showed no indication of it, “Do you need refreshments from your long journey, while we speak?” The High Queen had also sensed that her sister had been running scared for a while, and was exhausted. She was also surprised at her sister's almost pleading attitude.

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non nodded, “It would be welcomed."

San'lr'in’ looked to Torsn'dynl', “Please have food brought for us, in containers from which we will both take our food and drink. I wish My sister not to think that we try to poison her. We will use your small banquet room."

Torsn'dynl’ nodded slightly to her attendants, and they ran off quickly to prepare the food and drink. Ann'wn stepped slightly forward, lowering her sword, bowing her head, “High Queen?"

Softly, The High Queen returned the unasked question, “No, Force Leader.” Uthrn came up, but before she could say anything, The High Queen raised her hand, “This will occur between the two of us, only. If any of you wish to guard, you may stand outside the doors.” She raised an eyebrow to Ann'wn, narrowing her eyes, “Am I understood?"

Ann'wn bowed, “Yes, Great High Queen."

Some of the other Deep Mystic leaders began to come toward them, but once again, The High Queen turned to them, “No. I will not be questioned.” She turned to her sister, gesturing with her hand which way they were to head, “Please accompany Me."

Sle'nel’ stared, saying nothing, keeping the children closely around her. She also had sensed that Sume'n'tinel'ti'non was frightened, and guessed that she had come to seek The High Queen's protection and help.

Once in the small banquet room, The High Queen motioned for her sister to sit wherever she desired at the table. Sume'n'tinel'ti'non sat at the nearest seat, looking exhausted, breathing heavily. San'lr'in’ sat across from her, studying her once again. She blinked slowly, then softly said, “You have come a great distance to find Me."

"You are not welcomed into my thoughts. Remain out of them. But yes, I have."

"You are tired. Are you well?"

"What is this? You now care for me? Halt this ridiculous niceness. It becomes you not."

San'lr'in’ sat back and sighed, “You have come to Me. It is not Me who chooses to disturb your eve. What is it you desire?"

The attendants brought in the food and drink, leaving it placed upon the table so that The High Queen and her sister could portion out whatever they desired. They left quickly without a word.

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non began to place the food on her plate, looking at her sister, “Take a bite of this so I know that I am not poisoned."

San'lr'in’ did so, then placed down her fork, “I yet live, much to your sadness. Now tell Me, what is it you want from Me?"

San'lr'in’ once again sat back in her chair, having no need for more food. Sume'n'tinel'ti'non ate as she spoke, “I am starved. I have been running from the Mungardies for three turns."

"But this is not why you come to Me."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non shook her head, “No. It is not. I can take care of myself against the Mungardies, but it would seem they have become my enemy because of you. And I have heard of the revenge you cast upon them. You surprised them well, and made them most fearful of you. Perhaps you do have some qualities about you that I could learn to like."

"If it were not for your great hunger, I would say that you waste our moments. I have no interest in what the Mungardies think."

While eating, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non stared at her sister, then almost whispered, “They come."

The High Queen just stared back at her, saying nothing.

"They come. As you said they would. The humans. They come."

"And this has only now frightened you?"

"You must come see for yourself. I cannot explain this. You must come to Sansthera."

"Me? Come to Sansthera? Why? So that you can kill Me more easily?"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non shook her head, “No. I vow I will not do this. I vow your safety, and any who attend you."

San'lr'in’ laughed, unbelieving of the statement, “And you expect Me to believe this? Even this eve you show your hate and disgust of Me."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non studied her sister carefully, realizing that she had done as The High Queen had said. She waved her hand as if in dismissal, which San'lr'in’ thought curious, knowing she did as such herself, “Yes, yes. I know. So what of this? I gave you my vow, did I not? I have never gone back on my vow to you."

San'lr'in’ shook her head, “Once? This would be enough to instill trust for you? I think not. What can be as important as this to risk The Realm, Me, and perhaps the Elf?"

"I would never harm your Elf. Even I know the importance of having all the Mystics in The Realm. I know many others think me stupid, but I had not sensed you did as well."

"I think you not stupid. I think that you would just like Me dead and out of your way."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non studied San'lr'in’ once again, “Your temper is short this eve. You look tired. Even more tired than I feel. Why is this?"

San'lr'in’ ignored the statement. She was moving into exhaustion from the turn, wanting the now tedious conversation to end, and for her sister to leave, “Tell Me how you know they now come."

"You must see this for yourself. You must. What can I do to convince you? I now believe you. While I have no love for you, I know you spoke truly. What can I do that will show you of my sincerity?"

"Allow Me to bring My forces."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non thought on this for a moment, then waved her hand once again in dismissal, “Whatever. You
must
see for yourself. I cannot explain this. It has frightened even me. Whatever it would take, just so long as you come, but you test my patience. You must trust me."

San'lr'in’ leaned forward, placing her hands on the table, “And you think it easy for Me to trust the enemy who has vowed My death? You expect Me to so easily trust My very sister who I know hates me well?"

Softly and uncharacteristically, she replied, “Yes. Both The Realm and I need you to do so. Even I, who believe you not am now frightened. And I know that you are the one chosen to halt them. You must come. You must see this."

"Show Me your sincerity by remaining the eve and resting here. You know that you will be well guarded, and safe. I will allow nothing to happen to you. And you could use the rest."

She laughed wickedly, “Now I am to trust you?"

"Of this you know that you can trust. You know full well that I would never kill you unless you directly attacked Me. You know that you have sensed this weakness in Me, prior."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non nodded slightly, “Yes. I have sensed this. You have some sort of feeling of family in regard to us. Strange, though. You have never prior even known of me, yet you have become this attached to one who hates you. Why is this? And why do you speak to me in a fashion that is even more equal than with our youngest sister?"

"I will ask you not how you know this to be so, but will accept that you have seen this. Perhaps I respect more the difficulties you faced than the loving raising of our youngest sister. This is something I cannot relate to, and perhaps resent. I know not, and I really care not."

"I sense that you speak truly."

"Be careful, Sister. I sense that you grow less hateful of Me."

"Perhaps I understand you better than you think I do. Perhaps I really not wish your death."

San'lr'in’ thought on that statement for a long while, leaning back into her chair, “Perhaps. I also see that we share many of the same characteristics, to My dismay. But you long for power, and are filled with hate."

"You are also filled with hate."

San'lr'in’ was stunned at that statement, seeing the truth in it. She said nothing, allowing the statement to pass, but remained startled by its direct astuteness, “We seem to be at an impasse. And I will not take the position as High Queen between us."

"Neither of us can simply lay down our hate, as it has been ingrained in us in our past. But hear my plea. If you never trust me again, trust me upon this moment. I vow your safety. Bring whoever you wish. Make me remain a moon. I care not, but you must come.” She leaned forward slightly, speaking very softly, “You must come."

San'lr'in’ closed her eyes, listening, but also thinking.

"Please, Sister. Trust me just this once. Please."

The pleading had interrupted San'lr'in's thoughts. She was fully surprised that her sister had begged. She opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow, “It is this important, then."

"It is. This is not about taking you in a surprise attack. I vow this. I vow it. Please. You must come."

"You remain the eve, and I will give you My answer in the morn. But if I come, it will be with My Private Guard."

"I care not who you bring. Just come. And if it takes me to spend the eve, so be it."

"If we come, we must visit with the Skr'kinges’ for one eve. We could come directly after."

"Good. Just come. And come quickly."

San'lr'in’ stood, “Did you come alone?"

She nodded, “It has been a difficult and challenging few turns. I lost many guards."

"Are you in need of a Healer's services? Do you have a need for anything this eve that I might be able to provide to you, besides the Elf?"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non again laughed wickedly, “You are quick, and know me better than I believed. If we ever become less than enemies, you must tell me what it is like to lay with an Elf. But I require very little this eve. An attendant. Clean garments. And a soft bed would be most welcome. Perhaps you could spare me with an escort to get me safely home. I could also use your Healer for a few moments."

"All this is easily arranged. You could also consider accompanying us to the Skr'kinges', if that would be your pleasure."

"To them? Are you crazed? Even remaining one eve will make your Elf run from them. Do you not know this? No. I will just take your escort and go toward home. I will prepare for your visit. You will need to remain at least three or four turns. But I vow your safe passage as well as your full comfort while you remain."

San'lr'in’ nodded slightly, “I will send the attendant, and The Healer will arrive shortly. Know that this is My personal Healer, so you will be well tended. If there is anything else you require this eve, have your attendant send for Me. I will see you in the morn.” San'lr'in’ bowed her head, “I am amazed that you came to Me."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non bowed her own head, in return, “No more than I."

San'lr'in’ held out her arm to her sister, “Come. I will escort you out the door."

She opened the door and they both stepped out, with Sume'n'tinel'ti'non's arm on top of her sister's. The High Queen handed her sister's arm over to Ann'wn. Ann'wn bowed her head graciously, as expected of her by her High Queen, giving her arm to The High Queen's sister.

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non rested her arm upon Ann'wn's, laughing wickedly once again, “Tell me, Force Leader of The Realm's High Queen. What are your plans for the eve?"