The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (4 page)

San'lr'in’ nodded, her feelings heavy, “It is a deep loss to The Realm, and to Me. A most heavy loss.” She looked back over to Be'rn's daughter, “I sense that it will fall heavy on this one. She has only known her Birth-Mother in all these years."

Ann'wn had been listening and was surprised, “No other?"

The High Queen nodded, “The St'en'giln are a small group only, and solitary in their ways. And Be'rn’ has remained in hiding since the Masters split within their ranks."

They watched from a small distance as the Birth-Mother and the young girl had their final moments together. San'lr'in’ felt sorry for the young girl, and felt sorry for Be'rn', one of the last of the Masters, and one of the few St'en'giln. She watched the sad scene, hating the harshness of The Realm.

After some moments, the Third Master quietly died. San'lr'in’ watched helplessly as the young girl silently wept. Sam, knowing what it was to lose one's Birth-Mother, went over to the young girl as she saw her rise. She began to place her arm around her, when suddenly the young girl stole Sam's sword from her, pulling it quickly from its sheath, holding its tip to Sam's throat.

The High Queen watched her movements with great interest, seeing that the young girl was truly trained by a great, great Master. Ann'wn and An'ther'on went forward with their swords readied, “Place down the weapon, Young One. We have no desire to harm you. You cannot win this battle."

"No, but I can kill her before you kill me!"

The young girl stood nearly Sam's height and had spent her entire short lifespan living in a harsh environment, fighting everyone who passed her way. And she had been extremely well-trained by her Birth-Mother. In her anger, she wanted, needed to fight against the women she momentarily and irrationally believed had killed her Birth-Mother, even in knowing it not truth. Trained not to fight against one unarmed, she shoved Sam forcefully against the side of the tunnel as she turned quickly to An'ther'on, fighting sword-to-sword with her. The High Queen observed the young girl's movements with great interest. Ann'wn waited, thinking that An'ther'on would take her easily within a short moment.

An'ther'on had mistakenly assumed that such a young girl wouldn't be any match for her. After many moments of proving herself otherwise, An'ther'on's pride began to hurt as she moved more into her forceful warrior ways, trying to contain the young girl.

It was certain that the young girl wouldn't be able to win against An'ther'on during the long battle, but The High Queen had seen enough to know of her value, “An'ther'on, place down your sword. Ann'wn, I have need to borrow yours."

Ann'wn didn't want her Queen to fight this fierce little one, “Highness. This is not necessary."

An'ther'on knew better than to question The High Queen and placed down her sword. San'lr'in’ simply held out her hand for the sword from Ann'wn while looking at the young girl, “Why do you wish to fight so, Young One?"

"All of you killed my Birth-Mother, OLD one!"

With no other option open to her, Ann'wn relented and placed the hilt of her sword into The High Queen's hand.

The High Queen raised the sword, laughing lightly to herself, “If you like not being called Young One, then perhaps you would be gracious enough to provide us with what it is you are called by before I fight against you."

"Fighting you will be like fighting babes. You are overly old to fight. But I am called by Ern'seln'."

"Well, Ern'seln', you offer a challenge. Who is it that has taught you these fighting skills?"

Ern'seln’ raised her sword to The High Queen, as in the manner of the old Masters. She then bowed her head, as did The High Queen.

"My Birth-Mother. She was a great swordswoman. One of the greatest. Only two others are greater than her, in the entire Realm. Only two. So you are as nothing, Old One."

Ann'wn began to step forward, “You are addressing The Hi—"

San'lr'in’ held up her hand to Ann'wn, silencing her. She turned back to Ern'seln', “You wait for Me to take the first move?"

"It is as I was taught, but I will give you no mercy, Old One, when the fight begins."

The High Queen nodded, then hit Ern'seln's sword lightly just to provide the first move. Ern'seln’ moved quickly into her moves, but was surprised when San'lr'in’ countered them easily. Ern'seln’ began to use even more of her Master skills, frustrated in that the one she now fought seemed to know them well.

"And who has taught you, Old One?"

It was the moment Ann'wn had long awaited. She listened carefully, now seeing why her Queen had picked up the sword against this one.

Ern'seln’ made a few moves that surprised The High Queen, long unaccustomed to them. She countered them quickly, amused at this young one's great ability and master of such skilled moves.

She ignored the question asked of her, asking her own, “Who is it you now fight for, Ern'seln’ of Be'rn'?"

The young Ern'seln’ began to use many of her powers within their swordfight. The High Queen watched carefully, pleased at her command of them.

Ern'seln’ responded, “I fight for The Great High Queen of The Realm. What dark evil do you fight for, Old One?"

The High Queen had seen enough of the girl's skills, so decided to end the fight. She made three quick moves, removing the sword from the girl's hands, catching it as it flew in the air to her, “I also fight for The Realm, Ern'seln’ of Be'rn."

The girl was surprised at the sudden and forceful sword moves of The High Queen's, “You fight like my Birth-Mother. How could this be? Who are you?"

To help answer the question, Ann'wn came over, knelt and bowed her head, “Great High Queen of The Realm."

Upon hearing Ann'wn do as such, San'lr'in’ sighed and closed her eyes briefly, trying to remain with some patience.

The girl's eyes widened with disbelief, “This cannot be so. The Great High Queen is on her way to El'fs'nd'lle."

Uthrn and An'ther'on also came over, kneeling and bowing their heads, “Great High Queen of The Realm."

The girl stood in disbelief, looking quickly from one to the next. When she saw Sle'nel', her eyes widened even further, “Then you must be the Elf.” She then saw Sele', “And you must be the young Future Supreme Sovereign of The Realm.” She turned back to San'lr'in', “Is this so? Are you really The Great High Queen of all The Realm?"

San'lr'in’ sighed and nodded. She responded softly, “It is truth. I am High Queen."

Ern'seln’ threw herself upon the ground, kneeling deeply to San'lr'in', and bowing her head, “Great High Queen. It is you who my Birth-Mother said I must search out. It is you who I have been trained to serve. And I picked up a sword against you, Highness. My deepest apologies. Please forgive me. I knew not. Please allow me to serve you, High Queen. All my life has been dedicated to using my sword only for you, Highness, never against you. I am deeply ashamed."

San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Ern'seln's elbow, making her to stand, “Rise, Ern'seln'. And you also, My warriors, although I should make you remain there for doing My thinking for Me."

As Ern'seln’ rose, San'lr'in’ could see that she had begun to cry, but fought bravely against it. The High Queen wrapped her arms around her and let her cry for many long moments.

In a soft voice, she tried to comfort the young one, “All will be well, Ern'seln’ of Be'rn. Your Birth-Mother has placed you in My care, and I have given My vow that I will watch over you in your life. You are now of The High Queen of The Realm. You now fight for The Realm."

Ern'seln's response was just to cry into The High Queen's shoulders, deeply saddened in the moments.

All the warriors began to leave so as to give their High Queen some privacy. The Healer walked over to Ann'wn, who was waiting just slightly away from The High Queen, yet guarding her. Neither had spoken to the other since their morn conversations, and were now cautious in each other's presence.

"What did her Birth-Mother die from, Healer?"

"A long sickness. If I had been able to tend to it much prior, I may have been able to help, but this has been with her for many long prior moments. At least we were able to allow her to die peacefully."

Ann'wn looked at The Healer for a few moments, just staring at her, wanting to touch her, to kiss her.

"Why do you stare at me? Am I unpleasant looking to you?” Shr'dler'in feared Ann'wn was upset with her regarding the morn occurrence.

"No. Just the opposite of this. You are most beautiful. But I look at you in amazement. It is a great gift you have, this healing ability. I have always just assumed your ability in this without thought, but you are truly the greatest of Healers."

"I had much training for this, as The High Queen had for her role. From a young girl I was trained to be such a Healer.” The Healer was surprised that Ann'wn thought her to be beautiful.

Ann'wn watched as Ern'seln’ finally moved away from The High Queen. She saw that Sle'nel’ and Sele’ came up to her, and that Sele’ took her hand. She couldn't hear the words being spoken, but guessed that Sele’ was trying to make her feel better. Ann'wn felt sad for the young girl, but was glad that she now had The High Queen and all her companions. The Healer and Ann'wn waited as The High Queen, Sle'nel’ and Sele’ walked by with Ern'seln', then followed behind.

When they arrived back to the great room, The High Queen halted, then looked at Ern'seln', “Birth-daughter of Be'rn'. Birth-daughter of the Third Great Master. It is the moment for you to inform The Realm of a Great Master's death. Are you aware of this procedure?"

She bowed her head, “Yes, Highness. My Birth-Mother prepared me well for her death. She told me of the vow between Masters to do this thing."

"Are you able to deliver this message, or do you require My assistance?"

"Thank you, M'Lady, but I am prepared and able."

"Then do so, and let it be done. The moment is sad enough."

Ern'seln’ nodded, then closed her eyes and went into her third meditation, delivering the message of her Birth-Mother's, the Great Third Master, to all the other Masters, as was vowed among them. When she was done, she looked sadly at San'lr'in', “It is done, M'Lady."

"You have done well, Ern'seln'."

"But I want them not at her funeral. They are traitors."

"We know not who will come, but it is their privilege, and is not for you to judge. Did your Birth-Mother not say as such to you?"

"She did. You are correct. But they are evil."

"It is the vow of the Masters, no matter our feelings within such vows. At moments, it is not for us to like or to dislike what we must do, but to just do it. If they come, they come to honor her great abilities, and it is this that you should remember. Leave aside all the other, for now. Our battles against each other will arrive soon enough. In its own moments, Ern'seln', and there is never need to wage such a battle sooner than its moment."

"Yes, High Queen. To your will."

San'lr'in’ called Caitha and Meera to her, “Caitha, The High Queen's Storyteller and Singer of Songs, and Meera, The High Queen's Warrior, this is Ern'seln', the Birth-daughter of the Third greatest Master of all The Realm. She has just lost her Birth-Mother, and I have now attached her to watch-over our Young One. You would do Me a great favor if you would watch over the both of them this eve. It might be a long eve for you."

Meera bowed her head slightly, “We are pleased to do this, High Queen. Come Sele’ and Ern'seln'. Let us prepare for the eve."

Sle'nel’ wrapped her arm through San'lr'in's, “I am sorry, my Love."

San'lr'in’ responded by placing her other hand on Sle'nel's arm, touching her gently. She said nothing, but Sle'nel’ could see the weight of the death of one of the loyal Masters upon her.

The High Queen turned to Ann'wn, “We will have a delayed departure, Force Leader. We will need to bury a Great Master in two morns."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Would you like something warm to drink, High One, for a moment of rest?"

"Thank you, Healer. A good thought. I will sit at the fire while I gather My thoughts together. This death feels heavy upon Me."

Sle'nel’ sat near her Queen, while Sam and Uthrn sat across from them, An'ther'on sat to their side, and Ann'wn sat on the other side. The Healer was busy preparing the tea for her Queen so as to help her relax. When she was done, she handed it to her, then looked around for a seat. The only one available was next to Ann'wn.

Ann'wn rose, “I will return in a moment only, my Queen. I have some questions for you upon my return, if I have your leave."

The High Queen nodded, paying little attention to her. The Healer wondered where Ann'wn now headed, but was glad that she would no longer have to worry about sitting next to her, although she had wanted to.

"Is this Master's daughter well-skilled, Highness?"

San'lr'in’ had been staring into the fire, reflecting on the events of the turn. She looked up to her sister, “She is most well-skilled. Her Birth-Mother has taught her well. If she continues to practice, she will be as great as her teacher upon one turn."

"Did I hear that you have attached her to Sele', as Sele's guardian?"

"She will make a good practice partner for our Young One, Sister."

"It would seem that I also need such a practice partner."

"Perhaps Uthrn could begin to teach you the sword abilities of the Warriors of the Sword, as they also have great abilities. How do you fare with your powers?"

"Sele’ helps, as do the Sorcerer Women. But it is frustrating. You make them look overly easy."

The High Queen sat back, while Sle'nel’ leaned slightly against her. The High Queen looked at Sle'nel’ for a moment, and then nodded to her sister, “But I have used them since I was of Sele's cycles. You only now begin. And like anything, they require practice. Even I must now practice these new powers I have been given. And like any practice, you will tire at first, until you build up the strength needed to use them."

San'lr'in’ moved her hands to in front of her as she whispered some long unused spell. Sam watched in amazement as The High Queen made a small light source, in the shape of a small ball. She moved her hands away from it, allowing the small ball of light to remain as it was, but now in midair. She made a slight motion with her hand, causing it to move midway between her and Sam.