The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (54 page)

The Healer nodded, knowing her Queen was coming to an understanding, “You do, Highness. A most interesting, demanding, intelligent ... and loving of sisters, my Queen."

She looked back to her Healer, “Why does one feel loss when there is none, Healer?"

"You refer to her returning to Sansthera, Highness? That she lives, but she is not with you?"

She nodded.

The Healer placed her hand onto her Queen's, whose arms were now folded in front of her. She gazed into her eyes and smiled the gentlest smile The High Queen had only seen from her Healer when they were lovers, “You will find a way to bring yourselves together, Highness."

The High Queen placed her hand onto her Healer's as they continued walking, while she looked ahead to where they now headed, “Healer?"

"My Queen?"

"It hurts to love and have affection for those around you, does it not?"

"It does, my Queen. A pain more unbearable than that of a deep sword wound. But a pain we seem to crave, Highness."

"Is your love as such for My Force Leader?"

"Most assuredly, High One. A pain that fully grabs my heart and twists it into ever tightening contortions upon every moment she faces our enemies."

She looked at her Healer sideways, reflecting on The Healer's words, “I think that our Sle'nel’ plays more a role in this Realm than any had prior thought, Healer, if she is the one to bring the R'kin'dles and the Elves together."

The Healer nodded, “And now you must find a way to return the R'kin'dles fully to the Realm, Highness."

The High Queen halted for a moment and looked fully at her Healer, “Are you certain you are not a Teacher disguised as a Healer, Shr'dler'in? Your knowledge frightens Me at moments."

The Healer grinned, teasing her Queen, “It is why you chose me as a lover, High One. I intrigued you, as Sle'nel’ now does. But your knowledge is perhaps the most frightening of all, my Queen, and I know this as truth."

Is'en'nel’ and Ann'wn worked together to ensure that all the newly-returned Elves recalled their dwellings, while Sle'nel’ had taken a few of the Elves to the gates, where all The Realm awaited her report. The Mystics of The Realm were overjoyed in seeing the newly-returned Elves, as was expected, but the Elves found the experience strangely odd, although pleasant. All inside El'fs'nd'lle were then treated to an eve meal made by The High Queen's forces in honor of the turn's moments. Tables had been brought out from the dwellings so that all could remain together during the meal.

Prior to the meal, Sume’ went to her sister, “San'lr'in', speak to me."

The High Queen had been exiting from her meditations, “Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. What may I answer for you?"

"I have heard rumors regarding our grandmother. Be they truth? Tell me."

"It is so. She is dead."

Sume’ thought about the report for a moment, “How was this managed?"

"Sele’ twisted Meera and Sle'nel's minds to do as such.” San'lr'in’ explained the remainder of the tale, telling Sume’ of how their grandmother had nearly achieved her evil goals through Sle'nel's powers as High Sorcerer.

"So, she is finally and at long-last dead."

"Yes."

"And poor little Sele’ is now without her powers. You will not withhold them from her forever?"

"No. I have no such intention, and I have no need of her powers."

"Good. Then it is as it should be.” The High Queen was slightly amused that her sister cast off the tale so easily. “Now tell me of the Elf and the Dark Sorcerer. How did this occur? She is not the same as when I last saw her in Sansthera."

San'lr'in’ told the tale fully, but finding it difficult to do so. When she was done, Sume’ nodded, “You did well, in spite of yourself. You could have done nothing else. How is our Elf, now? She seems overly quiet."

San'lr'in’ told her of what the Dark Sorcerer had personally done to Sle'nel'. Sume’ listened carefully, not interrupting the long tale. When the difficult tale was completed, Sume’ stared at her for a moment, then spoke softly, “I am truly sorry for this, San'lr'in'. I trust this did not go unpunished."

"He was tortured, then sent to the Sorrows."

"Did he make her with child?"

"No."

Sume’ nodded slowly, once again, then spoke to her sister in a most unexpected fashion, “I am pleased that you were able to reach her as quickly as you managed. I would not have done as well, and this is truth. You have had a most difficult journey."

"Sit at My table this eve, Sister?"

"Of course. It is my right, and I will always do so, whether you like it or not."

San'lr'in’ laughed to herself, beginning to understand how to accept her sister. She had finally learned that Sume’ used such comments to protect herself from harm.

"A question, Sister?"

"From you? Of me? What could this be?"

"Were you long at the grandmother's?"

Sume’ raised an eyebrow, noticeably displeased at the thought, “Overly long. This one should have died far long prior. The Realm is better without her in it. And you?"

"Six moons."

Sume’ bowed her head for a moment, just now learning that this sister who she had long hated had gone through the same tortures as she had, feeling deeply hurt in being told otherwise, “It would seem we have much in common. I was never told of this. This grandmother of ours I would gladly have killed, if given the opportunity. I was weak, however, and gave her what spells I had, just for relief from the tortures. I was told that she gave them to you, but I see now this is not truth. Did you hang from those chains as well?"

The High Queen nodded, only.

Sume’ shook her head for a moment, “Our pasts are not pleasant, and not worth the moment of thought.” She turned and began to walk off, then turned back, “Well, are you coming, or no?"

The High Queen was seated at the front table, per usual, but on this moment, she brought together her family to be seated with her.

Sle'nel’ looked surprised at the moment, smiling, but wondering what had occurred to cause her lover to do as such. Sume’ sat beside The High Queen, with Sele’ on the other side of Sume', while Sam sat next to Sle'nel'. The remainder of the table included her Healer, Ann'wn, Meera and Caitha, Erthrn', Mil'der'in and Fon'elnn', U'Aine, and even Ern'seln and Roen.

Sume’ was keeping the table well entertained with her stories and demands, but saw that her sister simply smiled while observing all of them, “Are you ill? What is wrong with you? Why do you have this stupid smile upon your face?"

San'lr'in’ placed her hand gently on Sume's arm, looking at the physical connection for a moment while she gathered her words together. She then looked into Sume's eyes and spoke softly and slowly to her, “I cannot find the words that match My heart, My Sister, but know that I now speak truth. If the moment were to come again, I wouldn't hesitate to save this most worthwhile life that now sits beside Me."

For a quick moment, San'lr'in’ saw a tear form in Sume's eyes, as Sume’ stared at her in full disbelief. San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Sume's cheek, startling her beyond all understanding, “If there were anything that is possible within My powers or possessions to give, I would give gladly to be able to have you with Me at more of the moments."

Sle'nel’ had overheard the conversation. She reached her hand across the table, placing it on Sume's arm, “And Sele’ and Ly'strl'n need you, High Priestess, as do I."

Sume’ didn't know how to respond, so reverted to sarcasm while looking down at her meal, “There must be something in this meal that is causing such melancholy. Quick, find a taster!"

San'lr'in’ laughed lightly at the comment, understanding the need to change the passionate moment, but felt slightly disappointed. As she began to look away and remove her hand, yet surprised in her own emotions, she felt Sume's hand upon her own. As she looked back at her sister, she saw that Sume’ was staring at her most intently. She spoke so softly that San'lr'in’ could barely hear her, “While I know not if what you ask is possible of me, know that there are no other words in all The Realm that would mean as much to me. Thank you."

San'lr'in’ didn't know the words were in her, but added, “Think hard on this, My Sister, as I need you, most truly."

Sume’ stared into her eyes, squinting, taking a moment to respond, “I would much like spending more moments with Sele', and even Ly'strl'n, but I cannot understand how this could be made possible. I am the High Priestess of Sansthera. What would become of the town?"

"Like Sansthera, I have much need of your talents and abilities. I could supply a force leader to watch over Sansthera and secure its safety, as well as secure its loyalty to you, High Priestess. This is an easy request, and in truth is done often throughout The Realm. But I have much need of you, as I am uncertain if they chose the correct High Queen, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non."

Sume’ suddenly looked serious, then said, “Never have these doubts, San'lr'in'. Never. They chose well, and they chose wisely. I know this as truth, no matter the words I have said against this, prior. Speak not these words of doubt to me again."

She continued to look at San'lr'in’ for a long moment, staring deeply into her eyes, fully unable to breathe in the moment, never having anyone say what had been said to her with full meaning and honesty. She smiled briefly, then said, “I will give thought to your offer, High Queen.” Then she quickly looked away, back to Sele', “Why have you not yet completed your meal, my little Queen? Come, eat the..."

Music had been provided, and Mil'der'in asked The High Queen, “Would you be gracious enough to accept the opening dance for us, Highness? It would give all great pleasure if you would do as such."

San'lr'in’ looked about her for a moment, seeing that all the Elves were also waiting. She nodded, stood and held her hand out to her lover, “Would you give Me the honor of providing the first dance with Me, High Sorcerer?"

Sle'nel’ laughed lightly, placing her hand on The High Queen's cheek, “I know not who I now dance with, my Queen, but I know full well that she is the most wonderful in all The Realm."

The High Queen looked surprised as they walked together, arm-on-arm to the makeshift dance floor, “Tell Me of your meaning, Elf."

Sle'nel’ bowed to her as they reached the middle of the dance floor, then looked back up to her, as The High Queen took Sle'nel’ into her arms, “You prove to all upon almost the same moment that a High Queen can be both a strong warrior as well as a kind and loving friend, sister, and lover. I am most proud of you, Lover."

San'lr'in’ stared deeply into Sle'nel's eyes, wondering why it had to take as long as it had to come together with this Elf. She sighed, “It has been an overly long journey, has it not?"

U'Aine watched them dance, comforted that for the first moment in overly many, she could observe The High Queen freely, without fear of recognition. It felt odd to be returned so fully to The Realm. She relaxed for the first moment in what felt like overly many cycles. She watched The High Queen dance with the Elf, ever amazed at how much devotion San'lr'in’ drew to her. Even after all these cycles, and even after having lost to her during many contests long prior, she yet felt awed when in The High Queen's presence. Like no other, she knew the deep sorrows The High Queen had faced when the Mungardies had killed her lover. For many turns, U'Aine had slipped quietly and undetected by any of the guards into The High Queen's room, giving her the spells and words needed to help her heal from her great back wound.

The second dance had begun, and U'Aine had turned her attentions to The Highest of Woden as she went to the dance floor with the Warrior Women of the Sword, doing so somewhat reluctantly. U'Aine wondered as to this pairing, seeing that The Highest's body movements seemed tense. As U'Aine observed Sam and Uthrn, Sam suddenly looked to U'Aine, having sensed another's eyes upon her. For a mere moment, their eyes locked, then with no acknowledgement of the instance, Sam turned back to Uthrn, continuing in the dance and their conversation.

U'Aine yet watched The Highest, finding herself compelled toward Sam's quiet intensity, her easy laughter, and her astounding beauty.

Mil'der'in held out her hand as she stood at U'Aine's back, “Dance one dance with me, Master?"

U'Aine quickly stood and took Mil'der'in's hand, “This is not required on your part, High Counselor. I can well see that you are quite pleased in your pairing. I accept this as so."

"As a friend, U'Aine. Only this."

U'Aine bowed her head once, “Then I am most honored, High Counselor."

As they danced, Mil'der'in maintained the conversation, “You have been distanced from The Realm for overly long, Master. I am most pleased to see your return. Have you been with a pairing across all these long moments?"

U'Aine laughed quietly, “Of course, High Counselor. All wonderful and beautiful, but none that have moved to a commitment. But I am pleased to see that you have paired well. Tell me of your long-prior Master."

Caitha asked Uthrn to dance with her during the third dance, while Fon'elnn’ had returned to Mil'der'in. As U'Aine began to return to the table, she looked up slightly and met eyes with Sam, who was also returning so as to sit.

"Highest."

Sam smiled lightly, “Master."

"Are you enjoying this eve's entertainment?"

Sam laughed, mocking herself, “Hardly this."

U'Aine held out her hand, “Perhaps a dance with a stranger might provide more light-hearted entertainment for you?"

Sam stared at her for a moment, “I am uncert—"

"It is just a dance, Highest. Nothing more. Perhaps you could continue in your tale of Woden. I find myself most fascinated in this town."

Sam spoke easily of Woden while they danced, enjoying the moment. She and Uthrn had been arguing once again, and Sam was most displeased in doing so. She began to relax as she spoke of Woden, taking comfort in the memory of her favored town. Sam found U'Aine an excellent partner and a most attentive listener, acting as if she were truly interested in the town.

U'Aine enjoyed Sam's tales of Woden, finding herself genuinely interested in this small and mostly human community, “Does it have difficult moments, Highest?"