The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (70 page)

They had been sitting in the padded seats that surrounded the enormous fireplace throughout the after midturn, providing a more informal atmosphere for the meetings. Regardless of the intent or the comfort, The High Queen had been displeased with the meeting.

As the others left, Erthrn bowed her head, “Highness?"

"Are these the best force leaders available?"

Ann'wn shook her head, seeing that her Queen yet looked tired from her wound, “No, Highness. There are a few others that are much better. But they lack the experience, so the towns within The Realm see them not. And there is the force leader of the Mungardies. She is most excellent."

"See that they are here for the next turn's meeting. If I must endure another turn of such small-minded thinking, I will be forced to save the Wizard the effort of battling our force leaders."

Erthrn laughed. San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, “You find humor in this, Queen Erthrn?"

Erthrn shook her head, but continued laughing, “No, my Queen. I am merely surprised in your patience throughout this meeting. I thought you would dismiss them far sooner than this."

"They are graced that I had no weapon upon Me. That, and I have little energy about Me to waste upon them.” She turned to Ann'wn, “When are we to deal with this traitor?"

Ann'wn was yet smiling from Erthrn's statement, but became serious in the change of topic, “She is guarded well, my Queen, so we await your command. The longer she lives, the longer she suffers. There is no urgency. Perhaps when you are more rested?"

The High Queen ignored the statement, “Have you learned of her allegiance to this attempt on My life?"

"We have yet not done as such, Highness, without your leave."

"You have My leave, but ensure that she lives, Force Leader."

She nodded, “Yes, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ rose, but felt like she wanted to remain seated, “I will deal with her after the next turn's meeting. In the meanwhile, please ensure that those disgraces to their title as Force Leaders are elsewhere during the eve meal. I have no remaining patience for them. I would like the eve's meal to be as pleasant as possible, given this location."

"Yes, Highness."

San'lr'in’ went to a nearby guard, speaking quietly to her. She nodded at the guard's answer, then began to exit by its back entrance.

"M'Lady?"

She turned to the voice.

An attendant held out a cloak to her, “Please, my Queen. It is chilly outside."

She sighed, “If I must."

San'lr'in’ allowed the cloak to be placed on her, then exited the rear entrance. She followed the path to another lake, toward the opposite side of the dwelling from the lake they entered. She knew the path well, but frowned at the memory of it. She looked about her and saw that the plants and trees of the forest had grown considerably since her last visit to the lodge. She long prior had thought it a most beautiful of sites, but now only saw it as marred and imperfect, ever angry with herself over her prior decision.

Meera saw her hesitate for a moment at a small meadow. She observed from a safe distance as The High Queen knelt and touched the ground. When The High Queen rose, she closed her eyes, then stood perfectly still for a few moments.

You open your mind to me, once again. So this means you have lived through my little trial of you. Well done, High Queen. You are of much worth
.

San'lr'in’ hadn't wished to have this Wizard of the Ravens enter into her mind upon this moment, so gave no response.

You are well weakened by my little trial, though. I feel this as truth. I can repair this damage to your heart, High Queen, should you allow.

Again, San'lr'in’ sent no response.

My messengers tell me of your great beauty, High Queen. Perhaps from this moment, I will spare you so that you can be mine. I have great need for such as you.

San'lr'in closed her mind to the Wizard's thoughts, but was intrigued at the Wizard's desire, wondering if she might be able to use it against her in some fashion. She moved into another meditation, restoring some of her powers to her.

"Have you been guarding her since she left the lodge?"

Meera looked at Ann'wn for a moment, then turned back to further watch her Queen, “As you commanded."

"What has she done?"

"She walked down the path to where it became somewhat dense, then examined it for a moment. She then walked to the meadow, knelt down, and placed her hand upon the grasses. When she rose, she did as you now see."

"That is where she battled the traitor."

"Why would she wish to recall that moment? It was just another enemy, or does she do as such for all those she has defeated?"

Ann'wn shook her head and sighed, “No. Only for those she trusted. She hasn't returned to this lodge since that moment. Does she now seek Sle'nel'?"

"She asked the guard for Sle'nel's location."

"Good. Perhaps her memories will now become more pleasant ones."

The High Queen took another look at the location of the long-prior battle with the lover-traitor, closed her eyes, then sighed deeply, trying to rid herself of the heavy memory. She then continued down the path to the other lake where a small wooden dwelling was located at the shore, used to keep the boats safe. She looked up to the top of it, where a covered deck had been rebuilt since her last visit, and saw Sle'nel’ practicing her spells. Without letting Sle'nel’ know of her presence, she looked out to the lake and watched Sle'nel's spell dance across the water—a small swirling whirlwind.

She looked back up to the covered porch and saw that Sle'nel’ was holding her staff out toward the whirlwind.

"How was your meeting?"

The sound of the well-known voice caught The High Queen completely unaware. She turned toward the voice, confused, “How did you surprise Me so?"

Sle'nel’ laughed, “A sorcerer never reveals her secrets."

The High Queen looked back up to the covered porch, “Then who, or what, is up there?"

"An image, only."

San'lr'in’ suddenly smiled, well amused, “I am well pleased, High Sorcerer. You have learned much since My prior observations. You sensed My presence?"

Suddenly, Sle'nel's voice came from another direction, “I followed you."

The High Queen looked toward the new direction of the voice. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, then turned back to the image she had just spoken with, seeing Sle'nel’ yet standing there as well, then checked up to the covered porch, seeing as she expected. Sle'nel’ was fully in three locations at one moment. She turned back to the new voice, her eyes sparkling in delight, “You have mastered the staff, My Desire. I am truly pleased. Now then, who is the real you?"

Sle'nel’ smiled a knowing smile to her lover, “Perhaps you would find that three of me are that much more desirable, my Love."

San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, agreeing, “It is not an unwelcome notion, High Sorcerer. But being entertained by one so knowledgeable in the magic craft already provides much allure. When did you learn such sorcery, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ wrapped her arm through her lover's, “My Mother taught me much about the uses of the staff while I was in El'fs'nd'lle. She taught me to interweave the spells. I knew not that this was possible."

They began walking back to the lodge, “I yet see you in two other places, Elfin Queen. Will they remain there?"

Sle'nel’ laughed, “I forgot about the images.” She waved her staff, and they disappeared.

"You have mastered the sorcery of being invisible?"

Sle'nel’ shook her head, “I have mastered the illusion only. Sorcerers cannot be truly invisible, but we can cast notice elsewhere, as needed, making me seem as invisible, yet present."

"A neat trick."

Sle'nel’ looked up to her High Queen, her eyes twinkling her amusement, “I have a far better trick than this, my Love."

"Oh? And would you care to share as such?"

Sle'nel’ reached up to her lover and kissed her. The High Queen placed her arms around Sle'nel', returning the kiss.

"I have missed you."

San'lr'in’ touched her cheek, softly replying, “And I you, most truly.” They kissed and embraced again, San'lr'in’ relaxing into the moment. Sle'nel’ began to lead her back to the lodge.

"Must we return to this lodge so quickly, My Desire?"

"You need not do this.” She brought the staff up to her and made a quick motion. “But you will miss the surprise I have for you."

Suddenly, she was gone. The High Queen looked around, seeing nothing except the landscape.

"My Queen. Where did the Elfin Queen go? Should I look for her?"

San'lr'in’ laughed lightly, “I think not, Warrior Woman. I know well where she is.” And she walked off to her rooms in the lodge.

The High Queen's wing was well guarded, but she ignored the guards as she entered through the heavy wooden doors. She walked down the long passageway to her main rooms, entering as she arrived. She found Sle'nel’ waiting for her, as expected, and smiled at her lover.

"You continue to surprise Me, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ came up to her, beginning to undo The High Queen's gown, “I wouldn't have it that you become bored."

The High Queen laughed, “You think I could become weary of you, in truth? Hardly this."

Sle'nel’ pulled her close, providing a deeply passionate kiss. San'lr'in’ moaned her pleasure and began to untie Sle'nel's garment. Sle'nel’ took control of the moment, moving San'lr'in’ onto the bed. She moved between her legs, gently forcing San'lr'in’ to surrender to the moment. Resisting slightly for a moment, San'lr'in’ finally gave in to Sle'nel's desires, fully desiring the very knowing advances of her lover.

They laid entwined in each other's arms when their moment of urgency was completed, “This is a beautiful dwelling. Why have we not come prior?"

San'lr'in’ tried to evade the story, “The reasons for such have not been compelling, but this meeting has called together overly many to use the small dwelling."

They were prepared for the eve's meal, then met everyone in the dining hall, another magnificent room of massive wooden logs and large windows that overlooked the sparkling lake.

Sume’ came up to them as they entered. San'lr'in’ noted that she seemed anxious, “She has reached into my thoughts, San'lr'in'. We must do something."

San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Sume's head, “Allow Me to enter your thoughts, High Priestess?"

Sume’ nodded, “Do so."

San'lr'in’ searched into Sume's thoughts, finally finding what she sought. She jerked her head back slightly as she found the Wizard's message, then moved her hand to her heart.

The Healer was instantly at her side, “Pain, High One?"

San'lr'in’ took a deep breath, finally able to do so, “She is stronger than I had first thought."

She sends yet another trial. Why does she seek Me?

Next turn, the newer force leaders attended the war council along with a few of the older ones, and with some surprise, so did the Force Leader of the Mungardies. As the prior turn, The High Queen sat deeply back into her seat, listening, but also resting.

"With respect, Young Force Leader, you know nothing about such an enemy."

The new Force Leader sat down, but was angry at having been dismissed so easily by one of the older force leaders. The High Queen looked at the group, speaking for the first moment all the morn, “Please continue, Force Leader. You may be new to this role, but I am most eager to hear your thoughts."

The more experienced Force Leader resisted, “But, my Queen, this one is overly young in her decision-making. She hasn't the experience we do."

The High Queen raised an eyebrow at the Force Leader, “Is this not an open forum, Ge'vin?"

The Force Leader winced slightly at the use of her name, knowing it was a show of displeasure from her High Queen, “Yes, my Queen, but I—"

San'lr'in’ interrupted her, “Good. Then tell us more of your thinking, our new Force Leader."

It hadn't gone unnoticed that The High Queen had used the formal title to the younger Force Leader while using the more-experienced Force Leader's name, only. The young woman rose, “As you say, my Queen, I think we should attack on eight sides. Four quadrants using the catapults, and the other four using flaming arrows, without rest for two full turns, even through the eves. Only after this should we send in our land units to raise the ladders and the battering rams to open the gates. But she will be expecting this form of attack, so during this campaign, we must also begin a more unexpected assault."

"What would be this unexpected assault, Force Leader?"

"Boulders, my Queen."

Ann'wn was intrigued, but cautious, “Boulders, Force Leader?"

The Force Leader turned to Ann'wn, “Boulders, my Force Leader. I have heard there is a slight hill at the rear of the Keep. We will move the boulders to the ledge, holding them there until they are needed, and then allow them to role down the hill with great momentum. It will require many, but they will cause extensive damage."

"And how are we to keep these boulders a secret, Force Leader?"

"Magic."

All turned to Sle'nel', who had spoken the word. She merely shrugged, “It is easily enough accomplished."

"And how are we to keep the Wizard from detecting this magic, Elfin Queen?"

San'lr'in’ smiled at her lover and answered for her, “By disguise, as she did prior with Me. By making it appear not, while making another location appear as such."

"They will be expecting the boulders from another side, my Queen?"

The High Queen nodded, “Exactly this."

Ann'wn nodded, “Perhaps it could be accomplished."

"What are you called by, Force Leader?"

The Force Leader bowed her head, “Nor'onth, my Queen."

The High Queen bowed her head briefly, “We thank you for your words, Force Leader. You are most welcome at our War Councils.” She looked to the Force Leader of the Mungardies, “Mungardies’ Force Leader. What are your thoughts on this battle?"

The Mungardies woman had said nothing during the entire meeting, but listened intently. Upon a few moments, The High Queen had seen her offer an imperceptible squint of the eyes when Ge'vin had been offering her own thoughts. The High Queen knew well that the Mungardies’ Force Leader had as little patience as her own.