The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (76 page)

San'lr'in’ had placed herself into her meditations, but knowing that she would have to be fully in the moment if she were to remain alive. As Sume’ moved the red stone within her sister's heart, San'lr'in’ brought herself back into The Realm. She gasped as the stone moved through her skin, permitting herself to only clinch her hands tightly while all else remained firm and unmoving. As the stone moved further into her, groans of enormous pain escaped, making all those present shudder.

Finally, as the stone neared its destination, Sume’ halted her chanting, and Sele’ moved her hand away. But all watched in horror as The High Queen's eyes opened widely as if in shock and disbelief, while her mouth opened wide as if to scream. Yet, no sound came.

To The High Queen, the pain was as if her heart were being ripped excruciatingly slowly from its center, and as if her insides were on fire. Her lungs could no longer breathe, and she had no ability to make them do as such. She could feel the great power now within her, but couldn't yet attach her other powers to it, the ones that would help save her.

Suddenly, just as she thought she might die, she felt her lungs begin to breathe, and felt strength enter into her heart. She took in a deep breath, finally moving the fire away from her lungs. With no strength left in her muscles, she fell to a sitting position, leaning fully on one arm, the other clasping tightly onto her chest.

Take my strength, Highness
.

San'lr'in’ heard Sele’ send the message, but hadn't yet the strength to respond. She focused on her breathing.

Breathe, High One. Hear my voice.

My strength is in your breathing, Highness. Find it.

Breathe.

Find my strength. Feel it.

After she felt she could maintain her breathing, she focused on Sele's words, trying to find the gift of strength that had been placed in her breathing. She felt for it, then found it. Breathing in now more deeply, she moved Sele's strength into her own.

Sle'nel’ stood close by, watching her lover struggle for her life. After what seemed overly long without a breath, Sle'nel’ saw San'lr'in’ finally breathe, taking in a breath as if she hadn't done so in many moons. Slowly, Sle'nel’ began to relax as she saw her lover's color begin to return.

She bent down next to her and placed her hand on her cheek, “Return to me, Lover."

San'lr'in’ was yet struggling, but was finally able to return to The Realm. She opened her eyes, feeling their weight. Sle'nel’ saw that her Queen looked as if the process had removed the last of her strength.

She smiled at her as she watched San'lr'in’ begin to focus on her, “Have you had enough of this yet, Lover?"

San'lr'in’ focused, seeing and hearing Sle'nel'. She gave the weakest of smiles, “I am fully here, My Desire."

"I am here for you, Lover."

She looked at Sle'nel', “Forget not My words to you, My Desire. The moment comes."

Sle'nel’ touched her hand to San'lr'in's arm, and whispered, “I will remember.” They shared a knowing look between themselves, saying nothing.

"Can you feel the powers, San'lr'in'? Did the spells do as needed?"

She nodded to Sume', and weakly replied, “Thank you."

She concentrated on her powers for a moment, quickly moving back into her meditations. For what seemed only a moment to all those waiting, seemed like an eternity to San'lr'in’ as she brought her new powers to her, infusing them solidly within all her other powers. When she was done, she breathed in deeply once more, opened her eyes, then stood.

"Careful, Highness."

Ann'wn gasped when she looked at her Queen, “My Queen. Your eyes."

She looked at Sle'nel', “My eyes?"

Sle'nel’ also looked shocked, “They are red."

"Like yours, when you call the Sorrows?"

Sele’ answered, “No. Birth-Mother's eyes are all red when that occurs. Your whites remain the same, but your eye center is red, like the stone."

San'lr'in’ felt slightly amused at the moment, but concentrated on her eyes for a moment, slightly removing the power from them.

Sle'nel’ nodded, yet surprised, “They are no longer red, but how did you do as such?"

San'lr'in’ began feeling her powers, testing them slightly. She felt stronger than ever prior, yet weaker, at the same moment. She knew she now had the ability to equal the Wizard of the Ravens, yet also knew that these powers could also kill her. She flexed them carefully for a moment, then jerked, shocked, as the Wizard of the Ravens called to her.

You are stronger than I had first felt. Yet weak, as well. But I can help this, should you allow me to do as such. Come to me, High Queen. Join me, and I will make you stronger than you ever believed possible. I could use one such as you. Join me. I need you. Be as one with me.

San'lr'in’ listened to the message, allowing the Wizard of the Ravens to know that she was intrigued.

Join me, High Queen. Feel how good my powers can feel within you
.

San'lr'in’ was startled to learn that the Wizard of the Ravens could send the feeling of her immense powers. And she was surprised to learn the truth in the Wizard's statement—the feeling of the Wizard's powers felt wonderful. The feeling made her to desire more, but she held her thoughts firmly away from the Wizard.

Listen not to her, Highness
.

She ignored Sele', desiring, needing more contact with the Wizard, but yet held her senses away from the Wizard.

And you are intelligent. I sense this deeply within you. My Ravens have informed me of your great beauty. Come to me, High Queen. Allow me to give you far greater powers than you have ever prior imagined. Even all the ones you now hold are nothing compared to my gifts that await you.

Allow not the Dark Powers to call to you, High Queen
.

She ignored Sele's thoughts, yet desiring more from the Wizard.

Feel me, High Queen. Feel how good my powers feel.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the deep pleasure the Wizard was sending to her. Her heart no longer hurt, and she felt as if she were floating. She knew she had allowed the Wizard of the Ravens to feel her interest, and she knew that the Wizard of the Ravens would try again.

Suddenly, someone slapped her, “Enough, San'lr'in'. Remove your thoughts away from this Wizard. You allow yourself to be called to the Dark Powers."

San'lr'in’ touched her cheek where Sume’ had slapped her, feeling the stinging that now occurred. Ignoring it, she risked a slight glance at Sle'nel', and nodded almost imperceptibly.

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They left for the battle immediately after the transfer of powers. All The Realm's forces were now traveling to the southern hemisphere, all on different routes, but all in continual communication with the other forces. The High Queen's Private and Black Guard were already near the Wizard's Keep, but at a safe distance. And even the Mungardies had gathered all their forces to fight alongside The High Queen.

As they rested their horses for a few moments, Ann'wn reported, “My Queen?"

"Tell Me."

"The Elves have sent a report. The flying horses are defeating The Ravens."

"At what loss?"

"Only three, my Queen. They are attacking in groups of three, and seem to be successful."

"I am pleased. Any other report?"

"An'ther'on sends a report, Highness."

"Tell Me."

"She hears strange sounds from within the Keep."

She nodded, “It is to be expected. She brings others into our Realm from the OuterRealm. We can but only guess as to what or who these be."

Ann'wn shivered at the thought, “She reports that there is much smoke from inside the walls."

The High Queen frowned, “It is as expected, but unfortunate."

Their journey was long, from just north of the middle of The Realm to its southern hemisphere, fully many turn's travel. They rode throughout the turns, halting only briefly during the late eve, yet only enough to allow the horses their needed rest.

On the second eve, Roen requested an audience, “Seer Roen. Tell Me."

"The battle will be won, Highness."

"Can you tell Me of the battle?"

She shrugged, “I see after the battle only. The losses are great, but your closest to you live."

"The Wizard of the Ravens?"

"She dies, but lives. I know not what I see in this. But I see one thing most fully, Highness. A red stone. This you must keep close to you, even if you think it overly late."

"Have you seen anymore in regard to this Wizard, Seer?"

"I see the same, Highness. She is more, yet less than you are aware. But I also see that she is with great power and intelligence, and that her attachment to you is true."

The High Queen considered her words, then nodded, “Thank you, Seer Roen. You serve Me well."

On their third eve, San'lr'in’ brought her powers more fully to her, yet allowing her thoughts to become slightly opened—she needed to know more about the Wizard. It took only a moment prior to the Wizard contacting her, as she knew she would.

You are coming to me. I can feel this as so.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gave no return message, but kept her mind slightly open.

You want to learn more about me. I can sense this. As I do you. You have willingly opened your mind to me. But allow me to give you a small gift first, of my need of you. Feel this gift, then take it if it pleases you.

Suddenly, she could see another Realm. She could see the life on it as if it were her Realm.

Amazing, is it not? I can open all this to you and make it yours. Ours. Come to me and share my glory with me. I have waited long for such as you. I have watched and waited for you, High Queen. Let me show you my love for you.

You seek to destroy this Realm.

The Wizard was delighted,
You have finally chosen to answer me. But no, High Queen, I don't wish to destroy this Realm. I seek only to make it as mine, as it once was. Allow this not to interfere with us. Come to me, High Queen, and meet with me.

You already know that we come.

I know your forces come, but I care nothing about this. I want you to come to me, to meet with me, here. Where I live. Come to me, and be mine.

San'lr'in’ chose not to respond.

Think on my offer, and I will ask it of you at another moment. But do me one small favor, High Queen, and I will not destroy your forces that are now around my Keep.

Tell Me of your request.

Allow one of my Ravens to land on your arm so that I might see you through its eyes.

How will I know that you have spared My forces?

You are in contact with them, is this not truth?

In two turns, then.

Your forces should thank you for this, but I thank you most of all. Until then, my Beauty.

"She has responded to you, Wizard?"

The Wizard was pleased at the thought of The High Queen, “She was receptive."

"Wizard, I would warn against thinking that this High Queen would come to you as easily as this. She is most loyal to The Realm and would not give in as easily as this."

She glared at her captain, “Bah! You know nothing of power, idiot. Go, and prepare for her forces."

"They leave, Wizard?"

"She comes, as do they all, as we planned. But she will come to me. I can feel this as so. I intrigue her. Already I can feel her separating from her forces."

"Perhaps it is a trick, Wizard."

She backhanded her advisor with great force, then looked at her, smiling, thinking once again about San'lr'in', “Tell me about her. Tell me of her beauty."

Her advisor wiped the blood away from her mouth, “Like no other, Wizard. Her beauty shines beyond all else, across all this Realm. Her hair is the color of auburn, a deep-rich red that beckons to be touched. And her form is striking, beyond all others."

She spoke aloud, but spoke only to herself, “Finally. My longing will be satisfied.” She smiled at the thought, then suddenly turned on her advisor, once again, “You had better be correct, Advisor, or it will be your life."

She bowed her head, “My words cannot describe her beauty, Wizard. She is all this, and more."

"Excellent. And I will know of this, personally, in two turns."

"How do you know which direction to lead, Master?"

U'Aine examined Keddi for a moment, “I have been there."

"Will we arrive prior to any battle?"

U'Aine looked at Andren, thinking how odd it felt to travel with a man, “We would hope for such, Hengist."

"Andren, Master."

U'Aine stared at him, saying nothing.

"I am called by Andren."

U'Aine was unsettled by what she had learned from The Realm. As they traveled, she had various messengers bring her reports from The High Queen's Private Guard, as well as her own various messengers. Like The High Queen, U'Aine had learned to seek many sources throughout The Realm, never relying solely on any one of them.

What she had learned disturbed her. She knew that her High Queen had placed herself into jeopardy. And while this wasn't unknown to her, as The High Queen often did as such, never had she been so far removed from The High Queen as upon this moment.

"You have received a bad report?"

She turned to Sam, who had walked over to her. She allowed a small smile upon seeing her, “Highest."

"The battle has begun?"

She shook her head, “No. Not as yet. The High Queen has taken a new power into herself."

"She is stronger, then."

"It is not a power to be used in such a fashion. She takes great risk."

"Great risk to save The Realm."

"Yes, this, most certain."

"The stronger she is, the more likely she will but survive against this Wizard."

"Not with this power. If she doesn't die by the Wizard, she will surely do so through this power. Even she cannot control such a thing."

"Then why...?"

"That is the question that I cannot yet answer."