The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (77 page)

Ann'wn had sensed her Queen growing distant from them, “My Queen?"

She sighed deeply, “Tell Me."

"About the Keep, Highness."

She turned and stared at her, but said nothing.

"We think it overly dangerous for you to attempt to enter it, my Queen."

The High Queen closed her eyes for a moment, quickly sensing that many others were now about them, “I have given My command in this regard."

"But, my Queen, we think that—"

"Leave Me, Force Leader."

"Highness. This Wiza—"

Suddenly, The High Queen drew her sword, placing its tip at Ann'wn's throat, “Leave Me."

Ann'wn was surprised, but knelt before her Queen, “Highness."

The High Queen had a moment of softness take over, feeling pleased that Ann'wn had finally learned to deal directly with her. But she also knew that this wasn't the moment she could show her pleasure. She needed to learn more about the Wizard of the Ravens, and she needed her forces to be more independent of her. Suddenly, The High Queen sensed a stranger's arrival. She looked up to a tree, seeing the visitor.

She resheathed her sword, then held out her arm, “Come to Me."

The Raven flew down to her, landing on her arm much in the fashion as her own raptor had done upon so many prior moments. Ann'wn became fully surprised at such, as did all the forces now about them, wondering why their Queen would bring such an enemy to her. She rose and moved slightly away from her Queen and the raven.

"Why do you allow as such, my Queen? This is an enemy in our midst."

She looked at Sle'nel', pleased in her response, but refrained from any smile, “I know what I do, Elfin Queen. I am High Queen."

"You may be High Queen, but this is foolish. This raven should be killed, and yet you entertain it on your arm as if it were a treasured visitor."

Sume’ had been told of the raven, “Kill this raven, San'lr'in', and quickly so."

"Anyone who moves to kill this raven will face My wrath."

Sume’ studied her briefly, “These Dark Powers call to you overly, San'lr'in'."

The High Queen glared at her, holding her arm steady, “You know not of what you say, High Wizard Sorceress. Mind yourself to your own doings. I know what I now do. All of you, leave Me."

Sle'nel’ came close, now angered, “You know nothing of what you now do. You are being taken over by this Wizard, San'lr'in'. Allow this to occur. You must fight her."

"
Leave Me
. All of you, LEAVE ME."

Sle'nel’ glared back at her lover, “I leave, gladly, San'lr'in', but I hope you will think well on our words. You move overly close to these Dark Powers."

She turned and stormed away, and slowly, so did the others. Ann'wn and Meera, however, remained behind, guarding their High Queen, yet confused well in their own thoughts. They watched as The High Queen stroked the bird's head. As she did so, she opened her mind, knowing the Wizard would be hoping for such.

You are astonishingly beautiful, High Queen. Come to me. I must have you.

I know you not
.

But my powers intrigue you. You want to know more of them. Is this not truth?

She didn't answer. She sensed the Wizard laugh.

Are you not curious of my looks?

I have seen you.

You checked on me?

This is truth.

Did you find me appealing?

In truth, you are most alluring.

Allow me to give you another gift, High Queen?

She said nothing. She sensed the Wizard's laughing, then suddenly felt more powerful.

You send me more powers?

I want you strong, for me.

I am strong.

Yes. I know this as so, but I want you to desire these powers, to share them with me. And I need your heart strong.

How powerful are you?

I never tire.

San'lr'in’ waited a moment, then sent her thoughts,
I am High Queen. What could you offer Me that is more than this?

You are High Queen of peasants. I can make you High Queen of many Realms. I can give you powers beyond your imaginings.

Why Me?

Power is more entertaining when shared. You understand power. And you are beautiful. Come to me. I can bring you here upon this instant. Tell me you will come to me. Let me bring you here to me. Let me show you my love of you.

I now come, and this you know.

No. Not this. I know of such. Allow me to bring you here through my sorcery.

My forces need Me.

They will be spared if you come.

I will think on this.

Two turns?

Two turns.

The High Queen closed her thoughts to the Wizard of the Ravens, then moved her arm so that the raven would leave. She closed her eyes for a moment, sensing who was now about her. She sensed that only Meera and Ann'wn were guarding her, but knew that they had seen enough and were fully confused, which is as she had planned. She returned to her tent where Sle'nel’ was waiting.

She spoke softly to her, “Two turns."

Sle'nel’ nodded, whispering in return, “These are most difficult of moments."

"You are doing well. Trust Me, Elf."

Sle'nel’ looked sad, but nodded, “Always."

"You saw her, Wizard?"

She was smiling out the window, holding the image of San'lr'in’ in her mind, “I did. She allowed the raven to remain fully near her while we shared our thoughts. She is stunning. You were correct, Advisor. I shall reward you greatly, should she decide to come to me."

"Please mind that she is most intelligent, Wizard. This could be a trick."

The Wizard turned and glared, narrowing her eyes, “Enough! I know what I do. Have you so easily forgotten of my powers, Advisor? Also, I saw that she was angry at her forces."

She bowed her head, “My deepest apologies. Does she now agree to come?"

"I think she will do as such. She will let me know in two turns."

"She would leave her kingdom?"

"I can offer her so much more than these petty little peasants. When we have this Realm under our control once again, we will open communications with the other Realms."

"Yes, Wizard."

"Are the rooms prepared, for her coming?"

"Yes, Wizard. Fully prepared."

"I want her treated as I would expect, Advisor. She is to be mine."

"It will be so, Wizard."

As U'Aine had told, they traveled quickly and without much rest. U'Aine was surprised in the resolve of those from Woden. She led their journey as they traveled, keeping a steady eye on Sam. At the end of the long turn, and as the moon hid itself behind the growing expanse of clouds, they made camp. U'Aine sat across from Sam, admiring her beauty. Sam looked at her, but said nothing. But U'Aine saw that her eyes spoke a thousand words.

"I cannot halt from looking at you, Highest."

Sam's eyes twinkled, “It is but the same for me, Master."

U'Aine felt her heart pound, and felt her need grow, but disguised it for the moment, “Your Woden forces travel quickly. I am pleased in this."

"We are well used to hardships. How long prior to our arrival?"

"I know not for certain, but perhaps six more turns if we can keep our quick pace."

"We can ride as quickly as you need, Master."

It began to rain lightly, so U'Aine rose and held out her hand to Sam, “May I escort you to your shelter, Highest?"

Sam looked up at her, then began to rise. Suddenly, it began to rain harder. She saw that all those about now fled quickly to their own shelters. She took U'Aine's hand and began to move toward her shelter, when U'Aine pulled her back to her.

"U'Aine. It is raining."

U'Aine held her tightly to her, “It is?"

Sam laughed lightly as U'Aine kissed her, fully, with deep passion.

"Tell me, Master. What is this battle to be like?"

U'Aine paused, “Enjoy the moments we now have, Highest."

As the sun's set began, the Valley's forces halted their journey. During their eve meal, San'lr'in’ watched Sle'nel’ closely, wishing that they could spend more moments together. Sle'nel’ was sitting next to Caitha, slightly apart from San'lr'in', but glanced over to her and saw her looking saddened.

Sle'nel’ rose and went to her, holding out her hand, “Come. We must speak."

The High Queen nodded and took her hand, rising. As they walked slightly away from the encampment, she brought Sle'nel’ close to her, “I will miss you greatly."

Sle'nel’ felt her heart drop, “I as well. Be strong, San'lr'in'. You cannot be concerned over us. We know our duty. But are you certain there is no other way?"

She looked into her eyes as she ran her finger softly across Sle'nel's eyebrow, “I have turned this over and over in My mind, but can think of nothing else that will work with such certainty."

She kissed her, sharing her desperation.

"You shake."

"The moment will not be easy, My Desire."

"I will be here when it is over. All you must do is return. Worry over nothing else. We will all do as necessary. Think not on what you must do."

"I am sorry, My Elf. I am deeply sorry for this moment."

Sle'nel’ wiped her eyes dry, then nodded, “I know this as truth, San'lr'in'. Do as you need, and trust us, my Lover."

San'lr'in’ held her tightly for a moment, “Remember our stars, Sle'nel'. It will ever be in My mind and heart."

"To our stars, my Queen."

"And know this as truth, My Desire. If I die prior to being able to send you a message, My last thought is of you."

Sle'nel’ walked back to the fire alone, while San'lr'in’ took the moment to call her powers more fully to her, and to shield them. As she finally walked back to the fire, she felt Ann'wn near her. Feeling a moment of guilt, she pushed it firmly away, knowing that what she was about to do was the only way in which she could save her forces.

As she neared the fire, she felt everyone's eyes upon her. They were fully wondering why Sle'nel’ came back into their camp crying.

"What did you do to her, Mean One?"

She took a deep breath, feeling the pain that the moment was about to bring, and accepted its heaviness. She looked to her sister and waved her hand as if in dismissal, “It is nothing. She will be fine."

All those about the fire were in shock, knowing that The High Queen and Sle'nel’ never had such moments.

"You are in contact with the Wizard of the Ravens."

She glared at her sister, “I must know her further so I can learn of her weaknesses, High Wizard Sorcerer. This concerns you not."

Sume’ rose and glared back, “You are changing, San'lr'in'. You are moving closer to this Wizard. I can feel it as so. Remove yourself from her thoughts. You are entering into your meditations more upon each turn so as to speak with her. This must halt."

"I must fight against this one, High Wizard Sorcerer. Do you know of another way in which to get to know of her weaknesses?” She hid her guilt and sorrow through her anger.

"You have fought many others without moving toward the Dark Powers. Why do you do so upon this moment?"

She sat down, once again waving her hand in dismissal, “I move not to the Dark Powers."

"You do. You have raised your sword against your Force Leader for no good reason. You are moving yourself steadily apart from all of us, and you have made our Elf to cry."

"Leave Me, High Wizard Sorcerer."

"I did not choose to come into your service, or do you conveniently not recall this?"

Suddenly, she saw a raven fly into camp. She rose and held out her arm, ignoring her sister.

"Come to Me."

"Kill that bird, San'lr'in'. Show us that you do not move to the Dark Powers. Kill this enemy of ours."

Meera pulled out her knife, but San'lr'in’ waved her hand lightly, making Meera to drop her weapon, “No one is to harm this bird.” She turned to the bird and stroked its head as if it were her raptor, “What report do you have for Me, Raven of the Wizard?"

She opened up her mind, knowing that the Wizard would be waiting for her.

What is your decision, High Queen? Will you come to Me? Do you choose to save your forces?

I wish not to be someone's slave, Wizard.

Slave? You will not be my slave. We will rule together. You will come to love me, as I already love you. I need you greatly, and yearn deeply for you. Feel my need of you.

She was again surprised in what the Wizard could send to her, as she suddenly felt the physical longing the Wizard had of her. The power amazed fully amazed her, as did the intense need and desire.

I know you not, especially in this regard.

You will learn. I know well that you require much in this regard. My messengers tell me that you require a physical release at least once upon each turn. I as well. We will be well-matched, High Queen. And I will satisfy your every desire. Will you come to me?

"San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. Return to us."

She ignored her sister and answered the Wizard,
How do I know this is truth, and not trickery?

The Wizard sent her desire of her, fully, allowing her to feel her deep loneliness, and of her deep need for her. Even San'lr'in’ was surprised in the honesty of the moment.

I have shown you my heart, High Queen. I have opened it fully to you. Only you. Can you now feel this as so?

"Highness. Return. We need you."

She ignored Sele',
I feel it.

Will you come? Will you come to me so that we may meet?

What if you don't wish Me, once I come?

This will not be so, but I will vow your safe departure, should that be your desire.

I am not such as you, Wizard. Our pasts are fully separate. You are long prior from here.

We are more alike than different, High Queen. Come to me, and we will work through these moments. Allow me to hold you, High Queen, and you will see. Come. Be my lady.

San'lr'in’ didn't respond, her heart feeling heavy in the moment. She felt as if she were betraying all those about her.