The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (8 page)

San'lr'in’ noticed that the mention of this made Ern'seln’ look sad, “No, thank you, Greatest of All High Queens. The Future Supreme Sovereign will provide as such."

The High Queen was relieved, “Then prepare yourself to our task, as your Birth-Mother would desire. Prepare your bravery. Call it to you."

"Yes, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ began to turn away, but then turned back, “Ern'seln'?"

Ern'seln’ looked into her High Queen's eyes, “My Queen?"

"I am deeply saddened for your loss. And it is equally sad for The Realm. I knew her well. She was a great, great teacher, and perhaps the very best of the teachers. I will in truth, miss her."

Ern'seln’ was saddened, but pleased. She remained strong, “Thank you, Highness."

"Serve Me well, Ern'seln'. The Future Supreme Sovereign, The Realm, and I have great need of you and your abilities. You are the only one remaining who will be able to teach these skills to the ones that come after us. Your path is clear."

"Yes, my Queen. I serve your need only, Highness."

"And as you are now, you will ever be the guardian of the Future Supreme Sovereign. It is a most difficult of assignments."

She bowed her head to her and placed her fisted hand over her heart, “I give you my solemn vow, my Queen. To my death."

The High Queen nodded slightly, “It is the answer of a true Master. Be strong this turn, Master-Apprentice."

Ern'seln's heart leaped at the title, knowing it to be given only by another Master, and only when a student had achieved such an honor, “Yes, Master."

The High Queen sought refuge in her meditations as she awaited the funeral of Be'rn', knowing it her duty and desire to give the Great Third Master the funeral she was due. The Healer sat near by, ready to help The High Queen exit from her meditations when needed, relieved from the prior turn's terror. Her trust in her High Queen had once again proven correct.

Sle'nel’ had watched the entire prior turn's proceedings, wondering who San'lr'in’ truly was. Every moment she thought she knew her, San'lr'in’ became even more. Even as she knew that The High Queen loved her, she also knew that San'lr'in’ belonged exclusively to The Realm. She had spent the eve quietly watching over her overly tired High Queen, wondering as to her great powers.

In having displayed one of the great long-unused powers, San'lr'in’ had isolated herself even further from The Realm. Even now, her forces were stunned speechless in her great presence, afraid to approach her. Only in stories had they ever imagined that such could occur. Halting the legions of the long-prior dead had been an astonishing feat, but none had ever thought that anyone would have the powers to call the long-prior, long-dead High Queens to her—The Watchers of The Realm.

And then, as if all that wasn't enough, she had been given the First High Queen's legendary sword.

Ann'wn approached The Healer, “Healer. What do you think of this prior turn?"

Shr'dler'in's heart jumped at the sound of the voice, “Force Leader. You surprised me."

The events from the prior turn had proven so intense for The High Queen, as well as for all the travelers that Ann'wn was compelled to stand guard outside her tent during the eve. She hadn't been able to return to her discussions with The Healer, so now attempted to do so. She hoped with quiet desperation that The Healer would yet be open to her advances and desires.

Ann'wn sat down next to her, touching her cheek lightly as she did so, holding tight control on her growing desires, “I know not what to think of our High Queen. Her powers are beyond amazing."

Shr'dler'in nodded in agreement, “There were overly many enemy forces. This is truth."

Ann'wn shook her head, “I speak of the other. We guessed that The High Queen had such powers against an enemy as this, but to be able to summon the long-prior, long-dead High Queens to her is to control the long unknown powers. This has never prior occurred. There is no such story of it. I asked Caitha, and even she knows of none. All are shocked."

"The High Queen would tell you that she is as any other."

"And she would be wrong, then."

Shr'dler'in looked at Ann'wn, “If we treat her as such, Ann'wn', she becomes even more burdened and separate. We would make her stand alone as no other must endure. This must not occur."

"How can we treat her as every other, when she is not?"

"By knowing that you cause her more isolation in the doing of it."

"But she is the strongest that has ever prior been."

"And she will yet die upon one turn, Force Leader, as you and I. And she yet seeks solace and love, as any other. You cannot isolate her further in your adoration. You would make her reality overly harsh. You should treat her not as special, even if she is. To stand back and adore her is to make her stand alone. We do her greater honor and respect by treating her as High Queen, only. It is enough. She wishes no more than this. Treat her as every other turn, Force Leader."

They sat for a few moments in silence, tired, as was everyone, from the recent events, “You are correct, Healer. She is lucky to have such as you."

"As we are lucky to have her."

Even in her desire and need to return to their prior eve topic, Ann'wn didn't know how to approach it. She felt awkward in saying it, but did so anyway, “I would consider myself as lucky to have you."

"Have me, Force Leader? What does such mean? I am your Healer."

"I mean that—"

Sele’ toddled over to The Healer, “Healer. I sense that our Greatest of All High Queens is approaching the moment for our usefulness."

The Healer nodded, rising, forgetting that Ann'wn was there. Ann'wn saw that when it concerned The High Queen, nothing else mattered to The Healer. She was both pleased and saddened by this. The Healer looked at Sele’ and asked, “How can such a young one speak so? What meditation is she in?"

"She now returns to the third from her fourth."

They began walking toward The High Queen, “Do you wish to help?"

She nodded, “Yes, Healer. Thank you."

"She will appreciate this assistance, but take it overly slow, Young One. Her prior turn has been most difficult. We will need to keep her in her second meditation until the arrival of the Great Third Master. It will allow her to rest if we hold her there."

Sele’ thought hard on this for a moment, “Then you best help, Healer, as my youngness yet makes me overly energetic. I have no such control as this, yet."

The Healer began to go to her High Queen, then suddenly thought better of it, “Young One. I will be returned quickly. Wait for me."

She turned back to Ann'wn and saw that she was rising to leave. She called to her, “Force Leader."

Ann'wn turned to her, surprised, “Healer? Is something wrong?"

She stood before her, staring at her, then suddenly placed both her hands on Ann'wn's cheeks, kissing her fully. As quickly, she turned and went to Sele’ and her High Queen.

Ann'wn stared for a moment, once again surprised, then walked away to other affairs. If anyone had bothered to look, they would have seen a smile upon her face.

The Healer and Sele’ kept The High Queen within her second meditation until the final preparation of Be'rn's now dead form. Sle'nel’ continued to watch the turn's proceedings, yet wondering who San'lr'in’ truly was, as she was certainly more than just High Queen.

In having helped her sister, Sam was now fully aware of what it took to use her powers, and motivated to learning more of them while they waited. Ann'wn also watched the morn pass, watching The Healer as it did so, wondering if The Healer could feel for her what she knew she felt for The Healer. The five sorcerers used the moments to prepare for the funeral, collecting the wood needed for it.

By midmorn, Ann'wn's forces and the sorcerers had prepared Be'rn’ for her Great Master's funeral. The Healer and Sele’ were told that all was now in-readiness, so began to bring The High Queen back into The Realm.

Returning from her meditations, The High Queen looked around, sighing. It had been a long two-turns, but much more now faced them. She saw that the funeral was prepared, but also saw the rising of dust in the distance, from approaching riders.

To no one in particular, she softly said, “They come."

Ann'wn had heard her, “Who, Highness?"

"The Masters."

"But what if these be the traitors?"

She looked at Ann'wn briefly, then turned back to the growing image of the Masters, “It is their due, by all the Masters’ vow. Have My sword and crown brought to Me, Force Leader."

"My Queen, I cann—"

Very softly, she repeated, “Bring them."

"Yes, my Queen."

The High Queen remained standing, watching the riders come nearer. Ern'seln’ came and stood close to her.

The High Queen felt Ern'seln's presence, “They come for The Great Third Master's funeral, Master-Apprentice."

"Yes, Highness, but I wish them not to come. They are not worthy of this, and they fought against my Birth-Mother."

"Place your feelings aside. Think only of your Birth-Mother, these moments."

"I wish not—"

"It is a command, Ern'seln'."

The High Queen's tone was nothing Ern'seln’ wished to hear, and she was now sorry she had pushed her Queen, “Yes, Master. To your will."

San'lr'in’ well knew the patience this would take from both her and Ern'seln', especially if the ones who now came were The Realm's traitors, yet she also well knew that a Master's funeral was to be attended by all the Masters, as possible, and as solemnly vowed. She watched closely, wondering who now came. She saw that there appeared to be two separate groups, each with their swords raised against the other.

Ann'wn had brought The High Queen's sword to her, as well as an attendant to place on her crown. As the strangers approached the funeral site, San'lr'in’ saw that the Masters hadn't yet fought each other, but were prepared to do so as they dismounted. But they saw her first.

They dismounted, each group keeping a wary eye upon the other group. Eanna and her group of eight Masters went up to The High Queen, then knelt and bowed their heads, “High Queen."

The group of seven traitors remained at their horses, neither bowing nor kneeling to The High Queen. Eanna turned back to Ll'strin'll, “You traitor. Show some respect, you cowardly scum."

Ll'strin'll kept her sword at the ready, “She is not my Queen."

Ern'seln’ moved forward, raising her sword, “You are not welcome at my Birth-Mother's funeral. Leave, or die."

San'lr'in’ placed a hand upon Ern'seln's shoulder, “Remain quiet, Master-Apprentice. Be'rn’ may be your Birth-Mother, but she was also one of us, as a Master, and it is not your privilege to speak to another Master without permission. You know this is truth."

Ern'seln obeyed her Queen, but kept her sword readied. San'lr'in’ had felt Ann'wn and her Private forces come near her, readied for a battle. She looked at Ann'wn for a moment, but decided to say nothing. She then turned back to Ll'strin'll, sorry that U'Aine’ wasn't among The Masters that had come.

Giving no attention to either of the Masters, she said, “It is the moment for the funeral."

Eanna moved forward, challenging Ll'strin'll as she saw that she had not yet re-sheathed her sword, so, “Traitor. At least replace your sword so that the funeral can begin."

Ll'strin'll came forward to Eanna, “Prepare for your death, Eanna the worthless one. It is the moment that you need to die. I will take no more of you."

Eanna raised her sword, more than ready to fight against Ll'strin'll, “Gladly I do so, Traitor. You are an embarrassment."

They touched the tips of their swords and began the battle. Suddenly, another sword came down on both of theirs, breaking their swords in half. Shocked at such a feat, they looked to who now held the sword against them, knowing that the sword of a Master was amongst the strongest in The Realm.

Seeing that San'lr'in’ had halted their battle, they were yet surprised at her ability to break their swords. Both just stared at her, caught well off-guard at San'lr'in's quick move against them.

She spoke softly, but with her one eyebrow raised and her patience all but gone, “This is the Great Third Master's funeral. As is her due, we come to display our respect to her. No battle will occur among us this turn, or I will kill the one who next raises her sword."

Ll'strin'll looked at The High Queen with hate, and saw that she now held The High Queen's sword to her, “You no longer fight as a Master when you use such a sword against me."

The High Queen looked at her for a moment, raising her sword's tip to Ll'strin'll's throat. Softly and slowly, per her usual, she commanded, “No battle this turn, or you die. I have no regard for you, but it is your due to be amongst us for this moment. It is for this reason only that you now remain standing. Your opinions are nothing but as a traitor's words to Me, so waste not My moments."

"I challenge you, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'."

San'lr'in’ nicked Ll'strin'll's neck, drawing blood, then lowered her sword, “And I will accept at another moment. It will be good to have such as you removed from The Realm."

Ll'strin'll moved her hand to her wound, then looked at it, seeing blood. She was more than angry, but held it in, “My moment will arrive soon, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. And be warned—I taught you everything you know, so I know all your weaknesses."

San'lr'in’ narrowed her eyes, wishing she could battle against this one at this moment, “I am a fool not to kill you upon this moment, but you are a fool to think you know so much as this. Prepare for your death, Traitor, and know that none of The Realm's true Masters will attend your funeral, as you are no Master amongst us."

Ll'strin'll was slightly surprised at San'lr'in's apparent strength. Never prior had Ll'strin'll seen her so strong in both deed and word, and never prior against her.

"You are strong upon these turns."

The High Queen glared at her for a moment, then turned to Ann'wn, “Let us begin.” She then moved to the funeral pyre. As she did so, she placed her hand on Ern'seln's shoulder, “Stand beside Me, Master-Apprentice."