The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3]

by Robbie Collins

  The Healer entered the room, seeing her Queen trying to sit up, “My Queen. Halt. You must not."

  "I must see Sle'nel'."

  "Listen to me for only a moment, High One, then we will take you to her."

  The High Queen looked at The Healer, waiting.

  "She will not recognize you, my Queen. She is yet deep within her own head, away from The Realm."

  They helped her to rise and walk to the room in which Sle'nel’ had remained prior to their union. As they entered the room, she saw her Elf lying upon the bed, her eyes focused nowhere. The High Queen was glad to see her awake but sensed that Sle'nel’ was indeed far from The Realm.

  They began to help her sit upon a chair, “No. I wish to sit upon the bed, nearer to her."

  The Healer shrugged at Ann'wn, not wishing to argue with her Queen. They both helped her to sit on the bed.

  "High One, I must tend to your injuries when you are done."

  "Leave Me.” Her tone left no room for negotiation, so Ann'wn began to leave with The Healer, “Force Leader, remain. I have need to speak to you when I am finished."

  Ann'wn went to a chair slightly away from the bed and Queen, sitting and waiting for her Queen, glad to rest for a moment from her own injuries.

  The High Queen looked at Sle'nel’ as Sle'nel’ stared into this strange woman's eyes, “How are you feeling, My Desire?"

  She placed her hand gently upon Sle'nel's cheek. Sle'nel’ closed her eyes as The High Queen touched her, remembering the wonderful feeling of the touch, but not recalling the woman. She said nothing but searched in her memory for this voice. She re-opened her eyes, studying this strange woman sitting next to her. The High Queen smiled gently at her, sending her a few images. In her mind, Sle'nel’ saw an image of the stars, of R'lodin'lindor, and an image of the little wonders.

  The High Queen saw that Sle'nel’ turned her head slightly, recognizing something. She sent more images, slowly one-by-one, letting Sle'nel’ think about each for a long moment. Of their first kiss. Of the gardens. Of the Sorrow of the Stones. Of the Sorcerer Women. Of the dwelling they remained in during their first union together.

  She could only hope that it would help stir Sle'nel's memories, but also knew that it would give her something to hold on to until her full memory did return. Sle'nel’ continued to study this woman, feeling some long gone memory trying to return to her, “You saved me once."

  The High Queen nodded, speaking slowly and softly, “Do you recall this?"

  "A forest. I remember you looking at me. I remember your eyes upon me.” She struggled to pull the memory to her, “You touched me."

  The High Queen nodded again.

  "Upon my arms. And you smiled at me, as you do now."

  "Can you bring to mind why I was there?"

  "Only that I was dying."

  The High Queen sent another image of their stars.

  Suddenly, Sle'nel’ looked at her, startled, “I remember R'lodin'lindor."

  "What do you remember of her, My Desire?"

  She shook her head, again struggling with the memory, “Her. Only. Standing. No, wait. Flying. She flies."

  Sle'nel’ winced, placing her hand on her forehead. Her head was beginning to pound again from the swelling. The High Queen put her own hand upon Sle'nel's head, removing some of Sle'nel's pain. The High Queen winced slightly from taking the pain before she could remove it, trying to move away from her own pain as well, well-weakened from her own injuries.

  Ann'wn watched in silence, not pleased, but trying to understand why her Queen took such risks as these.

  Sle'nel’ looked questioningly at this woman, “What is it you did, just now?"

  "I helped your pain to remove itself so that you might feel better."

  Sle'nel’ continued to study this beautiful woman before her, sensing that she knew this woman very well, “You are beautiful. You sent me an image of us as lovers. Be that true?"

  The High Queen laughed softly so as not to injure her own side, “Very much so, My Desire."

  "I know that term well. Someone uses that name with me all the moments. It must be you as I can hear the same quality of voice. But I cannot bring it to my mind."

  "It will come, My Love."

  Softly, in a whisper, she asked the woman sitting upon her bed, “Who is that woman sitting over there? I know her not."

  The High Queen sent an image of Ann'wn carrying the sleeping Sle'nel’ in her arms, back to the dwelling at the Scared Isle. She gave her an image of Ann'wn coming in upon them as they were naked in the same dwelling, showing Sle'nel’ of how she laughed at Ann'wn's embarrassment.

  Sle'nel’ studied Ann'wn for a moment, staring at her while trying to bring forward her memories. The High Queen studied Sle'nel', entering her mind, searching for the memories. She could sense that they were there, at least some of them, so decided to let Sle'nel’ rest for a while.

  Sle'nel’ asked, “Who am I?"

  The High Queen's pain was returning in force, her wounds angered at the position in which she now sat overly long. Ignoring them, The High Queen touched Sle'nel's cheek again, softly, sending a message to her of peace and love, “You are My Desire. You will be recovered soon. Have patience My Love."

  "Who are you? You have given me memories of some of our moments together, but who are you?"

  "Later, My Love. All will return to you. Perhaps when both you and I feel improved, we can walk out to the gardens. They might help restore some of your memories. Rest now. When you awaken again, perhaps some of your memories will be returned to you.” With her hand yet upon Sle'nel's face, she sent a small sleeping spell to her. She remained until Sle'nel’ fell back to sleep, resting more peacefully this moment.

  The High Queen looked to Ann'wn, speaking softly, “Tell Me of your wounds and how the others fare."

  "You look in much pain, my Queen. Might I help you move to a more comfortable location?"

  The High Queen nodded, grateful for the suggestion. She tried to rise without Ann'wn, but couldn't. Ann'wn helped, moving her to a more comfortable chair that allowed The High Queen to rest her injuries. The Healer finally entered, asking Ann'wn to help The High Queen to sit away from the soft back of the seat so that she could change The High Queen's bandages.

  In an unusual moment, The High Queen pleaded with her Healer instead of demanded, “Later, Healer. Not now. Give Me some peace. Please."

  The Healer looked at her, feeling sorry for her. It wasn't often that The High Queen pleaded, “I can do this for you, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'."

  The High Queen nodded, looking into her Healer's eyes, “Thank you."

  Ann'wn began to tell her what she knew, “All are well, my Queen, and recovering. None were injured as much as you or our Elf. Caitha is already up and sharing her stories of the battle. The two guards are back in the barracks, bragging of their part in the battle. And Meera and The Highest recover together in The Highest's room. They are already up and walking about in small spaces. I, my Queen, am sore but alive, with much thanks to you. There were over two hundred-fifty Dungaras, Highness, and in the face-to-face combat, you killed over twenty-five of them. You killed most of them by using your powers, my Queen."

  Frowning, she replied, “And I hear My counselors are extremely pleased with My efforts."

  "Your counselors are never happy. You are truly a Warrior's Warrior, my Queen. There is much talk about how many you killed."

  The High Queen wasn't pleased, “You shouldn't have told them, Force Leader."

  "I told them not, my Queen. They examined the battle site for themselves and drew their own conclusions."

  San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ thought on that for a moment, recognizing that she would be unable to keep such information secret for long. Nodding her understanding, she looked at her Healer, “Give Me a good report, Healer."

  The Healer and The High Queen had once been lovers for a short while. Although it hadn't worked out between them, they both loved each other as good friends a
nd trusted each other beyond doubt. The High Queen knew that her Healer accepted her oft-dreaded temper with understanding and patience.

  "A good report, High One? Of what? That I had to supply more stitches to you than I have thread? That I fretted over you and your lover for one full turn before I knew you would live? That I have had to place more healing spells upon you than long since prior? That you live? You already know of that one, my Queen. That you insist on worrying me? That you need to eat more? That you refuse to listen to my most excellent advice?"

  The High Queen flinched, startled at The Healer's reaction, but wouldn't give in to it, “So then, don't give Me a good report. Give Me a bad one and be done with it."

  The Healer laughed a little, appreciating her Queen's wit, “Good. So be it. Your shoulder, arm, and side wound were yet badly bleeding upon my arrival. Could you not have given yourself even a small spell to slow your bleeding down? Your wound on your side will be a nice matching scar to the one on your back. And I cannot give you enough pain relief to allow you to yet rest well. I know not how your arm will fare once healed, but I do know that you will have to retrain it. A queen such as yourself, though, shouldn't be out fighting the Dungaras as if you were yet a young warrior."

  After The Healer halted, The High Queen waited for a moment, then asked, “Are you done?"

  "No. And I had to help assuage the wrath of your advisors. You know how they feel about you taking such risks as this, my Queen."

  "As if I could have prevented it, Healer?"

  "Even now, they talk amongst themselves trying to conceive a way to hold you within the boundaries of the Valley, High One."

  The High Queen bellowed, “FOOLS! Bring them to Me, this moment. How dare they try to bind Me even further. Have I not given My life to The Rea—"

  Ann'wn interrupted, “My Queen, if I may?"

  The High Queen sighed, sorry she did for the pain it created, “Tell Me."

  "I have already taken care of it, my Queen. They will not bother you about such. And, my Queen?"

  The High Queen just looked at Ann'wn, waiting.

  "They only do as such because you are so well treasured. It is a compliment, Highness. Only this."

  The High Queen nodded, giving in to the reality of it, “I suppose you speak truth, Ann'wn. Go and rest now. You have well earned it."

  "My Queen. I remain at your side until you are healed."

  "Leave Me, Force Leader. I am tiring and will remain here. If you have need to remain close by, then rest in My bed if you would like, but leave Me for a while."

  Both Ann'wn and The Healer objected, “My Queen, you cannot remain in this chair to rest."

  "I am not leaving My Love's side. And I am now tired. And please halt from arguing further with Me. I am overly weary to fight you at present."

  The Healer pleaded, “Please, my Queen. You must eat prior to resting. Just a little will make a difference."

  She sighed again, again sorry she did so for the pain it caused, “What is it I must eat?"

  "The cook has made a good soup, High One. I speak truth."

  She nodded, “I will try it, but just for you, Healer."

  The Healer kissed The High Queen on the top of her head, “I know, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. Thank you."

  The High Queen's heart softened to The Healer, as it ever did, “And please place Ann'wn in My bed. She looks like she will fall down on Me, once again."

  The Healer pushed Ann'wn gently to The High Queen's bed, placing her in it, “Move not from this bed until I tell you that you may do so. Understand?” She looked upon Ann'wn, thinking her a most astounding woman, wondering if such as her could learn to like such as The Healer.

  Ann'wn was grateful, overly tired from her exertions, and surprisingly pleased by The Healer's attentions to her. She liked the feel of her touch upon her.

  "Thank you, Healer."

  "Just heal, Force Leader. I have no need for another patient.” She began to remove some of Ann'wn's garments so that she could rest easier. Ann'wn just watched as she did so, enjoying the tender moment.

  Ann'wn smiled at her, desiring to be touched by her again, “I know you like me, Healer."

  The Healer laughed, “I like you when you are not a patient, Ann'wn. Now rest."

  Ann'wn closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep. As The Healer went to retrieve the food for her Queen, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gazed at Sle'nel'. In order to keep herself awake until The Healer returned, she stood, with much pain, and went back to sit on the side of the bed next to her love. Sle'nel’ opened her eyes, awakened from all the noise in the room. She had listened to the talking, remaining silent, hoping to learn more of these women about her. She looked at this woman that everyone called High Queen, having been told that this woman was her lover.

  The High Queen had guessed that Sle'nel’ had awakened some moments prior, having seen a shift in her breathing patterns, “How is your pain?"

  Sle'nel’ ignored The High Queen's question, “You killed over two-hundred Dungaras, whoever they be, and over twenty-five with the sword. How many were there that we battled?"

  "Initially over two hundred-fifty. After using a fog, arrows and other mystical powers, we battled over fifty with our own weapons."

  "How is it you killed so many?"

  She started to shrug, then thought better of it, hoping to avoid any further pain, “I have a few powers that I use now and then."

  They looked at each other for a moment, Sle'nel’ searching for any memory that would come her way, “Who am I that one so beautiful as you, and one who is Queen would love such as me?"

  The High Queen laughed, then moaned from the pain, yet smiling, “Oh. It hurts to laugh. Don't do so as the pain is terrible. But I am the lucky one, Elfin Faerie."

  Sle'nel’ frowned in slight recognition of her background. She tried out the words, “Elfin Faerie."

  The Healer returned, “So you are awake then, Sle'nel'. Perhaps I can get our Queen to make you eat, as well.” She turned to her Queen, “I will bring more soup. The two of you drink all this while I get more."

  The High Queen drank some. Finding it of worth, she gave the bowl to Sle'nel’ who took it with her one good arm. They passed the soup back and forth until it was gone, and did the same with the second bowl when The Healer returned.

  "My Queen, you need to rest now. You are causing your wounds to bleed slightly."

  The High Queen nodded, well-tired even prior to the soup. The Healer moved one of the long chairs closer to the bed, then helped The High Queen move to it. Wincing as she moved, The High Queen tried to find a comfortable position. When she was too pained to move further, the Healer placed a cover upon her, then placed her hand upon her head, “Focus, my Queen. Focus on your breathing. Remove your pain."

  The Healer checked on Sle'nel's bandages, looking at her occasionally as the Elf watched her.

  "While I cannot restore your memory, I can help to remove your pain. Do you have much? Your wounds heal nicely now and no longer leak or bleed. Upon your next waking, we will try to get you up for a moment."

  Sle'nel’ watched her. She hadn't yet said anything to this woman she couldn't remember, yet treated her so well, “The High Queen removed some of my pain. What happened to cause our injuries?"

  The Healer fixed the bed covers more neatly, then looked at her, “You fought with your Queen and a few others against many Dungaras."

  "Who won?"

  The Healer scoffed, “You, Ann'wn and The High Queen always win, my dear."

  "I fight in battle with this Warrior Woman?"

  "And with your Queen, who is the most skilled of all. Rest now so that you will heal more quickly."

  She placed another light sleeping spell upon the Elf, then returned to her Queen. She placed a sleeping spell also upon her already sleeping Queen, then left the room to check upon Ann'wn. She looked down at her, surprised at her own feelings of relief that the Force Leader had remained alive. She hadn't known that she felt anything a
t all toward this one. Seeing that Ann'wn was safely in a deep sleep, she gave her a soft kiss upon the cheek, then went to check on the others. As she opened the door, she met Caitha in the hallway.

  "I have come to sit with them for a while. Ann'wn and I were to trade off."

  The Healer nodded, “The High Queen moved into Sle'nel's room. She will not leave her side. Ann'wn overexerted herself, as usual, so The High Queen insisted that she go to her bed to rest. They all just returned to sleep, so your visit will be most quiet for a short while. The High Queen and Sle'nel’ drank some soup but will need more when they awaken. Sle'nel’ is slowly regaining some of her memories. I overheard her tell The High Queen that she remembers R'lodin'lindor. The High Queen gave many images to Sle'nel', and they have been speaking with each other, which is more than I could get from Sle'nel', who has refused to speak with me until now. I go now to check upon your love and The Highest. How are your wounds?"

  "They heal well. I have some pain, but minor."

  "You did well, Caitha. If you had not helped to slow down the bleeding, both of them would have died. Even with your injuries, you provided that which they couldn't give themselves."

  "Our High Queen did provide this service to Sle'nel', Meera and Ann'wn, but not to herself. But The High Queen took on many of the Dungaras, and Jandra killed at least thirteen, if not more."

  "All did as they could do. You did your share, as well. Two hundred-fifty Dungaras against the eight of you was most overwhelming. All of you were well needed. In truth, given those numbers, you should all be dead. Thank the Spirits for The High Queen's powers, though. I knew her powers were great, but to have killed this many prior to the battle itself has astounded all the Valley. I will rest for a short while after I check up on your two, then will come to relieve you. If they awaken first, and you have managed to get more liquid down them, feel free to have one of the attendants remain with them. Until later, Caitha."

  "Thank you, Healer."

  Caitha watched over them, softly singing some songs. Toward the end of her moments with them, she sat next to Sle'nel', looking down at her friend as she hummed a tune. Sle'nel’ opened her eyes, awakened by the singing, looking at yet another woman she didn't know.