The High Queen placed a finger to Sle'nel's lips, smiling, “No, My Love. Did I ever tell you that I love your quiet ways?"
Sle'nel’ looked at The Healer, Caitha and Meera, “Enjoy your eve."
They went to the tent that had been prepared for them and saw that two of the attendants were waiting. The attendants knelt down, bowing their head, “My Queen."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Sle'nel', dismissing her attendants, “Go and enjoy your eve. I think we can manage on our own."
* * * *
The morn came early for all those who had well enjoyed the eve. Somewhat grumpy from an overly aggressive affair, Ann'wn returned to her own tent, having spent the eve in the Warrior's of the Sword. As she moved the cover to its opening, she saw someone lying in her bed. She was instantly angered, Not another one of these women warriors!
But as she went near the covers, she saw The Healer's bag of potions. Quietly, she uncovered the woman's face a bit and saw that it was The Healer. She crouched down near her, wondering why she was in her tent. She stared at her longingly, wishing she could have spent the eve in the arms of this healer.
She brushed the back of her hand lightly against The Healer's cheek, thinking it the softest thing in all The Realm.
Suddenly, The Healer stirred. She opened her eyes, “Ah. Force Leader.” She sat up and looked around the tent, “My apologies. I had meant to be gone prior to your arrival."
Ann'wn sat back on her legs, yet watching The Healer, “It is of no concern, but why are you here?"
She watched as The Healer rubbed her eyes, “Those warriors of Rns'deln’ wouldn't leave me alone. One was in my tent when I arrived to it, so I gave her a sleeping potion and came here, guessing that you would be gone until the morn.” She tried to peak through the opening, “Is it morn, already?"
Ann'wn was wishing it was yet the eve, “Unfortunately so, Healer.” She rose and extended her hand down to her, “Can I help you pack, Healer?"
"No. You can leave so that I may get in my garments. Or else you will have to endure my mild nakedness."
Ann'wn raised an eyebrow and smiled a knowing smile, “And would that be so terrible, Healer?"
The Healer gently hit Ann'wn's leg, “You wish, Force Leader. You wish you had me in your bed prior eve, but I know you well. You are just another warrior, wanting their one-eve moments. Get out!"
Ann'wn laughed, “Perhaps I do wish, Healer, but as do you."
* * * *
Sle'nel’ rose when she began to hear the sounds of others beginning to break camp. Her wounds yet ached, but sleep and her quiet moments spent in the arms of her Queen had allowed her wounds some rest. She opened the cover to the tent, calling in the attendants. The camp was quickly packed and prepared for further traveling while The High Queen and her company were provided their morn meal. Meera was packing their horses when Sam and Ann'wn finally arrived. Throughout the early morn, just prior to Sle'nel's rising, the sounds of the Warriors of the Sword's passion and conquests could be heard. Meera and Sle'nel’ saw them arrive, thinking they both looked exhausted. They saw many remainders from the eve's passions where their lovers had left marks upon their necks.
Meera was merciless, “Highest. I heard the many moments of your pleasure prior eve. And yours as well, Force Leader. Yet I heard not either of your voices. I heard only the sounds of the conquests of you."
The High Queen had exited the tent, hearing Meera's jesting, laughing to herself. Ann'wn looked over to her Queen, somewhat embarrassed.
The High Queen was equally merciless, “Why, Ann'wn, My great Warrior. I think Meera to be correct. I don't recall hearing your voice in the passions, prior eve. Were you well conquered? And My sister, you seem most exhausted this morn. Did Uthrn allow you no sleep, then? And what are those marks all over your neck?"
Sle'nel’ and Caitha both laughed. Sam remained in good humor, having fully enjoyed the aggressiveness of Uthrn's passions, “Could you not have warned me, Highness? But I must say, it was but most pleasurable."
"So I hear them to be, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. Would you have believed Me if I had warned you?"
Sam shook her head, “No. You be correct. I imagine it would have made me all the more interested. This Realm of yours is more fascinating than I had originally believed. I yet cannot imagine that I once thought Woden to be the largest town in The Realm. And now this."
Meera laughed, “Met your match, Highest?"
Sam blushed, nodding her head, “Indeed."
The turn's journey began soon after, yet heading west across the great sea. By the midmorn, it had begun to rain. At midturn, Uthrn turned their direction slightly north where they came upon land within a short span. From there, yet raining, their journey remained on the landmass. Caitha noticed it was much different from Woden's or from the Valley's land. The land contained ragged looking mountains that were much lower than the Valley's. And while it contained more hills like Woden's landmass, the hills were rocky, almost impassable in places. It wasn't a land of fertile farms or gardens, nor was it a land of great mountains, geysers or beautiful streams. On this land were great rivers that rushed in swift torrents back to the sea, coasts that were mostly steep with cliffs, and fields of ferns that seemed to continue to eternity. Bogs and swamps covered much of the land, making travel difficult for those who didn't know a good route. Despite the rain, Uthrn kept them moving. She occasionally checked upon The High Queen and Sle'nel', in respect to their wounds, but kept the pace steady.
Sam traveled near Uthrn once again, at Uthrn's request. Uthrn had been well pleased with The Highest's ability in her bed and had every intention of having her again this eve. Uthrn had never had a woman such as Sam and was well intrigued by her willingness and desire, both physically and mentally. Uthrn was bored with the Women of the Soul, finding them overly subservient to her needs and desires. She also wished for different than the Warriors of the Sword, as she felt they were always competing with her. In The Highest, she had found the woman she had long awaited. Sam was someone that would stand up to her, but also wanted the same pleasures she herself sought in another. The eve had been one of continual enjoyment, and Uthrn found herself thinking of spending many more moments with The Highest. It wasn't the way of the Warriors of the Sword to think of unions or companionships, but Uthrn was unsure if she was willing to let go of The Highest quite yet. Even as she looked upon Sam as they rode, she found herself desiring her even further. She thought that she might be able to have feelings for her. Uthrn had never prior felt this feeling. They had slept briefly, well toward the morn, after an eve of much passion. Uthrn had woken early, just looking at The Highest, thinking her the most beautiful woman she had ever prior seen. For one brief moment she felt herself truly protective of one woman.
For the first moment since losing Jandra and leaving Woden, Sam had begun to feel more like her former self, because of Uthrn. The eve had been exhausting, but she had finally connected with someone. Uthrn, in all her strange and overly aggressive mannerisms, was a woman that Sam could enjoy. As Sam reflected on her companionship with Brett, she saw that Brett had overly controlled her. She also realized that in her relationship with Jandra, she had done the controlling. Oisin was a good friend, but Sam didn't want another that would control her so. In Uthrn, Sam felt she had found an equal. Uthrn would never take directions or orders from Sam, but in the same regard, Uthrn expected Sam to remain strong and independent.
Their eve had begun purely physical, full of passion and aggression. But as the eve continued, and Uthrn hadn't managed to control her, Sam saw that Uthrn became less aggressive and more enjoying of their union. By the morn, Sam thought she saw one brief moment of tenderness in Uthrn.
As Uthrn returned to the front from checking to see if all were ready, she had The Highest ride with her once again. Just prior to beginning their journey, Uthrn allowed one thought toward The Highest, something a Warrior of the Sword would never do, “Highest. I had a most enjoyable eve. Please think of spending th
is eve with me.” With that said, no more was spoken of it throughout the turn, but Sam did find Uthrn looking at her with kind, yet lusty eyes, occasionally.
At the end of the turn, Uthrn had them halt on the top of a small table-like hill. The rain had finally halted. While well wooded, the guards could see any enemy approaches for far distances. The High Queen and Sle'nel’ were in some pain from the long turn's journey, so, after their meal, went to the tent that had once again been prepared for them.
As Sam sat by the fire eating her eve meal, Uthrn came near her. She stood, unsure of whether to sit beside her or wait for an invitation. Sam let her make the decision. After a few moments, Uthrn sat next to her and ate her own eve meal, “Highest. What do you make of our lands?"
"We are but on your landmass, then?"
"We are, but we yet have a half-turn's journey until we arrive in our village."
"These appear to be rugged and rough lands."
"You will like our village. It is not as rough as this. There is one location upon this landmass that is quite generous, but only one. That is where we are located. We chose it so that others wouldn't settle upon our land. Tell me of your Woden, Highest."
"The women be far different than you, or of those in the Valley. They are of the First Ones and have no powers such as the Mystics. But we also have had a rugged life, even though our lands are but gentler than this. We have fought hard, and we are but born into battle. We utilize the land well, using the fields for farms and gardens, the sea for fishing, and the forest for our building. Unlike the Mystics, though, if we wish to have children, we must mate with the men. They raise the boy children, and we raise the girl children. Woden keeps the men's community at a distance, as has been necessary. We have a law in Woden that every woman must have a woman companion. I think that this is not so elsewhere in The Realm."
Uthrn nodded, “Your Woden sounds like many other communities. We must always fight for that which we believe is our due. And you are correct. I also don't think anywhere else in The Realm requires a partnership of two. What occurs if the two disagree or no longer wish to be together?"
"The companionship can be halted, but they must then find another."
"Why is this so? Why is it a requirement for two to live together?"
Sam thought about it for a moment, “Woden's laws are not always understandable since they but go back many cycles. Long prior, the law was made so that every woman had another to take care of and to be taken care of. Love or passion wasn't necessary. Many companionships even now are but out of convenience only."
Uthrn nodded her understanding, “Some of this is much the same with us. The Women of the Soul need us in regard to protection, hunting and mating. We need them to produce our children as well as supply us with material goods and food."
"Are there unions, or companionships between the two?"
"The Women of the Soul would have it so, and there are a few, but the Warriors of the Sword are overly independent and competitive to settle for such. Do you miss your Woden, Highest?"
"Some moments I miss it much. But I have enjoyed seeing and learning more of The Realm. Soon enough, I will and must return to Woden."
"Are you also, as Highest, required to take a union?"
"You mean a companion? It will be but expected of me. I had one, but lost it."
"Did you enjoy having this companion?"
"I thought not but now that she is gone, I find I did. Do you not wish for someone? Your life sounds lonely."
Uthrn laughed loudly, “Lonely? How can one be lonely when there are others about at all moments? It is the expectation that I have someone in my bed upon every eve, to prove myself as the most desirable. Lonely is not the issue for us.” Uthrn stood, holding her hand out to Sam, “But there are some eves that I look well forward to, such as this one."
* * * *
They prepared in the early morn, knowing that this would be the last turn of traveling to Rns'deln'. It had begun to rain once again during the eve and hadn't let up by the morn. The High Queen and Sle'nel's wounds weren't improving due to the long turns’ travel, so the tent and the well-prepared bed had become essential.
Uthrn knelt and bowed her head deeply to The High Queen, “You requested my presence, High Queen?"
The High Queen turned, “Oh, Uthrn. Good. You come. Please rise. How fares our travel?"
"High Queen. It will take us most of the turn, but if we travel quickly we will arrive as soon as early after midturn."
"Even with this incessant rain?"
Uthrn looked up into the sky, “The rain will cease by midmorn, Highness. And Rns'deln’ is well prepared for your arrival.” Uthrn knelt once again, bowing her head, “High Queen?"
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked down upon Uthrn, “What do you require of Me, Woman Warrior of the Sword?"
Uthrn kept her head bowed, speaking softly, “My Queen. I find myself in an awkward position. I have taken great interest in your sister."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had wondered about this during the prior eve, seeing that Uthrn had become overly attentive to her sister, “I have great need of her, Uthrn, as does The Realm."
"I understand, Highness."
"And I have great need of her to be strong. The Realm needs her to be a most powerful of warrior and leader, My Warrior."
"I understand, High Queen, but I have never prior felt as such. I would do nothing in my knowledge to hurt her, Highness."
"And yet you are a great warrior. She could learn much from you."
"Yes, High Queen. Thank you. I will tend well to your needs of The Highest."
"Then I leave it in your hands. And remember Uthrn, she knows little of the ways of The Realm, and knows nothing of the ways of the Warriors of the Sword."
"Yes, High Queen."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her hand under Uthrn's chin, making her to raise her head. She looked directly into Uthrn's eyes, “While you are a most favored daughter of The Realm, and I have much need of you, never forget these two things, Uthrn. She is My sister, and she is a Highest. Make her stronger, not weaker, or you will answer to Me only, for this."
"I understand, and I can comply with this."
"One more item, Uthrn."
"Yes, my Queen?"
"This will not be an easy relationship for you. The Warriors of the Sword will not find your continuing interest in Sam'r'in'thel'ineln’ something a warrior should consider. You know that you are about to break your vow. No warrior is to love."
"I know this well, Highness. Some things are worth fighting for, Highness."
San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, “Indeed. And you are experienced enough to know which fight is worth the effort. I wish you well then. But I wonder what you will do should your own queen take a liking to her."
Uthrn said nothing, but knew it as a possibility.
Sle'nel’ had come up from tending to her horse and saw that Uthrn was just leaving, “Is all well?"
"This will be our last turn on the journey, My Desire. We arrive this after midturn."
Sle'nel’ nodded, looking tired even after a long eve's rest. The High Queen moved to her, “Allow Me to remove some of your pain, My Desire. This turn is a long journey for us."
Sle'nel’ shook her head, moving away slightly, “No thank you, my Queen. It is bearable, and I can displace a small portion of it. I wish not to take any of your energies from you."
"It will not, My Desire. And I can get our Healer to help do this if you would accept it.” She touched Sle'nel's face, “Trust Me, My Love. The journey is overly long and rough to begin with such pain as this. I am feeling much improved, but I can see that you are not."
Sle'nel’ nodded, hoping it would help, as she was in much pain, “Only if The Healer will help you to do so."
The High Queen called for The Healer. When she came, they both worked to remove some of Sle'nel's pain. The Healer was quite concerned that one of her wounds wasn't healing, but knew the journey would end this turn,
so vowed to take better care of the Elf while they were in the village. As she placed her hands upon Sle'nel's head, she felt her with slight fever.
After they removed her pain, Sle'nel’ nodded, feeling improved, “Thank you."
"Come and eat your morn meal. You will need your strength, Elf. I will make some special tea that will help to restore some of your energies as well as remove some more of the pain.” She looked up at the sky, “And it will also help you to remain warmer, in the miserable rain. I hope you take no chill, Elf. I have just felt that you have a slight fever. You must not become more chilled this turn."
Sle'nel’ was shivering even while wearing her long cloak and hood. It was yet raining, and was yet quite cold. The High Queen chastised herself as she saw the cold drops of water drip from Sle'nel's hood, I should have noticed this far sooner. She turned to her attendants, “What do we have that Sle'nel’ can wear so as to keep her warmer?"
The attendants drew Sle'nel’ back into the tent to place warmer garments upon her. The High Queen wasn't pleased with the fever but also knew that it would be better to get Sle'nel’ to the village rather than remain where they were, “Healer. I want her healed. This is not acceptable."
Her response was quick and biting, “Then quit taking her on such journeys as this, High One."
The High Queen breathed in, sighing, understanding The Healer's frustration, as it was her own, “How serious is it?"
"She will be fine. She just needs rest. Their healer will help me with her this eve, and she will be improved soon. It is minor only."
"Thank you, Healer.” She looked at her, grateful for her, “Tell Me, Healer. How was your eve?"
"As any other eve, my Queen."
"You need your own Elf."
"Indeed, High One. Don't we all?"
The journey was wearing on all the travelers. The ground had become soaked, causing the horses to travel slower. The rain had continued, increasing into steady torrents. And the winds had begun, boiling up about them as if the furies from the Stones had appeared. As midturn approached, Uthrn had to decide whether to take a break or to continue the journey in hopes of ending it sooner. Looking back to the Elf, she saw that Sle'nel’ was slumped over on her horse, but that The High Queen's Force Leader sat behind her, holding her. She continued their tortured travel so that they could arrive for the needed rest.
The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] Page 26
