The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV]

by Robbie Collins

  Sle'nel’ moved more closely beside her, “Hmmm ... I am ready to remain here in your arms."

  Sle'nel’ moved her face towards her lover, then kissed her.

  "High Queen?"

  Sle'nel’ ignored the voice, moving her hand onto her lover's breast, then between her thighs. San'lr'in’ groaned, then gently moved Sle'nel's hand into her own, “I think we best answer Ann'wn's interruption."

  Sle'nel’ moved onto her Queen, then moved her hand more forcefully to her lover's more sensitive spots. When San'lr'in’ could no longer resist, Sle'nel’ smiled down at her, wickedly, “Shall I halt now?"

  Gasping lightly for breath, now fully consumed in her passion, San'lr'in’ responded, “She can wait."

  Ann'wn turned to Erthrn, “I think this not the best of moments to interrupt them."

  Erthrn nodded wisely, smiling, “They know you wait for them. Let them be. The report will wait."

  Sle'nel’ rose when she felt them finally ready. She covered herself with one of the bed's covers, then opened the door, “The High Queen needs her attendants, Force Leader. But she requests your presence while she awaits them."

  Ann'wn nodded, then entered. She knelt and bowed her head while seeing that her Queen was yet in her bed, “High Queen."

  "Tell Me, Force Leader."

  "More arrive at the gate. They await the report that the Elves have been restored to The Realm."

  "Then we have nothing yet to tell them, do we, Force Leader?"

  "No, my Queen. I mean, yes, Highness."

  She sighed, “Tell them that the preparations have been completed, and that this eve we hope to provide them with the most happiest of reports. Will that do, Force Leader?"

  "Yes, my Queen. Thank you."

  The High Queen had gotten up and covered herself, “You may rise now, Force Leader. Was this your urgency?"

  She rose, “No, Highness."

  She sensed that Ann'wn was troubled, and sensed deeper into her thoughts, “When did this occur?"

  "Most recently, Highness."

  With a hint of curiosity, The High Queen asked, “Where did they go?"

  Ann'wn was surprised that her Queen wasn't angry. She thought that she seemed almost curious, “We are tracking them, my Queen. Many of Queen Erthrn's warriors have departed to do as such. From what they can yet tell, she believes that the Mungardies head for the UnderGrounds, Highness."

  The High Queen looked amused, “In truth? The UnderGrounds? It is a most foolish move, but they must know not fully the UnderGrounds. Pity. Bring Erthrn to Me.” She began to wonder, “What are they running from? Could they perhaps run in fear of something?"

  Erthrn entered, kneeling and bowing her head, “High Queen?"

  "Rise, beloved Erthrn. Tell Me what you know of this."

  "We have tracked them far to the north."

  "There is only one set of tracks? No more than this? Some of them didn't break off to another direction?"

  "Not that we have yet traced, Highness. And there is only one place that they could be heading, given that direction, unless they go far out of their way to confuse us. But they are with full numbers, so I would but guess that they head straight toward the UnderGrounds. You have been there, my friend?"

  "Oh, indeed I have. Track them well, but risk no lives on this, Erthrn. Make certain that no tracks veer off their course. This is the only danger to watch, Queen of the Warrior Women of the Sword. Once your Warriors track them to their location, we will send a few scouts to watch over them. Nothing more than this until they feel themselves safe. We will allow the UnderGrounds to do what they do best, prior to us entering the scene."

  "My Queen?"

  Both Erthrn and Ann'wn were confused, but The High Queen wasn't yet going to tell them of the UnderGrounds. She would allow them to see the UnderGrounds for themselves, “You have done well, Erthrn. You have well earned The High Queen's presence in your Valley. Keep Me informed of your Warriors’ tracking. You have My leave."

  She heard them whispering to each other as they left, “Why is she not angry at this report?"

  "I know not, but am pleased for such. It must mean that this is not the disaster we had thought."

  Erthrn shrugged, most confused, “I wonder what the UnderGrounds hold in them that makes her not concerned about the Mungardies. I would have thought that we would now have the battle of the eons, with them held-up strongly within the UnderGrounds. I would have thought her most displeased."

  Ann'wn was suddenly feeling improved, “If our High Queen seems not concerned, then all must be well."

  "Another bad report, my Love?"

  The attendants had entered, but The High Queen ignored them, “No. Not at all.” She went to Sle'nel’ and wrapped her cover around the both of them, as Sle'nel’ had done so often prior, then kissed her fully.

  "Hmmm..."

  The High Queen then looked at her attendants, “I am hungry. Can you arrange the early morn meal?"

  Sle'nel’ slipped her arm through her Queen's, laughing lightly, “I could have wagered on this, my Love. You are most predictable in this."

  The High Queen raised an eyebrow and looked most serious, “Then I will have to change My patterns.” But secretly, she was most pleased to see that her lover was beginning to laugh more in The Realm.

  When they were prepared, The High Queen followed Sle'nel', “Where do we head, Elf?"

  "To the library. From there I know not. Let us hope that I will be guided on this task."

  The library was the single most impressive structure in all of El'fs'nd'lle, and the most impressive library throughout the entire Realm. San'lr'in’ thought the library important, but thought it as one set of knowledge only. Yet, she remained always wondering as to why the Mungardies, for all their knowledge, no longer held a library to them, as they had done so long prior.

  The library was a large dwelling, fully four stories, and larger than forty dwellings combined. Eleven steps led up to its front entrance, with two very large and very thick wooden doors acting as guards. Sle'nel’ was surprised to see Caitha waiting at the doors.

  "Caitha. Is all well?"

  Caitha bowed her head, then smiled in response, “I have been summoned by a voice. They have but asked me to observe the events this turn so that someone can place them in the stories and songs. As your storyteller, Highness, I have been selected do so as such. Does this meet with your approval?"

  San'lr'in’ smiled and nodded, “Of course. It is a good request of the Elves. Someone should be here to observe and note this grand moment."

  "Did the voice say who she was, Caitha?"

  Caitha shook her head, “She did, but I know not how this be but possible. She said that she be your mother."

  San'lr'in’ beckoned to the door, “Shall we enter, Elf Princess? There seem to be some who fully await your presence."

  Sle'nel’ looked at the massive doors, then took a deep breath, “I wonder how I have arrived to this moment. It seems not possible, in truth."

  She placed her hand on the door, then opened it, surprised at the ease of doing so. They stepped into a most unexpected sight. From floor to ceiling, along all the walls, and upon each floor were stacks and stacks of books, neatly ordered and placed. The dwelling's ceiling was fully four floors high, with the middle open all the way to the top. Caitha had never prior seen such a sight as this, and stood paralyzed in the moment.

  "Look, M'Love. Look at all these books. There must be but thousands of them."

  "Even more than this, Storyteller."

  "My Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ turned to the voice, “Enter, Force Leader. Tell Me."

  "The Highest of Woden, Queen Erthrn, the High Priestess, the Future Supreme Sovereign, Mil'der'in, the Master, The Healer, the Deep Mystics and a few others request permission to enter and also observe the events, Highness."

  San'lr'in’ laughed to herself, but retained her composure. She turned to Sle'nel', “This is for you to say, Elfin Princess. Are
they allowed?"

  Sle'nel’ shrugged, “Let them in. They have traveled many turns to help this event come forward. And Sam would most love to see this library. She has a great passion for books."

  Sle'nel’ suddenly heard a voice, “Daughter. It is the moment."

  "Mother. Great High Wizard Sorcerer. This is a wonderful library."

  Sle'nel', San'lr'in’ and Caitha were allowed to hear her voice this turn, but The High Queen remained quiet, allowing her Teacher to do as needed. Caitha followed the example of her High Queen, wishing to remain quiet so that she could focus upon observing, fully.

  "An impressive library, most certain, but you will have your lifespan to explore it. Find the basement chamber. I will speak to you again when you have arrived there. Many other voices will guide you from that moment, and all now await you. I leave you now, but will be present upon your arrival."

  She turned to San'lr'in', “Do you know of such?"

  She shook her head, “The basement chamber? I know this not. I have been only where we now stand. I never was informed that this dwelling had a basement."

  They looked upon all the walls, behind everything and anything that could be moved away from the walls, yet found nothing.

  "Why did she not tell me?"

  Caitha responded, “She must have assumed that you knew of this. Or, perhaps, it is a test of your ability."

  "Why would this be needed?"

  The Queen of the Waters offered, “Perhaps the opening is outside the dwelling."

  San'lr'in’ thought about the problem quietly as everyone added their own suggestion. She walked around the room, trying to look at it from all possible angles, trying to piece together everything she knew of the Elves. She ignored the others as their conversations continued, shutting them out so that she could concentrate. She examined the walls, but saw no patterns that captured her attention. She examined all the bookshelves, wondering if some were hiding a secret passage, but saw no hints of such.

  She looked up at the glass ceiling, a rounded and domed ceiling of medium size that allowed the sun's path into the library, providing more light. She looked at the floor, seeing where the sun's path crossed it, then looked back up.

  "What do you see?"

  She studied the sun's path for a moment, then looked to the voice, blinking her eyes slowly, “Good morn, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non, My Sister. I am pleased that you have come. I didn't expect that you would do as such."

  "Your Elf is of much merit. She and her Birth-daughter are worth the effort. But back to the task at-hand. What do you see?"

  San'lr'in’ sighed, then told her.

  Sume’ looked up at the sun's path, then down at the floor. She saw what The High Queen saw, but also saw something else, “Do you think that the sun's path guides the direction of the stairs to the basement? See the pattern on the floor? It is identical to the sun's path. And yet, as the sun's path changes through the seasons, the other patterns, I would guess, follow. A neat trick, this, if it is so."

  San'lr'in’ looked at her sister, staring at her. Then, after a moment, she smiled, “You are most intelligent, Sister. I am pleased in this. Has no one ever recognized this in you?"

  Sume’ waved her hand in dismissal, displeased at the topic, and displeased at having to recall such events from her past, “Bah! Idiots. Of course not. You were always considered as the bright one, or the special one, or the pretty one. But this is not of your doing. So, am I correct, or no?"

  The High Queen crouched down to the floor, testing its solidness by rapping lightly on it. She watched the movement of the sun's path carefully as it slowly outlined the floor's pattern. She rose and looked at her sister, “I believe you are correct, Sister. But I think it requires a spell to open it. Look at how closely the floor is pieced together. None of us could physically remove as such."

  "Don't be tedious. Tell the Elf to use her staff."

  San'lr'in’ laughed lightly to herself, surprising even herself as she did as such, as never prior did she find her sister amusing, “Elf. The High Priestess has found the passage you seek."

  "Where, High Priestess?"

  "How did you find it?"

  "I don't see anything? Where is it?"

  "There is nothing here."

  Sle'nel’ came over and stood next to the High Priestess. Sume’ raised her eyes up to the ceiling, then noticeably down to the floor. Sle'nel’ followed her eyes, observing as Sume’ quietly showed her. Sle'nel’ looked again at what had been shown, finally seeing the pattern.

  Softly, she said to Sume', “I wonder if they expected this to be stored in the memories given to me.” She looked over to her Birth-daughter, “Was this not in your memories, Birth-daughter?"

  Sele’ shook her head, looking surprised, “No. Nothing such as this. But I agree with Aunt High Priestess."

  "It will likely require your staff, Elf."

  She looked at Sume', who had offered the suggestion, “Which spell? What am I to ask the staff?"

  All were quiet, wondering. San'lr'in’ laughed lightly once again, then said, “Ask it: ‘What is the spell to open the library's basement passage?’”

  Sume’ frowned, “It couldn't be this simple, most certain.” She paused, “Could it?"

  Sle'nel’ shrugged, “I have no better guess."

  She held up the staff and asked the question. She looked at the staff in disbelief for a moment, then looked up, “It is here, as you said. It is nothing more than a few words."

  "Why is this as secret as this? Who else besides the Elves would know of it?"

  "Are you certain there is a stairway here?"

  "Why did they make it as difficult as this? Why did they not tell you of such?"

  "This doesn't feel correct. It feels like a trap."

  San'lr'in’ listened and observed all those about them carefully, seeing that U'Aine had chosen to attend the turn's event. She also saw Sam stealing a quick glance to U'Aine, remaining unnoticed by the others, while U'Aine also observed Sam from a distance, hiding well her glances and seeming desires. She also noticed that while Sam and U'Aine remained oblivious to each other's stolen glances, Uthrn didn't.

  The comments went on and on, numbing Sle'nel's thoughts to senselessness. Sume’ went up to her and whispered, “You are overly indulgent, Elf. Ignore this stupid prattle. Say your spell and open the passage. Surprise them, as this is the gift of sorcery."

  Sle'nel’ looked at Sume’ for a full moment, then smiled at her, “You are wonderful, High Priestess. You have a magical way of seeking the direct moment."

  She quietly said the few ancient Elfin words, and with great noise, the floor began to creak open, displaying the magic stairway down to the library's basement. All were quickly silenced as they saw the floor open before them. As soon as the floor completed its opening, though, all began their talking over one another yet again.

  "I don't want to go down there. It could be dangerous."

  "It is overly dark. We need light."

  "How far does it go? It could go on and on."

  "Why did they do as such?"

  "Sle'nel’ should go first, as she is the Elf."

  "No. I must check on this. She must be safe. Erthrn, Uthrn, U'Aine and I will go first."

  Sume’ and San'lr'in’ came beside the Elf, both looking at her, “Shall we, Elf?"

  Sle'nel’ smiled slightly, then nodded. They began their descent into the inner workings of the great Elfin Library basement, as Sume’ provided spells for light along the passage. They proceeded slowly, seeing nothing but more stairs and more darkness. They descended level by level, the passage becoming even darker the more they moved away from the library's main floor.

  Sle'nel’ remained silent as they traveled, but the atmosphere of the large group was more of a party, and their conversations continued, even if in a more subdued fashion.

  "It is cold down here."

  "How far must we travel?"

  "I should have brought a cloak."

 
"Someone light the way more. It is overly dark."

  "Surely we have gone overly far. A basement is only one story down."

  "What could possibly be down here?"

  "Why would they have built something as this so overly far into the ground?"

  Most felt a small amount of anxiety as they continued down the stairs, except for Sle'nel', Why do I find this strangely familiar to me?

  "It does, Elf?” San'lr'in’ had been keeping a watch over her thoughts.

  "Yes, but I know not how. I have no memory of it, and nothing comes forward in this regard."

  They continued down stairway-by-stairway for many levels. Even The High Queen was surprised by the extent to which the Elves had gone to secure their secrets.

  Without the light that Sume’ now provided through her sorcerer spells, the darkness would be all consuming, as they were now down far beyond any light of the library arriving to their location, and well into what they thought the middle of The UnderRealm. Yet, they continued.

  Then Sam, in all her wisdom and excellent humor, asked the single question that raised a smile to The High Queen's face, “Are we supposed to climb back up all these stairs?"

  Some had voiced a concern that they had missed a crucial turn, and in truth, there was no way in which they could have known if they had done as such. No door had been felt or seen along their journey down, but then, given the hidden-ness of the basement doorway in the library, it would have been impossible had the Elves wished to contain the secret further. So they continued down, assuming that there was one passage only.

  The Deep Mystics were often known for their lack of patience and were now more than grumbling at the inconvenience the Elves had provided, making The High Queen sigh even further. Finally, after what the Deep Mystics thought were overly many moments, and what all the others thought was far overly a distance to climb back up to the library, Sle'nel’ saw a small light ahead of them.

  She halted, “High Priestess. Could you halt your lights for a moment?"

  Sume’ reversed her spell, bringing their passage to its original blackness. Only then could the others also see the hint of light well ahead of them, but at almost an even level from where they now stood. Sle'nel’ continued down one more flight of stairs, then saw that she stood even with the light.