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

by Robbie Collins

  "Tell Me, Force Leader. Make Me not beg for this information."

  "The fleeing villages stated that they were attacked by the R'kin'dles, Highness. But this is not possible."

  Sume’ stood, protesting loudly, “This cannot be so, San'lr'in'. They wouldn't do as such. These villagers lie. The R'kin'dles have vowed they would no longer battle against The Realm."

  San'lr'in’ halted her pacing and faced her sister, “Yes, I know this, High Priestess. It is as you say. If they did this, they did as such for a reason we yet know not.” She turned to Ann'wn, “And I have also heard that the R'kin'dles attacked the village, but My messenger told Me more. I have been informed that they attack as their town is being held captive unless they do as such."

  Sume’ was angered, “Who is behind this?"

  San'lr'in’ looked at her, wishing she knew more. She waited a moment, sighed deeply, then said, “I have a guess, only."

  "You are as infuriating as your Force Leader. Tell me your guess."

  She sighed, looking more than frustrated, “I believe it is the Wizard of The Ravens. I believe she is awakening."

  Sume’ looked stunned. An'ther'on had never heard of such, “Who is this, Highness?"

  Sume’ stood staring at her, fully paralyzed in the possibility, “But she cannot yet be returned. The legends say otherwise. She was to be gone well past our lifespans."

  San'lr'in’ looked at Sume', “She has sensed Me through My spells."

  Sume’ looked panicked and now shook her head in disbelief, “Not her. Tell me that you jest, as we cannot win against her powers."

  Ann'wn, like An'ther'on, didn't know of the Wizard of The Ravens, but felt Sume's fear, “Who is this, Highness?"

  Sume’ sat down heavily, her heart filled with despair, “The most evil and strongest wizard to ever walk in The Realm."

  Mil'der'in looked confused, “I thought the Dark Sorcerer was the strongest, Highness."

  Erthrn was also bewildered, “And I thought that most of the magic spells have been returned to the safety of The Realm, my Queen."

  The High Queen was thinking thoughts far removed from the moment so hadn't heard their questions, “Highness?"

  She turned, startled, “Huh? Ah, My apologies. Tell them, High Priestess, of this long prior one. They know not this tale."

  Sume’ was yet in shock as to her sister's statement, and in full disbelief that this wizard could be in The Realm in their own lifespan. She gathered what memory she could from the long-prior tale, “Her name was banned from The Realm for fear that the saying aloud of it could return her to The Realm. This is why so few know of her existence in our era. For many eons, well prior to our imaginings, this Wizard's name has remained as unspoken across all the cycles. She lives in the far Southern Lands, far below any settled regions, in the lands where the mountains explode into hot flowing lava and where the lands shake with such violence as to bring down the trees. The Dark Sorcerer was nothing but a mere Mystic babe as compared to her."

  "Where did she come from? I thought all the sorcery contained."

  "Contained? What do they mean by this, San'lr'in'?"

  San'lr'in’ sighed. Upon their arrival to El'fs'nd'lle, she had felt lighter, far removed from her usual burdens of The Realm, but this report brought all its weight crashing back onto her, “Into the High Wizard Sorcerer's staff."

  Sume’ nodded her understanding. She turned back to Mil'der'in, “The spells are contained, from those that have been available to us in our era, but the Wizard of The Ravens is from far long prior, well beyond our known past."

  "Tell them the story, High Priestess. All of it, so that they might share the burden of what might now face us."

  Sume’ repeated the same story that both she and her sister had been told prior by their grandmother and teachers, “Far removed from our moments, even prior to when this realm was first settled by our kind, this wizard was the High Counselor to its leader, one far long-prior to any High Queen. It was when the powers were stronger than any we know, well beyond our imaginings. The leader of The Realm, Jre'nec'rn', was strong, but young. We know not if this line yet continues, and we know not if she was even of the Mystics. The Realm was a larger place then, including many from other Realms, but in this we have little understanding. Jre'nec'rn’ ruled all this Realm as well as two others. We know these not. The Wizard of The Ravens was of a ruling family from far across the realms, but had been passed by as a leader, even though she was most beautiful. She was given to Jre'nec'rn’ as a token of friendship and peace, in hopes of combining two great legions, and she became Jre'nec'rn's partner by oath. Jre'nec'rn’ saw it as a good political pairing, as the Wizard of The Ravens was gifted with farsight, a sight that Jre'nec'rn’ was lacking. The Wizard of The Ravens thus became Jre'nec'rn's most favored counsel, and her partner, although Jre'nec'rn’ had another as her true and only lover.

  "Jre'nec'rn’ increased her holdings, with much guidance from the Wizard of The Ravens. It was said that this realm in which we live was alive with more races and population than we can guess, with other realms traveling here to trade. Her rule was successful and prosperous, and all loved her. Over the cycles, Jre'nec'rn’ and her lover had two children, which Jre'nec'rn’ is reported to have loved beyond reason. This caused much jealousy in the Wizard of The Ravens, but she said nothing of it for a long while.

  "Jre'nec'rn’ knew of her High Counselor's jealousy, but ignored it. And thus began the High Counselor's slip into the darkest of all thoughts. She began scheming against Jre'nec'rn', plotting her downfall, as she secretly traded the palace's riches in exchange for the magical spells. Also during these moments, she built her own Keep in the Southern Lands. While Jre'nec'rn’ knew of her High Counselor's building, she thought it as good in order to keep the High Counselor busy and away from the royal family. The Southern Lands, like now, were mostly ignored for lack of any desirable locations for habitation within them.

  "The more Jre'nec'rn’ allowed her High Counselor her freedom, the more she took and the more she wanted. As she became stronger in her powers, she began to wish for Jre'nec'rn's rule, thinking it her due. She bought many alliances and planned Jre'nec'rn's overthrow and assassination. In all these moments, Jre'nec'rn’ was considered a great leader, and was fully devoted to her lover and children. Wherever she traveled, she took her family, never wishing to remain apart from them. Jre'nec'rn's realms strongly approved, ever celebrating her arrival with her family. But at each moment of this occurrence, in her High Counselor's company, it would twist the High Counselor's mind a bit more.

  "The High Counselor held her patience, training her ravens for when the moment was correct. It is said that she had thousands upon thousands of ravens. When the moment arrived, Jre'nec'rn’ and her family were captured, as by now none could hide from the High Counselor's ravens, and Jre'nec'rn’ was forced to watch as her lover was tortured and killed, and as her children's eyes were pecked out by the High Counselor's ravens, then tortured and killed.

  "Jre'nec'rn’ was also to be killed, but escaped with the aide of her own guards. After many cycles, and after her former High Counselor had now placed herself as leader, Jre'nec'rn’ returned for her revenge. None thought that she could ever overcome the Wizard of The Ravens, as the Wizard had become overly strong, beyond any prior, and stronger than any other across all the known realms. She now ruled the known realms, yet all her subjects feared and hated her. But none could plot against her, as the ravens were everywhere, acting as her eyes and ears. She ruled her realms through fear, and the ravens were ever seeking out those who would betray her. It is said that many went insane from the sight of the ever-present ravens. And it is said that she could often be seen standing on her balcony, laughing as her ravens pecked the eyes of one of her subjects. The only love this one had was her love for killing. By the end of her reign, many of her realms’ races were wiped-out by her, forever extinct.

  "Like her High Counselor had done to her, Jre'nec'rn’ waite
d until the correct moment, planning carefully, practicing her own powers to make them stronger. When the moment came, scores of those yet loyal to Jre'nec'rn’ helped in the scheme. Suddenly, across all the realms, the ravens were captured until only a few remained. Without her eyes and ears, the former High Counselor felt blind and fearful. Jre'nec'rn’ stepped into her Keep, challenging her for the return of her own reign. The contest lasted many turns, but Jre'nec'rn’ sadly saw that she was to lose to this overly powerful wizard. As her last act, now knowing that she could never kill the Wizard, she used her remaining powers to imprison her within her own Keep. As Jre'nec'rn’ died, she did so knowing that her powers had worked, for as her eyesight began to fade from her realm, she saw that the Wizard lay on her floor, asleep for the eons yet to come. It is said that the remainder of the ravens that could be caught were killed, and the Keep was sealed, as none knew how to rid The Realm of this Wizard."

  There was silence for many moments, then Erthrn said, “This sounds not possible. It is a child's tale. Surely nothing more than this."

  Sume’ nodded, “It is truth. Fully."

  "Here. In our realm? She is yet here?"

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “In the Southern Lands. There is much more to this tale, but this provides you with the story, as it is believed to be as truth. It is said that she murdered well over thousands upon thousands, upon thousands of subjects across her reign."

  Ann'wn was stunned, “They had as many as this?"

  "You knew she was there, High Queen?"

  "Yes. I have seen her, asleep."

  All were quiet, silenced by the tale, not prior knowing of such, and having no notion of how to rid The Realm of this Wizard.

  Sume’ turned to San'lr'in', “She is fully awake?"

  "She awakens, yet is already calling her forces quickly to her."

  Fon'elnn’ nodded her understanding of the tale, “I am recalling this story. The First High Queen went to seeing her upon two occasions, of which I am being aware. As you saying, she was being asleep."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, appreciating the confirmation, but thinking it odd that so many High Queens had to check upon the sleeping Wizard, yet, like it was with their grandmother, none could remove her from The Realm.

  Sume’ went up to her, “Even your powers can be no match for hers."

  She accepted the harsh moment, “It is truth. I will have to find another way to defeat her."

  "Are the Mungardies with her, Highness?"

  "I think not. I think they have also felt her and flee in their fear."

  Ann'wn looked stunned, “The Mungardies are afraid of her? But they fear nothing."

  Sume’ whispered, but all heard her, “I am afraid, San'lr'in'. I am afraid for you."

  As she was trained, San'lr'in’ felt no fear, and knew to display only strength, “We will find a way, Sister. We must save the R'kin'dles from certain extinction by her hand.” She turned to Ann'wn and Erthrn, “Call for a War Council, in the Valley. I want all The Realm's Force Leaders present, without exception. It is My command."

  "Yes, my Queen."

  She had turned away from Erthrn and Ann'wn, but now turned back, “Oh, and Force Leader?"

  "My Queen?"

  "Send a message to the Mungardies informing them of this Wizard. My guess is that they are already aware of her awakening. Then invite them to the War Council. Inform them that I guarantee their safety. And send a messenger to all the Spirit Mothers and the Deep Mystics. Command their presence."

  Ann'wn nodded her head once, “As you say, my Queen."

  The High Queen turned to Mil'der'in, “Inform all the Rulers of The Realm that they are commanded to attend a Ruler's Meeting."

  "Yes, Highness."

  "This is all I have for now. We leave in three turns. You have My leave.” She turned to her sister, knowing that this was the moment she would have to ask Sume’ of her service, “Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. Please hold, as I have great need to speak with you."

  Sume’ waited with The High Queen until the others had gone, “Keep me not in suspense. I detest being kept waiting."

  San'lr'in’ merely looked at her, ignoring the statement, “I will not be able to do this alone, Sister. I am asking for your help in this matter. But prior to your answer, I want you to know full well that this will be most dangerous. My death is nearer in this battle than ever prior."

  Sume’ looked at her as if she thought The High Queen stupid, “You will not die. And of course you need my help. Afterall, I am High Priestess of the Sorcery, but you will also need Sele's powers, as well as Sle'nel's, as they also carry the sorcery. And I know fully this to be dangerous, but if she is awakened, as you say she is, then there is danger all about us. You and I will be the first to die if she is allowed to begin her killing, as she cannot keep us alive and against her. There is no choice, San'lr'in'. We either kill her, or she will kill us. But I suspect you know more than you now tell."

  As her usual, she ignored the statements she didn't wish to consider, “You have not yet sensed her presence?"

  Sume’ nodded, “I have sensed something, but couldn't yet place it. I know not these meditations of yours, so she hasn't found an open and willing path into my senses ... yet. She will."

  San'lr'in’ moved up close to her, her eyes pleading, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder, “Will you come with Me?"

  Sume’ looked at her for a moment, not wishing to give away all her independence, “This will require all our efforts, San'lr'in', but I have two conditions."

  The High Queen waited.

  "You allow me to help teach and raise the one-turn Queen of the Elves, after this one's defeat."

  San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, “And I have a condition."

  Sume’ turned her head slightly sideways, studying her sister, “What is it?"

  "You also help teach and raise the one-turn Future Supreme Sovereign."

  "Both the future Elfin and the future Realm's Queens?” She smiled, “Agreed."

  "Your other condition?"

  "You will not keep anything from me in regard to this Wizard."

  She considered the statement, wondering if she were about to lie. She didn't wish to lie to her sister, but felt she had no choice, “Agreed, under two conditions."

  Sume’ looked sideways at her once again, “Tell me these."

  "You become My counsel in this concern. You remain at My side until we achieve this battle. I can trust only you and Sle'nel’ in this concern, as you are both Sorcerers of high reputation."

  "And the other condition?"

  "You help Sle'nel’ learn all her spells."

  "All these conditions will require that I remain in the Valley with you until we have beaten this Wizard, yet I have many demands in this regard."

  "They will be met."

  "All of them?"

  San'lr'in’ laughed, “Must I twist Erthrn's arm to remain in your bed, as well?"

  Sume’ smiled wickedly, “Now there is a demand I hadn't thought of myself. You know, San'lr'in', you surprise me at moments. And did you know that she is a quite capable lover?"

  "Your demands will be met, but you will need to meet mine as well, as My counsel."

  "Such as?"

  "You will need to call your patience to you when we meet with the Rulers of The Realm."

  "This? I must do th—?"

  "And keep your patience with the Deep Mystics."

  "Them also? How am I to do as su—?"

  "And with all the Force Leaders."

  Sume’ raised an eyebrow, “Your reign as High Queen has suddenly become less appealing to me. But I will agree to these demands."

  "Then we are in agreement?"

  Sume’ studied her sister for a long moment, knowing fully what she was about to do, “I never thought that we could remain in the same place together for any length of moments, but now you have us together over a common cause. You are indeed a good leader, San'lr'in', as you are even able to make your enemies admire you." />
  "And you will come to Woden with us."

  "You command me, Sister? I will not be commanded."

  San'lr'in’ smiled, using her charms, “Come, Sume'. Come with us and enjoy our journey and visit with our youngest sister."

  Sume’ had been pleased at the thought, then suddenly frowned, “You are not going to inform her of the Wizard, are you?"

  It wasn't a question. Sume’ had guessed that San'lr'in’ would keep this knowledge from Sam, “I see no reason to do as such. Her powers are overly weak, and there is no reason to instill fear in all of Woden. They yet recover from their just-prior battle."

  "She will feel excluded, as she has a true warrior's heart."

  "Then you will have to counsel Me on how to make her feel otherwise."

  Sume’ grinned at the thought, “So, you are devious as well as a good bargainer.” She paused for a moment, then said, “I have one further need."

  San'lr'in’ examined Sume's thoughts for a moment, then nodded, “It will be done, and quickly so. I will save the R'kin'dles."

  They walked out of the room together, pleased in their negotiations, and pleased in the opportunity to bring them more closely aligned as family. But The High Queen also had her fears in this regard, not wishing to place any of her alliances in such certain danger.

  After their agreement, San'lr'in’ walked alone on the Elfin paths, a thousand thoughts going through her mind. She was beginning to piece together what had remained hidden from her for overly long. She knew now what the Spirit Mothers had worked to prepare. She now knew why all the powers were coming together in her lifespan. And she knew now why the R'kin'dles were so important to The Realm.

  She stood upon a bridge looking into the sky. To herself she whispered, sending her message, “Wizard of The Ravens, you have met your match in this era."

  * * * *

  After the meeting, San'lr'in’ went to the Reflecting Pool for her meditations. She felt an urgency to examine the Wizard of The Raven's return to The Realm more fully. She had prior hoped that this would never have occurred in her reign, now finding herself once again far overly burdened.