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

by Robbie Collins

  Erthrn had also been summoned, “Where was the coward hiding?"

  "In the Cave of the Owls."

  "And she wasn't found sooner than this?"

  Ann'wn shrugged, “She has been moving from one location to another.” She turned back to her Queen, “Highness. What would you like done with this one?"

  San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, thinking on the issue, “I would like to search into this one's thoughts. I need to know who compelled her to this task. She is then yours, Force Leader."

  "Is she unharmed?"

  Ann'wn looked at Erthrn, “She lives fully, yet with pain about her. It is remarkable that The High Queen's forces were able to contain themselves this much. Her torture will be long, indeed."

  The High Queen knew the statement as most certain, “Would it not be far better to simply kill her and be done with it, Force Leader? Why must we rely on this torture?"

  "She attempted to assassinate you, Highness. Your forces feel as if they have failed you. They take their blame out on this dark one."

  The High Queen began to walk back toward her room, tired from the eve, “As you will, Force Leader, but I want no part of this. She was merely carrying out another's bidding."

  "My Queen?"

  The High Queen turned back and sighed, “Tell Me."

  "We need a Force Leader meeting, Highness, so that the details of the battle can be prepared, as is our custom."

  "When?"

  "All the Force Leaders are present, Highness. It can begin next turn."

  "How many meetings will you require for this, Force Leader?"

  "Two to three meetings, my Queen."

  Mil'der'in was also present now, having heard that Ann'wn had requested an audience with The High Queen, “I am pleased to make these arrangements, Highness, if you approve of such. With as many as this, may I suggest that we host the meetings at The High Queen's Lodge, my Queen?"

  The High Queen narrowed her eyes for a moment, as if displeased, but finally nodded, “Begin the meetings at midturn, next. I leave the arrangements to you, High Counselor. And make your attendance as required, as well as the High Priestess."

  "The meetings must be short ones, Force Leader, so that our Queen may get the rest she needs. I will remain nearby so as to ensure her healing."

  The High Queen looked at The Healer for a moment, as if preparing to add to her comment. Saying nothing, she quietly left to her rooms.

  * * * *

  Sle'nel’ could see the tiredness in San'lr'in', “You must rest. I have never prior seen you as weary as this."

  San'lr'in’ smiled weakly, “It is so."

  "And I have never prior heard you say to such. Perhaps you shouldn't have agreed to the meetings with the Force Leaders."

  "These are better than remaining in the Valley. I will have only these meetings as My duties."

  The Healer entered, “Are you prepared for a restful eve, Highness?"

  San'lr'in’ sat on the side of the bed, nodding lightly, “I am."

  The Healer checked on San'lr'in's condition, “You are with pain, my Queen?"

  "I have had no strength to enter into My meditations, Healer. I will tend to them in the morn. At that moment, I can tend better to this pain."

  "I will be there with you, Highness. But for the moment, allow me to remove some of your pain."

  San'lr'in’ nodded wearily, “It would be most appreciated, Healer."

  The Healer cast a quick but knowing look to Sle'nel', showing her displeasure at The High Queen's unusual agreeableness. Sle'nel’ raised an eyebrow and nodded her understanding.

  Sle'nel’ had woken early the next morn to find The High Queen already risen and gone. She went to The High Queen's gardens, finding San'lr'in’ well into her meditations. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw The Healer standing beside her.

  After many moments of waiting, Sle'nel’ heard The Healer speak, “Slowly, High One. Hear your heart. Listen to the sounds of your breathing."

  When San'lr'in’ had exited from her meditations, she turned to Sle'nel’ and held out her hand, “I feel slightly improved this morn, My Desire. Come. Let us to the morn meal. Many await our presence. And I am most starved."

  The morn meal was different than any of the other ones that Sle'nel’ had prior experienced in the Valley. Because many others from across The Realm were in the Valley visiting, the meal was hosted in the Grand Meeting Room, in buffet fashion. As they entered, The High Queen's presence was announced, but San'lr'in’ waved off the formality, “Sit, My Valley visitors. Sit and enjoy your meal."

  "Do we leave for the dwelling in the woods this morn?"

  "Dwelling in the woods?” Then she recalled Sle'nel's reference, “Ah. Where you first came to Me. A wonderful moment, but no. Not the dwelling to which you refer. We will be traveling to The High Queen's Lodge. It is a large wooden dwelling, built to accommodate many. But in truth, it is similar to the smaller dwelling, as it is wooden, with rather dramatic fireplaces in many of the rooms, and is quite different than our dwellings in the Valley. I think you will find it most amazing."

  "Is it far?"

  "A morn's ride, only."

  Sle'nel’ felt a slight uneasiness from San'lr'in', “Do you not like this dwelling?"

  San'lr'in’ placed her hand lightly upon Sle'nel's arm, “Your presence will make it all the improved, My Desire."

  * * * *

  They traveled at a leisurely pace, Ann'wn having no reason to rush her Queen. As they had prepared to leave for The High Queen's Lodge, San'lr'in’ had looked at her horse for a long moment, knowing the pain she was about to cause herself as she mounted. Not thinking twice on the moment, she mounted, quietly holding in the pain that consumed her as she did as such. After a few moments of riding, the pain finally began to subside, and she breathed easily once more, grateful for it. Both The Healer and Ann'wn watched silently, knowing well that their Queen would dismiss any notion of assistance.

  The small wooden dwelling that Sle'nel’ had visited once prior was a short distance just north of the Valley's main town center. Thinking that they would travel in the same direction, Sle'nel’ was surprised after they first traveled north, then halted for a moment.

  Ann'wn turned to San'lr'in', “Would you open the path for us, Highness?"

  Nodding once, The High Queen turned her horse east toward the more wild mountains. Closing her eyes for a moment, she gathered a spell to her. After raising her hand toward the trees and chanting the spell, an opening in the forest appeared before them. She reopened her eyes, then turned to Ann'wn, “You have but a few moments prior to its closure, Force Leader."

  They wound their way slowly up into the mountains, traveling upon a well-hidden and narrow trail, allowing the horses their own pace. Sle'nel’ examined the forest, seeing that the trees were similar to those in the Forest of the Ancients. She saw that they were the same red bark, but that these were far taller, yet thinner than those of the Ancients. She breathed in deeply, smelling the earthy aroma of the forest, and noticed that the horses seemed to like traveling upon the soft path, completely covered by the needles and duff from the trees.

  "Is all well, Elfin Queen?"

  "Why do the others travel apart from us, Force Leader?"

  "This is The High Queen's path only, for protection and secrecy, as needed. All others must travel on a different path. This path is well hidden from all. Notice that we have overly few guards with us. Even these guards are of the elite forces, sworn to secrecy of this path. That, and the others left long prior, leaving early to prepare the lodge for The High Queen."

  Caitha traveled next to Sle'nel’ as the trail allowed, “This is a most beautiful path."

  Sle'nel’ breathed in the heady fragrance of the forest, thinking it a wonderful aroma, both sharp yet inviting, “Sam told me of such a forest as this once. It was on one of Woden's boundaries. She brought me a piece of the tree's bark to smell. I recall this aroma well."

  "Now that you say as such,
I recall that Meera told me of such a forest, also. It is amazing, is it not? The Realm is a most exciting place, yet my role in The Realm has remained as stable while your purpose has changed beyond belief. Even now, within the past few turns, your role has taken on yet another most serious of shifts."

  Sle'nel’ scoffed at the idea, “A Second of Woden upon one moment, only to become the Elfin Queen upon a next moment. A silly notion, really."

  "I have ever wondered over your presence in Woden, though, Sle'nel', as I recalled you not in our earlier cycles. And you ever were seen as different than the rest of us."

  "Different? In what regard, Caitha? I was surely like any other."

  "You looked different than those in Woden, far beyond beautiful, but also different in other respects.” She examined her for a moment, “You stood out, ever; different. Your looks were slightly unusual. Now I know, of course, that they are Elfin, but we knew this not, then. And you were able to learn much more quickly than the others; your intelligence ever shone beyond theirs."

  "I felt as if I were as any other.” She shook her head, as in disbelief, “I yet cannot believe that I allowed Hern into my bed for a short while. How stupid was I?"

  "We all do as such, upon some moment."

  As they neared the lodge, Ann'wn rode next to her High Queen, “Do you require rest prior to our first meeting, Highness?"

  San'lr'in’ ignored the question, “Who attends the meetings, Force Leader?"

  "Fourteen Force Leaders from various towns. A few queens, such as Erthrn. The High Counselor. An'ther'on. Your Black Guard Force Leader. The High Priestess."

  "Is the Mungardies’ Force Leader to attend?"

  "We know this not as yet, my Queen."

  "Will these be the primary Force Leaders for our battle?"

  "It is so, my Queen."

  "And they all are to remain at the lodge?"

  "Yes, my Queen. Your private wing is being prepared, however, Highness."

  "Is the midturn meal to be prepared by our arrival?"

  "Yes, my Queen. Mil'der'in is inspecting all the arrangements, personally."

  "Let the meeting occur during the meal, Force Leader."

  "As you say, my Queen."

  They rode to a clearing where all could finally see that the sun's path was at its midturn. Once again, Ann'wn rode up to her, “I know not where the secret path ends, my Queen, but know that it is within this meadow."

  The High Queen closed and reopened her eyes slowly, as was her usual, nodded once, then held out an arm. After a moment of bringing the path's powers to her recognition, she lowered her arm, then traveled to the exit of the secret path while the others followed.

  As they passed through the path's exit, Sle'nel’ turned back toward it, seeing it close its awareness to any who would happen upon it. She shook her head in disbelief, amazed that she was yet learning of The Realm's ways. The path that they had traveled upon was now nothing more than a deeply wooded and impassable forest.

  They rode upon the path that the others used to The High Queen's Lodge, but couldn't yet see any signs of the lodge. They rode for a few short moments, then entered upon a lake's shores.

  Ann'wn pointed, for the benefit of Caitha, Meera and Sle'nel', “That is where we head—The High Queen's Lodge."

  Sle'nel’ followed the direction of Ann'wn's indication, seeing the great lodge. It sat across the opposite end of the long lake, standing in a small clearing at its edge, in a small cove.

  Caitha gasped her disbelief, “It is beautiful beyond comparison."

  Meera's eyes were wide, “It is fully amazing. Never prior have I seen such an image as this."

  The High Queen moved her horse quietly toward Sle'nel's, “A most beautiful sight, is it not, My Desire?"

  Sle'nel’ had been gazing in wonderment at The High Queen's Lodge, but looked at her lover, “How many more such wondrous sights have you kept in secrecy, my Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ smiled softly, “I am pleased you find this as such. Come. The inside is even more astonishing. I only wish that it had been built with you in mind."

  "This was built for you?"

  She began to ride toward the lodge, mostly ignoring the question, “After a fashion, but has been long unused."

  As The High Queen rode off toward the lodge, Ann'wn came up to Sle'nel', “It was built for her and a lover, and was one of her most favored sites in The Realm ... for a short moment. It never came to be, however. She has not allowed its usage in overly many cycles. And I think she has tried to remove it from her memory. In truth, long prior, she was considering having it removed."

  "The Healer?"

  "No. A traitor. One who attempted to assassinate her, just as she became High Queen."

  "In truth?"

  "It is truth. The incident occurred at this lodge, after their first eve together."

  Sle'nel’ rode up to San'lr'in’ so that they could ride the remaining distance together. As they neared the lodge, Sle'nel’ saw that it was built of massive logs, and that its peak was fully three stories in height. She marveled at the large deck on its front side, but saw that an even larger one wrapped around the rear of the dwelling. And she was astounded that the full front of the lodge was nothing more than large windows supported by full tree logs.

  As they dismounted, San'lr'in’ held out her hand to Sle'nel', “Elfin Queen, would you allow that I show this to you?"

  Sle'nel’ placed her hand into her Queen's, and nodded. San'lr'in’ led them up the massive front deck and into the entry room. Sle'nel's eyes widened as she saw the great room before her. It spanned the full three stories, reaching up to the roof, far overhead.

  Then she saw the fireplace, “I have never seen such a dwelling. The fireplace is larger than most dwelling walls, and built of boulders. How was such a thing accomplished?"

  The High Queen laughed lightly, “It is one of the pleasures of being High Queen. I need not know how such a thing is done. I only need know that it is here. But I do enjoy the large beams. Most of the dwellings in which I find myself seem overly refined as compared to this."

  One of The High Queen's attendants knelt and bowed her head, “M'Lady?"

  The High Queen startled, unaware of her presence, “Rise. Tell Me."

  "Your rooms are readied, Highness. And your midturn meal awaits your presence."

  The High Queen turned to Sle'nel', “Would you have it that we eat our midturn meal, and then you can explore the lodge on your own, or would you care for a brief tour now?"

  "M'Lady? Your Force Leaders await your prese—"

  The High Queen glared at her attendant, but Sle'nel’ quickly softened the moment, “Many await your presence. I will wait for you so that we may have more moments to make this as special."

  The meeting occurred while the midturn meal was served. Knowing that the debate would provide for an unpleasant meal, The High Queen turned away the offered meal, choosing to wait until she could dine with Sle'nel'.

  She observed her force leaders as they offered their plans to help defeat the Wizard of the Ravens. Erthrn, Mil'der'in and Ann'wn watched San'lr'in’ carefully, knowing well her expressions. As the debates moved toward the late-after midturn, they saw that their High Queen reclined fully back into her chair, arms crossed before her. They well knew their Queen's mood behind as such. Ann'wn had also remained quiet.

  "I take it your silence means that you agree with us, Ann'wn."

  Ann'wn took a hardened stance when in the presence of all the force leaders throughout The Realm, “You assume overly, Adra'nil. Speak not for me."

  "Oh? Then you disagree with us?"

  "You risk your forces easily. Our losses will be overly many. This need not occur."

  Erthrn agreed, “Make not the first charge with our horses or warriors. Engage our large weapons, first."

  When the turn's meeting was nearing the moment for the eve's meal, San'lr'in’ finally spoke, “You cannot think as separate forces. It will take a combined effort,
from all flanks. You must find a way to attack fully from all sides, at the same moment, in as many ways as possible. Revisit your thinking this eve. We will meet again at the midmorn. You have My leave. Queen Erthrn. Force Leader. Remain a moment."

  They had been sitting in the padded seats that surrounded the enormous fireplace throughout the after midturn, providing a more informal atmosphere for the meetings. Regardless of the intent or the comfort, The High Queen had been displeased with the meeting.

  As the others left, Erthrn bowed her head, “Highness?"

  "Are these the best force leaders available?"

  Ann'wn shook her head, seeing that her Queen yet looked tired from her wound, “No, Highness. There are a few others that are much better. But they lack the experience, so the towns within The Realm see them not. And there is the force leader of the Mungardies. She is most excellent."

  "See that they are here for the next turn's meeting. If I must endure another turn of such small-minded thinking, I will be forced to save the Wizard the effort of battling our force leaders."

  Erthrn laughed. San'lr'in’ raised an eyebrow, “You find humor in this, Queen Erthrn?"

  Erthrn shook her head, but continued laughing, “No, my Queen. I am merely surprised in your patience throughout this meeting. I thought you would dismiss them far sooner than this."

  "They are graced that I had no weapon upon Me. That, and I have little energy about Me to waste upon them.” She turned to Ann'wn, “When are we to deal with this traitor?"

  Ann'wn was yet smiling from Erthrn's statement, but became serious in the change of topic, “She is guarded well, my Queen, so we await your command. The longer she lives, the longer she suffers. There is no urgency. Perhaps when you are more rested?"

  The High Queen ignored the statement, “Have you learned of her allegiance to this attempt on My life?"

  "We have yet not done as such, Highness, without your leave."

  "You have My leave, but ensure that she lives, Force Leader."

  She nodded, “Yes, my Queen."

  San'lr'in’ rose, but felt like she wanted to remain seated, “I will deal with her after the next turn's meeting. In the meanwhile, please ensure that those disgraces to their title as Force Leaders are elsewhere during the eve meal. I have no remaining patience for them. I would like the eve's meal to be as pleasant as possible, given this location."