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

by Robbie Collins

  The moment was more difficult than San'lr'in’ had prior experienced, finding Krl'lnn's mind a maze of secrets well hidden by the real traitors. She probed more deeply, discovering a path through Krl'lnn's mind that greatly troubled San'lr'in'.

  Don't enter there, my Queen.

  She ignored the thought that was sent to her, even in her unawareness of who sent it, moving deeper into Krl'lnn's mind. After many moments, she found that Krl'lnn's mind had been taken over many moons prior, used merely as a vessel to complete the task. She became troubled that she couldn't find the source. She removed herself from the process for a moment.

  She turned to Erthrn, “It is as I had thought. Her mind has been well twisted. This has been no fault of hers. But I cannot yet find whose deed she carried. I must enter her mind through My meditations."

  "You cannot do as such, High One. You cannot risk this much."

  She looked at her Healer and spoke softly, “Perhaps you recall that a High Queen must make sacrifices upon every turn, Healer? This is one of those moments."

  Without waiting for an answer, she entered into her meditations, moving quickly to the desired one, then as quickly, she re-entered Krl'lnn's mind, interacting directly with it.

  She walked through Krl'lnn's mind as if walking through a forest's path, taking first one turn, then another, as she struggled to find the one responsible for the attempted assassination. But it was as she had first found, the paths leading nowhere, as if in a maze. She moved further into her meditations, and further into, yet removed from Krl'lnn's mind. As she moved slightly apart from the sensing, she finally found the location of the source. Rather than moving directly to uncover it, she moved around it, observing it fully, so as to remain unidentified to the source.

  She had guessed that whoever had supplied the directive to Krl'lnn had done so without her knowledge. And she had guessed that the source had supplied traps within Krl'lnn's mind so as to signal detection if discovered. She maneuvered further around the source, trying to identify it without signaling her presence. When she found it, she mentally backed away, knowing that she now had to contain it within Krl'lnn's mind, but apart from it, all without detection.

  The Healer felt The High Queen begin to return from her meditations, “Slowly, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. Come to my voice. Slowly."

  When The High Queen had returned, she saw that Krl'lnn was now even further in pain. She looked to her Healer, “How long have I been in Krl'lnn's mind?"

  "Many moments, High One."

  She looked up to the sky, seeing that the moon was now overhead, “I must re-enter into her mind but from another direction. I will need your assistance, Healer."

  "You have it, my Queen."

  She placed her hand on Krl'lnn's head, removing some of her pain, “Remain strong, Young Master. Your mind will be at peace in a few moments."

  She turned to her Healer, “Connect to Me, Healer. There is need of your strength."

  When she was certain that she could use The Healer's strength, she returned her sensing into Krl'lnn, now seeking to confine the source of the assassination attempt securely without its awareness of such. She used her powers to build a wall around it, and used her spells to trick the source into thinking that all was as usual. When she was done building the secure trap, she looked within it so as to finally identify the source.

  The shock was so surprising that her heart jumped at the sudden awareness, causing great pain. In spite of it, she knew that she needed to remove Krl'lnn's mind from the source's hold, also without the source's awareness. Once again, she used both her powers and spells to do as such, trying to move herself away her heart's pain.

  When she was done, she used The Healer's strength to return herself to The Realm, falling upon her knees as she returned.

  "My Queen!"

  She was having difficulty breathing, but said, “Untie her."

  "She is a traitor, Highness. She tried to kill you."

  Yet in pain, she stood, looking with narrowed eyes, “I gave a command, Force Leader."

  "My Queen, we must tend to your heart."

  "Not at this moment, Healer."

  She turned to Krl'lnn, who was yet strongly bound and gagged, “Remove her bindings.” She turned to her Healer, “Help Me. She is with great pain, and is not responsible for this assassination attempt. Help Me save her, Healer."

  The Healer nodded, moving to Krl'lnn. She worked quickly to remove some of her greatest pains, then began to bandage her more injured limbs and areas.

  The High Queen bent down to Krl'lnn, who was now lying upon the ground, “Can you hear Me, Krl'lnn?"

  Krl'lnn was no longer controlled by the source, but was in enormous pain. She spoke with great effort, “Yes, Highness."

  She touched Krl'lnn's face gently, “Rest. We will speak later.” She touched Krl'lnn's forehead, sending her into a deep sleep, “She will rest comfortably now, Healer. Do as you can. Have them move her to a room within the lodge."

  The Healer nodded as The High Queen turned to Erthrn and Ann'wn. She spoke softly, “Bring the High Wizard Sorcerer to Me, with all haste. Tell her I have great need of her to help Me with My powers."

  "Yes, my Queen."

  Erthrn was surprised, “The High Wizard Sorcerer, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'?"

  She nodded, “It is so."

  "But I have heard tales that she allowed you within her thoughts."

  "All is not what it seems, Erthrn."

  Mil'der'in had come earlier, hearing that The High Queen was questioning Krl'lnn, “This will be a most unwelcomed report throughout The Realm, Highness."

  She turned to Ann'wn, “Tell no one of this. Inform the guards that they remain here until the High Wizard Sorcerer's arrival. This must remain quiet until we can complete this task."

  "Yes, my Queen. As you say. I will dispatch a messenger and some guards now, Highness. She will be arrived within a few turns."

  "We will deal with her prior to our leaving for the Wizard. I will provide a general statement saying of My need of the High Wizard Sorcerer, so that all can hear. She must not become aware of our intent."

  As Krl'lnn was being carefully moved to the lodge, Ann'wn looked at her Queen, “She is not guilty, Highness? We have done as such to her, and she is innocent?"

  The High Queen knew the difficulty in such decisions. She placed her hand upon Ann'wn's shoulder, “We cannot always know truth, Ann'wn. She is alive, and will be well treated from this moment. You moved forward from the knowledge we knew. She threw the knife, and all saw this as truth. You cannot blame yourself. It was meant for us to think as such."

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  Chapter XIII

  Sume's Challenge

  The meeting on the third turn was long and intense. Everyone tried to create a battle plan that would please The High Queen, but she had been displeased in the efforts. Mostly, though, she had been displeased that she hadn't come up with her own plan to rid The Realm of this great wizard.

  During one moment of rest, The High Queen entered into her second meditation to help remove herself from The Realm. Once again, the Wizard of the Ravens entered easily.

  I have been waiting for you. I find that I like being in your thoughts, High Queen.

  San'lr'in’ sensed the Wizard's truth. The Wizard was enjoying the moment.

  I admire strength, and you are strong. You have done well through my trials. I am well pleased. From this moment, you will only experience my pleasure, as I now seek you to me. Think on this, High Queen. I desire you to stand with me.

  While surprised at the statement, San'lr'in’ needed to learn more about her. But something in the statement made her wonder, Perhaps her desire could be used...

  And you are strong even in your silence. All others would have long prior given in to me. You resist, yet you are curious. You learn by listening.

  San'lr'in’ thought to herself that the Wizard liked to overly control the moments.

  I will find a way to br
ing you to me, High Queen. And while you think of me as evil, rethink this, my curious one, as I have many gifts I can offer one such as you.

  San'lr'in’ removed herself from the Wizard's thoughts, and stood quietly thinking on what she had learned of the Wizard of the Ravens, once again wondering in what fashion could she use the Wizard's desire of her, against her. She recalled Roen's vision: The Wizard of the Ravens is not what you will be led to believe, Highness. She is more, yet less, in all things. She thought it as an unsettling vision, wondering if the Wizard was ‘more evil, or less so? Could this be truth?

  The meeting began again, while she kept turning the Wizard's words over and over in her mind. Suddenly, she raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then stood, “Yes. We have it. I have finally placed it together. This is what we will do."

  She detailed the plan at great length, omitting her part in it, then said, “Force Leader. Bring the sorcerers to Me, and quickly so, and ensure that the High Wizard Sorcerer comes. I need them here within three turns. In the meanwhile, gather all your forces and weapons together. Prepare well. We leave in five turns."

  After The High Queen finally adjourned the War Council, she visited with Krl'lnn. She had posted Krl'lnn to her own Healer's care, so as to ensure a quick and full recovery.

  As she entered, Krl'lnn threw herself to the ground upon her knees, in spite of great many wounds, “High Queen. I beg your forgiveness. Never would I attempt as such. I lay my life before you. A true Master would never do as such. Please, my Queen. Please punish me for such a deed as this."

  San'lr'in’ bent down to Krl'lnn's level, “Apprentice Master. Look at Me."

  Krl'lnn shook her head, “I am overly ashamed, Highness."

  "I command it as so, Krl'lnn. Look at your High Queen."

  Krl'lnn did as such, truly ashamed for having tried to kill The High Queen, “My Queen, I—"

  "Listen well to Me, Krl'lnn. You are not to blame for this attempt on My life. There is another much more powerful than you, and she used you well."

  "Let me know of who this is, M'Lady, and I will dispatch her."

  San'lr'in’ laughed lightly, somewhat amused at Krl'lnn's stance, “I am quite able to tend to this affair, Young Master."

  Krl'lnn blushed, “Oh, Highness. I meant not that you are unable to—"

  San'lr'in’ rose and made Krl'lnn do the same, “I know your meaning, Young Master. Worry not over this. Come. Place yourself back in your bed or you will have to protect Me from My own Healer, as she will be most angry at Me for allowing you out of your bed."

  Krl'lnn climbed quickly back into her bed, even given the painful wounds that had been inflicted upon her, “I will not tell her of such, my Queen. But my Queen, I am most truly sorry for my actions. As a Master, I should have been able to resist as such. I owe you beyond my life, itself."

  The Healer entered just as Krl'lnn had returned to her bed, “Ah, High One. Here you are. I have been looking for you. I must check on your heart."

  "Your heart, M'Lady? I threw the knife into your heart?"

  San'lr'in’ smiled softly, “It would seem that you have a most excellent aim, Young Master, and from a long distance, as well. I am pleased that your services to The Realm will be most excellent."

  Krl'lnn shook her head, “Please say this be not so, my Queen. I wish to serve only you. The Realm has forfeited my services, but my services are solely in your hands, Highness. Until my dying day. Of this I vow to you, from this moment on. I am nothing but a weak and pitiful excuse for a Master."

  The Healer laughed, “Halt, Krl'lnn. The High Queen hears as such upon almost every turn. Tell her something fresh and entertaining. She knows full well of your allegiance to her. She questioned your part in this assassination attempt long prior to any other."

  San'lr'in’ smiled at her Healer and placed her hand upon her arm. They exchanged knowing glances, then both looked at Krl'lnn, “You seem to be recovering quickly, Krl'lnn. What now gives you the most pain?"

  Krl'lnn glanced down to her tightly bound left elbow, “The break in the elbow is quite painful as yet, but my fingers move more easily upon every turn."

  The Healer unbound the elbow and examined it, “It heals slowly, but well. Use it not, Krl'lnn until the bone is finished with its healing. You will regain full use of this, and you are lucky in this regard.” She turned to San'lr'in', “We must tend to your health, High One."

  San'lr'in’ rose, “I am pleased that you are returned to The Realm, Young Master. We have great need of your services. I look forward to you teaching new ones to become Masters. For the moment, though, you need only rest so as to return your strength to you. Do you have any requests that I might make as so, Young One?"

  "I have one, M'Lady."

  "Tell Me."

  "I wish to fight with you against this Wizard."

  San'lr'in’ placed her hand softly on Krl'lnn's head, “This is not your battle, Young Apprentice-Master. There will be many more battles to come, and you will fight these for The Realm and your High Queen. I must take My leave now."

  "But, my Quee—"

  She had turned to leave, but turned back, “Consider it as a command, Young Master."

  Krl'lnn blushed again and bowed her head, “Yes, my Queen."

  She turned to The Healer, “Let us depart so that you may inflict your tortures upon Me, Healer."

  The Healer walked with her Queen, seeing that she was being led to a forest's path that led to a yet smaller lake. Their walk had been in silence, and as they reached the lake's shores, The High Queen looked out to the mountains across the lake.

  She sighed deeply, “A beautiful setting."

  "It is astonishing, in truth.” She knew to allow the moments her Queen needed to say her thoughts.

  "Healer. There is little reason for you to continue with My healing."

  "Your heart is not yet fully recovered, High One."

  "There is little point to its healing, Healer. It is in a weakened moment, yet I must fight against a most powerful wizard. Even with a well heart, My chances will not be good. I have felt her strength."

  "She could be using a spell to make her strength look as such, Highness."

  "Healer ... you know well My meaning in this."

  "You have thought as such, prior, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. And it came not to be as so."

  Seldom did The Healer use The High Queen's name, but when she did, The High Queen knew well its meaning, “You alone know of My lack of strength at this moment. In all The Realm, only you know fully of what I now must face. Shr'dler'in, you know this to be so."

  The Healer felt saddened in the moment, “You must face this differently, San'lr'in'. You cannot enter this moment expecting to die."

  "In truth, Healer, I expect to win. But it will, in most likely truth, take My life to do as such, and this you well know. And I tell you this for good reasons. First, Healer, I have great need that you know how much you have meant to Me. While I have ever been saddened that our moments as lovers became overly difficult, I never halted in My love for you."

  The Healer gulped, “I know hardly what to say, Highness. But perhaps—"

  "Just listen, Healer. Second, you among all others know My heart, and you among all others have the most interesting way of winning your arguments. If I must leave this Realm, guide the next High Queen well, Healer. Mil'der'in is an excellent High Counselor, but she, as Queen of the Valley, will need your strength and great intelligence."

  "My Queen, you must know that it will be eons prior to another High Queen such as you."

  She ignored the statement, “Third, Healer, you must ensure that The High Queen is of The High Queen's line. This must be so or all will be lost. Mil'der'in will be with you on this, as will Erthrn and all the Deep Mystics. This will not be an easy task, but of all others, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non will lead this argument, as must be. Then last, Healer, take good care of My great love. I command you to her, when this is over."

  "And Ann'wn? You think als
o that she will die in this battle?"

  The High Queen finally turned her gaze away from the mountains, to The Healer, “Of all our battles prior, Healer, none were such as this, combined. Very few of us will return from this battle. But the important moment is that this Wizard lose, and I will ensure of this."

  "But you have the best forces in all The Rea—"

  "...that have been ravaged and weakened by overly many fights against the Dungaras and the Mungardies. We have had no moments to prepare as needed for this battle."

  As The High Queen embraced her, The Healer cried softly on her Queen's shoulders for a moment, then pulled back, “I cannot accept this as so, High One. I know you well, and I know that should you desire, you will survive this battle. You must see this as so."

  San'lr'in’ took hold of her Healer's hands, “I will try, Healer. I most certainly have no desire to die, as yet. But I must prepare for this possibility. And Healer, should this occur, you alone know the location of My last desires. I have placed them in script. At least, Healer, give Me the assurance that I need not worry over these issues, as well."

  "Never, my Queen. Just worry over that I wish for your return. Only this."

  "I will give every effort, Healer, but My first duty is to rid The Realm of this Wizard.” But even as she said it, Roen's words kept coming back to her: The Wizard of the Ravens is not what you will be led to believe, Highness. She is more, yet less, in all things.

  San'lr'in’ entered into her deepest of meditations for the next two turns, restoring her powers to her and healing herself to the fullest moment possible.

  When the High Wizard Sorcerer and all the others finally arrived, Ann'wn came to her, “My Queen."

  "Tell Me."

  The High Wizard Sorcerer has arrived, along with many of the other sorcerers."

  "We will have to deal with the sorcerers at another moment. But we will have to deal with the High Wizard Sorcerer now, and in complete silence. The Realm must remain unaware of what we must now do."

  Ann'wn had the High Wizard Sorcerer wait in a clearing, informing her that The High Queen wished to train at that location. As they arrived, San'lr'in’ blocked her mind from all sensing, so that the High Wizard Sorcerer would remain unaware.