The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (31 page)

"You have done well, My Sister. You are using your powers well."

Sam was now already gasping at trying to keep up with her sister, but was pleased in that she could tell she had come a long way, “Fon'elnn’ has been but an excellent teacher, my Queen."

Sam suddenly took a strong aggressive stance against her Queen, using all her new powers and skills against her. Although The High Queen yet countered quite easily, she could tell that Sam was steadily improving. After many moments of observing Sam's new moves, San'lr'in’ had seen enough. She made a few quick but powerful moves, quickly forcing Sam to drop her sword.

She laughed lightly, “You are learning even more quickly than I had dared hoped. I am well pleased in your progress, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. You use your powers wisely."

Sam smiled, proud of her gains, bowing her head, “For you and The Realm, my Queen."

As she was handing her sword back to Sam, a voice came from behind her, “Caring to fight a true Master, Highness?"

She turned, sword yet in-hand. She nodded her head, bowing it politely in acknowledgement to the Master, “Master. Perhaps another moment?"

Fon'elnn’ raised her sword, not taking her no for an answer. The High Queen had no choice but to match Fon'elnn's challenge. Ann'wn and all the others were suddenly well interested. It had been many, many cycles since two Masters had challenged each other. All stood, moving closer to watch the match, to observe the moves, to bet on the winner.

"You needing to return to The Realm, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ raised her sword to Fon'elnn', wondering if she had enough desire to even attempt winning the sword dance. She felt defeated in her own right, and didn't want to engage in this contest.

Both being Masters, neither initially took the first move. The High Queen held steady, waiting, finally forcing Fon'elnn’ to do so. That was already one gain for her.

Fon'elnn’ had never prior seen her new Queen fight, so began the contest at a medium level. The High Queen smiled to herself, knowing that Fon'elnn’ had just displayed a weakness that could have cost her the contest. In fairness, The High Queen didn't use it against her, suddenly desiring to see how good Fon'elnn’ was with her sword.

The High Queen countered easily, not yet making her own moves. She watched Fon'elnn's moves carefully, assessing her skills, looking for her weaknesses and testing her endurance. Fon'elnn’ saw her Queen's eyes measure her, yet quite uncertain as to The High Queen's abilities. No one had yet informed her that San'lr'in’ was the second highest Master in The Realm, in this era.

Startling Fon'elnn', The High Queen made an uncharacteristically aggressive move against Fon'elnn', using her Masters’ skills as well as her powers. By doing so, she instantly changed the contest to a higher level, forcing Fon'elnn’ to display more of her true abilities. Fon'elnn’ did so, returning the aggressive stance quickly. The High Queen was both amazed and pleased.

Ann'wn and Meera watched the quick and decisive moves each contestant provided, seeing them well-skilled. Ann'wn had never been able to fully draw-out her Queen's abilities, so was enjoying the moment like no other.

"Our Queen is magnificent."

"I never would have thought her with such abilities as these."

"Even now I must wonder if these are the extent of her skills, or if she yet holds back."

The swords clanged together so loudly and with such strength that Meera was afraid the swords would break.

"Woden's swords would not be able to withstand such beating as this."

Ann'wn had never prior thought of this, “Our metals are of the Mystics’ forging. Perhaps they are stronger. Yet, even without using her Masters’ skills, I have seen our Queen break a sword, prior."

Fon'elnn’ tried to force her Queen into a defensive posturing, delivering one aggressive move after the other, but to no avail. The High Queen held her spot, taking the blows solidly, yet measuring and assessing Fon'elnn's abilities.

"You display your weaknesses overly soon, Master."

"And you displaying yours not at all, my Queen."

The High Queen smiled some, but took the moment to force Fon'elnn’ to lose ground. After this many moments, she began delivering even harsher blows to Fon'elnn'.

"You being overly strong, Highness."

"Match My strength, Master. I expect more from you than this."

The Master began to grow frustrated with herself, embarrassed by her Queen's comment. She pushed herself further into her Masters’ stance, calling on all her powers and abilities. San'lr'in’ had expected as such to occur, pleased that the contest would finally offer her a real challenge.

Sam had been pleased in her own progress, but now saw how much more she needed to learn. She was astonished in her sister's skills. In truth, all the guards watched in amazement, having never prior seen their Queen such a warrior as this. They were suddenly all embarrassed in their skills, but also were well proud of having such a Warrior Queen as this. All knew that their skills paled well in the comparison.

San'lr'in’ hadn't needed to use many of her Masters’ skills for long prior, having had no one equal in her abilities. She had taken a few moments to fully assess Fon'elnn's skills, but found that Fon'elnn’ didn't have the quantity of moves she possessed, guessing that the earlier Masters’ were yet young as a force during Fon'elnn's era.

Using both hands on her sword, San'lr'in’ delivered a blow that caused Fon'elnn’ to stumble, nearly making her drop her sword. Fon'elnn’ recovered quickly, but The High Queen was on the move. One sword movement after another, San'lr'in’ began to force Fon'elnn’ into a defensive mode that couldn't be altered. It was all Fon'elnn’ could do to remain fully engaged. But rather than give away all her abilities, The High Queen pushed the contest to an even higher level, finally making a few quick and aggressive moves. Suddenly, she moved her sword in such a fashion as to cause Fon'elnn’ to drop hers. As she did this, The High Queen held out her hand, causing Fon'elnn's sword to her prior to even allowing it to touch the ground.

The High Queen was smiling, a most rare sight of late, “Lose your sword, Master?"

Fon'elnn’ laughed, “Where learning you such as this? I am knowing not this trick."

The High Queen smiled and tossed Fon'elnn's sword back to her, “Watch. I will display the move one more moment."

Fon'elnn’ caught her sword easily. They raised their swords to begin, and instantly, The High Queen made the same moves, showing Fon'elnn’ how the move was managed.

"Not being easy, my Queen."

"But useful. No?"

Fon'elnn’ laughed again, “You must being the Highest of all Masters, my Queen.” She came to her Queen and placed her hand upon her Queen's shoulder. San'lr'in’ did likewise, as was the custom in such a contest. She then gave her sword to Fon'elnn'.

"A good contest, Master. Thank you for the distraction."

Fon'elnn’ knelt and bowed her head, “Being my honor, my Queen. Never have I being in such a service as a true Warrior Queen. I being glad to being in your service, Highness, as I fearing to be against such as you, Highest Master."

The High Queen frowned slightly, and placed her hand softly on Fon'elnn's head, “No, Master. I am only as Second Master in The Realm. We will be meeting up once more with the First Master of The Realm at the Gates of El'fs'nd'lle, unless I am mistaken yet again."

Fon'elnn’ sensed that this didn't delight her Queen, “Being a problem, my Queen?"

The High Queen looked down into Fon'elnn's eyes. Quietly, she replied, “We hope not, Master."

As San'lr'in’ began to return to the table, she saw that all her warriors were staring in disbelief of the contest. As soon as she had glanced at them, they all fell to their knees and bowed their heads. She frowned again, not pleased by the honor, yet blaming herself for the tortures that Sle'nel', Caitha, and her Healer had endured.

"Warrior High Queen."

Ann'wn had seen her Queen's frustrated response overly late. San'lr'in’ bowed her head slightly and sighed. She closed her eyes for a moment, wishing she were elsewhere, far away from this realm of others’ making.

She breathed in deeply, trying to restore some patience to herself, “Rise. I thank you for this eve's most unexpected entertainment. Enjoy the remainder of your eve. We depart in the early morn."

She bowed her head briefly to Ann'wn, acknowledging Ann'wn's patience, then placed out her arm to Sle'nel', wishing to leave.

But Mil'der'in knew that her Queen needed to return fully to The Realm and her duties if all was to go well for them. And she knew that it was her duty to take on The High Queen's persistence in this regard, no matter what her Queen might think or do.

"My Queen?"

She turned to the voice, “High Counselor?"

"I request the High Counselor's Audience, Highness."

She turned away, shaking her head, “Not now, High Counselor. Another turn."

"I call for the High Counselor's Audience, my Queen, as is my privilege."

She turned back, looking most displeased, “It is your privilege, but it is not My pleasure, High Counselor. Heed My words at this moment. I have not this patience you are requiring of Me."

Mil'der'in stood fast, but slightly trembling. Never prior had she stood as firm as this in any request to The High Queen, “I must insist, my Queen."

So softly that only Sle'nel’ and Mil'der'in could hear her, “Don't do this to us at this moment, High Counselor. It is not a wise move on your part."

Loud enough so that all could hear, she responded, “Now, my Queen. I must insist."

"I could walk away from you, High Counselor. Your request is ill-advised."

"What do you fear, Highness?"

Mil'der'in had been High Counselor since San'lr'in’ had become Queen of the Valley, so knew her well. Indeed, San'lr'in’ had selected Mil'der'in as her High Counselor, as had been her privilege. So, Mil'der'in well knew that invoking the word ‘fear’ in regard to her Queen's emotions was to challenge The High Queen directly.

San'lr'in's eyes narrowed, while Mil'der'in tried to swallow her own fear, “Fear, High Counselor? You think Me afraid?"

She swallowed hard, barely able to answer. She couldn't look her Queen in the eyes, “Yes, my Queen."

"I am afraid? Of you, Mil'der'in?"

"No, my Queen. Of yourself."

San'lr'in’ raised her eyebrow, then frowned. She wasn't pleased, “You risk My wrath upon you, High Counselor? Nothing could be of this importance."

"Please, my Queen. This is most important and urgent."

She could tell that Mil'der'in was using all her courage to face her, but she also knew that she hadn't the strength to provide this session to her High Counselor, “Not here, High Counselor. You ask overly of Me. I will grant you a private audience."

Mil'der'in now had tears in her eyes, afraid of standing so strongly against her Queen, but knowing it was for her benefit, “I must insist, my Queen. In front of all."

San'lr'in’ looked at her for a moment, trying to breathe. Without a word, she turned to Sle'nel’ and held out her arm.

Mil'der'in wasn't going to be denied this easily. She knew she had to keep trying, “My Queen. I must insist. It is my right and my duty to you and to The Realm. We must face down this issue, for the good of The Realm."

Mil'der'in had gone to her and touched her Queen on the arm, an unheard of practice and deeply forbidden. Mil'der'in had been the closest friend to her Queen prior to Sle'nel', so took the risk. She did so, even knowing that if called for, beheading for the act of touching The High Queen without permission was the punishment.

The High Queen looked first at Mil'der'in, then at the arm that now touched her own, “You go overly far, High Counselor."

Mil'der'in took in a deep breath, then made her demand, “If you have no fear, High Queen, then grant me my due. Now. Here. In the presence of all."

She spoke softly but harshly, “I thought you My friend and advocate, yet here you stand, betraying My confidence and trust."

It was otherwise, but Mil'der'in knew that her Queen would be unable to see the truth in her request. With the last strength she had, she pushed further, “Please, my Queen. Trust me. Grant me this High Counselor's Audience."

San'lr'in’ looked to Ann'wn, “So, My Force Leader. You are in on this also? This is why the table was made for this eve. So that a proper High Counselor's Audience could be had. If I cannot trust My Force Leader and My High Counselor, then who is left? Perhaps you would desire a new High Queen? This could be easily arranged for you."

Ann'wn came forward, bowing her head, “No, my Queen. It is not as you think. Please, Highness. Grant Mil'der'in her request. You will see. If you have never trusted us prior, trust us upon this moment, my Queen. I beg of you."

Sle'nel’ had begun to understand the reason for their request, but was uncertain if it were yet the proper moment, so remained away from the choice. She would accept her lover's final decision, whatever it was.

San'lr'in’ stood alone, trying to breathe away her anger, trying to decide on the best course of action. She felt paralyzed and trapped. She studied her warriors, her leaders, her closest of companions. She then lowered her head and closed her eyes, hoping that the moment would disappear. She hadn't the inner strength to be this close to The Realm as yet.

After a long moment, she gave in, “Where would you have Me, High Counselor?"

Mil'der'in's body had become so tense with fear that she could barely move. She drew in a deep breath, relieved that the tense moment had passed. She could hardly believe that she had convinced her Queen.

"Please sit at the table, High Queen. In the middle of the other long side."

San'lr'in’ complied, then watched as Caitha and The Healer sat on the opposite side from her, facing her, along with Meera, Ann'wn, Sam, Fon'elnn', An'ther'on, Uthrn, and a few others.

Mil'der'in turned to Sle'nel', “Please accept our invitation to sit at the Counselor's Audience Table, Most Respected High Sorcerer."

She shook her head, then rose to leave.

Meera went to her, “Please, Sle'nel'. Trust us. Sit with us."