The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (44 page)

San'lr'in’ had come to find Sle'nel', but overheard Sam speaking with her. She decided to remain apart from them, but was pleased, yet surprised, at what her sister was saying to her lover.

"All leaders fight their battles. I fought Buron, my sister has fought overly many to mention, and you have fought against the Dark Sorcerer. And we all have our prior sad memories in this regard, but we all learn to place these dark memories aside for The Realm, so that in the winning of these battles, we are yet able to keep to our roles. I am sorry for what I have done to you, and I, in the deepest of truths, am most sorry for what the Dark Sorcerer did to you. But never allow your dark thoughts and fears to command you. Command yourself, so that you can now command others. This must be so, Sle'nel', as you are the only one to make it so. Face your future, Sle'nel', as the woman I have truly come to love and admire."

San'lr'in’ placed a light spell upon herself to avoid detection, so as not to interrupt this most tender of moments between her sister and her prior lover. She was fully surprised at the depth of her sister's understanding of the situation, and was well pleased. San'lr'in’ knew that Sam was considered as a most special of Highests, but had yet to see the qualities of such, until this moment. She stood quietly, feeling surprised in her own emotions of her sister's words to Sle'nel', knowing them to be the exact words that Sle'nel’ needed to hear.

So, My sister is a great leader, indeed. My own role has done nothing but cast a shadow of doubt upon her. I will need to correct this
.

Sle'nel’ couldn't see anything unusual about them, but sensed a presence. She smiled to herself at what she sensed, feeling comfort in it. After a moment of quietly looking, she drew her full attention back to Sam, not fearing the feeling of another's presence.

Sle'nel’ nodded, “You are correct, as ever prior. These words are from the same woman I loved while in Woden. The same woman who I so admired. Thank you, Sam. You give me a great gift this turn. While your words are harsh to my ears, they are correct. I never wished for this role, but neither did you or San'lr'in’ ask for your roles. And neither of you asked for the terrible battles in which you have had to engage. You are a most special friend, Sam. I will never forget this moment."

Sam stared with all her strength into Sle'nel's eyes, “I love you, Sle'nel'. I will always love you. So do this for me. Do this for The Realm. And do this for your lover. Never display your weak moments to The Realm, from this moment on. Whatever decision you make now for The Realm, know it and feel it to be but the very best decision you can make, and never look prior. My sister's only weakness is in this single act. She ever looks prior, ever rebuking herself. Do this not to yourself, as it is overly harsh. I see the toll it takes on her, even given her never-ending strength. She has her reasons, but I know you well enough to know that this would cause you more harm than good. She is trained in this fashion. You are not. Trust your instincts."

They looked at each other for a few moments, keeping their thoughts to themselves. Finally, Sam placed her hands on Sle'nel's cheeks, then kissed her lightly upon the forehead, “As you mount your horse, Sle'nel', mount her with the feeling that you are, with no doubt, and with much support from many in The Realm, truly the leader of the Elves. This is your role, Elf. Many line the path to El'fs'nd'lle, awaiting only your presence. Give them the stance they expect, this turn. And always remember, my prior lover—I am most proud of you."

San'lr'in’ shook her head ever so slightly in disbelief of her sister, but well pleased.

Sle'nel’ smiled at Sam, the first smile to her in many turns, “Thank you, Sam. You words are most wise, and most needed."

"I will watch you this turn with great pride. Enjoy the moment, as it has been long in its arrival."

She hugged Sle'nel’ to her briefly, then took her leave.

San'lr'in’ watched as Sam left, then wondered what she should do next. She wanted to be with Sle'nel', but didn't wish Sle'nel’ to know she had overheard many of Sam's words.

Sle'nel’ turned back to Mor'inl', but quietly said, “How long have you been here, my Love?"

San'lr'in’ smiled to herself, shaking her head at her own stupidity, recalling that Sle'nel’ would have easily sensed her presence. She undid the spell, then went to her lover, smiling, “Your prior lover gives you strong words to go forward with, My Desire. If she gives such words to those in Woden, then she must incite much bravery of attitude."

"It was the Sam I knew, what now feels so long prior. This is the leader of Woden."

San'lr'in’ walked up to Mor'inl', “Tell Me, great wise one. Are you ready to carry our great Elf on this greatest of moments?"

Mor'inl’ moved her head up and down, as if in answer. The High Queen smiled then turned to her lover, “I will save you from My own words, as I believe that your prior lover has provided you with the ones you most need. Yet, is there anything I might do for you, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ stood just staring at her, confused in the moment, and confused at The Realm. She struggled against her own thoughts, then laughed lightly, “Yes. There is."

"Anything, My Desire."

"Let us get this pageantry over with quickly, my Queen. We have much left to do upon its completion. It appears that it is the moment for me to enter fully into The Realm."

"Your requests are always overly easy. Is there anything else I might do for you?"

Sle'nel’ smiled longingly, touching her hand to her lover's cheek, “You have already done it, my Queen, as ever. I could ask for nothing more."

She looked at her lover, seeing her Queen prepared in garments far different than from her usual processional ones. The High Queen stood before her fully prepared as the most intimidating of High Warrior Queens in all The Realm's long past, and was fully armed as if prepared for battle. Sle'nel’ saw that while she wore warrior garments, they were decorative ones of many colors, providing a most ceremonial effect.

"You look quite stunning, my Queen, and highly intimidating. You will invoke much fear this turn. Your garments are ever a surprise. Even in such warrior garments as these...” Sle'nel’ moved her finger down between San'lr'in's mostly exposed breasts, “...your breasts are quite displayed, as with your other garments."

The High Queen nodded, moving the Elfin collar on Sle'nel's shirt aside, “It is odd, is it not, how the cultures each have their own alluring traits. The Valley's fashion seldom provides Me with amusement, yet this Elfin collar is quite intriguing.” She bent down slightly and kissed Sle'nel's now exposed neck.

Sle'nel’ enjoyed the moment, shivering in the feeling. After the slow and sensual kiss, Sle'nel’ saw the newly painted decorations on her Queen, “You have even more drawings upon you this turn. Why is this? You never do as such in the Valley."

"Many of these drawings are from the long-prior Queens, and are meant as a display of strength. Perhaps you recall that The First High Queen first lived in Rns'deln', then moved her reign to the Valley. Rns'deln’ has for long prior used such body decorations, so they hold much meaning for all in The Realm. This one ... “, she lightly touched a finger to the drawing on her forehead, “.... is the first High Queen's sword. It is steeped in legends of great powers. The blood that drips from it provides a symbol of all the battles fought for The Realm, and of all those who have given their life to it. It is said that with this sword, the first High Queen restored peace to The Realm.

"This one ... “, she pointed to the one on the left side of her neck, “...is of the third High Queen's great battle against an opponent who was noted to be of much greater strength than she. She won the battle, but barely, and with much skill and luck. She had taken many arrows, and lay dying, yet remained resolved to the battle, never giving in to her most fatal wounds. She placed her last arrow in her bow, took careful aim on the single enemy who had done so much damage to her realm, who is said to have been now laughing at her, and sent her arrow a most impossible of distances, and so overly wounded. The aim was true, and sent with such force that as the arrow pieced fully through the heart and chest, only the feathers remained showing. The High Queen saw her mark was true, smiled, then died. The symbol is of an arrow piercing the moon, as The High Queen's shot was considered as difficult as sending an arrow to the moon."

"A sad tale, in truth. What about this one?"

Sle'nel’ was pointing to the tattooed drawing on her lover's chest. The tattooed drawing began at the base of The High Queen's neck and continued to fully just below her breasts.

"I seldom allow this one, but is the most fearsome of all."

The drawing was a complex one, displaying an eye, but an eye that had been pierced through with a large, extremely pointed, and ornate dagger. Surrounding the eye and dagger was a criss-crossed oval pattern, as if the eye were safely encased or fully imprisoned within it. The eye was fearsome looking, yet appearing that even though fully pierced, it could yet fully see. Blood dripped from both the dagger as well as the eye. The drawing was truly a work of art, as even with all this detail, the oval design appeared to be alive, with swirling movements. And it was the only one of the tattooed drawings that used full color.

"Long prior, in the sixth High Queen's reign, it is said that one of the greatest of all sorcerers lived. But she was most evil, and used her sorcery against The Realm and The High Queen. The High Queen was eventually forced to fight her in a moment when the only weapon she had was this dagger. She was losing the battle, as was to be expected against so great a sorcerer, then recalled her learnings that this sorcerer had one weak location—her eye. But The High Queen couldn't recall which eye was the one that would halt the sorcerer permanently, and like the third High Queen, had one chance only to win the battle. The legends say that this High Queen was the least skilled in the weapons, so winning against so great a sorcerer was considered as impossible by this High Queen, as she herself had few sorcerer skills. But she was chosen from a great line, and like those prior to her, had great resolve in her vows. She pulled the dagger from its sheath and placed what few powers she had fully into it. Breathing deeply, then holding her breath so her arm wouldn't shake, she took aim, guessed as to which eye, then sent the dagger to the sorcerer. The sorcerer knew that this High Queen had no abilities against her own, so saw the dagger as a mere child's toy, never even trying to halt its passage.

"Surprising to all, the High Queen's aim was true and steady, and her guess as to which eye had been correct. The dagger pierced through the eye, entering deep in the sorcerer's brain, killing her instantly. A most unexpected outcome. This High Queen had been a quiet and somewhat timid High Queen, more interested in negotiations than battle. As such, she had fully surprised those in The Realm, as she stood up firmly against this greatest of sorcerers, never flinching from her duty. This High Queen was never challenged again during her reign, as no one had ever thought it possible to win against this sorcerer."

"But what of the design? And why is this considered as the most fierce of all the designs?"

"Ah. The design. The High Queen was a most intelligent of Queens. Once the dagger hit into the sorcerer's eye, The High Queen used her own powers and called the sorcerer's powers into the dagger. As The High Queen pulled her dagger from the now dead sorcerer, all the sorcerer's powers transferred into the dagger. The High Queen carried them for the remainder of her reign, and from thereon, all were most afraid of this Queen. This is why the eye appears it yet sees, as the sorcerer's powers were yet alive."

Sle'nel’ studied the dagger drawing, nodding to the tale, “I have never seen such a weapon as this. It is almost beautiful in its design, yet fully angry looking. I wonder what happened to it."

San'lr'in’ pulled her dagger from its sheath and handed it to Sle'nel', “It is The High Queen's dagger, and is seldom worn or used. This is her dagger."

Sle'nel’ raised her eyebrows, surprised, “And the powers?"

"As you now think, they are mine. I keep them stored within the dagger, even after all these cycles."

They stood quietly for a moment while Sle'nel’ looked more carefully at the drawings, now attaching the tale to them. After a few moments, San'lr'in’ said, “I think we have kept your audience waiting long enough, Elf. It is your moment, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ nodded. She handed the dagger back to San'lr'in', and they both led their horses to the procession, “I would think you a most frightening High Queen if I didn't have the pleasure of sharing your bed."

Ann'wn was glad when she finally saw The High Queen and Sle'nel’ arrive. She bowed her head slightly to them, then took their horses’ reigns and guided them to their location within the procession. As was typical, The High Queen was placed somewhere near the middle for greater protection. Ann'wn looked upon her Queen and the Elf, and was once again amazed at their beauty as well as their garments. And she had taken astute notice that her High Queen stood much differently in The Realm these turns, fully displaying herself as a Warrior High Queen.

Meera saw them arrive, and bowed her head to her Queen. She was to ride directly in front of her Queen, alongside Ann'wn. She noted that Sle'nel’ rode upon her horse as if she had been a horsewoman her entire lifespan, a far-different stance from when she was in Woden, and she was pleased. Like Ann'wn, she also was amazed at their garments, as well as their exceptional magnificence of appearance. And she was fully amazed at The High Queen's Warrior garments, noticing that The High Queen chose to send a strong and formidable message to The Realm as she rode fully armed.

Many armed guards, all dressed in their finest warrior garments, were lined well in front of The High Queen. After the armed guards came the guards that carried The High Queen's banners, presenting a colorful and highly ceremonial display. At a short distance behind the banners, Sle'nel’ rode alongside San'lr'in', in the middle of the procession, and in the position of honor. Slightly behind San'lr'in’ and Sle'nel’ rode Mil'der'in, with Sume’ riding alongside her. The High Priestess looked more enchanting this moment than any had ever seen of her, and Caitha thought that perhaps it was that Sume’ finally felt as part of a family. Sam followed behind Mil'der'in and her eldest sister, with Sele’ riding with her, and Uthrn’ riding alongside her. Caitha rode directly behind them, next to The Healer and Fon'elnn', and the rest of the travelers fell in line behind them.