The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (47 page)

"Yes, Teacher. I will attend to your words.” She sat down on a nearby bench.

We have something in which to attend, High Queen. You have recently defeated the Dark Sorcerer. Is this not correct?

"It is correct, as you say."

And you broke his staff of spells?

"I did as such, then had it burnt. But it is a surprise to Me that this tale traveled so quickly as this."

I assume that you captured the spells, prior to breaking the staff. Is this also correct?

The High Queen was again surprised, “I know not how you know of such, but it is truth. As I held the staff, I secretly transferred its powers."

Your powers must indeed be great these turns, to do as such so quickly and quietly. It was just a guess on my part, but given your knowledge of the powers, I know that you wouldn't wish to lose these powers for The Realm.

"My powers are strong, as you say."

This is good. Do you intend to use the sorcerer's spells and keep them for your own, as is your right?

"This was never My intention. I have wondered whether I should restore all the sorcery to Sle'nel's staff, yet I also have the sixth High Queen's dagger, and it also contains much sorcery. I have no need of sorcerer's powers, but wish them not to be used against The Realm. And our current High Wizard Sorcerer is not such as you were, Great Teacher. Now that Sle'nel’ is High Sorcerer, My thoughts have once again moved to returning these spells to The Realm."

This is good, as we now need to move these powers into her staff. Are you able to do as such?

San'lr'in’ rose, “I can do this, if the staff is as strong as this."

It is the strongest staff ever prior made, and will hold twice this many, if given the opportunity. Strange, is it not, that all these powers that we now unite have not been united since The First High Queen's moments.

"D'klr'dil
was the one to unite all the sorcerer's spells, Teacher."

Ah, D'klr'dil. Is she yet around?

"She is. I have just learned of this tale of her."

A sad tale, indeed. In my moments as High Wizard Sorcerer, I often tried to change her back to her Mystic form. But alas, to no avail. It is my guess, however, that with the amazing powers you now hold, there might be a small hope. You might consider this in your future moments.

"I will do as such, Teacher."

But now, we must transfer these two Dark Sorcerer's powers into the High Wizard's staff.

"Is Sle'nel’ prepared for such powers as these?"

With you by her side, she will find her way. She is an Elf, High Queen, so will not succumb to these dark powers.

Sle'nel’ came through the front door to the porch, having been directed to do as such by her own guide, “My Love, you called for me?"

San'lr'in’ looked toward her and held out her hand, “There is someone you must meet, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ took her hand and looked around, puzzled, “Meet? I see no one."

My Daughter. At long last we are arrived back together.

Sle'nel’ recognized her mother's voice from her memories. It was as engrained in her mind as was Woden, and as soothing and peaceful as her lover's glance. But the fully unexpected sound of the voice startled her.

Yes, my Daughter. At least in spirit.

"How can this be so? I hold the memory of your funeral."

It is a long tale, best left for another moment, but it is now managed in that we gave up a portion of our lifespans so that this could be so.

"I cannot see you."

No, and I am sorry for this.
There was a slight pause, then Is'en'nel, Sle'nel's mother, continued,
My daughter. Truly we have placed much upon you, and with you stolen from The Realm for overly many turns as this, the burden is even greater, but what and who we are as a race lies now fully upon your shoulders
.

Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ heard a sigh, then the voice continued,
I wish I could hold you, and show you of your spells, and what you can do with them. But this is now for you to find, and I know you will do so. But we must be content in this, as no matter how little it seems, it took much on our parts to provide even this. And sadly, we must proceed in what must now be completed, as much is left prior to the Elves return, and many of our moments pass quickly.

Sle'nel’ became angered, “Am I to meet you as I met Birth-Mother, then? As quickly as this, then you leave? How fair is this?"

It is not fair, but my love for you will have to provide the strength and support you need, that and the love of this great High Queen who stands beside you. Be strong, Daughter, as many rely upon you. I am truly saddened that I have been unable to give you the lessons that would have made this task all the less burdensome. But you will find your way, as your path has just begun.

The voice sounded as if it held an eternity of patience.

Sle'nel’ lowered her head for a moment, thinking, “Yes. I have been given the greatest of loves. Yet while it makes it the easier, it doesn't make it the more fair."

Suddenly, Sle'nel’ could feel her Mother's presence, as Is'en'nel moved her spirit next to her, speaking aloud, but softly, close to her ear, “I love you greatly, Daughter."

Sle'nel’ gasped, “I can sense your smell. I now recall this smell.” Sle'nel’ moved her hand to her cheek, touching it, “And I can feel your touch upon my cheek."

Is'en'nel’ was pleased, as she had spent much effort to bring her daughter's memories of her very earliest moments back to her. “I wish that I could hold you, but this will have to do. As sad as it is for you, it provides me with great joy to see you so grown as this. I sense greatness in you, Sle'nel'. You will provide the strength, courage, and ability finally to return our Elves. But I must move us forward in this moment, as we have much to do. First, go to the Great Reflecting Pool. I will guide you from there."

Sle'nel’ and San'lr'in’ walked to the reflecting pool, then waited.

"Retrieve your sword, Daughter, as you saw me do upon one moment in your youngest of cycles. This memory was given to you."

Sle'nel’ looked at her lover for a quick moment, then walked knee-high into the reflecting pool. Feeling inadequate, she struggled to do as her mother bid, “I am Sle'nel', the High Sorcerer of The Realm, the Healer of Hearts, and the daughter of Is'en'nel'. I call the High Wizard Sorcerer's sword to me, in the name of The Realm, and in the name of all the Elves."

There was no sound in return, but after a few moments, ripples began to occur in the reflecting pool. Magically, an image appeared near her, deep within the water. Sle'nel’ watched as the image unfolded before her, watching as it turned into the magically bright and shiny Elfin sword. Without fanfare or fear, she reached her hand into the pool, grasped the hilt of the sword, and pulled it out.

Holding it before her, she saw that its hilt had been forged into the most intricate pattern, like metal lacings. She touched the shiny sword, amazed at its strength and brightness. Never prior had she seen such a sword as this. Nowhere in The Realm did such a metal exist. She stared at the blade, seeing her image reflect in it as clearly as her image reflected in the pool.

"It is the great Elfin sword from eons past, Daughter, and the sword of the High Wizard Sorcerer. It is not of this Realm, but from long prior, before the Elves came here. It is forged like no other, and is stronger than all others. But light, like the step of an Elf. And it contains powers of its own, making a skilled swordswoman all the more improved. Carry it proudly, Sle'nel', as it is from a long, long prior line, cycles beyond counting. This was my sword, and is now yours."

Sle'nel’ marveled in its feel, sensing its strength, and sensing the powers that lay deeply within it. She held it in her left hand, astounded that it felt at home in her grasp.

"Now come and stand near your lover.” The voice halted for a moment as Sle'nel’ returned, then spoke again, “High Queen, you must now place the sorcerer's powers within your High Queen's sword."

San'lr'in’ nodded as she took the great red stone from its pouch. Bowing her head, she whispered a long unused chant, causing the red stone to remain in the air on its own. She removed her sheathed sword and whispered yet another chant, holding the sword out next to the great red stone. Suddenly, she moved the sword back away from the red stone, then quickly brought it with great force to it, hitting it solidly. She held the sword firmly against the red stone, allowing the sorcerer's powers to move from it into the sword. Great sparks of red escaped quickly from the red stone, making the sounds of lightning strikes hitting the ground.

When no more sparks or sounds emerged from the red stone, she placed a hand underneath it, and once again whispered a chant. As the red stone was released from the spell, it fell into her hand. She replaced it into its pouch, then removed her dagger from its sheath. As with the red stone, she gave a spell so that it remained in the air on its own, as she slightly touched the red stone. She gave another chant, now transferring the sorcerer's powers from the dagger into her High Queen's sword.

Sle'nel’ watched in fascination, ever amazed at the vast amount of powers, sorcery and knowledge of her lover.

Resheathing her dagger, The High Queen said to the wind, “It is done. All the sorcerer powers I have saved for The Realm are now in The High Queen's sword."

Is'en'nel’ replied,
Well done, High Queen. Daughter, remove your sword and do as your High Queen now commands of you.

She did as her mother said, then looked at her lover. San'lr'in’ touched her sword to Sle'nel's, “Do you recall what I commanded of your prior lover at the foot of the tunnels?"

She nodded, “You had her meet your sword fully, as if in combat."

"Mostly this. But as the swords fully meet, they must be held together until the spells are transferred. This is not an easy trick, Elf, and will require much strength of mind, as the transfer will cause some pain."

"And to you, as well?"

The question was ignored, “You must strike My sword fully, Elf. With no fear. Are you able to do this?"

"No. I can sense the strength in my sword. I know not if it will harm you."

"Your sword will not cause Me harm. You must trust Me. I know of no other way to transfer all these spells in so short a moment as this. If we had more turns, we could do as such with no pain, but you must trust Me, Elf."

Sle'nel’ sighed, “There are moments in this Realm that seem most unfair."

Quietly, The High Queen sent her thoughts to her Teacher,
Call My Healer to Me, Teacher. I will have great need of her in a few moments.

Consider it done, High Queen.

They both raised their swords, as San'lr'in’ repeated, “With all your force, but without allowing them to move apart. Hold them firmly together. This is the essential moment. They will desire to move apart, and we cannot allow for such."

Sle'nel’ nodded, “Upon your command, Lover."

San'lr'in’ looked deeply into Sle'nel's eyes, then at their swords, “Now."

The clash as the swords hit rang throughout the Elfin valley. Sparks flew from the swords as if they were creating lightning. And pain rang swiftly throughout San'lr'in's body, as she used her powers to remove most of it from her lover.

Holding the swords tightly together, Sle'nel’ could feel some pain, but could also see that her Queen had somehow taken the burden of it into herself. She saw that her Queen was gritting her teeth, and grimacing tightly against the pain that now rocked through her body. Sle'nel’ wanted to scream out to prevent it, and wanted desperately to remove her sword and halt the transfer, but knew that her Queen couldn't go through this yet again. So she remained firm, but concerned and upset.

When the sparks finally halted, The High Queen dropped her sword and doubled over, barely able to stand. By this moment, The Healer had arrived and went quickly to her Queen's side, “Quickly, High One. Allow me to help you enter your first meditation."

She placed her hands on her Queen's head, “Focus. Breathe. Concentrate upon your breathing."

The High Queen struggled, wanting to scream out against the great pain deep inside her, but did as her Healer commanded,
Breathe. Hear your breathing. Hear your heart
.

What felt like eternity for her, The High Queen finally entered into her first meditation, slightly removing herself from the pain, then allowing The Healer to take over, “Hear your heart. Feel it beat in your chest. Hear yourself breathe. Only this."

The Healer worked quickly to remove the main part of the pain, then said, “Move into your second meditation, High One."

After a few more moments, The Healer felt that much of the pain had been removed, then began to move The High Queen back into The Realm.

"Hear my voice, High One. Come to my voice."

Finally, San'lr'in’ re-entered The Realm, raising her head slowly, yet feeling some slight pain, but vastly improved. She re-focused, then looked at her Healer, “As ever Healer, I am in your debt. Thank you."

The Healer smiled gently upon her, “You have no need to thank me, High One. It is The Realm that should thank you for what you give to it. I can sense that you are yet with pain. Shall we continue to remove more of it, or can you manage?"

San'lr'in’ moved her body slowly for a moment, then shook her head, “I can tend to it later."

She went to Sle'nel', who was now standing slightly apart, and somewhat angered, “Why did you do as such? I could have taken more of the pain. You took my share. This is not fair."

San'lr'in’ smiled a wicked smile, also slightly leering at her Elf, “Surely you must know that I would never willingly place you with any pain. I aim to give you pleasure, only."

Sle'nel’ blushed, “Halt this! You make me to laugh, yet I am most angered with you."

"Then take it out on Me, Elf.” And she kissed her most desirously and strongly, making her lover return the strength of the kiss.