The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (66 page)

Queen Torsn'dynl’ of the Women of the Trees desired it otherwise, “Sacrifices must be made, and The High Queen's forces are well enough trained. They must attack the Wizard's Keep."

Mil'der'in tried to take back her own authority, “Queen Torsn'dynl'. High Priestess. Perhaps another solution can be found."

Sume’ turned her head slightly and whispered in a tone that left no guessing as to her wishes, “If you cannot do better than this, at least have the intelligence to remain silent. You are overly passive against them. They will consume you."

Sume’ turned back to the War Council, wondering what San'lr'in’ would do in this moment. Not knowing, but knowing well that San'lr'in’ would expect her to moderate rather than fight the War Council, she decided to divert the issue, “We haven't heard from The High Queen's Force Leaders. What have you learned?"

At the end of the long turn, Sume’ reported what she considered to be the unfortunate events of the turn's War Council to San'lr'in', “The Deep Mystics are useless and overly commanding. They are nothing but cowards that use others."

"They are difficult, but necessary. You must find a way to incorporate them into the battle. Their magic is much needed against this Wizard."

"In truth, San'lr'in', they fear her."

"You do not?"

Sume’ waved her hand as if dismissing the notion, “No. If we live, we live. If not, we die. I refuse to fear yet another tyrant."

"Allow Mil'der'in more effort in this."

"She is worthless against them. She simply attempts to negotiate."

"She knows what she is doing, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non. She has negotiated her stance well, prior. Give her the moment to twist their thinking. It is her strength."

"She is weak."

"You are wrong. She is just weak against you."

Sume’ sighed, “I will try, but this entire affair pushes against my limits. How do you tolerate all this idiocy about you?"

Sle'nel’ laughed, “She asks the same, High Priestess. She is just able to display more patience than you."

San'lr'in’ smiled, “She speaks truth. She often hears what I say under My breath, and it is the same as you. They frustrate Me as well. Has the High Counsel spoken as yet?"

"Not as yet."

"They will frustrate you even more than the Deep Mystics."

The second turn of the War Council went as San'lr'in’ had predicted. Sume’ was more than frustrated, but at this moment it was with the High Counselors. She breathed in deeply, then sighed, trying to hold what little patience to her that she had remaining.

"Can The High Queen halt the Wizard, with her powers?"

"Not alone. And there are many others now with the Wizard, High Counselors. Forget not the ravens. They keep her well informed."

"Ravens. Bah! They cannot harm us. They are just birds. We will merely shoot them with our arrows."

Mil'der'in and Sume’ were standing side-by-side as representatives of The High Queen. Mil'der'in overheard Sume’ mutter to herself, “Surely these idiots cannot rule The Realm."

Mil'der'in laughed lightly, and Sume’ turned to her, “I have lost my patience with them. You try to make them see sense."

Mil'der'in looked to her and smiled, “They have just twisted themselves into our net. Watch, High Priestess. This is the moment I have hoped for. Now they are ours."

Mil'der'in turned to the High Counselors, “You have offered a most excellent negotiation, High Counselors, and we will take you at your word. We will be responsible for the removal of the Wizard, while you and the forces that you command will be responsible for the ravens. It is agreed. You can shoot them with your arrows, if you would like. All of them."

Sume’ chuckled to herself, now seeing that San'lr'in’ had been correct. She whispered to Mil'der'in, “Well done, High Counselor. Look at them sputter. But do you believe that they will be able to deal with all these ravens?"

Mil'der'in nodded, “The Elves have already volunteered their services, as well as the services of their great winged horses. We will tell the High Counselors this at another moment, however. After they recover from their shock."

Sume’ laughed aloud and slapped Mil'der'in on the back, “I couldn't have done better."

Sle'nel’ had spent her turn with San'lr'in', not caring that she was missing the War Council, “You shouldn't try to sit up, San'lr'in'. It is overly soon."

"I cannot lie upon this bed another moment. I need to get up."

The Healer also objected, “It is overly soon, High One. You will stress your heart."

"It needs to move, Healer, or it will die from lack of use."

Sle'nel’ began to help her rise, saying, “I can think of one movement it would like while lying in the bed."

As she rose, San'lr'in’ clutched her hand to her heart.

"What is it, High One? Are you injured?"

San'lr'in’ shook her head, trying to breathe, “No, Healer. I am fine. My lover just made Me laugh, and it caused some pain."

The third turn of the War Council was proving to be more than Sume’ or Mil'der'in could manage. They secretly wished for San'lr'in's knowing presence, but kept their thoughts to themselves. The Force Leaders were arguing amongst themselves this turn, listening to no one except their own voices. No matter what Mil'der'in or Sume’ tried to do, the Force Leaders ignored them, fighting and arguing about who would take first charge against the Wizard. By the late midmorn, Sume’ was throwing her hands up in disgust.

"We will take the first charge."

Erthrn shook her fist, “No. No Private Guard is meant for this. We will, as The High Queen's Force in Rns'deln."

Sume’ kept trying, “Halt this arguing."

Two of the neighboring towns’ Force Leaders had drawn their swords against each other, and Mil'der'in tried to reason with them, “This is idiocy. We shouldn't be fighting against ourselves. We will lose enough lives in this battle against the Wizard. HALT!"

More Force Leaders drew their swords against each other, and the shouting had grown to uncontrollable levels, when suddenly, the sounds began to halt. Everyone turned their heads to the stage on which Sume’ and Mil'der'in were standing, then quickly fell to their knees and bowed their heads.

"Great High Queen."

With the aide of Sle'nel’ on one side of her and The Healer prepared to help at the other, San'lr'in’ had walked to the arena, knowing well the difficulty involved in these gatherings.

She nodded and smiled to Sume’ and Mil'der'in, then faced the War Council with a look that displayed no tolerance for what she had heard, “Rise. Let us conclude our Council with quick agreement."

Queen Erthrn placed her fist over her heart in a Warrior's salute, “We are pleased to see The High Queen returned to her rightful place."

The High Queen bowed her head once to Erthrn, then turned to Sume’ and Mil'der'in, “Tell Me of what has been desired."

Sume’ looked at Mil'der'in, then Mil'der'in recapped the events, “The High Counselors have agreed to take charge of the ravens, with the aide of their own forces as well as with assistance from the Elves and their flying horses."

The High Queen raised an eyebrow and showed a hint of a smile. She nodded, then turned to her Counselors, “I commend you for this display of great courage.” She thought that they looked particularly white-faced over their vow. “The ravens are noted for their great size and determination. They will prove to be a formidable enemy for you. I wish you well in your effort. You will lose many in this fight, but I know you will not surrender to defeat. Beware of their cunning. They will watch you carefully."

She turned slightly back to Sume’ and Mil'der'in, “And the others?"

Suddenly, a loud disruption occurred at the entrance to the arena. Ann'wn came up to The High Queen, “High Queen. The Mungardies have arrived."

San'lr'in’ smiled for a quick moment, “In truth, Ann'wn?"

Ann'wn bowed her head once, “In truth, and in masse. More than twenty, my Queen."

She was pleased, “Excellent. Allow their entrance."

"It will be a tense moment, Highness."

San'lr'in’ turned to the arena, “The Mungardies have arrived, as part of this War Council. I have vowed them safe passage. If any of you raise a sword to them, you will feel My wrath.” Under her breath, she said, “As if I could summon such energy to me at this moment.” Sume’ heard her, locked eyes with her for a moment, then laughed. The High Queen shook her head, smiling.

Ann'wn motioned to the guards, and the Mungardies entered. Per their usual, they displayed no signs of fear. All present at the War Council stood in full disbelief of the moment. It had been across many lifespans prior since the Mungardies and those of The Realm stood together as allies. The Realm's forces stood rigid, forcing themselves against their every long-prior bred instinct to kill the Mungardies that now stood among them.

When the Mungardies entered into the arena, their Force Leader bowed her head as a show of respect, then spoke, “High Queen of The Realm. We accept your invitation to this War Council in order to know how we can stand united in our effort to defeat our great long-prior enemy, the Wizard of the Ravens. We know well this enemy, and know that she is undefeatable if we stand alone."

San'lr'in’ bowed her head in return, “We welcome you to The Realm's War Council. I wish these joined moments between us as customary, but even as not, your agreeing to stand with us against this Wizard provides us with great hope.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “Is the Wizard of the Ravens the reason the Mungardies leave to The UnderGround Passages?"

The Mungardies Force Leader bowed her head in acknowledgement, “Either this or we would have been forced to her service. She has the ability to control our race; a long-prior victory on her part."

"I understand, and in great truth, you are most welcomed.” She turned back to Sume', “Let us continue with the War Council. Where were we?"

"The Realms’ forces argue for who will lead the charge against the Wizard. They all wish this position."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ raised an eyebrow once again, then turned back to the War Council, “This is a good report, indeed. You have accomplished much in My absence. As per your desire, you will all lead the charge against the Wizard, each from a different location. My forces will hold back until needed, but given your courage, it would appear that they many go unused. My Force Leader will select the staging point for each of you, and will then give the general call to arms. From there, each of you will act on your own accord, each of you moving toward the Wizard's great Keep.” She paused for a moment, then said as if thinking aloud, “A courageous agreement, but I had thought you would have wished to...” She paused yet again, then waved her hand in dismissal, “It is unimportant. You have made your desires clear, and they are brave ones. I wish you well."

She acted as if she were going to sit so that she could just listen to the remainder of the War Council, when one of The Realm's Force Leaders stepped forward, “High Queen?"

She turned and acknowledged the speaker, “Force Leader Kr'newen. Does your Queen accompany you this turn?"

The woman bowed her head for a moment, then looked back up to The High Queen, “No, High Queen. She will attend the Ruler's Gathering."

"You are free to speak while in this War Council, Force Leader."

"High Queen. It is as you say, that we would each desire to lead the charge, but I would like to know of your thinking in this regard."

Another Force Leader stepped forward, “As would I, High Queen."

"And I, High Queen."

Even the Mungardies’ Force Leader spoke, “I like not this idea of every force attacking the Wizard's Keep, directly. The Wizard will be able to destroy each of us, one-by-one, if this were allowed. What is your plan, High Queen? We know it would not be as stupid as this."

She allowed them the moments to all agree to this, then said, “The Wizard's Keep is stronger than any of you are aware. It will take all our efforts combined to even enter it. The moment will require a single-led effort. This will mean that there will be but one Force Leader for this charge. One that all would obey, without question. I know this Keep well, and it is indestructible without a united effort. But it does have one or two weak points, and these must be our concentration.” She waved her hand once again as if in dismissal, “But I know this is asking much of you. We will remain to your plan."

A moment passed, with some muttering between the Force Leaders, then, “High Queen?"

"Force Leader. You have no need of My leave. Tell us."

"We wish to follow your plan."

"Is this agreed by all of you?"

As a show of unity, they all placed their fisted-hand over their hearts.

"Then so shall it be. Ann'wn is, as ever, My chosen Force Leader. She will give the commands."

"High Queen? Can we defeat this wizard?"

"It will not be your duty to defeat the wizard. That will be up to Me. Your duty is to destroy the Keep."

There was a moment of pause, then, “Can you defeat her?"

The High Queen considered the question for a long moment, then responded, “Perhaps. I know not fully of her abilities and powers. But her Keep is of vital importance. She will be weakened if her Keep is destroyed, giving the better opportunity to defeat her. Part of her strength lies deep within the Keep."

One of the Force Leaders knelt and bowed her head, “My Forces are at your command, High Queen. I will follow it fully."

Another did the same, then another, and so on, until all had given their forces over completely to The High Queen's command.

Even the Mungardies did as such, “We will join this effort only if under your command, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. We know well of your strength and battle wisdom. We will follow no other, and even this is only due to the nature of our joined enemy. For this moment only, High Queen."

San'lr'in’ bowed her head, “I am pleased for this much, Mungardies Force Leader. I accept your conditions.” Then, to all, she said, “Rise, My Force Leaders. I thank you for your support. From this moment on, prepare your forces, as many lives will be lost in this battle. More than we can know."