The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (74 page)

Sam was yet laughing, “It will not matter if you are shy, U'Aine. All of Woden is but small, and nothing remains private for overly long."

U'Aine watched as Sam rose from their bed, enjoying her naked beauty. She was yet amazed that Sam had desired her, and felt that she had finally found her home.

Sam felt U'Aine's eyes upon her and turned back toward her, “What do you see, Master?"

U'Aine's eyes moved away to Sam's breasts, “Woden's most wondrous sights."

At the morn meal, Keddi and Karan told Sam of all the latest events in Woden, “Tadan is scheduled to arrive soon, Highest."

Keddi nodded, “He sends word that he has grown into a man, now."

Sam laughed, “He thought as much as I left."

Karan continued, “And your advisors are quite anxious to meet with you, again. We all are, Highest. We have missed you most terribly."

Keddi nodded, “And festival occurs at the new moon, Highest."

Sam groaned, “As soon as this?"

U'Aine looked at Sam, but said nothing. She could tell that Sam wasn't pleased at the mention of this festival.

"But first, Highest, we must tend to your rounds. Hengist and Woden are most anxious to have you begin your rounds with them again. Much has changed since your absence, and they are excited to show you the improvements to your lands."

"Anything needing my attention?"

Karan nodded, “One item, Highest, although it is curious within itself. Great numbers of large black birds have begun to enter our lands, and we cannot seem to get rid of them."

"Large black birds?"

Sam looked at U'Aine, seeing her displeased, “What is it, Master?"

U'Aine rose, “Please, Second of Woden, show me these birds."

May came over, “There is no need, U'Aine. Just look out the patio. They are all about now, and will not be frightened away."

Keddi nodded, “We have begun to shoot them, as they are mean. They seem to hunt the small animals, and they have begun to taunt the small children, but we know of no bird that does as such. Even Rundle doesn't frighten them."

U'Aine went to the patio, seeing the scores of birds. Sam saw U'Aine's eyes narrow, “You are concerned."

U'Aine nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on the birds. She turned to Keddi, “Do you have your bow with you, Second of Defense?"

"Would you like me to capture one of these birds, Master?"

She shook her head, once again staring at the birds, “Not capture, Second. Kill one."

Keddi unsheathed an arrow and quickly shot it into one of the ravens. As the arrow met its prey, the other ravens flew in and carried the raven away.

"Again."

Keddi unsheathed another arrow, killing yet another bird, with the same occurrence. U'Aine's eyes narrowed, “They know. They are aware of my presence.” She could not bring the recollection of these birds to her mind.

Sam overheard U'Aine's whispers, “What do they know, Master?"

"They know that I can sense into their minds, Highest. I cannot call their purpose to mind, but I can sense their evil. Please excuse me but a moment, Highest."

Sam had become used to her sister entering into her meditations, so watched quietly as U'Aine struggled to learn what she could about the birds.

After many moments, U'Aine removed herself from her meditations, then turned to Sam. She looked troubled, “Highest. I must leave. The High Queen is placing herself into great danger. The Realm has great need of me at this moment.” She looked to Keddi, “I must leave at once, Second. Please have my horse prepared."

May began to pack some food for her, “But you have just arrived, Master."

U'Aine ignored those about her, focusing only on Sam, “I am truly sorry, Sam, but I must depart. The High Queen is preparing to fight against a long-prior enemy of The Realm's. These birds are the eyes of the Wizard of the Ravens."

"The Wizard of the Ravens? Who be this Wizard?"

Keddi and Karan's eyes widened as Karan asked, “The Wizard of the Ravens? What is a Wizard?"

"I go with you."

"This is most dangerous, Highest. The High Queen expects not to live through this battle."

"How do you know of this?” Keddi knew that Sam could reach into others’ minds, but had no notion of U'Aine's ability to contact The Realm through her meditations.

"I have contacted another.” She turned to Karan, “A Wizard is one of The Realm's, but one with most strong sorcery."

"And Jandra? What of Jandra?” May began to worry.

"She also leaves to fight against this Wizard.” U'Aine turned back to Sam, “And Sume’ has become the High Wizard Sorcerer, by The High Queen's hand. They all prepare to fight against the Wizard of the Ravens, including the Mungardies."

"Even the Mungardies?"

"What are the Mungardies?"

"What is a High Wizard Sorcerer?"

Sam ignored May and Keddi's questions, “Why did she not inform me?"

"The High Queen?"

Sam nodded.

"The Wizard of the Ravens is strong, Highest. Overly strong. There is no understanding of her deep abilities. Her powers are from another era, long prior to our own. I can only guess that she wishes not to risk you on this."

"Sle'nel’ also fights?"

"And Sume'. And the Mungardies. And all The Realm. Even the Elves’ flying horses are helping to rid The Realm of these Ravens."

"I also go."

"You cannot risk yourself, Highest."

"The High Queen is risking herself. And if she is in danger, Woden is but in danger."

"I also go, Highest. And we have thirty others that are well prepared to battle against The Realm's enemies. And perhaps ten or so from Hengist."

Sam looked at U'Aine, “Woden desires to enter The Realm, Master. We go."

U'Aine took Sam's hand into her own, then looked into her eyes, “I can travel more quickly without these numbers. I must travel alone, Highest."

Sam squeezed U'Aine's hand, making her shiver at the feeling, “You desire to be with me, Master?"

"You know this as truth, Highest."

"In Woden? With me?"

She nodded, “In Woden."

"Then you must learn Woden's ways, Master. And it will begin with this journey, as if one of Woden goes into battle, they do not do so alone."

"Is this part of the companionship you have spoken of, Highest?"

Sam smiled at U'Aine, her eyes sparkling their icy blueness, “Most definitely this, Master."

U'Aine sighed softly, giving in to her new lover, “As you say, Highest. But we must quickly leave, and we must travel without rest. It will not be an easy journey."

Sam turned to Keddi, “Second. Prepare our strongest, with full weapons. We leave in a short moment. And have the sorcerer women prepare. They depart with us."

On the eve prior to leaving, San'lr'in’ called Sele’ and Sume’ to her.

"High Queen?"

She looked down at the kneeling figure, “Rise, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n."

Sume’ waited quietly, guessing as to the occurrence.

The High Queen drew her sword, “Draw your sword against Me, Young One."

Sele’ bowed her head, “I cannot do as such, my Queen."

"You question My command, Young One?"

Sele’ looked confused, then drew her sword, “No, my Queen."

"Fight Me."

Sele’ raised her sword to her Queen's, hitting it once, as was the customary fashion to begin the duel. She then maneuvered as she had been taught, fully engaged in the fight, but without her powers. San'lr'in’ watched carefully, noting that Sele’ fought fully against her, but with clear intention of not winning against her High Queen. San'lr'in’ also took note of Sele's abilities without her powers, and was pleased.

She halted the fight, “Enough, Young One. I have a request of you."

Sele’ resheathed her sword, then bowed her head, “Anything, my Queen."

The High Queen closed her eyes for a moment, held out her hands, and chanted quietly. The small light of power appeared before her. She reopened her eyes and held the ball in front of her, “You are aware of the Wizard of the Ravens, Young One?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"The Realm has much need of your powers, Young One, as do I. It is the moment to return your powers to you, but prior to doing as such, you need know two things."

"Yes, Highness."

"The first is that you must understand the great risk to your life in this battle, as is true for all of us. Do you understand this risk, Young One?"

Sele’ closed her eyes slowly and reopened them, sighing deeply her understanding, “I am fully aware of this one's powers, my Queen. I know well that we are all at great risk of not surviving this battle."

San'lr'in’ saw that Sele’ sounded much older now, even given her youngness, “There are many dark forces in The Realm, Young One, and they will all try to bring you to their side throughout your cycles, and this you know. But none will ever match the power of the Wizard of the Ravens. Just prior, you succumbed to the dark powers. As I return your powers to you, your greatest struggle will begin in this regard. Upon that moment, the Wizard of the Ravens will sense your great powers and will use all her abilities to bring you to her side."

San'lr'in’ sighed, then looked for a moment at Sume'. She then turned back to Sele', “I know that with all your strength you will try to remain close to The Realm and to Me, but know this. Should you fall to the Wizard of the Raven's dark powers, I will have no choice but to remove you from The Realm, and instantly so. Do you understand, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n?"

Sele’ nodded, looking far older than her cycles. In truth, there were none about The High Queen at present that doubted she would remove Sele’ quickly from The Realm, if needed, having just seen as such with the High Wizard Sorcerer, “Fully so, my Queen. And this will not occur. I vow this to you and The Realm."

San'lr'in’ met Sume's eyes, and Sume’ nodded her understanding, “She understands her role, San'lr'in', as you did long prior."

"Then prepare yourself, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n, as the very moment your powers are restored to you, the Wizard will seek them."

Ann'wn, Meera, and Fon'elnn’ were standing nearby, prepared to do as necessary should Sele’ be taken over by the Wizard of the Ravens, as commanded. Sle'nel’ stood off to one side, hoping and trusting that Sele’ would withstand the Wizard's first attempt. After having witnessed what her lover had to do with the High Wizard Sorcerer, she was most unsure of the moment.

San'lr'in’ moved the small ball of light near Sele's head. She began to chant another spell, then slowly guided the ball into Sele's mind. Sle'nel’ watched carefully as it disappeared, observing both her lover as well as her Birth-daughter.

When the powers had fully entered into Sele', San'lr'in’ stepped back, observing. Sele’ struggled with the feeling for a moment, then winced, fighting against the Wizard.

Sume’ went to Sele', touching her on the shoulder, “The Realm awaits you, Young One."

San'lr'in’ placed her hand on Sele's other shoulder, “Hide your powers and thoughts from the Wizard, Young One. Allow her not into your mind."

Sele’ struggled, “She is strong."

San'lr'in’ placed her hands on Sele's head, “Cast a spell against her, then remove her from sensing you, Young One.” She assisted Sele’ in her efforts, guiding what she must do. Sele’ was grateful for the guidance, unsure of how to remove the Wizard's sensing from within her thoughts.

"Enter into your fourth meditation, Young One. Remove yourself from The Realm, and from the Wizard."

Sume’ closed her eyes and chanted a spell of strength for Sele'. Her powers were those of a great sorcerer, but were not close to the powers of the Wizard of the Ravens, or of Sele's, but helped Sele’ fight against the moment.

"Now, Young One. Cast your spell."

Sele’ did as The High Queen commanded, then followed The High Queen's guidance as she placed a block on her senses, successfully removing the Wizard from her thoughts.

She felt The High Queen and the High Priestess remove their hands from her, and brought herself out of her meditations, “It is done, Highness. She has been removed. But I couldn't do as such alone. How am I to know if I am strong enough? Perhaps you should keep these powers within you."

San'lr'in’ crouched down to Sele's level, smiling, “You have done well, Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n. Her powers are overly strong to expect that you could do as such alone, at this moment. But it was you who withheld against the dark powers. It was your desire, not mine."

Sele’ felt deeply within herself, feeling her powers, testing them quietly. She looked up to her Queen, “I am prepared, Highness. I am at your bidding."

The High Queen placed both her hands on Sele's cheeks, holding them softly, “I am sorry for this moment, Young One, but we are in great danger. What we do now is for The Realm."

Sele’ nodded solemnly, “I understand, my Queen."

San'lr'in’ rose and placed her hand on Sele's head, “As High Queen of The Realm, I welcome you as fully returned into The Realm, Future Supreme Sovereign. Go. Prepare yourself. The departure is in the morn. I now give My need of you and your powers. Think fully on these, as the moment will arrive soon."

San'lr'in’ sent her thoughts to Sele', then removed her hand, “Until the morn, Young One. Your Aunt High Priestess will be with you through the eve."

Sume’ offered her hand to Sele'. Sele’ took it, then looked at San'lr'in', “I will not disappoint you, my Queen."

"Come now, Young One. We must prepare you for the morn."

When they had gone, San'lr'in’ turned toward Sle'nel', holding out her hand, “Come with Me, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ saw that her lover looked as if the weight of all The Realm lay upon her. She took San'lr'in's hand, and they walked off onto a forest's path. San'lr'in’ remained quiet until they reached a small clearing. Turning to Sle'nel', she took both of Sle'nel's hands into her own.

"Our moments together have been but a short while, yet they have filled My life unlike anything prior."

Sle'nel’ felt the heaviness in San'lr'in's heart, “Mine as well, San'lr'in'."

San'lr'in’ nodded, “I know this well, Sle'nel'. I sense your love upon every moment. You have given Me the only true happiness and love I have had in My entire lifespan, and I know not how to thank you for this great gift. But I am sorry that I have brought you into this awareness in The Realm, as I have brought you into great danger. I know not if we will survive this battle, My Desire."