The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] (49 page)

She nodded her response as The High Queen introduced her to everyone, “You have met Mil'der'in, and this is the Master from The First High Queen's reign, Fon'elnn'. And this is...” She introduced her to everyone, and then offered her a seat.

U'Aine looked back to San'lr'in', “With your grace, Highness, it would give me great pleasure if you could grant me leave so that I might speak with Mil'der'in for a moment."

"You need not My permission on this, Master.” She looked to her High Counselor, “High Counselor. This is your decision alone. When you are finished, please return the Master to us."

The eve's meal continued as Mil'der'in and U'Aine walked together away from the others, “Thank you for seeing me, Mil'der'in. How do you fare during this long journey?"

Mil'der'in saw that U'Aine was providing all her patience and politeness, “I fare well, Master, and it is most excellent to see you once more. It has been overly many cycles. You have never given us the moment to thank you for your great deeds. I searched long for you after you saved The High Queen. No other could cure her back, but in this you managed very well."

U'Aine ignored the statements, focusing solely upon Mil'der'in, “I, in truth, Mil'der'in, have thought about you upon every turn. I am truly sorry that I walked away from what might have been between us. But I see that you are well involved with this Master from far long-prior."

Mil'der'in nodded, “I came upon this journey to meet with you once again, Master. So sadly, it is truth, U'Aine. The relationship caught me well unaware, but I find myself most delighted in it."

U'Aine nodded her head and halted their walking, “Then I will trouble you no further, High Counselor, and I thank you for your honesty in this regard. I wish you well in this relationship."

U'Aine was regretful in hearing Mil'der'in's response, but knew that she had little chance with Mil'der'in, even in the best of moments. And as a true Master, she hid her displeasure well, not wishing to cause Mil'der'in any undue stress or discomfort.

They returned to the table, where San'lr'in’ had correctly guessed as to what had occurred between them. It would have been uncharacteristic of a Master to make a scene regarding any relationship.

The High Queen guided U'Aine to her seat, “We have saved a seat for you, Master. Do you recall My sister, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'? She is Highest of Woden."

U'Aine bowed her head to her, then looked into The Highest's eyes, quietly surprised, compelled into their blueness. She offered her hand and arm to Sam, in greeting, “It is my pleasure, Highest."

Sam turned, grasping U'Aine's arm in return, “My pleasure, Master. I have heard many great tales of your abilities."

U'Aine couldn't move for a moment, paralyzed by Sam's great beauty, “Perhaps you would tell me of your Woden. I am most interested in this community."

Sam examined U'Aine, not wishing to be interested in yet another lover, but finding herself unusually drawn to the woman. She saw that U'Aine had a reserved and quiet strength about her, yet what seemed a most sensitive of natures. Sam felt slightly excited in the moment when their hands and arms had touched, feeling a hidden force bringing them together. As she looked into U'Aine's eyes, she saw her own interest being returned.

U'Aine had ten cycles more than The High Queen, strong and solid, but not without a grace that hid her master's abilities well, had overly short hair, much in the style that Keddi's had been, and had a very striking and angular face that held many arresting features. Yet, Sam saw that U'Aine knew how to carry herself so that she didn't stand out to anyone, a long prior skill so that she could remain as openly invisible as possible.

U'Aine was silently upset regarding her loss of Mil'der'in, and had no intention of aiming toward another relationship. But she found herself strangely interested in The High Queen's sister, seeing no harm in learning more about the beautiful woman who now sat beside her,
At least the eve's meal will pass pleasantly enough
.

Toward the end of the eve's meal, The High Queen spoke, “Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'."

Sam waited, hearing a gentle use of her name, “My Queen?"

San'lr'in’ stared at her for a moment, “Our journey toward each other began with the greatest of difficulties. And I didn't ease the moments either, although I could have been far more gracious.

"This journey to El'fs'nd'lle has allowed Me to see the most wonderful leader that you are, Highest, and I am pleased. Never once did you allow the dark powers to come to you, and never once did you neglect your duties to The Realm. You have dedicated yourself fully to The Realm, and have come fully to it. You have fought willingly at My side, and you have remained in the most steady of behaviors throughout...” She thought about this for a moment, then laughed lightly, “Except when it was concerning our Elf.” They all laughed, then she continued, “When we first arrived together, I found that I avoided your presence. At the moment, I thought it was because of you being most difficult, but I have learned that it is I who am the difficult one. I, as even My lover says, keep a distance from all. I find Myself, Sister, saddened in your departure. I will miss you, most truly. I have become used to you, Sister. And you have taught Me to laugh."

Sam smiled, “Woden will seem most quiet after this journey, and no one will but be there to continually challenge me, as you have done."

"May will do this."

Sam looked at Sle'nel', “She asks about you, Sle'nel', with each report I receive. She will be most grateful to see you again. She misses you."

Sle'nel’ turned to her lover, “Perhaps we could bring May to the Vall—"

Sam laughed, “Halt. This will not occur. But you jest, do you not?"

Sle'nel’ looked most serious for a moment, then laughed, “I do, but in truth, I miss May. But you have great need of her, Highest. She is the one who must remain with you, as she keeps you on a steady track."

San'lr'in’ stood, “We will bid you farewell upon your leave, Highest. If you alter your thinking and wish My services, please know that they will be offered fully, as requested.” She turned to Sle'nel’ and offered her hand, looking kindly at her, “It has been a long turn, and will be another long one next turn. Come with Me, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ rose, placing her hand into her Queens, while touching Sam's cheek with her other, “I am pleased that we have had the moments to come together as the closest of friends, Highest."

The High Queen looked to those at the large table, “My friends. We take our leave, but I invite you to remain and enjoy the comfort of the peaceful and safe eve. Until the morn."

Sume’ watched as they left, beginning to like belonging to this odd assortment of family, but was interrupted in her thoughts, “How is it that a R'kin'dles has come to El'fs'nd'lle, High Priestess?"

She looked at the most stunning of Warrior Women, wondering how she could get her to come to her own bed this eve, “Surely you must know of this, Queen Erthrn. I am only part R'kin'dles. But mostly I am a Mystic, such as you.” She waved her hand in dismissal, already bored with the topic, “Besides, the Elf has shown me of their merit."

Erthrn laughed lightly, looking at the High Priestess with a knowing glance, thinking that it might be most interesting to be with yet another of The High Queen's sisters. “Ah. Then the Elf has won you over like all the others. Tell me, High Priestess, what do you think of the Rns'deln’ Women of the Sword?"

Sume’ saw that Erthrn's hand was waiting patiently upon the table for any sign of agreement. She placed her own upon it, returning the knowing smile, “I know not yet what to think of them. I need much more experience in this regard.” She squeezed Erthrn's hand, “And I quite like your size."

As Sle'nel’ walked away with her lover, she heard a quiet laugh from her, “What is so humorous, my Love?"

She smiled, then shook her head in full dismay, “The High Priestess has just accepted Erthrn's bid for the eve."

For the first moment since her most awful encounter with the Dark Sorcerer, Sle'nel’ laughed loudly, finding the report unbelievably amusing. And her Queen smiled, thankful for the moment.

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San'lr'in’ woke to the light now entering their room. She was momentarily disoriented, having slept so soundly that she had forgotten where she was. She watched her lover sleep peacefully beside her, watching her breathe evenly.

Even in sleep, her eyes are beautiful
.

She was enchanted by the line of her lover's eyebrows and eyes. Without moving, she looked about the room, finding it comforting. She closed her eyes, focusing on those now about the small dwelling, sensing nothing unusual, but sensing that Ann'wn was speaking quietly with those that now guarded the dwelling. With her head close to Sle'nel's, San'lr'in’ breathed in the reassuring aroma of her, resting for a moment.

When she opened her eyes, she saw her lover's eyes gazing at her own, “You are so beautiful, my Love. I cannot believe that you lay here willingly beside me."

"Apparently you have no understanding of your own beauty, Elf. When I think of all My prior lovers, none come close to you. But My love for you goes far beyond this issue of beauty, as I seem to quite like you, personally."

San'lr'in’ had begun to touch Sle'nel', and Sle'nel’ smiled, her eyes twinkling at her Queen, “Personally, my Queen? Or physically?"

After their moments together, Sle'nel’ rested for a moment. San'lr'in’ held her in her arms, sensing into her thoughts, “Are you ready for this turn, Elfin Princess?"

Sle'nel’ moved more closely beside her, “Hmmm ... I am ready to remain here in your arms."

Sle'nel’ moved her face towards her lover, then kissed her.

"High Queen?"

Sle'nel’ ignored the voice, moving her hand onto her lover's breast, then between her thighs. San'lr'in’ groaned, then gently moved Sle'nel's hand into her own, “I think we best answer Ann'wn's interruption."

Sle'nel’ moved onto her Queen, then moved her hand more forcefully to her lover's more sensitive spots. When San'lr'in’ could no longer resist, Sle'nel’ smiled down at her, wickedly, “Shall I halt now?"

Gasping lightly for breath, now fully consumed in her passion, San'lr'in’ responded, “She can wait."

Ann'wn turned to Erthrn, “I think this not the best of moments to interrupt them."

Erthrn nodded wisely, smiling, “They know you wait for them. Let them be. The report will wait."

Sle'nel’ rose when she felt them finally ready. She covered herself with one of the bed's covers, then opened the door, “The High Queen needs her attendants, Force Leader. But she requests your presence while she awaits them."

Ann'wn nodded, then entered. She knelt and bowed her head while seeing that her Queen was yet in her bed, “High Queen."

"Tell Me, Force Leader."

"More arrive at the gate. They await the report that the Elves have been restored to The Realm."

"Then we have nothing yet to tell them, do we, Force Leader?"

"No, my Queen. I mean, yes, Highness."

She sighed, “Tell them that the preparations have been completed, and that this eve we hope to provide them with the most happiest of reports. Will that do, Force Leader?"

"Yes, my Queen. Thank you."

The High Queen had gotten up and covered herself, “You may rise now, Force Leader. Was this your urgency?"

She rose, “No, Highness."

She sensed that Ann'wn was troubled, and sensed deeper into her thoughts, “When did this occur?"

"Most recently, Highness."

With a hint of curiosity, The High Queen asked, “Where did they go?"

Ann'wn was surprised that her Queen wasn't angry. She thought that she seemed almost curious, “We are tracking them, my Queen. Many of Queen Erthrn's warriors have departed to do as such. From what they can yet tell, she believes that the Mungardies head for the UnderGrounds, Highness."

The High Queen looked amused, “In truth? The UnderGrounds? It is a most foolish move, but they must know not fully the UnderGrounds. Pity. Bring Erthrn to Me.” She began to wonder, “What are they running from? Could they perhaps run in fear of something?"

Erthrn entered, kneeling and bowing her head, “High Queen?"

"Rise, beloved Erthrn. Tell Me what you know of this."

"We have tracked them far to the north."

"There is only one set of tracks? No more than this? Some of them didn't break off to another direction?"

"Not that we have yet traced, Highness. And there is only one place that they could be heading, given that direction, unless they go far out of their way to confuse us. But they are with full numbers, so I would but guess that they head straight toward the UnderGrounds. You have been there, my friend?"

"Oh, indeed I have. Track them well, but risk no lives on this, Erthrn. Make certain that no tracks veer off their course. This is the only danger to watch, Queen of the Warrior Women of the Sword. Once your Warriors track them to their location, we will send a few scouts to watch over them. Nothing more than this until they feel themselves safe. We will allow the UnderGrounds to do what they do best, prior to us entering the scene."

"My Queen?"

Both Erthrn and Ann'wn were confused, but The High Queen wasn't yet going to tell them of the UnderGrounds. She would allow them to see the UnderGrounds for themselves, “You have done well, Erthrn. You have well earned The High Queen's presence in your Valley. Keep Me informed of your Warriors’ tracking. You have My leave."

She heard them whispering to each other as they left, “Why is she not angry at this report?"

"I know not, but am pleased for such. It must mean that this is not the disaster we had thought."

Erthrn shrugged, most confused, “I wonder what the UnderGrounds hold in them that makes her not concerned about the Mungardies. I would have thought that we would now have the battle of the eons, with them held-up strongly within the UnderGrounds. I would have thought her most displeased."

Ann'wn was suddenly feeling improved, “If our High Queen seems not concerned, then all must be well."