The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (47 page)

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had returned to her seat near the fireplace, slightly dismayed that her warriors would protest against her as much as they had, but apparently they thought they had good reason,
Yet, they know not the mission. Foolish of them
.

The scouts knelt and bowed their heads before her, awed that they were in the presence of The High Queen. She looked down at them, wondering if they would live through the mission, thinking they wouldn't, “Rise, My Brave Ones. I have great need of information that will be extremely difficult to obtain, and even more dangerous to return with. Are you prepared for such a mission?"

The three scouts rose. She saw that they were indeed well experienced, seeing the well-trained looks of danger about them. None were young, but neither were they old. Most scouts, she knew, often died while young, so these were obviously successful and very careful scouts.

They nodded, only.

She explained what she needed, “I must prior inform you that I have sent seven of My own scouts on this very mission, with no success. They have never returned. And know that I have well-trained scouts. If you wish not to go on this mission, you now have My leave."

One scout bowed her head, “High Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded.

"Since you have risked seven of your own scouts, we assume your need for this information is great for The Realm. Whatever you ask, we shall give our best efforts toward. We are at your service and are proud to serve under you."

"I must know where the Mungardies hide their leader."

Erthrn flinched. She knew the impossibility of this request, having tried to obtain this information herself upon many occasions prior.

One scout bowed her head quickly, “Anything else, High Queen?"

"Yes. I have one other need. I must know the location and identity of the Master who teachers them. And I need it quickly. If the Master can be seized, then so much the better, but that is overly risky. If this information cannot be obtained within four turns, then consider your mission complete, and return without question. I will make whatever resources you need at your service."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ stood and looked upon Uthrn, Ann'wn and Meera. In a tone that hinted heavily at annoyance, she asked, “Is this acceptable to the three of you?"

Meera stepped forward, “A fourth is needed, my Queen. These are two separate missions, and must be split. I would like to volunteer. I am human, and the Mungardies will not expect such as me."

The High Queen turned back to the scouts, “You have no need to see the leader of the Mungardies for yourself, but your source must be reliable, or well-tortured."

Uthrn knelt and bowed her head, “Please hear us, High Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sighed, “What is it, Uthrn of Rns'deln'?"

"I beg your forgiveness, High Queen, but the Woden Warrior Woman is most correct. And I would like to add that while the mission to find the location of the Mungardies leaders is most difficult, this is a scout mission. But the mission to find the identity of the Master who trains them, and to possibly capture this one, is a warrior's mission. And we can be quick in doing so, while the scouts are trained to find information only. I can guarantee you success in obtaining the Master, or my death, but it is a warrior's mission, High Queen."

The scouts objected, bowing their heads to Uthrn, “Leader of our Forces, but I disagree. You know not where this Master is located. After we find the information, and if we are unable to capture her, then at least you will know where she is."

Uthrn grew angered, “You cannot capture her, and should make no such attempt. You have not the abilities for such. A Master is beyond your ability. You will surely die."

Ann'wn took Uthrn's side, “Uthrn is correct. You cannot know how to handle a Master. How would you possibly prevent her from killing you?"

While they were arguing, Sle'nel’ spoke to The High Queen, “There is no moon this eve, my Queen. I could try to find the leader and the Master for you, and more quickly so than these warriors and scouts. I could at least give the attempt without being seen. And if I am successful, you would have information you need to then send in the forces necessary to capture one or both."

The High Queen looked at her, “R'lodin'lindor?"

She nodded.

The High Queen turned toward the fire, looking away from her lover, “I like none of these options. They are far overly risky."

"It is a high risk to send the warriors, my Queen. Even I can see this to be so. And the scouts stand little chance of returning with this information. But I can give you my vow to be careful and remain well high away from sight. I will return by the War Council. If I have found no information, then you can send out the greater risks."

"Who would you take with you?"

She spoke softly, “I go alone."

"You will not."

"I must. They are overly loud.” She look toward Uthrn and the others, “Look at them. They frustrate you, and this I see well. And they counter your orders."

She motioned her hand, dismissing the notion, “Only as I allow such. I needed to hear what they had to say about this risk. I can see that they find the request important, though, and that is what I needed to know. Yet, I dislike risking lives unnecessarily."

"Then you would have me go?"

"Not alone."

"Who knows what a Master looks like?"

She looked around the room, “Erthrn. Me. Ann'wn. Uthrn."

"Are they easily identifiable, my Queen?"

She nodded, “Long hair, brought all into a long tail. Dark red vest. White shirt. One, two or three raptor's feathers hanging down from their hair's long tail. But this is only truth if they continue the tradition."

She removed the cuff that was attached to her middle finger. She raised up her sleeve, just to above her wrist. The Elf looked at the sign she had seen whenever they had lain together, but never had they spoken of it. It had been tattooed onto The High Queen's hand long prior, and Sle'nel’ had guessed that it had something to do with her being High Queen. Now she saw that it didn't.

The High Queen continued, “Some wear this upon their forehead, tattooed such as this, some wear it upon the back of their hand, such as I do, and some wear it upon their arm, where it cannot be seen."

"This is why you wear such sleeves, which extend down past your wrist?"

She nodded, “But this mark is also upon their sword, any hat they may wear, or as an emblem upon their vest. It usually is in sight, though, as a mark of distinction and valor."

"I recall this same mark upon the hilt of your sword. I should have placed these facts together. How stupid I am."

The High Queen scoffed, “Stupid? I think not. There could be many reasons for such a tattoo as this. Now, who do you take with you?"

"Who would you have go with me?"

"Uthrn is the most skilled warrior. Ann'wn is the most intelligent warrior. And Erthrn shouldn't go as she is Queen. Take Uthrn. She will be the most use in these lands that are somewhat strange to Ann'wn."

"I will need my bow and arrows. And I must go to call R'lodin'lindor."

"I will have the attendants bring your weapons to you. Now let us call this debate to order."

She turned to the rest of the small eve's party, “I have made a decision. Our Elf will be scouting for us this eve, from the skies. She has agreed to take R'lodin'lindor to locate the Master. She has vowed to return by the War Council in the morn. At that moment, we can then decide our course of action in regard to capturing the Master, and in regard to finding the location of the leader of the Mungardies. Uthrn, you will travel with her as her guard, and as one who knows the lands well but under her command."

Uthrn bowed her head, “As you command, my Queen, so shall it be."

She began to turn, but added, “Oh, and Uthrn."

"My Queen?"

"The Elf would like a silent journey."

"As you command, Highness."

"And she is not to be questioned."

"I understand, Highness."

She looked at the scouts, “We will most likely engage your services beginning next turn. Please be at the War Council.” She looked at Erthrn, “Have the attendants bring Sle'nel’ her weapons and her cloak."

They followed as Sle'nel’ left to call R'lodin'lindor. As everyone stood outside on the main terraced entryway into the Great Hall, Sle'nel’ gave a soft whistle and muttered a few Elfin words. The attendants had returned with the Elf's weapons and cloak, and the staff was given to Uthrn's care. Sle'nel’ thought that R'lodin'lindor must have been close to Rns'deln', as she arrived quickly.

Sle'nel’ turned to her lover, “Worry not over me, my Queen."

The High Queen looked concerned, “It is My privilege to do so. Be safe, My Desire. Remain high in the winds, as you vowed."

Sle'nel’ strapped her bow and arrows to her back, and her sword to her side, “I plan to use no weapon. We will be quick. I plan to find the location of these two, only."

"Plans are simply plans. The actuality often takes on much different outcomes than we often prior think on them."

"I will return by midmorn. Look for me from the north."

"We will be in the arena waiting for your return."

Sle'nel’ looked at her, began to leave, then turned back, embracing and kissing her lover. The High Queen held her as if they had been separated for many cycles.

Sle'nel’ gave her one last kiss, then quickly went to R'lodin'lindor. She explained the mission to her, using her Elfin language. Uthrn had never prior seen an Elf's flying horse and was standing in shock, half-afraid of the great, massive horse.

Sle'nel’ looked at her briefly, shaking her head, “Get on, Uthrn. We have few enough moments as it is. If you are afraid, then step back, as I have no patience for your hesitation."

Uthrn's eyes were wide in dismay at the horse, but quickly followed the Elf's directions, jumping onto R'lodin'lindor, but wondering how she would remain upon this horse as they flew across the skies.

As The High Queen watched them leave, Sam came up beside her, “A harsh decision, but I think this the better one."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded her head, “Yet, not the easier one."

Sam saw that she hadn't liked making this decision, “It is war, my Queen. Lives will be risked and lost. Your decisions will always, unfortunately, include the cost of these lives."

The High Queen looked at her, studying her, “You would have made the same decision, then?"

Sam stared back, having also been watching the great white horse jump into the air. She sighed, knowing that she was about to tell one of her own weaknesses, “I know this as the correct one, but no, I would have done it myself and risked being killed. If I survived, then I would risk much reprimand. But I would have risked only myself."

"And yet you are The Highest. I wonder if you would do as such now, knowing how much Woden will need your knowledge of The Realm."

"Sadly, it is my first instinct."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked back to the sky, trying to find where their path had taken them, “And mine, as well."

Sam was surprised, “You would go?"

"No longer, but I did so when I first became High Queen. As you said, it was the easiest of the decisions."

Sam gasped, “You? You did as I did?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed softly, “Why does this surprise you so?"

"Because I know this is not the best of decisions, and because you seem to never make an error of judgment, such as I overly often do."

Placing her hand upon Sam's shoulder, The High Queen softly replied, “It is enough that I am overly hard on you. You need not be so to yourself. You have been an excellent Highest for Woden and must rely on that strength. We all find our own paths, and we certainly all make our own errors. Place Me not so high as this, Highest. I will fall quickly enough from your graces."

As she turned to re-enter the Caves, she saw Meera and Ann'wn looking slightly dispirited. She silently examined their thoughts, sensing what she thought she would find.

Speaking aloud to their unspoken thoughts, she said, “My Warrior Women, are you prepared to lead the final campaign against the Dungaras in the next few turns? Ann'wn, you will be in-charge of the overall battle. Perhaps you should begin planning your strategies. Warrior Woman of Woden, you will be her Battle Second, along with Uthrn. Next turn's War Council will be most important to your plan of attack. I know how fond warriors are of the actual engagement, but as the leaders in-charge, you will have to decide whether you will fight or lead."

She sensed their thoughts once more, satisfied that they were no longer thinking that they were being punished for their questioning of her, “Force Leader, I leave the battle strategies to you, but be mindful that I expect a quick attack and a quicker success. And I expect that you will bring Me the leader of the Dungaras aliv—"

"—but, Highness, should we not g—"

The High Queen raised an eyebrow and stared into Ann'wn's eyes with a cold, hard expression, “It is a command, Force Leader, not a discussion. I expect no questioning of My decisions or desires. Bring Me the leader of the Dungaras, alive."

Ann'wn caught the annoyance within her Queen, “Yes, my Queen."

"And keep Me informed. You have My leave.” She turned away from Ann'wn, clearly displaying that her commands to Ann'wn were final, then to the others said, “Come. Let us reconvene in the wonderful den that Queen Erthrn has so generously built for us, and listen to the musicians, hear more of Caitha's wonderful songs, and drink the remainder of the eve away.” She looked at her sister with a knowing expression, smiling mischievously, “At least until two of us feel they must depart for more pleasant moments. And Mil'der'in, if you would rather be elsewhere, I would understand."

"No, my Queen. I have been asked to wait, and will happily do so."

During the remainder of the eve, Caitha sang a few songs, told a few stories, then Erthrn and San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ gave Sam a few lessons in her powers, frustrating her more, but also causing her to laugh. At late eve, The High Queen excused them, “Thank you for your wonderful entertainment. Good eve to all of you."