The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (16 page)

The High Queen mounted upon R'lodin'lindor, and Sle'nel’ mounted D'ron'stri'nil'. Quickly, both the unicorns ran, then jumped into the air, flying and dancing their happiness. The ride back to the Isle was a little longer than the ride to the Sorcerer Women, but neither The High Queen nor Sle'nel’ minded as they rode upon the two great flying unicorns. The great ones danced together upon the wind in their happiness. R'lodin'lindor and D'ron'stri'nil’ finally landed and waited patiently for Sle'nel’ and The High Queen to dismount. Then looking only momentarily at both of them, they jumped back into the air, flying next to each other. They left quickly up to the great heights of the sky, soaring together to touch the face of the stars.

"Thank you, My Desire. It is good to see that R'lodin'lindor has another for companionship. Now we must find a way to bring back the other Elves so you are no longer alone in this realm."

"I think you the lonely one in The Realm, my Queen. Until this eve, I didn't fully understand this, but I saw it this eve as you spoke of your life and training. You walk a lonely path."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sensed her raptor overhead and gave a soft crying noise, calling her raptor to her. She held out her arm and waited. In a few moments, the raptor landed upon her arm. Stroking her head, she listened to her message. In the language that Sle'nel’ couldn't understand, The High Queen gave the raptor a task. The only words that Sle'nel’ understood were, “Find her. Find Ll'strin'll.” More words were spoken between them, and then the raptor flew off.

They intertwined arms, walking back to their dwelling. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ continued their prior conversation, “I am no longer alone, as I am now like R'lodin'lindor. I have found My happiness. I worry over you, though. You were most quiet this eve. Is there anything I might do to make you pleased?"

As they entered their dwelling, Sle'nel’ turned to San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. In the softest of words, she said, “What will you do if she is found?"

The High Queen looked at her, surprised, yet not surprised that Sle'nel’ had put the story together so easily, “I know not."

"Who gave The Old One the power to save a life without giving a life?"

"Again, I know not for certain."

"But you have a guess."

She smiled at her Elf, “Are all Elves as intelligent as you, My Desire?"

Allowing the subject to be changed, Sle'nel’ became more playful, wanting to change the tension, “Oh no, my Queen. Not nearly so. You have captured the most intelligent of all."

The High Queen laughed, “Then I am well pleased. Just a moment, My Love. I must give a task to Ann'wn."

"Is she not at the banquet? She didn't return with us."

"She is always about if not at battle. It is her way."

The High Queen went to the front porch of their little dwelling and gave another soft whistle, this one different than the one to call her raptor. Ann'wn appeared from out of the dark, “My Queen?"

"Bring the Dungaran and A'lon'lden to Me in the morn. Have the Spirit Mothers serve us the morn meal here. I also want you here with us, as I want you to hear what the Dungaras has to say."

"As you say, my Queen."

Ann'wn began to leave so as to inform the Spirit Mothers, but then turned, “My Queen?"

The High Queen looked at her, not speaking, but waiting. It was enough. Ann'wn knew she could ask her question, “She wasn't among those found dead, was she?"

The High Queen looked at her, again not answering, knowing that Ann'wn now knew the answer.

"How powerful are your powers when used in the old tradition, my Queen?"

Softly, she answered, “What would you consider as powerful, Warrior?"

"How many Mungardies did you truly kill that turn, my Queen?"

The High Queen raised her eyebrow, considering the question. Never prior had she told the truth about that battle when she lost her lover, as she hadn't wanted others to know that she also was a Master. And never prior had anyone even known enough to ask the question. It was one of the few lies that she ever told. Revealing how many Mungardies she had killed prior to being injured by the last one would have told all The Realm that she was truly a Master, as she had been. Unknown to Ann'wn, she was second amongst all the Masters.

She locked eyes with Ann'wn, frowning. She studied Ann'wn very carefully for a few moments, entering her mind, hoping she wouldn't find betrayal within it. Finding no ill will at all, she went to stand next to her, “Why do you want to know this information?"

"Why is it, my Queen, that I guard you when you have no need for my useless and far weaker skills? You are truly stronger than any of us, and I would wager that even now this turn, you displayed few of your skills. Only once when you made Meera drop her sword so easily did you display your powers. None of this is an effort for you. How much power do you hold, my Queen?"

"You make Me wonder as to your questions. If you were anyone else, I would have much cause for concern."

Ann'wn knelt before her queen, “Go ahead, my Queen. Search my mind. Make certain for both of us that no one has bent my mind."

The High Queen placed her hand gently upon Ann'wn's head, searching, carefully looking for anything out of the ordinary. After a long moment, and after being careful not to harm her Warrior, she released her hand, “Tell Me, Force Leader. What is it that intrigues you so?"

"I think you have more power than you have ever shown, my Queen. What is it I guard?"

She paused for a moment, thinking. Wondering. “I shouldn't tell you of this, but if we ever run into battle, you will see of it anyway. Wait here, Warrior, and prepare yourself."

She retrieved a sword from inside the dwelling. By this moment, Sle'nel’ had come outside, curious. The High Queen returned with a sword, looked at Sle'nel’ for a moment, then turned to Ann'wn.

She spoke softly, “Are you certain you wish to know this, Warrior?"

Ann'wn pulled her own sword, “Yes, my Queen."

"Use all your powers, Ann'wn. Use all your might, or I might harm you. Do you understand? Fear not of hurting Me, as you cannot. Can you do this? Trust Me more this moment than ever prior, Warrior."

"Yes, my Queen. I will do as you command. I will not hold back."

She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on containing this power so as not to harm her Warrior. She opened her eyes, raised her sword and focused. Her eyes became narrowed as she only saw, in her mind, Ann'wn's sword. She waited for Ann'wn to take the first move. She did so as vowed, with all her force against the woman she most loved in the entire Realm. The High Queen waited until the last moment prior to the sword hitting her, then with lightening speed, moved her own sword to meet it. She sent much of her power into her sword as the swords met.

A large spark flew from the swords, causing Ann'wn to let go of her sword, throwing her back as if kicked by a horse, several tree lengths. Ann'wn fell hard upon the ground, having been thrown with much force, and having been severely jolted by the spark. She lay stunned upon the ground, not fully aware of what had occurred. The High Queen and Sle'nel’ went to her, both kneeling down, looking upon her. Ann'wn heard their voices but couldn't make out their words. As The High Queen laid her hand upon Ann'wn's head, Ann'wn felt instantly improved and could finally hear what they were saying.

She sat up, staring at her Queen. Hoarsely, she said, “Did you use all your power, my Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shook her head, “No, Warrior. I would have killed you."

"As quickly?"

"Instantly. I had to be careful not to hurt you, so I took caution. This is only a display."

"How many were there that turn, my Queen?"

She hesitated for a moment, then softly said, “Twenty-four."

Ann'wn's eyes opened so widely she thought they would fall out, “All of them Mungardies, my Queen?"

She nodded her head, “All of them."

"But they have excellent powers, my Queen."

The High Queen rose and held out her hand to Ann'wn. Ann'wn took it, feeling bruised all over. The High Queen helped her rise, “None of this must be known, Ann'wn."

"I understand, my Queen."

"Ever fought against an Elfin Faerie, my Queen?"

She turned to Sle'nel’ and smiled, “You might lose."

"So I see.” Sle'nel’ took Ann'wn's sword, holding it out to her Queen, “So what if I did?"

"Elves don't lose."

"Neither do you."

"Will you use your powers?"

"If you do as well."

The High Queen nodded, raising her sword to her own lover. They touched tips, then began. The swords flew sparks out like an uncontrolled fire. Ann'wn watched in amazement as they both used skills far beyond her imaginings. She could tell that they tested each other's strengths and weaknesses, careful not to hurt each other, but raising the level of power, swing by swing. She had never prior seen these two so singularly focused. Meera had come running, as prior, hearing the clash of swords. Standing next to Ann'wn, she watched the fight. She had only guessed as to The High Queen's real powers, suspecting prior that The High Queen had yet held back. She watched as with each swing, each of them used more and more of their skills and powers. When Sle'nel’ had sword-danced with Meera prior, she hadn't been serious, playing with Meera's skills. Now Meera saw that she was extremely focused, having to fight hard against her own lover.

Sle'nel’ was more Elfin in that she danced around, able to avoid the blows altogether when she thought The High Queen becoming overly strong, but The High Queen had far more power. Meera, out of curiosity, stepped in to fight against The High Queen, wondering what she would do. The High Queen looked to her momentarily, striking Meera's sword quickly with the same results that Ann'wn had faced. Ann'wn was stunned, seeing that her Queen hadn't lost a moment, disabling Meera within less than a blink. The High Queen then continued her fight against Sle'nel’ as they now moved into the trees. Moment after moment, they tested each other's skills and powers until The High Queen accidentally sent too much power into one of her swings, knocking Sle'nel’ against a tree with too much force. As Sle'nel’ hit the tree, the wind was knocked out of her, and she slumped to the ground. Focusing as quickly as she could, and trying desperately to displace her pain, she rose, stunned and slightly dizzy.

She raised her sword, but The High Queen had lowered hers, “No more, My Love. It is enough for now. We are both struggling not to harm the other. You are a true Elf, My Love. Your skills are mighty, like theirs. I am proud of you to not give up even when that stunned. You are also a true warrior, fighting until the death if necessary."

Sle'nel’ moved slowly, trying to displace her pain, still somewhat dizzy from her head hitting the tree, “My skills are good, but your powers are astonishing. Are you certain that Sele’ will be as powerful as you?"

The High Queen put her hand to Sle'nel's head, helping her to remove her pain. She spoke very softly so only Sle'nel’ could hear, “Perhaps.” She waited a moment, focusing upon Sle'nel's pain. “Our powers cannot be measured in this fashion. I am most likely stronger, but her powers are more within her, making them seem stronger."

Meera was yet trying to pick herself up from the ground. The High Queen had forgotten about it, but when she and Sle'nel’ turned back to Ann'wn, she remembered what she had done to her, seeing Meera struggling. She went to her, placing her hand upon Meera's head, also, “I am sorry, My Warrior. I didn't think another would join in this fight. You caught Me off-guard.” She removed some of Meera's pain.

"Off-guard, my Queen? Then please never let me catch you while you be aware. You will kill me. What kind of power be this, my Queen? I have never seen as such."

Ann'wn gave her hand to Meera, helping her to rise, “A most frightening one. These two together could kill legions."

The High Queen turned to Meera and Ann'wn, “None of what you have seen leaves here. Ever. Now you know what it is you guard. Guard it well. The Realm depends upon it."

They both knelt before their Queen, awed, “My Queen."

"Leave us. And remember, never speak of this."

"Yes, my Queen."

The High Queen and Sle'nel’ watched as the two warriors left. After a moment, Sle'nel’ turned to her Queen, looking impish, “Only twenty-four? And you lost? You couldn't have done better?"

The High Queen looked at Sle'nel', wondering why she asked such a question, then seeing the glint of teasing in her eyes, The High Queen laughed, “Well, perhaps twenty-five."

They intertwined their arms together, beginning to walk back to their dwelling, “You are a great swordswoman, my Queen."

The High Queen turned to her lover, “You are a gifted swordswoman also, My Love, but without doubt, you are the most beautiful woman in The Realm. I almost lost my focus while we sword-danced, fully stunned at your beauty."

"Hmmm. I must think on this. It is a power I had not thought to use."

The High Queen's back was hurting her, “Just a moment, My Desire. I must displace this pain."

The Elf watched as her lover went into her own mind to focus on her displacing her pain, and returning her body to normal. She watched her, noticing that The High Queen stood perfectly still, without fear as to her surroundings. After a few moments, The High Queen took one final deep breath and exited from her meditations.

She looked at her Elf, “Did your Birth-Mother tell you where your Elfin sword might be? Or your Elfin bow and arrows?"

"I know where the sword is, but it is not here. What is so special about this sword and bow?"

"Your Elfin weapons have magical powers all their own. You just fought Me without your Elfin sword, yet maintained very well. I have a feeling that with it, you will be far stronger than you just were. They must be in El'fs'nd'lle, then. We will need to take you there so you might see the land of your ancestry."

"How will I know what to do and what to search for when we arrive?"

The High Queen placed her hand on Sle'nel's cheek, certain of her answer, “You will know, My Love."