The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (36 page)

Sle'nel’ was feeling no pain so took her hand. They danced for much of the eve, Sle'nel’ becoming more alert and less dulled as the moments passed. She saw that her Queen was enjoying the physical and aggressive ways of the Warriors of the Sword. Seeing such, she realized that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was desiring and needing her to perform in the same fashion, especially in front of all the Warriors of the Sword.

Following the ways of the Warriors of the Sword, Sle'nel’ pulled her Queen to her, giving her a passionate and aggressive kiss. She placed her hand onto The High Queen's breast, providing a visual display in front of everyone, knowing it was expected. She then placed her other hand on The High Queen's private parts, surprising even The High Queen. She began to dance seductively, moving against The High Queen in ways that stunned and pleased the Warriors of the Sword. They hadn't prior seen such movements as these. They watched with great interest, and within a short while were doing the same with their own partners.

After a few more dances and many more such movements, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ finally said, “Come to My chambers with Me.” Queen Erthrn smiled to herself seeing that the Elfin Faerie was a good observer of The High Queen's needs and desires, wishing someone as this for herself.

Sle'nel’ nodded. The High Queen motioned to her attendants, “To My chambers."

They walked down several long halls until they came to the end of the great tunnel. At the end were two massive doors guarded by two Warriors of the Sword. The attendants opened the doors and guided The High Queen and Sle'nel’ inside the chamber. Both The High Queen and Sle'nel’ were fully shocked.

"This is unbelievable!"

Queen Erthrn had transformed this part of the cave into a magnificent room that contained one large window overlooking the valley and sea. The room was as large as both The High Queen's chambers back in the Valley. It had a commanding fireplace in it, a sitting area of beautifully carved wooden pieces, a massive bed complete with the most comfortable of covers, a table prepared with food and drink, and carpets of the softest animal skins.

"May we help you to prepare, High Queen?"

Sle'nel’ looked at the attendants, then moved to her Queen. She placed her hands upon The High Queen's shoulders, moving her hands slowly down The High Queen's arms, taking hold of her hands when she was done. She felt San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shiver as she did so, knowing The High Queen desired her.

Sle'nel’ looked only at her lover, but spoke to the attendants, “Leave us. We will call if we need your services. Allow no interruptions."

The attendants were well trained by Queen Erthrn and offered nothing in response except a bowing of the head as they quietly and quickly left. The door closed firmly behind them. The High Queen began to relax a little, but Sle'nel’ was determined to provide a Warrior of the Sword eve for her Queen. She ripped open her own top, placing The High Queen's hand upon one of her breasts. She then pulled The High Queen to her, kissing her neck forcefully, leaving a slight mark upon it.

The High Queen responded with a deep moan, arching her head upward in response, gasping at the feeling. Sle'nel’ removed San'lr'in'thel'ineln's gown quickly and urgently, not caring if it ripped, knowing The High Queen desired the roughness after having seen the Warriors of the Sword do as much. She kissed San'lr'in'thel'ineln's breast, biting it gently, but with more force than ever prior.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was crazed with desire, trying to overtake Sle'nel's aggressive advances, but unable to. Sle'nel’ had every intention of fulfilling her Queen's every desire this eve, pleased at being the one able to do so. The High Queen tried to move them toward the bed, but Sle'nel’ made her to lie upon the animal skins in front of the fireplace. She engaged The High Queen fully throughout the eve before she allowed The High Queen her much needed release. By that moment, both were fully exhausted from the eve and their journey. As Sle'nel’ fell asleep in her Queen's arms, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ covered them lightly with one of the animal skins, finally falling asleep herself.

The morn came overly soon as it often did for The High Queen, but she knew she needed to rise for the War Council meetings. She wrapped a cover from the bed around herself, then opened the door, calling to one of the attendants, “Call Ann'wn and The Healer to Me, and I need tending. But quietly. I wish not to wake our Elf."

As The High Queen was prepared, no words were spoken so as to allow Sle'nel’ the rest she needed. When Ann'wn came, she began to kneel to her Queen, but The High Queen prevented it, pointing to Sle'nel'. Ann'wn understood the gesture—to move Sle'nel’ to the bed—while noticing that their bed hadn't been slept in. She nodded to her Queen, noticing the marks of passion upon her neck. She smiled knowingly, then picked up Sle'nel quietly and effortlessly, moving her gently to the bed without waking her. The High Queen covered her, then made Ann'wn leave the room with her.

"Thank you, My Warrior Woman. I want her to rest so as to help her heal more."

"You look tired, my Queen."

The High Queen blushed, “Yes ... well, as do you. How was your eve with Queen Erthrn?"

"It was a most excellent of eves, but appears to not be as excellent as was yours, my Queen."

"This place does have that effect, does it not? When does the meeting begin?"

"It will await your presence, so after your morn meal, Highness."

"I must first speak with My Healer."

Ann'wn knelt, bowing her head deeply, “Yes, my Queen."

The High Queen placed a hand upon Ann'wn's head,
Queen Erthrn hinted that she found some interesting facts at the battle site. This becomes more mysterious
.

Ann'wn looked up at San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ but said nothing. She nodded her understanding,
She told me of this prior eve.
She paused a moment, then silently asked,
My Queen?

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded.

Do we contemplate moving your reign to this location?

"Perhaps, Ann'wn. Perhaps. Wait while I give My Healer My needs."

The Healer had arrived, “Healer. How fared your eve?"

The Healer had knelt and bowed her head, but San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had taken her elbow and made her to rise as The Healer responded, “Another eve, my Queen. How fare your and our Elf's wounds?"

"It is why I have asked for your presence. She sleeps. We were awake most of the eve, so I wish her to rest. But the wound looks slightly inflamed and swollen. And she seems to have a slight fever."

"I will tend to her. And worry not. I will have no need to awaken her. It is good we remain here for a few turns. She needs to rest, my Queen."

"I go to attend the War Council now. Have an attendant inform Sle'nel’ of where I am upon her waking."

"And your wounds, Highness? How do they fare?"

"I have removed the pain for now. They seem to heal well, many thanks to you."

The Healer nodded, then saw Ann'wn, “Good morn, Force Leader."

Ann'wn blushed, and bowed her head, “Healer. You look well.”
What a stupid response. Why can I not say something of some intelligence in front of this one?

The Healer laughed lightly, “It is always interesting with these women, is it not?” She then turned and went to The High Queen's chambers.

Ann'wn raised her arm for The High Queen so as to escort her to their meeting. The High Queen looked at her, seeing the shyness between the two of them, but gave no indication of her knowledge, “Am I dressed appropriately?"

"You look most beautiful this morn, Highness. You wear your crown very little in the Valley. And you never seem to wear many of these decorations that you do this journey. May I dare to say that you look as The High Queen of The Realm, Highness? While I enjoy the pleasures of these warrior women, it soothes the eyes to look upon you once again."

"Ann'wn, your charms seem to awaken. Erthrn must have enjoyed them well prior eve. Who attends this meeting?"

"She is a hand full, Highness. Erthrn and Uthrn attend, as do the force leaders from many of the neighboring towns, and five of your lesser force leaders. I have also invited The Highest and the Woden Warrior Woman. In addition, seven sorcerers attend and eleven other village leaders. Erthrn will introduce the group. Plus your Counselors and Advisors that journeyed with us, Highness."

"I will need to be forceful, then."

"Yes, my Queen. Very."

"Have we another meeting next turn?"

"And the turn after, my Queen."

She sighed, “At minimum, our Elf will receive the rest she needs."

"She is most special, my Queen."

The High Queen looked at Ann'wn and nodded, “My breath gets taken away just upon seeing her after a short absence. I worry that this consuming love will hinder My abilities as Queen, though. I feel Myself softening, rather than hardening to this Realm of ours."

"You have already found a way, my Queen, to do both. You are yet unused to this feeling of having such as our Elf."

"Indeed. The moment I think I know her well, she yet surprises Me."

The War Council was held outside in their arena so all the Warriors of the Sword could listen, although they couldn't participate. The participants sat on the main stage of the arena in a circle, with The High Queen seated at the head. The Warrior Women of the Sword sat in the layered tiers, and most were in attendance this turn.

The meeting began with introductions of all and a general statement from Queen Erthrn, since she hosted the meeting.

"Welcome. We meet these turns to discuss our next strategies in completing the final defeat of the Dungaras and re-gathering our forces for our assault against the Mungardies. While we have achieved much, it has come at great loss to The Realm. Our numbers, as have the Dungaras', have been diminished. And now we face an even greater enemy. We will host three turns of meetings to help guide The High Queen of The Realm's decision as to our next steps. What we say these three turns will help to shape the future of The Realm."

The meetings’ attendees each took their turn at speaking their voice, and it began easily enough. But San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knew that she was about to be chastised for not providing aggressive enough tactics sooner, and for not providing even stronger commands. While some of The Realm's Counselors wanted more negotiation, she now sat with many of the force commanders, who for the most part wanted more action and aggression against the Dungaras.

Mil'der'in, as her main counselor, sat next to The High Queen, often supplying advise or other information she had gathered during their journey. Without looking at her, The High Queen spoke softly so that only she could hear, “Erthrn has found some information regarding My recent battle against the Dungaras. Do you know of this?"

"I know that we have traitors among us, and she believes them to be here. She will be trying to trick them into revealing themselves during our meetings, Highness."

"That means she must suspect who it is."

"She does, but hasn't yet told me, my Queen. She wants no mistakes over this. I believe it is why she wanted the meeting here, and I believe she really didn't want or need a War Council."

"I wondered about that. She hates such affairs as this. I just thought she was trying to win Me over so that I would move My reign here. She would just as soon have Me issue her a command to attack rather than listen to these others. She resents the moments it takes away from her battles."

"She is trying to win you here, also, Highness. She does both. How were your chambers that she had built for you?"

"Beautiful. More than I could hope for."

"Your Counselors are quite concerned over what Erthrn now attempts. You know fully that they wish you not to leave."

Her response was quick, “Then they should not bind Me so tightly to them. I feel overly constrained. I have no need to be constrained
and
lectured at all My moments. And it seems that there is an increasing number of ceremonies and celebrations that I must attend, of late."

"I can speak to them of these issues, my Queen."

"I have not actively considered a move as yet, Mil'der'in. But I am weary of performing both the Queen of the Valley's duties as well as The High Queen of The Realm's duties. It is overly much."

Mil'der'in smiled, “You mean, now that you have someone else to spend all your moments with, Highness? I can see that she well pleases you. The marks upon your neck speak loudly as to hers and your passions prior eve."

A queen from a small community rose to speak to the War Council, “We should try to negotiate with the Mungardies. They have left my village alone for all these cycles. Your battles just stir up increased issues rather than attempt to resolve them."

Queen Erthrn would have just as soon placed an arrow through this one's heart, but was committed to this show as she searched for their traitor, and as she tried to persuade The High Queen to move her reign to her valley. She looked over to San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ who was seated far across from her. She saw that even The High Queen was weary of these types who thought peace could be had through negotiating with the Mungardies. They had negotiated with them throughout many High Queens’ reigns, to no change.

Erthrn allowed the discussions to continue until midturn, then rose, “Forgive my interruption of these proceedings. But many of you have never prior witnessed or seen the results of a Dungaras or a Mungardies’ attack. We have brought first-hand witnesses and captives from our battles to you this turn so that you may hear of the tortures and cruelties that occur at our enemies’ hands. They are here to tell you of their individual horrors, and to answer your questions."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was becoming tired of sitting in her seat, so stood. She well knew the mercilessness inflicted on the Mystics by the Mungardies, but was always surprised to learn that some knew not of these harsh realities. She had ever wondered why the Mungardies held such intense hate of the Mystics to them, but hadn't yet been able to learn the answer.

As the stories and questions continued, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked up to the main entrance, sensing something. There stood her love. Sle'nel’ had finally risen, readied herself, and come to hear the War Council. She hadn't yet seen her Queen, looking upon the one telling their story of torture, even though she was overly far away to hear clearly. She also sensed something, then looked, finding her Queen. She began her long journey down the many stairs to her Queen.