The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (37 page)

The High Queen watched, pleased for the distraction, but something in the words of the one speaking caught her attention, “I was being tortured by the Dungaras for no reason. They had already killed all the warriors. I had three children and was pregnant. They killed each one in front of me, terribly, causing them much pain. Do you know what it is like for a mother to see their own children tortured such as this?” The woman was fully crying, but continued, “Then I saw one of the Warriors from The Realm, thinking I had been rescued. But she was speaking to a Dungaras. An attack from the Warriors of the Sword then occurred and I was rescued, but the warrior I spoke of wasn't around when I had been made safe. I wanted to thank her for bringing The Realm's forces, although it was overly late to save my children."

Queen Erthrn rose, “Do you happen to see this warrior among us, Fren'thern? Perhaps you will yet be able to thank her."

The woman looked slowly around the circle, finally locating her, “There she is. Thank you kind warrior, for saving me."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had recognized the tone of Erthrn's voice, knowing that she was after someone. Erthrn was a long prior friend of The High Queen, and a superb ruler in The Realm. When The High Queen just prior to San'lr'in'thel'ineln had been betrayed and killed, Erthrn was considered for the position, as San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had yet been overly young. But Erthrn was considered as overly aggressive. After some debate, the Deep Mystics had wisely chosen a more moderate, yet not conservative view, not wishing for war unless necessary, and in spite of her young cycles, they had chosen San'lr'in'thel'ineln. They knew that Erthrn would battle against anyone who even looked like they might go against The Realm.

But The High Queen had listened to Erthrn's advice upon many occasions since that moment, knowing her to be well experienced in battle. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ often thought that the High Mystics had made the wrong choice, knowing that Erthrn was also a wise leader among all her women, and ruled well. During the long moments of recovery that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had needed after her serious back wound, Erthrn had been asked, and had agreed to act as temporary High Queen. And she had performed the harsh and impossible duty well. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knew that if she hadn't been residing in the Valley already when she had become High Queen, she would have most definitely moved her reign to Erthrn's protection.

The High Queen looked to where the woman was pointing and saw that it was one of the force leaders from a neighboring village near Erthrn's, and one who they counted on for strong warriors. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ didn't see that Ann'wn was also taking great interest in this conversation.

Ber'in rose, smiling, “You are welcome, Fren'thern. I am only sorry that I didn't arrive so as to save your children."

Erthrn looked puzzled, playing her part well “I am confused, Ber'in. Why did this woman see you speaking to a Dungaran prior to our arrival?"

Sle'nel’ had finally completed the stairs and was almost to the arena when she saw her Queen's concerned expression, and saw her attention returned fully to the proceedings. Ann'wn had run up to Sle'nel’ the moment she saw her approaching, “Perhaps you should remain away a moment more, my Princess, or you may have a desire to call upon your staff."

"You have found the traitor, then?"

"Queen Erthrn has. But you cannot take this one to the Stones as yet, Princess. We need information from her."

"Do you know this woman?"

"Sadly, very well. I have fought alongside her upon many moments. But she has always been more distant than the rest of us, even given a warrior's life."

The High Queen had become so intent on the traitor before her that she had forgotten about Sle'nel’ being the High Sorcerer of the Stones. When it did suddenly flash in her head, she turned so as to halt Sle'nel’ from coming any closer to the arena, relieved to see that Ann'wn had already done so, thinking,
Of course. Ann'wn spent the eve with Erthrn for good reason. Erthrn had greater need of Ann'wn than just their union.

Ber'in responded, “I know not, Queen Erthrn, as I arrived along with your forces."

Erthrn tried to look puzzled again, but San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ saw that she was having difficulty hiding her anger, “I recall not inviting you to our battle. How did you know of it?"

Erthrn snapped her fingers for one of her messengers. The messenger came running to her. Erthrn gave her something, then pointed to San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. The messenger nodded, running it quickly over to The High Queen. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ watched with interest, wondering what Erthrn was having delivered to her. The messenger gave her the small bundle, then left. She opened it, seeing a woman's finger, detached from its owner's hand, with a ring on it. She examined the grisly remains carefully, then closed the bundle back up. She looked at Ber'in's hands, seeing what she expected to see. She moved closer to the center of the arena, just opposite from Erthrn, placing Ber'in between them.

Ber'in’ saw that The High Queen had approached, now guessing she had been discovered as a traitor, “Uh, I know not, Queen Erthrn. One of your warriors must have informed me."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ came closer, looking upon Ber'in's hand, acting concerned, “What happened to your hand, Ber'in? Was it injured in a battle?"

Grateful for a reprieve from this line of questioning, she raised her left hand, displaying to The High Queen her bandage. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sensed Ann'wn and Meera coming alongside of her.

"Yes, High Queen. Most recently, we battled against some Dungaras and I was unfortunate enough to lose my finger. But it will not effect my ability to fight for The Realm."

Erthrn smiled graciously at her, “I am certain it will not, Ber'in, but tell The High Queen and me. Why is it that your finger and ring, which is a well recognized ring by many among us, was found at the battle of where she most recently fought against many Dungaras?"

The High Queen was stunned, but knew to keep her thoughts hidden well within her. Ber'in was even more surprised than The High Queen, horrified that Erthrn had found her missing finger, and realizing that the Dungaras had set her up. She turned pale at the statement, “I know not, Queen Erthrn. They must have kept it and brought it to that battle."

Both Erthrn and The High Queen nodded their heads, as if in agreement. The High Queen turned to Erthrn, “So it must be. Queen Erthrn? I have a question of you."

Erthrn nodded, fully enjoying the moment, “Anything, my Queen."

"From all your battle experiences, have you ever known the Dungaras to take a finger with a ring on it, keep it, and then take it to another battle site, only to drop it upon the ground?"

Erthrn shook her head, looking as if pondering the question, “Not in all my experiences, my Queen, but I suppose there always is the first moment for everything."

The High Queen nodded, as if accepting the answer, “Yes. I suppose you might be correct.” She turned back to Ber'in, “Tell Me, Force Leader. How did you loose this finger of yours,
exactly
?"

"In battle, my Queen."

She turned to Erthrn, “Queen Erthrn. You have engaged in many battles in your lifespan. Have you ever known of a ring finger to be detached in battle, while the others remain intact and unharmed?"

Once again, Erthrn shook her head and looked as if confused, “No, Highness. Never a ring finger alone. Often with the others, though. This is most perplexing."

Ber'in thought for a moment that she might yet get out of this alive, but then Erthrn added, “But there is something else of importance, my Queen."

Queen Erthrn snapped her fingers again, and one of her warriors brought out a horse, “Is this your horse, Ber'in'?"

Wondering why the discussion had moved to her horse, she nodded, “Yes. It has been mine for many cycles.” The High Queen watched quietly with some amusement in the moment, wondering what Erthrn had discovered.

Erthrn nodded, “Of this we know. Did you know that your horse's right front shoe has a most peculiar notch in it, Ber'in'?

"A notch?"

Again Erthrn nodded, looking sideways to The High Queen, “Yes, a notch. A most distinguishable notch—almost in the shape of a triangle, forged right into the bottom of your horse's left front shoe. We found the same notch upon the site of where the Dungaras attempted to assassinate The High Queen. And strangely enough, your finger was found near the notch. Is that not most strange, High Queen?"

The High Queen allowed her anger now that they had ensured Ber'in was indeed the traitor. She looked to Erthrn, “Apparently even the Dungaras don't respect traitors, but we need the remainder of the information. Who told her of where we were to be?"

"We can read her mind for you, my Queen, but it is known that you and your Healer are the best at this."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, “Bring My Healer here."

As she waited, she looked upon Ber'in, who was now well guarded by Warriors of the Sword, “You may tell us more of this assassination plot on your own, or we can find it ourselves. It makes no difference to us, Ber'in."

Ber'in was on her knees, shoved down by the guards, pleading, “I am sorry, my Queen. I shouldn't have done this. I didn't want you dead; just injured. I would never wish you killed, my Queen."

"How did you know where we were to be? Who informed you of this?"

The Healer had come quickly, “Allow me to do this for you, my Queen."

She shook her head, “No. I must hear this for myself. But assist Me in this. Be mindful of what occurred prior, though, with our other traitors."

The Healer nodded, and they both placed their hands upon Ber'in's head, quickly feeling the evil force within that knew they would eventually find this truth. They both searched for many moments, feeling increasing pain as they continued. Ber'in began screaming at the intensity of the pain, but neither The High Queen nor The Healer would halt until they obtained the information needed.

Suddenly, both their heads jerked back as they removed their hands. They stood quietly with their heads bowed for many moments, trying to remove their pain and re-enter The Realm. The Healer was always quicker in this than The High Queen, helping The High Queen when she was done. Within a few moments, Erthrn could see The High Queen breathe in deeply, then raise her head, “Thank you, Healer."

As The Healer left, The High Queen spoke to Erthrn, “I have what we need.” Her voice was quiet, as ever, but her tone well indicated her disgust.

Erthrn saw that her High Queen well less than pleased. She removed her medium sword and tossed it to The High Queen, “She is yours to do as you wish, High Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ caught the sword easily, then motioned to the Warriors of the Sword to move away, saying softly, “Give her sword to her."

Ber'in’ pleaded, “Please, my Queen. I have no such abilities as you. Please spare me. Think of my village, my Queen. Who will protect them?"

Ber'in's sword was given to her, but she refused to hold it, allowing it to drop to the ground, “I cannot fight against you, my Queen. It is certain death for me."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ raised her sword, “You can fight Me, or you can be tortured. Either way, you will die. Which is it to be?"

"Why, my Queen? Why not just kill me quickly?"

The High Queen narrowed her eyes, speaking softly and slowly, “Because you were not after Me, Ber'in. You wished for The Realm's last remaining Elf to die in that battle. And all along I thought it Me. How foolish and arrogant of Me. Pity you realized not that the Dungaras had no desire to kill her. It rather foiled your plan, I would say.” She looked at Erthrn, “Were you aware of all this, Erthrn?"

"To assassinate the last Elf, my Queen? No. I guessed this not. Would you like us to torture her? She looks like she will not fight you. We have tortures that we can make last for many turns, Highness. But why would they wish for our Elf to be killed?"

"There is something in El'fs'nd'lle that they wish her not to learn."

"Who are the other traitors, my Queen?"

As she lowered her sword, she said, “Perhaps I have a better idea for their deaths, Queen Erthrn."

Erthrn was interested, “My Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ turned to Sle'nel', looking up at her. She called to her, “Do the Stones call to you this turn, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ turned toward the arena, having turned away from it so as to avoid the Stones’ needs. She looked at her Queen through reddened eyes. All those in the arena gasped at the sight. Many moments prior she had fought against the Stones, trying to push back their needs. But as The High Queen now spoke to her, Sle'nel’ let the feelings loose, seeing that the Stones would finally have their due. She nodded her head once, then looked upon Ber'in'. She held out her arm and her staff came flying to her from where Ann'wn had it ready for her.

As she was preparing to call the Sorrows of the Stones to her, Sle'nel’ saw that Ber'in was making a move against The High Queen. She pointed her staff at Ber'in, sending a bolt of energy directly into her. Ber'in was knocked violently a great distance from where she had stood. Queen Erthrn was shocked, but pleased to see such power in the Elf. Sle'nel’ raised her head to the sky, holding her hands and arms straight out from her sides, “HEAR ME, SORROWS OF THE STONES. VENGEANCE IS YOURS."

The gray-black clouds suddenly wailed overhead as a torrent of wind raged and shrieked about them. She placed both hands upon the staff and drove it into the ground directly in front of her. Ann'wn had seen the stone begin to shine with an intensity she hadn't thought possible. She watched in amazement as Sle'nel's cloak turned the color of a deep blood red. Sle'nel's hair blew wildly about her as the winds raced in circles in their anger, and as her crimson eyes focused squarely upon Ber'in. Suddenly, as she pounded her staff into the ground directly in front of her, letting it go where it stood, the Sorrows of the Stones came screaming out from the stone, hunting in their rage for those who had committed evils and cruelties upon the innocents.

They raced in their fury directly for Ber'in, who was now screaming and pleading for mercy. Everyone in The Realm knew that any torture, no matter how long it took or how awful it was, would be better than facing the fury of the Stones for an eternity. They grabbed her up into their black force, then circled about, grabbing eleven of her own guards and warriors. When they were done, the Sorrows raced back to the staff, screaming in their desire for vengeance, spiraling back into the black stone. Sle'nel’ took hold of the staff once more, holding her arms out to her sides, raising her head and voice to the sky, “VENGEANCE IS YOURS, MY SORROWS. YOU WILL BE FREED."