The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (38 page)

Then she lowered her head, placing her cape over her head so that she could begin to return to The Realm, and brought her staff close to her body.

Feeling that its weight had lightened during the Stones’ ritual, The High Queen looked down upon the small bundle she held. She opened it up, seeing only the ring remaining. She laughed lightly to herself, in disbelief of the Stones’ powers and of their completeness in their task. She held up the ring and tossed it to Erthrn. Erthrn raised her eyebrows in wonder, catching the ring now minus the finger.

She laughed loudly, “Well done, my Queen. Eternal torture certainly outdoes anything we could provide. Have all been caught?"

The High Queen shook her head, “No. But most. There is another behind all this, but I yet cannot access who it is. I have an idea of who it might be, though. I will give you the names of the others, and perhaps we can produce it from one of them through your tortures. This one couldn't know of what exists in El'fs'nd'lle. It could be My other sister, but I don't sense that within her, and I know what My sister's messages feel like. I think it one from both our pasts, Erthrn."

"Not the Dungaras, my Queen?"

"No, not them. As we battled against them, they had wanted Sle'nel’ to step aside the battle."

Queen Erthrn nodded, “It shall be done, my Queen. And now we face yet another power behind all this evil. But we will find out about them soon enough.” She looked around at the War Council, “I proclaim this turn's session to be over. A banquet awaits you in the main hall. We begin again next turn.” She turned back to The High Queen, “I wouldn't wish your Elf's red eyes to be focused upon me, my friend."

"Nor would I."

The participants and listeners began to leave. Erthrn came and stood next to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “You think it is Bro'gadich'in'. Did you never find her body?"

The High Queen shook her head with certainty, “No. Tell me, Erthrn. Have you seen the Mungardies fight?"

Erthrn raised an eyebrow, thinking on what her High Queen had just asked, “You are most clever, Highness. I should have thought of this myself, but it is why you are High Queen. You think the Mungardies now fight as the old masters did."

"I hope this is not so, or our fight against them will be more difficult than we had originally believed. Can you capture one or two?"

"It will be accomplished by the morn. At least we will know."

"You will need to capture one of importance. One of their force leaders."

"It shall be done. In the meanwhile, my Queen, I have arranged a small affair for you and your Elf this eve. Would you do me the pleasure of your attendance?"

"Of course, Erthrn. While I am here, I am at your desire. I assume your attendants will be able to provide Me the proper attire."

"It will be casual, my Queen. It will be a small gathering only. I can see that you fully enjoyed your first eve here. I am well pleased that your Elf pleases you well. You deserve as such. How did you find your chambers?"

"We enjoyed them very much. They are much finer than My quarters in the Valley."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked over briefly to Sle'nel’ and saw that Meera was with her. She motioned for Meera to bring Sle'nel’ to her. While she focused upon Sle'nel', Erthrn motioned for Uthrn to come to her.

Uthrn knelt and bowed her head, “Queen Erthrn. As you command."

"Leader of my Forces. I need two force leaders of the Mungardies to be brought to me, alive and in good condition, by the morn."

Uthrn was surprised, but remained as she was, “Yes, my Queen. It shall be done. I will need our best to make this so.” She kept her thoughts to herself but thought the task almost impossible.

"Take who you desire. Return by the War Council next turn with these Mungardies."

Uthrn left to her task, knowing that being with The Highest wouldn't be possible this eve without much good luck. She had a message delivered to her, knowing it would have to be enough as she had no spare moments with this most difficult of tasks.

The High Queen had held out her hand to Sle'nel’ as she came near, but Sle'nel’ instead took her arm and held it close to her. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ saw that her eyes were yet somewhat red. Meera left to retrieve Caitha from the storytellers.

Erthrn turned to The High Queen, “What else may I do for you so as to entice you here?"

"In truth, Erthrn, I have been giving much thought to this.” Erthrn was most interested to hear of this, surprised, but having guessed that the Valley over-used their Queen.

"I have been thinking of relinquishing My role as Queen of the Valley and of just being High Queen until The Realm's Future Supreme Sovereign decides who she would like as High Queen."

"You know the law, Highness."

"I know, Erthrn. But a law can be changed."

Sle'nel’ asked, “What law is this?"

Erthrn responded for her, “The law states that The High Queen is such until death. Only this. And it is written in the legends that the Supreme Sovereign's role is a role far removed from that of High Queen."

Sle'nel’ looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “That leaves you as High Queen for a very long reign then, no matter the law or the legend."

Erthrn nodded, “As it should be. She just hopes otherwise, but it will be so. Of this I know. Even the Future Supreme Sovereign will need her as High Queen. But tell me, my friend, what can I provide for you so you might come? What have you been thinking in this regard?"

They began to walk back to The Caves so as to begin their preparations for Erthrn's gathering, “I couldn't just leave the Valley, but I was thinking of sharing My reign between the Valley and under your protection."

"A mediation then. Wise. You wish not to disrupt the Valley from its high culture, but you would also bring it here.” She nodded, “I much like this idea, my Queen. It possibly has more strengths than choosing just one location. What would you like here that I might provide for you?"

"You would truly want such as this, Erthrn? Think well on this as it has become a thought for Me. It would provide much change in this valley of yours."

"I need no thought on this, my friend. I would welcome you here with more offerings than the Valley has ever provided to you. Come. Let me show you of your next surprise, my Queen, so that you may see for yourself how much we would like your presence among us. You may enjoy this surprise for a few long moments prior to our eve's affair."

They had begun to walk up the long flights of stairs. Sle'nel’ wondered why The High Queen was thinking along these lines. She halted briefly, looking back out across this valley to the great sea.

Erthrn smiled at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', but nodded her head toward their Elf, “It is a beautiful site from here, is it not, Elfin Princess?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ also turned to see the view. Having seen it prior, she knew of the beauty of such a sight, but never ceased to enjoy it. Sle'nel’ nodded, “It is most stunning. Not peaceful like the Valley, though. More as The Realm really is. Moody, I think. The Valley is so peaceful it almost seems unreal at moments. The weather here is more changing."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed lightly, “I cannot tell from your statement if you find Rns'deln’ pleasing or not."

Sle'nel’ smiled, “Anywhere with you is most pleasing."

Erthrn laughed, “I know not which I fear more, Highness. This one's powers as the High Sorcerer of the Stones, or when she acts so gentle and loving as this."

The High Queen touched Sle'nel's cheek softly, “Then you have not lived, Erthrn, as this adds to the excitement."

Erthrn guided them into another mammoth cave, adjoining to the one in which their chambers were located. She showed them the indoor theatre, then led them down another hall. She halted as they reached another set of massive doors, exactly the same as the ones opening to their chambers.

"I hope you will be pleased, my Queen. We are most proud of this."

As the guards opened the doors, San'lr'in'thel'ineln's eyes opened widely. Sle'nel’ just stared in disbelief as Erthrn led them in, “This is for you only, Highness. I have long desired to return my friend to me."

Inside was a great columned room containing an expansive and fully tiled bath. It measured at least half the size of their chambers. Sle'nel’ saw the heat rising from the tiled bath. Letting go of her Queen's arm, she went to the side of the pool, bending down to feel the water.

"It is quite warm, my Queen."

Erthrn was smiling, “The aches and pains of all your prior injuries need such as this, my Queen."

The High Queen was most impressed, knowing that Erthrn knew well of her wound from long prior, “I have nothing such as this, Erthrn. This is beautiful."

The High Queen saw that, as in her chambers, a window to the outside had been provided. She knew that in such a place as this, a window through all this stone required a phenomenal effort, yet the window was large and displayed the beautiful view they had just admired.

Erthrn nodded, “It is an improvement over you having to seek out your hotsprings, is it not?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, “Indeed. But you spoil Me."

Erthrn laughed, “I am trying, Highness. But I only begin. More surprises await you, but only one at a moment, my Queen. I leave you now to enjoy your bath. Your attendants will assist you as needed."

"Thank you, Erthrn. I only wish I had earned such as this. But tell Me, friend. What are your plans for this eve, or do I already guess them?"

Erthrn raised an eyebrow, smiling knowingly, “Now that Uthrn is otherwise detained, I seek out your sister for the eve, if she will have me. She already awaits me. The attendants will help you to prepare at the proper moment. Your eve meal will be waiting for you at our little gathering. Until later, my Queen."

Erthrn left while the attendants helped The High Queen and Sle'nel’ to disrobe. With that completed, the attendants waited in a small-enclosed alcove so as not to interfere with The High Queen's bath. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ stepped down the four stairs into the hot bath, enjoying the feeling. She held out her hand to Sle'nel', “Come, My Elf. This is luxury."

They both sat in the deepest section, allowing their aches, pains, wounds, and bodies to enjoy the feeling of the hot water surround them in such a beautiful and safe setting.

"Why do you not have such as this in your own Valley?"

"In truth, I have never asked for such. Perhaps I will though. This is exceptional."

Sle'nel’ went to the side, bringing the cloths and soap back to her Queen, “Allow me, my Queen?"

"And it comes complete with My own Elf to wash Me."

Sle'nel’ splashed some water on San'lr'in'thel'ineln', but quickly went to her task of washing her Queen. They bathed and washed each other, enjoying the moment between them.

"Yes. We must have one of these built for us in the Valley."

As she washed her Queen's hair, Sle'nel’ asked, “You told Queen Erthrn that you think about giving up your role as Queen of the Valley."

"I spoke truly. I have longed believed that it is not good for the Valley to have Me as both. If I die, it leaves them overly vulnerable. And I need to visit more of The Realm as High Queen, yet I cannot as Queen of the Valley."

"Perhaps you seek something else, my Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ stood, turning to her Elf, touching her breasts softly, then kissing her for a long moment, “Perhaps."

Sle'nel’ moaned at the feeling, wishing they were back in their chambers. She returned the kiss, feeling The High Queen's arms slowly, then kissing her breasts. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shivered as she did so.

Sle'nel’ moved slightly away, “And perhaps when you have such as this built in your Valley, it might be built closer to your quarters."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed quietly, knowing her meaning, “A good thought."

"Are there other locations you think of in regard to your reign, Highness?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sighed, “My Elf, when do you think you might consider not calling Me by My titles?” She sighed, “There are two other towns that would be most pleasant and provide for My needs well. And they would also benefit from the increased culture."

"But Rns'deln’ seems to appeal to you more. And you must give me more moments to think on what to call you. It has not yet come to me. Have patience, my Queen."

"Rns'deln’ does appeal, in truth. The other two towns are more like the Valley. Quiet. Pretty. But overly conservative regarding how I must act in my roles. They, like My present Counselors, would try overly to control Me. Queen Erthrn would prohibit such, be a strong advocate for Me, provide for My needs, protect us well, and be a good friend, as she has ever been."

Sle'nel’ hadn't yet noticed her Queen's garments for the eve. The gown was a warm one, made for sitting in cool rooms, heavy in the material, but lacking much of it as well. The usual ‘V’ cut down the front was provided, but a slit in one side of the gown from the thigh down was also provided, something that didn't occur in the Valley until Sle'nel's Faerie gown had been worn. Sle'nel’ was captivated by the effect, enjoying it fully, seeing that San'lr'in'thel'ineln's leg was quite sensually displayed.

"What do you stare at so, My Desire?"

"You have the most beautiful legs in The Realm, my Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked down at her gown, “Really? I have never given this any thought.” She looked back up, “But if they are alluring to you, I am pleased."

Sle'nel’ gave her a knowing look and smile, “Then you must be very well pleased, indeed."

The gown was the color of a dark leaf green, which was striking with The High Queen's dark red hair. She wore no jewelry this eve, except for the one earring and her small golden circlet crown. The gown reached just above the ground, being well made and designed, fitting The High Queen perfectly. It wasn't an ordinary gown, but was also not of the exceptional gowns that The High Queen had worn to her formal affairs. The High Queen also thought nothing of the gown's slit along its side, viewing it as normal for Rns'deln'. She was then provided with a deep rich brown full-length cloak.