The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (51 page)

A fish jumping up from the water to catch a bug flying close to the surface startled her away from her reverie. She watched as the white-fringed ripples as they reached the shore, then picked up her book. She examined its cover, trying to trace what had once been a title, but could determine only one word out of a possible four or five.

"Source."

What could this mean?

She opened the book, turning the pages slowly one-by-one, examining the pictures on each page. She wondered who the Elves were in the drawings and wondered as to the purpose of the pictures. When she finally turned to the page of the drawing of her mother, she stared at it for many moments, wondering what it might be trying to say to her.

Having seen to the last complaint, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ was finished with her duty for The High Queen's Audience. She turned to Mil'der'in, “Finally."

"You did well, my Queen. There were some most difficult requests in this Audience."

They both turned to Caitha. San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ thanked her, then began to rise. Mil'der'in placed a hand lightly upon her shoulder, “Queen Erthrn requests that we leave in the formal fashion, Highness."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at her in disbelief, “Have we not done enough already?"

"She says that the women wish to be able to see more of you, Highness. By walking back down the Queen's Aisle, such is accomplished."

She waved her hand in dismissal, “As you will, then. Let us get this over with."

Mil'der'in stepped forward a little, then announced, “The High Queen's Audience is completed. All kneel for The High Queen."

The Audience knelt and bowed their heads, and once again the musicians and the processional began. As Caitha began to step back into the crowd, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ took her arm, “Walk with Me, Caitha of Woden."

"I am not prepared appropriately to walk by your side, M'Love."

"Indulge me."

"Of course, M'Love. Anything."

When it was her turn to walk down the aisle, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ placed her arm atop Caitha's. Caitha felt gladdened that she had seen as such prior at other celebrations, so knew what was expected.

As they walked down the long aisle to the sound of the grand processional, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sent her thoughts to Caitha,
Storyteller. I assume that the Warrior Woman of Woden has told you of what has transpired between us.

She looked at The High Queen and replied, “That you won—"

Think your thoughts only, Storyteller. It will work easily for you. And nod politely to the women that now watch you.

M'Love has told me that you won the bet, and that she is now your warrior.

Are you pleased with this?

M'Love is most pleased. I have never prior but seen her as such. You have opened an entire realm for her. And she respects you so.

I have much need of her, Storyteller. Her path will not always be an easy one. Much will be demanded and expected of her, from The Realm.

Highness, is it not better that she comes willingly to the service of The Realm than The Realm coming unexpectedly to her? It would have been but so had we but remained in Woden.

If all think as you, Storyteller of Woden, then Woden must indeed be a fine place in which to dwell.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had her attendants change her garments. Seeing no sign of her lover, she asked, “Where is My Elf this turn?"

One of the attendants replied, “She is in your gardens, my Queen."

She nodded, telling her attendants, “I go there, then. Have food, drink and appropriate garments brought. We will remain the eve. If I am needed, you know where to find Me."

One knelt and bowed her head, “My Queen?"

"Rise. Tell Me."

"Your Healer would like to examine our Elf's wounds, Highness."

"Have her come to the islands."

"Your Force Leader would like to send a report to you as well, my Queen."

"Have it sent to the islands.” She was becoming impatient, “Have
whatever
is needed sent to the islands. I now take My leave."

"Yes, Highness. As you say. We will be out quickly with your food, drink and garments. Is there anything special that you would like?"

The High Queen looked at the attendant, liking her style, “Make sure you come, Attendant, and bring us surprises. You select them for Me."

"Yes, my Queen."

As she arrived to the bridge just prior to the islands, she stood quietly looking at her Elf. She saw that Sle'nel’ examined her book, then her staff, then her book again. She watched her do this for a long while, wondering on what her Elf was so focused, then finally walked across the bridge. Sle'nel’ had been absorbed on the drawing of her Mother, but had sensed someone approaching. She looked up, smiling as she saw her, her eyes twinkling. The High Queen never tired of seeing how pleased her appearance made her Elf, ever wondering at the mystery of it.

"How was The High Queen's Audience?"

She ignored the question, “What are you overly intent on, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ stood, embracing her Queen, kissing her. The High Queen felt amazed that someone loved her so, even though she often forgot to take better advantage of the moments.

It is as if My heart has been bound in chains for My entire lifespan. And now this Elf unbinds them for Me, setting Me free.

She drew Sle'nel’ closely to her, kissing her as though they had been apart for many moons. Kissing her for the wonder of her. Sle'nel’ moaned at the feeling, never tiring of her Queen's desire of her.

After a few moments, Sle'nel’ held out the book. She was excited, “I was examining the drawing. I know not what I was hoping for. Perhaps I hoped she could speak to me through this drawing. But look, my Love, I think she has done so. Look closely at her staff."

The High Queen looked carefully at the drawing, examining the staff. The drawing was a full page in size, but the book was a small one, so The High Queen could see very little more than the image of the staff itself.

"I think my eyes see not quite as good as an Elf's, My Desire. What is it you see?"

Sle'nel’ pointed to the staff in the drawing, “Look. There. See the engravings?"

The High Queen looked, narrowing her eyes so as focus more deeply. She could see engravings, but couldn't determine if they were anything other than designs, “Tell Me, My Desire. What has made you so excited in this drawing?"

"I never looked at my staff, my Queen. Look."

She held her staff out to The High Queen, showing her the engravings. The High Queen touched them, trying to read them, “Elfin. But it looks to be different than the Elfin I know."

"It is the formal Elfin-speak, my Queen. Were you never taught of this?"

The High Queen shook her head, “I know of it, but know it not. It was the private language of the Elves and was never shared with any other. Was the ability to read it given to you?"

Sle'nel’ nodded, motioning for her lover to sit. Her leg was yet sore from the knife and arrow wounds, so couldn't stand long. They sat side-by-side on one of the chairs that overlooked the lake, “I studied the drawing for a long moment, first looking at my Mother, then the staff, then finally the Ancient. The Ancient gave me the key. Study the Ancient, My Love."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ studied the Ancient in the drawing carefully, narrowing her eyes. Then she saw it. The Ancient had some words etched into its side. More Elfin-speak.

"What does it say, My Desire?"

"Look upon your Sorcerer's staff."

"It says as such?” She was surprised.

"It does. I read the Ancient's message, then I studied my mother's staff. After a long while I saw the engravings upon it. I read them, then wondered if my staff had the same. I remembered Erthrn saying that my staff is the same one my Mother used, so I looked at the engravings on mine. They are not the same."

The High Queen raised an eyebrow, “They are different?"

"My Mother's staff reads:
The High Sorcerer's Book of Spells
.” She became more excited, “It took me all the after midturn to figure this out, my Queen, but I believe I finally did."

She stood and held her staff with one hand. She wiped the words of the staff once with her other hand. As she swept her hand across them, the words changed.

The High Queen watched, guessing as to what was occurring, but quite amazed that such a thing was coming forward to them, “It is your lesson book."

The Elf nodded, “It is as I have also thought."

"Have you practiced with them?"

"Not as yet. I had just learned this much when you arrived. Should I try one now?"

The High Queen looked back to the bridge, “No, My Love. I sense others coming to give us our food and drink for the eve. Have patience."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sighed as she saw the parade of visitors. Erthrn had come, excited about the outcome of The High Queen's Audience, as well as good reports from the battle against the Dungaras. Shr'dler'in, her Healer, had come to tend Sle'nel's wounds. Sam was in from the frontlines of the battle to give Ann'wn's report. The attendants had come with the vowed supplies and garments. And Mil'der'in had come with Caitha, as well as with some unknown and reluctant guard, fearful of The High Queen, in tow for Mil'der'in's eve's entertainment.

Sle'nel’ looked at her in puzzlement, “Is this a celebration, my Queen?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ shook her head, “No, My Desire. It is an invasion. It is overly sad that your staff cannot move us to some far distant and isolated location well away from all these well-intentioned intruders."

All knelt and bowed to San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “High Queen. Elfin Princess."

"Rise. What report from the battle, My Sister?"

She motioned for all to sit. The attendants went about their affairs of preparing The High Queen's dwelling for the eve. Sam bowed her head, “Ann'wn sends good reports, my Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded, “Let us hear them then, Sister."

"Most of the Dungaras’ forces have already surrendered. Ann'wn now moves our forces to the middle, where she has learned that the leader awaits our entry."

"Losses?"

Sam shook her head, “Few, my Queen. The Dungaras are not fighting against us. Ann'wn would like to inform you that the official surrender will be at some point next turn. She will request your presence then."

"Where will the surrender occur?"

Ann'wn asks if it would be convenient for you to come to the border of Rns'deln’ and the Dungaras’ lands?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked to Erthrn, “How far is this?"

"Not far, my Queen. Less than half-a-turn's ride."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ turned back to her sister, “It will be fine. Are the Dungaras with food?"

"Ann'wn is having her leaders check each village for bandit warriors, supplies, and health conditions. We will know more on that by the next turn."

"I want no pillaging done."

"It is already understood, my Queen."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at her sister, studying her, “When did I become your Queen, My Sister?"

Sam shrugged, “The Realm grew. I am now less, yet more than who I was, prior."

The High Queen closed her eyes for a moment, thinking on what her sister had said. She was pleased, seeing that she was becoming more aware of her place in The Realm. She re-opened them, smiling slowly and softly at her sister.

She placed her hand upon her sister's head and stared into her sister's eyes,
Thank you, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. Your commitment to The Realm has not gone unnoticed. I am most pleased by your efforts and learnings.

She removed her hand, yet looking into Sam's eyes. She had prior sensed Sle'nel's thoughts about her sister's eyes, and now saw what Sle'nel’ saw in them. They were indeed the most intense blue she had ever prior seen. She guessed that her sister used them well with all her lovers.

Sam bowed her head to her, grateful for the small praise. She had looked into her sister's eyes and saw the depth and intensity that must have drawn Jandra into them.

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ bowed her head in return, “Be wary of the Dungaras. This win of ours is overly easy. But be more wary of the Mungardies. I sense they are up to something."

Sam laughed, “Ann'wn said you would say as much."

"Have you eaten?"

"There has been overly few moments for such."

"Then take some food prior to your leave. Please inform Ann'wn that I wish another report by the midmorn, and that I expect it to be a good one."

Sam bowed, “Yes my Queen. With your leave."

The eve was filled with the visitors’ excitement. Erthrn was pleased with how Rns'deln’ was displaying its ability to host The High Queen. Mil'der'in was excited about the pageantry for The High Queen's Audience and all the special rooms that had been built for San'lr'in'thel'ineln', and was vowing to shame the High Counselors upon her return. Shr'dler'in was pleased with Sle'nel's excellent progress in her healing, and especially pleased that some of The Realm's fighting would end soon. Caitha was excited at being with The High Queen this turn, excited for her Meera, and for all the new stories she was learning. And Sam, as she left, felt more a part of The Realm than she ever had prior.

Sle'nel’ sat politely by, waiting, observing. She had no opportunity to even look upon her staff, so placed it away to avoid temptation.

Erthrn told stories of San'lr'in'thel'ineln's training, her own reign as Queen of Rns'deln', and her warrior women. Mil'der'in was enjoying the beautiful setting with her newfound lover for the eve. And The High Queen was grateful when Caitha would entertain them with a song or story, so didn't consider the eve a total loss.

When the eve was past late mideve, Sle'nel’ could see that San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ had used up all her patience, “Be at peace, my Queen. Look up at the stars. What do they make you think of?

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked up at their stars. She raised her hand to them, wanting to touch them. She looked at Sle'nel', took her hand and held it. Together, they stood looking at the stars. It didn't take the others long to see that they had remained overly long. Quietly, they took their leave.