The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (83 page)

"You speak truly?"

"In truth, I have no need to lie to you. But find out for yourself. It is why they have been brought to you. Besides, you must learn of what they intended."

"I suppose you are correct. This pain makes me weakened."

San'lr'in’ stood and spoke to Ann'wn, “Force Leader. You are under My sister's command ... for the moment."

Ann'wn bowed to her Queen, “Yes, Highness. As you command.” She then turned to The High Queen's sister and bowed her head, “I am at your service, High Priestess."

San'lr'in’ moved slightly away from the scene, but close enough to watch, and close to Meera and The Healer. She guessed that the saving of these two traitors was an amazing coincidence to her sister, as these two seemed to be highly placed in her sister's service.

It didn't take long to extract the truth from the first attacker. As Ann'wn was cleaning her sword, The High Queen's sister said, “Do the same to the other. We will now see if their stories match."

Ann'wn bowed her head, “Yes, High Priestess."

An'ther'on performed the second torture while Ann'wn stood close by, guarding as necessary. Within a few short moments, The High Queen's sister had heard the same detail and same story.

"Enough. Kill them, and be done with it."

San'lr'in’ went back over to her sister, seeing that she looked exhausted and in great pain. She bent down, softly saying, “Allow Me to remove some of your pain."

Her sister nodded, and San'lr'in’ worked for many moments doing so, trying to rid her sister of her great head and heart pain.

When she was done, she looked into her eyes, hoping to see improvement, “Better?"

Her sister nodded, “I am unprepared for you to be kind to me. I want not to like you."

San'lr'in’ shook her head, but tried to remain patient, standing, “We must leave now. We need to get you to your own bed. We can talk about this on the way if you have the need or desire. I will not interfere into your affairs, though, without your permission."

The High Queen's sister held out her hand to her, trying to make her remain, “How is it that I was the only one left alive?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ said nothing.

"I died. I know I died. I was their target. They wanted me dead, and they would have ensured it. You brought me back to life. Why?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ wasn't going to lie to her sister, so decided to say nothing, “Force Leader. Commander of My Private Guard. Prepare My sister for travel. We leave."

"One request?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded.

"Allow me to travel with other than Uthrn."

San'lr'in’ laughed quietly, thinking that she would feel the same, “Who is your preference?"

"The Elf."

San'lr'in’ thought about this for a moment, “I see no harm in this. We will ask her, as I make not her decisions."

As they returned to the main camp, San'lr'in’ checked with her Healer, “How fares My Warrior Woman?"

"The sword traveled deeply into her shoulder. She is concerned about her sword arm."

"Will it heal?"

The Healer nodded, “With the proper moments given to it to do so."

"See to it, then. Tell her I command it of her."

"It should be as easy with you, High Queen."

"High Queens must have their own mind."

The Healer laughed, “Then I would guess that they saw this in you at birth, my Queen."

They traveled throughout the remainder of the turn with as much haste as could be had. Sle'nel’ had agreed to take the High Priestess with her, also seeing no harm in it. From the moment the High Priestess had agreed to speak with Sle'nel’ when they met at the Sorcerer Women of the Mountain's town, they had formed a slight bond between them. But Sle'nel’ also knew that The Healer would give the High Priestess a strong sleeping spell, and also knew that Ann'wn would allow no talking during their journey. On her own part, Sume'n'tinel'ti'non felt comfortable with the Elf, but even then, only mildly so. Yet she just had her two closest companions tortured and put to their death, so had no other to turn to for comfort.

They traveled yet again to the end of the turn, arranging camp quickly and with little motivation. San'lr'in’ guessed that they would arrive in Sansthera somewhere around midturn the next turn, hoping it would be without incident. Sume'n'tinel'ti'non had slept throughout the turn, having been given deep sleeping spells by The Healer, but was glad to be off the horse for the eve.

The caring for her lover's sister through the entire turn had also exhausted Sle'nel'.

San'lr'in’ held out her arms to her, “Come to Me, My Desire."

Sle'nel’ slipped into her lover's welcoming arms, and breathed a sigh of relief when they closed gently but firmly around her, “I think I am tiring of this traveling."

"We will arrive next turn. Did she challenge you much this turn?"

"No. She slept. She just feels safer in an Elf's arms than in one of your Warrior Woman's."

"I have missed you."

Sle'nel’ raised her head, reached an arm around her Queen's neck, and kissed her, “And I you, my Love."

They lay down next to each other, and fell instantly to sleep.

Ann'wn made all rise prior to the sun's rise, ensuring an early beginning to yet another long ride. They now rode across the plains that would continue until Sansthera, making their journey quicker than going through steep mountain passes or river canyons. As prior, since all her elite guards were with them, The High Queen left the scouting to them, resting her mind on other issues. The High Priestess had asked the Elf to once again carry her, and Sle'nel’ agreed, but only because it was the last turn of this part of their journey.

From far off, they could see Sansthera very distantly on the horizon. Ann'wn allowed them to rest their horses for a moment, and then told them that the journey would be relaxed from here. Uthrn went to Ann'wn and her Queen, not having been told of who the attackers had been.

"My Queen. She has been unable to warn her own guards that we will be arriving."

"I think there few guards left to care, Black Uthrn."

"My Queen?"

"They are the ones that My Private Guard caught."

They remounted, but now the journeyers were allowed to speak to each other as they traveled. The High Queen rode next to her lover.

"How fares My sister?"

"She sleeps. And she is in great pain, yet."

"It will be improved for her once we reach Sansthera. What do your eyes see before us, My Desire?"

Sle'nel’ studied what she could make out of the dwellings, “Strange, but striking. A mid-sized town. I know not how to describe these dwellings. Rounded. Arched. Some seem to be clear, but not. Without color. Some of wood. Others are what we know of. There is one long building like no other. It is plain and white, with a flat cover, and it is off to one side. Their farms are all about the town, and the town appears to be the center, as in most towns. A river runs through the middle of the town, with many small bridges crossing it. All their main walking paths are quite wide. Wide enough for six horses to ride side-by-side, or more. And it appears that the town is laid out much like Woden. All in precise squares. There are very few buildings outside the town. In what looks like the center are five large domed buildings, much larger than all the others, and they are all white. The very center one is even larger than the others, perhaps three stories high, or more."

Surprising everyone, the High Priestess answered, “It is my dwelling."

"Do we head there, Sister?"

"Thankfully, yes. Go there."

After many more moments, and when they were getting close enough so that all could see what Sle'nel’ had long-prior, Sam rode up to them, “Look, Jandra. It reminds me of Woden. Look how it is laid out. It even has the wall around it. The dwellings are different, but the design is the same."

Sle'nel’ nodded, “You are correct, Sam. Amazing. Is it not?"

Ann'wn and An'ther'on rode to the gate wall carrying a flag of peace. San'lr'in’ watched as Ann'wn pointed back to the High Priestess, and then began to ride into the town. She expected no fanfare for herself, but was somewhat pleased to see that the town's inhabitants showed their respect to her sister by kneeling and bowing their heads at they went past the gates and into Sansthera.

They rode into the center of the town, straight to the High Priestess’ dwelling. The High Queen was surprised when several of the town's Mystics knelt and bowed their heads, speaking to her, “Great High Queen.” She didn't think they would even know of her, let alone know what she looked like. The same occurred to Sle'nel', and San'lr'in’ began to believe that she had underestimated her sister. The town appeared well in order, amazingly so, surprising The High Queen even more.

She dismounted as they arrived, having Ann'wn give orders out quickly so as to provide her sister the rest she long needed, and so as to prevent any dissension in the town. Knowing that some of the town's members were listening, she made her own quick orders, ensuring that they wouldn't be questioned.

"Force Leader. Secure the town. We will need to determine who else among the High Priestess’ subjects are traitors. Use My elite guards to do this. I leave our safety in your command."

She then turned to her own Healer and Attendants, “Have the High Priestess taken to her room. Healer, you are to be her Healer until we determine the ability of hers. An'ther'on. Go with them and ensure that their needs and tasks are without question."

"Sam'r'in'thel'ineln'. I have need of your abilities."

Sam bowed her head to her sister, “Whatever you need, my Queen."

"Have the town's leaders gathered to you. Tell them why we are here. Tell them who we are, and that we mean no harm. You know what needs to be said. Keep Mil'der'in with you. She will be of excellent assistance."

"Yes, my Sister. I am pleased to do this for you."

"Great High Queen of The Realm?"

San'lr'in’ turned around, looking for the voice, noticing that Uthrn and Meera stood guard around her, along with six other guards. She saw that a young woman knelt before her, bowing her head.

"Rise, and tell Me what it is you are called by."

The young woman rose, keeping her head bowed, not allowing herself to look into The High Queen's eyes, “Caithryn, High Queen."

"Why do you seek My audience, Caithryn of Sansthera?"

"I am the keeper of the High Priestess’ dwelling, Great High Queen. I will show you and all your travelers to your quarters when you are ready. I am also the keeper of you during your remain. Since it is between the midturn meal and the eve meal, there will quickly be made available to you some light food and drink in the main dining room, and the eve meal will be ready at your pleasure. Please tell me your desire, Great High Queen, and I will make certain that it is met."

San'lr'in’ studied the young woman for a moment, “Are you a human, Caithryn?"

"Yes, Great High Queen. I am a remainder from the First Ones of Sansthera. There are several of us yet here. Most of us have inter-mated, though, so most now have both Mystic and human lines within them. My line is yet only human, though."

"We would like a tour of the First Ones’ dwellings and all that they brought with them, after I meet again with My sister. The High Priestess asked Me to come here to see a message that is now being delivered. Do you know of this?"

"A short tour can be arranged this mid-after-late turn, High Queen, if that would be your desire. The High Priestess is the only one that can show you of what she speaks of, though. I am unable to open those doors, High Queen. I am sorry I cannot meet your need in this."

"A short tour will be fine for this turn. I will speak with your High Priestess regarding the other when her pain improves. I have someone I think would be most interested in your name, Caithryn of Sansthera."

San'lr'in’ turned to Meera, “Warrior Woman. Where is your mate?"

"Great High Queen?” She looked again at Caithryn, nodding slightly to her, wondering as to her need.

"Is it truth that there be an Elf among you?"

"It is truth."

"Many of us have never prior seen an Elf, Great High Queen. Will it be possible for us to see her at some moment?"

San'lr'in’ looked around, trying to find Sle'nel'. When she finally did, she looked at her, “She is over there, with all the animals and children that desire to meet with her. The Young Future Supreme Sovereign is also with her. While you meet with one of ours for a moment, Caithryn of Sansthera, have someone show Me to My sister's quarters. And make certain that My Elf knows where I will be. Have her meet Me there."

"Yes, Great High Queen."

San'lr'in’ rolled her eyes at her own thoughts,
By the mothers, please give Me no more titles. Queen was bad enough, then High Queen. Now must it be Great High Queen?

She sighed, then nodded, “Have them lead the way."

San'lr'in’ was intrigued by the design of her sister's large domed building. They entered into a great entryway that spanned the entire height of the building. It then opened into an enormous sitting room containing a large rock fireplace spanning from the floor to the top of the domed structure.

She was led down a hallway and into her sister's room. As the door opened, the beauty of the room surprised her. She hadn't imagined that her sister would desire anything beautiful, let alone comfortable. The room was filled with the sun's light from the many windows, and was large enough to contain a sitting area for eight or ten, and a small table for six. On one side of the room was a glassed doorway that led outside to a decked area, filled with hundreds of flower containers. Her sister's beautifully carved bed was placed back against the furthest side, taking up only a little of the room, even given its size. Since the room was easily one quarter of the size of the full dome building, the wall was curved and allowed for a great sense of height and depth.

She went to her Healer, who was standing slightly apart from her sister's bed, where her sister was now resting. The High Queen's Healer and attendants had already changed her sister's garments and cleaned her.