The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (88 page)

San'lr'in’ was grateful that her sister had seated them away from her, hoping that Sam would be able to take the brunt of her vicious disposition this eve.

The meal was served, and San'lr'in’ found herself fiercely desiring it. She took a deep breath and made herself look uninterested.

Sle'nel’ laughed.

"Now what amuses you so?"

"I can see that you are well starved."

"It has been an entire turn since we have eaten. And you said yourself that you are starved."

"Are you going to inform your Elf about you entering your tenth meditation this turn, my Queen?"

"You speak out of turn, Healer."

"What is the tenth meditation?"

"It is better left unspoken, My Desire."

"She knows she should have not gone there, so is now overly embarrassed to tell you, Elf."

"Healer. You go overly far.” San'lr'in’ was growing angry.

"You angered me. And you made me fear for you. You cannot go there, my Queen."

"This is not your affair, Healer. Remain out of this affair, or I will no longer allow you within My mediations."

"If you have this little regard for your own health, my Queen, then I will have to resign as your Healer."

"Halt this. Both of you. San'lr'in', tell me of this."

She sighed, and told her.

"Why would you do as such?"

"You have never prior been in the tenth meditation. It compels those who have been given its abilities."

"Can this meditation be removed?"

"No. It is part of the learning process."

Sele’ was sitting next to her Birth-mother, “It will be fine, Healer. She has vowed to me that she will never again enter into the tenth meditation."

The Healer looked surprised, “Is this so, Highness?"

San'lr'in’ sat back in her chair, no longer interested in eating, “It is. I vowed it to our Supreme High Sovereign."

"Why did you not tell me of this, Highness?"

She took a deep breath, trying to control her temper, feeling like no part in her life was private. She struggled to just remain seated, wanting desperately to run away from all her burdens.

"Sister. What are all of your discussing? It sounds most serious."

She sighed, trying to regain her patience, “We were discussing the most wonderful meal that you have served us. We are quite enjoying it."

"Healer? Are you enjoying it, in truth?"

The Healer looked at her Queen, then smiled to the High Priestess, “It is as my High Queen has said, High Priestess. It is most wonderful."

"I am pleased.” She went back to her own discussion with Sam.

The Healer looked at San'lr'in', placing her hand upon The High Queen's arm, “I apologize, Highness. I should not have brought this up. But I became frightened. I have made you lose interest in your meal."

San'lr'in's eyes finally became softer. She sighed, “It is fine, Healer, as long as you resign not. It has been an overly long journey, and My sense of privacy, what remains of it, has been well challenged, as has all of ours, I suspect."

The music began to play and The Healer rose, offering her hand to her Queen, “May I have this dance, my Queen?” Then she looked at Sle'nel', “Elf? Is this acceptable to you?"

Sle'nel’ smiled and nodded to The Healer, “Go. Enjoy."

Shr'dler'in and The High Queen danced, “It has been long prior since you have been in My arms, Shr'dler'in."

The Healer laughed, enjoying the dance with her Queen, “We had our moments, High One. Now, just enjoy the moment. You need more fun, such as this."

"So, you asked Me to dance to heal Me?"

"To heal us, my Queen. And please halt doing things that cause me great concern."

"I will try, Healer. For you."

Just as a new dance had begun, Sle'nel’ had come up to her Queen, carrying Sele', “We would like to dance with our High Queen."

San'lr'in’ bowed to Sele’ and Sle'nel', “It is My pleasure."

She held both Sle'nel’ and Sele’ to her. She enjoyed the never-prior known feeling she had as she held tightly to the two that meant the most to her in The Realm, feeling surprised in her own feelings toward the Young One.

When the eve was all but completed, and when The High Queen had finally eaten some of her eve meal, the discussion turned to the spaceship, “What will you do with this message, San'lr'in'?"

She turned to her elder sister, “I am preparing a message. I will send it to them in the morn."

Sam was surprised, “Is this wise?"

The High Queen raised an eyebrow, “Perhaps you have a better suggestion, Highest?"

"If we answer them not, perhaps they will think that Sansthera I was unsuccessful, and return home."

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non shook her head, “Be not so stupid, Youngest. They come, regardless. Send your message, Sister. I am anxious to see what you send."

"I want to hear more of the journals, High Priestess, with your permission?"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non waved her hand, “If you wish, Young One. Youngest Sister. Read to her."

Journal #2—Sansthera—2449—June 11th—Entry #4 (06112449)

I haven't had any time to write in the journal of late as I've been too busy with setting up all the equipment. We sent our first message home today. It read: “Sansthera I to Earth. We have landed and are well."

I've forgotten to record it in the journal, but we came up with the name for our new home just before we left. It took us all turn to do so, but I think we all like it: Sansthera. Sans, for no or without’ (French, I think), and thera is a misspelling of Earth. ‘Without Earth'. I think it's clever.

It will take Earth a long while to receive our message, of course, but it's finally been sent. I took a few moments to myself today, and went down to enjoy the sea. It's so beautiful here, and reminds me of the coast off some of the Caribbean coastlines. The water is fresh and unpolluted, and radiates this intense blue like in the warm waters of the Caribbean, except that it's not salt water. Strange. And yet, it's not a lake. It's the one thing that takes some getting used to. All this water, and yet it's fresh. Since this planet is much larger than Earth, it makes sense that much of the mass of it is covered with water, like Earth, yet all the water is fresh water. Hard to get used to.

Journal #2—Sansthera—2449—June 15th—Entry #5 (06152449)

I've begun a routine of getting up early and going for a swim in the sea. I still can't used to that it's fresh water, but enjoy it immeasurably, and its temperature, which seems to run a constant seventy-two degrees. Amazing.

The buildings are going up quickly, which is as hoped and practiced back on Earth, and thankfully, all the parts seem to be with us. Burn is doing pretty well as the leader, but there have been a few incidents. He's just never been the same as I remember he was when I first met him, but all-in-all, being the leader can't be easy.

I haven't said anything to anyone, but I could've sworn I saw someone today. But not one of us. They were at the edge of the forest as I left the water after my swim. I tripped on a rock, and when I looked back up, they were gone. Perhaps I'm just seeing things. According to all our tests, this planet is uninhabited.

I've been swimming in the nude as I didn't bring a swimsuit (and of course, can't go buy one!), but I'll have to quit that practice. As I came up this morning, Brian was sitting by my clothes, just smiling. What a creep. He had a look in his eyes that frightened me. I thought we had all been thoroughly psychologically tested, but apparently we're also all too smart to not be able to sidestep those stupid tests. So much for thinking we have no perverts with us.

That aside, this place is beautiful. It's everything Earth is, but more. The air is fresher. There's no pollution. There're no cities and no high-rises. But I do sorta miss all the restaurants.

Everyone is pairing off already. It'll be interesting to see how this goes. We have an assortment of ethnic backgrounds between us. All have at least one Ph.D. There are also mixed sexual orientations represented, as well as a good representation of religious preferences. I'm one of twelve atheists, prefer men (although my lack of success with them in the past has steered me away from them altogether since a few years ago), and am of Asian-Canadian descent.

"Enough?” Sam thought she had read enough.

Mil'der'in was becoming interested in the journals, “Sansthera. Without Earth. So, Earth is what they call their Realm. What does the word earth mean?"

Uthrn shrugged, “What does realm mean? It would be the same."

Mil'der'in looked at her Queen, “Highness. Forgive me, but perhaps your sister is correct. How can we be certain that sending a message to these space flyers the wisest of choices?"

"What would be your suggestion, High Counselor?"

"If we send them a message, they will know that someone is here."

"And what is wrong with that?” The High Priestess agreed with her sister that they should send a message.

"It might awaken their curiosity. With this much ability and determination to fly this many cycles across the deepest of empty spaces, they are not ones to easily give up, Highness."

San'lr'in’ listened, but had already thought of these possibilities.
Yet, Mil'der'in is not without good thoughts.

Uthrn could think only as a warrior, “It might warn them, and then they would come prepared to fight. If their machines or technology can do all these things we have seen, their weapons will be well beyond ours."

"But they have no Mystical abilities.” Sele’ also believed that a message should be sent.

The debate continued for many moments, both amusing as well as frustrating The High Queen. Neither The Healer nor Sle'nel’ entered the debate, realizing that The High Queen had already thought through all the possibilities, and had already determined her action.

When she finally tired of their overly many words, she rose, looking upon all of them, “I thank you for your considerations of this ... this event. I will be sending the message in the early morn, and then we will need to plan for our departure to El'fs'nd'lle'. Force Leader, have all your commanders at the meeting next turn. High Priestess, with your permission, I would like to speak with you prior to the close of this eve.” To all, she said, “We will be leaving in two morns."

The High Priestess was surprised that San'lr'in’ was planning to leave so quickly, but bowed her head in acknowledgement.

San'lr'in’ looked down at her Elf and offered her hand to her, “A final dance prior to leaving for El'fs'nd'lle', My Desire?"

"Why must you leave so soon as this?"

San'lr'in’ was surprised, “You wish us not gone, and quickly so?"

Sume'n'tinel'ti'non waved her hand as if dismissing the thought, “I am getting accustomed to your ways, perhaps."

"Careful, Sister. If I remain for two more turns, you might possibly learn to like Me."

"Count not on that, but I have grown quite fond of the Elf and Sele'. Even Sam is somewhat likable. And your Healer is most excellent."

"Sam?"

"You know, Sam'r'in'thel'ineln? Our sister?"

"Yes. I know this well. I just knew not you called her by this name."

"It suits her I think. Remain three turns. Besides, you could use the rest. You are grumpy.” She paused for a moment, then added, “I could give you an argument for doing so."

She thought,
I doubt it
, but instead said, “And what would this argument be?"

"They might reply to your message."

San'lr'in’ was caught off-guard by her sister's thinking, “I had thought not of this possibility. Perhaps you are correct.” She stared at her sister for many moments.

"What do you stare at? Do you think me stupid?"

"No. The opposite. I was thinking that you are a good thinker. I have much need of this."

"You want me to be your counsel? Be not so outrageous as this. I have no need to serve you. I have my own town to rule. Do you agree to remain another three turns, or not?"

"Yes. We will do as such."

"Good."

In the morn, they all met in the long building, waiting for San'lr'in'. The High Queen and the High Priestess had both agreed that the scholars would be allowed in after they concluded their own affairs.

"Where is she? Does she always keep everyone waiting in this fashion?"

"She is The High Queen, High Priestess. We are here for her."

San'lr'in’ entered with Sle'nel', fully surprised everyone was there, “I knew not there was to be such a gathering as this."

"You kept me waiting."

I knew not you were going to be here. “I am sorry, My sister. My apologies."

"Well? What do you wait for? Send your message."

San'lr'in’ looked at Sle'nel',
She is more than I can take.

Sle'nel’ reached for her face, holding her hand against her cheek, “Send your message, my Love."

San'lr'in’ went to the display that read receive, ensuring herself that their message yet continued. When she saw that it did, she went to the next display panel. She saw several rows of letters and numbers upon one of the displays, guessing that she would need to place her message into the display through them. She tried pressing the first letter and saw that it worked, pleased with herself.

"Why do you keep us waiting? Send it. Why are you so slow as this?"

Carefully, she pressed the letters of her message, checking that each one was correctly on the display afterward. One-by-one, she pressed them, until she was finally done. She searched for a moment for the button she now needed. When she found it, she pressed it. Then she stepped back.

"It tells Me that it is sent."

"Why must you keep us waiting. Tell us. What did you send?"

San'lr'in’ looked at her irritating sister, “Come not to Sansthera. You are not welcome here."

Sam looked at the display, wondering how the message would be interpreted, “Now we wait. Do you think they will respond."

Meera nodded, “They will respond, most definitely. But with concern."

They spent the next turn resting and waiting. San'lr'in’ spent the turn teaching Ann'wn and the Warrior Woman more of the Master's sword skills, planning to remain well away from her elder sister, while Sam and Sele’ learned more of their powers. Sle'nel’ practiced her bow and arrows skills, as well as practiced her newly obtained sorcery. Caitha learned stories from Sansthera's storytellers, Uthrn learned more of the Black Guard's ways, and Mil'der'in watched Ann'wn practice, wondering if she did, in fact, desire Ann'wn, or if she were just overly nervous in meeting up with U'Aine. Ann'wn, in the moments she could spare her thoughts, thought of The Healer, while The Healer watched her High Queen and her wished-for lover.