The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] (4 page)

"Come. Let us cast off this moment. This is a celebration, so let us celebrate. Musicians. Begin!"

The musicians began playing, knowing that they needed to play something lively so as to change the mood. They opted for a highly rhythmic but seductive song, hoping to set all those in attendance upon a different line of thought. As with most celebrations, the eve was spent finding a mate for the eve. As they heard the type of song being played, they re-initiated their search, quickly finding dancing partners that would hopefully prove fruitful for the long eve ahead.

Sam looked at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “My Sister. When will we have the opportunity to speak of all this?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ sighed, then gave in to what Ann'wn had prior suggested, “Perhaps you and your escorts would like to accompany us to the Spirits of the Valley. We leave in the morn. There will be moments there to speak over what we have learned. And, with any good fortune, it might provide you the opportunity to see how Spirits are to be, as opposed to what you know from the Spirits of the Falls.” She wondered quietly to herself if her words would hold true.

Sam looked at Jandra, “Would you mind, Jandra, if we traveled with you to the Spirits of the Valley?"

"No, Highest. If it pleases the both of you, then so shall it be."

Sam looked back at San'lr'in'thel'ineln', “Then I accept your invitation."

She nodded, “I will see to the preparations. You will be awakened in the morn."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ knew that she had just dismissed her own sister, but she had need of returning to the celebration, and more need of just being with Jandra. Sam took it well enough, knowing that she would see them in the morn, and returned to Meera and Caitha to inform both of them.

She spoke softly to Jandra, “Please wait but a moment,” then went to the musicians and whispered something to them, and returned to Jandra.

She offered her hand out to her, “Dance with Me, My Love?"

Jandra nodded her head, smiling. As she was preparing to take The High Queen's hand and answer her question, one of the rulers from The Realm came up, the same woman who had danced with Jandra at the prior celebration, the one who was such an excellent dancer.

"Surely, San'lr'in'thel'ineln', you don't intend to keep her all to yourself this eve?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked upon Jandra, smiling, then looked back to the woman, “R'th'andl. It is good to see you again. I would indeed like to keep her to Myself, but would also like to see the two of you dance. You were magic together at the prior celebration.” The High Queen looked at Jandra, “My Love, what is your say in this? It was the most exciting moment prior, to watch. I have never seen such as the two of you."

Jandra smiled at The High Queen, “If it so pleases you to watch, then I dance with her to please you."

She gave her hand to R'th'andl. Together they walked to the dance floor, and as prior, once again mesmerized The High Queen and all those in attendance.

Sam had never seen as such in Jandra, watching as Jandra made movements that she knew were done for the benefit of The High Queen only. They were a most amazing pair, well matched in their movements. The attendees in the celebration moved aside so as to give them more room, also amazed. Jandra enjoyed the dance with R'th'andl, as she truly was a wonderful dance partner. They moved in their movements together as if they had practiced their dance for cycles. But Jandra knew that the real champion in their dance was R'th'andl. The dance ended with R'th'andl holding Jandra in a well bent-over embrace, as if to passionately kiss her. Surprisingly, R'th'andl did so, giving Jandra a fully impassioned kiss.

The audience was well entertained in the display of the dance, and gave their loudest approvals. R'th'andl raised Jandra back up, taking her arm, and walking her back to The High Queen. “Thank you, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. This beauty of yours is a wonderful dance partner."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ took Jandra's hand into her own, nodding to R'th'andl, “The show was most splendid, if not a little defiant in your ending display."

R'th'andl smiled at Jandra, “It was worth any punishment you might bestow upon me, Highness."

R'th'andl moved Jandra's hand to her lips, and gave it a tender kiss, “Thank you, my Sweet. It was truly my pleasure. I hope to see you again at our next affair."

Jandra nodded, and R'th'andl returned to her own partner. The High Queen had asked the musicians to provide four or five highly rhythmic and seductive songs to end her eve at the celebration. They were always prepared and delighted to please their Queen, and played the most seductive rhythms of the eve. Jandra didn't know of this during the first song, but as the musicians played one after another, she began to realize that The High Queen had asked for such. Realizing this, she danced as The High Queen had hoped, passionately and with suggestive movements that held deep promises of a long seductive eve.

Ann'wn had seen The Healer standing alone, so went up to her, “May I have this dance, Healer?"

"Me, Force Leader?"

"You are a most difficult one. Perhaps this be why you remain without a dance partner."

The Healer placed her hand into Ann'wn's, “At least you are cleaned and with enchanting garments this eve."

Ann'wn thought The Healer beautiful, but often overly demanding. Yet, she found herself somewhat intrigued by this long-prior acquaintance of hers. As they danced, Ann'wn held her tightly, “You are most beautiful this eve, Healer."

The Healer laughed, “Just this eve, Force Leader?"

"Who is your partner for the eve, Healer?"

"My potions. These are all I need. I think I am about to find the solution for a potion that has alluded me. And you?"

Ann'wn held The Healer even more tightly to her, breathing in her enticing aroma, “I have been asked by one for the eve, but I must prepare for the journey. The High Queen's packings must be well tended. Are you traveling with us on this journey?"

She shook her head, “No. The journey should be safe enough. But you won't miss me, Force Leader. I would just get in your way."

Ann'wn laughed, “Hardly this, but you are correct. It should be a safe enough journey.” To herself, she thought,
But I will miss your company
.

As they danced, Jandra teased San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. At one point, she whispered into The High Queen's ear, “Did the Elfin Fairies have deep yearnings, as I have for you, my Queen?"

The High Queen shivered at the suggestion, “So it would seem they did, My Desire."

During the next dance, Jandra whispered into her ear once again, “Feel me, my Queen. Feel my moves."

Jandra danced, moving suggestively into The High Queen. Finally, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ said, “I can take no more of your teasing. This will be our final dance. Let them continue without us."

At the end of the dance, The High Queen looked to Ann'wn, a look that Ann'wn knew well. Ann'wn caught the eye of the musicians, who also knew what was meant. They held off from beginning another song as Ann'wn announced, “The High Queen now leaves our Celebration, but wishes for all to remain and celebrate throughout the eve, at your pleasure."

The gathering clapped, as was custom when The High Queen left, showing their approval and appreciation of the celebration's events. She and Jandra walked out together, with Jandra at her arm. As they neared Ann'wn, The High Queen motioned for her to come through the doors with them.

"Ann'wn, I think all will be well this eve. Have your guards watch over the celebration, but I would like you to enjoy it. I saw one who was well interested in you this eve, and I saw you return the look. Go and celebrate, as we leave for the Sacred Isle in the morn, with Far'lin'ter'il. Please have your guards prepare us for the journey. My sister and her escorts also come."

"Yes, my Queen."

The High Queen's attendants were waiting for her as she completed her conversation with Ann'wn.

"Our Queen. Do you have need of us this eve?"

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ well knew that they also wished to join in the celebration, “One thing, only. Inform my High Counselor to conduct the meeting with the High Ministers next turn, as I leave for the Sacred Isle. She will manage nicely, as The High Ministers will be drunk anyway. Now go, and enjoy the celebration. We rise early to leave. Prepare us in the morn."

With that, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ watched as the attendants left them alone. She looked at Jandra, smiling, beginning to walk back to their room.

"Finally. We are alone."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ brought Jandra tightly to her, kissing her so passionately that Jandra well knew her intentions for the eve.

Ann'wn knocked on The High Queen's door. The attendants had already done so to no response, so they enlisted Ann'wn to do it for them. No one wanted to enter until they heard a response from The High Queen, but none was given.

She waited a bit more, then knocked again, “My Queen. All is ready for your departure."

She waited, then opened the door slightly, “My Queen?"

After many careful moments she became worried, so entered the room, fearing that something dreadful had happened during the eve. As she looked upon the room, the only things out of place were their garments. She looked quickly to the bed, seeing them well asleep but tangled fully in each other's arms. She went over to the bed, shaking Jandra gently, “Princess. Please awaken. We must depart."

Jandra woke slightly. She was the one closest to Ann'wn, but Ann'wn really hadn't wanted to wake The High Queen. Only one thing frightened Ann'wn across all The Realm, and that was The High Queen's anger. Jandra finally focused, seeing Ann'wn standing near her. She looked quickly upon her and The High Queen, covering them more as needed. She motioned to Ann'wn that she would awaken The High Queen, but to leave first. Ann'wn gladly did so, waiting for Jandra to rise and let her back in after The High Queen rose.

Jandra shook her lightly, “My Queen. We must prepare to leave."

"Tell them we leave next turn. I am tired."

Jandra kissed her lightly, “We are awake, my Queen. We may as well leave now, as we can sleep the next morn. Come. I am most excited about visiting your Sacred Isle."

Jandra rose from the bed and placed a cover around her. She went to the door and opened it, “Come in. The High Queen is ready to be prepared."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ looked at Jandra sleepily, “I will get even with you for this, My Desire."

The attendants prepared them while Ann'wn waited by the horses. Sam, Meera, Caitha and the High Wizard Sorcerer were already prepared. The High Queen finally allowed herself to be dressed by her attendants, yet sleepy from the eve she and Jandra had together in their passions.

Jandra asked, “Have we recently eaten?” She looked at the attendants, hoping they would retrieve some food. Without a word, one left the room to go to the kitchens, returning as Jandra's boot lacings were being completed. Jandra went to her Queen, offering her bites of food while the attendants completed dressing her in her warm garments.

"Here, my Queen. Take a bite of this."

The High Queen ate ravenously while her attendants finished with her. They both gulped down enough food and drink to sustain them, but Jandra was yet hungry, “Is there some rule against eating, my Queen, in the Valley?"

"Do we not feed you enough, My Love?"

Jandra smiled, but was somewhat serious, “Well, my Queen, I now worry when our next meal might be taken. If I must ride all the turn without food, I fear I will begin to gnaw upon my own arm."

San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ laughed, “We will be at the Spirits of the Valley soon enough, and they will feed you well, and will know your thoughts."

Jandra shook her head as if in disbelief, “Thank goodness someone will. I fear I will have to go to the kitchens myself to prepare a meal."

The High Queen hadn't wanted to leave this morn, so Jandra was playing with her in hopes of changing her mood. The recent events had been tiring, but Jandra thought it would be best if they left to the Spirits of the Valley, hoping they would tend to The High Queen well, letting her rest. Jandra knew from past experiences with Sam that remaining in the Valley would only place pressure upon The High Queen to deal with the issues of the turn.

"Will there be moments to rest while at the Sacred Isle, my Queen?"

"There will. But you will also be able to speak to them some about your Elfin background."

They had begun to leave, going toward the gate to the complex, “Elfin? What be this?"

"The Faeries were also called by the name of Elves. Their city was named after their kind—El'fs'nd'lle."

"And what is a city, Highness?"

"A great town. Large. Unbelievably large."

"There were many of them then?"

"A great many. Thousands. Tens of thousands."

As they reached the complex's gate, Jandra asked, “Why did they die out if there were as many as this?"

Without interrupting the conversation, San'lr'in'thel'ineln’ nodded to everyone as they came toward their horses, “The First Ones believe not in such mystical qualities, and it killed off the Elfin Faeries."

"First Ones?"

"The First Ones are often also called the Others. They were the first humans here. Admittedly, a most confusing title."

"The Elves died just because they were not believed in?"

The High Queen mounted her horse, “It was much like a disease. A terrible all-consuming disease."

Jandra petted Mor'inl’ for a moment, then mounted, “If they were believed in again, would they return?"

The High Queen thought it a good question, but shrugged lightly, “We know not. Perhaps when I take you to your Elfin Faiere home, you might learn of this.” The High Queen had a momentary thought, “You know, My Desire, that one of My most sacred vows is to return the ... but no, this could not be so."

Passing off her thought, she looked around and saw that all was prepared. Two of Ann'wn's guards were keeping watch over Far'lin'ter'il. Sam, Meera, Caitha and the High Wizard Sorcerer were waiting upon their horses, the groups’ packings were all upon other horses, and Ann'wn and her guards were ready.