The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] by Robbie Collins Page A

audience? By the way, where are we?"
    "We are at the last water, my Queen."
    She nodded, pleased in the report, “Is all prepared for our drought-like forced conditions for the next few turns?"
    "Every water-holder we have has been filled, my Queen."
    "Healer, are all well among us?"
    "Except for some minor wounds from our prior fight, all are well."
    "Force Leader, how far to the lightning strike?"
    She bowed her head briefly, “A turn. Two at the most. It is hard to know the distances in this flatland, my Queen."
    The High Queen looked at her, “Is something wrong, Force Leader? You look nervous."
    She bowed her head once again, feeling very nervous, “No, my Queen. All is well."
    "And Healer. Why are you so quiet this turn? Are you not going to pry into My affairs, per your usual? And why does your face look so flushed as this?"
    "Uh? Oh, yes, my Queen. Will you be tending to your meditations this morn?"
    "This eve. I am yet overly tired from the use of My powers.” She turned to Ann'wn, “Force Leader. We will turn north after finding our lightning strike."
    "Yes, my Queen."
    "Then we travel to the Sorcerer's Forest."
    "The Sorcerer's Forest, my Queen?"
    She nodded and laughed lightly to herself, winking at Sle'nel', “Where nothing is as it seems, Ann'wn. Much like those about Me."
* * * *
    They began their long journey into the vast wastelands, yet weary from the prior battle, weary of the overly long journey, yet willing themselves to remain watchful and alert. Although many of them had traveled much of The Realm's expanse, water was seldom an issue to consider except in terms of its vastness. Few of them knew what it was like to face such dryness, many of them looking back upon the river they now left behind, watching with a foreboding dread as it disappeared from their sight.
    They traveled well into the eve, The High Queen wanting to turn north as quickly as possible, unpleased about not reaching the lightning strike within the turn, but mostly hoping to avoid a confrontation with the Grandmother. Ann'wn had a few guards scout all around them, with two of them reporting that they were within quick reach of the lightning strike in the morn. Finally satisfied, The High Queen allowed them to halt for the turn.
    At the next morn, The High Queen rose early, anxious to discover who was able to call such dark sorcery to them. As Ann'wn had vowed, they reached the site of the lightning strike by midmorn, most fully surprised at the massive damage it had provided. A large crater now faced them as they rode forward. The High Queen dismounted and called her Healer, Sele’ and the five sorcerers to her, then walked to the middle of the large crater. She wondered briefly to herself, If they were here, then Grandmother must be near, for surely their forces are joined. But then, are we not a few turns from her dwelling?
    Ignoring her growing frustration in the moment, she turned to the others, “It was here they stood as they sent their long-dead forces into battle to meet us. We must find a way to discover the Dark Sorcerer's identity. There always remains some residue from a spell, so this is where we must first begin. Sorcerers, cast a spell to open us to this Dark Sorcerer's leftover energy force. Sele', you must now help Me."
    Sele’ bowed her young, but growing head, “I am at your service, Highness."
    San'lr'in’ looked at her Healer, “Healer. Your service is most essential this morn. While you hold not the powers to help us in our search, you alone must ensure that the Young Future Supreme Sovereign and I remain in The Realm, as our search will now take us to its very edge. You will need to prevent us from stepping over into this OuterRealm."
    "Yes, High One. How do I do this?” She remained outwardly calm, but her mind was screaming, OuterRealm? Surely this is far overly dangerous.
    "I know not. Never has such been attempted, of which I am aware. But we now must trust in your ability to do so, as you know My