The Realm's Mystics [Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book 3] by Robbie Collins

from Sle'nel’ a bit, and held out her arm. She waited for it to land before responding to Ann'wn. When it landed upon her arm, she petted its head softly, “You are overly kind, I think, Ann'wn, as I well know you know Me better than this."
    "No, my Queen. You have tender moments, but you have no weak side."
    The High Queen half-listened to Ann'wn as her raptor delivered a message. As it did so, even Ann'wn saw the change in The High Queen's expression.
    "My Queen?"
    The High Queen ignored Ann'wn as she spoke with her raptor. When the message had been delivered, The High Queen began to lift her arm, then suddenly waited as the bird continued. She listened, hearing a language neither Ann'wn nor Sle'nel’ knew.
    The High Queen finally nodded, then lifted her arm, helping the raptor return to the skies. The High Queen turned to Sle'nel', “It would appear that your presence is being felt throughout The Realm, My Desire. There are some that request an audience with you at the sun's rise. Would this be acceptable?"
    Sle'nel’ had an idea of the nature of this audience, nodding her head.
    The High Queen looked to Ann'wn, “And there was another message. A'lon'lden and Yyeoiraa's babe has been born, early, but It lives. And A'lon'lden returns her mind to The Realm."
    "Does the High Wizard Sorcerer know of this, my Queen?"
    "No. And she is of no use to us in this regard as she is here with us. But I now fear for A'lon'lden and Yyeoiraa's lives, as well as this babe's."
    "Would you like my guards to retrieve them, my Queen?"
    "Yes, but there are few moments for such. I fear they will be dead before we might reach them. Sume'n'tinel'ti'non appears to want this union dead, as well as the baby, and now makes a move."
    Ann'wn looked surprised, “Are her forces such that they can enter the Sorcerer's Valley, my Queen?"
    The High Queen frowned, “I am uncertain. Now perhaps you can see, Ann'wn, that I do have a weakness. I know not everything."
    Sle'nel’ quietly said, “I can take care of your urgent need if you call your raptor to me, my Queen."
    The High Queen studied her for a moment but didn't search her mind, trusting her. She looked up to the skies and gave a soft sound, then waited. In a few moments she saw the raptor circling far overhead, “Place out your arm, My Love. She will come to you."
    Sle'nel’ did as her Queen said. Suddenly, the raptor flew down, landing softly upon Sle'nel's arm. She put her lips to the bird's beak, and they kissed. “Tell R'lodin'lindor I have urgent need of her services. Fly swiftly."
    She gently raised her arm, helping the large bird to fly off. The High Queen looked upon her Elf, “R'lodin'lindor will do this for you?"
    "Ann'wn and I will do this together. We will return by the morn.” She turned to Ann'wn, “Bring my staff with me, Ann'wn, and my weapons. Prepare us, as we leave in only a moment."
    The High Queen nodded to Ann'wn, “Give her My weapons.” She didn't like Sle'nel's solution, but understood the necessity of it. Ann'wn left at a run.
    "I must change."
    They went inside their temporary dwelling. The High Queen watched, displeased, as Sle'nel’ changed into her High Sorcerer garments.
    "The Warrior Woman of Woden should go instead of you, My Desire."
    "As you like to say, my Queen, ‘Perhaps.’ But I now go as Meera has no idea of such powers and cannot fight against them yet. Will the Spirits in the Valley agree to having such as the Dungaras and her babe with them?"
    "I will tend to that. You will have to make two return trips."
    "I will send Ann'wn back with the Dungaras and the baby. R'lodin'lindor will return for your A'lon'lden and me. She knows the way without a guide. It will give me the opportunity to check upon Sele'. I have missed her."
    "Your forest will be waiting at sun's rise."
    "I hope to be returned by then."
    When Sle'nel’ had finished changing, they returned to the porch. Standing slightly apart, they just looked at each other for a