Read Online The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] by Robbie Collins - Free Book Online

to emerge from the ground around the sword. It grew rapidly, almost beyond understanding in its speed, and began to encase their enemy within its gray-cloaking. The enemy disappeared within the swirling and pulsating fog, and their tortured screams were loudly heard as the all-consuming fog ate its prey.
    Her part in the dispersing of the enemy completed, San'lr'in’ turned to Ann'wn, yet needing to tend to many other events with haste, “If any of them emerge from the fog, behead them. It is the only way they die. But under no circumstances must our forces enter into the fog, as they will not return."
    She went to Sam, knowing that she would be in great pain. Sam had fallen to the ground, no longer able to endure the pain of her sister's powers. San'lr'in’ placed her hand upon Sam's head and removed some of the pain, “Thank you, Sister. You have done great service to Me and to The Realm."
    The High Queen stood, then raised her sword back up and faced her long-dead High Queen counterparts. The long-prior, long-dead High Queens did the same, touching their sword tips together, and once again, the great blood-red arc flew across the sky, connecting San'lr'in’ to them, as if connecting the eons together into a single moment. She chanted her spell once more and bowed her head. For many moments, the arc pulsed as if alive, humming its energy, and then suddenly shot across the sky to a spot well west of them, hitting the ground far from their sight. The High Queen lowered her sword, moved forward yet apart from her forces and slightly closer to the long-prior, long-dead High Queens. She bowed her head to them. They lowered their swords, also walking somewhat closer to San'lr'in'.
    Drn'rn'thel'ineln’ came forward, bowing her head as well. Without a word, she raised her sword to San'lr'in', then laid it down on the ground in front of her. She and San'lr'in’ stared at each other for many long moments. Finally, San'lr'in’ knelt before her.
    "First and greatest of all High Queens. I have not enough words to thank you for your assistance. But now I show you a Realm that is once again in turmoil. I stand ashamed before you, unable to show you a peaceful Realm for which each of you, in your turn, worked overly hard."
    "It is the nature of The Realm, My daughter. You will see through it. You are made from the best of all of us."
    "It is lonely, this affair of High Queen."
    Drn'rn'thel'ineln’ nodded her head briefly, “It is as you say. But we have done better through you, as the Young One is now with you. And so shall it be from hereon."
    "The humans come."
    "We know."
    "There is overly much killing."
    "Find another way. You are High Queen. You have to accept not the ways of The Realm. It is up to you to inspire another direction."
    "The burden is heavy.
    "It is truth. It is. Stand up to it, San'lr'in'. It is your duty, and your privilege. You are of our line and were chosen to do as such. And your path is strong. You will return the Elves to The Realm. You will provide The Realm with a long lasting peace. Your name will be sung with praises for many reigns after you are long-gone."
    "As are yours. But I seek not as such."
    "What is it you seek, High Queen?"
    "Peace."
    "As did I. As did we all. Then make it as so, My daughter. The Realm is in your hands now."
    San'lr'in’ stood, letting her tears fall silently. Drn'rn'thel'ineln’ raised her hand and caused a tear to come to her. She felt it and examined it, then looked back up at San'lr'in', “Life is more precious than you can know. Be good to yourself in your life."
    She held up her hand, yet holding the tear within it, “Sele'm'tinel'ti'non'n is of such."
    San'lr'in’ was surprised, “I am told it was a pairing of Sam'r'in'thel'ineln’ and the Elf."
    She smiled gently, “Do you always believe as you are informed, High Queen?"
    San'lr'in’ looked at her for a moment, saying nothing. She brought her patience to her, sensing that The Realm had overly many secrets,