The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] Read Online Free Page A

Queen and her Healer had walked over, “Where is your mother. We can help heal her.” She motioned to her Healer, “This is our Healer. If you take us to her, we will try to help her. We mean you no harm."
    Ann'wn and An'ther'on both thought this an unsafe idea. Ann'wn spoke softly to her Queen, “Please let us scout the area first, Highness."
    "That is fine, Force Leader. We will follow at a distance."
    Sle'nel', Sam, Sele', Uthrn, and Meera all followed with The High Queen, wondering where this young girl had come from. They walked down many paths, taking many long moments, following the guards’ boot prints. When they arrived, both The Healer and The High Queen went immediately to the ill woman, seeing her lay upon the ground.
    The High Queen gasped with complete surprise when she saw the woman, and sat back, wondering how this was so, “By the Mothers. Not her also."
    "What is it, High One?"
    Speaking softly, she said sadly, “This woman was one of My long-prior teachers. She was one of the great masters, even at her young cycles. This is Be'rn'. The third of all the Masters."
    "Second only to you then, Highness?"
    She shook her head, saddened, “It is so. Can we save her? She has done much for The Realm."
    The Healer examined the woman then looked up at her Queen, shaking her head softly, “I am sorry, Highness. There is nothing we can do."
    "What does she die from?"
    "Long illness, it seems. I can do nothing but make her comfortable as she dies."
    The High Queen looked tormented in the moment. She shook her head and she looked sadly upon the dying Master, “Why must I have to waste My powers on My sister who gives little to The Realm, while I have no choice but to let this great one die? Why must The Realm be so unfair as this?"
    The Healer placed her hand on The High Queen's arm, “I am sorry, High One. I wish there were something I could do, but there is not. I would give all my healing powers, but I know nothing to halt this type of sickness."
    The High Queen nodded, and they began removing some of the dying woman's pains.
    "What are they doing to her? Let her alone!"
    The young girl was now screaming, wanting to be with her mother, but An'ther'on held her tightly until The High Queen was ready.
    Having been given some relief from her pain, the woman was finally able to open her eyes a little, “Who are you?"
    San'lr'in’ leaned slightly forward and placed her hand on Be'rn's cheek, “I was only a young girl when we last practiced together, Third Master."
    She studied the voice for a moment, examining the face carefully, and raised her head slightly, “San'lr'in'? Is it really you? High Queen?” She was well surprised.
    "It is Me, Great One."
    Her efforts tired her quickly, and she lay fully back down, “Am I dying, finally?"
    The Healer answered, “I cannot heal you, Master. I am sorry."
    "I have known for a long while that I was to die, so feel no sorrow for me. Thank you for removing my pain. It was great pain. My daughter? Is she here? Is she safe?"
    San'lr'in’ nodded, “She is here with us. She is safe."
    The woman moved her arm to San'lr'in's, touching her, “You must take her with you. She is well trained and can be of great use to you. Please let her fall not into the hands of our enemies. We were just now on our way to you. I was coming to you to place her in your service."
    "I give you My vow, Be'rn'. I will place her under My personal care. You have given much to The Realm, and this is little you ask of it in return."
    "You are on your way to El'fs'nd'lle?"
    "We are."
    She nodded her head lightly, resting, as if comforted from the report, “Good. She can help. Please consider her as yours, my student. I die pleased in knowing that she will be in your care. She knows more than she believes, and more than most will be able to understand. I have given her all my powers and strengths. You can count on her, my Queen. She is prepared to give her service to The Realm. She is well trained,