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

Be'rn's daughter, “I sense that it will fall heavy on this one. She has only known her Birth-Mother in all these years."
    Ann'wn had been listening and was surprised, “No other?"
    The High Queen nodded, “The St'en'giln are a small group only, and solitary in their ways. And Be'rn’ has remained in hiding since the Masters split within their ranks."
    They watched from a small distance as the Birth-Mother and the young girl had their final moments together. San'lr'in’ felt sorry for the young girl, and felt sorry for Be'rn', one of the last of the Masters, and one of the few St'en'giln. She watched the sad scene, hating the harshness of The Realm.
    After some moments, the Third Master quietly died. San'lr'in’ watched helplessly as the young girl silently wept. Sam, knowing what it was to lose one's Birth-Mother, went over to the young girl as she saw her rise. She began to place her arm around her, when suddenly the young girl stole Sam's sword from her, pulling it quickly from its sheath, holding its tip to Sam's throat.
    The High Queen watched her movements with great interest, seeing that the young girl was truly trained by a great, great Master. Ann'wn and An'ther'on went forward with their swords readied, “Place down the weapon, Young One. We have no desire to harm you. You cannot win this battle."
    "No, but I can kill her before you kill me!"
    The young girl stood nearly Sam's height and had spent her entire short lifespan living in a harsh environment, fighting everyone who passed her way. And she had been extremely well-trained by her Birth-Mother. In her anger, she wanted, needed to fight against the women she momentarily and irrationally believed had killed her Birth-Mother, even in knowing it not truth. Trained not to fight against one unarmed, she shoved Sam forcefully against the side of the tunnel as she turned quickly to An'ther'on, fighting sword-to-sword with her. The High Queen observed the young girl's movements with great interest. Ann'wn waited, thinking that An'ther'on would take her easily within a short moment.
    An'ther'on had mistakenly assumed that such a young girl wouldn't be any match for her. After many moments of proving herself otherwise, An'ther'on's pride began to hurt as she moved more into her forceful warrior ways, trying to contain the young girl.
    It was certain that the young girl wouldn't be able to win against An'ther'on during the long battle, but The High Queen had seen enough to know of her value, “An'ther'on, place down your sword. Ann'wn, I have need to borrow yours."
    Ann'wn didn't want her Queen to fight this fierce little one, “Highness. This is not necessary."
    An'ther'on knew better than to question The High Queen and placed down her sword. San'lr'in’ simply held out her hand for the sword from Ann'wn while looking at the young girl, “Why do you wish to fight so, Young One?"
    "All of you killed my Birth-Mother, OLD one!"
    With no other option open to her, Ann'wn relented and placed the hilt of her sword into The High Queen's hand.
    The High Queen raised the sword, laughing lightly to herself, “If you like not being called Young One, then perhaps you would be gracious enough to provide us with what it is you are called by before I fight against you."
    "Fighting you will be like fighting babes. You are overly old to fight. But I am called by Ern'seln'."
    "Well, Ern'seln', you offer a challenge. Who is it that has taught you these fighting skills?"
    Ern'seln’ raised her sword to The High Queen, as in the manner of the old Masters. She then bowed her head, as did The High Queen.
    "My Birth-Mother. She was a great swordswoman. One of the greatest. Only two others are greater than her, in the entire Realm. Only two. So you are as nothing, Old One."
    Ann'wn began to step forward, “You are addressing The Hi—"
    San'lr'in’ held up her hand to Ann'wn, silencing her. She turned back to Ern'seln', “You wait for Me to take the first move?"
    "It is as I was