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

traitor. Show some respect, you cowardly scum."
    Ll'strin'll kept her sword at the ready, “She is not my Queen."
    Ern'seln’ moved forward, raising her sword, “You are not welcome at my Birth-Mother's funeral. Leave, or die."
    San'lr'in’ placed a hand upon Ern'seln's shoulder, “Remain quiet, Master-Apprentice. Be'rn’ may be your Birth-Mother, but she was also one of us, as a Master, and it is not your privilege to speak to another Master without permission. You know this is truth."
    Ern'seln obeyed her Queen, but kept her sword readied. San'lr'in’ had felt Ann'wn and her Private forces come near her, readied for a battle. She looked at Ann'wn for a moment, but decided to say nothing. She then turned back to Ll'strin'll, sorry that U'Aine’ wasn't among The Masters that had come.
    Giving no attention to either of the Masters, she said, “It is the moment for the funeral."
    Eanna moved forward, challenging Ll'strin'll as she saw that she had not yet re-sheathed her sword, so, “Traitor. At least replace your sword so that the funeral can begin."
    Ll'strin'll came forward to Eanna, “Prepare for your death, Eanna the worthless one. It is the moment that you need to die. I will take no more of you."
    Eanna raised her sword, more than ready to fight against Ll'strin'll, “Gladly I do so, Traitor. You are an embarrassment."
    They touched the tips of their swords and began the battle. Suddenly, another sword came down on both of theirs, breaking their swords in half. Shocked at such a feat, they looked to who now held the sword against them, knowing that the sword of a Master was amongst the strongest in The Realm.
    Seeing that San'lr'in’ had halted their battle, they were yet surprised at her ability to break their swords. Both just stared at her, caught well off-guard at San'lr'in's quick move against them.
    She spoke softly, but with her one eyebrow raised and her patience all but gone, “This is the Great Third Master's funeral. As is her due, we come to display our respect to her. No battle will occur among us this turn, or I will kill the one who next raises her sword."
    Ll'strin'll looked at The High Queen with hate, and saw that she now held The High Queen's sword to her, “You no longer fight as a Master when you use such a sword against me."
    The High Queen looked at her for a moment, raising her sword's tip to Ll'strin'll's throat. Softly and slowly, per her usual, she commanded, “No battle this turn, or you die. I have no regard for you, but it is your due to be amongst us for this moment. It is for this reason only that you now remain standing. Your opinions are nothing but as a traitor's words to Me, so waste not My moments."
    "I challenge you, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'."
    San'lr'in’ nicked Ll'strin'll's neck, drawing blood, then lowered her sword, “And I will accept at another moment. It will be good to have such as you removed from The Realm."
    Ll'strin'll moved her hand to her wound, then looked at it, seeing blood. She was more than angry, but held it in, “My moment will arrive soon, San'lr'in'thel'ineln'. And be warned—I taught you everything you know, so I know all your weaknesses."
    San'lr'in’ narrowed her eyes, wishing she could battle against this one at this moment, “I am a fool not to kill you upon this moment, but you are a fool to think you know so much as this. Prepare for your death, Traitor, and know that none of The Realm's true Masters will attend your funeral, as you are no Master amongst us."
    Ll'strin'll was slightly surprised at San'lr'in's apparent strength. Never prior had Ll'strin'll seen her so strong in both deed and word, and never prior against her.
    "You are strong upon these turns."
    The High Queen glared at her for a moment, then turned to Ann'wn, “Let us begin.” She then moved to the funeral pyre. As she did so, she placed her hand on Ern'seln's shoulder, “Stand beside Me, Master-Apprentice."
    When all was prepared, San'lr'in’ nodded to the