by Abby Aaron
Gaining a Sister
“Tis the truth, I wish we had more time to get to know each other, Giannis. There is much I still do not know about you.” Jemina walked alongside her new sister-in-law before the evening meal.
The younger girl gave a delightful laugh, her fawn colored hair framing her enchanting face. “Having you around longer to help me adjust to the village would be wonderful. Things here are so foreign from what is normal in the city.”
“What’s it like?” Jemina often speculated about things in the city, a place of all women who did not have to seek permission from men to follow their dreams.
“Stifling,” the other woman responded, surprising the village bride. “Everything is so predictable there. Each woman has a duty to perform. Be you a virgin born or a Godsend, nothing separates you from those around you. No one is special or unique. Only the elders get a bit of power or control over their existence, but even they prefer not to stand out. We are taught often from an early age that being an individual is selfish. Everyone must instead strive to improve the community and fade into the crowd.”
“Virgin born?” Jemina stopped walking and sought clarification. “Godsend?”
“The Creator sends newborn babies to the city. They are labeled as Godsends. These babies just appear within the breeding building at the very center of our city without announcement, sometimes as many as four baby girls show up in any given cycle.”
Jemina pointed to a large rock beneath an oak tree where they could sit and continue their discussion. “May I braid your hair for you?” she asked. When Giannis nodded, she started portioning off the thick strands and working her fingers through the silky mane to brush out a few knots. “Please tell me more about the Godsends.”
Not used to being pampered, Giannis happily closed her eyes while enjoying the treatment. “I have heard others talk about there being three different openings in the breeding area’s lowest level. It is considered holy land and only priestesses are allowed below. This is where angels deposit the babies.”
Completely relaxed, the city bride continued sharing details of where she once lived. “Where each child appears determines which priestess is in charge of the baby girl’s future. That’s what our leaders are called: priestesses, not elders. They keep very thorough birth records, mentioning which opening a babe appeared at, the cycle and moon’s placement in the heavens. In addition, they are in charge of deciding which nursery the girls should grow up in, and the types of jobs they will be allowed to pursue as they get older.”
People mingled around them as children and women went about preparing the dining area for the evening meal. No one paid much attention to Jemina or Giannis, unless one counted Jael and Loinbard. It was customary for brides not to be left out of sight of at least one of their new husbands. Giannis’ youngest husband protected her now. Jemina did not realize that Loinbard was doing the same where she was concerned. The warrior from Konrad listened attentively, taking in every bit of information he could glean about city life to share with Aras later.
Jemina had a horrible thought and considered not speaking it. But Giannis was her new friend and sister. They should be able to share secrets or suspicions without fear. “In our village, others too, if what I have heard is to be trusted, babies sometimes go missing from our healer’s compound. You don’t suppose… Could it be possible someone is stealing our babies and bringing them to the city?”
Turning to face her, Giannis shared her thoughts. “I used to wonder at the miracle of Godsends often, especially since the building where they appear is near the center of the city. I find it even more astounding now that I know three walls separate any outsiders from being able to sneak a newborn within. I have only been on two of the three levels in Dalia’s compound, but they look impenetrable, too.” She blushed, not being able to bring herself to mention being claimed by her husbands there, as was tradition in the villages. “How could someone steal a baby from within?”
“Warriors guard our walls and fathers protect the birthing area of the compound. There is no logical way I can think how a mortal could steal a baby from a village,” Jemina said, but her mind still pondered the matter.
Giannis nodded her understanding. “Clearly the Creator alone has such skills, though why there is even such a need, I cannot understand, because of the city’s mastery of virgin birth. It is a bit complicated, and I am not smart enough to understand, much less explain, the process. Most of the city’s citizens come from this method of birth. The scientists in our medical unit have perfected using the egg of one woman and the DNA of another to breed babies. This helps keep the number of citizens within the city at a healthy rate.”
With a guilty smile, Giannis bent closer to her new friend to share a secret. “After the first two claimings, I must admit it seems foolish to deny the pleasure a man can afford a breeder.”
The evening meal would commence soon or Jemina might have considered asking for more details on the subject of mating. Now that her dream lovers had proven to be flesh and blood men, she longed to know if any of her sexy dreams were mere fantasy, or even physically possible. “What happens to the male children who come from this virgin born process?” Jemina was still fascinated with city life. Aras’ comments about humans trying to become creators mingling with Giannis’ description of virgin births.
“The process only results in female children. Even the Godsends are always feminine. I guess such is the Creator’s wisdom, because males are not accepted within the city limits. I can only assume any male children would be left outside the city walls.”
“Surely to do that would be the same as murdering the babe. How could anyone turn their back on an innocent child, male or female?” The village bride thanked the Creator for allowing her to be born outside the city. Her twin brother would be disposed of like an unwanted pet had their mother given birth in the city.
“The priestesses in our city are adamant that all males grow into hostile creatures cursed to kill or maim those around them,” Giannis elucidated.
“If they left an innocent babe outside their walls, they would be guilty of murder, and no better than the men they reject.” Jemina was filled with outrage. She, from her very conception, had been surrounded by males. Within her mother’s womb, she grew alongside Jael. Since birth, she had tagged along after him, learning the skills and respecting how being male and female gave each their own set of skills and strengths.
Aras followed Smiley as he moved around the various tables where people took their meal. The hound moved about, weaving in and out of paths, until he located whom he searched for in the large crowd. “Do diners change where they sit each meal?” he asked, taking a seat across from Jemina.
“Not generally, but there are some exceptions. Last night and this morning,” she buttered a piece of bread and passed it to him, “we ate at the bridal table. Giannis and her husbands are still there now, but Chaim and Moshe have extended family members. Many of them could not fit, so our family unit offered to return to our usual table to allow them to move there. “How did you ever find us in this crowd? I was just about to send my fathers in search of you when you arrived.”
“Your pet led me here. Does he often sit close by, hoping for scraps of food?”
She leaned down to see Smiley hiding out of sight under the table. Shaking her head at him, she tried to warn Aras not to give the animal’s presence away. “He’s not allowed in this area, especially if food is being consumed. He must have escaped his pen near our family unit.”
Aras smiled and gave her a wink. Leaning closer, he said, “Your secret is safe with me, my Jem. How did he find this table, I wonder?”
Gifting him with a bright smile, she leaned forward herself. “He can track me no matter where I am in the village. The only reason he did not come with my fathers and me when we left to announce the wedding competition was because Dalia kept him tied up with her own hounds while we were gone. She says he cried the entire time I was away.”
“Being in
your presence is quite addictive.” He smiled before nodding a greeting to Loinbard at her right and Anders at her left. “And why are we allowed such favorable places to dine tonight? Hendrix and Johan do not seem happy that we are so close to you for this meal.”
“Winner of each challenge gains prime spots at the dinner table. Had you been here earlier, you might have managed to sit at our beautiful Jemina’s side,” Loinbard gloated.
“I was on time for the meal,” Aras pointed out, “but I went to the original table where we ate our other meals. How did you know to come here, brother?”
“As luck would have it, I was close by Jemina when the evening meal bell rang. She told me. Anders was passing by and I shared my knowledge with him.” Loinbard raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“Rather than saving a chair for your own brother, you allowed another to benefit?” Aras chided in mock censure.
“Anders is my brother, too, now that we are part of the same triad. Besides, he is left-handed and you are right. He and I can sit close to Jemina without bumping into her the entire meal.”
Aras observed as Jemina spent the first part of the meal listening to Loinbard as he explained an old earth game called chess. Wolf, one of their fathers, was a master of the game, and he used it to help his sons learn about various strategies. It was important to always be two steps ahead of one’s opponent in the game. Jemina’s eyes grew wider as Loinbard detailed the process of playing.
She smiled up at him and Aras savored observing her perfect, full lips. He watched her closely as she spoke, noticing every flick of her tongue and wishing he could tease it with his own. “So in battle, it would be wise to try to predict what your enemy plans to do so you can determine the best way to counter it? Sword fighting is much the same way. I have found many warriors concentrate on thrusting or overpowering their opponents. It’s best to block and wait for an opening instead of trying to force one.”
“May I sneak your pet a bit of beef?” Anders asked in a low voice and received a grin in reward. “Smiley is devoted to you. How long have you had him as a pet?”
“For three cycles now,” Jemina explained. “When my twin brother Jael left to guard the wall, having Smiley at my side was the only thing which made life bearable. I mean to take him with me when I move to my husbands’ village. Do you think the village elders there will balk at having him around? I don’t recall seeing any other hounds running around other places.”
“In the village of Finn, arrangements would need to be discussed with the elders. I assume things would be the same in Konrad. It will be interesting to see what life holds for us if we earn the gift of claiming you as a wife, Jemina. It will no doubt be humorous to see Aras and Loinbard explain not only bringing a triad member from outside the Konrad line back home, but a furious looking animal with plentiful, sharp teeth.”
“Smiley is really quite harmless,” Jemina promised. “Unless someone were to try and harm me. He would probably roll over and allow anyone to rub his tummy otherwise.”
“Your pet seeks to protect you?” Aras asked. “I am beginning to see the wisdom of having him around. If danger is at hand and you are unable to protect yourself, it would be comforting to know Smiley is there.”
“Would you allow him to sleep inside your family unit, then?” Jemina said and graced him with her own smile.
“If he was trained properly and bathed,” Aras teased back.
She bent forward again, her small, pert breasts peeking out over the top of her shirt. Her expression was hopeful. “Could he share our bed if we were wed?”
“Sharing you with Loinbard and Anders would be difficult enough,” he said, hating to deny her anything when Jemina looked so pleased. “You did say Smiley was protective of you. He might misunderstand your moans of pleasure for distress when your husbands seek to mate with you. I would hate for him to bite down on me, especially if I am in your arms, sharing your bed.”
11
Leodon’s Challenge
Konrad-Finn Triad: 1 win
“I have an uneasy feeling we are being shown the exit of the village,” Anders uttered just loud enough for his triad alone to hear. “This is the way toward the outer boundaries of the village. Which one of you insulted the fathers this morning?”
“He freed the hound again this morning,” Loinbard indicated toward his blood brother. “I watched him feed the beast some bits of pig meat before ordering him to lead the way to Jemina. The fathers no doubt found having a hound at the table to be insulting.”
Aras shoved Loinbard. “They probably took exception to the way you gawked at Jemina from the moment she joined us for the morning meal. You acted as if you had never seen a beautiful woman before.”
“I was not gawking at her so much as studying her dress,” the younger Konrad warrior defended.
“Pardon me,” Anders muttered in frustration, “but gawking at her body would likely be more offensive to the fathers than just staring at her lovely face.”
Squeezed in between the two other members of his group, Loinbard was frustrated with his treatment and sought to clue his friends in on the matter. He swiftly reached up and slugged both men in the face with a crushing blow. A smile of pride touched his lips when he heard the cartilage from Aras’ nose give way. Neither of his targets could retaliate without bringing attention to themselves. Aras reached up to snap his nose back in place, clearing away some of the blood with his sleeve. A slight trickle of blood kept flowing, but it did not appear to bother him. His step did not falter the entire time.
“I was not ogling Jemina’s body, though it is remarkable. Her breasts are the perfect size, just big enough to cup with a hand or suckle.” Loinbard digressed. “It was the cloth of her dress which intrigued me. Our second mother, Attie had one like it.”
“Attie never wore such a dress in my presence,” Aras said as he slyly drove his elbow into his brother’s ribs. He grinned when the younger man could not suppress a groan. Jemina’s fathers suddenly stopped leading the triads toward some unknown end point. They turned around to investigate the sound. Deciding to provide some plausible explanation, Aras addressed them directly. “My brother ate a large portion of pig meat this morning. His bowels are protesting now.” Aras turned to Loinbard and challenged, “Do you need us to wait a bit for you to regain control?”
“I am fine,” his brother grunted, and the fathers turned back around.
Anders waited until the other triads passed them up to deliver a crashing blow to Loinbard’s nose. Ever the gentlemen, the warrior from Finn reset it for Loinbard before making clear the reasoning behind his action. “In the village of Finn, we embrace the old earth adage, an eye for an eye. In this case, it would be a nose for a nose. Now explain more about the dress. I noted its quality, myself. It appeared to be a first-generation relic.”
Aras froze for a moment, recalling an occasion where his second mother had worn a ceremonial gown much like the one Jemina donned today. “You are right about the dress. The day after her second or third claiming,” he told Loinbard. “Attie had one much like it on. Kia’s mother was distressed by it. I assume that is why she never put it on again after that one time.”
The triad continued to discuss the matter as they hung back, careful to keep their eyes on the men before them, but far enough away to allow for privacy. Loinbard continued, “We were mere boys at the time, but I remember the dress because it was the first time I had ever heard mention of a first-generation heirloom. I asked Otto to explain it’s meaning to me, but he brushed my question aside. That in itself was unusual because he generally doted on us. Otto is the most respected of our village elders.” He explained to Anders.
Loinbard tasted a hint of blood and realized his nose had been bleeding. He smeared the red stain across his face with a careless attempt to clean up. “Otto seemed to be quite shocked when he realized our father gave it to Attie in the first place. Speaking of the dress seemed to disturb him, and for a moment, I thought the wise, hardened
warrior might shed a tear or two over mere garb. His reaction made me even more curious, and I wanted to study it carefully to see what made it so special, but Attie never wore it again. I wonder what happened to it?”
“Only a select group of villagers possess such relics or boast of the right to wear them. Could our bride be a direct descendent of Urijah?” Anders suggested. “That would be an even rarer find than a village born girl.”
“The more I get to know her, the stronger my feelings for Jemina become.” Aras noticed the men in front had halted and were waiting for them to join the group. The border of the village was mere feet ahead. Extra warriors lined the area now. Were they needed for added security? “Direct descendent or not, I would seek Jemina’s hand no matter what. Even if she were a city born bride.”
“I agree completely,” Anders scanned around them, taking in every detail to prepare for whatever they might face.
Loinbard inclined his head to the right, cluing his triad on the placement of young men in the trees. “My blood brother knows I swore never to marry a city bride, but were our ‘gem’ from the city, I would break that oath without regret. Everything about her feels as it should be. Even our triad, born strictly to improve our chance to compete for her hand feels right. We have worked together for mere days, but our allegiance is stronger than many other triads I have known for cycles. Jemina is our one true match. Let’s do everything in our power to make sure no one else steals her away from us.”
Leodon gained everyone’s attention before slowly articulating his words, pausing now and again to see if anyone had questions before continuing. Aras was relieved to discover the triads were not being forced to leave the village. This was where the next challenge would begin. The more solemn of Jemina’s fathers had no doubt concocted this event. Every detail and potential loophole had been considered.