***
The port of Trynuma stood vast and dominated Bahl’s western coast of the Kingdom. Its lights were the only thing visible from the desert. Like fingers of the sun reaching towards the night sky. Trynuma was a beacon in an otherwise bleak portion of the Bahl kingdom. However, the beaches of the west coast were not safe and the coast was long. Even the most experienced travelers never crossed the Endless Sands which created a strong barrier against invasion. However, this barrier also created a delay for reinforcements if Trynuma was besieged. The lords that commanded the port city were ever aware of this and sent out regular scouting expeditions. Occasionally, the scouting ships would raid down the coast and desertion was a steadily growing problem. This turned Trynuma into a haven for beggars, thieves, outlaws, and the worst people from all over the continent. In the past, even raiders from the island of Yilia would arrive in Trynuma. However, that time had passed, and the city had forgotten about their neighbors across the Wild Sea.
***
Eleesa, on the back of the boy from Numo, was carried into the city still unconscious. She only awoke to find herself in a cold brick alley. She was now inside the corrupt belly of the most dangerous city on the continent. However, sleeping in an alley was one of the safest places to be. There were thousands of vagrants and orphans living on the streets. All relied on a tenacious pursuit of prey. Survival would depend on cultivating skills in deception, cunning, and killing. There were hundreds of organized groups that used numbers to bring down larger prey. While an individual must survive off scraps, some learn to be opportunistic. Such hunters would target foreigners or people that had fallen on hard times. These individuals would sometimes form their own groups. The smallest and most powerful was the yellow teeth gang. This group would target any other group: including the wealthiest. This notorious gang could strike and vanish almost instantly. However, the most powerful family in the city controlled them. The Hamicali Family controlled both the Yellow Teeth and the city garrison. Lord Hamago ruled as the family Patriarch and held the seat of King Regent. This family and the Yellow Teeth would prove to be an integral part of Eleesa’s story.
***
Eleesa stood to search about the strange surroundings. The streets were unlike any that she had seen in Numo. The street was bumpy, unlike the dusty paths around Numo. The street torches were numerous, and an audible ceaseless din assaulted her ears. The smell of death and decay lingered in the air, choking her lungs and weighing on her spirit. She leaned against the dark alley wall as she was too weak to move. The alley had only one entrance and curved back to a tavern’s back door. The high walls of shops surrounded her. She could tell from the window lights high above that business was being made. Travelers were taking refuge in the tavern and moved to the back of the alley for warmth. What she found there was the heat of ten bodies. Ten dangerous children and despite her size she was afraid. The children looked up as she approached. They were leaning on walls and sitting on the ground. Some had smoke billowing from their noses and mouths, while holding long bronze rods.
“Look what has stumbled into our path boys!” A young boy of twelve, almost as tall as Eleesa, strode out from behind a burning trash barrel.
“She looks just like us Caril, she has nothing…” A boy with a face covered in charcoal and dirt piped up. He was the only one still sitting.
“Yes, but women have other treasures to take. This one has a very fine one.”
“I think she is a virgin Caril,” A grinning boy, about half the size of Caril, stalked towards Eleesa. She turned to attempt an escape back down the alley. Two more smaller boys blocked her path. The other five climbed over all the trash piles and pinned her in. Caril moved straight up to her once his sentries were in place and pinned her arms above her head.
“Please…” Eleesa choked out a plea and began to cry. Grinning, the boy’s rat infected breath assaulted her nose and she turned away.
“Get over here!” Caril barked and the other boys brought rope. They tied Eleesa’s arms behind her back and tied her legs apart. The other ends of the rope were fastened to grates. Eleesa had no energy to struggle. Caril kept her pinned to the wall to keep her from falling.
“Let me explore her treasure…” A greedy member of Caril’s small gang strode forward and reached for Eleesa’s burlap dress.
“Wait your turn!” Caril growled and shoved the boy into a burning trash barrel. The boy scampered away; whimpering at the fresh burns on his forearms. “Let’s have some fun...” Caril grinned again and began to breathe heavily. His rat breath permeated throughout Eleesa’s nostrils; choking her. She could almost taste the sickly sweet hot stench.
“Help…” Eleesa could barely gasp under the boy’s potent breath.
“Here you go, no need for that pretty mouth to say anything.” Caril pulled off his sweaty and dirty loincloth; shoving it into her mouth. Eleesa’s eyes panicked and she looked for a savior anywhere. “Now… let’s see what you’re hiding from us. What a greedy girl you are to keep your treasures all to yourself.” Caril struggled to rip Eleesa’s burlap dress off. “Give me a knife!” He barked and one of his gang members brought an old 10inch rusty meat scythe. Caril used it to cut the dress’s shoulder straps and it fell from Eleesa’s body. She began to shiver uncontrollably, as her bare flesh encountered the salty sea breeze. “Not all of you is cold it seems,” Caril laughed as his dirty hands moved over her body. Eleesa whimpered remembering how oasis eels felt when they moved on top of her. “Look at what you have been saving for us.” Caril licked his lips and Eleesa’s frightened eyes met the cruel black pools deeply set into Caril’s features.
“Oh, look at what you have brought us Caril. Such a prize she is and very rare indeed. Your tiny parts would all but tickle her.” A young man, at least two years senior to Eleesa, stood at the curve of the alley way. He blocked both Eleesa’s escape and that of Caril’s gang. “I’m lucky to have heard you before you spoiled her. You were intending to deliver her to me, weren’t you Caril.” The young man tilted his head to the side and smiled forebodingly.
“Get out of here Yellow Tooth. She is mine and our debts are paid up.” Caril only glanced at the boy but kept his hands on Eleesa, still intent on her flesh.
“Now look who has grown up. Do you think that you are large enough to challenge me?” The young man spat out the leaves he was chewing. He put a hand on the wheat sickle resting on his left hip. Leaning against the wall, the young man flicked a rock at Caril. Growling, the boy took his hand off Eleesa’s body and turned to face the young man.
“Look at you Harco. Look at us. You are outnumbered!” Caril pointed the point of his rusty curved knife at Harco. Eleesa whimpered and squirmed under the restraints. She felt her limbs going numb and cold setting into her bones. “Shut up!” Caril struck Eleesa’s ribs and she collapsed, as much as she could under the restraints. A glimmer of hope entered Eleesa’s teary eyes as the boy that had carried her arrived. He stood behind Harco with his arms crossed. He smiled and winked at Eleesa as Harco leaned his head against the wall.
“Do you hear that Caril?”
“Shut up Harco! Get out of here if you don’t want to die!”
“Shh…. Take in this moment. It is your last one Caril.”
“Get him!” Caril’s gang members moved at the order and formed around Harco and Eleesa’s boy. They were afraid and Caril had to motion for them to attack. Reluctantly, one after the other jumped at Harco. Unfazed, Harco allowed them to struggle on his arms and legs. None could move him. Harco was thin but much larger and laughed at their feeble attempts. He drew his sickle and each of the boy’s eyes widened with fear. Sensing an opportunity, Caril leapt at Harco. However, Harco easily deflected Caril’s knife. Harco answered by bashing Caril in the face with the butt of his sickle. Lifting his other arm, with a boy of six years dangling from it, Harco grabbed Caril’s throat. Caril struggled and attempted another swing. Harco was faster and severed Caril’s knife hand at the wrist. Caril fell back c
rying. The boy on Harco’s arm sank his teeth into Harco’s bicep. Harco yelped and bashed the young boy’s skull into the wall. Like a farmer reaping wheat, Harco’s sickled tore through flesh. Once Harco was freed and Caril’s gang lay dying and screaming, Harco approached Caril. The boy crawled away whimpering and Eleesa’s companion moved to untie her. While Harco bore down on Caril, Eleesa was freed and the gag taken from her mouth.
“You have betrayed me for the last time Caril.” Slowly and deliberately, Harco opened up Caril’s belly with his sickle. He then kicked the boy over and turned to Eleesa and her companion. Eleesa pulled her torn dress over her naked body. She shivered and now looked towards Harco in a panic. She pushed herself into the alley crevices and balled her body up. Eleesa’s companion easily lifted her into his arms. Her back and butt were still bare and she began to shiver even more.
“We need to get her to warmth before the cold claims her Harco,” Questioningly, Eleesa’s companion stated to Harco.
“If we take her into the street more than these boys will want her. Wait here.” Harco approached the tavern door and went inside. Eleesa laid her head against her companion’s chest. Her sand crusted black hair stuck to his smooth olive skin. Her companion looked around and picked up Caril’s rusty knife. He looked over the dead bodies in the alley. Two boys were still alive. They were crying and choking on blood, but unmoving. He looked up at the candle light peeking out of windows overhead.
“Where are you Harco…?” Eleesa’s companion tried to cover her as best he could with his arms and body. He was cold also and together they shivered under the cruel salty night air.
“Come on in girl!” A robust middle-aged woman appeared from behind the tavern door. Her hair was curly and black. Her dark leathery skin showed years of sea faring. Her old apron was clotted with old food and mead. “Put this on!” She threw a heavy cloak over Eleesa and her companion carried her inside. Eleesa peaked out from under the grey cover as they entered. She saw tables and dingy candlelight. Different games were being played, and the floor was wet with mead. Women, wearing nothing but aprons, brought food and drinks to the crowded tables. The tavern was filled with laughter, smoke, and sweat. Eleesa was unable to take her eyes off these sights as her companion carried her down some old wooden stairs. “Watch your step,” the older lady cautioned as they entered a hallway. Above, dust rained down through the floorboards. The deafening raucous continued to shake the wooden walls. Eleesa was carried through the basement maze. Soon, they came to a series of rooms. Cotton curtains covered each room where sounds of pleasure emanated. “Back room on the left. She must pay her way, once she is ready.” The old lady turned and vanished around the corner. Eleesa’s companion brought her to the room and laid her on an ox hide. Harco was waiting inside the room. He was wearing only a loincloth and reached under the blanket. Feeling up and down Eleesa’s naked body, he licked his lips.
“Much warmer,” He grinned and reached to undress.
“Why not wait until she is awake? She will be livelier then…” Eleesa’s companion smiled at Harco who thought for moment and nodded.
“Clean her up in the morning and then I will be back to claim my prize. She is quite a treasure.” Harco laughed and exited the room abruptly, making the cotton curtain billow. Without a word, Eleesa’s companion undressed and lay down under the blanket. His bare olive skin pressed against hers. His long tangled hair tangled with hers and they warmed each other together. The smelly tavern room was cozy enough to lull the two to sleep.
***
Timujri stood defiant still, but it’s champions lay dead now. Hamo’s eighty elephants hadn’t done much to the Aravut. Now, half of the elephants had their bodies covering the decaying corpses of earlier battles. The Aravut had lost their lives to the Bahl frontline infantry. Long pikes fashioned from tree trunks and made to be twenty feet long had suddenly stopped the Aravut charge. The pikes had been concealed by the third line of infantry. While the cavalry was dealing with the elephants, the third line gave up the pikes to the second. The pikes impaled the Aravut when they passed around the elephants to ride down the infantry. The third line of hoplites had joined the second line of spearmen. Together, the massive oval hoplite shields defended the spearmen from javelins. Although, the first victory against the Aravut came at a high cost. The remaining elephants, frightened of the carnage, took off in all directions. Many broke into the infantry line and trampled thousands.
***
“What shall we do General? Those damn elephants destroyed our infantry. We have nothing left.”
“Come now my dear adjuvat, not everyone died.”
“We don’t have enough men to defend the camp if the castle garrison decides to attack.”
“They do not know that my companion. The men know what to do. Light at least ten fires tonight my man. In the morning reinforcements will arrive. With the Aravut dead, the hearts of the defenders will have taken a heavy blow.”
“Very good my lord.” Hammond bowed and went to leave.
“Adjuvat?”
“Yes, General?”
“Send in my line commanders once all the fires have been lit.”
“As you command General Hamo…” Hammond smiled comfortingly as he took his leave. Hamo stood with his brow furrowed over his war table. It was decorated with scrolls and maps with some lying on the hard-rocky ground. The tent moved with the howling wind outside and Hamo thrust a curved knife into the oak table.
“Is all well General?” A young man with a long curly black beard strolled into the camp. He wore many black beads gilded with silver and bronze in his beard. He wasn’t wearing any armor, unlike Hamo. Instead, he sported a delicately embroidered tan robe with the hem resting just above the knees. A long sword with a thick blade rested on his hip.
“Where is your armor Magicar? You’re breaking the rules right now.”
“We are far from the walls General. An attack is unlikely, but… if it were to happen, I would rather die comfortable. You and I both know we do not have the men to survive.”
“If they attack…”
“If they attack…” Magicar echoed under his breath. “Do we have a plan General?”
“Not a damn thing…” Hamo fell into his cloth and pine commander’s chair.
“General, General, General.” Hamo’s commanders, one after the other, strolled into the tent and took seats. Magicar remained and leaned against one of the tent posts.
“Reinforcements will not be arriving tomorrow.” A dark-skinned woman wearing a very tall hat entered the tent. The hat was a cylinder that narrowed towards the top. It was golden, intricately carved with pictures and symbols, and jewels of sapphire and onyx were inlaid. Her black curly hair fell past her chest. The candle light seemed to dim upon her entrance.
“My queen...” Came the startled chorus of voices, as each commander quickly stood and bowed.
“How was the journey my Queen?” General Hamo stood slowly and bowed to her from the other end of the table.
“Uneventful.” Queen Magiya remained standing at her end of the table. Her imposing presence made everyone in the room uneasy. She stood seven feet. Her golden and blue robes seemed almost black in the dim room.
“What is the plan General?” Magicar’s voice was shaky now and he kneeled on the ground.
“I have no plan. That is why all of you are hear.”
“The Great General Hamo has no plan…” An older commander laughed raucously as he clutched the arms of his chair. Suddenly, he began to clutch at his throat and blood fled into the whites of his eyes. A shadow rose up his body and poured into his throat. Tears and sweat came pouring out of his body. The salty water his body leaked soon turned to blood. The commander’s body entered sudden spasms and then ceased to move.
“I have a suggestion General…” Magicar stood and moved closer to General Hamo, away from the dead commander and their queen. The other commanders shifted in their chairs away from the dead commander as well.
“Tell me then Lord Magicar, what is this plan.” General Hamo’s brow showed the weight of all the years he had lived. The presence of Queen Magiya seemed to double that weight.
“If the queen were to bless us with a storm… we could sneak a group of men over the walls and open the gates.” Magicar gave a hesitant glance towards his dark queen.
“That’s up to her…” General Hamo gestured and each face of the commanders peered towards her. Queen Magiya’s violet eyes scanned the room in thought and then she left. The room brightened once more, and the dead commander’s body decayed into ash. A heavy breath came from each commander, other than General Hamo. “There is your answer. Lord Magicar, you will take a group of your Bandars and scale the wall in an hour. These reinforcements will not help us unless you can open those gates.”
“Yes, General. I shall prepare my men.” Magicar stood and bowed before leaving.
“Dismissed!” General Hamo barked at his commanders as each hastily left.
The Tower of Snakes
Eleesa awoke next to her companion who was still sleeping. His breaths were soft and quiet, and she could feel his chest heaving on hers. His eye lids opened, and she looked into eyes very similar to her own.
“What is your name?”
“My name is not important Eleesa. Yours is the name that will be chanted by thousands across the continent and islands.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” Her companion laughed and arose.
“Thank you for saving me…” Eleesa coughed as she sat up. Realizing that she was still naked, Eleesa pulled the blanket over her chest.
“You’re not quite saved yet. Harco will be back soon and he’s going to want something from you.”
“My treasure, I need water Jaco. May I call you Jaco?”
“Call me whatever you want girl. Names don’t generally mean much.” Jaco pulled his sandals on and tunic, before offering Eleesa a blue cotton dress. It was much nicer than the burlap one she had been wearing before.
The First Valkyrie Page 3