***
General Hamo opened his eyes in the church of Timujri. The cries of the wounded and dying echoed around the church. He continued to lay on his back and stared up at the wooden boards on the ceiling. The nightmares of the recent battle swam in his mind. He was very weak, and the current situation was slowly setting in. The Maguyari were coming to take all they had conquered. The deaths of so many would be in vain. At this moment, the Great General Hamo was afraid and had lost hope. His battered armor had been removed along with his tunic. Bandages seemed to cover every inch of his body. His muscles ached. The continuous stabbing pain of many wounds added to his misery. I am forsaken. I am cursed, will I not die? General Hamo’s thoughts, combined with all he had suffered, dragged him to the lowest point of the afterlife. It seemed nothing could pull him from his torment.
“Finally, you are awake General. Drink this.” The Healer Hilcar forced mead down General Hamo’s throat. He coughed as the drink burned down his throat. “We need your help General. The men need it.”
“How long have I been asleep, Hilcar?” General Hamo spoked once he could stop coughing. He attempted to sit up but Hilcar held him fast.
“Asleep?” Hilcar laughed raucously. “You were on the brink of leaving us, general. It seems the afterlife has no room for you yet. It has been three days, General. I am glad you have come back to us.” Hilcar squeezed his shoulder and removed his hand. “I have many more wounded to attend, General. Rest now.” General Hamo waited for a few minutes. Then he looked around and saw Hilcar farther back in the church. Hilcar’s attention was focused on a patient that he was amputating. Hamo took the opportunity and sat up. Every part of his body screamed at him, but he stood up anyway. His feet shook under him and he fell back onto his bed. General Hamo grunted as his wounds stabbed him.
“Take my cane, General. I no longer have need of it.” The man in the bed next to him pushed his plain ash cane towards the general.
“This gesture will be repaid in the afterlife, soldier. What is your name?”
“I am called Hamco, my general.” The soldier had a sickness setting in. The plague was turning his lips blue and robbing him of breath. The man’s skin was sweating and held a yellow hue.
“Thank you, Hamco my friend.” General Hamo, shakily, pulled himself to his feet on the cane.
“It was an honor to have fought at your side, general. Please, I beg you to care after my family.”
“Where are you from, soldier?” General Hamo wobbled on his cane as he gathered his strength.
“I come from the village of Granumo. My family is small but ask after Huma. This is how my wife is known.”
“It shall be done.” Tears began to well up in the soldier’s eyes as General Hamo stumbled away. Hamo looked back to see if anyone had noticed his departure. There were indeed very few attendants in the church. He cursed his adjuvat who had neglected to send more men for the healer. The general left the church and walked towards the wooden structure built on the forts inner wall. The stairs looked far more daunting now then ever. He heaved a deep breath and began the long climb. One step after another, General Hamo began to feel sick. Half way to the war room, Hamo ejected his stomach over the wooden rail. Only mead and water came gushing from his throat. His mouth tasted horrid and stomach acid burned his tongue. Grunting, General Hamo continued up the staircase. He arrived at the war room and pushed the door open. Every commander, but commander Haramo of Manumo. All held a grave look upon their faces. Commander Braco was usually chipper but today he looked sick. General Hamo’s adjuvat Mago sat in the Hamo’s chair at the head of the table.
“General? You should not be here.” Commander Gelaus looked surprised and sounded worried.
“Neither should you my friend. Mago, you are no longer needed here. Send more men to the church.”
“Yes, general.” With his adjuvat’s reply, General Hamo collapsed into his chair. Adjuvat Mago lingered for a few moments before departing.
“It seems you have decided to copy me, general.” Commander Gelaus motioned to General Hamo’s cane. The general simply nodded in reply and laid his head back in the chair. His head was pounding, and he was exhausted.
“What shall we do? A plague has already set in among the men. If we linger here longer, then this fort will be defended only by the dead.” Commander Braco cut straight to the point of conversation.
“Allow the General to catch his breath, commander.” Commander Haticar scolded Commander Braco and glanced over at General Hamo.
“Burn the bodies.” General Hamo tiredly ordered as he closed his eyes.
“The men are entitled to their choice of funeral rights.” Commander Braco’s eyes were alight with fire and his voice shook in anger.
“You shall be entitled to yours when the plague claims you, commander.” Commander Gelaus was soft but firm. Commander Braco did not lose his composure but remained indignant.
“Burn the bodies.” General Hamo tiredly reiterated before continuing. “I shall return north and raise another army.”
“I shall accompany you, my friend.” Commander Gelaus leaned forward on his cane. General Hamo knew this would be his last march with the old commander. “Commander Braco, you shall accompany us as well. Pick out your best men among the cavalry to escort us.”
“You cowards may flee from this battle, but I will not!” Commander Braco stood, kicking back his chair. “Where is the Dark Queen anyway. Hiding from her failure to protect us I’m sure. I will not abide this folly any longer!” Commander Braco went to leave the room, but Commander Harkil of Tuma grabbed his arm firmly.
“Are you certain you want to do that, Commander?” Commander Harkil’s tone was pointed and harsh. His words seemed to reach Commander Braco who suddenly realized his mistake. His eyes scanned the room wildly. He was filled with fear and his legs were shaking.
“Sit down, commander.” Commander Gelaus pounded his cane into the floor.
“Yes, commander.” Sheepishly, Commander Braco sank back into his chair.
“We leave at first light gentlemen. Ensure provisions are made. You must all be ready to face the storm that follows. You have all seen the fury that our enemy possesses. Be vigilant.”
“Yes, commander.” The resounding reply was unanimous, but every man had lost his spirit.
“I will hold this stronghold, commander. Do not worry, this puny enemy of ours has not faced my Bondars of yet. They are fresh and their blades thirst for blood.” Commander Harkil loudly boasted and smiled.
“Where is Haramo?” General Hamo startled the other commanders. They thought he had succumbed to sleep.
“The plague has taken hold of him, General.” Commander Gelaus’s tone was sad. “His adjuvat will succeed him should he fall.” At Commander Gelaus’s words, Commander Braco’s face became contorted in hatred.
“Very well…” General Hamo finally fell asleep and discussion continued.
***
Eleesa breathed in the smell of burning wood and listened to the fire’s crackling embers. She kept her eyes closed but realized that he limbs were not bound. The smell of cooking meat filled her sand encrusted nostrils. Unable to bear it anymore, she opened her eyes. The green eyes of a middle-aged man peered down at her. His bushy black eye brows were pushed together, and cracks were deeply set into his brow. The man had long, shoulder length, curly black hair. His wide mouth was turned down in a contemplative frown. He had a long beak-like nose with an oval face and a jutting jaw. His throat showed the signs of fire from a hard youth. A long scar snaked its way of up the left side of his face, like three fingers on a slender hand. His left nostril was split. Despite, all the blemishes the man’s face was handsome. He was very well built with broad shoulders and a thick neck. His skin was not olive but a lighter hue. Long days at sea had turned his skin a light red.
“Finally, you are awake, Captain’s daughter.” He smiled as she blinked up at him. He spoke in a hushed whisper and glanc
e over at their other companions. “I am known as Diodo.” He pulled her close in a hug and whispered in her ear. “You have returned to us!” Diodo put Eleesa back down and shouted Joyously.
“Finally! Perhaps she can lead us out of this cursed place!” One of the other men shouted with a gruff voice and flung a metal cup at Diodo.
“Do you have no manners, Hetrico?” Diodo caught the cup and place it on the ground. “There is a lady present.”
“Hardly, she is more of a girl. We should have left her at the beach.” The other man scoffed and poked the fire. Diodo gave the man a bitter look before removing a fish from the fire. Holding onto stick that had been pushed through the fish, pulled the fish off. Eleesa heard him rummaging around and placed the stick back. She heard more movement from Diodo and then a strip of meat appeared in front of her mouth. She ate hungrily as Diodo dangled the meat above her mouth.
“It seems we are feeding her now. You have such a soft spirit, Diodo.” The man tending the fire laughed and his comrade threw a rock at him.
“Test me Hicar and you will see how soft my spirit is.” Diodo growled and the other men went silent.
“All this noise will attract attention. We yet know not what sort of attention that will be.” Eleesa’s companion alerted his presence with a warning.
“I already told you, this place is Yilia.”
“You are just attempting to scare us with legends, old man.” Hetrico shook his head. “Where are you! Giants of the mountain!” He let out a roar and startled to chuckle.
“Quiet down.” Eleesa’s companion tersely scolded before his face appeared above hers.
“I thought of a new name for you.”
“What is that my lady?”
“Marco…” Eleesa sat up. Her head was spinning but she didn’t feel too weak.
“I like it. I am named Marco, thank you Eleesa.” Eleesa’s companion, Marco, jokingly bowed to her and began tossing sticks on the fire.
“If you keep up in this manner, then the mountain giants will arrive. You are such a foolish boy.” Diodo hissed at Hetrico. Eleesa noticed the difference in clothing of the men. Diodo wore tattered robes that were once elegant. Her own cloth dress was dirty and ripped. It hung off her like a beggar’s rags. The other two wore rusted coats of mail. Hetrico carried a broken spear and wore a clay pot lid on his head. Hicar, on the other hand, wore a sword at his waist and a battered oval shield lay next to him. The top portion of the shield had been smashed into splinters. The bottom of the shield did not look much better. The green paint on the shield was peeling and Eleesa could barely make out a snake painted in red. These were men of the house of Hamago Hamicali. Eleesa held her breath as she realized the situation. Diodo seemed to sense this and touched Eleesa’s hand.
“It looks as though the captain’s daughter has seen a ghost.” Hetrico’s narrowed his eyes and glared into Eleesa’s.
“It’s alright…” Diodo rubbed Eleesa’s back with a hand. “Hetrico, where have your manners fled to? She just lost her father.” Diodo scolded Hetrico, but just then an almost inhuman roar went up from outside the fire light. “It seems we are not alone.” Diodo picked up rusty sickle. The other two men took up their weapons and stood. All faces turned to see a mighty beast. It stood eight feet in height and carried a long ax. The ax head was large but slender at its base. The brut wore a mask made from bone, although its ax head was made from iron. A bear head crested the bone mask with its big teeth coming down over the brow. The beast had the build of a giant man. The bear skin fell down his shoulders and barely covered a large barrel chest. The beast’s chest was pale white with black tattoos etched into the skin. The tattoos were strange designs of animals. The beast wore a long beard that almost matched the color of the fire. It seemed to wear nothing under the bear skin that covered most of its body. The beast stood at the edge of the firelight for a few moments. Hetrico and Hicar backed away from the beast in terror.
“Your giant looks like a bear, Diodo.”
“That’s no bear, Hetrico.” Diodo’s voice shook in terror and he hurled the sickle at it. “Run!” Diodo grabbed Eleesa’s hand. In one swift motion, Diodo pulled Eleesa to her feet and forced her to run. The beast easily knocked away the sickle and charged. He charged right through the fire; trampling still hot coals under his bare feet. The beast didn’t seem even seem to feel the embers as he charged. Hetrico threw his broken spear shaft and leapt out of the way of the charging giant. The beast turned to face the cowering men as he swung his ax. The ax blade sliced open Hetrico’s calf just as he turned to run. Hetrico’s spear had injured the beast in the thigh. The wound seemed to do nothing to slow down the giant man. Hicar got to his feet, after slipping in fright, and he sprinted after Diodo and Eleesa. Hicar looked back to see his companion’s head split in two by the giant and his ax.
The Beginning of the Highwayman’s Road
The men started singing as General Hamo’s small group trotted down a dirt path. They had left the mountains behind and entered a shadowy forest. General Hamo had not seen Queen Magiya since the battle, but this was common. He never knew where she would disappear to, nor what she did during her long absences. He knew that she had not died. The dark pressure that weighed down his soul had not weakened. The forest reminded him of when Queen Magiya solidified her hold on him. He had been a young rebel then, attempting to wrestle control from a foreign invader. While he was helping his men excavate a cave, she came. He and his men were mining for iron ore. The process was slow. Using mostly chisels and large hammers they gathered up even the smallest bits of iron. The Bahl rebels had suffered many losses in the previous battles. They were hiding among the tree and cliffs now. Bandits roamed the country side and hid in the forest of the old gods, often referred to as the holy forest. Life was hard here, but the bandits had come to know the rebels as brethren. Desertion was high and only the most loyal followers stayed by Hamo’s side. Eventually, General Hamo would have lost all his men. The Dark Queen arrived, and the bandits began to call her the daughter of the forest. She could work such wonders as none had seen before. Her name was Maga the Black. She was the daughter of the forest and fashioned by the One. The bandits dared not oppose her as they believed her to be an avenging spirit. She entered the mine and searched out Hamo. At first, Hamo had his men surround her. Each one began to bleed for no apparent reason. All the blood in their bodies poured out and created a black pool around Maga. The Queen, clothed in nothing but moonlight, cupped her hands and scooped up the blood. The rest of the blood began to rise on its own and traveled up her body. It drifted up her legs and thighs. The blood poured over her bare breasts and up her neck. It finally engulphed her face and hair. She held out her cupped hands to the awe struck Hamo.
“Come!” Her voice sounded like it came from underwater and Hamo felt as if his soul had left his body. “I shall make you my General. We shall sweep away our enemies like peasants reaping wheat. You shall slaughter them and behead them like the swiftest executioner. Come my general. I know your heart and it is filled with wrath.” Hamo’s feet seemed to move of their own will. His hands unbuckled his armor and untied the sash around his tunic. He stepped forward and Maga poured the blood over his head. She wiped the blood over his body until he was covered. Maga let her hands fall as the two stared at each other, naked and covered in the blood of Hamo’s men. “Pick up your sword. I shall give you an army.” Hamo could give no resistance and his body followed Maga. The two strolled out into the trees, naked under the moonlight. Louds shouts rose up from the sentries. They did not recognize Hamo. A horn bellowed in the distance and hundreds of bandits began to appear out of the trees. The extensive network of rope ladders and hovels were built in the forest canopy. This system allowed rapid movement of many people. Hamo raised his sickle to defend himself. “Command them!” Maga’s voice pieced into Hamo’s chest like a white-hot knife.
“I am Hamo of No Land, Servant of Maga, Queen of the Shadow and Night! Hear me and f
ollow me! None shall oppose us. Our enemies will bleed like rain in a storm. Their deaths will wet the earth with blood. They will cause our fields to grow and allow our cattle to graze!” Hamo never remembered studying the book of the One, as he could not read. Yet, his words came directly from the book of the One.
“I am Magiya your Dark Queen. Bow before your General!” The startle looks on all the faces mixed with terror. The forest shadows seemed to thicken and become darker. Hesitantly, one after the other took a knee. “Bow!” Each head dropped in reverence of the Queen and her new General. A chant rose up.
“The Dark Queen has found the moon!” Again, and again the men shouted until their throats became hoarse and they gasped for breath.
“I shall take this army to Granuma. The capital shall be ours.” Queen Magiya turned to her new General and departed. She walked into the shadows until she faded into them.
“Why are you naked Hamo?” One of Hamo’s sentries looked puzzled as he got to his feet. “Wasn’t she called Maga.”
“Apparently not,” Hamo grinned as he cleaned the blood from his eyes. “To Granuma!”
“To Granuma!” The hoarse throats of the men took up Hamo’s chant and their voices trembled in fear.
***
General Hamo was pulled out of his daze as Commander Gelaus rode up beside him. The two men wore their armor, disheveled from the previous battles. The rest of the men looked just as road ragged. Their tunics were stained from dust, mud, and blood. Their heads hung low. The stench of foul breath and weeks without a bath mingled with the smell of the forest. Tall trees of fur, pine, and oak stretched high into the sky. Huge rock walls sounded the men and at any moment their small party could be attacked, not by foreigners but countrymen.
The First Valkyrie Page 10