“Why can we not stay to watch the burial?”
“We must cross the mountains before the summer ends and the snows of fall block our pass. We have only a narrow window my dear girl. Please, listen to me.”
“Have you crossed the mountains before?”
“None have crossed the mountains, save for the Danfear.”
“That giant beast we meet near the shipwreck.”
“Yes, the very one. They are many but only a few cross the mountains. It is said they can cross even in winter.” As Diodo spoke, Eleesa shivered, both from cold and the thought of the beast with the giant axe.
“If we do cross, will they kill us.”
“This is very likely. Eleesa, this is a task given to you by the queen. I also must abandon you at some point.”
“I must travel alone!” Eleesa was shouting and Diodo held a hand to her mouth.
“You do not want to wake a mountain bear by shouting, Eleesa.”
“Or wolves.” Eleesa added as Diodo took his hand away from her mouth.
“Wolves?”
“Yes, they attacked Thurmod and Segruide. I was trapped under Segruide during the fight. That is how Thurmod died.”
“I thought I saw a bite mark on Segruide as well.” Diodo stroked his pointy beard as the two approached the site of the attack. The dead goat had been covered in a light coat of snow. It was still there and untouched. Thurmod’s arrow was still lodged in the goat’s eye. “We better hurry before the wolves come back.” Diodo picked up the carcass and slung it over his shoulders. Together, the two headed back towards Turvalt.
The Cold of Ice and Snow
General Hamo awoke after three days on his bed of pillows. The bandages had all but come off. His face was completely bare. His arms had lost their bandages as well. His torso still had a few, along with his thighs, but the rest was unbandaged. He felt a lot better and only a few scars bore the mark of his trial in the forest. His tongue and teeth had not grown back, however. He now sat in the study at the top of the tower. He was ready a book titled; Legends of the Wild: A Chronicle of Adventures into Makai. It had been written on ancient scrolls. Yet, the pages must have been bound with magic. They word had not faded after so many years. Lord Milco attempted to enter the candle lit study. General Hamo had thrown scrolls all over the room and four of the Queen’s guard protected the entrance. They barred Lord Milco’s entrance until General Hamo waived him through.
“It seems that afterlife did not want you. I apologize for doubting who you are, General. Surely you must understand. You would have done the same.” Milco almost pleaded with Hamo, as he took a seat across from the General. Hamo grunted. “I have always considered you among my friends. I like to believe that you have done the same.” General Hamo grunted. “Tell me something, surely our Queen would have given you a tongue even better than before.” In reply to Milco’s words, General Hamo picked up a blank scroll. He blew the small layer of dust off. Then, he picked up ink and a feather. General Hamo looked up at Milco and sighed. He took the feather, dipped the quill in ink, and began to write. Lord Milco waited and surveyed the mess absently. Then, General Hamo was done. He blew on the scroll and handed it to Lord Milco. The words were written as a decree.
On this day,
On the Hundred and Fourteenth year of Her Majesty the Queen Magiya, Ruler of all Bahl,
I, her General Hamo, ruler of Numa and warden of these lands, have lost my tongue to bandits.
These ruffians shall be put to the sword and the old forest burned.
This will be done upon the raising of an army to reinforce the fortress of Timujri.
Should the fortress have fallen, we shall take it once more by storm.
The orders given under my hand are stated as follows:
A draft of all able-bodied men shall be imposed by the lords of each city to be pressed into service with all urgency.
The Lord Milco, ruler of the Capital of Granuma and Commander of the Royal Queen’s Guard, shall dispatch riders to every village and city.
This great host will ride south with all units commanded by the land’s Lords.
Henceforth, the man known as the Bandit King shall be set free. His followers, so called Bachi, shall be released immediately as well.
Upon the immediate release of the Bandit King, he shall be required to raise a host and burn the old forest.
The Bachi shall accompany myself as my bodyguard. I shall also take with me no more, and no less, than two hundred of the Queens Guard. In total, the strength of my new army will start at three hundred strong.
Upon successful invasion of the Maguyari Kazarnate, the royal army will move east and conquer the Makai Wildlands.
Lord Milco gasped as he read the words on the scroll. He looked up to meet the strong glare of General Hamo.
“At once General.” The Lord bowed and departed the room as quickly as he could. General Hamo motioned to one of his guards. The soldier strolled over to the table and Hamo handed him a scroll. The guard nodded, bowed, and left the room. A robed man wearing a small cylindrical grey cap, with a flat top, entered the room. He was carrying the uniform of the Queen’s guard. General Hamo stood up and undressed. He donned the long black tunic with fox fur trim. The tunic was dusted with small silver crescent moons. He then pulled on cotton socks, the bronze grieves, and sandals. The only thing that set the general apart, a black iron mail shirt, followed. Next, General Hamo put on the studded leather cuirass with a black crescent painted on the chest. He pulled on a cloak made from light black cloth and trimmed with white fox fur. The cloak too was dusted with silver crescents. The next item that followed was leather gloves with the knuckles studded. He then set the helmet aside and took a seat. The iron links in the mail shirt clanked as he sat. Another robbed man entered. This man was wearing a cylindrical hat as well, but it was much taller and died a deep green. He carried a long oval shield, iron long sword, and a quiver of javelins. General Hamo nodded and stood up once more. He strapped on the javelins. Picked up the sword and strapped it around his waist. The sword’s bronze handle was gilded with ivory and onyx. The pommel formed into the head of a phoenix. The shield, that General Hamo’s attendant leaned against the table, held a silver crescent painted on its black surface. The final piece was the helmet, which the man with the tall hat placed on Hamo’s head. Now, almost nothing could distinguish the General from the Queen’s guard. Only the intricate sword and shirt of mail. This was the war uniform of the Queen’s Guard. General Hamo picked up the shield and strode out of the room. His men followed. Their heavy footsteps echoed as they descended the spiral staircase into the torchlight.
A night blacker than ever before had descended up the Capital. General Hamo mingled into the formation of three hundred men. One hundred Bachi accompanied the procession. The teeth on their face covers was the only thing visible on their black uniforms. The Queen’s Guards iron veils created a shimmering mask. No one had a visible face in the small force. Outfitted with six large wagons, the troupe had enough provisions for a month of travel. The minimalist lifestyle of the Queen’s Guard was legendary. Their ability to travel long distances, over any terrain, and in the toughest conditions was also well known. Apart from the horse drawn wagons, each member of the force was also mounted. All the horses were black. In fact, Lord Milco joked that the horses had been painted black. He was not wrong. Each horse was branded with a crescent, under General Hamo’s orders. It was a terrifying sight. The rest of the Bachi had been left to the Bandit King who stood off hand. To watch the spectacle, many had come out from the tower. The whole area was covered in torches, excluding General Hamo’s force. The General was indistinguishable from the rest of his men. Along with this, only one commander of the force was visible and rode at the procession’s head. The commander wore the exact same uniform as the others. A horn blew from the keep and the stone door opened. Silently, the dark host trickled out of the Capital’s center. Lord Milco’s expression was sad. He had hop
ed the General would stay a little longer. Also, the decree worried him deep down into his soul. The resistance to this decree would be immense. The Kingdom would fall into decay most likely. So many would die needlessly. Already, the riders had been dispatched and the decree was being placed throughout the city. Lord Milco leaned his head against the wall and contemplated the future. If the army was not victorious, then all would be ruined.
***
Eleesa looked back at the family of Herbjarg. They all stood solemnly on the bank of the frozen river. A light breeze blew across the frozen water, and Eleesa was warmed by her fur cloak from the generous family. Diodo held a hand on Eleesa’s back and dared not look over his shoulder. Her pushed Eleesa forward as the left the safety of fire, the safety of friends, and the safety of Turvalt. Only the cold of the smoking mountains lay ahead. All sorts of danger awaited them up there. The giants that wore bear skin lurked under every cloud. Eleesa feared a mountain bear would appear from the caves that dotted the high peak. Diodo had decided that they would depart soon. Fortunately, Eleesa would get to see the House of Bjorg before departing. The House was a high wooden tower. It had been constructed at least two stories in height and made from oak. Inside, the head of a giant stone bear touched the ceiling. At it’s base, Diodo and Eleesa placed a couple fruits, fish, and goat meat. Three men clothed in grey cotton robes watched them. The men had no eyebrows, no body hair, and no facial hair. They wore bear skulls on their heads and fresh blood covered their clothes. Eleesa assumed these must be the mountain bear’s priests. Diodo walked up to the bear and hugged its giant foot. He laid his head against the bear’s claws and closed his eyes. Eleesa waited and watched Diodo for a few minutes. She waited, nervously, until one of the priests walked up to her and placed a hand in the center of her back. He gently nudged her forward to the bear’s other foot. Eleesa looked at Diodo and then copied him. Her legs soon ached from standing but she refused to leave until she heard Diodo do so. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and opened her eyes. Diodo’s face blinked back at her and he nodded. She sighed and realized tears were forming in her eyes. This place had a strange power. She could feel it. The priests had left and now was the hour for them to do the same.
Eleesa took one last look at the frozen lake and Turvalt before facing forward. The two companions climbed the near vertical icy cliff face. They used rope and sickles as climbing tools. The going was slow and very dangerous. Someone had attempted the climb before because guide lines dotted the cliff face. Diodo and Eleesa used the freshest they could find for the long climb. Eleesa looked over and noticed Marco there. She had not heard him approach and yet he was right next to her. He was not using a sickle, merely climbing with his arms and legs. She smiled at him and handed over her spare sickle.
“It seems we’ve had a follower all this time.” Diodo laughed as he looked over at the silent Marco. The young man gratefully accepted the sickle and his climbing speed improved. “Now, Eleesa, tell me. What do you think of this place?”
“It is very wild, Diodo. Perhaps, it is the wildness of this place that makes the people here so close.”
“Yes, everyone looks alike here. Your eyes do not yet know how to handle foreign sights. I caution you though. On the surface these people seem warm to travelers. Make no mistake, however, this land is just as violent as our own country. In fact, it may be more dangerous here. Jarl Herbjarg is a good man, but most of the people here are not. He holds a good wealth of power on this land, but times are changing. He and I are working to dethrone the current Seyking. If we are unsuccessful, you may return to face a very hostile country.”
“How will you manage to dethrone him? He is a very powerful ruler is he not?”
“Yes, child, he is. However, things are done quite differently here. There is an assembly that issues are brought before. Seykings are chosen by the people of the coast. They may decide to replace the Seyking should a valid argument be presented. Gutaca the Brown is a ruthless ruler. He will surely kill myself and Herbjarg. If he knows what we’re are planning, then it may be too late. It is possible we will return to die.” The small group reached the top of the cliff and climbed over it. “I know that I promised to continue on with you. You must understand the delicacy of this situation. Now that I have shown you how to climb you must continue. I must return with the Herbjarg family. Good luck, Eleesa. May Bjorg the Great Mountain Bear protect you.”
“I am guided by the One.” Eleesa hissed as Diodo turned back. The snow was wild, and he was soon lost in the white.
“It is all for the best Eleesa. Where we are going he cannot follow.” Marco squeezed Eleesa’s shoulder. She turned to face him with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Do not cry, your tears will turn to ice.” Marco smiled and squeezed Eleesa’s hand. Her heart filled with warmth as she turned into the billowing snow. “It seems autumn has come early this year. This is the path you have chosen Eleesa. Come, let us find your destiny.”
“How can I find my destiny if I starve?” Eleesa pleaded with Marco but he dragged her forward by the hand. They continued into the blizzard relentlessly.
***
Eleesa was unsure of how they had come upon a cave, but they had. She decided that Marco could see through the white snow. He must be a wizard of some sort. Perhaps, he was one of Bjorg’s many forms. She did not know, and they shivered together in the dark cave.
“Eleesa, find the life inside you.”
“What does that mean!” Eleesa was cold and frustrated by Marco’s riddles. Her shouting woke something, and a growl caught her ears. “Something else found this cave as well.”
“It is in you Eleesa. It always has been. You must find the life that the One has bestowed on you. It is our only hope, Eleesa. Believe and you will find it.”
“I am leaving this place. Stay if you want to be eaten.” Eleesa turned and headed out into the howling snow. She pushed her way through the snow that had piled in the cave’s entrance. She saw Marco on her heel as she began to ascend into the blind whiteness. A howl came up from behind and then a loud roar. She hurried as she climbed. Perhaps, the wolves and bear were fighting. How could anything live this far up the mountain? She pushed on and looked back. Marco had melted into the snow and she was alone. Gritting her teeth, Eleesa continued to climb until she reached a ledge. She followed the ledge to a plateau and she collapsed to her knees. Her bones were cold, and icicles had formed on her chin. A small shape seemed to form out of the snow. It couldn’t be too far ahead, and she couldn’t make out the shape. Eleesa was too cold to move and she shuffled on her knees towards the shape. It slowly took form into a bear. Freight and adrenaline filled her cold bones. She took the shield and axe from her back. Then, she removed the axe from between the leather straps and held it aloft. A mix of curiosity and desperate took hold. She had to see what the shadow was. Slowly, she moved towards the bear to find it was much smaller than she had expected. It was laying in the snow and breathing shallowly. The bear had grey fur and blood oozed from bites on its body. Eleesa poked the bear with the head of her axe but it did not stir. The bear must be unconscious from blood loss. The top of the bear came up to her face. She wondered how big it was on two legs. She circled around the bear. Suddenly, as a huge white bear came thundering out of the blowing snow, she realized her mistake.
“Find the life inside!” She heard the voice of Marco in her ear but only fear gripped her. In the mad state of desperation, Eleesa saw only one option. The mother bear charging her was easily taller than the hall of Turvalt. Surely, the mother would not harm her dying cub. Eleesa dove at the animal. She abandoned her shield and axe. Grunting, she maneuvered her much smaller body under the bear cub. She watched with wild eyes as the mother bear landed where Eleesa had just been. The bear’s enraged red eyes stared at her. Then, it let loose an awful roar that deafened Eleesa’s ears. She clung to the dying cub’s body and shut her eyes with all the strength in her body. She expected that any moment large teeth would bite down on
her shoulder. She waited and waited. Then, she felt the fur she was clutching twitch. The bear cub picked himself up and looked up at his mother. Eleesa, her eyes filled with shock and tears forming ice crystals, was held aloft in the air. She was desperately clutching the young bear’s fur. Eleesa opened her eyes and looked at the mother bear. Its paws dug into the icy ground and she paced in irritation. She was no longer growling or roaring. The bear only watched the miracle take shape before her eyes. Then, as the cub walked over to his mother, the giant white bear bolted and disappeared into the snow. Eleesa, drained of strength dropped from the bear’s body. He walked after his mother a few feet then turned to face Eleesa. She, afraid, found the last bit of strength she had and ran for her weapons. She turned to raise her shield, but the cub was already one her. Surely, this was the end. The young bear pinned Eleesa to the ground. She could barely utter a whimper. She turned her face to the side and grimaced as the bear’s nose came inches from her face. It was cold and wet. Hot breath from his powerful lungs blew her hair and the snow around it. He sniffed up and down her body. She clenched her eyes shut once more. The cub still had teeth and a jaw to crush her skull. She finally felt his teeth on her arm, but it was only a gentle nibble. She opened her eyes at the worst time. A long purple tongue unfolded from the bear’s mouth and covered her icy face in slobber. Uncontrollably, she laughed and squirmed under the slobbery attack. The bear cub only relented after her whole body was covered in slobber. Eleesa picked herself up as the young bear circled her. She picked up her weapons and slung them on her back. Hoping the mother would not return, Eleesa sat down and curled into a shivering ball. The bear cub tilted his head and nudged Eleesa with his nose. She didn’t respond. The bear gave up and took matters into his own hands. To her surprise, he lifted Eleesa easily into the air. The bear had sunk his long teeth into the hood on Eleesa’s fur cloak. She could not resist, nor could her feet touch the ground. She was at the bear’s mercy as he carried her off into the unrelenting snowfall.
The First Valkyrie Page 16