Ized- the Ancestors

by Esther Barvar

Balor shook his head angrily. »It is better to seek the priestess of the Brown than to seek the priestess of the Red, Mother.«

  »Balor, you know the priestesses are all dangerous. Both should, therefore, be treated with due respect. The Brown and the Red are beasts, and they serve the priestesses,« the woman warned the young man.

  »But mother, did the priestess of the Brown ever send Naga to the villages to kill people and destroy the harvests, just as the priestess of the Red does?« Balor’s voice now sounded reproachful. It didn’t suit him if his mother repeatedly portrayed both priestesses as dangerous. They were certainly powerful, but in Balor’s eyes, only the priestess of the Red was dangerous.

  »Watch your words, my son. The power of the priestesses makes both dangerous and unpredictable,« his father angered now.

  Adar listened to this conversation with growing astonishment.

  »Father, I have always heard how dangerous the priestesses are, but only a few weeks ago, the Brown saved us from destruction. Do you remember when they said that the Brown and his priestess no longer existed? She saved us even though she seemed to be absent for years. We didn’t even have to leave the village. The priestess was so strong. She managed to push all the Naga back from our town. If the stranger wants to go to Taishan, I can lead him there. I will lead him there,« the young man angrily complained.

  Balor seemed quite determined to help him. His father, however, reduced the young man’s zeal.

  »That is not for us to decide, my son, and you know it. The head of the village will comment tomorrow. It is he who makes all the crucial decisions. And whether someone is allowed to leave the fields to lead Adar is such a decision. After all, working in the fields doesn’t happen by itself. But as long as he wants it, this man is our guest. He must first regain his strength. Now let us eat. My name is Kane, and this is my wife, Ninlil. You have just met my hotheaded son Balor. My daughter is called Tailtu, and this is our pretty daughter-in-law Sao. Please join us at the table and eat with us.«

  While he introduced Adar to the family, the others had set the table together. Now Kane lifted the heavy pot onto the table. Ninlil took the finished bread from the stone, put another piece of dough on it, and brought the warm pancake over to the table. There were already several on top of each other on a large wooden board.

  Adar rose laboriously and wobbly.

  »Wait, I’ll help you!« Balor hurried beside him and supported him. Gently he led Adar to one of the stools and helped him to sit down.

  »Thank you, Balor. You are very kind.«

  He nodded happily and sat down opposite him. He still looked at the stranger with blatant curiosity. Ninlil filled the fragrant soup into bowls and distributed them.

  Kane broke the bread into pieces. He gave everyone a piece of it.

  Adar lifted the first spoon to his brittle lips. The salt of the soup burned a little, but it tasted good and was healthy. He felt a great hunger. With every spoon he ate, he noticed how the spirits of life in him were strengthening again.

  While they were still eating, a yell could be heard. All the inhabitants of the house turned pale, dropped their spoons.

  »The Naga! Hurry ladies, run over into the forest.«

  Everyone jumped up from their seats. Sao hurried to the baby who had fallen asleep on the straw, took it up, and pressed it close to her body. The men opened the door and carefully peered out. Adar rose and slowly followed the men, watching how far away the Naga were. He still felt weak, but in the event of a fight, he would support his hosts.

  »Hurry up, wife. They are still far away. Run into the forest and get to safety. You know, the deeper you go, the less the Naga will be able to follow you.«

  Balor and Kane stepped in front of the house. People came from all the houses. While the women and children hurried to the nearby forest, the men armed themselves with everything they had. Usually, they were only long sickles. There were a few spears and even fewer rusty sabers. Adar held Balor back by his arm as he tried to cross over to the men, also armed with a sickle.

  »Where are my things, the horses and the weapon bag?« he asked the young man.

  He pointed his hand to a simple building, which had only one large gate and stood directly opposite, on the other side of the road.

  »There in the community stable, I have accommodated your horses. Your luggage is stored right next to the animals.«

  Adar ran the few meters to the building and quickly found the oblong weapon bag. He opened it and took out the baton stick, the quiver with the arrows, the bow, and his saber. The saber was attached to the belt in a few easy steps. He freed the blades of the battlestick from the leather cases. He hung the quiver with the arrows diagonally over his shoulder. With a single grip, he could pull arrows out of the quiver. Then he pulled up the string. The bow in the right and the baton staff in the left hand, he threw a cautious look from the gate of the barn.

  The men were all in the middle of the street, staring in the direction from which the naga came. They stood far too close to defend themselves effectively, forming an easy target. The way they waited for them, they only obstructed each other, should it come to a fight. None of them seemed to know how to fight.

  These Naga, as Kane called them, were not far away, and they quickly approached. Adar ran over to the men.

  »You mustn’t stand that close together, further apart,« he shouted to them.

  Then he already passed them. He needed more space to fight, so he hurried towards the flying snakes. When he was far enough away, he dropped the baton, took an arrow out of the quiver, stretched the bow, aimed, and shot. The first Naga fell to the ground, hit it, deflagrated in a small column of smoke. The second arrow buzzed through the air just moments later. It hit its target and making the second Naga disappear as well. Then Adar threw the bow and the quiver to the ground, grabbed the battlestick with one hand. A fireball formed in the other at the same time. He hurled this fire spell towards the snakes. One of them burned, the next one he could destroy a few moments later with the baton.

  The last Naga, however, passed him at the same moment. He attacked the farmers, who, with their old weapons and field devices, kept the vast winged snake away from their bodies. Adar dropped the baton, ran after the monster, and pulled the saber.

  When the Naga stopped in front of the farmers, he jumped on the back with a huge sentence. With one blow, he decapitated the strange creature. While the body hit the ground and the impact stirred up dust and small stones, he jumped from the dying animal’s back and rolled off the ground.

  Also, the remains of the last Naga dissolved in a small column of smoke. Adar looked around, panting. The fight had been short and violent, had demanded much from his exhausted body. Fortunately, no inhabitant of the village had been wounded.

  The farmers stood on the street, staring at him. There was an astonishment, but also horror in their eyes. Never before had they seen a man fight like that. What was it for a man who was not afraid of the Naga and could hunt them down within seconds? Then they burst into rejoicing. A man approached him and spoke to him in a foreign language.

  »He understands only the old language, Jabal, the language of the priests,« Balor shouted to the man. He nodded understandingly and now spoke Adar’s language as well: »Take my thanks, stranger. I am Jabal, the head of the village. You have just saved us from destruction. Be my guest today«. He bowed before him.

  Adar didn’t know why, but this man caused unpleasant feelings in him. He did not seem honestly pleased about the rescue of the village. He seemed rather angry about the way Adar had acted.

  »I thank you, but I don’t want to be a burden on Kane and his family, or you and your family. If I can stay there in the stable, with my horses, I am very grateful for your hospitality«.

  Adar politely bowed his head without losing sight of the man. Even though this Jabal might be the head of the village, Kane had been more cordial. Adar had felt comfortable with him. Jabal had something in his eyes that trigg
ered an alarm in Adar.

  Because Adar didn’t want to get Kane into trouble, he had decided for the stable within a few moments. The leader seemed to be the most powerful person in the village, and Adar hoped not to offend him with this decision.

  »If you wish, so be it,« he replied, and Adar noticed a twitch in the corners of the head’s mouth. But he didn’t know if it was a smile or suppressed anger. At least it made a cold shiver trickle down his back.

  »You’re a good fighter,« the warden continued. »What brought you to our land? Is there anything we can do to show you our gratitude,« Jabal wanted to know from him.

  Since he was the leader, Adar had to tell him. Kane had explained that the leader was the one who would make the decision.

  »You could help me, Chief Jabal. I’m looking for a specific person, the priestess Maioshan.«

  All the men who heard his wish came together and stared fearfully at him. How could anyone have volunteered to visit the priestesses? The leader had also gone together.

  These people had a very light skin color by nature. Almost porcelain colors, like Maioshan. Now they all looked unnaturally pale.

  »You’re looking for one of these priestesses?«

  »No, not one. Only the priestess named Maioshan.« Adar looked from one to the other. »Can you tell me in which direction I must go to find her?«

  Jabal pointed north without hesitation. »She lives in Taishan Fortress, north of here. But today it’s already very late. I heard you crossed the rock plateau. You and your animals desperately need rest. Tomorrow someone from the village will lead you there.«

  »Chief, we’ve just had dinner. Do you also want to come and dine with us?« Kane asked now.

  Again the strange smile scurried over Jabal’s face. »No, but I invite you and your guest into my house for breakfast.«

  Then he waved some men to him, spoke to them. After that, they hurried into the forest. The danger was over. They brought back the women and children. Then they all went back to their houses. Many excitedly exchanged a few sentences with each other.

  Balor had turned to the weapons, which Adar had dropped to the ground, and brought them to the warrior. He handed them to Adar, who carried them back to the stable. Balor followed him. He watched with interest as Adar cleaned the weapons, secured them, and put them back in the weapon bag.

  »You are an excellent fighter. But how did you do that with the fire? Your hand is not burned at all.« Balor pointed to the hand.

  »I woven a fire spell, Balor.«

  »Fire spell? What is that, a fire spell?« he wanted to experience curiously.

  »I am a magician, a warrior. I was trained over several years to master magic and to fight effectively.«

  Balor opened his eyes wide. »Ah, magic, warrior,« he was astonished. »But how do you met the priestess Maioshan? You said you came from another country.«

  »It’s a long story, Balor.« Adar nodded thoughtfully. »A very long story. But before I tell you, please tell me first why everyone is so afraid of the priestesses. First, I had to find out how everyone in your family was scared when I mentioned the name Maioshan and then the men of the village. They were equally stunned. Only you seem to have a different attitude towards the priestesses.«

  Balor snorted reluctantly. »I try to see it differentiated. I can’t tell you why everyone is afraid of the priestess Maioshan, because I don’t understand. Yes, she has as much power as the priestess of the Red, but she helps us wherever she can. The priestess of the Red and the Red itself killing people with the help of the Naga for thousands of years and making the land barren. Our king is entirely under the influence of the priestess. The priestess of the Brown, however, tries to save the people, to help us, but she cannot be everywhere. Therefore, the Red kills again and again.«

  Adar didn’t understand Balor. »Who or what are the Brown and the Red?«

  »These are the dragons of the priestesses. Each priestess has her dragon, and they are incredibly powerful. They are magical beings«.

  »Dragons?« Adar asked, astonished.

  Maioshan owned a dragon? Where had he been all these years when she had been in Ized?

  »Yes, the Brown and his priestess are only a few weeks back in the land. It was tranquil for about five, maybe six years. There were no more attacks by the Red and so the Brown was not needed either. These were long and good years. But then the plague began again. The last half-year was the worst thing that could happen to us. The Red raged so much, destroyed so much. Unfortunately, the Brown did not come. He was not here to help the people. But since the priestess Maioshan is back, there is also the Brown and fewer people die.«

  Adar frowned, breathed deeply. He had turned pale. For about half a year, there had been fires in Ized, which only stopped when Maioshan had left.

  Balor noticed his dismay. »Adar, what about you? You really seem to know the priestess better. How did you know her?«

  Adar closed his eyes. Memories flooded him. The pictures of the wounded young woman at the source slowly began to make sense. Could it be that the red dragon had wounded Maioshan so badly? Balor seemed to be honest. Should he trust him? What happened if it was abused and the Red learned of him? Maioshan had warned him in a dream. Adar decided to do so. He needed an ally, and Balor seemed to be the right person.

  »I thought I knew her. But today I have learned more about her than in the almost six years she lived with me. Please remain silent about what I am telling you now, Balor, since I cannot estimate who I can still trust here in the village and who I cannot. I don’t know if it could harm her.«

  Balor shrugged his shoulders and nodded. »By the Holy Silver Cup, no one will hear a word from me if it would harm the priestess. Without her, the people here would not live much longer. But you can trust my family. Even if my parents show fear, they know who of the priestesses is fighting for them.«

  »It is not quite six years, yet that Maioshan is my wife. I have to go to her,« Adar explained quietly.

  Balor inhaled hissing and now became pale. »What? you … you are married to her, to the priestess?« he whispered reverently with big eyes. »And you are still alive? But you yourselves are not a priest. You have no golden eyes. I have never heard that one of the priestesses was married.«

  Adar nodded. »Yes, we are married. I have no idea what it means to be a priestess. She told me then that she was a priestess, but I didn’t know anymore. I did not know who she was. I only know how much I love her. She was mortally wounded when she came to our country about six years ago. I loved her the moment I saw her.«

  Balor grasped quickly. »It’s better if Jabal doesn’t find out. You cannot trust him under any circumstances. If you are invited to breakfast with him, then none of it should come over your lips. He is entirely and blindly devoted to the priestess of the Red without considering how she harms people. If he knew, he would lure the Priestess of the Brown into a trap with you.« He spoke very quietly as if he was afraid that someone could listen. He looked around uncertainly. »We must go back to dinner, Lord.«

  Adar agreed and nodded. Balor seemed to be an ally. Both returned to Kane’s house. It had become dark in the meantime. The women were already sleeping on the straw bed.

  »What did you two do, my son, the food is almost cold?« he asked him with a slightly reproachful undertone.

  Balor also answered him quietly so as not to wake anyone up. »Oh, father, there are such exciting weapons. Adar showed me his and cleaned the weapons with which he killed the Naga. That stopped us. We just forgot about time.«

  Kane nodded understandingly. Balor and Adar sat down at the table and ate the soup, which was almost cold. Adar didn’t care. It tasted so good. Only the bread on the stone was burned during the attack. Kane threw the charred remains into the fire.

  When they were satisfied, Adar rose to go to the stable and sleep.

  »I beg you, sleep here on the clean straw.«

  Kane took the invitation seriously, Adar felt the friend
liness in his voice. But he shook his head gratefully. »I don’t want to embarrass you, because I told your leader I was satisfied with the stable. I will sleep well on the straw there. Thank you for your hospitality, Kane. Goodnight to you all«.

  »Goodnight, Lord,« Balor said.

  »Goodnight, Adar,« Kane wished him, too. Adar bowed and left the house.

  »An honorable man and what a fighter, this Adar,« Kane quietly thought.

  Balor hissed reluctantly and then spoke just as quietly. »Hopefully, the leader will see that just as you do. You know how devoted he is to the priestess of the Red. He believes that if we always do everything to her satisfaction, the Red will spare our village. But I don’t see it that way. Why did the Nagas come today?«

  »Maybe they were after the stranger, we know?« Kane shrugged his shoulders acceptingly.

  »Father, have you gone blind? Our village is the closest to the rocky plain. Grandfather told us that the Red always destroys the towns on the rocky plateau and thus enlarges the plain. Now our village is in danger. And what happened today is a miracle. All of us would not be alive if this one man were not here. It doesn’t matter why they came, whether because of him or because of our village. The five Naga would have raged among us. Our women and children would also be dead. He is an excellent fighter to whom we owe our lives. If only we could fight like that.«

  Kane went through his hair. »I see it just as you do, Balor, it is true what you say. But what should we do? Jabal is the leader. He decides, and we have to bow to his command.«

  Balor pondered before himself. He had an idea, but I guess he wasn’t on the ball. But under these circumstances, one had to go to the priestess of the Brown. Who knew what Jabal would cook up.

  »I’m afraid of something,« he confessed to his father. »No, I am almost convinced of it. He will inform the Red and his priestess. The Red wants to kill all magicians, and Jabal hopes that if he hands over this magician to the Red, he will spare our village. But I suspect bad things for all of us. He makes the Red aware of us. Leave me your horse, so I can ride to Taishan and ask the priestess for help.«