We walked up to a large open door of the building. The structure was lined with verandas. The building was made of bricks, the lower level covered with white plaster. There were square towers at each corner. Broad platforms lined the walls. I later learned that the people sometimes slept outside on the veranda to escape the heat.
The men filed inside. I followed them through the doors. The room inside was large, with low platforms along the walls. There were bright frescos on the walls. Some of them were hunting scenes, with some showing hunters slaying large striped creatures with wicked looking beaks.
The room we entered was full of people, all dressed in tunics. The people in the room exchanged greetings with the riders. The men gave their packs to some girls standing by the door. I took off my belt and pack, and also gave them to the women.
Two new girls with long dark hair came into the room. One of them gave me a small bowl filled with water, and smiled. She wore a short tunic, tied at the waist. The girls had dark, short hair, and dark eyes. Their eyes were almost black.
The bowl the girl gave me was white in color, with a light blue geometric design. It was a graceful piece, with lovely angular shapes set in rows.
A man with a white beard entered the room. I later learned that he was the eldest of four brothers, and that most of the men of the compound were related to them. His name was Hantars. He looked at me with surprise, and had an exchange with the men from the desert.
Hantars walked up to me, bowed, and smiled. He pointed to the girls, and said a few words to them. One of the girls took my hand, and led me to a door. The other girl followed. I later decided that the women were slaves, or bondswomen, of some sort.
I followed the girl out another door, and into a garden surrounded by a long wall. The garden was filled with fruit trees, and vines bearing grapes. I followed her along a portico running along the side of the structure. She stopped at an entryway opening into a large room. There was a door in the rear, opening into a garden. There was a small pool near the door, with a fountain. The water cascaded down from a spout into the pool below.
One of the girls pointed at herself, smiled and said “Chan.” She pointed at the other girl and said “Tiya.” The girl called Tiya had brought my gear. She placed it inside the room, near the entrance. Tiya began to pull at my jacket. She seemed to be puzzled by zippers. I took off my jacket and shirt. Chan tugged at my pants. I took them off, and she led me to the pool. She took a basin and dipped it into the water.
She poured it over my head. The girls began to scrub my body with a rough soap power. They poured more water over me with pails. They then pushed me into the pool. The girls removed their tunics and joined me. They chattered, and splashed me with water, giggling. Then, they rubbed my shoulders and back. Their hands were strong, and they used pressure to ease soreness.
After the bath, they gave me a cloth to dry with, then a robe to wear. They put their tunics back on and led me into the room. The girls gestured to a mat in one corner.
I found my gear and revolver by the door, where the girls had placed them. I turned off my radio. It would be of no use here; no one would hear. Anyone looking for me would only chase mirages in the desert.
The girls fanned me, and gave me a bowl of sweet-tasting wine. The room began to grow dark with fall of night. A strong breeze blew through the open door. The trees swayed in the wind.
I stepped onto the veranda and looked at the sky, which was clear, and filled with stars. There were two moons in the strange sky. Later I would see two more, smaller moons. One of the small moons was oblong, rather than round. The moons were all present in the sky at times. There were also two narrow rings in the sky. The heavens were a finer show than the one at home, with a single moon.
I was very far from home, indeed. I could only make the best of it all. As I stood on the veranda, I heard the sound of a bird.
Whoooo!
Whoooooo!
From my right, I heard the beating of wings. I turned, and saw a large white bird, flying towards me. I stepped back, as the bird flew by, and disappeared into the night.
Whooooo!
Whooo!
I turned, and entered my room. The girls looked fearful, and peeked out the door. They seemed to have been unnerved by the call of the white bird. They returned to me and led me back to the sleeping platform.
The girls took off their tunics once more and helped me out of my robe. One of the girls touched my hair and smiled. She held her dark arm against mine, and giggled. She lay back against the cushions, and placed my hand on her dark triangle.
* * *
In the first few weeks of my adventure in my new world, I learned the language of the city. Much of my time was spent by the fountain, learning new words with Chan and Tiya. One corner of the garden was covered by sand. Chan drew a map in the sand for me. Their city was in a broad plain: to the east was the sea, with a number of large towns and cities. To the west was a chain of mountains, and a wasteland with few inhabitants.
I was told that the mountains held the abode of the gods. Moreover, I was told this world was ruled by the Immortal Astarte. She was a divine queen, and ruler of many realms.
My days over the next few weeks were passed with language practice. The people were pleased by my interest in their speech. A few weeks after I had been welcomed into the compound, Sarya and the others began to talk quietly among themselves after the morning meal. I could make out the words for weapons and the hills. The word “gazen” was repeated.
Sarya came up to me at the end of the discussion. He pointed to the murals showing the strange beasts with a hooked beak. “Gazen,” he explained. He smiled, and touched my arm. I followed him out of the room. We entered a set of large double doors. The doors led to a room filled with bows, spears, and other arms. Sarya gave me a coat of mail, a bow and a helmet. I was also given a small round shield, a spear, and other gear.
He smiled at me, and said the word, "Warrior.”
* * *
I woke early the next morning to a noise outside in the courtyard. Tiya and the other woman exchanged excited glances. The girls helped me to bathe and dress.
Tiya gave me my sword belt, and helped me to arm myself. Then they led me to the courtyard. It was filled with armed men, preparing their mounts and packs.
Sarya led a saddled animal to me, and gave me the reins. He smiled and said a few words to me. I could make out the word “gazen.” We mounted our steeds, and rode out of the city, making our way toward a range of hills in the distance.
Sarya was accompanied by six men from the compound. Two of the men each led a pack mount. The riders were cheerful and at ease. As we rode, the hills became steep with deep ravines. We followed a trail into a broad valley. We made camp for the night when the sun set. We ate travel rations of dried fruit and cakes of bread, and drank wine mixed with water.
The air was cool at night. The elevation gave a chill to the air. I wrapped myself in a rough blanket, and used my saddle for a pillow. In the morning, we ate a handful of dried fruit and drank more wine mixed with water.
After our meal, we rode towards tall cliffs at one end of the valley. We dismounted as the way became steeper, and led our horses. We reached the base of the cliffs before noon. We left the saddle animals with one of our party.
Sarya grew silent as we reached the top of the ravine. I heard a rock slide loose from above and fall down the side of the ravine. The men began to fan out.
A sharp cry, like that of a bird, rang out. A dark shape darted out from amongst the stunted trees in the ravine. Sarya jumped into the path of the creature and thrust at the beast with his short spear. Two of the men moved forward to his aid with their spears.
Another cry sounded, this time from the rear. I turned, and saw a dark shape coming through the trees toward me. I jabbed at it with my spear. The creature reared up and swatted at the spear. It was much larger than a man, with an evil beak ending in a sharp curve. I remembered the mural back in the city.<
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Sarya appeared at my side. He jabbed at the creature with his spear. Another man cast his spear at the beast. The creature toppled over, with a cry of pain. I heard a cry from one of our party. I turned, and saw yet another of the creatures.
I pulled my sword, and rushed to the side of the animal. I thrust my sword deep into its midsection. The creature reared up, and turned on me. The beast gave a loud cry. It was large, even for its kind. Suddenly, an arrow appeared in its throat.
Another arrow hit the animal in its chest. The animal reared up once more, and roared. One of the men, Thanya, leaped forward, and drove his sword into its abdomen. I cut into its side once more with my blade. The animal roared its pain.
The animal suddenly lunged at me and clawed at my face and shoulder. I stabbed at it with my sword. It gave a final roar, and fell backwards.
My face was bleeding, soaking my tunic. One of the men led me to a stone, where I could sit down. He left and returned with a water skin, rinsing off my face. I still bear the scars on my face and shoulder to this day. After we were able to stop the bleeding we inspected the dead animals.
“Gazen,” Sarya prodded at the still form with his bloody sword. We spent the next hour skinning the creatures, and building a fire to roast the meat.
The meat had a salty flavor. We also had loaves of bread Sarya had saved for the feast. After the meal, Sarya pointed up the ravine. We walked a short distance, and came to the entrance of a cave. We entered it carefully, it was large and the floor was covered with dried leaves and grass.
A large stack of boulders covered part of one side. Bones, fragments of cloth, a discolored sword, a helmet and a coat of mail rested among the stones. The bones had been cracked, to reach the marrow. The creatures had collected trophies.
We dug a trench in the ravine, and buried the bones and sword. We placed a stone cairn over the trench. Sarya tossed a burning firebrand into the dried grass. Smoke began to pour from the cave mouth. The odor of smoke followed us down the ravine.
We returned the next day to the City of the Mirage. The skins of the animals were cleaned and dried. One of the heads of the beasts was placed on a post by the entrance to the courtyard. The beak of the great beast looked ominous. Later, the women used the pelts to make a cape for me.
The people passing in the street often stopped and commented on the trophy. Men coming from the household were drawn into conversation, and related the details of the hunt.
I walked out into the street one day with Sarya to find a small crowd gathered by the gate. We were greeted by a cheer from the people, with swords and staves raised high in the air. One of them pointed to the pelt of one of the creatures, on display on a frame near the main gate.
Sarya smiled, touched my shoulder and said a few words to the people. I could make out the word "warrior!" The people were eager to hear the tale of the hunt. My own role was magnified by Sarya, and that of my comrades almost forgot in time, in spite of my efforts to give them credit.
My scars became the subject of great interest as time went on. The women in particular came to admire the marks on my face. Scars seem to elicit an atavistic response from women. Arms and armor have a similar effect.
This was my baptism by blood by the world of the Mirage. I, who came to be called the Conqueror, was to earn renown for my cloak of the skins we had taken. I was also to be known for the scars on my cheek and chest.
* * * *
Myths of Astarte
Two
As you have commanded, gentle Queen, I have written this account of my first days in your realm. If all is seen by you to be fit and proper, it will be recorded in the annals of the empire.
Long life and victory to Astarte, the Immortal!
* * * *
On the hour of battle, form the shield wall. Arm the warriors with heavy javelins, that they may cast them into the enemy lines at close quarters. Then move forward with the sword while their ranks are still in disorder from the volley of your javelins.
Arm your men with short swords. Short swords are able to punch through light mail, stabbing weapons. The issue of the day will be decided by the sword.
Tactics, The Conqueror, p.124.
* * *
“Awake, master!" the girl said, squeezing my arm.
Out in the courtyard, I could hear shouts. I looked out the doorway to see people rushing about. Chan, one of my slave women, ran outside for a few moments. She returned with a grim look, and took my sword belt from a peg on the wall.
The girls helped me to bathe and don my tunic. They then helped me to arm myself. I donned my leather jerkin, and picked up my helmet. The noise outside was growing.
“They are calling out the clans,” I said to myself. I had been given hospitality by Sarya a few weeks before. He had saved my life as I wandered in the desert of this alien world.
I buckled my sword belt around my waist, and took up a short spear. I placed my helmet on my head, pulled back to expose my face. Chan led me to the compound's gate where the men of the clan were gathered. They were all armed. Sarya spoke a few words to the warriors. The men wore grim expressions, exchanging a few words with each other.
One of the men turned to me and muttered, “Janin.” Sarya climbed onto the saddle of his steed. I was offered a mount as well. Sarya placed his helmet on and raised his spear high above his head. The men raised a shout. The women gathered near the gate gave a long, shrill ululation, as a cheer might be raised.
Our clan chief turned, and rode forward. We all followed him through the gate of the compound. Most of the men were on foot. On the street, I could see other companies of men moving toward the gate of the wall surrounding the city. We followed our chief down the street until we came to the city wall. The broad gate was open and the men streamed through. Their capes were bright in color and their weapons caught the rays of the morning sun. We trotted out the city gate, and into a wide meadow outside. We took position at the end of the line of men, formed by the clans gathered around their leaders.
In the distance, I could see our foe, a line of men drawing near, at a trot.
A group of men, commanders of the Royal Guard of the queen of the city, approached us. They spoke a few words to Sarya. He saluted them with his sword. The officers rushed on to the next clan. From the distance, a shout rang out. This was followed by a chorus of cries. The plain outside the gate began to fill with the raiders I had seen.
The raiders carried wicker shields, but wore no armor. They wore only loincloths. They carried spears. Some of them were armed with bows. A few of them were mounted. They rode bareback, with no saddles. They had only blankets covering the backs of their horned mounts.
The raiders paused at the edge of the forest, while their ranks filled with men coming out from among the dunes. Their high whoops and cries filled the early morning air.
A number of the enemy warriors stepped forward from their line, stopping midway in the space between our lines. They raised their spears in challenge, shouting defiantly.
Some of our own men stepped forward to meet their champions. The men warily paired off with their foe, first exchanging challenges then casting spears and axes at each other. One by one the men began to fall. As men fell, their comrades rushed forward to pull the wounded and dead back to the lines. New champions stepped forward to replace the fallen. Sarya was one of those who joined the combat, to the cheers of the clan. He dismounted, and moved forward, his eyes fixed on one of the waiting enemy.
Surya traded blows with his foe, neither having the advantage. He rushed his man, raining down blows. The enemy warrior was forced back, becoming unbalanced.
Sarya saw his advantage and came up under his guard. The man fell, grasping his wounded shoulder. Surya stepped back a pace, and watched as two enemy tribesmen dashed out to succor the downed man.
One of the men helped the wounded man to his feet, while the other covered the pair with his shield. The three slowly retreated back to their line. Sarya saluted the three b
rave men with his sword.
As Sarya watched the rescue, another man came at him on the run. The enemy warrior had already brought down two of our men. He was very tall, and powerfully built. He may well have been the best man on the field that day, save one.
He was armed with a war axe and wicker shield. He wore a broad grin on his face, fixing Sarya with a piercing stare.
Surya called out a battle cry, and advanced on the man. The men closed in, sword against war axe. They were evenly matched, and neither had an advantage.
Suddenly, Sarya cried out, and drew back. We could see that his arm had been struck by an arrow. We could see the archer – the vile coward - standing to the side. He slipped quickly back into the enemy line.
Apis, the Baboon God: Three Histories of the Dark Empire (The High Strangeness Erotica series Book 14) Page 3