by M. M. Perry
“For,” Callan asked his, face going white, “for a sacrifice?”
“No, you idiot,” Inez said snickering, “well, not the kind of sacrifice you have in mind. He’ll certainly be giving something up, though it won’t be his life. The virgin is to lie with one of the older enchanters and get them with child.
“As enchanters mature into women, they lose their magic. An enchanter’s first duty is always to the magic. When younger, by invoking it. When older, by bearing as many children as possible in the hopes that some will be born with the gift, to perpetuate the lineage. But what they really hope for is a chance to couple with a virgin,” Inez pointed at Nat, “because they believe that doing so will ensure bearing a girl with the gift.”
“Oh…” Callan said looking at Nat, “Oh, I see. Well then, I guess we should thank you boy, for the uh… sacrifice just doesn’t seem the right word now does it?”
“You’d be surprised,” Cass said coming up to them. “Come now everyone, they’ve prepared a feast for us. It would be rude to keep them waiting.”
The round table they were seated at was enormous. The size alone would have made it remarkable—several dozen people were already sitting at it, with room for more—but it was the large crystal that it was constructed around that held Nat’s attention. It reached up towards the sky, easily several times Nat’s height. Some facets shone like a beacon bathed in sunlight, while others glowed faintly blue, casting a soft glow over all the diners. Nat wondered if the village got its name because of this crystal.
Everyone except for Nat was enjoying the feast the village had so quickly set out for them; even Callan had found nothing to complain about. They were being treated to the finest meats the people of the village could supply; vegetables and roots, all fresh, and fruits drizzled in sweet syrups.
Cass set to explaining their need to get to the temple of Oshia, and recounting their travels so far. Everyone worked happily through the several course long meal except Nat, who found himself stealing covert glances at the enchanters around the table instead of eating. He couldn’t stop trying to guess which of them he would be spending the night with. He tried to fight off the feeling of butterflies in his stomach so he could eat something before anyone noticed that he wasn’t. He forced himself to look away from the enchanters and slowly picked at his plate, pretending to listen to Cass.
By the time Cass was done everyone had finished eating except for Gunnarr, who was working through a fifth course by himself. As soon as Cass stopped talking, the table immediately broke out into loud, overlapping voices. After several minutes of cacophony, the discussions wound down and the table slowly returned to a relative quiet.
The village elder stood, and the few remaining pockets of conversation fell immediately silent.
“We have a few volunteers who wish to travel with you, but one that is quite insistent. I have agreed to let her offer you her assistance. Viola, please come forward,” the elder gestured to the far end of the table.
The group of adventurers all craned their necks to see. As a young woman came forward, Callan let out a barely audible sigh. She was certainly no child, rather a girl on the cusp of womanhood. She was a slight thing, just over five foot four. Her features were delicate, her skin pale and her eyes a vivid green that nearly matched her enchanter’s garb. Her hair was dark red and cut short in a style more reminiscent of a boy than a girl, but there was no mistaking her for a boy or a child as she approached. Though she was clearly young, Nat guessed she might be eighteen at most, her body was a woman’s, not a girl’s, and her garment left little to the imagination.
“Isn’t she a bit…old,” Callan whispered to Cass.
Cass ignored the king, standing to greet Viola as she came closer. Viola smiled shyly up at Cass.
“I know she may seem old,” the elder said, which made Callan wonder if he’d overheard him, “but Viola is the most gifted enchanter anyone has ever seen. Though her magic has faded somewhat over the years, she still possesses more than an ample control over it, more than many girls half her age. Yet she knows she must soon set aside her robes, and has asked to join you for one last quest before she does. I encourage you to consider her carefully. She will do well by you, that I can guarantee. The journey you propose is dangerous, and no enchanter in the village has faced and overcome more dangerous situations than Viola. You would do well to benefit from her experience.”
“Well,” Cass looked at Viola and smiled brightly, “you’ve certainly made a strong case for her. But the path to the Temple of Oshia… you know what that will require. I would not want to be stranded at Coterman’s Pass if her magic should fade completely before we arrive. I’m sure you can understand my hesitation at accepting an enchanter so close to maturity.”
The elder nodded and gestured at Viola to go back to her seat.
“Of course, that is completely understandable,” he said.
“Luta, will you come forward?” he signaled another girl, before turning back to Cass. “I think you will be happy with Luta. She is only ten yet she possesses a maturity rare for one her age.”
Viola’s smile faltered as Cass turned her attention to the enchanter who was now making her way to the head of the table. She grabbed Cass’s hand and bowed. Cass turned back to Viola, her brow furrowed.
“Please,” Viola begged, her voice low so only Cass could hear, “I… have been promised in marriage. I’m not ready for that yet, to be set to brooding. I swear to you, I can do this.”
Cass opened her mouth, intending to let the young woman down easily, but then she saw Viola’s eyes. Although they were desperate, Cass could see determination in them as well. She turned to the village elder and spoke up.
“That won’t be necessary,” Cass said, “I’ve changed my mind. Viola will be a welcome addition to our group.”
The elder looked shocked. Callan started to speak up, but Gunnarr placed a hand firmly on his arm and squeezed. Callan clamped his mouth shut begrudgingly.
“Well then, that seems to be settled. On to the other matter, if you’re ready,” the elder said.
“We’re ready,” Cass
“Nala, come forward,” the elder called out.
Everyone but Cass looked at the woman getting to her feet. Cass was looking at Viola.
“Thank you. I won’t let you down. I swear on my life, I won’t let you down,” Viola said, tears in her eyes.
Cass smiled, “Welcome to our little adventure, Viola.”
As the villagers made room for Viola next to the party, Cass went over to Nat and tapped him on the shoulder, indicating he should stand. Nat stood, waiting with Cass as the village elder approached with a woman, this one a few years older than Viola, at his side.
“This is Nala. She has two children, neither who so far have shown any sign of the gift. It is our hope that you will change that luck,” the elder said.
Nat looked at Nala and as soon as he met her eyes his cheeks turned red. Her shiny brown hair was braided intricately around her head. Her skin was lightly tanned and her eyes were toffee colored. When she smiled at him, Nat felt a little dizzy.
Nat turned to Gunnarr, who nodded reassuringly to him. He turned back toward Nala and smiled in return.
“I’m Nat,” he said quietly.
Nala grinned and took his hand. Music started up, Nat was too dazed to tell from where, and several villagers shouted and whistled while the rest started clapping in rhythm to the music. The enchanters got up from the table and hurried into two lines, making a tunnel with their arms for Nala and Nat to walk under. He stumbled a little as Nala pulled him along, laughing. They had to duck quite low at the beginning of the tunnel, as the enchanters there were very young, standing on their tip toes to make their arching hands as high as possible to accommodate the pair. At the end of the tunnel they stopped abruptly, confronted by a man and two very young boys.
The man smiled at Nat as he took his hand.
“Thank you for honoring us with this gift.
Many blessings upon you,” he said.
Nat looked down at the boys, both who had the same toffee colored eyes as Nala, and blushed even deeper as he realized that this was her family, her children and husband. From the other end of the tunnel of enchanters, Cass, Gunnarr, Inez and Callan watched the ceremony.
“Well, that must be… awkward,” Callan said watching Nala’s husband enthusiastically thank Nat.
“Not for these people,” Cass said, “for her to be chosen from all the retired enchanters in the village is a great honor. If she bears an enchanter, it is considered a blessing on the entire family from Asalla herself.”
The music in the center of town became livelier as Nala’s husband led Nat and Nala to one of the huts. He held one of their hands in each of his own, and their children giggled and capered as they followed behind the unlikely trio. Villagers began to get up from the table to dance around the square. The small group of adventurers found themselves on the outskirts of the dance, watching the festivities.
“Do you dance?” Callan asked Cass as he watched the people twirl around the center of town.
“Are you asking me to dance, your highness,” Cass teased.
“No! Of course not,” Callan said looking at Cass as if she were crazy, “This music is hardly dancing music in any case. It’s far too chaotic. Just listen to it, all those recorders, and the lute is being played all wrong. And look at how they jump about… I’d hardly even call that dancing.”
Cass and Gunnarr laughed. Callan scowled at them.
“I just wondered if you did, dance that is. If you did, I thought you’d be out there with them, tossing yourself about like a fool by now. This does strike me as your kind of scene,” Callan said brushing some invisible lint off of his sleeve.
“Well,” Cass began. She leaned against a pole that had a bright lantern hung from it, which cast some odd shadows across her face. “Warriors don’t really dance… we kind of stomp about. This music, while enjoyable, isn’t really good stomping music. We would need something a little more…”
“Bawdy,” Gunnarr suggested.
“Yes,” Cass said smiling, “That’s it. The next tavern we stop by, if they have anyone playing there, I’m sure you’ll get ample opportunity to see me make an ass of myself stomping about.”
“I can’t wait,” Callan said sarcastically.
“Neither can I,” Gunnarr said honestly, smiling over at Cass.
“Oh, you won’t get a chance to watch. I’ll need a partner,” Cass said laughing as she touched Gunnarr’s arm.
Callan sighed heavily, “I swear, if I catch you two rutting in camp at some point, I’m firing the lot of you and starting over. There’s only so much uncouthness a gentleman can abide.”
“Well if you’re all just going to stand around jabbering nonsense, I’m off to dance. I think I know how this one goes,” Inez tittered as she hurried off.
The trio watched in surprise as the old woman approached a group of young men. When they didn’t immediately take note of her, Inez kicked one in the back of the leg. He turned around to look down at her, puzzled. He was several heads taller than she was. She held out her weathered hand to him and wiggled her eyebrows. Cass and Gunnarr could hardly believe it as the young man, grinning broadly, led Inez out among the twirling villagers.
Inez moved to the center of the square with the young man, and despite everyone dancing so boisterously around them, she paused and curtsied. Her young partner bowed just as formally. Inez took up a stance and waited for the young man to join her. He looked confused for a moment before he recognized which dance Inez was starting. Then he extended his hand and took Inez’s in his own.
They began a slow circle around each other, each step in time to the music, every few beats reversing the direction of the circle for a few steps, then taking a few short hops at the end of each reverse. Cass watched the old woman with interest as she moved around the young boy. She could see real delight on Inez’s face as she turned unexpectedly gracefully around the young man.
The young man laughed loudly as he stepped the wrong way once and almost took them both down before recovering his balance and pulling Inez into his arms to keep her from stumbling as well. Inez smiled up at him serenely. They pulled apart enough to dance again, this time moving through the pattern a little faster.
Callan, bored with the simple dance already, wandered back to the table to find some more of the candied fruits, leaving Gunnarr alone with Cass. Gunnarr wondered if Cass would turn him down if he asked her to dance. Despite what Cass had claimed about warriors and stomping, he knew a few dances, and thought he could fit one of them to the tempo of the music. But he couldn’t seem to catch Cass’ eye to ask her because Cass was busy watching Inez with unusually focused concentration. Just as Gunnarr decided he’d just ask her to dance, Cass stopped leaning on the pole and took a few steps forward into the crowd.
From the other side of the dance Viola was also watching the dancers rather than taking part herself. She noticed Cass staring so fixedly at the dancers that she looked to see which couple could be so engrossing. Her eyes stopped on the old woman and her partner. She could see they were intimately close, even for this celebration. When they whirled around again, Viola saw that the old woman was dancing with Gerald, a man she knew fairly well. He was looking down at the old woman with more than just friendliness. As Viola watched, she saw his gaze intensify to one of fervent desire. Viola could hardly believe what she was watching happen. She looked at the old woman more closely, and for a moment the crone was gone, and a raven haired beauty was dancing in her place. Viola blinked and rubbed her eyes. The old woman was back again, and Cass was now striding towards the odd couple, a look of concern in her eyes.
“Alright, I think we’ve had our fun,” Cass said as she tapped Inez on the shoulder.
Inez ignored her. Cass grabbed the young man by the shoulders and pulled him away from Inez. She looked into his eyes for a moment, then slapped him hard across the face. Viola pushed her way through the crowd then and stood beside Cass.
“Gerald,” Viola said, “I think I heard Fiona calling for you. She must be getting lonely in your hut. It can’t be easy expecting a child any day, lying in bed when everyone else is laughing and dancing around you.”
Viola touched the place on his cheek where Cass had slapped him.
“Oh… oh yes, of course. Thank you, Viola. Many blessings on your journey,” Gerald said as he came out of his daze.
“And to you. May your child bring a lifetime of happiness to you and your wife,” Viola said.
Gerald stared vacantly at Inez, who was feigning disinterest in the entire conversation, refusing to look at them. After blinking a few times, Gerald shook his head and wandered away, almost drunkenly. After he left, Inez turned to Cass, furious.
“What did you do that for,” Inez hissed angrily.
Cass simply crossed her arms and looked down sternly at the old woman.
“Come,” Viola said trying to break the tension, “I’ll show you to the hut you’ll be staying in.”
Inez ignored her, stomping off towards the table. She snatched up a large goblet and drained the contents. Then she did the same with another and then another. Callan watched her, a piece of fruit halfway to his mouth. Viola turned to Cass a little concerned.
“Who… is she?” Viola asked hesitantly.
“Not who she seems,” Cass said cryptically, a look of consternation on her face.
Then Cass snapped around to look at Viola.
“Let’s see those quarters then. I am tired and I think we’ve had enough excitement for the evening.”
Nat stepped out of Nala’s hut at daybreak and greeted the early morning sun with a huge grin. Gunnarr was nearby at the feasting table, waiting for him. Nat strode up to Gunnarr, a little extra bounce in his step. Gunnarr patted him firmly on the back.
“I take it all went well,” Gunnarr said.
“Yes,” Nat said still grinning.
&
nbsp; “I told you it would,” Gunnarr said. “As much as I’m sure you might like to tarry a while,” Gunnarr winked at the boy, “now we should be off. We’ve still got a long way to go. But before we go one step further, I have something for you, young warrior.”
Gunnarr reached over his shoulder and pulled a bundle off his back. The heavy cloth of the pack was tightly bound with a thick rope. Gunnarr worked the rope loose and the cloth fell away. Nat gasped as he looked at the fine short sword inside.
He reached out hesitantly, afraid to touch the beautiful blade for fear he might leave marks on its highly polished surface. Gunnarr flipped the sword in a half arc through the air, adroitly catching it by the blade so the pommel was facing Nat. Nat’s fingers shook as he reached down to grasp the leather bound grip in his hands. He lifted the blade, finding it heavier than it looked. Even though he knew very little about swords, he could tell that this blade was superbly balanced. Despite its weight, he found he could easily pivot it about. He made some experimental swipes before examining it more closely. The brass of the hilt was inscribed with some lettering. Nat didn’t recognize the language. The metal of the blade itself had a smoky quality underneath its polished sheen. When Nat tilted the sword just right, sunlight bouncing off the blade’s double edges, a smoky swirl moved beneath the reflected light at the same time.
“You’re… giving this to me?” Nat asked, astonished.
“Every warrior needs a blade. If you are to be a fine warrior, then you will need a fine weapon. This blade comes to you from Braldashad. I have carried it a long time. It was the first blade I was ever given. In time, you may be able to use a larger, heavier blade, but until then I think you will find this one to be more than sufficient for your training.”
Nat felt pride well within his chest. He was being given a blade that had been wielded by a real warrior.
“I will treasure it,” Nat said, his voice catching.
Gunnarr put a hand on Nat’s shoulder.
“There is one last thing. I will help show you how to best carry it while afoot and astride a mount. Some warriors prefer wearing their sword at their waist. Others on their backs. Which do you think you would prefer?”