River God: The Horse Lords

by Diana Drakulich

  Oh gods, let that not come to pass. From now on I will stay away from Yeva. I will not lie with her again.

  He gave her shoulder a light squeeze then rose and left without a word.

  Even in her sleepy state, Yeva felt the cold calculated message in Hahq’s departure. The manner of his leaving spoke louder than words. Intuitively she knew his mind:

  Hahq got what he wanted. Now he has second thoughts. I was too easy. He is the type who likes a challenge. A prize. Well I can play that game too. If he wants me again he will have to win my trust.

  When she rose and went to stand nearby, he only glanced at her, then went on discussing the day’s route with his men. All the bright affection of last night had disappeared from his gold-flecked gaze.

  Intuitively Yeva sensed his concern that the Sauromatae would not accept her with open arms. Some will see me as a traitorous kako mati witch. This would impinge on the respect accorded Hahq as a rising war leader.

  After breaking fast with flat bread and mare’s milk cheese washed down with water, they mounted and set off up the Gerrhus.This time Yeva was mounted on Taras while Hahq rode the golden bay stallion Zar.

  The river narrowed and the land became increasingly dry and empty. After ignoring her all day until she was inwardly fuming, Hahq approached Yeva that evening as they made camp.

  “We need to talk.” He spoke low in her ear.

  “I am listening.” Her voice curt.

  “Not here.” He pointed with his chin toward a low hill and strode off expecting her to follow.

  I will not run panting behind him like his little dog, begging for a scrap of affection.

  Chapter 13 – The Day After…

  Let no one deem me

  A poor weak woman

  Who sits with folded hands –

  Euripedes, Greek playwrite, Medea 431 BC

  Sensing Yeva was not dutifully following him, Hahq paused to gesture impatiently – Come here.

  She took her time. He led her to a small glade in a copse of trees and pointed to a fallen log.

  “Sit.” His expression dour, awesome, like a judge about to pass sentence on a wretched plaintiff.

  We will see about that. “I don’t want to sit. Just tell me what plot you have devised in that fool head of yours. I can tell I won’t like it.”

  His jaw dropped momentarily at the insult, then clenched. This woman knows me too well already.

  “Yeva I know you have high hopes for a better life in Sauromatia, but there are some things you should know.”

  “That Sauromatian men are slavering wolves who will say anything to get what they want?”

  “That too. We do give our women more respect and freedom than most, but in some ways my people are no different than the Black Cloaks.

  “Freedom and respect? That’s what I want.”

  “Aye but if you are thinking that people will not be affected by your eyes, know that you will get much the same response from the Sauromatae as from your own people.”

  “And that’s why you have obviously changed your mind about me? It’s alright Hahq, I knew it was only the Yellow Horse talking. As long as I still have your friendship. With you as my ally I can build a life. Maybe even find a man to care for me as I am.” Her voice trembled deep in her throat but she controlled the urge to sob and pulled herself together.

  “You have taken the words out of my mouth Yeva. I remain your true friend. On this you have my vow.”

  Yeva nodded and released an agonized sigh. “It is enough. From the beginning your friendship is all I asked.”

  But he saw the pain in her eyes and his heart winced. “I am sorry Yeva, but we cannot be together again.”

  “Was our joining not good for you Hahq?” She emitted a deep shakey exhale. “I will never forget those moments with you. But let it be as you say. From now on we travel only as friends.”

  Her pained honesty ripped at his heart. The finality of what he was truly giving up descended on Hahq then. They had a long journey ahead. Just being around her raised the red flag of lust.

  He desperately wanted to backtrack but it was too late. He had taken a big risk as it was by mating with Yeva. Hahq found himself caught, snared in a trap of his own making.

  “Yeva don’t get the wrong idea. It was good for me too. Wonderful in fact. The best.”

  “Is there someone else?” She asked hoping against hope there was not.

  The downward flick of his eyes and his guilty expression spoke louder than words.

  “So your offer to marry me was really just a lure? You could have been more honest Hahq.”

  “I know. It was that night and the `Yellow Horse’. He gave her a chagrined smile.

  Gazing at Hahq’s expression Yeva realized her intuition was right. In the ecstasy of the moment she had given herself too easily. Hahq needed a challenge. He had to win his woman.

  “Face it. You are like a bull in mating season. Any woman will do. And I was the only woman around.”

  “How deftly she slides the knife between my ribs. You think any woman will do?” Crossing his arms Hahq leaned against a tree, outlining his broad shoulders and narrow hips. “I am a very selective bull. Ask Voron. He has known me all my life.”

  “Voron? What about him? Is that your intention - to pass me along to Voron now that you tire of me?”

  “Nay Yeva I am not tired of you at all. We have barely gotten to know each other. But I have dreams, ambitions. Bari can help me achieve what I want in life.”

  “Bari – is that her name?” So now you plan to use her to get what you want? Now tell me why I should not seek Voron’s affection?”

  “Do not even think of using your wiles on Voron to make me jealous.”

  “You forbid me to find another? You would rather I grow old and die in loneliness with no husband, no family? What a life you have set out for me Hahq. Despised for my eyes. Distrusted for betraying my king in order to save your wolf’s hide. Is that truly what you want?” Her eyes glistened with the pain of rejection.

  “Nay Yeva. I would never want that for you.”

  “But it is! From your own mouth you have said it! I should have known this would all be a disaster.” Swiping a sleeve across her burning eyes she turned to walk away.

  “Wait! Don’t go Yeva. I never wanted it to end this way.”

  Taking her tear-streaked face in warm palms he pressed his lips to hers in a soft lingering kiss. “Never forget, I still care for you.”

  “But not that much.”

  Hahq found himself swaying between his need for power and his lust for this woman. Right now Yeva stood before his eyes. His lust rose, hardened, overwhelming reason. Yeva is right I am a slavering wolf.

  Placing his palms on her buttocks he ground succulent loins against her mound. Kissed her deeply, softly.

  “Stay. We will talk more. Work this out. Please. And I never say ‘please’ to any woman.”

  “Never?”

  “I don’t need to. Women come to me.” He whispered,squeezing her close, warm breath against her ear.

  “Come like flies to dung?” She pushed him away.

  Hahq stiffened at her bitter insult. She no longer trusted him. No more would he have acess to her lush body. Instead of filling her ravaged heart with reassurance his anger and thwarted lust made him want to alienate her. To drive her away. To put an end to this passionate attraction.

  As long as her eyes projected that deep-seated sense of connection with his soul, of longing, he would be unable to resist her. If I continue to lie with Yeva it will only lead to trouble. Even a babe. The gods forbid. Bari would never have me if I sired a child with another.

  So he struck out at her with barbed words. Words to humiliate and drive this proud woman away so that she would not want him. Would stop tempting him to plunge deep into her strange jeweled eyes. From indulging in her curvaceous body. From losing himself in her high spirits.

  “Oh so now I am a pile of shit?! I was right about you Yeva
. You have no respect. I would be embarrassed to call you my wife.”

  The condemnation in his eyes stabbed to the marrow of her being. Her multi-color eyes flared sparks of molten indignation.

  For a brief moment Hahq despised himself for hurting the One who had saved his life. Who would do anything for him. I promised to stand by her. But already I have betrayed her trust.

  “You were right about me? Her voice deadly calm. Almost not her own. “So you did not trust me from the beginning? Yet you were determined to use me, to have your way with me? No more Hahq. Never again. ”

  This was said with dead finality. Hahq’s heart stuttered then started again. Oh it was one thing when HE rejected her. That was not so bad, because he was still in control. But when she turned the tables and banned him, Hahq suddenly found himself bereft. Pathetic in his gnawing desire for her.

  “Yeva…” He tried to keep the whine out of his voice.

  She whirled away and stalked back to camp in a furious huff. Hahq waited a few moments then followed, not wanting to appear as if he was following her.

  When he reached camp he spotted Yeva sitting by the fire. He had just stepped forward, about to sit next to her and put his arm around her trembling shoulders when he was cut off.

  Voron stepped in and handed Yeva a sizzling thigh of barbecued hare on a stick, then sat down next to her. Focused on the girl, Voron had not even noticed him. At that moment Hahq felt like roasting his blood brother on a spit.

  Already Voron is trying to cut in on me. But this is what I wanted. Is it not?

  Chapter 14 - Holy Mata Drakaina!

  Laughter is a god

  Whom we hold in the very highest esteem –

  Apuleius, The Golden Ass

  The next day the Sauromatae came upon a few Androphagi shepherds herding sheep and goats. Dobrich asked them where their king was camped. They indicated that King Arkos and his clan were about a two day ride northwest of the Gerrhus.

  That evening the party stopped at a spot with good grass for the horses. Using their akinakes the men cleared a campsite of the high grass. Yeva watched as Hahq chopped off the head of a small grass snake. Grimacing, he picked up the mangled body and flung it away.

  Hmmh… So our brave conquering warrior fears snakes… Her mind took a devious route and her kako mati eyes gleamed.

  As usual they supped on the prolific hares shot with bow and arrow or skewered with lances . Yeva left camp before dark as if going to relieve herself, but in reality she was on a mission.

  In the dusky half light she turned over a rotted log, then swiftly reached down and grabbed something - A writhing grey-brown Asclepius snake, longer than herself.

  As a priestess of Velesh, Yeva was familiar with handling serpents, both poisonous and harmless. Asclepius snakes were harmless and believed to be agents of divine healing. But this serpent would be an agent of punishment.

  Stuffing the squirming snake into her satchel, she smiled. This is going to be good. I can’t wait to see his face...

  Deep in the night, a few hours before sunrise Yeva slunk over to Hahq as he lay sleeping. She could not help gazing a moment at his magnetic profile. The long dark lashes, eyes closed in sleep, the aquiline nose, the sculpted lips that had kissed her so warm and tender…

  Ahhh! The pain of being rejected by such a One.

  Then she was assailed by second thoughts as to the wisdom of provoking Hahq’s wrath. Right now he felt guilty for setting her aside. After this incident the guilt would be gone. He would be furious.

  Hahq was a warrior, trained to kill. The limits of his temper were unknown to her. But Yeva bolstered her courage and plucked the writhing serpent from her satchel.

  Hahq deserves this for tricking me with his glib serpent’s tongue. This will be my counter attack on Fort Hahq.

  As Yeva hovered over him, Hahq dreamed…

  ***

  He found himself walking along the green, undulating banks of a beautiful blue river. He was entranced by the beauty of this river with its lush rolling curves… like the body of a beautiful woman…

  ***

  Not daring to breathe, Yeva delicately lifted the edge of Hahq’s cloak near his calves and inserted the snake’s head. Then let it slither underneath. Meanwhile Hahq still dreamed -

  ***

  He was strolling along the lush rolling riverbank. Suddenly he came face to face with a huge serpent coiled on the bank. The venal snake instantly reared erect, displaying long translucent dripping fangs.

  Lightning fast, the snake struck. Bit his breast, right over the heart.

  AH!

  He felt the pain. The insidious poison pumping into his heart. The powerful serpent reared back, poised to strike again. Hahq grasped it by its thick muscular neck, struggling to keep its fangs away from his heart.

  But the huge snake was extraordinarily strong. Gripping its neck, Hahq stared into ferocious reptilian eyes. Eyes that seemed eerily familiar.

  Despite all his might, he could not control it. Wrapping powerful coils around his body, it squeezed, biting him over and over.

  ***

  “AGGHHHH EEE! YOW YOW! AH! AH!” Hahq bolted upright, shocked horror on his face.

  Flinging his cloak wide, slapping and flailing at his chest he grabbed the Asclepius snake, which had squirmed under his kurta and flung it writhing into the bushes.

  After days of being on edge, the men all leapt up as one. The camp erupted into a cacophony of screaming chaos.Brandishing swords and spears the men screamed curses into the darkness, dashing around and slashing at invisible cannibals.

  Dobrich and Voron ran to Hahq - “What happened? What is it?!”

  “Aaagh! I just hugged a big snake up to my breast! An evil omen! I am cursed!”

  “Did it bite you?”

  Hahq felt his chest and was vastly relieved. “Nay. But in my dream it bit me. More than once.”

  “Serpents are attracted to their own kind Hahq. Your cheating serpent’s tongue promises one thing but gives another.” Kako mati eyes glittering, Yeva could not resist taunting him.

  “YOU!!”

  With an enraged roar Hahq leapt at her. Furious. Threatening. Black brows drawn together in a menacing thunderstorm.

  Yeva knew she had provoked a lion without even a stick to defend herself, but she glared back, eyes narrowed, unwavering.

  “You deserve a good hard whipping you WITCH.” Hahq ground his teeth, fists clenched.

  “Beware O brave warrior – You got off easy. Strike me in anger and next time it could be a viper in your bed.”

  “Aye and we know who that viper is.” Hahq’s eyes snapped with fury. ”Your venomous sting would kill any man’s interest!”

  “Don’t say you didn’t deserve what Lord Velesh sent to your bed.” Yeva shrugged.

  Greatly relieved they would not have to battle cannibals in the dark, the men held back a few moments to let it all sink in.

  “Hah! You screamed like a woman.” Voron grinned at Hahq.

  “Please, you insult us women. He squealed like a little rat.” Yeva was ruthless.

  “Our brave leader screamed so loud my ears are still ringing!” Dobrich bent over, hands on knees, convulsing with hilarity.

  “The expression on your face! As long as I live I will never forget it!” Shoulders shaking, Voron pointed at Hahq, then bent over, consumed by laughter deep in his gut. “Oh god make it stop! It hurts, it actually hurts!”

  Whooping with laughter his men taunted Hahq unmercifully - “Wait until our people hear about this. Brave Hahq, never a hint of fear in battle, reduced to a screaming child by a harmless little snake!”

  “Hey – that was a big snake! It could have been poisonous. There is not a man here who would not have jumped at that thing slithering across your breast!” Hahq was indignant.

  But his protestations were useless. He was the designated butt.

  “Maybe that snake was a female. She climbed into bed with you to give you a little kiss.”
Voron grinned. “You know, just a little licky lick with her forked tongue!”

  “By heaving her away so rudely you have offended Mata Drakaina.” Dobrich’s face creased in a wry smile. “A bad omen. I fear for you Hahq.”

  “You will regret this!” Face twisted in a furious snarl Hahq made a grab for Yeva. “Come here you little witch!” But she darted away, just out of reach behind Voron.

  “Come on Hahq, all in jest.” Voron said, an irrepressible grin splitting his face from ear to ear. “We needed a good laugh.”

  If there was one thing Hahq hated it was being made a fool of. Not only had Yeva made him look like a craven coward, she had let it be known that he had used her to sate his lust, then cast her aside. Thus casting a bad light on his word, his honor as a leader.

  Now it would be open season on this desirable woman. Yet as her sworn friend, it was still his duty to protect her. His position was untenable.

  “So Yeva, in your petty quest for revenge you would make me into a fool? I who saved your life? Is it war you want Yeva? From now on you will not get a good night’s sleep, either. Know that I am coming for you. The only question is when.” Clenching his jaw and grinding his teeth, Hahq stalked off plotting his revenge.

  Chapter 15 – Sava in Taurica

  Artemis (took her from the sacrifice altar)

  And carried Iphigeneia far away from Greece,

  To the Sea of Pontos with its

  Welcoming name of Euxinos.

  She called the tribe of nomads there Taurians

  Because a bull (tauros)

  Had appeared instead of Iphigeneia on the altar.

  Antoninus Liberalis, Greek, Metamorphoses 27. 200 AD

  When the raft reached the Greek port of Kherson, Sava sold the funeral cart. He bought a stout bay gelding for Brata and hired an escort to Taurica. They rode through broad green valleys and up hills dotted with evergreens. In the evenings the men sat around a campfire roasting fresh shot hares, the most common wild game all over Skythia.