Wine of the Gods 03: The Black Goats

by Pam Uphoff

  "And now that damned wine—all the wives are expecting and we haven't a clue who fathered which baby." Coo looked irritated.

  "Just think of it as fresh blood," Harry crossed his arms. "And Fava's and Juli's babies, too."

  Coo shrugged. "I suppose we might as well accept what we can't change. We'll have to find some other husbands for the girls. Maybe some of the wives would like to retire."

  "They're all pregnant too." Beck pointed out.

  They left, still arguing. Never busied herself at the breadboard as Harry passed through. He gave her a wink. "If you see the girls, pass on my invitation, will you?"

  "Of course."

  ***

  The Sisters of the Crescent and New Moons took Zamm and Catti with them to the hot springs, not for a lesson, but just to check. After all, in the old days, according to myth, common women had been able to touch the power. Occasionally one had been strong enough to be taken into a pyramid. And perhaps the reason they'd ended up in their wagons was the spell of summoning Answer had placed on them before they left for town.

  Never stuck her feet in the top pool, the coldest one, as she didn't want to take in too much power, and possibly harm her baby. But the power felt wonderful against her bare feet, and surrounded her and comforted her in warmth. She channeled automatically, running the power around her daughter, and back to the earth from which it came.

  The children splashed and played, Zam and Catti a bit self consciously, not comfortable with nudity after their life in the brothel. Question left the water first, stretching out in a patch of sunlight on top of her clothes.

  "Q, if you lay on the rock it might help." Never called.

  "This is more comfy, Never, quit fussing."

  The other four played for hours, switching pools as they got too hot, and finally daring each other to run through the freezing waterfall.

  Likely and Mostly stayed in the hottest pool until they were all pruny.

  Never sat beside them and chatted, while the kids played. "So neither of you took, this time?"

  "No, thank the old gods!" Likely shivered. "I'd hate to have a daughter by those hideous men."

  Mostly gave a sharp nod. " I never want to see another man again."

  "But, but, then you won't advance!" Never recoiled in shock.

  "Never, I think I might as well resign myself to being a low-ranking Sister. Not everyone advances to the Dark Crescent, and I, well." She splashed half-heartedly. "I suppose I should try to have a baby. I can channel now, so I should be able to handle Half Moon workings," she made a face and climbed out of the pool.

  A cloud blew over the sun, dropping the temperature briefly. Never stood up too. "I guess we should head back. Who's cooking tonight?"

  "You are, silly, honest, just because you're preggers doesn't mean you can duck out." Likely splashed out of the pool, and headed for her clothes. "Okay, girls, time to get dressed. Wake up, Question! You're going to be sunburned."

  "Am not! I never burn."

  The five little ones raced off ahead of them.

  "What are you now, Never, three months along?"

  "Yeah, not even really showing yet."

  Mostly smirked. "You know, even Answer and Blissful are looking a bit, umm, well fed these days."

  "Earth, Moon and Stars! I wish I'd had more of that wine!" Never sighed. “I obviously left the party too early. One rather skimpy glass."

  "You didn't need any help." Likely sounded a bit sour. "And how you managed that when we . . . "

  As they emerged from the forest they could see across the valley. "Horsemen!" Likely spotted them first.

  Mostly narrowed her gaze. "Three of them. It's them! There's Merc's black horse in the lead!" She picked up her skirts and ran, Likely hot on her heels.

  Never hustled after them, going straight to the tavern’s back door to start food.

  By the time the courier and his companion had washed up and started on a tankard of ale, Mostly and Likely, in all new dresses, their hair combed and caught up in ribbons, sauntered into the Tavern and greeted the men with surprised exclamations. Never caught a glimpse of their happy faces and rejoiced for her friends.

  ***

  Lefty decided that the easiest way to find the Old Road would be to cross entirely through the mountains, and find the road on the desert beyond. So he spent a blissful three days climbing up and down mountains, drinking lots of water and pissing on half the trees on the mountains.

  He knew it was childish, but with his voice squeaking and occasionally quitting altogether when he tried singing, he felt more like fifteen than almost thirty. And it was with a teenager's confidence he climbed the great volcano.

  Captain Wullo had said that it had been two centuries since the lava last flowed, but the steam rose from holes in the snow. He walked warily, sticking to rock wherever possible. The volcano was crowned with a jagged spire of stone, layers of rock in a rough three-sided pyramid.

  He shuddered suddenly, and circled the spire without climbing it. This belongs to the witches.

  From the east side of the mountain, the whole world stretched before him. Lesser mountains knelt before the king, valleys with rushing rivers, that joined and drew the eye out, out further, to a lake in a land of stone. An arrow-straight line caught his eye.

  The Old Road.

  It clipped the lake's north shore in its drive for the mountains. And knowing about where to look, he spotted sections here and there, higher up, showing through the old lava and ash deposits. Even the builders of the Old Road had had to go around mountains.

  Lefty had been a scout for the army for eight years, and the last three had been with Captain Wullo and the engineering brigade. He pulled out instruments and started taking bearings and estimating distances. It wouldn't be a good map, but it would get the job done.

  ***

  The witches left a week early for the mountain. This year the full moon would fall directly on the solstice, and with most of the Sisters pregnant, Answer had decided to both take it easy and take no chances at being late.

  Never strode along, feeling good now. But knowing that she'd poop out early, she paced herself.

  The youngsters ran about, full of energy. Catti and Zam had adopted Question's masculine style of dress and looked very un-whorelike as they romped like children in their pants.

  "I'm so glad the Auld Wulf helped them," Never told Likely.

  "I think they must belong here." Mostly snatched flowers and wove them into a crown. The two nobles had delivered their messages to Fort Stag, and spent nearly a week in Ash on the return trip. Both women were just glowing, and both were hoping for babies.

  Very much to Never's relief. She'd hate to try and be a Triad of the Half Moon all by herself.

  At three months, she was already starting to loosen her clothing. "I'm going to have to sew a whole new wardrobe. We won't even be able to share—you two are only a couple of months behind the rest of us.

  "Well, I'm not going to sew too much; it's only just this once."

  "Three undergowns," Never figured. “And since it'll be winter, a wool gown and a big thick coat. I can always cut them down later."

  "Or get fat so they still fit." Mostly laughed as Never made a rude gesture.

  From the edge of the forest, Never swept her glance over the whole of the valley. The little river was still in full spate, last winter's plentiful snow still melting off the first range of mountains. The fields were solid green, the sheep white blots, covering the meadow. The Sheep Man would cull his herd in the fall, selling most of this year's lambs, and butchering some after the first freeze. Every one in the valley would eat lamb all winter. Now, though, there were more than three hundred of them, straggling a bit more than usual. She shaded her eyes and counted.

  "The Sheep Man has lost three of his goats. What happened? I haven't heard any wolves."

  "Ugg, those hideous goats!" Elegant rolled up the sleeves of her undergown. "I'd be delighted if they were all gone."
<
br />   "Really," Delight wrinkled her nose. "So smelly, and frankly I never liked they way they looked at me."

  Mostly snickered. "I heard the men talking about it last night. They couldn't figure out what could have happened. Harry said he'd heard that the last wolf to raid the flock was a she-wolf, and the goats raped her to death. Then the Sheep Man came in and said, no it was a male wolf, and they raped him to death."

  There was a smattering of snickers from the Sisters, and they ducked under the first trees and headed up the path.

  "Did they say anything else?" Question was frowning.

  "Oh, they started talking about women, and the Sheep Man left—he was muttering something about how they found three virgins in this valley was beyond him. I don't know why he thought Harry and the Auld Wulf were interested in virgins. I don't think they do that sort of ceremony. But I guess you better watch out, Question."

  "Ha! They know better than to fool with a witch. Anyhow, for a true ceremony the virgin has to be of age—that's sixteen for girls, you know? So I don't have anything to worry about for two more years." The girl nodded decisively and trotted off.

  Justice sighed. "She reads too much. The Sheep Man keeps giving her books."

  They cut north around the hot springs, climbing slowly as they rounded the lowest peak. The mountains rolled on, ridge after ridge, up to the giant hiding in the clouds. They walked steadily, with only a brief break for lunch.

  "So much for an easy trip," Glorious muttered.

  "I think she's saving the easy for the high parts, dear," Blissful called back.

  "Oh. Yes. Oh dear."

  The altitude slowed them considerably, the last day the younger Sisters were assisting the Elders, and as the Sun set, they climbed the Observatory of the Three. Blissful and Answer took two sides of the apex, the north side vacant, their Triad of the Dark Crescent broken. Curious, Delight, and Elegant stood on the fourth tier, a powerful Triad of the Waning Half. The Triad of the Full Moon, Furious, Glorious, and Happy, climbed only to the third tier. Idea, Justice, and Kindly stood on the second tier, and from the first tier, Never looked up longingly at the Triad of the Half Moon. Next year, she should be there. Only the untouched teenagers, Opinion, Particular and Question, stood below her. Catti and Zam stood a bit away, allowed only to watch, as the witches hailed the rise of the Full Moon.

  Never could feel the heat of the earth below her, responding to the pull of the sun and moon. They chanted their greetings, and then from the fourth tier, Curious began the song of the expectant mother. With every verse, another expectant mother joined in, until all the tiers were singing. As the moon crossed overhead, the warm red earth light and the pale moon light joined and twinned, moon and earth in the powerful dance.

  The power glowed, reaching up to embrace the elders, and down to touch the youngest.

  Opinion turned her hands over, a look of wonder on her face as she gathered the glow together in a ball in her hands. Idea cried out with joy and added the Daughter Song to the chorus. Particular swung her hands, leaving trails of glowing color hanging in the air. Kindly threw her head back, laughing in her exuberance and added a second voice to the Daughter Song.

  Question stood quietly, dark and untouched.

  Down the hill a few steps, Catti and Zam exclaimed over the faint glow on their fingers, as it flickered uncertainly. They couldn't do anything with it, but it was there, awaiting their maturity and training.

  And so they came home with five Sisters of the Full Moon, and five Sisters of the Crescent Moon where they had walked up with only three of each, and with two new initiates, and one girl who seemed rather shockingly relieved.

  Chapter Eight

  Mid-Summer 1352

  On the Road

  Brother Inquisitor Surgi planted the consecrated Flail of Ba'al in its black iron stand and sat down to rub his tired arms. The six balls on the six chains were symbolic of the god, but heavy to carry all day.

  "Just one more day to this Village of Ash, you say?" he called to the two mercenaries.

  "That's what everyone says, Brother Inquisitor." The taller one's voice was a bit muffled as he climbed out of his fine chain vest. "And the witches themselves said so."

  The brother nodded, but still kept a close eye on the mercenaries. They'd been examined and found to be fouled by their fornication with the witches. By assisting in cleaning out the nest, they would redeem themselves. He hadn't mentioned the century of Holy Warriors following a day behind them. If these men weakened, they'd be on the fire before the witches. Perhaps it would be a good idea, anyway.

  The little one, who was the brother’s height and broader, agreed. "The mercantile last night said we should reach it early tomorrow afternoon." He licked his lips. "And you say you can protect us from arcane powers? And we should be certain that not a single one of the witches is a virgin before she is thrown on the fire?"

  Brother Surgi looked at him with contempt. No doubt they were both looking forward to that part. He, of course, had never had carnal intercourse, had remained pure to better serve the Great God Ba'al.

  He had chosen this camping spot, an untouched clearing out of sight of the road, eschewing the obvious, usual camping area, where they might have been found and ambushed. He was a bit proud of his cunning, but it was making a bit more work for the pair.

  "Oh ho! How about some fresh meat for dinner?"

  The brother followed his glance and spotted the three goats staring at them. "No, my sons, those are rather obviously male goats, and they stink inside and out. The flesh is barely edible."

  "Yeah, all right." The smaller mercenary resheathed his knife and tossed the belt over to his bedding. "Phew! They do stink! G'wan, you lot, bugger off!"

  "Maaaahahahaha!"

  The brother shuddered. It sounded so much like human laughter, he stood up, and grasped the Flail.

  ***

  Never walked through the sheep herd as she climbed the path to the forest. She kept a wary eye out for the black goats, but they were on the far side of the herd. The Sheep Man was frying up a hot lunch at the hill top, and hailed her.

  "Like some lunch, young lady?"

  She got a look at the contents of the pan and wrinkled her nose. "No, thank you."

  He chuckled evilly. "I thought you witches ate nads for breakfast."

  "Not in the literal sense," she snickered. "I didn't think this was the time of year you cut your lambs." Damn big lambs!

  "It's not. Those goats were getting a bit out of hand." He speared a chunk and nibbled at it.

  "Ew! I really don't want to eat those." She held her nose pointedly. "What about the three that ran away?"

  "Can't leave the sheep long enough to track them down. World's going to have to deal with them."

  "Well, with luck somebody's salting them down right now."

  He laughed and she hiked on. The summer heat was building up and the baby felt like a hot bed of coals, radiating heat. Her new shifts were, so far, sleeveless, and she didn't mind that the, also sleeveless, light vest didn't quite meet in the middle any more.

  Even the coolest pool was too hot, but she sat on the rocks in the fine spray of mist from the waterfall and pulled the ingots out of her bag. She had mastered copper, and easily twisted the ingot into fanciful shapes, then drew it out fine and braided it. Tin was tougher. It tended to snap and break, so she worked it slowly, soothing the temperamental substance. She channeled the power carefully away from the warmth of her daughter, and gently mixed the two metals together. They resisted at first, but she was patient, and slowly coaxed the blend into the shapes she desired. A hollow rattle with brass beads inside, some clacking toys, a round lipped cup with two handles, a bowl, and a plate.

  "Not that I need them yet, my darling girl," she addressed the swell of her belly. “but soon enough."

  And then on to the iron ingot. Answer had suggested that building on another bedroom would allow her daughter and granddaughter to put their babies together in the room
between them, so the adults would all still have their private space for meditation. And sleep, although that was less important. So she needed hinges and knobs.

  She was being watched. The feeling grew the longer she worked, and she subtly listened until she had the sensation located. To the side, just out of her peripheral vision. She leaned forward to put down the first hinge, picked up another iron bar and sat back, but turned a quarter of the way around.

  A goat was lying there, perfectly still, watching her. Black, long straight vee of horns.

  "Hmm, haven't seen one of you up here in a long time. You're neglecting your sheep, although what additional punishment the Sheep Man could mete out is hard to guess."

  "Maaah!"

  "Sorry, I don't speak goat."

  It snorted and got up and limped back into the forest.

  ***

  "They were murdered just yesterday, Father Inquisitor."

  Father Favio looked around the defiled campsite and tried to be coldly logical. "Are you sure it was murder? They could have been trampled."

  "The trackers are experts. They assure me that only three goats left tracks here, however much they ran around. Large goats, mind you, but goats don't do things like this!" the Holy Captain pointed at Father Surgi's naked corpse. "Note the swollen, engorged abdomen. He bled to death inside after he was violated with some manner of sharpened stake, his anus shows rips, and he's bled a great deal from it."

  Father Favio wasn't inclined to examine the body too closely. From the smell, it had leaked a great deal of other things as well.

  Father Favio turned away and looked at one of the other bodies. Almost naked, some ragged remains of clothing clung to wrists and neck. One of the contaminated men seeking redemption. He had been slashed across the abdomen, gutted. The father frowned; he'd seen enough battles to know a clean sword cut from this jagged rip. He leaned closer. "What is this . . . substance in the wound? It's all over the body."