by Tim Allen
“Only fools believe such ignorance,” Skylla scoffed.
“You know the masses have been raised to believe this for many years. It is enforced by death, but I would gladly accept that to be with you,” Eras vowed bravely.
Skylla smiled at Eras with affection. “You know I would never allow you to put your life in danger, my love.”
“My life is nothing without you,” Eras said. Kneeling before Wolf with his heart in his eyes, he pleaded, “Will you permit us to marry, my lord?”
“Eras, you know my life is changed now,” Skylla interjected, looking troubled. “You are asking me to give up my Enrica status. It took years for me to become the leader. Only the Nannas’ best fighter can be Enrica. In all the years since my sister disappeared, I am the only one who passed the tests and lived. You ask not only for my love, you ask for my way of life.”
Eras replied earnestly, “I know it is much, but will you say yes?”
Skylla looked conflicted and was about to answer when Wolf said, “Yes, I will assent. A man and a woman who love each other should never be kept apart. When we return to the castle, I will ask Randelf to perform the ceremony.”
“What ceremony, my lord?” Eras asked with a frown. “If you, as our liege, consent and we both agree, then it’s done. However, you are my leader, so you make the customs and pass the laws. Is there something else we need to do?”
Sadness crossed Wolf’s face. “This world has forgotten so much. We will talk to Randelf when we return to the castle. Now, come…we have delayed long enough. Let’s get to Haakon’s homestead.”
Chapter 22
Syn had returned and was waiting for Wolf as he and his men emerged from the woods at the edge of Haakon’s farmstead. She stood in the clearing, dressed in her candy striper outfit. Wolf’s newly pledged Nanna warriors stared at her garb; some commented on it, while others talked of making similar attire. The men gazed at Syn’s perfect body, and more than a few jaws dropped. Wolf rolled his eyes and walked over to Syn, embracing her and giving her a kiss.
“Commander, I brought all the items you requested,” she announced, smiling sweetly as she caressed Wolf’s arms and shoulders.
“As usual, you have made a spectacular entrance. You look beautiful, my love,” Wolf said.
“In this old outfit, Commander? It hardly took me any time to put it on,” Syn responded with a playful laugh, running her hands down her body for effect.
“This is my betrothed,” Wolf announced to the men in his detail. “Her name is Syn. Let us secure these boxes quickly so we can return to the castle. Captain Eras, take charge, and start back at once. I am going to visit Haakon. Syn and I will catch up with you in a few hours.”
Eras saluted smartly and ordered, “You men…secure this gear. I want two men on each box. Let’s move it!” The soldiers jumped to obey their captain’s orders, and several of Skylla’s muscular women assisted. The containers had rails for lifting and transport, so carrying them back to the castle would be easy. Soon, all the crates were lifted from the ground, and Eras led his detachment back into the woods on the return journey to King Waylan’s castle.
Haakon’s property stood over the next hill, so Wolf and Syn walked up to the crest. As they looked down over the farmstead, it was evident Haakon had built his new dwelling sturdier.
“How far can you go before the holo-emitters fail?” Wolf asked.
“I have made some adjustments to the emitters, tripling their field of influence,” Syn replied. “As long as the ship hovers one hundred feet above me at all times, I can retain my physical form indefinitely for up to two hundred yards.”
“That’s incredible, Syn!” Wolf noticed that his compliment brought a bright smile to Syn’s face. She slipped her hand into his, and they headed down the hill.
Haakon was in the clearing below, chopping wood. Wolf called to him, and the man’s face broke into a broad smile as he saw Wolf and Syn approaching. Slamming his ax into a log, he wiped his hands on his shirt and walked over to greet them.
“I see you two found each other. How is King Waylan?”
Nala appeared in the doorway, squinting into the sunlight. Before Wolf could answer Haakon’s question, she spotted Syn and ran towards her with an excited smile. She ignored Wolf, who grinned as the women embraced and wandered off arm in arm, chatting.
“So they met again recently? When was that?” Wolf asked, turning back to Haakon.
“Your woman showed up a few weeks ago. They went walking for a few hours, and then Nala returned.”
“What did they talk about?”
“Nala wouldn’t tell me. She only said that you’re a lucky man…and I must say I agree with her!” Haakon said with a chuckle.
“Your woman is very beautiful too, my friend.”
“Yes, she is. I’m teasing you,” said Haakon. He forced a grin, trying to mask his irritation at Wolf complimenting his wife.
Wolf’s mood turned serious. “I didn’t come here to compare women. I came to ask if you and your family would come to the castle with us. Jonar is approaching with thousands of men. You aren’t safe here.”
The grin melted from Haakon’s face, replaced by a look of apprehension. “Nala and I have discussed going to the castle if war broke out. Now the danger we feared has found us. We will leave at the end of the week.”
“Jonar is three or four days out, and we ran into skirmishers on the way here. You must leave with us today,” Wolf urged his friend.
“I hate to leave my neighbors without a warning,” Haakon mused, “but they have all been adamant about not leaving their lands, regardless of what the future holds. We argued on this for days, and after we quarreled, they moved back to their old homesteads.”
“I will send a few men to warn your neighbors,” Wolf said.
“We will come with you to the castle,” Haakon reluctantly agreed. “Give me a short time to collect the children and pack a few things,” He gazed at his new home with a look of despair, adding, “I am sure Jonar’s men will burn it to the ground.”
“When we defeat Jonar, I will help you rebuild your home myself,” Wolf vowed.
Haakon brightened and replied, “I would like you to show me how they build in your land. Let us see what you do differently when this is over and peace rules the land.”
* * *
The women talked and laughed, holding hands like best friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, even though it had been just a few weeks ago that Syn had visited the farmstead and confided her secrets to Nala.
“Wolf told King Waylan that we are betrothed,” Syn said with an excited giggle. “He even kissed me! I am so happy, Nala, I just might explode!”
Nala laughed and hugged Syn affectionately, trying not to show the flash of jealousy that welled up in her. She didn’t understand her emotions towards Wolf. She took a deep breath and asked, “What have you decided to do about becoming human? Did I say that right?” Nala asked, hoping she hadn’t insulted her friend by a poor choice of words.
“Yes, Nala, you said it right, and no, I have not decided yet. I am still leaning towards the android. I have made over five hundred of the actuators I’ll need to automate the android. It is far more complicated than I expected, and giving the skin a realistic feel was difficult. I have one almost finished. It could pass for human, but what I want to create must be so much more. I have some ideas on how to make the android far more realistic. But it is a work in progress, and I will not reveal it to Wolf until it is perfect.”
As she spoke with Nala, Syn eavesdropped on Wolf’s conversation with Haakon a short distance away. Turning serious, she took Nala’s hand and said, “Wolf is talking to Haakon about your family coming to the castle with us. I am sure your husband will agree it’s much safer there.”
“But why? My home…” Nala’s voice trailed off.
Syn explained that Jonar’s army would sweep through the land raping, plundering, and killing hapless villagers in their path. “You are coming to the castle
with us, Nala, and I won’t take no for an answer!” Syn said in a stern voice.
Nala nodded as she considered the safety of her husband and children.
“Besides, it will benefit me if you come to the castle,” Syn said with a grin. “You can help me fine-tune the android.”
“Of course I will help you, but I have no idea what to do…and first, we must fight this senseless war. Nothing but pain comes from these conflicts. Perhaps because I am a woman, I see things differently,” Nala said with tears in her eyes.
Syn pulled Nala into an affectionate embrace and said, “Where Wolf and I are from, men fought wars that engulfed the world and millions died. The bravest men went forth honorably to defend what was right and just in their leaders’ eyes. Equally honorable men stepped forward to stop them. Someday it may end, Nala, but history tells us men will fight their own shadows for a different spot in the sun.”
“I know, Syn. I have lost my family to these wars. I will miss my new home, but I know it is safer for us to go to the castle. Let us return now to Haakon so I can pack some clothes.”
* * *
As Nala and Haakon packed, Wolf noticed that they were taking very few items from the tents and structures. When he inquired about their other possessions, Haakon gloomily reminded him that the storm had destroyed most of their belongings and not much was left.
“I promise you, Haakon, the house I build for you will remain standing,” Wolf said with confidence.
“Ha, I want to see that! Only the mountain castles remain standing. Are you going to bring a mountain here for me? You are strong, my friend, but not that strong,” Haakon laughed.
Fifteen minutes later, the family had packed and headed out with Wolf and Syn on the trail that Captain Eras had taken. Less than an hour into the journey, the howling of the Nanna echoed through the woods, and Haakon froze in his tracks.
“We are in grave trouble. The Nanna have come out to hunt. We are all dead. There is nowhere to run. Those savages are scum and will have no mercy on us,” Haakon said with a terrified expression.
“Relax, my friend, they are my Nanna. We encountered them on the way here, and I have won their loyalty,” Wolf said.
“You accepted that garbage as your warriors?” Haakon demanded, glaring at Wolf with contempt.
Before Wolf could answer, the Nanna warriors emerged from the forest. Trulane stared at the leather-clad women in awe and asked Wolf with a rakish grin, “Just how did you win this loyalty?”
“Trulane! Get your eyes off those women before I slap them out of your face,” Nala ordered and then looked away, trying to hide her face from the approaching warriors.
“Yes, Mother,” Trulane mumbled as Wolf and the others laughed.
Skylla walked up to Wolf, her hips moving sensuously. She gazed at the faces of Wolf’s party and replied, “I see you brought friends, my lord.” She glanced at Trulane and then looked more closely at Leesa and Brithee. She circled Leesa, inhaling her scent, and asked, “Tell me, child, can you fight?”
“Not very well, but I wouldn’t die easily,” Leesa answered petulantly.
“Would you like to learn how to fight? I can teach you,” Skylla offered, smiling as if she had a grand scheme in mind.
“She will not be learning to fight, Skylla. I make the decisions for my daughter.”
Skylla turned and came face to face with Nala. Walking around her, she sniffed the air and said, “So, Nala, we meet again. I thought I caught your scent. Your skills have waned, I see—you didn't catch mine. I always wondered what happened to you after the great battle. We thought you died in the wilderness. This girl,” she gestured at Brithee, “looks exactly like you when we were children. I couldn’t believe my eyes, but the nose never lies…she has our scent. My mother was sad beyond words when you couldn’t be found. Now I see why you didn’t come back to us."
Glancing at Haakon and the other children, Skylla forced a smile and asked, "So tell me, how is the happy homemaker? Have you finally tired of making pies, tilling the soil, and playing wife to a lowlander? We had it far more difficult at home while you were here playing this game, Nala. Our mother was distraught over your loss. She scoured the countryside looking for you and never gave up the hope you still lived. Now what will our mother say when I tell her I found my older sister, playing house and under the spell of a man?”
All eyes in the clearing moved from Skylla to Nala and back again. The resemblance was clear. Looking at the two women and then at Brithee was like seeing time-sequenced versions of the same woman over the span of twenty years.
“I left because I couldn’t stomach the killing. I had done too much in my life. I hated it then, and I detest it now, Skylla. Don’t try to sway my daughters to its dark call.” Nala glanced at Wolf anxiously, hoping he wouldn’t judge her. Haakon clenched his teeth, angry that his wife was more concerned about Wolf’s opinion than his own feelings.
“It’s already calling them…it moves in their blood, Nala. Look at their eyes—Nanna blood flows in their veins. Why did you not tell them of their bloodline? Your girls are granddaughters to our queen and should be in line for the throne. You know we are not numerous, and yet you have birthed two warriors who could add to our ranks.”
Skylla walked to Brithee and grabbed the girl’s upper arm. “This one will make Enrica. She is built as our grandmother was—lean, strong, and agile. She moves as you did at her age, my sister. You cheat them, Nala. You rob them of their heritage.”
Nala glared at her sister. “I will not allow it. We will discuss this later in private, Skylla.”
“Yes, I am sure we will, my sister.” Skylla turned and walked away, her hips swaying in Wolf’s line of vision. After a few dozen steps, she glanced back over her shoulder and laughed impishly. She had not missed the way her sister had gazed at Wolf.
Haakon turned on Nala and shouted, “You murdering Nanna bitch! Why did you not tell me this before now? You have caused me to sin by fathering this filth.” He gestured obscenely at his children. “We have been together for many winters. You did not think I should know that a savage woman slept in my bed?”
A group of Nannas standing nearby overheard Haakon’s insults and glared at him and then at Nala, expecting her to defend her honor. Instead, she growled, “Shut up, Haakon! You’re alive—I didn’t eat you. If you continue to disrespect me, you may die tonight.” With that, she stormed off, fighting back tears.
Noticing Haakon’s furious eyes on him seeking support, Wolf shrugged and said, “I can’t help you, my friend. I have my own women problems.”
Syn snapped, “Shut up, Wolf. I haven’t killed you yet either, but your stupid remark just pissed me off, so who knows. You might die tonight with your dumb ass friend.” She turned and followed Nala.
Captain Eras approached Wolf, addressing him in a low voice so his words would not be heard by other soldiers standing nearby. “Speaking as a friend and a man who is willing to die for you, my lord, you and your friend might be the most ignorant men I have encountered. Your women love you and apparently have been with you for years, but all you can do is make foul accusations about their past and speak foolish words. My father once told me: Take love where you can find it, hold a woman who deserves it, protect a woman who earns it, and love a woman who needs it. Wake up, fools, before you lose them!”
Eras pivoted on his heel and walked away in pursuit of Skylla. When he caught up with her, he pulled her into an embrace. She responded passionately, surprising Wolf and making Haakon even more enraged as he clenched his teeth and refused to even look at Nala. After the passionate kiss, Eras declared it was time to resume the journey, and he led the way forward to the castle.
The next few hours were uneventful. As the late afternoon sun dipped behind the hills, the detail stopped and set up camp. Nala and Syn wouldn’t talk to their men, and Eras gazed from Wolf to Haakon and back with sadness. Syn wouldn’t even respond to Wolf through his earpiece.
The night was nearly over
and the camp was asleep when Syn’s voice blasted in Wolf’s ear. “Commander, a large force of men is approaching from our rear. They are armed. Satellite imagery also confirms Haakon’s farmstead is burning.”
Wolf sprang to his feet just as the Nannas’ animals began howling. A soldier threw wood on the fire, lighting up the clearing as all hell broke loose. Men screamed in agony as spears flew from every direction. The wolves were released on the attackers, stalling their assault. The Nannas screamed and charged, launching a vicious counterattack as Jonar’s men surged into the camp from all directions.
Wolf was astounded as he watched the Nanna warriors in battle. They were the most savage fighters he had seen. Their ferocity and athleticism were remarkable, and they were fearless. Some used their razor whips to slash the faces and bodies of the swarming attackers; others swung their whips, wrapping the razor lines around the necks of men who ran past, and with a flick of the wrist, decapitated them. Some less skilled Nannas hog-tied their captives, gouged their eyes, and delivered fatal dagger blows to their hearts or jugular veins. The men fought as men do, sword and dagger, cut and thrust—and then there was Wolf. He assessed the chaos and noticed that the attackers were ruffians, drug-crazed, and erratic. Several had overwhelmed one of his men and were eating him alive, cutting him to shreds and stuffing chunks of flesh in their mouths. Wolf drew his Bowie knife and began hacking at the crazed men. He broke arms, ribs, and skulls with wide swings of his rock-hard fists. He was an avalanche of muscle, stampeding across the field wherever the fighting was the fiercest.
Glancing at Syn, Wolf saw her wielding a five-foot katana with tremendous skill, protecting Reon, Brithee, and Leesa. The children cringed behind her as she battled Jonar’s deranged fighters. Three lay dead on the ground at her feet; other ruffians charged her, and she chopped and sliced them with an uncanny skill, never giving an inch from the children she protected. Soon, she stood alone, unchallenged, as several Nanna warriors gazed her way in awe.
Suddenly, Nala’s voice screamed, “Haakon!”