The Rising Azimuth

by D D Mathews

  “Gretchen, I’m sure we can figure out a better way to solve this. A battle to the death won’t fix anything.” The fierce naked black-haired woman nodded “no” and shot a look down the line to the blond on the end. She looked nothing like her mother. Heidi was strong and fierce, mean and disfigured. Gretchen was beautiful, but her eyes betrayed her. Colin saw fear in them.

  The protocols having been observed, Nuri and the Amazons headed back to the SUV. Colin watched them go, collected his clothes, and hurried to Kai and the rest on the porch.

  “Colleen, what should we do?” he asked pulling on his pants.

  “Alek really stepped in it. Crossing paths with Heidi Zimmermann’s daughter,” Kai said sounding less like a clown and more like a concerned father.

  “I met her recently and she is a vile person,” said Colleen.

  Erika added, “She’s the most powerful Amazon and will take over when Queen Doman dies.“

  Colin knew nothing about global werewolf politics so he stayed quiet.

  Mandy asked, “Why do they need a neutral witness?“

  “To decide who dies if the fight doesn’t end in death,” Colleen said with her usual cold tone.

  Chapter 27

  After dinner, the rental house’s dim lights barely shone past the porch. Nuri and Gretchen relaxed on the sofas while Mouse slept with her head in the German’s lap. Gretchen ran her fingers through the girl’s hair, “Why did you bring this girl again?” Gretchen asked for the tenth time.

  “Because I did,” was the best Nuri could manage right now. Tamara came in from walking the perimeter, along with some crisp Swedish nighttime air. Nuri didn’t think the extra eyes were needed but her vote didn’t matter, Nox and Tamara worked it out between them.

  Gretchen added, “I hope this fight doesn’t freak out the poor little girl too much.”

  Nuri loved Gretchen so much, but right now she wanted to yell, “She’s a damn werewolf, she’ll be fine.” Instead, she said, “She’ll be okay, we’ll keep her safe.”

  Nuri asked Gretchen, “What did you think of the Celt?“

  She snickered, “He looked good naked.“

  “Gretchen, that’s not helping.” Nuri smiled a little.

  “Sorry, Duchess. His butt would make him a good ‘fighting’ partner.” Gretchen did air quotes for the word fighter in case Nuri didn’t get her meaning.

  “Maybe you were right about bringing Mouse. You are a bad influence,” Nuri said.

  Mouse interjected, “No she isn’t, Hanna is much worse.” Everyone in the room laughed.

  ***

  Long after Gretchen and Mouse had gone upstairs to sleep, Nuri sat with Tamara talking about politics and arguing strategy. Tamara told Nuri, “Don’t worry about the fight. You have already done everything to fix the fight in your favor. Alek is an emotional wreck, mention what you did to him and he will attack wildly. If the Vikings attack after you win, Nox already has multiple escape routes.“

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “Combat is easy. Fight and kill, or fight and die. The hard part is living with the outcome, either outcome,” Tamara said with finality.

  Tamara hugged her niece and headed off to bed. Nuri sat up for a while longer pondering. Tomorrow would bring the fight details so she could plan accordingly.

  ***

  Colin watched the Viking’s meeting; the elder members of the families were arguing and discussing the protocols, the proper settings, and when the battle must take place. No one stopped to think about whether it should take place.

  Colin wasn’t stupid enough to believe Alek was innocent. The charges of rape were probably accurate, but that didn’t matter. For two reasons, first, the battle to the death skipped over having to prove anything. Second, Alek wouldn’t say what he did because he was either ashamed of his behavior or scared of his father’s repercussions.

  Colin wondered about all of this while the Vikings argued over the location, an empty industrial building or an isolated rural area. Why did Nuri come all the way up here to fight? She could have simply demanded some sort of hearing or demanded Alek be taken prisoner. Instead, she came hundreds of miles to fight another Were to the death. He thought this was foolish, if you lost, you’d be dead and if you won, you would make the entire Viking clan your enemy.

  Colin listened carefully when Mrs. Nygaard spoke about Heidi Zimmermann, “I heard she has defeated eight male wolves in single combat, all trying to take Dresden for their own. She has their heads on display in her office.” Having met her, Colin believed her capable of anything. He thought about the politics from Nuri’s side. She wanted to win, obviously, but not to proof Alek’s guilt, not even to protect her wolf sister. She had already taken care of that, Alek wouldn’t sign up for being chained down and violated like that again. Also, Alek had been intimate with Gretchen multiple times over the years, therefore Nuri must be looking for a larger gain and she thinks it’s here.

  Colin looked around the room and for a second thought Nuri was stupid and would gain nothing from these wolves worth anything. But as the conversation focused on their fear of Heidi Zimmermann, Colin finally had an epiphany. Nuri isn’t fighting Alek, or even the Vikings, she’s fighting the Duchess of Dresden for queen. Colin smiled as understanding dawned on him. He was now content watching the Vikings fumble through these pointless details.

  Colleen sat down next to him, “Figured out something, lover boy?” Her new pet name annoyed him. “You look like you know who you are going to vote for if the battle doesn’t end in death,” she stated.

  “How do you know that?” Colin asked

  “Because unlike our wolf brothers up here I saw pretty quickly Alek isn’t the problem, he’s the solution,” she answered. “You should probably keep your mouth shut about it. Don’t worry, you won’t have to vote,” she finished cruelly.

  The king held up his hands, stopping the argument and grandly said, “The battle will take place in the country, out where we initiated our young. The battle will be set for Wednesday night. My boy isn’t afraid of this Amazon bitch.” He finished with a proud roar. He looked more certain than Alek looked.

  ***

  Nuri was relaxing in her room at the Stockholm house. The afternoon sun shone brightly through the window. She was reading a paperback romance she found on the bookshelf in the corner. A girl meets a boy. Their fall in love, he does something stupid. The girl overreacts. Nuri barely absorbed the plot; she was more concerned about her upcoming combat. She believed this would catapult her to equal standing for queen, but doubts were starting to creep into her mind.

  Nox called into the house from the front door, “A car is approaching!“

  Nuri hurried downstairs and joined Nox on the front porch. The two Celt Weres emerged from the car and marched to the porch.

  The boy blurted, “I didn’t get to say my name yesterday when you dragged me into your bullshit. I’m Colin MacDermott.” Nuri was caught off guard and before she could speak, he continued, “This is Colleen McCarthy. The Vikings wanted me, the neutral party, to announce your battle will be Wednesday evening at seven o’clock. Here’s the address.” He handed her an official document on parchment and written in both Viking runes and English. She had to admire the Viking’s commitment to the old ways.

  He pointed at her, “No matter how this ends for you, if any of you attack us, we will not allow what you did to Alek to happen to us.“

  Nuri watched in disbelief, this nobody was challenging her. She felt a slight tug. “Boy, I wish to explain something,” she turned finding Mouse, “Go get Gretchen.” Mouse scurried back inside. The four werewolves stood and eyed each other.

  Mouse returned with Gretchen who was escorted off the porch by Nuri down to this Celt. She started, “I want you to understand why this fight must happen. Please Gretchen tell them what Alek has done to you.“

  Gretchen started to talk but was cut off by Colin, “I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. You’re using this girl agains
t her mother for the crown. I’m no fool.“

  Gretchen didn’t know what to do, so she tried to start again. Nuri placed a hand on her shoulder, “That’s okay sister, it seems we’re dealing with a different kind of wolf here.” Nuri thinking out loud added, “It’s a shame Amazons only welcome women, you would be quite an addition. I see you can’t be fooled, and probably can’t be bought. How about a truce?“

  The other Celt interrupted; Nuri had forgotten she was there. “We want to be permanent allies with you personally for as long as you live.“

  Nuri was shocked and wondered who was playing whom. The boy, Colin, backed his fellow Celt and didn’t say a word, staying stone-faced. She felt like she was being manipulated. Nuri wanted this but it seemed too easy. Her head and heart fought each other. She blurted, “I Nuri Marszalek of the Amazons pledge to be allies with Colin MacDermott and the clan Celts for all of my days. So be it.” She shivered like she wasn’t completely in control and added as a joke, “Even if that lasts just one day.”

  Mouse tugged on Nuri’s shirt and whispered into her ear. Nuri turned back to the Celts, “We would like to invite you to stay for dinner. Since we are allies now, we should get to know each other better. My name is Nuri, like I said. You both remember Gretchen. That sour faced woman is my sister Nox. This young woman is Mouse and Tamara is around her somewhere.”

  “I can cook something,” Gretchen suggested, finally being able to help her Duchess. She turned and went back inside.

  “Come in, come in,” Nuri encouraged. The group of unlikely new friends followed her while Nox stood watch on the front steps.

  Gretchen was dancing and humming as she pulled vegetables from the fridge. Colleen asked polite questions about the house and travel to Stockholm, she kept it light and unimportant. Colin still felt like an enemy invited over for afternoon tea. Mouse intensely followed him with her eyes. After ten minutes, the smells from the kitchen made his mouth water.

  “Nox says we have guests,” Tamara exclaimed as she entered. “Whoa, I leave for an hour and you let the Celts storm the gates.” Everything she said was in jest with a smile and wink. “I’ll help cook. What the hell are we feeding these savages?” she joined Gretchen, the banter continued until dinner was served.

  The meal was chicken with a light butter sauce. Nuri monopolized the conversation for the Amazons. Every now and then Tamara or Gretchen would add something. For the Celt’s, Colleen took point. Colin watched and added a few things here and there.

  Nuri asked, “Are the Celts organized like the Viking?“

  Colleen responded, “We have a King.“

  “Like Kai Falck?” Nuri asked

  “Thank God, No. Our King is named Osmund and there is a Council to help him with clan business. My grandmother is on it and they all have equal votes. It’s more collaborative than Viking politics and I imagine more collaborative than the Amazons too,” Colleen stated unintentionally insulting their hosts.

  Nuri responded, “We have family leaders and Duchesses for each specific region and one Queen. A strong leader must do what is best for all under her protection and her clan.“

  Colleen added, “Interesting, does that cause issues between Duchesses?“

  Nuri didn’t like how Colleen had jabbed a pressure point, “Not often, how do Celt’s solve problems between families?“

  “We don’t have many, everyone knows their place,” Colleen responded.

  Colin rolled his eyes and Mouse caught him, blurting out, “Colin thinks you said something stupid.“

  Colin’s face colored, “I wouldn’t put it that way. The elites take first and the lower class families deal with what’s left over.“

  Gretchen spoke, “My mother uses a similar system with those Amazons in Dresden.“

  Colleen pounced, “Gretchen, please tell us more about your mother,” failing to mention the dinner they had with her.

  “I don’t like talking about her much, it seems like I’m bad mouthing a fellow sister and I wouldn’t do that. She is the most graceful woman I’ve ever met. She is strong, powerful, and intelligent. If she wants something she always gets it.“

  “Impressive” Colleen said and hit a different nerve, “What kind of mother is she?“

  The conversation had turned a little tense; Gretchen calmly dodged the issue and countered, “I love her very much. Are you two dating?“

  Colleen answered fast, but only half a second before Colin. They both said, “No.” He looked at her wondering what she meant by that. He explained, “We grew up together. We’re more like siblings.” Nuri knew this was crap, but both Gretchen and Mouse lit up at the news.

  “Why are you both here together then?” Nuri asked.

  Colleen spoke for them, “Colin was invited to meet Mr. Nygaard’s daughter, a sweet little thing for possible marriage,” Mouse looked disappointed as she chewed on a chicken bone. “I was sent to arrange this and make sure he doesn’t embarrass the Celts.“

  Tamara from the corner, added, “That boy has nothing to be embarrassed about.” Gretchen laughed hard and Nuri stifled a smile. Colin and Mouse turned the same shade of red. This was when Colin realized he was surrounded by women, and women unlike any he had ever met before.

  The conversation became benign: favorite foods, best places to shop, and what tourist places you would recommend seeing in Poland and Ireland. No one said a single word about the combat tomorrow.

  After dessert, Colin stepped outside while Colleen collected phone numbers and addresses. She spoke with Gretchen for a couple of minutes one on one. He breathed in the crisp Swedish air as Nox walked around the side of the house. She approached him like a cat. She was an attractive woman but dark in clothes and mood. She stood next to him and looked out over the lawn, not speaking. The silence was oddly comfortable. He heard commotion from the interior and looked to see if Colleen was coming.

  Nox spoke, “I feel tomorrow is going to go badly. If it does, you should throw your lot in with Nuri.” She headed back down the porch and out around the other side of the house. She was out of sight before Colleen and the rest of the woman invaded the front porch. After a few goodbye hugs between the women, Colin shook hands with Nuri.

  “I’m glad to meet you and hope good things happen between us and our clans,” Nuri told him pulling him into an embrace. “Only time will tell if we made a good deal today,” she whispered the last part just for him.

  The drive back to the hotel was quiet as both Colleen and Colin pondered their new alliance.

  Chapter 28

  Colin and Colleen arrived an hour before the fight. The entire Viking clan was already there, men, women, and children. They had built an ‘arena,’ which was simply the three shortest steps from the Rite of Initiation in an arc. On each platform sat a matching dining room chair from the Falck’s home. The Vikings along with Colleen, Mandy, and Colin loitered near the platforms waiting for the Amazons.

  Colleen was speaking to Erika and Laila, they seemed to be commiserating about the bloodshed that was about to happen. Colin knew these three women weren’t squeamish about violence. It must be something everyone says before combat even if they don’t mean it. He wandered through the gathered crowd, slipping past the Hexums and ignoring Isak’s mistreatment of his family. Colin stopped to assist Kristina Leif with her twin boys Finn and Christian then wound around finding Lukas and Lovisa, next to Kai and Alek.

  Alek was shaking his arms like a boxer pre-fight. Colin remembered one of Colleen’s proper protocols about trials that seemed appropriate, “Alek, son of Kai, today you fight for the honor of clan Viking and I wish you strength to prove your innocence. The gods will guide you to victory.”

  Alek responded, “Whatever.“

  Colin thought, “He would need all the gods’ guidance to beat Nuri.“

  Kai added, “Thank you for your kind words, the Vikings will show their power and strength and overcome this; for ourselves, for our ancestors, and for the gods.“

  Having obs
erved the protocol, Colin said to the Nygaards and Falcks, “I heard Goran say the Amazon Duchess has already killed three in personal combats, did you hear that?“

  Kai buying into the rumor completely, “I had heard two, but I believe she could have more.“

  Alek refuted, “It’s just rumors. She hasn’t killed anyone. She’s just a weak girl. I’ve got this.” Colin thought Alek sounded tougher than he looked. He wore a loose black t-shirt and cargo pants. He was physically impressive, but having seen how the Amazons had abused him, Colin was certain Nuri had the upper hand.

  Colin tried to offer advice, “I haven’t fought to the death, but I recommend staying calm, focused…“

  “I don’t need any advice from you.” Alek sneered. He shot Colin a nasty look and pushed through the group walking away from everyone.

  “He just needs a few minutes to collect himself. He’ll be fine.” Kai said.

  “What happens if he loses, if he dies?” Colin asked aloud forgetting where he was for a second.

  “We kill every last Amazon and let them rot,” threated Kai. He wasn’t the clownish king from earlier. Or even the worried father Colin had seen a couple times. He was the man Colleen had warned him about. He reminded Colin of Osmund.

  “I’m sure Alek will win,” Colin said hoping to smooth over his faux pas.

  Two black SUV’s arrived and the Amazons jumped out. They didn’t rush down to the arena, instead they huddled together. The entire Viking clan and three Celts watched and waited.

  ***

  Nuri stood with her sisters by the cars while time ticked by. They had gone over everything four times, nothing was left to chance. Still she worried. Nuri looked around at who she had brought with her and second-guessed herself. She should have come alone. She looked at her aunt; Tamara wearing her hair in a ponytail making her look fiercer. The woman had raised Nuri, supported her, and saw so much strength inside her. Nuri looked at Nox, who was turned away watching the Vikings down by the lake. She liked Nox for some reason that defied logic. The woman was quiet, cold, and dark. But she was unchangeable and Nuri knew if they both lived to be a hundred, Nox would always be Nox. She turned back to her other sister, Gretchen. She was speaking to Mouse about Amazonian history. Nuri heard her say something about the last combat of Empress Sophia of the fourteenth century and how the Amazon great had defeated eight fighters in a row. The mind of her roommate amazed Nuri, but the reason she loved the German was her ability to see positive in everyone. The young girl, Mouse, should have been left in Krakow. Gretchen had been right but Nuri couldn’t do anything about it now. The girl was smart and Nuri believed she had something big inside her. Getting to it was going to take a while. Hopefully, she would have the time after today to extract it from Mouse to show her she didn’t have to shrink, she could be bold. These women around her made her strong and that strength would allow her to overcome any enemy.