At the second hour, my mother and I left for the Hall of Government to address the council. I wore the scarlet tunic of a Thivan warrior my mother had provided. My weapons I left at her house as they permitted no one to bear arms inside the council chamber.
As the timekeepers struck the bells announcing the third hour, my mother took the podium before the council members. She had left me in an alcove off the chamber until she introduced me. Soon I was to understand why.
First, my mother presented Idril and moved to return her to her former position as commander of the warriors. The council approved the motion by a unanimous vote, cheering Idril and the news she had survived and had returned to Thiva.
Next, my mother made a motion that the council receive an address from her son on the current situation in Nisa and the state of the slave rebellion. This motion resulted in pandemonium breaking loose in the chamber. When my mother had restored order, a seasoned member rose to address the council. The jeers and cries of outrage subsided for a time.
“Anax, our laws prohibit males from even entering this chamber,” the council member said. “Permitting a male to address this council is unthinkable. Though he is your son, males are beasts, inferior beings, who have no status and no standing to address this distinguished body.”
My mother displayed no emotion, while the other woman spoke. But she countered the argument with reason.
“My son, Tobias Hart, is unique,” she said. “As foreign a concept as it may be on this world, he is a free male. Years ago, the Goddess Queens bestowed that status. Now, those same deities have summoned Tobias Hart back to Vulvar for another mission.”
“What mission?” someone shouted.
“To assist with putting down the slave rebellion,” my mother said. After waiting for the murmurs to subside in the room, she continued.
“My son infiltrated the rebels in Nisa,” she said. “He has vital information to share. It would be well for you to listen to his first-hand account.”
“Let him speak,” one member shouted.
The council voted. Narrowly, the motion passed, allowing me to address the body. My mother turned to me and motioned me to the podium.
For my mother’s sake, I showed all respect, even deference, to the council as I addressed them. I told them what I had observed in Nisa as far as the strength and military effectiveness of the rebel force. I shared what I had heard of their plans to attack Thiva, and when they planned to march on the city. For a few moments, at least, the council members seemed to disregard my status as a male and instead saw me as a valuable resource for answering their pressing questions.
Once I’d finished my presentation to the council and had answered all their questions, to my astonishment, one council member even asked me my recommendation for countering the rebels.
“The Goddess Queens have given me a mission which I intend to carry out,” I said. “But, it is not my place to recommend how you should deploy your warriors. You have able commanders far better qualified than I to address that.”
“Well said,” a council member cried. “Let us hear from Idril.”
Idril stood up and joined me at the podium.
“After hearing the report of this warrior, I recommend that we reserve two-thirds of our force to defend the city from within our walls,” Idril said. “I suggest we use the other one-third to attack the rebel force now building siege engines in the forests west of the city. If we rout them and destroy the siege engines, the slave army from Nisa will lack the equipment needed to circumvent our walls.”
The council accepted Idril’s proposal. One member even stood and thanked me for my service to the city. Then the council member who had first stood to oppose me addressing the body stood to speak again.
“In hindsight, I think we were wise in allowing your son to speak,” she said to my mother. “On the other hand, once we defeat the insurgency and the emergency has ended, this council must again take up the status of Tobias Hart. Our customs and laws do not accommodate free males, regardless of what the Goddess Queens may have done in the past.”
“Very well,” my mother said. “We may discuss that later at an appropriate time. However, none of us know the minds of the Goddess Queens. Any decision about the future status of Tobias Hart or his continued presence here is likely their decision rather than ours.”
That seemed to satisfy everyone. The council meeting adjourned. Idril took me aside to inform me that when she arrived at her headquarters, she would assign Emer to a warrior unit with whom she would take up residence in a barracks. Since she would soon be without a house guest, Idril pointed out, there was no reason for me to refuse her offer of hospitality. She insisted that I make plans to stay with her at her home. I accepted the invitation, and we agreed to meet there after the twelfth hour. Then Idril excused herself to attend to her duties. My mother and I returned to her residence for the midday meal.
* * *
“Are you still determined to attempt the capture of Cooke?” my mother said.
“Yes, I think it is the most promising option for ending the rebellion,” I said.
“Do you have a plan?”
I shared the best of the plans I’d come up with, though even it was incomplete.
“Idril will send warriors with you. Nevertheless, I’m unconvinced your plan will succeed.”
“No, mother, I must go alone,” I said. “The rebels would likely discover even a small force. Alone, I might pass through their defenses undetected.”
“To accomplish what, Tobias? What then? You expect to stroll out of the midst of their army with their commander as an uncooperative captive?”
“I haven’t yet worked out those details,” I said.
“Because you cannot work them out,” my mother said. “Such an attempt would be foolhardy, even suicidal.”
We were both quiet for a while and ate the meal.
“Assuming you somehow accomplish the mission the Goddess Queens have given you, what then?” my mother said. ” Also, presuming they give you a choice, will you stay on this world or return to Earth?”
“I’m unsure,” I said. “My feelings for Idril have not changed. I suppose I would do whatever was necessary to be with her.”
“That means staying here,” my mother said. “The Goddess Queens would never allow Idril to go to Earth and stay there with you.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“Yes, do you believe I freely abandoned you on Earth and returned here all those many years ago?”
“I don’t know what to think about it, mother. We’ve never discussed it.”
“I was an agent on Earth for the Goddess Queens,” she said. “I met your father. We fell in love. I deserted when it was time for me to return to Vulvar to remain with your father. Soon after that, you were born.”
“Then what happened?”
“The Goddess Queens sent other agents. In time they found me and appeared at our home. Your father resisted them when they tried to seize me. I escaped during the altercation and took you to the home of your father’s sister. When I returned home, your father was dead. The agents seized me, and the Goddess Queens returned me to this world.”
“I admit I had hoped the Goddess Queens might permit Idril to accompany me to Earth so we could live a normal life,” I said.
“As much joy as it gives me to see you, you should never have come back here,” my mother said. “You will never be free on this world.”
“The Goddess Queens have made me free.”
“Regardless, you heard the council members speak. Even amid this crisis, most of them are more concerned about how they will deal with you. If you remain here with your free male status, they will put you out of the city.”
“Vulvar is a large planet. Could I not live free outside the walls of Thiva?”
“No, there is no provision for free males in our society, Tobias. Without a city, all Vulvarians would consider you an outlaw. Others on this world would continue to view
you as a slave, and you would be forever at risk of capture and enslavement.”
“Though your customs and traditions have proven viable for generations, I think Vulvarians must soon learn to accept change,” I said.
“What change should we accept?”
“Abandonment of the complete enslavement of males,” I said. “This rebellion is only the first. Unless females accept change, males on this world will continue to revolt. Your customs and traditions have become invisible bonds far heavier than chains.”
“You suggest we should return to the male-dominated ethos of Earth?” my mother said. “That’s unthinkable.”
“As is, the gynocracy established six-hundred years ago will not stand forever. There are superior traits that females naturally possess that make female rule a favorable system. But, your people must discover a way to continue the gynocracy without reducing all males to slavery, stripping them of every right and freedom.”
“No Vulvarian female would ever give serious consideration to such a proposal,” my mother said. “It would be too unimaginable.”
“Then the gynocracy had best prepare for great societal upheaval, and more turmoil after that until the situation becomes untenable.”
“If you feel our customs and traditions are so unfair, it surprises me you contemplate carrying out the orders of the Goddess Queens.”
“It is of fairness I speak, mother,” I said. “I do not support the rebel cause. They seek only to replace the gynocracy with an equally unfair system of male domination out of a desire for vengeance against their female masters. If they succeed, it will not improve life on this world.”
“If we ended male enslavement, if we accorded some rights and freedoms to males, they would only demand more concessions, Tobias.”
“Though females here despise men and congratulate themselves on their lofty status, I think they fail to respect themselves too. By hating men, they hate themselves. The rebellion shows the pendulum has swung. I pity the females of this planet. All will become the objects of the pent-up male frustrations that have simmered here for generations.”
“Tobias, I understand your perspective as one of Earth,” my mother said. “But, please do not speak thus outside the walls of this house. The council would demand your arrest and execution.”
“Yes, mother, I am aware,” I said.
“You cannot remain on this world, my son. I see that you will never accept returning to slavery. My blood flows in your veins. You have become a warrior.”
“The point is perhaps moot, mother,” I said. “Perhaps I will die an honorable death while attempting to satisfy the will of your Goddess Queens.”
My mother’s eyes filled with tears. “Each day, I will offer sacrifices to the Goddess Queens praying that will not happen.”
13
My Companion
Four days after the council address, I set my course for Nisa astride a baacaas Idril had provided. Tied to my saddle were two quivers of arrows, and across my back was a Vulvarian bow. I did not wear the uniform of a warrior, but a tunic of a coarse fabric of the natural tan color as the thread from which the weavers had woven it. The simple helmet on my head I’d brought from Nisa comprised my armor. The katana hung strapped to my back, so I could draw it by reaching back and gripping the hilt over my right shoulder.
The past three nights, I had stayed at Idril’s home. The experience had left me feeling unsettled. We had slept together but had not made love as before. There had seemed an awkwardness between us. She had not suggested sex, and I had not pressed the issue. While I felt sure my feelings for Idril were unchanged, and that she too still felt affection for me, something had felt off.
While I paralleled the paved road, I avoided it to ride cross-country as I wished to avoid any advance rebel scouts. As I approached a narrow pass between two small mounds of earth, I turned the baacaas to the right to climb to the summit of one hill. I wished to make sure I was still close to the paved road. Taking out a small telescope my mother had given me, I held it to my eye and spotted the paved thoroughfare some distance away. Then I heard the approaching hoof beats of a galloping baacaas from behind me. Was I being followed, I wondered? My first thought was of Tiaaira and her threat. Had she trailed me from Thiva to take her revenge?
Dismounting, I tied the reins of the baacaas to a bush and ran to the edge of the small hill so I could look down on the path that ran between the two low hills. After only a few moments, a baacaas and a person wearing the maroon cape, armor, and helmet of a Thivan warrior came into view. The rider rode while leaning to the side of the animal, looking at the ground, no doubt seeking the tracks of my baacaas. The path had turned from dirt to gravel just as I had approached the narrow pass, making the hoof prints few. The rider reined up, casting about for signs where my tracks had disappeared.
After several moments, the rider spurred the animal forward to enter the defile. I got to my feet. As the mounted rider drew even with me, I leapt from the hill and dropped atop the baacaas and its passenger. The animal reared, spilling us both to the ground.
After rolling on the ground for some moments, I gained the advantage and pinned the rider, a female, to the ground. I reached down and stripped the helmet off, so I could see her face.
Grinning up at me, Emer said, “Hail, Tobias Hart.”
“Emer, by the Goddess Queens, what are you doing here?”
I released her and stood up, allowing Emer to get to her feet.
“The Thivan warriors proved most unwelcoming,” she said. “Rather than stay with that ungrateful lot, I followed you.”
“Emer, you can’t accompany me,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m probably riding to certain death.”
“All death is certain,” Emer smirked. “Shall we go?”
I did not speak for several moments but only gave her a long stern look.
“You cannot wear the uniform of a Thivan warrior if you insist on coming,” I said.
“What would you have me wear?”
“I have an extra plain tunic in my saddlebags,” I said.
“Let me catch my baacaas,” Emer said, bending down to retrieve her helmet. “Then lead on.”
Leading her mount, Emer followed me uphill where I’d left mine tied to the bush. I retrieved a spare, plain tunic from my saddlebags and tossed it at her.
“Throw away the cape and armor,” I said. “Put on the tunic. Keep only your sword belt and helmet.”
“Yes, commander,” Emer said, throwing me a mock salute.
To my surprise, Emer stripped off the cape and armor and stood naked before me. Then she pulled the coarse tunic over her head before strapping her sword belt back on.
“I did not mean you should disrobe before my eyes,” I said.
“Do I embarrass you, commander?” Emer grinned. “You have seen me naked before. Have you not?”
“Mount your baacaas,” I said with annoyance. “And, stop calling me commander.”
“Yes, commander,” Emer said. “As you wish, my liege.”
I turned away, shaking my head, untied my baacaas, and climbed astride my saddle.
“Do we have a plan, commander?” Emer said.
“We will follow the road until we hear an army passing upon it,” I said. “Then, we shall see what develops.”
“A simple yet brilliant plan, commander,” Emer said with a mischievous smile and a nod.
I sighed. “Regular rations and a bath must have agreed with you,” I said. “You seem to be in fine spirits.” Then I spurred the baacaas downhill to the trail with Emer following.
* * *
For four hours, we alternated moving at a trot and then a walk every lega, as I estimated the distance. We covered about ten legas before stopping at a brook to water and rest the baacaases. While we had remained close enough to the paved road to hear an army passing, we had heard nothing. After dismounting, we stripped off the saddles and allowed the animals to water and graze.<
br />
After the break, we rode for another four hours, which put us around eight to nine miles north of Nisa. Encountering another stream, I told Emer we would make camp there for the night. We still had heard nothing on the paved road.
“The rebels have not yet marched,” Emer said.
“No, and I’m pleased about it,” I said. “I expect the rebel army will encamp only once on the march to Thiva. That offers only one good opportunity to seize the Dabar.”
“Do we ride to Nisa?”
“No, in the morning, we will find a suitable place from which to observe the road,” I said. “Then we will shadow the rebel army until they bivouac for the night.”
After unsaddling the baacaases and staking them so they might graze and get water from the stream, Emer and I had a meal of dried meat and brown bread. Afterward, we hiked near the paved road seeking an observation post. It was not yet dusk when we heard the approaching shod hooves of a baacaas ridden at a gallop striking stone. Concealing ourselves amid some boulders next to the road, we waited. I notched an arrow on the string of my bow.
A baacaas appeared with a rider wearing the bright yellow cape of a rebel warrior. I carefully aimed with the bow and released the arrow, which struck the baacaas in the chest. The arrow it seemed had pierced the heart of the animal. It went down right away onto its forelegs. The rider had taken flight over the animal’s head. The dead baacaas skidded to a stop on its left side, and its dazed rider stood up several feet away, trying to determine what had happened.
“You missed,” Emer observed.
“I did not miss,” I said. “I was aiming at the baacaas. I wanted to take the rebel alive.”
I hurried out onto the road with another arrow drawn. When the warrior saw me, he turned and ran south on the road. I sent the second arrow into the back of his thigh, and he fell to the road. I notched another arrow and walked towards him. Staggering to his feet, the warrior drew his rakir and brandished it.
Rebels of Vulvar (Vulvarian Saga Book 2) Page 8