Goddess's Warrior

by John Hicks

  *

  Olivia held the reins firmly as the wagons neared Panwritle. It was two months since they had left Kapatol. The caravan of 30 wagons, with its attendant mule handlers, drivers and men-at-arms was closing on its destination. Olivia had had a private grin when she had learnt that half the wagons were loaded with supplies for the Ravens.

  The Ravens were one of several mercenary companies which along with the Royal forces of Pan were to face the forces of Danglish, the bastard son of the recently deceased King of Pan who sought the throne from his half-brother and heir Prince Shaun who commanded the forces of Pan.

  Both Prince Shaun and Danglish had hired mercenary companies to boost their forces and Danglish had also hired soldiers from the land of Lore from over the mountains. Danglish was massing his forces near Panwritle so that was where Prince Shaun was gathering his forces also.

  Olivia wondered how her one-time friends were faring. She was very disappointed with them after they, whom she had thought she could trust, had turned from her as soon as she had been accused without letting her defend herself of the charge. She remembered when a week previous the Ravens’ recruits had passed the caravan looking fine in their uniform and amour. Olivia had slipped her hood over her head and turned her face away so they didn’t recognize her. She would try to keep clear of them until the actual contact with Gloam’s forces occurred. She had had no difficulty getting the job with George’s caravan. The wagon master had been having problems getting people who were willing to go to Panwritle because of the trouble that was expected there.

  That afternoon they arrived in Panwritle. Some of the cargo was delivered to its owners immediately while some had to wait. The next day Olivia was amongst the drivers told off to deliver the Raven’s supplies to their camp. Olivia obeyed with mixed feelings. She was sure there would be trouble once was recognized but she wanted to see Amelia.

  There was no problem at first. On arrival at the entrance to the Raven’s camp the gate guard sent for orders as to where the supplies where to be unloaded. The officer that came was Lieutenant Amelia who immediately recognized Olivia.

  ‘Olivia! What are you doing here?’

  ‘Bringing your supplies, Ma’am. Where do you want them unloaded?’

  ‘This way.’ Amelia led the wagons to their supply store then she called for people to unload the wagons. During the move to the chosen spot Olivia saw Captain Gordon and Sergeant Crandall glaring at her from a distance. Olivia also saw Captain Beverly and Captain Orion, the other Cohort Commanders standing with Captain Gordon. *So the whole Company is here.* As soldiers gathered to unload the wagons Olivia’s name was passed from one to another.

  ‘Hey look! It’s the thief. What’s she doing here?’

  ‘We don’t want thieves here.’

  While this was happening Olivia felt a nudge in her mind. She turned to Amelia.

  ‘Lieutenant is there a place we can speak privately?’

  Amelia looked at Olivia in surprise. ‘My tent,’ she said finally. She headed off. Olivia swung her quiver onto her shoulder and followed.

  In Amelia’s tent they faced each other.

  ‘Lieutenant when I reached Kapatol I went to the Temple. When I touched the Tree the goddess appeared to me and not only acknowledged my innocence and removed the whip marks but also told me that I’m the daughter of your mother’s younger sister who went missing twenty years ago. In other words we -you and I- are cousins.’

  ‘She said this? She healed you? I mean…’

  Olivia slipped her quiver from her back then undid her belt and pulled her shirt up, at the same time turning to present her back to Amelia. ‘Do you see any whip marks?’

  ‘No,’

  Olivia turned round to face Amelia as she refastened her clothes.

  ‘Alanya said that we -you and I- share birth marks. I think you saw mine when I was in the infirmary after my flogging?’ (Amelia flushed and nodded slowly.) ‘Mine is on my left breast as you saw. Yours lieutenant is on your right breast and your mother’s is below her right breast. My mother -your mother’s sister- had hers below her left breast. Correct?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘How do you think I know these things since I have never seen you or your mother uncovered and I do not actually remember my mother?’

  ‘The Goddess…?’

  ‘Yes. Alanya also said my suspicions about Captain Gordon, Sergeant Crandall and Corporal Francis were correct. They were and are working for Gloam. Whether they actually know that of course remains to be seen.’

  ‘Gloam! You really think he is involved in this?’

  ‘’The Goddess said so. You must be ready for Gloam’s priests to be supporting the forces of Danglish in the coming battle.’

  ‘Understood. But what will you be doing?’

  ‘At the moment I cannot answer that. I know that sounds odd but all will be revealed soon.’

  ‘Where will I find you?’

  ‘At the moment with the other drivers of the Georges Merchant House… Lieutenant … I think it would be better if you don’t tell your Mother of this meeting unless you have to and then only after you are sure you can’t be overheard. Now we had better get back before people come looking for us.’

  ‘Right.’

  Olivia exited the tent followed by Amelia. Both women headed for where the wagons were finishing unloading. Olivia climbed onto the driver’s seat of her wagon and ignoring the jeers from her old ’friends’ lead the way out of the Ravens encampment.

  Soon after they returned to the yard where the other wagons of the caravan were parked, Olivia was summoned to the office of caravan manager who ran the caravan for Georges Merchant House.

  ‘Olivia. What’s this I hear of you being a thief? I never thought you would do such a thing.’

  ‘Your right. I didn’t do it. It happened while I was in the Ravens. I was accused of stealing when someone put another soldiers belonging in my bed. I was flogged and thrown out - without a trial. I believe it was done to get rid of me. Some people in the Company thought I was a threat to them and their arrangements.’

  ‘What arrangements?’

  ‘Arrangements to allow military supplies and weapons to be smuggled into Weldfore. I became a threat to this plan when I uncovered military supplies in hidden compartments in a caravan we stopped and searched as per our contract with the Fenton authorities. It appeared I was the only soldier who was able to find these hidden compartments although there were older more experienced soldiers in the cohort - including corporals and sergeants- who appeared to not be able to find the compartments. Our officer at the time was new. She didn’t know of hidden compartments.’

  ‘An interesting story, Olivia. But we can’t have thieves in this company. I’ll have to let you go.’

  ‘Without any proof of wrongdoing? You’ll be no better than the Ravens captain. Not allowing the accused to defend herself. You’ll be the one doing wrong. I trust you will pay me what you owe me.’