Ira’s yurt was neat and organized, light entered through the wide curtains and the air flowing through the entrance, freshening it. Layers of colourful carpeting covered the floor, except for the area around the iron chimney, which stood in the centre stood in the centre, clean of any debris or coal. Alana noticed glass vases sealed with hemp, some with milk or yoghurt, others with serum and cheese, piled against the edge and shielded in a wooden box. More boxes and chests were piled on one side of the yurt, and a beautiful bow of bone and sinew hung from one end of the walls.
“Take a seat,” Ira said. Alana looked around, but did not find a place to do it. “On the floor, silly,” Ira muttered.
“Oh, right,” Alana said, pulling the skirt of her robe to sit.
“Why are you dressed like that? Are you riding a horse around with that? You’re wearing rags!”
“Oh, it’s fine, don’t worry about it,” Alana said.
“Give me a second.” Ira turned her back on her and walked toward a wooden chest on the far corner, she opened it, revealing many folded robes and trousers. “Try this on.” Ira pulled out a pair of red riding trousers. She wiped them and offered them folded to Alana.
“This?” Alana asked, surprised, and receiving the gift solemnly. “Thank you, but I don’t think I need it.”
“Come on, it’s for you, try it on.”
“No, please, I’m okay.”
“How can you ride to battle like that?”
Alana blinked, and glanced at it again. They were of excellent quality. She felt shy for accepting such a gift at that time, but it would really come in handy.
“Fine,” Alana said, offering Ira a shy smile.
“Please make yourself comfortable. I’m really glad to finally meet you, you’ve got no idea.”
“Finally?” Alana raised an eyebrow.
Ira turned her back again and walked to the other side, where the glass vases were.
“Wait!” she said. “This is a great moment, we’ve got to celebrate it.”
“So, you met my parents, right?” Alana said. She liked Ira. It had made her a bit uncomfortable with the sudden welcoming and kindness, but after running away and being called a traitor by half the town, it felt like heaven now.
Ira came back with a tray, woven basket lined with a hemp cloth, and an assortment of cheese inside, as well as two clay vases full of fresh mare’s milk on top. She carefully placed it on the floor.
“Have some,” Ira said with a big smile.
“Thanks,” Alana muttered; cheese was a delicacy. She grabbed a big soft piece of goat cheese, she felt instantly refreshed by the salty, musky flavour.
“Try the blue one,” Ira said proudly. “Wait, swallow this one first. Yes, savour it.”
“Nice,” Alana said, grabbing the vase next to her and swallowing a mouthful of milk. It was mare milk, a delicacy she missed from the village. “It’s been only three months, and this feels like coming back home after a long journey.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Ira said. “Now, if you excuse me.” She grabbed a piece of cheese and chewed on it slowly, she shut her eyes and inhaled. “It’s amazing, I love cheese so much,” she said, with her mouth full, and small crumbles showing on her teeth.
After there was no more cheese left.
“Please don’t ask for more, yet,” Ira said. “I may finish it.”
Alana sighed.
“That was wonderful. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, I’m glad you enjoyed it. So, I was telling you. Fifteen years ago, we were so worried about your mother. She sent me with an urgent message. She had to talk to your father. We didn’t know why. I found him, then I rode with him the entire way from beyond the Danabius river to the White Mountains. He was dead worried about your mother, and it turns out she was expecting you and did not want our Chieftain to know.”
“Me?”
“Yes! I was so happy to know, of course, we lost your mother, that was sad, but you were his only joy in the world.”
“I see,” Alana said, lowering her face. She wished with all her heart to know her mother.
“I’m sorry about what happened to your father. And your mother too, I wish I could help you in any way.”
“Well, you’re helping, but . . . It’s . . .”
Alana had to tell her what she felt, maybe she wouldn’t believe her, but if only she could help her.
“You heard me up there, the only thing I need now is an army. Many have died, and the people you know and love. We must liberate them.”
Ira took a slow, deep breath. For an instant, Alana thought she would make the situation uncomfortable. She got ready to get scolded again.
“I see,” Ira muttered, not moving her blue eyes away from her.
What did that reaction mean? Was she just being polite? Alana went for it.
“Miss Ira, I need to raise an army, I do not know where I can get it, but I would do anything to find it.”
“That’s all? Well . . . Listen, I am a member of the Tribal Council. Let me be honest, Varalkas doesn’t want to help. Actually, not a single one of the leaders wants to. And, there’s a reason why. The plague, you know. And there’s another reason, but don’t tell anyone.”
“What?”
“The pest started two months ago, after a single event.” Ira took a deep breath. “Varalkas told the council not to let anyone know, he said he himself wasn’t sure.”
“But what caused it?”
“It started when an Itruschian delegation brought a charity offer, bringing biscuits and blankets.”
Alana raised an eyebrow.
“So was the food poisoned with plague?”
“Either the food or the blankets. The people started finding lice in it. It is known that winter lice cause terrible illnesses. Anyway, Varalkas wanted to suppress this idea. He said he was protecting our people.”
“So, they did . . . What? They wanted to wipe this camp off?”
“And they’re doing it well. Cases have receded, but it’s still going on. And lice passes from people to people. Old people have dealt with this in war and found ways to reduce it.”
“What can we do?”
“The damage is done. We must take care of our people, making sure they wash and boil the robes where they sleep. But it’s hard to change old habits.”
Ira stood up.
“Anyway, they won’t help you, but I have another proposal for you.”
Chapter XI - The Initiate
Kassius entered a small hut, impregnated with the smell of burning seeds. In the centre, he saw a hot cauldron below a high pole of gold. The priest of Jupiter was seated cross legged, his red robe and fur boots. Upon his head, a pointed hat of gold, with what he identified as phases of the sun and moon forged across its shaft. That Golden Hat, extending almost a meter and a half, was held in place by a wooden structure behind his head. Kassius wondered how heavy it must be.
“High priest!” Kassius said, falling into both his knees. “I am Kassius Filyusdpitar Gadlicus, grandson of Aranus of Kashfrud.”
“The grandson of Aranus?” the priest said. “Yes, the priest of Mercury told me about you.” He took a slow controlled breath and looked into Kassius’ eyes. His eyes were red with the holy vapors, and his hands were interlocked in a magical sign. “Sit before me, young man. Why have you come to me? Have you anything to ask the Gods?”
“Elder, I have come here to ask for your counsel and beg of you to initiate me. I have studied texts from the ancient men and women of Tharcia, as you heard by my wife . . .” he lowered his head lightly, fearing he may not believe him. “I have had some experiences with them.”
“I see . . . Young man.” The priest stretched forth his hand. Kassius noticed it had an eye tattooed in his palm, surrounded by a circle and magical angles. Kassius nodded and placed his palm on top of his.
The priest closed his hand, clenching Kassius’ hand together, and
shut his reddened eyes.
“I can see . . .”
He opened his eyes quickly. Kassius opened his eyes wide, expecting the answer.
“The gods are using you, child.”
“I know that,” Kassius said, lowering his head in humility.
“I know about the sword.”
“Sir.” Kassius couldn’t help but raise his head, and speak his heart out. “But if you know it is true, you must tell them! You must.”
“And yet, they would not believe.”
“So?” Kassius blinked in unbelief. That seemed like a cowardly thought.
“I know what you are thinking. I would think the same, but they will soon find out.”
“Well, let them prepare! If they join us now, we can attack the Empire and . . .”
“It is not wise yet. Believe my words, they will soon believe, maybe too late, but they shall.”
“So you have seen the future. Elder, please, I need to learn of you. I need to, I feel it in my soul, I want to know what we are facing, how to face it, I want to see the things that will be, and know what has been, that has led my wife, my people and me up to this very moment.”
“The crossroads of time.” The priest inhaled. “You know the Empire is not the biggest threat, don’t you?”
Kassius’ fists tensed. The Elder knew about them. Did he know that Kassius and Alana had awoken them?
“Have you seen . . ?”
“Yes . . . Those who were beneath the earth. The ones who rose again.”
Suddenly, Kassius felt as if he was naked and guilty, he lowered his eyes and felt an urge to excuse himself. He had not intended to do that, and since they had disappeared without leaving more trace than those huge footprints, he had stopped worrying.
“It was meant to be, boy.”
“Elder, we did not know . . .”
“It had to be that way, they had awaited until their enemy would rise.”
“Enemy? Are we that enemy? But Ares . . . The ancient god, he was the one who fought them.”
“You and I will soon see. Aren’t you a son of Ares?”
“Then what? I mean, Elder, where can I start. Where are they?”
“I have seen them ravaging towns, I have seen them tearing forests down, and men kneeling before them.”
“What?”
“Beyond that, I have not seen. I have only ideas. But you play a part in it.”
“And Alana too, for sure. Well.” He cleared his throat. “Teach me, please. Teach me to control the visions.”
“Tell me what you already know.”
“I fasted for long, I disciplined my thoughts and concentrated on the Symbols of the Heavenly Gods. But I cannot call upon them often. I feel them, I see them often, but not enough.”
“You are married, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Abstain from touching your wife.”
“You mean . . .”
“Not even touching her skin, not your wife, nor any woman, do it for a few days.”
He shook his head.“But, we sleep together.” “Do it for ninety-six days. These days you shall drink nothing but cow’s milk.”
“Ninety-six,” he whispered, startled, with his eyes open.
“Can you do it?”
Kassius took a deep breath. “Yes.”
“Do whatever it takes, if your flesh is weak, abandon this place and go live in the plains, next to the river, among the rocks.”
“Yes!” Kassius nodded.
“We need a brave warrior and powerful priests to face the menace to come. Young Kassius, Aranus was a dear friend of mine. He saw, we both saw, what would happen if the war continued. It was all prophesied, even the rise of the Old Ones, but not all was clear. We could not foresee the treason of the Empire, nor what it meant.”
“What did what mean?”
“He heard a prophecy from the mouth of the Oracle of Venus. Fifteen years ago, right before the end of the war. The Oracle gave us its time, it said it was better to die, it was better to die than to see them return.”
“I understand.” Kassius knew how important he was, and yet, although he felt weak and unworthy, he knew failing could mean things would change, and not for the better. If the magnitude of the war when the Giants were defeated had covered the entire earth and left entire continents in ruins, in that dark age, it could mean the end of the world, and the loss of all the people he cared about. He was willing to give all of himself, even his life for them. And yet, he wondered how strong his bodily and sentimental impulses could be.
There was so much in Kassius’ mind, but so far, he had learned not to demand knowledge, for it could come too quickly, too harshly. Patience and strength of will were virtues he had to cultivate.
“Come with me later tonight, and let us offer a sacrifice to the gods, to mark the beginning of your training,” the Elder said.
***
A brown and white goat was sacrificed to Ares that day, its flesh soon mixed the aromas of the melting fat with that of the sacred seeds. Kassius ate of the savoury meal, tasting every fibre, as it would be the last time he tasted meat in a long time. The rest of the meat was gifted to families that were suffering of the plague.
That afternoon, Kassius returned to his tent, where he encountered Alana, all smiles, along with Irema, a local woman who had been among the tribe’s officials, and Gitara, who was showing her baby girl to that local woman.
“Kassius,” Alana jumped to her feet, and pranced toward him, extending her hands forward to grab his.
Kassius did not extend his hands, and when she approached, he took a step back.
“Are you okay?” Alana asked, raising an eyebrow. “Did you not wash your hands or something?”
Kassius cleared his throat. “Ala, I’m doing something.”
“It’s about time,” she said with a wink. “You spent all day doing nothing.”
“I mean, I’m doing a ritual. It will last ninety-six days, and,” he looked around. All the women were staring at him. He lowered his voice and looked at Alana in her clear blue eyes. “Would you mind if I talk to you in private for a minute?”
Alana raised an eyebrow and turned her head, looking at her friends for an instant.
“Sure,” she said.
“Excuse us one minute,” Kassius waved his hand at the girls, then walked out with her. The wind blew through her yellow hair, and the morning star could already be seen on the purple sky above.
“What is it?” Alana asked, arms on her waist.
“I’m doing a ritual Ala, and it’s very peculiar.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I have to do certain things, or rather, not do. I can’t touch you.”
“You can’t what?”
“Can’t touch you at all.”
“That’s weird,” she said, now, crossing her arms. “So?”
“Yes, so I think we will have to sleep in different tents.”
Alana giggled.
“I have something to tell you too.”
Kassius raised an eyebrow. “What could it be?”
“I was hoping you could come with me.”
“Where?”
“To the north, to visit the Northern Tribes.”
“You? But how? When?”
“Ira told me she could ride with us, she knows the steppe like the palm of her hand; she used to be the fastest rider and the old Chieftain’s messenger.”
“Alana, I just said we can’t be together.”
“Kassius, you are supposed to be my husband.”
“Yes,” he ran his fingers through his messy hair. “But . . .” He shook his head. “I mean . . .”
“So you won’t go with me?”
“I would . . .” Kassius felt trapped. He hated making her mad.
She crossed her arms. He hated seeing her frustrated.
“Why, you don’t want to go with me?”
“I do, but . . .”
“Why wouldn’t you want to go? Why do you want to get away from me? Tell me, Kassius.”
“Alana, I just told you about my ritual.”
“Your ritual? So is your ritual more important than coming with me? Kasha, this is important. First, you and I do things together. We are supposed to do things together. Second, we need to raise an army. Third, I’m seeing the steppe, I’d like to see it with you, imagine, the northern tribes must be so powerful. Maybe they will join us, they need to see you too.”
Kassius started to think maybe he could try and do the ritual later. But no, it was a long time, and he did not know how much time it would take before they would ride back into Itruschia.
“Well, it’s more complicated than that,” he said. “What if we wait until the ritual is complete, and then we go?”
“I have to go now, Kassius, as soon as possible. Sooner or later, they’ll come looking for us.”
He fidgeted with his belt. That was a tough decision. What if she got mad at him? Besides, he was leaving her alone. The village was full of men more muscular and skilful than him. No, why was he thinking that? Did he not trust her?
He had promised the Elder that he would do it no matter what. He cleared his throat and said it, as if finally executing a prisoner after minutes of hesitation.
“I’m sorry, Alana. Really, I cannot go. I need to complete my initiation.”
He looked at her in the eyes. Hers were moist, and so were his.
Chapter XII - Human Sacrifice
The company of Gadalian and Suevian explorers rested that night in separate camps in the woods. The next morning, they started their march before sunrise, and walked until noon. Askar had to change his gauze often, and had received a burning ointment that was supposed to ward off infections, but although his wounds still brought him pain, he felt much better than the day before.
They marched close together, wary and suspicious of each other. Askar walked next to Elkas, whose piercing glance never deviated from the road.
“Askar, are you feeling well?” the decurion asked.
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