“I pray that she helps us in the coming battle…” The commander trailed off as he began to snore.
“Indeed commander…” General Hamo joined his companion in rest as he drifted off.
***
Eleesa awoke from her cage, surprised to see the first rays of dawn coming through the window. All the guests and the house lords had left. No one had come in and thrown water on her. She reached down through the cage floor to find she could reach the food. It was strange that no slaves had come to clean up the food, but it was still early. She ate hungrily and drank some of the wine. It wasn’t long before her head was swimming from the drink. She felt a lot better though. All the pain that she had endured over the past days had almost disappeared. She noticed Harco leaning in the doorway to the dining room. Startled, she dropped the metal cup and food fell out of her mouth.
“I’m sorry about all of this. Father doesn’t care about you learning to work. He just wants you to call him king. He did the same thing to me my first days here. He told me I could take you out of there now.” Harco continued to talk as he walked up onto the table and unlocked the door. “His methods are pretty terrible, but he is a good man. The other lords would have treated you much worse, I promise. You passed his test at least. You are very strong my pretty raven.” Harco pulled Eleesa out of her cage and carried her out of the room. They took a maze of hallways. Eleesa’s head was still swimming from all the wine she drank. They came to a dark room, lit only a by a dozen candles. Even in her dazed state, Eleesa could tell the room was well furnished. A shrine to the Dark Queen had been erected above a cold bronze and iron brazier. Ox hide banners and oval shields decorated the walls. A single shield with a snake painted on it hung above the bed post. Harco’s bed could easily have fit three people in it and was covered in silk. The four bed posts had snakes carved into the wood. The far corner of the room held a statue of the Queen Magiya, holding a snake dangling over her shoulders.
“I love this room…” Eleesa mumbled as Harco laid her in her bed.
“Now you will love me…” Harco grinned as he crawled on top of Eleesa. He lowered his head and smelled her hair. The stench that assaulted his nose was great and he leapt off the bed. “Slave!” A young slave woman hurried into the chamber. Her face flushed with jealousy when she looked over at Eleesa. She bowed and left. A few moments later the young slave returned with a bowl of water and began cleaning Eleesa’s unconscious body. “Clean the bed when you’re finished.” With a look of disgust, Harco left the room.
Eleesa awoke to her companion, Jaco, in the bed next to her. His violet eyes were searching her features. She was startled when she woke up. He was startled as well. She yelped in shock and moved away from him suddenly.
“Relax Eleesa, you are almost out of danger.”
“I will never be out of danger. Where were you?”
“I know it seems that way. This house is filled with vipers in every corner. Not ever place in the world is like here. Most are though. I must go now.”
“Wait!” Eleesa almost shouted as Jaco crawled out the window.
“Who were you talking to?” Harco entered the room just after Jaco left.
“No one my lord. Just myself…” Eleesa sheepishly answered as she stared at the floor.
“What worries you, young raven. I am here, you need not worry anymore. You are all mine now.” Harco ran his fingers through Eleesa long black hair. His fingers trailed down her body. She shuddered as his fingers tickled her skin and Harco laughed.
“Harco! I have a mission for you. Eleesa will wait until tonight.” Lord Hamago entered. Harco grumbled and took his hands away from Eleesa’s body. She sighed gratefully as he left and lay back down.
“Put some clothes on!” Lord Hamago left, but just before he stepped out of the door… “Make sure not to wear any of the clothes in this room. You may only wear women’s clothes.”
“Yes, my King.” Eleesa responded loudly just to make certain. “Damn your queen. Damn this place.” Eleesa grumbled as she searched the room for clothes but there was nothing. “May I get a dress?” Eleesa called to the slave outside the chambers.
“Get it yourself, slave!” The reply was angry and shaken with emotion. Eleesa bit her lip and went to leave the room. The young slave girl blocked her path. “Master ordered that you are not to leave.” Eleesa hissed and returned to Harco’s bed. Eleesa took the silk sheet off the bed and wrapped it around herself.
“Did not your master order you to clean the room.” With a sullen expression, the young slave girl entered the room.
“The master will here of this. He is your master too.”
“Wait! Please don’t tell him. I don’t want to go back in that cage.” The slave girl smiled cunningly.
“Hm… perhaps, what is it worth to you?” Eleesa suddenly had an idea.
“What if I left?”
“No one can escape here.”
“If I did, then you could stay with Harco.”
“I am only a slave. He would never stay with me.” Eleesa began to pity the girl. Some spell had come over her. How could she be in love with such a horrible young man.
“Yes, but you would not have me here. If I am caught, then I will die. Either way, you would be rid of me.”
“There will always be another.” The young slave girl was beginning to give in and Eleesa sensed it.
“Yes, but it will not be me. Perhaps, you will find a way to get rid of them as well. You’re a smart and beautiful girl. No, a lady.” The slave girl blushed and smiled.
“Well, if you are going to wear something, it won’t be that. The master would put both of us in the cage. I will get you something more to your standing. Also, I have a plan for your escape. I will be back shortly.” The slave girl exited the room and Eleesa was alone once more. She sat down on the bed and imagined living here. She loved the decorations, the art work on the shields and ox hides, and she loved the architecture. It was all wonderful and new to her sheltered mind. The only problem was the inhabitants. She did not have long to think as the slave girl returned. The girl was carrying a grey cotton dress, very similar to the one the girl was wearing.
“That might fit me better than this bed sheet.” Eleesa laughed and the slave girl laughed with her. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, just escape, or die.” The slave girl threw the dress at Eleesa and left.
“The bed!” Eleesa shouted after the girl, who returned promptly with a scowl on her face. She quickly gathered up the bed covers and exited the room.
Eleesa had only just dressed when Hamaco entered the room.
“Ah, look at what beauty is here waiting for me. Harco can’t have you if I get to you first.” Hamaco approached and forcefully shoved Eleesa onto the bed. He was about to tear her new dirty dress off when Lord Hamago entered as well.
“What are you doing Hamaco? Harco will kill you.”
“Harco is a bastard! She will be mine! What are you doing here? You just want her for yourself!” Hamaco stood taller but he still looked like a child compared to Hamago.
“How dare you! Perhaps Harco is a better son. How dare you show me disrespect! I am Muhamad Hamago, King of Trynuma! I am your father and your king!”
“Those lords might call you king, but we both no that you are no king.”
“What has gotten into you?” Hamago approached Hamaco and pinned him to the wall. Hamaco hissed and drew his dagger, pressing the point into Hamago’s ribs. Hamago backed up with his arms held out. The consequences of his actions flashed across Hamaco’s face and he fled from the room. Lord Hamago turned to Eleesa with a greedy smile on his face.
“What a fool. He would not know how to use you properly. You are the most beautiful slave in this world.” Lord Hamago began to touch Eleesa’s body over her dress. “I wish now that I never put you in that cage. None of those fools could appreciate your beauty. You will be mine, all mine. You seemed like any other slave in th
at cage, but now… Even in that slave dress you look more beautiful than any woman I have ever seen.” Lord Hamago’s lips parted and just when Eleesa was afraid the he would ruin her dress again…
“My lord.” An older slave entered the room.
“I am your king!”
“Yes, I apologize, my king.”
“What is it!”
“The hunt, master. Everyone is ready for the hunt.”
“Very good, I will be out shortly. Slave, you will come with us.” Lord Hamago grabbed Eleesa by the shoulder and picked her up. “Come now, you will be on my horse. We can’t have anything happen to your precious treasures, can we?” Lord Hamago exited the room, carrying Eleesa.
***
General Hamo studied the hoof of a horse housed in the Timujri stables. The iron shoe was broken in parts and rust had begun to set it.
“Where is the blacksmith?” General Hamo rose up and glared at the horse master.
“I have not seen him, General. Most are collected in the tavern, celebrating.” The horse master bowed and gestured for the general to inspect another.
“They have nothing to celebrate,” General Hamo exhaled through his nose and stroked the horse’s mane. “I will find the blacksmith. The few horses we have are in terrible shape.”
“No merchants will dare come this way. They would surely be raided, as much by us as the Maguyari forces.”
“Do what you can.” General Hamo strolled away. General Hamo’s ten Bondar body guards attempted to follow. “Stay here and help the horse master.”
“Yes, General.” The guards bowed and remained motionless until General Hamo had left.
General Hamo continued to the fort tavern. The Timujri tavern was built into the wooden structure on the inner walls. The fort’s courtyard only housed a church and stables. The rest of the forts quarters, including barracks and the tavern, had been constructed in the wooden frame. The structure rose like brown ivy up the granite keep. At the top of the high keep was a cone canopy. Many slits in the keep canopy allowed for light to escape. This acted as a beacon for any approaching the fort. There were many entrances to the keep. Most were accessible by climbing the high wooden stairs. The rest of the small fort had been cleared but the upper keep stood out. All entrances had been barricaded by a handful of defenders inside. General Hamo knew they awaited the arrival of their allies. However, the spirit of the defenders would allow them to die rather than surrender. The lower keep, which housed the war room and lordly quarters, kept a large guard force. In case the defenders attempted to escape, hundreds of guards would block their path.
General Hamo climbed five flights of wooden stairs. He walked through a maze of wooden walkways. He looked down and saw the ground with soldiers walking around. Wounded were still being carried to the church. Dead were being transported out of the fort on carts. To General Hamo, they all looked like small ants at this height. The General walked up to the wooden door of the tavern. It was set high up on the keep and was well built. It had been extensively renovated before the siege. He walked in and admired the architecture. The tavern’s three levels were daunting, and the place was filled up with drunken soldiers. General Hamo approached the back of the tavern. The barkeep was pounding a tap into one of the mead barrels stacked against the wall.
“General, I didn’t notice you come in. I apologize.” The barkeep bowed and let the mead pour out of the freshly opened barrel.
“It’s alright. Plug up that barrel there. Is the blacksmith here?” The barkeep bowed lower and then picked up a cork off the floor.
“This fort was well previsioned. The defenders could’ve held out much longer. There are thousands of barrels in the tavern cellar. More supplies are being discovered every day here.”
“Yes, yes, I know all of that. Where is the blacksmith?”
“I have not seen him General. In fact, he has not come into the tavern since we took the fort. Is there a message that I may pass, should I see him?”
“Just tell him to tend to the horse shoes. That will be all.” General Hamo sighed and headed for the door. His long grey cloaked dusted the floor as he walked. His cloak’s fur color kept him warm at this cold altitude. However, most of his men were not well dressed for this climate. As such, most preferred to stay in doors by the fire. General Hamo decided to go to the church and descended the keep walls.
The church’s open roof had been boarded up with planks. The statue of Haraka, the Maguyari horn wearing deity, had been removed. Now a statue of Queen Magiya stood in the church’s center. General Hamo walked among the dying wounded soldiers. One man was missing his legs. Another groaned under a missing right shoulder. Hundreds of soldiers still had arrows protruding from their bodies. Still other soldiers rushed from bed to bed. The only doctor, named Hilcar, was kneeling over a soldier laying on the stone floor. He was sewing up the man’s mouth. A standard burial practice among the Bahl old religion.
“Surely you know that is an illegal practice, Hilcar.”
“Then arrest me General. It was his wish.”
“Have you seen the blacksmith, Doctor?”
“No, but you are welcome to search the men. If you could take this rag and clean their wounds, I would appreciate it, General. I do not have enough men to manage the wounded. This church is too cold. Most will die before I can see them. Please, General.”
“My apologies doctor, but I have other matters to attend to. I will get you your men.” General Hamo quickly left the church and returned to the tavern. He was almost out of breath by the time he crested the wooden stairs a second time. “Every one of you lazy drunks get on your feet and help the doctor!”
“Yes, general!” The resounding reply, from all those not too far gone, answered and soldiers began to hurry out of the tavern.
“Don’t you have an adjuvat to do these tasks for you, General?” A young infantry captain approached General Hamo inquisitively.
“I do now, make sure you put all these idle people to work.”
“They are celebrating general. You must leave them to let off some steam.”
“Establish shifts, they can drink when they’re off shift.”
“Yes, General, it will be done.”
“Also, find that damn blacksmith. You have been promoted to Adjuvat General.”
“Yes, General. Thank you, general.” The infantry captain answered with resentment. It was rare for an adjuvat to see combat once he gained the position.
Back inside the war room, General Hamo’s old commander and the new ones were gathered. The old infantry commander still walked with a stick. His pointy white beard and slender moustache defrosted in the warm room. A fire blazed in the brazier and the other new commanders nervously looked around the room. General Hamo sat in the castle commander’s chair and dozens of scrolls cluttered the table. He stroked his own jet-black moustache and beard in deep thought.
“Introduce yourselves to the General.” The old commander cleared his throat and spoke.
“I already know their names,” General Hamo waived a hand at the slave chronicler in the corner.
“Surely you will allow me this formality, General. I beg you.”
“Very well…” General Hamo sighed and relaxed into his chair.
“I shall start. My name is General Gelaus the fifth of the old house of Markit. Commander of the First Bahl Hoplites and First Infantry Commander. You all know that I was a standard bearer in the Dark Queen’s holy army during the first purge. I was there when she escaped the bonds of the Maguyari. I was there when she claimed the throne of Bahl. She is our All-queen and she will be ruler of this small world.” The old commander jostled a pile of scrolls in front of him. He took a drink of water before continuing. “This is Haticar of Numa. He was raised as a blacksmith’s son before enlisting.” The commander gestured to a burly youth with dark brown skin and curly black hair. “You have come far my boy, you are now promoted to Commander of the siege.” The commander t
ossed the paper aside and continued. “This is Harkil, he is born of the house of Tuma. The old house of Trynuma. You shall be the new commander of the Bondar.” Commander Gelaus gestured towards a tall man with curly brown hair and light skin. “This is Braco Fire-breather of Granuma, he was a street orphan before joining the Bahl royal army. You have been promoted to General as the Commander of the Scout Cavalry and Heavy Cavalry.” General Gelaus took another drink of water and wiped sweat off his brow. “Finally, this young bull is Haramo of Manumo. He is of the house of Prataca, an old disgraced house from the great city of Manuma. Manuma, if you all don’t know, is the western most territory just before the Makai wildlands. You are the new commander of skirmishers and slingers.” Finished, General Gelaus threw down the last paper and sat back in his chair.
“Now that is concluded. We must talk about the next stage. The invasion.”
“We have barely enough troops to mount an invasion, General.” Harkil interjected and handed a scroll to General Hamo. “I have completed the census of losses. We have an estimated five thousand men. The bodies counted from the siege mounted to four thousand six hundred and twenty-two. We could only recover close to two hundred of the previous garrison.”
“The Aravut only stalled our forces to allow the rest of the garrison to flee.” Haticar added to Harkil’s plea.
“We know all of this already, Commander Harkil and Commander Haticar.” General Gelaus held up a hand to silence them.
“Commander Braco, you will depart with the scouts when the first rays of dawn appear.” General Hamo sat forward and began to give orders. “The rest of you will assemble the soldiers and prepare for invasion. I understand that we all here are tired. Remember, the Dark Queen is watching.”
“Yes, General.” The responses echoed from one commander to the next.
“Now, let us talk about what happens next.” Commander Gelaus changed the topic and no one else raised a complaint. “We have no current maps of the surrounding terrain. We will rely on the scouts for this. Commander Braco will have a cartographer among his expedition. Keep him safe. Second, when the invasion commences, Commander Harkil and his Bondars will remain in Timujri. Remember to pick out your adjuvats. That is all and remember, the Dark Queen ever watches.”
The First Valkyrie Page 6
