The First Valkyrie

by S. C. Coleman

  “I do not wish for it, General. Leave me to my traditions, General.”

  “That was no request, Commander.”

  “Yes, General.” Stoically, Commander Gelaus replied. General Hamo smiled. He knew the commander was stubborn, but it was this precise trait that caused him to adhere to orders. The commander wanted to change the past. Commander Gelaus stubbornly stuck to tradition It required General Hamo to play on that stubbornness to make small changes. He knew Commander Gelaus was grateful to this, but he would never show it. “What do you think of your sea faring legend. I have always wondered what it would be like to have a sea woman; a siren.”

  “It will be fitting of your new castle by the sea.”

  “What do you mean, General?”

  “A new castle is under construction at the northern coast of Bahl. It shall be yours once we complete this conquest.”

  “What if we fail, General?”

  “It will still be your new home commander.”

  “I am thinking of retiring, General. I must admit, this last battle has taken the fight out of me.”

  “I suspected this, Commander. You have proved yourself to be worthy of these titles.”

  “Once this invasion is over, whether we achieve victory or failure, I will be leaving your generalship.”

  “I appreciate our time together, commander. I am grateful that you have stayed on this far.”

  “General, Commander Braco has returned with the scouts. He will arrive here shortly.”

  “Then we shall wait.” General Hamo relaxed in his chair; exhausted from his days in the smithy.

  “General, they were attacked.”

  ***

  Eleesa’s companion led her through the alley ways of the docks. Farther down, after they had a break in foot traffic, Eleesa was led into the water.

  “I cannot climb the ship, Jaco… I mean.”

  “Don’t worry yourself, Eleesa. You’ll think over another name for me. You must swim to the side of the dock. Wait for an opportunity and hide yourself in a pot. You are small enough to fit inside. Good luck.”

  “How will you get on the ship?” Eleesa’s companion winked and disappeared into the crowd. Eleesa ducked her head below the water before she was spotted. Trailing her hands along the stone wall, Eleesa made her way up to Salty Chariot’s dock side. She poked her head over and searched for a perfect place to hide. A clay pot would not work, she would suffocate. The boxes in front of her would not work. They were all filled with dry fruit, dry meat, and other non-perishable goods. The main export on this vessel would be slaves so these were for the crew. She could not hide among the slaves. Finally, a reed pot would be her perfect hiding place. Out of desperation, Eleesa should have realized her mistake. After all, the reed pots could house all kinds of animals; primarily snakes. Eleesa waited for a lull in the men carrying provisions. The group carrying the reed pots and baskets took a break. While they talked and laughed, Eleesa tipped the reed pot over. The lid fell off and she caught it but when she looked up her gaze became petrified. She was staring directly at a Diamond Sun. This was a very dangerous desert snake. It had no need for camouflage and wore a sparkling black skin. Its name came from it’s venom’s ability to act as an antidote for heatstroke. The venom had to be mixed with wine to disable its properties. When the snake was about to strike its scales would sparkle like diamonds. One bite would inject enough venom to paralyze an ox. Its scales were sparkling like diamonds and Eleesa was too petrified to move. She would slip below the water and drown after being bitten. She could not swim so death seemed inevitable. Eleesa blinked and when her eyes opened a rat was in its mouth. Eleesa was almost paralyzed from surprised and her finger nails dug into the wooden dock. She glanced up to see her companion, winking at her. He was carrying a crate onto the ship. Eleesa quickly grabbed the snakes head and crawled into the reed pot. She replaced the lid and waited. She held the snake’s head tight and suddenly the pot was picked up, under loud grunts.

  “I thought this was the pot with the Catalat.” A voice of one of the grunting pot bearers panted above Eleesa.

  “It seems you were wrong my friend.”

  “What do you suppose is in this one?”

  “I’m certainly not looking. I think it’s a Harpy Python.”

  “You desert people are all insane. Why are you so obsessed with snakes?”

  “We don’t have much in the desert, friend.”

  “That is true.” The man laughed as Eleesa was carried into the ships hold. She held her breath as they carried her. She prayed that she had the strength to hold the snake. Once the men had left her. She used her index finger and thumb to pinch the snakes head at its jaw. The snake’s mouth was forced open. This allowed Eleesa to place a piece of wood in the snake’s mouth. The wood piece became lodged in it jaw. She then ripped off a piece of her sack cloth dress. The piece of cloth acted as a binding. Eleesa tied it around the snake’s head and sealed its jaw closed. She sighed and let go of the snake’s head. It had coiled around her arm and harmlessly squeezed as she dozed off.

  Eleesa awoke to the sounds of hissing, crickets, and other creatures moving in the reed pots around her. She would have to be careful when she decided to leave the safety of her pot. She lifted the pot lid as the snake left her arm and crawled down her shirt. The snake tickled as it crawled across her flesh. She bit her lip to avoid making a sound. As blood filled her mouth and dripped off her chin, Eleesa scanned the room with her eye. There was no one in the hold. She could her loud noises of the crew overhead. She looked over at the walls. The hold was at the back of the ship. The only flat wall she assumed to hold the slaves. They were probably rowing as most Bahl ships were powered by slaves. Taking a deep breath, Eleesa stood up in her reed pot. She now realized that she was at the front of the other reed pots. She knew better than to search through the pots. All sorts of sounds were coming from each one. The ship rocked back and forth, and she almost fell over. Eleesa dropped to a crouch and stepped out of the pot. The snake was securely wrapped around her left breast and squeezing with all its might. She sighed and searched the hold for food. Another would have killed the snake, but Eleesa had a gift in snake charming. Why kill a potential ally after all? Juno had taught Eleesa the art of snake charming. Small scars covering her body showed how many times she had failed. Eleesa spent a couple hours coaxing another stow away out of his hiding place. The Bahl sailors referred to the stow away as a slave rat. It could not resist a piece of mashed up dirt, cheese, olives, and Eleesa’s urine. Eleesa caught the rat by the head and the snake poked it’s head out of her dress. She then picked up some cheese and an apple. She couldn’t take too much, or the quarter master might notice. Eleesa got back into her pot and laid her small meal between her legs. This was the tricky part. She knew from experience that the snake eats live rats. If she fed the snake dead rats it would learn nothing. The Diamond Suns usually stayed with their mothers until they died. Once the mother died, the baby would be an adult and lose its venom. They relied on each other to survive. While the baby would paralyze the snake, the mother would collect up the prisoners. The mother took care to feed the snake only one live rat a day, to keep it from growing too fast. This was an adolescent and recently separated from its mother. They had a high value not because of the venom’s healing properties. The venom was used to capture run away slaves, among other things.

  Eleesa would have to hold the rat with one hand. With the other she had to undo the snake’s bindings. She learned quickly that using her teeth was a better option. She bit through the bindings and maintained a firm grip on the snake’s jaw. Next, the scariest part, she clenched the wooden block with her teeth and pulled. The snake’s fangs passed within an inch of her nose as the wood came free. She breathed heavily and brought the rat close to the snake. Its fangs, reaching for the rat, moved around it. The rat was swallowed, still alive and squirming, into the warm darkness of the serpent. Eleesa had nothing to fear from the snake whil
e it was digesting. Even so, she waited a few minutes until the rat had passed to the serpent’s midsection. She placed the piece of wood back into its jaw and secured the bindings. She heaved a sigh and ate her cheese and apple. Inside the cramped reed pot, Eleesa was rocked back to sleep by the waves.

  ***

  Deliberation had been done. The coronation of Commander Gelaus had taken place. The army was as ready as it would ever be. The scouts had run afoul of the Maguyari scouting parties. The enemy knew that Timujri had fallen. Furthermore, the enemy forces were close. General Hamo knew that it would surprise the enemy to see the Bahl forces outside Timujri. This could be an advantage and he had no choice. Timujri could not support such a vast force within its walls. The general feared that sickness had already spread. If they were victorious then the whole Maguyari kingdom was open. If they failed, at least the Timujri defenders would have a chance. He wished to retreat and only counter-attack once the Maguyari decided to storm the stronghold. The Dark Queen would not allow for retreat.

  Timujri drooled out a long stream of Bahl soldiers. As they sallied out towards the south, General Hamo looked back at the sentries on the walls. The elite Bondars looked bag like solid glistening statues. Their battered armor had been polished as best they could. General Hamo would’ve felt more comfortable if the Bondars accompanied him. However, he knew that they would mount the fiercest defense in the face of overwhelming odds. The Bahl army was walking into a blind fight. His only solace came from knowing the enemy was in the dark too. General Hamo moved his head under his mask of iron mail. He peered out at the smiling faces of the well-rested army. They were singing and chanting as the drums sent out a slow beat into the mountains. The cavalry led the procession with its commander riding to the left of General Hamo. The General had left his adjuvat back at Timujri. He could not lose yet another companion. After all, the position garnered a fair amount of safety. General Hamo did not have the luxury for safety. His Dark Queen was watching, and this gave him enough safety. The men were not so lucky under her bone chilling gaze. She never accompanied the army anywhere. In fact, when she showed herself she barely spoke a word. The General had never seen her eat or sleep. For all he knew, she was an avenging spirit. Her hatred for the Maguyari was unrivaled. How could someone hate her people so much? The General stirred from his musings as his cavalry commander attempted to make conversation.

  “I have heard of your exploits, General. It had not witnessed your valor or cunning for myself before. You’re siege of Timujri was brilliant and I am honored to have joined spears with you.”

  “Needless death of thousands is not something to be celebrated. Also, flattery is unbecoming.” General Hamo’s scolding tone gave a sour expression to Commander Braco.

  “It is said that you have passed into your golden years. It is said that you hold over fifty years in your body. You don’t look like you possess more than thirty, General.”

  “Looks can be deceiving, commander. Your look as though you possess not even twenty years. Yet, you act even younger.”

  “What is the meaning of this harsh tone, General? Have I offended you in some way? I only meant to state that you look young. It’s quite impressive. If I have offended you, I would gladly impale myself upon my spear point.

  “There is no need to for that. You may come to be impaled by enemy arrows. Battle is no light matter. We may very well go to our deaths.

  “All of us understand this. We shall follow you into the afterlife, General. There we shall meet our foes once more, in a great battle.”

  “Yes, yes, a battle that will shake the earth above. Long may they live, and we shall sow the earth with our blood. I am still true to the old ways.” General Hamo held a finger to his lips and winked at the commander. “Please accept my apologies, commander. What frivolous talk do you require?”

  “I had no idea that you still followed the teachings of the one, General.”

  “So, it is religion. There is much that you know not, commander.”

  “I wish to learn, General. Will you allow the men the rights to the old ways before the battle? Those that still are true?”

  “You have my blessing, commander. Be warned, if you pray to the One, the Dark One will not be watching over you.”

  “If you do not pray to the One, then the lord’s benevolence will not shine up you.”

  “I am already damned, commander.” Commander Braco fell silent at General Hamo’s words. They continued through the mountain pass. No topic arose and General Hamo looked up at the mountain peaks. How could such mighty things exist? General Hamo wondered. These majestic mountains had been here long before the Bahl kingdom came. They would be here long after the Bahl peoples had turned to dust and faded from memory. While the procession traveled, General Hamo spoke a silent prayer to his dark queen. Would she allow him to die on the sand of his home? You shall not die, came the quiet whisper in his ear. General Hamo’s heart sank at this. It appears the Queen, Magiya, had cursed him to travel the earth forever. Bring death to our enemies, came the whisper again. “Yes, my queen.”

  “What was that, General?”

  “Nothing, Commander, nothing…” The mountains turned into flat plains. Blue sky and clouds stretched from horizon to horizon. The endless wonder of blue sky seemed almost like his home. Instead of flat desert turning into rolling dunes, only fields of grass and wildflowers dusted the earth. This was a beautiful place to die. General Hamo envied the men that would fall in this battle. However, once the carnage was over. The once beautiful sight would look like something out of nightmares. The afterlife would be a friend for those that lived to see such things. So, it went for every battle fought on this damned continent. General Hamo regretted using his bull elephants against the Aravut. “It is our turn, commander.”

  “What do you mean, General?”

  “The hour is at hand, don’t you see?” General Hamo gestured to the horizon before them. Little black dots began to appear in the distance. The specs on the horizon slowly began to multiply and join. The two armies were about to meet. Commander Braco gasped as his eyes scanned the horizon.

  “There are so many…”

  “Indeed, commander. It is our turn now.”

  “I have not gained your meaning, General.”

  “It is our time to become the Aravut at Timujri. Now we must stand, dauntless in the face of an overwhelming enemy. We must conquer or die.”

  “General, I advise retreat. We must return to the walls. They are so many…” Commander Braco was cut off as a cheer arose from the men. Like a rolling wave of sound, the cheers approached the two from behind. General Hamo looked back to see mist. Unnaturally, cloud cover was pouring down the mountains and steadily enveloping the forces. General Hamo’s mind was transported back to the battle with his fallen friend Hasdrubol. The time when General Hamo led the rebellion. He had taken General Hasdrubol for a friend, rather than foe. In the end, Hasdrubol had turned Hamo over to the Queen’s forces. There, in the grimy dungeons of Granuma, Queen Magiya had conquered his mind.

  The Heads in the Clouds

  Fog quickly enveloped the battlefield. General Hamo knew what to do now, unlike in the past.

  “Cavalry, assault formation!” A horn blew, and the cavalry answered. The scout cavalry moved to the outer flanks, while the heavy cavalry formed the middle. They were arrayed in a long line, parallel to the enemy. Commander Braco moved to the left flank and General Hamo to the right. Even as the cavalry formed up, the fog engulphed them. The horse men stood within a foot of one another. In the tight packed formation chances of collision were high. Despite this, losing the formation would be a far worse outcome. “We must give the rest time to form a defense!” General Hamo shouted down the line. His message was repeated from one horse man to the next. Commander Haramo of the Skirmishers, Commander Haticar of the Siege, and Commander Gelaus of the infantry rode up to General Hamo.

  “Orders, general?” Commander Gelaus spoke with urg
ency for the other commanders.

  “Form the infantry up in circular phalanx formation with at least twenty-feet between them. Commander Haramo, formed the skirmishers into a line and follow the cavalry. Once we complete the charge, cover our retreat.” General Hamo thought for a moment and decided to do something he had not done before. “Unchain the skirmishers and slingers. Once we have completed the charge, retreat as well.”

  “Yes, general.” Commander Haramo gave his reply and rode back towards his units. Commander Gelaus gave General Hamo a nod and rode back to the infantry.

  “Do you have orders for me general?” Commander Haticar looked perplexed. The engineers would not have much to provide in this fight.

  “Have the engineers join the infantry, commander. Take a small retinue and return to Timujri. Let them know that we shall be returning shortly. This battle cannot be won. We’re fighting for our survival here.”

  “Yes, general.” Commander Haticar galloped away. Just as the commander was disappearing into the fog, horns bellowed in the distance. The infantry and skirmishers were forming up.

  “Standards, standards, standards!” The order, that Commander Braco had given, echoed down the line of cavalry. The mounted standard bearer next to General Hamo raised his black cloth flag. Next to him a standard fashioned from oak was raised as well. At the standard’s top stood a proud phoenix, fashioned from gold and bronze. The horns in the middle of the cavalry line blew. The line of horses surged forward, and everyone broke into an immediate gallop.

  “To the afterlife!” The unanimous shout from the cavalry men rose like thunder. The three words were followed by a blood curdling war cry. Fog rushed past as the cavalry charged into the unknown. General Hamo knew they were close to the enemy line when a scream arose. The famous death scream of the Aravut sounded unnatural. It struck fear into the hearts of those that heard it. Only one thing was signaled by the Aravut death scream; death. General Hamo knew this fight was lost at the realization of the Aravut’s arrival. The General knew that Commander Braco had probably already broken off from the main line. Gesturing to the scout cavalry, General Hamo broke right. He looked behind him to see a line of light cavalry following him. He could not see the end of the line shrouded in fog. The sounds of the Aravut colliding with the heavy infantry was deafening. Screams of pain and cries of exertion mixed with the screeching of iron on iron. General Hamo looked forward and noticed the fog was thinning. He broke free of the cover. He realized that he was far to the left of the enemy. The host was vast, but all faces looked forward into the fog. General Hamo thanked his Dark Queen and rode around to the rear of the enemy. Charging the supply lines of the enemy was the only option. He knew this would cause the Aravut to peel off and return. The startled faces of caravan guards greeted General Hamo. He struck the first blow by impaling a guard with a javelin. The battle cry arose from his men as they broke formation. The scout cavalry rode down every fleeing enemy. General Hamo dismounted. He then lit a torch and began burning wagons. Slowly, a fire began to rise. The smoke would signal their foe that the supplies were being destroyed. General Hamo and a group of cavalry men began pushing the carts together. Soon the flames reached like a child’s fingers towards the sun. General Hamo and his men remounted their steeds.