The First Valkyrie

by S. C. Coleman

  The Call of Destiny

  General Hamo had lost no time on his ride to Numa. His force numbered nearly eight thousand and was steadily growing. Villagers, bandits, and travelers had joined him through the desert journey. Things were more difficult now that he had no tongue. The Queen’s Guard Commander had become General Hamo’s voice. The army was far from battle ready and most of the great host consisted of poor farmers. Upon his approach to Numa, relief entered his heart. The golden city he called home could not have been more beautiful for tired eyes. The Stronghold lay in the center of the Endless Desert. He had not been home in almost a decade and very little had changed. The city always looked like its only inhabitants were ghosts. The city’s white outer wall was much smaller than the Capital’s, but it could fend of a large army well enough. The real danger for an invading force was the miles of perilous desert that lay all around. The desert stretched as far east as the Macai wildlands and as far west as Trynuma. Even so, Numa and its village of Numo lay only a few days ride from Trynuma. If the small city was built too far in the desert, then it would surely have crumbled into the shifting sands. The city was not much to look at even inside the walls. A single domed inner fortress rested on the north side of the city. It was attached the walls and housed most of the city’s garrison. The city’s inhabitants were all desert people. They roamed the sands and hunted snakes. Water was a precious commodity in this part of the world, despite the closeness of the sea. The people meandered about the city with cloths wrapped about their heads. They dared not expend energy needlessly. Most of crimes in the city included water theft and murder. It was a paradise in comparison to the Capital.

  No one batted an eye at General Hamo’s procession, as they rode by. The large host of black clad warriors and desert peasants marched directly to the dome. The party entered through the southern gate. Even so, it took half the time to cross the city as it did in the Capital. General Hamo was in a hurry and his army had been forced marched all the way from the Capital. He did not know what force propelled him, but he would soon find out.

  A man stood in ornate orange robes at the door to the dome. General Hamo immediately recognized him as Lord Sicar of Numo. He ruled in General Hamo’s absence and it seemed that he had awaited their arrival.

  “Who is the commander?”

  “It is I!” The gruff voice of the Queen’s Guard Commander answered back as he rode up to the short man. Lord Sicar was, by all accounts, a desert dwarf. The were a legend among the desert peoples and believed to reside below the dunes. General Hamo knew Lord Sicar’s parents, however. They were taller than most men in Bahl.

  “Come inside! Come inside!” The man happily smiled as he motioned for him to enter. “Tend to the horses!” The short man barked orders loudly as hundreds of slaves rushed to help the group.

  General Hamo followed the Queen’s Guard Commander as he walked in behind the man. The Bachi and Queen’s Guard followed suit, but the rest of the force remained outside. The dome was a vast open space inside. The were no dividers for rooms. Simply an open hall stretched in a long circle all around. The dome could easily fit a couple thousand and it did. Chairs, tables, and beds were strewn about the place in no order. The Numa dome was also busy with activity as men rushed about frantically. Desert soldiers mingled with slaves and robbed men going about rushed activities.

  “One would think we just walked into a hornet’s nest.”

  “Indeed, Commander.” The short man sat down at a table covered in scrolls. “We are indeed in a hornet’s nest. I sent a ride, but I had not expected a force to arrive this early. My men and I were prepared to fight to the last man. General Hamo will surely return and deal with the snake’s dinner that threatens us.”

  “What are you babbling about man?” The commander sat down and slammed his fist on the table.

  “You did not receive our rider?” Lord Sicar looked completely dumb struck.

  “We met no rider on the road. Now tell me, what is happening here!”

  “Trynuma has rebelled. Lord Hamaco Hamicali marches on Numa as we speak. He will be within range of the wall by dawn.”

  “What? Tell me everything, now!” At the commander’s words, Lord Sicar squirmed and huffed in his chair. He could not talk fast enough for the commander.

  “Lord Hamago and his bastard son Harco died in Trynuma. The Lords their crowned Lord Hamaco as king of Trynuma. He marched on the fortress of Gelajri and captured Lord Gelaus. He smashed the fortress and turned south. He intends to take this city. There is no time!” Lord Sicar spurted out his words, along with saliva, and slammed his fist on the table.

  “That will never happen.” The Queen’s Guard Commander was cut short as General Hamo sat at the table. Lord Sicar looked inquisitively at the new arrival. The he glanced back at the commander in confusion. Complete awe struck the Lord as General Hamo removed his helmet. A gasp escaped his lips at the sight of General Hamo’s scarred face.

  “What… Dark One preserve us…” Lord Sicar had lost all his words in horror.

  “General Hamo no longer has a tongue. I am his voice.”

  “What happened?”

  “Never mind that right now. General, what are your orders.” The commander’s iron veil clanked as he looked to General Hamo. The order was clear, General Hamo raised a hand and closed it into a fist. “Understood. Lord Sicar, we are commandeering your men.”

  “Like Hell! I am leading my men into battle!”

  “Then we ride immediately.”

  “My words…” Lord Sicar cut off his sentence as he looked at General Hamo’s face. Regaining his composure, Lord Sicar bowed to the General and followed the commander. Hamo sighed and looked fondly at the inside of the dome. So many childhoods he had spent here. He only reminisced for a moment and then replaced the veiled helm back on his head. He walked out of the dome and approached the host waiting outside. He was surrounded by so many enemies. In a way, he had to thank the bandits. They allowed him to realize his true self. He would lead his men to the destruction of their enemies. The General mounted his black stallion. Dust rose high into the sky as the party galloped towards the city’s north gate. Horns and drums split the air and the cries of battle crackled like thunder.

  ***

  Among the dunes of the endless desert, the two armies formed up in front of each other. However, they were still a long distance away from being able to see each other clearly. General Hamo added his five hundred strong peasant forces into Sicar’s. In total, the city would only rally nine hundred warriors. The entire strength of the defending army faced off against nearly three thousand of Lord Hamaco’s army. Yet, Lord Sicar felt his side had the advantage. General Hamo had agreed to lead probing raids against the enemy’s line. During these raids, the rest of the force remained under the city walls. Lord Sicar was counting on the inexperience and hot-blooded nature of Lord Hamaco. If the probes worked, the entire enemy force would charge. Lord Sicar still kept an auxiliary force behind the walls. This force manned the battlement defenses. While Lord Hamaco’ army came under fire, he would break his men on Lord Sicar’s infantry line. To Lord Sicar’s dismay, Lord Hamaco had not formed his men in standard Bahl fashion. They did not form a phalanx line, unlike Lord Sicar. Lord Hamaco’s skirmishers had been placed behind the infantry. And on the left and right wings, cavalry units had been placed. Lord Hamaco was not as useless as he seemed. This formation would, utilizing superior forces, envelope any straight up charge. Furthermore, probes would not work against the flanks. Any cavalry attack would be countered by Lord Hamaco’s cavalry. The city friendly troops had a useless strategy. The situation became worse when Lord Hamaco revealed his secret weapon. Lord Gelaus was strung up atop a long pole. Lord Hamaco used it as his standard. The pole had been nailed to a cart bed. Now, the cart was being pulled across the front. Lord Gelaus had been unharmed. His hands and legs were tied to the pole, and his mouth gagged. General Hamo galloped out some ways in front of Lord Sicar’s host.
The Lord of Numo watched on silently. General Hamo leaned forward on his horse. He watched in horror as his enemies piled sticks and straw on Gelaus’s cart.

  “No!” General Hamo shouted and Lord Hamaco, smiling, lit the cart. Lord Gelaus rigged in the flames and fought to break free. Once the gag burned off, the screams of the Lord of Gelajri rent the dusty air. The screams of a man being burned alive surpass all others. The rest of the army looked on with stoic bearing. General Hamo felt the blood under his skin boil with hatred. He spurred his horse into gallop and charged towards the enemy. Lord Sicar reached up and held the top point of his iron helmet. He was watching the death of Bahl’s most beloved General unfolding. He could do nothing to save Hamo now. Something happened just then that shocked the Lord Sicar. Hamaco was indeed a brash young man. The Lord of Trynuma, self-styled King of Trynuma, galloped out to meet General Hamo. The enemy army stood by and watched. The battle would be decided by either the death of Hamo or Hamaco.

  The two combatant’s rode at each other. Each kicked his horse’s ribs mercilessly. The horses’ heads bobbed up and down. Their hooves kicked up clouds of dust. Hamo raised his shield, and in doing so, he raised the horse’s reins. Hamo’s black stallion rear and General Hamo, Bahlancing atop the steed. Hurled a javelin. The missile was throw with such strength that half it penetrated half way down the shaft. The enemy horse of Hamaco slipped upon the javelin’s impact. Lord Hamaco careened off the saddle and landed in a cloud of sand. General Hamo was still barring down as Lord Hamaco got to his feet. Hamo galloped by and launched another javelin. Hamaco pulled up his defense up just in time. He caught the javelin in his thick hide shield. In reply, Hamaco slashed the hind quarters of General Hamo’s horse. The horse peeled off and began to limp at his wound. General Hamo dismounted and strode through the sand. Lord Hamaco threw all his javelins. All were deflected by Hamo. The General growled through his iron veil. Drawing his sword, General Hamo roared and charged. Hamaco easily danced away and cut Hamo across the shoulder blades. It was only a glancing blow and failed to break the mail shirt. General Hamo, wading through sand, placed all his weight behind a shield thrust. Swinging the shield after the thrust, Hamo managed to throw the much small Lord Hamaco through the air. Hamaco struggled to find his feet, but Hamo continued to press the young lord. Hamaco’s sword was batted out his hand. He struggled to crawl away after he lost his shield also. Throwing sand and kicking were not enough. General Hamo, in one swift motion, severed Hamaco’s leg. The young man let out a cry of pain and gripped his bloody stump. He writhed in pain and General Hamo began to hack apart of Hamaco’s body. The two armies watched the carnage with visible sign of care. The only sound, besides the howling wind, was the grunting of General Hamo. He struck the young man’s lifeless body over and over, and over. Hamo only stopped to catch his breath and survey his handywork. Hamaco’s head and limbs had all been severed. His stomach had been opened through many long gashes. The muscles in his chest and shoulders lay dangling from the torso. Lord Hamaco was dead, but so was Lord Gelaus. General Hamo stood up, covered in blood and panting. He then looked around and the many enemies in front of him. Picking up the head of Hamaco, General Hamo held the head aloft. The enemy army laid down their weapons. To Lord Sicar’s complete surprise, no battle would be fought today.

  ***

  The captured army, and all its commanders, now kneeled before General Hamo and Lord Sicar. They all waited outside the city walls. The battlements had archers carefully watching the enemy movements.

  “Lord, we beg you. Allow us to serve you. Trynuma is yours.” The Lords of Trynuma had chosen a spoke’s person. Lord Sicar paid no attention to his words and held out a hand to the Queen’s Guard Commander. The commander walked up to Lord Sicar. Avoiding the others’ hearing, Lord Sicar pulled the commander close.

  “What is General Hamo’s orders?”

  “As you expected Lord. This army is now our army. General Hamo wants the Lords of Trynuma to be executed.”

  “What? But…” Lord Sicar was cut short as the Queen’s Guard stepped forward. The Lords of Trynuma began to plead for their lives. It was a worthless enterprise, however. The Queen’s men all drew their swords in unison. At this sight, some of the lords attempted to flew. They were shot by archers from the battlements. The Queen’s men struck, and the deed was done. The heads of the lords rolled into the sand. Lord Sicar covered his mouth in horror. This was against all rules of royalty in Bahl. General Hamo strode forward and placed one of the heads on a pike. The other men of the Queen’s Guard did the same. There, right in front of the city gates, the heads of the Lords of Trynuma stood side by side.

  Lord Sicar sputtered as General Hamo and his commander walked up. The General raised a hand and Lord Sicar’s eye’s fell.

  “General Hamo wishes to offer you his apologies. Your neck will forever be safe.”

  “Thank you, Commander.” Lord Sicar rubbed the base of his throat and swallowed. “Now that this nasty business is concluded. I have something urgent to discuss with you.”

  “Lord!” A man from the captured army got to his feet and ran over to Lord Sicar. The Lord of Numa had not even a second to blink. General Hamo and his commander drew their swords in an instant. Their blade points stopped the charging man. He held his head back as the blade points touched the bottom of his jaw. “Please… I have an urgent message.”

  “Out with it!” Lord Sicar shouted, but he was more worried for the soldier than his own time.

  “Lord, this message is going to sound rather strange.” General Hamo and the Commander of the Queen’s Guard lowered their weapons at the request of Lord Sicar. “A man arrived in Trynuma just before we departed north. He said he had been shipwrecked on another continent. He said he escaped but a slave and traveler were left behind.”

  “A single man survived a journey across the North Sea. That is impossible. There is nothing out there. He must have been lying.”

  “That is what Lord Hamaco thought as well. The man was hanged in the street as he was believed possessed, but Lord. I saw the boat the man arrived on. It was not built from the same wood as ours. The boat was also designed completely differently. I spoke with the man before he died.”

  “What did the man say, soldier?” Lord Sicar looked skeptical but he was starting to believe the young man.

  “He said he landed in a large and well-fortified town. He also said the inhabitants had many boats.”

  “What do we have to worry of fishermen?” The Commander of the Queen’s Guard laughed and sheathed his sword.

  “These are no mere fishermen. They have men the size of houses. They carry bows, swords, shields, and axes. They are descended from congress between beast and man.”

  “Have you seen these monsters? It sounds like you have.” The commander continued laughing and walked away. General Hamo remained to hear the rest of the man’s story. The General light struck the shoulder of the perplexed Sicar. Hamo brought two fingers up to his eyes in a gesture. Lord Sicar nodded and turned to the man.

  “Is the boat still in Trynuma?”

  “Yes, Lord. Lord Hamaco added it his collection.” While the soldier spoke, General Hamo sounded a hollow throaty laugh and slapped his own chest.

  “It seems the boat is now a part of the General’s collection.” Lord Sicar crossed his arms and smiled.

  “General?” The soldier’s eyes widened as he looked over at Hamo’s chain vail. General Hamo, still laughing, slapped Lord Sicar on the shoulder and left.

  “It seems you will be returning to Trynuma, under General Hamo.” At Lord Sicar’s words, the soldier dropped to his knees. His eyes and body showed the signs of awe. The celebrations in Numa would last for days, before the General and his new army would depart.

  ***

  The party in Numa was great but there was a visible lack of high born men. Soldiers all but pillaged the city. The angry inhabitants could do nothing to keep their homes safe. Valuables were plundered, women in
the city were raped, and mead flowed like water. Lord Sicar would not wait until the army departed his walls. Also, the lord lamented the coming day. So many would riot and demand justice. He would be unable to give them any. Further increasing his troubles, General Hamo was leaving only six hundred men to guard the city. However, Hamo had allowed the city to be free of the draft for its part in the battle. This was the only solace for the city and its leader. Lord Sicar almost wondered if it would have been better for General Hamo to have died. He banished the thought almost as quickly as it had come. Lord Hamaco would certainly have destroyed the city. At least, the city was aloud to survive with General Hamo’s victory. In this truth lay the only argument that Lord Sicar could use to hold off the mob. At this moment, Lord Sicar sat on the threshold of his golden dome. Soldiers hurried about and laughed loudly. Everywhere around Lord Sicar, the sounds of jubilee mingled with the cries of tormented citizens. How could countrymen treat each other in such a way? How could General Hamo allow such barbarism?

  “Do you believe what the man says of another land?” The Queen’s Guard sat next to Lord Sicar on the dome’s step.

  “I believe that if some order is not brought to this city, then I shall perish when the army leaves.” Lord Sicar shook his head and drank from his tin cup.