by S E Turner
Skyrah had woken earlier to find some birds eggs for breakfast. The remains of the chargrilled pit were still smouldering contently. She liked to wrap wood sorrel around her eggs before they were lowered into the pit, so she went in search of some. No one was up. Even the earth was still and sleepy. The fingers of the day were just beginning to stretch out and creak. The sun was feeding life back into the veins of the soil. But she needed to freshen up first, before the boys woke up and disturbed her moment of tranquillity and peace.
The cool water felt so good against her naked skin. It had been such a long time since she had lain in the calm ripples of a gentle flowing stream and felt that sense of floating and total abandonment. She waded in slowly, carefully gripped the slimy base with her toes and feeling the silt ooze between them. She giggled with the thrill. A few small fish were brave enough to nibble her submerged feet, and she gasped with the surprise. She splashed herself gently and washed her face. The grime and sweat disappeared with each shower, and then she stretched out in the water and let the water spill over her entire body. She stayed there, experiencing the magical moment as the branches tilted around her. In the distance, she saw the snow tipped mountains. Even in the summer they were covered in a white sheen. How did that happen she wondered?
A flock of birds gracefully flew overhead. She stood up to embrace the morning and held her arms out wide. She held her gaze to the morning sky, squeezed the excess water from her hair, and thanked her totem for bringing her good fortune and keeping her safe. She thought she was alone. But someone was watching.
Namir had got up even earlier to find the right path out of the forest. He had seen the mountain range in the distance and wondered if that would be a safer way home. He recognised it as the Giant's Claw and skimmed up a tree to steal a better look, because if they could get through, he knew it would lead to home.
But he had heard a sound and camouflaged himself behind the branches. He stayed incredibly still and quiet as a cat. He felt like he was hunting again and dared not breathe. And then he saw his visitor. He looked away as she disrobed, but temptation beckoned, and he watched her step into the water—a siren, a mermaid, beautiful and captivating. She was the strongest woman he had ever known. No wonder she was able to massacre a fortress, save eighteen boys, feed them all, and learn to ride a horse, all in one day. She had always been a fighter, he knew that. Even from his earliest memories, he had known her strength and fortitude, but this went beyond anything he had ever known before.
There was something different about the way she looked as well. She wasn't a young girl anymore—her waist had narrowed, and her hips were more rounded. Her legs were long and toned, and her hands elegantly stroked the water. She was a most desirable woman with her tall, perfectly sculpted body, her long dark hair, and smooth olive complexion. Though not only did she have these physical attributes, she was also smart, strong, resourceful, and a fiercely protective female. This was a sign. He knew it was their destiny to be together as husband and wife, and he knew what he had to do when they got back home.
Climbing down from the tree with the grace of a leopard, he left her cocooned in the tranquil peace and serenity. He knew she wouldn't want to be disturbed.
'I think the best way home is through the mountains,' he informed the yawning boys as he made his way back into camp. 'We need to stay together for the time being, in case we are followed. We need to stay in the mountains.'
'Isn't that a little tricky?' gasped an astonished Lyall, pulling himself upright. 'I mean, we are riding horses, not mountain goats. '
'I know, Lyall, I know, but they won't be steep glaciers all the way through.'
'So, we won't go careering down a precipice, then?'
'No, we won't, brother.' He smiled.
'Namir is right,' said Siri, rubbing his teeth with a roll of bark. 'I know these mountains well. My people have lived there for centuries.'
'But we didn't come that way with the General,' said Zeno with a yawn.
'I know, brother,' said Siri, 'But Namir is right. We need to stick with each other as long as possible. By going through the mountains, we are more difficult to follow.'
'Can you lead the way?' asked an anxious Rufus, hardly believing that his family was so close.
'Of course, I can,' assured Siri. 'As soon as I am in those mountains, the fragrance will take me home.'
'The rivers will take us to our clans,' said Dainn. 'They will get you home much quicker. Rufus, you'll be reunited with your mother and father in a few days.'
'And you'll be reunited with Ajeya.'
Dainn and Rufus started to dance about together, linking arms and shrieking with delight. To be this close to home had been a long time coming. Zeno and Wyn joined them.
'I think we should pack up camp as soon as possible, clear everything away: tracks, debris, and anything that suggests we were here,' said Ronu earnestly.
'Not before breakfast,' said Skyrah, coming into the conversation. 'I have found these eggs. it would be a shame to waste them. '
'Of course, Skyrah. We will have time,' said Namir. 'I'll give you a hand.'.
'Let's take the horses down to the stream while Skyrah and Namir prepare breakfast,' suggested Lyall. 'They will need a drink before we start, and we don't know how long the journey will take us.'
Chapter Thirty
The next morning, the General was woken from his slumber by Meric pulling back the bedchamber curtains. 'Good morning, Domitrius, and how are we today?'
'Well, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling terrible.' He tried to pry his eyes open as the bright morning sunlight made the room a landscape of dancing shadows. He sat up and blinked away the blur of sleep. His head ached, his body screamed, and his mouth was so very dry.
'I have made you a herbal concoction, Domitrius. It will help to rehydrate you.'
Domitrius looked at the physician with a hint of hesitation; he was a little wary about taking herbal remedies in the wake of the most recent disaster.
'Come now, Domitrius, please don't hurt my feelings by airing the guise of mistrust.'
Domitrius stretched out his arms and legs, pushing past the sharp pain still lingering in his gut. He took the offering and thanked his friend. 'I am still perplexed as to why you know so much about the savages, Meric.' He smacked his lips with the refreshing cordial, relieving his parched mouth.
'Clan, Domitrius, not savages.'
'All right, clan, then.'
'I was a pilgrim once and lost my way. I was alone, cold, and hungry. A clan tribe took me in and gave me shelter. They opened my eyes to the kingdom out there.'
'And what kingdom is that, Meric?'
'What I told you yesterday—that the earth is a living breathing organism full of life giving nectar. The clan taught me that, and I'm the man I am today because of them.'
The General looked at him witheringly. 'Hmmm,' he eventually said and knocked back the potion.
'We have a big day today, Domitrius. We must lay the Emperor to rest.' Meric was keen to move on as he could see the air of contempt in the General's eyes. 'The soldiers are out there stacking the pyre, and I have sent word round the town and villages that the funeral is at six o’clock this evening—the same time as his death last night. So come, we must prepare, as there is still so much to do.'
The arena would take the funeral pyre, a configuration using thick stakes of oak, beech and ash stacked together to form a raised platform. It was now the centre stage for his final curtain. A theatre that had witnessed the final moments for many a boy, and now it was the Emperor's turn. Though in an ironical twist of fate, he was the one killed by a savage, and an audience would be seated to witness his departure.
The grounds were lined with a litter of people, the ones that had survived the poisoning, and the ones that felt compelled to pay their final respects because the kind physician had asked them to.
The stable boys turned up, but only because their mothers had told them to.
'
That General will haul all of us up into one of those wagons if you don't go.'
'We don't want to give him any reason to vent his wrath.'
'You still need a job, son. Those horses will still need looking after.'
The stable lads only went to see him go up in flames. They didn't much like the way he had treated boys in all the years they had known him. Even his own son had been sent to a hostile land that was full of ogres and undesirables.
'What a fitting end for the monster of all monsters,' Macus thought as he took his place at the back. 'I would love to personally thank that beautiful girl. Perhaps she could do the same to the General one day.'
Soldiers positioned two oil drenched burning stakes at either end of the pyre with the Emperor's flag and coat of arms displayed behind it. The sky cast a dull backdrop as the audience faced the heavy overhang of the arena—a cruel place that witnessed such despicable acts of death, cruelty and misery. Many thought the whole place should be torched now. A lone trumpet sounded, and the audience shook away their private thoughts, and every head turned to see the procession coming through. A wide bier was being carried by the General, the physician, and six soldiers. A silence descended, broken only by the slow scuffling of leather soles.
None of the people wept. It was evident most were only there because they were required to. Even the atmosphere was chilled on this muggy day. As the bier passed the audience, they craned to see the body. The Emperor looked like he was sleeping, draped in his royal colours and robes. It looked like a bed was passing through.
The Emperor's body was lifted onto the pyre and his banners were laid on top of him. The soldiers exited in a curve round the sides and took their place on the seats. Only the General and the physician were left to ignite the pyre. They each took a burning stake and jabbed at the mound as they walked around feeding it with the oil and flames. They stopped at the port and starboard and lanced their stakes into the belly of the beast. The pyre immediately sucked them in, and the flames began to grow. The tongues got higher, gaining more strength and momentum as the fuel propelled them. It looked like his poisonous pit of snakes had come alive and were slithering and weaving around him. The wood cracked in many places and splinters were spat out to the crowd. Everyone recoiled in disgust—no one wanted to be tarnished with his ashes. The smoke collected in the roof of the arena and settled there like a heavy raincloud about to burst at any moment. And as the wood disintegrated and the body was consumed, the fire eventually died down and all that was left was a simmering pile of embers.
The crowd dispersed quickly and quietly, the soldiers put away the chairs, and the physician found the General inside the ballroom.
He poured them both a drink. 'To the Emperor.'
'May he find peace wherever he is,' toasted Meric in return.
'May we all find what we are looking for, my friend.' And the General raised his glass again.
'Well, I have something that may go halfway to provide that for you,' began Meric. 'The Emperor was keen for me to give this to you. I received it just before he died.'
The General looked at him with raised eyebrows, eager to see what he had been bequeathed. Meric first of all handed him the red lacquered box. Domitrius carefully inspected it, looked at it from all angles, and stroked the exquisite craftsmanship. Only when he had thoroughly investigated the size and shape did he release the gold clasp that secured the lid. The inside was polished smooth and gleamed at him. It shielded a roll of parchment sealed with wax and tied with a silk cord. He took it out and looked around. He was unsure whether to read it in Meric's presence or leave it till later but decided it would be best to have a witness. He quickly pulled apart the knot and broke the seal, spreading the scroll open. It was a proclamation by the Emperor that was signed on the very day that he had safely delivered the Seal of Kings. He scanned it quickly and looked shocked. He scanned it again and cast a thoughtful expression. A more thorough read made him smile. He put down the parchment, took his ceremonial coat off, and walked over to the double doors. He looked down to the arena and laughed to himself. He breathed in a lungful of fresh air and let it out with a joyous sigh. He then began to dance with an imaginary partner around the ballroom, completely oblivious to Meric's gaze. Meric took the parchment and read it out loud.
'On this day of November in the twenty fifth year of my reign; I, Emperor Gnaeus III of Ataxata make provisions for my Will and Final Testament. In the event of my death, my loyal servant and honourable companion, General Domitrius Corbulo will become the new Emperor of Ataxata. He will also take the titles of Governor of the province of Ataxata, Supreme Commander of the Colonies, Lord Protector of the Ataxatan Empire, Soldier of the Realm and Master of the Ataxatan Army. I bequeath everything that goes with the title of Emperor including all my personal wealth in properties and estates, my belongings and antiquities. My only son and heir, Cornelius Gnaeus IV, has renounced his claim to the throne by dishonouring me and remains in exile. Therefore, with no other living dependent, I give everything to my General. This Will is made in my own hand. I am of sound mind and body, and this is my final request.'
The physician looked shocked. 'Many congratulations, General. I am your humble servant.' Domitrius stopped his dance and swivelled round to face him. 'I am not a mere General, Meric. I am an Emperor in waiting now and you are my witness. Gnaeus gave his instructions and you served the proclamation with your own hand, so you will address me as such.'
'Yes, my lord. Apologies, my lord.' And he bowed very low. 'But you must be sworn in to make it legal; otherwise, it's not binding.'
The General was taken aback. He was not expecting that response. He perused a while and then a snigger escaped his lips.
'Who's going to swear me in, Meric? Look about you. Who is left? Who can do it?' He paced around the room, laughing at the preposterous idea. He then snatched the paper from Meric. 'As far as I can see, this proclamation, and you as my witness, are all that I need to make it binding.'
'The proclamation has to be circulated, my lord, in case of an uprising or a challenger later on. You don't want to be seen to have not followed procedure and protocol.' Meric backed away and averted his eyes. He could see the General losing what little patience he had.
Domitrius marched about with the paper flapping wildly behind him, grumbling and complaining, muttering and blaspheming from his puffed-up red face. 'Procedure, protocol. Who's going to challenge me then, Meric? That half-breed son of his? The one we had to send away because he wasn't man enough to face his duties. Couldn't witness any torture while we all searched for miles and miles and turned everything over to secure his future.'
Meric raised an eyebrow, which didn't go unnoticed.
'Goodness knows where he is now, anyway. Idling his time away writing poetry or playing a worn-out psaltery is my guess.'
'That's as may be, but you can't leave anything to chance.'
'All right, all right. Have it your way. It will be arranged by my captains. Besides, I have some important things to do before I can finally celebrate my good fortune.'
'Errm, my lord, there is one more thing.'
'What now, Meric, I really am tiring of you.'
'It's this.' And he gave him the red pouch.
Domitrius opened it carefully and slowly. The sun caught its edge as he pulled it from its protective casing. He held the disc up to the sunlight and then kissed it. He remembered the day he took it from the king in Castle Dru, and he knew that one day it would yield the greatest prize. A sinister grin spread across his face as he placed the Seal of Kings over his neck.
'This, Meric, will never leave my body, and unlike Gnaeus, this will stay on my person, and I will sever the head from anyone who tries to take it from me.'
'That is a good idea, my lord. Keep it safe.'
'Now I have everything; the land, the palace, the people, the guards, and the soldiers. Now I will take even more land and make this empire the greatest empire of all. It will be mine, all of it, every l
ast corner and every last grain.' Then he looked the physician straight in the eye. 'And I will get my Skyrah back and wipe the rest of those grubby little savages off the face of the kingdoms.'
The physician recoiled in horror. The General had revealed the name of the girl for the first time, and it did not sit well with Meric. He swallowed the treachery and chastised himself for being so stupid.
The General returned to look out of the window. 'Your work is done here now, physician. Please leave me. I have a battle to prepare and soldiers to enlist. I bid you good day.'
Meric left, his work was indeed done. He was terrified for the clans of the lands, especially the Clan of the Mountain Lion. He feared for their safety the most. But everyone's lives were at risk now. He bade farewell and left the palace for the very last time.
Chapter Thirty-One
The horses shook noisily and snorted out the last remnants of darkness. After a much-welcomed drink from the stream and a snatched mouthful of watery grass, they, too, were ready for the next stage of their journey. A hearty breakfast was enjoyed by all and the debris was buried and brushed over with fresh earth. With full bellies and a goal in sight, the clans returned to their mounts.
'Good morning, Meteor. I hope you slept well,' Skyrah kissed the stallion's soft velvet muzzle. He nodded his head up and down to acknowledge her gentle touch. 'Just a couple more days then you can have a long, lovely rest.' She stroked the protective hair inside his ears. The horse swished his tail in eager anticipation. 'You understand everything I say, don't you?' Meteor responded with a nicker and she hugged the long muscular neck.
She watched as Namir checked his mount's legs by running a firm hand down the full length of each limb. He then checked for any hard debris lodged within the hooves and picked away at the stubborn flints that would cause injury. With that process done, he gave a pat to his steed and began to saddle up. She noticed how each boy in turn did exactly the same thing, so not wishing to be different, she checked Meteor's legs and hooves.
