by Ana Meadows
Asta rolled her eyes and ended with a frown at both, “Enough with the title of Grand. Within this journey, I ride the same as ye.” With a guilty look, she added, “I would enjoy a taste of his greatness too if allowed.”
Both lower clanswomen’s jaws dropped before they all collapsed with laughter. Asta was the first to recover. Blushing furiously, she bit back another giggle and asked, “How does my Grand Master taste?”
Sobering immediately, Kelci squirmed in place before eagerly leaning forward. Tani’s laughter abruptly turned into a gasp. She stared at Asta as if the Mistress had lost her mind. Asta arched a brow and urged her on, “Oh come now, Tani. Since I will never get the chance, ye must inform me.”
Anticipation drove Kelci to blurt out, “Yes, Tani, show your Grand Mistress her due respect and answer.”
Even though Tani’s cheeks reddened, Asta could tell that her friend was duly honored by the request. With a regal nod, she finally said, “The elixir of Grand Chief was…um…”
Lust vibrated in Tani’s voice. Asta leaned toward her and whispered, “Did ye wash my Master’s seed from your breast, Tani?”
Unbelievably, the girl blushed harder and slowly shook her head. Asta’s loud gasp rent the air. Her hand shot out and pulled at Tani’s sleeve, “Disrobe so that I may have a taste.”
Both women gaped and shook their heads, unanimously agreeing, “Nay, Mistress, ye mustn’t!”
Asta refused to be denied. Leaning toward Tani with a predatory took, she urged, “The seed of Jihn is already spent.” With a threatening tone befitting a warrior, she growled, “I can smell my Master Johan on ye, Tani.”
Fearing Asta was about to attack her, Tani leaned away. Asta yanked at her sleeve, “Must ye make me tear the cloth from your back? Ye know that I will.”
The eat-you-alive look on their Mistress’ face was enough to convince Tani. She pulled her tunic over her head. Kelci’s whimper stole Asta’s attention for a second. Kelci looked so eager that Asta immediately told her, “Ye cannot partake without the Grand Master willing it.”
Tears flooded Kelci’s eyes but she bit her lip and muttered, “May I kiss the mouth which graced him?”
Asta thought for a moment before nodding. Kissing another clanswoman was nothing new. Many women honored each other in this fashion. Although there was nothing sexual about the kiss, Kelci savored Tani’s lips for a full minute. Asta cleared her throat when Kelci moaned. The girl reluctantly broke contact and breathed over Tani’s lips, “’Tis a taste of the Gods. I thank thee, Tani.”
Leaning away, tears slid down Kelci’s face. Her breath hitched as she told Asta, “Thank ye for the honor, Grand Mistress Asta.”
Amusement flitted over Asta’s face. Tired of waiting for her own taste, she pushed Tani backward and fell on her. After dragging her tongue down the woman’s torso, she leaned back and licked her lips. Frowning, she ran her tongue over her teeth and licked Tani once again.
“My Master’s brew wears a coat of dust.”
Tani bit her lip but the giggle emerged before she could stop it. Asta told her to get dressed and added, “Breathe not a word to Master Johan or suffer my wrath.”
Both women eagerly nodded. Once Tani was clothed again, Kelci turned the conversation back to the rival clan, “What of the leader with the longness fitting our Chief? The cry…”
Tani had spoken of such with Nikoli but had no idea where he had heard such news. Knowing she could not tell them her source, she made a face and interrupted, “I hear they are barbaric, taking women hostage for their own sexual amusement.”
Kelci waved her hands, irritated at being interrupted, and hastily added, “The cry was from the Vojihn.”
At Tani’s scowl, Kelci insisted, “It was them. The war cry was Kneel to…!”
“Johan would have gone himself instead of sending us if this were true. After all, Clan Vojihn is our sworn enemy and lacks a Chief. They have not rallied for battle in long and long. The act would invoke The Mighty One.”
Kelci’s eyes widened as she breathed, “Will ye speak of what happened to Vojihn’s leader? Can ye tell us, Mistress?”
Asta thought about Johan’s father, Erik the Mighty One, before carefully saying, “From what my mother told me, a Jihn Master similar to The Mighty One…” She winced. Tradition forbade speaking given names of mighty fallen warriors. She picked up a stick and wrote Galti in the dirt. Both women’s eyes widened on the word while Asta continued, “He was the first barbarian. As legend was told, he fought Master Johan’s father and stole babes to feed them to his clan…the Vojihns.”
Tani had been riveted when Nikoli had spoken of the legends, swearing her to secrecy. Forgetting this, she blurted out, “Then what of the fabled Chief…?”
Asta shook her head, “Empty your head of such talk, Tani. The Vojihns have lacked a Chieftain for long and long.”
Since Asta was adamant, Tani changed the subject to their task at hand, “Mistress, we are to gather information and observe the village. Johan said himself that if ye deem it so, Western Shire warriors should line up at the border and prepare for battle.”
Asta nodded, beaming over the knowledge that her Master had entrusted such power upon her. She told them, “We should retire then. A matter of this importance requires us to be well-rested.”
The women rose to check the horses before snuffing the fire. Pulling heavy fur coverings from their supplies, they huddled together and fell fast asleep. The next morning, Asta was difficult to awaken again. When she finally came around, Tani laid her palms against Asta’s cheeks, “Ye were murmuring in your sleep, Asta. Are ye not well-rested?”
With heaviness in her limbs, Asta crawled out of her furs. She did not get far before her stomach lurched. Tani gasped, assuming her friend may be with child. Before Asta could pull herself into a sitting position, both women were on her. Tani pressed on her stomach, sending a pained moan through the air.
“Oh, the Goddess has blessed us, Mistress!”
Asta pushed them away, “I am well. I simply need a moment alone.”
She forced herself up and headed toward the grove of trees. Other than the bit of nausea, Asta did not feel bad. After relieving herself, she headed back to camp. The women started to fuss over her again but she shooed them away, “I am not with a phoenix babe, Tani. Don’t ye think I would know if I were?”
Her adamant tone froze Kelci. Asta quickly covered, “It is my bleeding time. That is all.”
Understanding flooded over both her companion’s faces. Tani quickly grabbed a packet of herbs from her satchel and created a mixture. Unwilling to confess her secret, Asta drank it and accepted Kelci’s help climbing atop the horse. Besides crossing two rivers, their journey was uneventful with intermittent stops once again.
By the time they agreed to camp, Asta was exhausted. She forced herself to hunt, gaining a rabbit for their meal. She picked over the meat, forcing most of it down her throat by sheer will. The talk turned again to the Vojihn Clan. Fearing she would lose her dinner, Asta remained quiet and listened.
The conversation turned to mating and babes. Tani tried to outdo Kelci by saying, “Our Chief Zajihn has double phoenix in his blood. I tell ye his seed is the most potent in the world. His twin’s spirit…”
Asta’s head jerked up, “Enough! Tani, do ye dare rile the Gods by speaking of my Master’s lost twin?” She shook her head and uttered a disapproving sound before ending the conversation by telling Kelci, “Gods forgive me but, if ye must know, his twin babe was killed by the Vojihns. If ye ever yearn for a swift death, speak of the matter to Grand Master Johan. He does have the strength of two. I can vouch for that.”
Kelci remained quiet, darting a glance at Tani who had a peculiar expression on her face. She swiftly rose and grabbed the furs, “Mistress, I beg your forgiveness. Ye are right.”
Asta frowned at Tani’s back, wondering who was filling her friend’s head. At the moment, she was too exhausted to find out. Motioning toward their horses
, Asta told Kelci, “Check them while I snuff the fire.”
Afterward, Asta curled against Tani and said, “Take care with what ye think ye know, my friend. Some rumors are best left alone.”
The Mistress’ last words, uttered with extreme exhaustion, alarmed Tani. With her front to Asta’s back, Tani wrapped her hands around her friend and said, “Asta, your stomach is overly hot. Have ye taken the mixture recently?”
Asta did not answer. She had already fallen asleep. The next morning, Asta knew she was becoming ill. She had never felt so thirsty in her life. Watching Tani prepare the mixture, she rasped, “Hurry!”
Kelci’s hand rose to her forehead. Frowning, she told them, “A fever. Tani, get the tonic and add a drop to her water.”
Once the drop was added and Asta drank some, they thrust a fresh canteen of water into her hands. Asta nodded, “Thank ye.” Trying to alleviate their anxiety, she motioned toward the horses, “I’m able to ride. Let us journey forward.”
Chapter Four
Over the next two days, Asta kept them from seeing the true extent of her illness by force of sheer will. When they were within hours of the village, exhaustion overcame her. For the first time in her life, Asta fainted. Her horse pranced, whinnying nervously when its owner’s body slumped sideways.
Tani saw her go down and called to Kelci, “Halt! Something is very wrong with Grand Mistress Asta!”
Together, they carefully lowered her from the horse and onto a fur. Working quickly, they transferred supplies from the back of Tani’s horse and onto Asta’s stallion. Tani mounted before pulling Asta in front of her.
“Gods be with us, Kelci, she is burning with fever. We must ride hard for Western Shire.”
Digging spurs into the horse’s flanks, they sent Clan Zajihn’s alarm cry through the air. Shouting the Clan’s name first, then their Mistress’, and finally their own names:
“ZAH-Heen…As-tah Goh-Hee-Sha…TAH-Neeh…Kel-See…ZAH-Heen…”
Over and over, their voices rang through the air until the thunder of approaching hooves drowned them out. The healer of Western Shire, a wizened elder, directed two stout men, “Handle her with care. Rox, ride hard for Clan Zajihn. Bring the Jihn Grand Chief with haste.”
Wide-eyed, the young village crier named Rox jerked her horse’s reins and called in a shrill voice, “Mistress Goddess of Zajihn, I bid ye wellness.”
Arriving at Western Shire, the men laid her on the furs in the healer’s tent and quickly fled. Kelci and Tani respectfully bowed their head and anxiously waited at the edge of the tent. When she could no longer stand waiting, Tani asked, “Sage, may we enter?”
“Ye wish to enter a tent with a fevered one? Do ye invite death upon us all? Go fetch me what herbs ye have given her.”
Tani shuffled away as the sage ducked through the tent flap. She quickly stripped Asta’s clothing and froze. Hearing footsteps pacing at the edge of the tent, she called out, “Woman, enter.”
Kelci ran into the tent. The sage pinned her with a knowing gaze, “Grace me with your name and rank.”
“Kelci of Zajihn, bond mate to Luka, and lowly escort to Grand Mistress Asta Gojicia.”
The sage lifted Asta’s travel garment and asked, “Do ye know what herb this is?”
Kelci’s eyes widened but she slowly shook her head. Tani returned and, discovering Kelci already in the tent, ducked through the opening. Still gazing at Kelci, the sage took the pouch of herbs from Tani.
Sniffing the pouch, she winced and grabbed a strip of cloth. Pushing it into Tani’s hands, she urged, “Fetch me water and do not tally.”
When Tani left, the sage’s mouth drew into an angry line. She told Kelci, “This error may cost more than a chieftain babe.” A tsk-tsk sound rose from the sage’s throat, “Foolish women! Ye have taught her about powerful herbs to rid her master’s seed but mixed it with a potion to amplify her fertility. ‘Tis a lethal mixture!”
Kelci gasped, starting to deny it but the sage’s expression warned her not to bother. Tani raced back into the tent, thrusting the cold wet cloth into the sage’s hand as she breathed, “Is she with a phoenix babe? She said the bleeding time was upon her. What is…?”
Kelci’s anxious moan cut her off, “Ohhh, Tani, Grand Chief Johan will surely be so angry with her.”
The sage shot her a frown, “Ye fear he will be angry with ye! Johan would never harm this one.”
Kelci’s mouth snapped closed. The sage’s wise eyes narrowed on her, “Ye are the one who taught riddance of Jihn’s seed. Go from my tent before ye bring wrath upon us all.”
Tani’s gaze flew to Kelci who started to shake. She blurted out, “She was not ready to bear him a child.”
Under the sage’s hostile stare, Kelci cringed and admitted, “Goddess and Gods forgive me! I traded the knowledge so I could bond early.”
Tani grabbed Kelci’s hair, yanking her to the ground while wailing, “I bid the Goddess and Gods to spill your life now. Ye have surely killed her.”
“Enough!”
Both women jerked at Asta’s harsh raspy command. Barely above a whisper, Asta told them, “I made her give me instruction. No babes.”
The sage smoothed her sweaty brow, “Asta, Great Mistress of Zajihn, ye have erred greatly. The poison has taken hold of ye but ye must fight for life.”
Glancing back at Tani, she said, “Ride swift as the wind to the water. Do not stop until ye get to the river. There will be a purple flower. Bring the root to me.”
Tani spun around and ran for her horse. The sage gazed into Asta’s dazed eyes, “Stay with us, Mistress. Ye have the love of the Goddesses with ye. They will grant all the fighting spirits to ye in all the shires combined.”
Asta managed through chattering teeth, “W-What is h-happ-ening?”
Reaching over to a shelf of clay pots, the sage shook some dried leaves from one and sprinkled them into the fire. Without looking at Kelci, she said, “Unless ye want to seize upon the ground, I suggest ye beg the gods to steal your breath. Otherwise, leave my tent.”
Kelci scurried out of the tent while the sage told Asta, “Ye must breathe deeply, Great Mistress Asta. This will keep the fever down and stave off the poison.”
Asta’s dried lips parted as she gulped air. The sage fanned the smoke toward her. In a lilting voice, the wizened elder sent a prayer to draw spirits upon them. Asta coughed under the heavy smoke and tried to turn her face away. The sage’s grip tightened.
Slipping into a trance, her voice rose, “I call upon thee, Fallen Mighty Ones of Old. I invoke thee, Goddess Inga, Great Mother of Chief Johan, grant this Mistress your grace.”
The sage’s lips brushed Asta’s forehead before she raised them to intone, “Grand Master Erik, blood descendent of Jihn, God and Father to Chief Johan…”
Asta’s eyelids fluttered as she moaned, “Nooooo…ye must not…”
The sage’s voice rose as thunder rumbled overhead, “Spare our Mistress of Zajihn, bond mate of Grand Master Johan Gojicia.”
Swaying side to side, the sage was deaf to the alarmed shouts and bustle outside her tent. Locked in the trance, she raised arms above Asta and shouted skyward, “I beckon the reckless Galti, famed blood bearer of Jihn and wrecker of clans!” Asta’s mouth gaped but no sound emitted. The sage’s eyes rolled back in her head as the following fell from her lips, “Galti, God and Father of the fallen twin to Grand Master Johan, lend me your spirit!”
Asta’s back heaved off the pallet. The sage fell forward over Asta’s stomach as a deep male unworldly voice emitted, “I summon thee, Mighty strength of Jihn…”
Lightning slashed across the sky, followed swiftly by thunder. The tent shook and the ground rumbled under them. Asta slid into a hazy dream state. Warriors faced off. Spears rose in the air as her Clan’s war cries of For-ward ZA-Heen mingled with Let fly…VOH-Heen! Asta whimpered, pushing at the sage.
I, Grand Master Thorlak Galiji, reclaim my rightful land! Bow to me, your TRUE Grand Master, and bri
ng forth the murderous Zajihn! I, son of the fallen Galti, wait no more…
Asta was trapped in the dream while the sage, languishing in a trance, pinned her to the pallet. Thundering footsteps shook the ground. Within her dream, Asta sat in the dirt and watched multiple bodies locked in an ecstatic writhe. Her breath quickened as one of the males, massive in size and obviously a mighty chief, turned and looked straight at her.
Upon the pallet, her shaking brought the sage out of her trance. For the first time, the wizened elder became aware of the battle waging outside her tent.
I say to ye…KNEEL before Grand Master Thorlak Galiji of Vojihn…or be slaughtered!
Whimpering and unconscious, Asta shivered violently. Thinking fast, the sage threw a blanket over her and dove for the tent flap. She could only hope that the famed barbarians would have mercy if they discovered the Grand Mistress of Gojicia.
