Legacy of the Valkyrie

by Archibald Bradford

  The other Amazons had gathered around them at that point and by their expressions Nameless knew that they could all hear Volka as well.

  “What’s a Lightbringer?” He asked no one in particular.

  “The fastest flyers of the Valkyrie, they led the charge into battle.” Escrya answered immediately.

  Indeed, you are well taught. It was our duty to guide our blades into the hearts of our enemy, though in our last battle I fear that duty brought us to ruin.

  Miranda gave a grim nod, her and her girls having joined the wide-eyed Amazons surrounding him.

  “Yes, but I’m sure that the descendents of the monster girls you saved that night would be pretty grateful.”

  Nameless sensed a hint of puzzlement from Volka

  Monster girls? What monster… ah, I see. It would seem that the truth of that terrible night has never come to light.

  The gathered crowd shared confused glances at her words.

  “What do you mean?” He tilted the shield up a bit so he could look at the heartstone directly, uncomfortable with talking to thin air.

  There were no monster girls in that village other than us.

  Gasps of shock came from the gathered warriors.

  “But… the stories!” Kala gasped.

  Her gaze shot to Escrya for a moment, seeking the teller’s wisdom, but it was clear that Escrya was just as confused.

  Volka gave another mental sigh, an odd sensation that Nameless doubted he would ever get used to.

  I am afraid that my sisters and I kept a secret from your ancestors and all of the other tribes. And that secret brought about our ruin. We were called to battle that night not to protect monsters, but to protect humans.

  The continually stunned expressions on the faces of the Amazons would have been amusing to Nameless if he didn’t have one to match.

  “Okay… um, what?” Jan asked.

  Not all humans fought for the Divine Republic, for if they did then our peoples would have died out long ago, as we would never take mates who were not willing.

  “But why weren’t there any other monster girls in the village?” Myrina asked.

  Nameless felt a wave of regret that was not his own at the Amazon’s words.

  Because we never told anyone that it existed, at least, not until we found out that the Empire knew of it. I can see that you are owed an explanation, and so I shall provide it.

  Volka took a few moments to collect her thoughts as the gathered crowd waited with what little patience they could muster.

  You no doubt know that the Empire would torture and abuse their slaves in order to create Tenebrae to unleash upon the battlefield, and that it fell upon the Valkyrie to save them from the darkness of man.

  In point of fact, Nameless did not know any of that, though most of the others certainly did.

  “Indeed, I have told of this many times, as it was told to me.”

  For years the Valkyrie had been dealing with the Tenebrae problem, but our numbers dwindled and so we sought another solution. In secret, we took aside a number of brave men and women, volunteers all, and we exposed them to the divine essence in our souls in an attempt to impart unto them our gift of empathy.

  All around wide-eyed women were staring at Nameless, whose own mouth was hanging agape in surprise.

  In short, the village my sisters all died to protect held the future of peace between man and monster. It held the first few generations of Empaths and their families. We had succeeded beyond our wildest expectations. A single Empath, bolstered by the will of a Valkyrie, could save dozens of girls, whereas before it would take several Valkyrie working together to save but one. Humans better understood the nuances of the turbulent emotions in the hearts of the Tenebrae. And after all, it was humans who created the darkness, so it stood to reason that they would be the best choice for cleansing it.

  Her mental tone turned somber.

  But alas the Empire discovered our secret, and sought to end the threat, which is why they sent so many against us that night. In their minds the men and women who had volunteered to be the first Empaths were traitors to their own kind, abominations tainted by the magic of the enemy. The Empaths were the last and best hope that we had for peace and so my sisters and I had no choice but to throw everything that we had into their defense. We saved as many as we could, punching through the enemy line and buying them enough time to flee into the night before turning to hold back the wrath of the Empire.

  Nameless shuddered; while Volka spoke he experienced a flash of terrible violence in his mind, the briefest of memories of the desperate battle that she and her sisters had fought so long ago.

  All so that his ancestors could live.

  “Volka I’m-”

  Do not! My love, do not seek forgiveness for something that happened centuries before you were born!

  Her voice was passionate in his mind but quickly turned conciliatory.

  Forgive me, but my sisters gave their lives willingly… just as my mother gave her life willingly, and I must ask that you not disregard that.

  He felt her grief, undiminished by time, though it was held in check by her iron-clad will. For the briefest of moments an image of a beautiful woman flashed into his mind, her rich blonde hair in twin plaits down the sides of her smiling face and a winged helm atop her head.

  “Was that… Volka, was that your mother?”

  She was quiet for a long moment and when she at last broke the silence her voice, though still aggrieved, was also incredibly proud.

  Yes, that was Gundr Ranveigsdotter. She was Dominar of the Third Host once upon a time, but with so few of their numbers remaining they were folded into the Fourth and she gave her position to my own Dominar, Astrid, in order to fly beside me. We flew together that night for the first time in many years and together we witnessed the fall of the Valkyrie. Even as the enemy was defeated she died in my arms.

  The Amazons bowed their heads at the Valkyrie’s grief.

  “Then let us drink to your mother, daughter of Gundr. And remember her for her courage and her sacrifice.” Myrina offered.

  She and a number of others were uncorking familiar looking bottles and Nameless had to fight hard to suppress a shudder as he recognized the Amazon brandy for what it was.

  Volka’s mood improved dramatically at his reaction, her amusement plain.

  Do not drink if it would make you ill, my mother would be the first to tell you so!

  But Nameless reached out and took a bottle from a surprised Escrya and without hesitation he took a good swig, even managing to swallow the burning liquid without coughing.

  “To Gundr.” He wheezed out as he held the bottle aloft in a toast afterwards.

  The Amazons mirrored his pose, though they drank far more deeply than he had and with less ill effects.

  Volka’s mild amusement had turned to true mirth at his expense.

  I think perhaps Nina and Miranda are right. You are kind of an idiot! But… thank you.

  “I don’t understand, if there was an entire village of Empaths, how come there are so few now?” Milly asked.

  “Maybe the gift doesn’t breed through all of the time, or maybe there are a whole wack of them out there and they just haven’t touched any heartstones yet?” Miranda suggested.

  As you say, the gift only breeds through about one third of the time, which is why the village had many ordinary humans in it, ungifted children of Empath parents. But still this is troubling. There should be many Empaths by now… And this makes the presence of the Saenga warriors all the more welcome. Thank you, sisters, for helping us to protect our husband.

  Nameless wanted to object, he didn’t like the thought of being protected.

  “If you say one word of protest I will stand you on your head.” Nina said from beside him.

  She had relieved one of the Amazons of her bottle and was drinking deeply; the Gigas was quite comfortable with a ring of Amazon spears protecting him while he slept.

  He le
t out the breath he had drawn in to voice his objections, deciding that he didn’t want to be stood on his head.

  “So, now what?” Erica asked.

  Miranda yawned and stretched.

  “Now I am going to bed, we still have a long ways to go before we make it back to civilization. If you can call Bramblewood civilized.”

  A wise course, though I can see that Escrya and her sisters have many questions yet. Husband, if you would permit me to stay with them, I have no need of rest this night.

  Nameless blinked at the looks on the Amazons’ faces. He didn’t know that the warrior women could make puppy-dog eyes…

  “Of course! You don’t need my permission for that!”

  Ah, but I do, for you see, you alone are able to wield me, so wherever you set me is where I must remain until you come for me.

  He was so not comfortable with that.

  “Okay, well, where would you like to- um… sit?”

  At her request he positioned her against a moss-covered log, with the Amazons swearing many oaths of gratitude.

  The last thing he saw before ducking back into their tent was a crowd of eager warriors seating themselves around the fire-lit shield, like children waiting for an elder to tell them a story.

  And indeed, at nearly eleven hundred years old, Volka was about as ‘eld’ as one could get.

  Chapter 22:

  The Long Walk

  A few days after Volka had awoken they walked together through the monolithic cedars.

  Erica pursed her lips and considered Escrya.

  “So how come you know so much about Valkyrie and stuff? You don’t look very old to be all grown-up and wise.”

  “Do I not? I recently celebrated my one hundredth birthing day.”

  Erica’s jaw dropped.

  “What!? Seriously?”

  Escrya looked at the Katje with one canny eye, a smirk taking her lips.

  “Perhaps, or perhaps I spent a great deal of my childhood in the company of my great grandmother, who passed along all of her stories to me to safeguard until I can similarly pass them on to the next generation.”

  The Katje frowned and her eyes narrowed.

  “I didn’t know that Amazons could be bull-shitters.”

  Escrya chuckled.

  “It is a necessary skill for a teller.” She said with mock seriousness.

  Her mockery continuing right up until Volka’s booming voice entered their minds.

  Indeed? I would have thought forthrightness would be the trait of a good teller!

  Her tone was severe and silence fell upon them all as Escrya went pale and stammered in the face of the Valkyrie’s abrupt condemnation.

  They all held their breaths for a few moments.

  But then again, Valkyrie are notorious pranksters so what would I know?

  Her tone had suddenly turned playful and looks of shock took up residence on the faces of those who had heard her.

  Oh dear, did I do it wrong? I have not had anyone to practice my sarcasm on in so very long.

  Erica began to laugh and was soon joined by the others, while Escrya ruefully shook her head.

  “It would seem I still have much to learn of our golden sisters. Sarcasm indeed!”

  Meanwhile Milly was walking beside Nina with a thoughtful look on her face. She had been quiet for some time, even when the Gigas had chortled with the others.

  “What’s bugging you? Back problems?” Nina nodded as she stretched one arm up and poked the underside of one of Milly’s breasts. But the Minotaur was oblivious to her teasing.

  “No I was just curious about something.” She looked around and, realizing that she suddenly had a large audience, her cheeks reddened slightly; “But it’s not important!”

  “Well now you have to tell us dearheart, it is certainly more important than Volka’s silly jokes!”

  I do have a good one about a Harpy and a camel…

  The looks of shock on the Amazons’ faces at her continued silly behaviour were highly entertaining to the others.

  Milly spoke with hesitation, her eyes meeting Escrya’s for a moment.

  “It’s just, I’ve been wondering, with all the talk about Amazons and Valkyrie, you know so much about your people. And I remember back when you told us, um, about the fall of the Valkyrie. You said all of the warrior tribes fought alongside you and you looked at me too…”

  Escrya blinked.

  “But of course! The charges of the Minotaur herds were legendary! Did you not learn of this as a child?”

  Milly hung her head, shamefaced.

  “No, I didn’t go to school or anything. And I’ve so rarely ever seen another Minotaur, and never really spoken to one.”

  Escrya moved to walk beside her, distressed at the cow girl’s embarrassment.

  Volka dropped her joking behavior and her voice became serious in their minds.

  Your people have always been gentle, but so very strong. And during the war, with far too many in need of protection, they stood shoulder to shoulder with all of the warrior tribes and did what needed to be done. As Escrya has said, the sight of the herds heading into battle was breathtaking. But alas, it was also costly. I have seen far too many of your ancestors lying slain on the field.

  The jovial mood that had diminished at Milly’s shame disappeared altogether at Volka’s remembrance. And once again Nameless was treated to a sight of a war long over, the grief that Volka felt made the images of piled up Minotaur bodies truly vivid in his mind.

  She had lost so many friends.

  Forgive me, I do not mean to inflict my memories upon you.

  She worked hard to shake aside her reverie.

  He swallowed as he too struggled to compose himself, the sight had been horrifying, and many of the faces looked far too similar to Milly.

  “I-It’s alright, you have been through a lot, more than I can even imagine. And so if you need to tell silly jokes, or to… to remember these terrible things in order to make your peace with it. Please don’t hold back.”

  There was a long silence as they all awaited Volka’s response.

  She eventually spoke in their minds with emotion.

  I was right. You are so very easy to love! Such selflessness. To willingly bear witness to the horrors of war, just to ease my pain. Thank you, Husband.

  He swallowed.

  “You’re so very welcome, wife.”

  Though he turned crimson at the word, his voice was steady and he was pleased when she giggled at his first use of it. He could tell that she really liked him calling her his wife.

  Escrya put her arm across Milly’s waist as they walked and spoke earnestly.

  “I do not know all there is to know about the history of your people, Volka would know more, but I can at least tell you some. And Erica had mentioned that the two of you were training with the warriors of Brael? If you would like, I am sure that my own sisters would be happy to assist you with this. I did not witness Kala’s fight with Myrina. I am told it was impressive, but I am sure that the Saenga could build upon what the Brael have taught you.”

  Myrina and many of the Amazon warriors readily volunteered, the kindly girls eager to help the gentle Minotaur however they could and Milly’s mood improved drastically, she had dearly enjoyed training with Kar and the others.

  “Awww crap, I’m about to get my ass kicked again aren’t I?” Erica mewled.

  And indeed she was.

  __________

  With the Saenga leading the way they made it back to Bramblewood in a few more days. To say that they drew shocked looks when they resupplied there was an understatement. They were a memorable group and the addition of all of the Saenga Amazons made quite the impression on the locals as this time Miranda insisted they all stick together to avoid further misadventures.

  “As Alcaia has commanded, most of our number must leave you here. Though I and several others will continue on, at this point we must trust in your judgement as we journey now into the world of men
which we have little experience with.”

  Myrina was looking around at the rough and tumble inhabitants of Bramblewood and did nothing to hide her frown.

  “Don’t worry, it gets better, kinda.” Nina offered.

  It was painfully obvious that the Amazons who would be returning to their village were not at all happy to leave, but their warleader had been clear in her orders so leave they did, though not after they each took a moment to bid Nameless, Volka and the others a fond farewell.

  He wondered at what he had done in life to have so many beautiful women take it in turns to bury his face in their breasts while they embraced him.

  After they had resupplied in Bramblewood, they once again opted to camp outside of town before resuming their trek the next morning. While they journeyed Milly and Erica continued their training with the remaining girls of the Saenga, learning as much from them as they had from Kar and the others.

  Nameless likewise resumed studying with Miranda, though now Volka provided her own insights that often offered a very different picture than the one that he was expecting.

  “So Garland is nestled in a valley in the mountains about fifty miles to the northwest of Wayfelt, and the Bastion is at the center of the city right?”

  Miranda nodded.

  “Yup, and let me tell you kid, for a little farm boy it will be a sight to behold.”

  Curious, the land has changed much, but the area you describe was once part of the Divine Republic…

  Miranda nodded.

  “That’s not surprising. The Bastion is a pretty impressive structure, certainly not something anyone could build today.”

  I see. I suppose that is alright then, after all, it is just a building. All that matters is who inhabits it.

  “That’s very big of you.” Miranda said.

  Nameless felt a hint of amusement from Volka at Miranda’s dry response.

  Husband, this woman is very droll, I like her.

  “Glad you approve. So I’m curious, what have you and the Amazons spent so much time talking about all these nights in the woods?”

  Volka considered Miranda’s question for a time then responded honestly.