Legacy of the Valkyrie

by Archibald Bradford

  Them mostly, the Amazons have always kept an oral history, which binds their culture together, but tellings change with time and the teller, so some details are inevitably lost. I told them what I could of their ancestors. While they in turn told me of themselves since the calamity. It has been… pleasurable to speak with them so simply.

  “How so?” Nameless asked.

  You forget the world I come from. The Amazons I know today are far removed from those of yesteryear.

  “In a good way or a bad way?” Miranda asked with a quirked eyebrow.

  A good way, friend Holt. The Amazons today have an innocence about them that was sorely lacking before. During the war they eagerly took the van, to spare their sisters certainly, but also because they reveled in the chaos of combat. Often it fell to myself and the other Valkyrie to reign in their savagery. And while I can see hints of this in them still, it is as a sleeping dragon. Peace has allowed them to remember how to be kind, as they were long before I was born. It is something I am dearly glad to see. Thank you, for your part in that.

  Miranda once again looked puzzled.

  “My part?”

  Do you not seek to keep your wife from forgetting herself in the heat of combat? I understand that she has only recently taken a life. Speaking as one who has taken many, I can see your influence at work in young Kala. You are good to her and I am grateful for this.

  For once, Miranda was at a loss for words.

  Retracing their steps through the rough pines and then the light coloured birch proved monotonous. Just as Yana’s team had, the remaining dozen Saenga warriors watched over them at night, not taking no for an answer. Most nights they stayed up quite late with Volka anyways, as she told them of their ancestors and they kept a wary eye on their surroundings.

  And just like that, they found themselves surrounded by farmland, and more than a few gaping farmers. It was like coming home; Nameless felt like he could cross any one of the fields they passed and find himself in Paul’s yard.

  Nina and Erica had picked up on his relief at leaving the trees behind and so they kept thinking naughty thoughts at him, making a game of it while he tried to hide his embarrassment from Miranda, her girls, and the Amazons.

  He failed utterly.

  “What in the hell has gotten under your collar kid? I’ve seen tomatoes that had less colour!”

  “N-nothing, just hot out here.”

  At that moment, Nina and Erica had joined forces and were imagining an erotic encounter with him in some of the high grass all around them.

  “Do you need to rest Valkyrja-datta?” Escrya loomed over him, her voice concerned.

  Then Nina and Erica got really devious as they whispered together and the pair focused on how jealous they would be if Nameless mounted the poor girl right there in the middle of the road.

  But he was on to their little game and so he fought fire with fire, thinking long and hard about doing exactly what they were picturing, focusing on just how attractive he found the Amazon, her luscious curves, her full lips made for sucking his...

  “You win!” Erica screamed and closed her eyes while shaking her head.

  Nina meanwhile was staring death at the oblivious Amazon.

  “I like this new game.” He said as he recovered from the secret embarrassment.

  Volka had been silent throughout the entirety of the exchange, though her amusement had mounted by the second.

  As do I Husband, but it is hardly fair to poor Escrya to have such thoughts about her without her knowledge. Allow me to even the playing field then.

  “What do you- oh! Oh my…” Escrya’s eyes widened and then her colour was a match for his.

  Volka had passed along his fantasy about her in vivid detail, and Nameless was mortified when he realized it.

  Fortunately, mercifully, the Valkyrie had not included Miranda, so the Aegis operative’s look was simply confused as her head swiveled between all those in on the joke, until finally she threw up her hands and walked away from the lot of them to join Jan and Jez at the rear, swearing under her breath.

  “In truth, I have no experience with such things but if you desire this from me, it is yours.”

  Escrya’s voice was barely more than a whisper as she blushed and licked her lips for his benefit.

  “Nope.”

  Nina had heard enough.

  She stomped over and picked him up by the legs with one arm, lifting him straight in the air and carrying him away, helpless.

  Milly and Ophelia meanwhile had not been part of the game, but had sensed Nameless’s half of it and were sharing amused looks at how it had played out.

  All the while Volka laughed in his mind.

  “Volka can be a bit devious can’t she?” Ophelia remarked.

  Milly nodded her agreement and then the Minotaur’s brow furrowed as she considered the Valkyrie’s behaviour over the past several days.

  “I think she’s trying to figure out the world now, and how she fits into it.” She spoke slowly, uncertainly.

  “That’s… probably very true.”

  Ophelia tried and failed to hide her surprise at the Minotaur’s astute observation.

  Nina carried a protesting Nameless for nearly an hour before finally setting him down when he complained of his legs falling asleep.

  “So we’re in agreement, no more games like that.” Erica said with a pout.

  “You two started it…” He muttered.

  “Yeah, well I’m ending it.” Nina still had death written on her features.

  He patted the air placatingly.

  “It does bring to mind Alcaia’s suggestion when we left the Saenga though.” Ophelia remarked.

  At the puzzled looks of the others she continued.

  “About taking an Amazon, to wife, I mean.”

  Nameless jaw dropped and Nina was now glaring at Ophelia, though she stopped when Erica spoke.

  “You’re talking about Kar.” The Katje’s head tilted and she had a thoughtful look on her face.

  Ophelia nodded, and Nameless wasn’t sure what to say or even who to say it to. Fortunately Milly made it unnecessary.

  “Kar was so kind to me and Erica. Even when she was sitting on me or grabbing my butt. I… I wouldn’t be against it, I mean. Not right away but maybe once we get home and things calm down a bit…”

  “I like her, she’s hot, like Milly said, even when she was kicking my ass. We flirted a lot. And she helped me deal with my shit after Bramblewood.” Erica declared.

  Nameless was frowning, wondering at exactly what was happening.

  There were a few minutes of silence.

  “Nina?” Ophelia prodded.

  The Gigas was deep in thought.

  Finally she spoke with a shrug.

  “Meh, she’s probably a beast in the sack, so sure. Plus she did teach you two how not to die so easy, and kept the weakling from biting it in Bramblewood.”

  Love is beautiful, and from what you have told me of this Kar, she is as worthy of it as anyone. Though the pleasures of the flesh are lost to me, so perhaps my opinion is not so important.

  Nameless frown ended at that and he spoke immediately and passionately.

  “Your opinion matters enough that we crossed the desert to get it! Maybe you don’t have a body, but you still have a voice!”

  The other girls nodded in agreement and he knew that if Volka had a face she would be smiling warmly at him.

  Such sweet words you speak of me! Very well then, I will share my opinion. I have seen in your mind that you desire this woman, the effect that she had on you during your travels is apparent, and while it would fade with time it is enough to show me that you truly care for her. As do my bond-sisters, clearly. What I would suggest then is more time. We should spend more time with her, get to know her better, there is no need to rush into anything.

  They were all silent for a long time, walking together, surrounded by other Amazons, who were curious as to what they discussed but respectful e
nough to give them their privacy.

  “Trust a Valkyrie to be all wise and stuff.” Erica admitted finally.

  Ophelia nodded.

  “Still it would be good to see her again, her and the others.”

  They were all in agreement on that.

  Chapter 23:

  Bastion of Hope

  “Welcome to the Bastion, kid.”

  Nameless was speechless. Never before had he seen such construction, even the vault under the sand paled in comparison. The tower in the middle of the city before them swept up hundreds of feet into the sky, its polished mother-of-pearl surface gleaming in the sunlight. He could see numerous winged silhouettes flying to and from the massive structure; various breeds of monster girls going about their lives without realizing that they were part of a grand spectacle that made Nameless feel very small indeed.

  Jan laughed at his awestruck expression as Miranda continued.

  “This has been the headquarters of the Aegis for the last three hundred years, Xalanth graciously allows us to use it after the Ogres trampled the old headquarters into dust.”

  Nameless blinked.

  “This place, it belongs to Xalanth?”

  “Yeah, well as much as any place belongs to a Dragon. This was once a city of the old empire, after the ash-fall it was abandoned for years though. Then Xalanth decided she wanted to live in the tower and so it became hers. Rumour has it she’s eaten more than one pushy archaeologist who tried to study it. Heh, we should introduce her to that Martin idiot…”

  Nameless swallowed, doubting that even Martin could be so oblivious in the face of the Dragon’s presence.

  “It’s incredible.” He whispered.

  It was late afternoon and the light of the sun struck the tower at the perfect angle to make it gleam. All around the city were similarly built spires, much smaller in scale but each one of which would have been an awesome sight all on its own.

  Few structures from the old empire survived the calamity. Whatever you see before you is a remnant of a bygone age.

  “Did you know of this place Volka?” Myrina asked.

  I honestly cannot recall. War is chaotic; there were countless terrible battles and many long sieges. The details grow… fuzzy, over the centuries.

  Once more Nameless witnessed events from the past, a sparkling city as Volka and her sisters flew over it. Then the same city, only now the buildings were ablaze in the night and lightning flew up from the ground to strike at the monsters flying overhead.

  This time Volka didn’t apologize, though they shared the equivalent of a mental hug.

  “Well, let’s not stand outside all day, I’m sure that Sadie will be thrilled to see you again dearheart, and eager to meet Volka as well!” Ophelia spoke up, and then gave Erica and Milly’s tails each a playful tug.

  The pair were just as awestruck as he was at the sight of the massive structure but they shook it off at their bond-sister’s urging and the group continued into the outskirts of the city of Garland.

  Though large, the buildings in town never seemed to be large enough to keep the Bastion from dominating the skyline. But the sights at street level were enough to distract from the massive structure.

  Nameless had never seen so many different types of people, and so many different types of monsters.

  If it weren’t for the Aegis operatives escorting them and the band of Amazons eyeing the crowd around them he would no doubt look like the country kid he was by the way he kept starring at everything.

  They barely made it into the city proper when a commotion ahead caught their attention.

  “You idiot! This order was nearly ready! Why did you change it now?!”

  A man all but screamed in the face of the bunny girl trembling in front of him.

  Miranda’s eyes narrowed and Jan growled slightly as the apron-clad stranger continued to berate the poor Lapine.

  “Excuse me kid, Aegis business.”

  Nameless nodded, equally unhappy with the man’s behaviour.

  His tirade lasted right up until Miranda cleared her throat loudly right behind him.

  “Now what-” He whirled in place only to stumble back at Miranda’s nearness; “Oh! Er, sorry Aegis.”

  Even in her worn uniform she struck an imposing figure, especially when coupled with Jan and Kala flanking her on either side.

  “You’re creating a disturbance.” She told him flatly.

  “N-no, everything is fine.”

  “It doesn’t look fine.” Kala growled.

  “Really, it’s a misunderstanding.” His hands were up in a placating gesture.

  “Her heartstone.” Miranda held out her hand.

  His eyes widened nervously.

  “It’s inside.” He mumbled.

  Just like whenever Nameless pissed her off she enunciated every syllable.

  “Go. Get. It.”

  The man fled into the shop.

  The Lapine was upset from the man’s yelling but she dried her eyes on her own apron and tried to speak, but Miranda forestalled her with one finger in the air.

  “In a minute.”

  The bunny’s ears drooped and she kicked at the dusty cobblestones disconsolately. The man emerged from the shop a couple minutes later, and wordlessly plopped the pink stone in Miranda’s palm.

  “Thank you, Kala stay on him, you’re with me bunny.”

  The bunny girl hopped to follow Miranda while the man wrung his hands as the mighty Amazon loomed over him, keeping him in place.

  “Your name?”

  “Lindsey ma’am.” Her voice was soft and breathy.

  “And does he treat you like that a lot Lindsey?”

  “No! This was all a misunderstanding, just like he said! I messed up an order and it’s going to cost him a lot of coins to fix it, it was all my fault.”

  Miranda pursed her lips, and then called out to Nameless, who was trying to be unobtrusive in his eavesdropping.

  “C’mere for a sec kid.”

  She held the stone out for him, confused, he placed his hand over hers.

  “She okay?” She murmured, too low for any but him to hear.

  Nameless closed his eyes for a few moments, sensing the bunny’s emotions. He was quickly satisfied and opened his eyes again to address Miranda.

  “She is afraid, but only that her owner might be in trouble. He treats her very well, but I guess today has been a rough one for him. He lost his temper, but it’s a rare thing.”

  He spoke confidently, the surety he felt from the nervous, and slightly confused, Lapine’s stone enough for him.

  Apparently it was enough for Miranda as well, as she walked back to join Kala and quickly handed the man back the tiny gem.

  “Just remember the oath you took.”

  “O-of course Aegis.” The man’s relief was palpable as he turned to the girl; “Sorry Linds.”

  She abruptly hugged the surprised man around the middle.

  “I’m sorry too sir, I swear I’ll work extra hard to fix this!”

  “I know you will.” He stammered out, surprised and embarrassed at the public display of affection.

  “Great, everybody’s happy. Let’s get back to it.” Miranda gave a jerky nod to the pair by way of farewell.

  As they walked away Nameless turned to Miranda.

  “Does that happen often?”

  “You kidding? That’s ninety-five percent of the job right there! We do heartstone checks frequently, especially this close to headquarters. Although it usually takes longer, a lot of the time the girl doesn’t want to say anything bad about her owner, even when you’re holding her stone.”

  Nameless nodded, lost in thought.

  A half hour later Miranda led them into a massive cobbled square with one side abutting the wall around the aegis compound surrounding the Bastion, all along the other sides of the square were little carts and stalls selling everything imaginable.

  But the most striking feature was in the center of the square; a raised
dais upon which sat a large and magnificently carved marble statue: a young woman cradling a wounded Valkyrie in her arms, the Valkyrie had one hand on the woman’s cheek while the other was handing the woman her shield. Both were smiling warmly at each other.

  When Nameless and the others stopped to consider the magnificent piece, Miranda offered an explanation.

  “This is Divinity Square, and that is the statue of the Aegis and the last Valkyrie, it was carved eight hundred years ago. Used to sit in the old headquarters, but after the Ogres got their panties in a twist the ruling council at the time decided that the statue should be displayed publicly. It has countless enchantments on it to preserve it from the weather and from stupid teenagers with cans of paint.”

  She considered Volka’s shield for a moment, while Nameless considered the shield on the statue with confused emotions.

  Why do I get the sense that the sculptor got my nose wrong?

  Miranda’s eyes widened at Volka’s wry thought before she let loose a barking laugh.

  “Come on then, time to face the music. Kid, keep her covered for now. We can have the flock and gawk later when we aren’t in a rush.”

  Several days prior, when they had first made it back into populated areas, Miranda had insisted that Nameless wrap the shield in a blanket to keep people from going nuts over it. At first Volka complained that it was itchy, but when Nameless made to remove it the Valkyrie had laughed that he had fallen for her joke.

  Miranda and her girls led them through the gate of the walled compound, the guards on duty checking her identification before waving them through, though they couldn’t help but stare at the eclectic group.

  The Amazons escorting them shared in some of the others’ astonishment at the scale of the building before them but were still intent on protecting him from anyone and anything so they showed little of it.

  It quickly became apparent that word of their arrival had spread to the Aegis girls inside.

  Nameless grew very self conscious as monster girls of every sort stared at him with curious and often hungry eyes: even if they didn’t know about Volka they at least seemed to know that he was an Empath.

  He couldn’t help but be intimidated and leaned into Milly for support. The Minotaur wrapped an arm around him and began to return glares of her own, her meaning was clear.