Beyond The Wall

by Pwyll Duggan

  "What the fuck were you doing." I watch the fear in her eyes ease as she seizes the chance I give her. I need her to dig that hole a little deeper before I push her in.

  "Just a blessing of the gods for the Gods-Sent." She coughs out, in perfect Australian accented English.

  "How can you speak to me so perfectly?"

  "All priestess' can." I look to the now dis-veiled acolyte. She's not even looking at me and shaking her head. Words stream from her mouth in a torrent. Her black hair streaming down her face as she shouts at the priestess. Rage boils on the priestess face, vainly trying to control herself from responding. I look down her body, looking for what she is using. If these people have had visitors from other worlds for decades, with magic, they must have some way to talk. And since she is talking, it must be on her someplace.

  Through her sake-soaked robe I see something resting between her breasts. A silver chain is around her neck. It doesn't match the gold she seems to prefer. I reach down and rip open her robe, seeing the silver necklace and pendant. I grab it and she starts to struggle.

  "Stop it bitch." I say, and everyone stops, looking at me. "Seems everyone can understand me now." I punch her again in the stomach and as she rocks in pain, I rip the necklace over her head.

  "She was casting a long-term charm spell on you - to make you do as she says." The angry woman is shouting as she starts kicking the priestess. "This bitch put the whole town and valley at risk, just so she could have her own personal Gods-Sent Shielder. Stupid bitch." I let her keep kicking and looked at the other one.

  "Is this true?"

  "Yes Shielder. She's been doing this for years. Making them fall in love with her and bringing her gold and items.” She lowers her head and voice. “If they live. Most don't."

  "Go to the officer outside and get him and two guards in here." She looks up at me in fear, then nods and runs off. I turn to the ones getting up from the floor.

  "You three - you all helped her do this?"

  Matron is the first to reply. "She made us. She threatened our families." The other two acolytes look at each other, then nod yes as well.

  "And what did you get out of this? Gold, items, special treatment?"

  "They have been treated better since the priestess took control." Blondie speaks up. "The village no longer has a say in things like we used to. No-one is allowed to practice magic anymore unless they tithe the temple."

  "Is this true? Maids, down here." I point at the three maids and motion them next to me. They fear me now. I point to the little Asian one.

  "Answer now." I speak forcefully.

  "Yes." She stammers. "We have to pay to be chosen now, before we had a lottery."

  "Same for you two?"

  "Yes."

  "Yes Master" the orc says.

  "Okay then, you three back inside. You're fine." They run back inside.

  "Blondie, sorry, what's your name."

  "Molly, Master." I like that name, it suits her.

  "Thank you for your help. Can you stay here please and get the house ready for what normally would happen?" She nods yes, solemnly. "Thank you, Molly." I make sure my words are sincere.

  The kicking has stopped as the priestess is sobbing in pain.

  "My brother had to die because you tampered with our Shielders. Our village has four weeks left. Four weeks! And you won’t let us tell anyone." She goes to kick again, and I block her with my body.

  "Enough." I look her in the eyes and grab her shoulder. Tears are streaming down her face, anger in her eyes.

  "I need you now. I need you to help me do what is required." She looks at me, wipes her tears and nods.

  "Yes, Gods-Sent." She straightens up, standing tall as I hear the soldiers arrive. I turn to face them.

  "Officer?"

  "Lt Chen Sir."

  "Well Lieutenant. What's the punishment for impeding a Gods-Sent on his duty?" Chen looks at me quizzically then widens his eyes at the sight in front of him.

  "If it puts village or duty at risk it is consider treason against his royal highness and death is the penalty."

  "And where do we perform such a duty." Chen looks at me, at the priestess and acolytes, then at me again.

  "The road leading from town Sir. All will see as they work in the fields or eoods. They will tell all others." I nod and look at the women. They all just realize what I am planning. If I am to survive here, I need trust and people to count on. Traitors and greedy bitches I don't need. I grab the fallen priestess by her hair and drag her to her feet. I ask Lt Chen to grab hold of the matron and I point the two soldiers towards the first two acolytes that tried to block me exiting the circle.

  Then the wails and screams start. I turn to the now composed acolyte.

  "Lead the way. Wear the head-dress if it's traditional. Otherwise carry it with you. What do I call you?"

  "I am now Mari, Priestess of the Stone." She bows her head and I return the gesture.

  "Lead the way please Mari."

  The four captured women continue to wail and scream as Mari reaches down and takes the head-dress. Instead of wearing it, she carries it, letting the veil drag along the ground as she walks out the gate. The fourth acolyte (who gathered the soldiers for me) is standing there, staring at her screaming colleagues. I grab her chin and turn her to me as the old priestess struggles in my other hand.

  "You, name?"

  "Amaya, Gods-Sent."

  "Amaya, could you please gather as many as you can from the village and bring them to the site we are going to. This will not take long. Tell them I asked, asked, for them to be present." She nods, hikes up her clothes and runs off in those wooden sandals.

  I must set an example. I need to make a point. And I need the village to trust me, or at least, believe in me. The cold silver necklace pulses under my robe. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself among the crying and wailing.

  I've been here less than twenty minutes and now I'm off to kill people. And the coldness on my chest is mirrored in my heart. It needs to be done. Why me? I squeeze me eyes shut and push it all down. Actions then words. Back up words with actions.

  I start walking again, going faster to catch up with Mari. She leads us out of town on the dirt road to a small shrine surrounded by aged wooden poles on a stone terrace. She drags the head-dress in-front of the shrine and lets it go there. She walks over to me and leads me to the first pole, closest to the village. She ties her ex-boss to the pole, tightly with her belt. The soldiers are doing the same with the others. Amaya is heading back to us, a small crowd following her nervously. Heads bob up and out to see what is happening.

  "Lieutenant, I'll need a sword." And I hold out a hand to him, trying to remain calm.

  "No Sir. My duty to my Duke demands that I carry out his sentences." He looks at me, steel in his eyes.

  "As it must be done. Your duty it is Lieutenant. Let me speak to the village first."

  I stand forward of the poles and tighten my belt. The crowd that has formed is mumbling away, unsure of why this is happening. But they seem to know what is going to happen, fear in some eyes. I breathe deep and raise one hand.

  "Villagers of.."

  Mari whispers to me "Kawaba."

  "Kawaba. It is my duty as Shielder to protect this village. These people before you chose to enrich themselves over their own duties to protect this village. Priestess Mari will be returning the village to the fairer ways once more. I will do all in my power to help you all. So, I, Paul Walsh, swear on the gods. Lieutenant perform your duty."

  There are sounds of sobbing from both the crowd and the prisoners behind me as I hear the sound of a sword unsheathing. The swish of air and the thunk of wood being hit, then the dull thud of a head hitting the stones. Cries of shock rise from the crowd as the other three sentences are carried out. I turn and start walking back up the road. The crowd parts around me, whispers going through them all.

  I make it half way back before I throw up.

  Chapter Three />
  I reach the gates as Molly is carry out the marked mats. She dumps them to the side of the gate, on a pebbled path and points to a soldier.

  "Have those burned, now." Little Blondie is getting a backbone. She sees me and bows low.

  "Shielder."

  "Paul. Call me Paul, Molly." I smile at her and hold out a hand.

  "Where I come from, we shake hands as a formal greeting. When meeting someone new and important." She looks at me, seeing I'm being honest and puts her hand out. I move forward and grasp her hand in mine.

  "And then we shake." I move my hand up and down a little. Once I let go, she looks at her hand and then at me.

  "Not bad. I think I need more practice too, don't worry. Lead on Molly."

  We walk towards the house and I can see my three maids waiting at the entrance again. Still obviously nervous. The dark elf places some new slippers down for me and I swap them.

  "Shall we all go and sit and await Mari? We can do proper introductions then. I hear the gate open and know she's coming. Lt Chen leads Mari and Amaya up the path.

  "Lieutenant. If you could get more guards for the short term. Guarding the temple and house please. I do not want anyone to have the chance for reprisals, for real or imagined slights."

  "Very good Sir." He salutes and heads out. I motion my arm towards the room we first sat down in.

  "If we can all enter please, and we can get this all started and sorted." Mari, Amaya, Molly and the maids enter before me and I follow and sit. I pull the silver necklace up from my robe and place it in view on my chest. I put my hands together, interlock my fingers and start twiddling my thumbs.

  "I am truly sorry for what has already happened today. I am new and know nothing of your land or ways. But she was casting a spell on me and I think she has put your village in danger for years." I look at Mari for acknowledgment.

  "Yes, she has been doing for as long as I have been at the temple. Five years at least." Good to see I have some back up.

  "My name is Paul Walsh. Please just call me Paul. I am guessing my world is far away. But your culture seems to have a lot in common with one of the lands on my world - Japan. Either it started here or there, it matters not. My culture tries to treat everyone, regardless of race, color or religion, as equal and I tend to do the same. So please feel free to ask me anything after this." I look down at the necklace and then to Mari.

  "If it's okay, can I use this for a while." She nods

  "That would be wise Paul."

  "Thank you. If you would enlighten me on how and why I am here and what I need to do? I guess I am a Shielder and go beyond that shield?"

  "That is true Paul. You were summoned by the Gods to work towards powering our Shield Wall that protects all our lands. You go beyond the shield and kill the monsters there. Collect their souls and let our Holy Stone convert them and power our shield. Only a Shielder or chosen of the Stone can pass thru the wall." I nod. I guessed most of that already.

  "Many forms of monsters are on the other side. Each monster you kill drops its soul. You collect them and bring them to the stone. The more powerful the soul, the larger the charge. When you kill them, you gain some power also and the Holy Stone can convert that to make you more powerful."

  "Okay - go forth, kill monsters, bring back souls. What do souls look like?"

  "Souls are crystals of various sizes based on the power of the soul." Fair enough.

  "Go on Mari."

  "Returning a lot of souls in a day can grant a boon to the village or the Shielder. I'm the longest serving acolyte and I was never allowed to see what happens when a Shielder returned. Not that many have returned lately."

  "How bad was it? Before me?"

  "In the last 2 years No Shielder has lasted a week. None a month since I started. Each day a Shielder failed to return, the stone would choose a villager to go. For some reason, only men are chosen from this village." Her voice drops in volume.

  "Sorry for your loss Mari." She looks up at me, tears forming in her eyes again. "Anything else? Stone or Shield wise? What happens if the shield falls?"

  "As the shield gets weaker, monsters can try and force themselves through. If that happens, everyone tends to die. We have one whole Lunar Cycle charge left. At 2 weeks the army moves in and we flee. If it falls, all the lands behind us will fall and the shield tries again. It takes charge from all the wall and resets, ten miles behind us and this land is lost." She pauses as I take all that in. No pressure at all.

  "Do we have maps or guides to beyond the wall?"

  "No sorry. Any books or tomes on beyond the shield have been 'missing' for a few years now. I could not get the other two nearby villages of the Duke’s to help either. Theirs are all missing as well." That triggers a cold feeling in my chest. Looks like someone is playing politics, or a very long game. That's trouble. Time to play my cards.

  "If that is true, then someone is trying to get the villages to fall." All the girls go stiff and look at me. I continue. "Someone or something wants the Duke's lands to fall then. That means you are all in danger with me. I need you all to be careful and thoughtful. Your village and families are in danger and I will need your help." The little Asian maid starts grinning. The orc tries to tap her arm gently, but I see it all.

  "I will let you know now. I try to be honest in all things. If you question me, I will give you the answer - for good or ill. And I expect the same in return. Information is power and the lack of it can hurt us. All of us." I look at the grinning maid. "So, with that in mind - why are you grinning?"

  She goes blank and stares forward. "Your name milady?"

  "Rika, Master."

  "Why were you grinning Rika?"

  "Daddy can't keep me out of trouble now." She looks at me. "You'll need my skills. Finally, I can do something. Yes!" she is almost shouting now and punches the air. She calms herself. "Sorry."

  "What can you do?"

  "She is the little spymaster." The orc replies derisively. She looks at me. "Bunko Blacksmith, Master. Blacksmith apprentice and youngest of my family. Our families sent us to serve so that the family lines can continue."

  "Family lines? What?"

  "What the humans won’t tell you is that us demi-humans cannot get human husbands. It's frowned upon and the males’ family loses honor if that happens. They'll bed us still of course, but they take precautions not to have offspring." I look at her strangely.

  "Oh - we can use magic to trace a family line. Loss of face and business to be related to demi-humans in most of the human lands."

  "Why is that? You all fight for the same cause. All live together. Work together." She looks straight at me.

  "We are the tainted - befouled by evil magic. Our Spirita Aqua, our souls, are related to our monster heritage. Our ancestors were rescued from beyond the Shield Wall and have served this village and these lands for centuries." She stands and paces the room as she rants, hands waving. "Regardless of what we do. Or how much of our blood and tears goes into defending these lands, from inside or beyond the wall, we are the tainted. That's why the village has two halves. The pure humans across the river, and us on this side. We can rarely work over there. Can't own land or freely move about the whole kingdom." Then she stops and turns to me, voice dropping volume, getting nervous.

  "But a child of a hero is immune from that. They are blessed by the Stone. Some are blessed OF the Stone, with powers of old. So, we pay the fee and get assigned here and hope and pray. By sharing your bed, we could make better lives for our families."

  I’m not normally this slow but it takes a while to hit me. No kids in the village. No men. The priestess was taking their future, their hope. Fuck me. Well that does look like the plan. I'm not sure about that. It doesn't feel right. My morals don't quite sit well with that.

  "See, even he thinks we are all foul." She goes to storm off. I jump up and shout, power in my voice

  "SIT. DOWN." She looks shocked. "Do not EVER put words in my mouth. You did not even let me
take all that information in." I walk up to her and she take a few steps back, unsure of herself now.

  "I was once married on my world. Marriage is supposed to be one couple, together, forever in love. That is what I felt. She didn't feel that way about me. She didn't tell me that and went and saw other men, without my knowledge. Hiding it." I walk up to her and without me noticing I am poking her chest with my finger as I talk, with every word.

  "That hurt. Hurt a lot." I look down, see what I am doing and stop. I rub my forehead. "You don't know me yet. I wanted a family, children. This is how I find out your only option for a family." I shut my eyes. "It's a lot to take in okay. It’s just a lot at once." I open my eyes and smile at her. "You’re in no way foul to me. You are all beautiful. It just seems I will be taking advantage of you all needing a family."

  "Maybe we are taking advantage of you." The dark elf says.

  "Aysun!" Molly bursts out.

  "What. I see the looks on all your faces, devouring him with your eyes. He's the first Shielder in years who actually seems intelligent, ‘switched on’ even. He may look plain, but if he survives, our village will prosper. I'm just in this for the village." All the girls look at her questioningly.

  "Just because the fringe benefits might be good has absolutely nothing to do with this. I have a whole week to train him, after all." My turn to stare. Bunko walks over to me.

  "Close your mouth, or you'll end up catching flying insects."

  "Noodles. We need the noodles. And the rice balls." Molly's bright red face says it all and she goes to get lunch.

  Chapter Four

  I love noodles, so lunch was great. Everything is so fresh and tasty. They all politely eat and ask the occasional questions. I answer as truthfully as possible. No spells in my world. No, I wasn't seeing anyone when I appeared. I was dressed, I just appeared undressed. I have very little fighting ability - that gets a few nervous looks.

  My questions get a few answers. Yes, the two halves of the village work together. The village has been around for about 200 years, booming or busting based on the lands around. What are guns? Bullets? No idea what technology is. It's the Kingdom, yes just the kingdom. The maidens each paid for a week serving the Shielder. Bunko's father will come with weapons after he measures me. Bunko can do that (that gets a few looks from the other two 'maids'). Traditional weapons of course. Other things are in the warehouse. Maybe, father would know.