3 comments/  6868 views/  5 favorites

House Sorena Ch. 01

By: TJSkywind



Chapter 1 Legacy

A Tale from Skyra

by T. J. Skywind

Location: Eastern side of the Starfall Mountains, south of Cedardale, northern Anzac

Date: Jan 12, 1990

Note: There is no sex in this story, but it is a preliminary tale to Dayanna of House Sorena. It's a straight adventure, introducing characters who will figure in later chapters.

* * * * *

Within the first few minutes of the ambush, scores of seasoned elvish warriors were dead or dying, their bodies torn and broken like discarded dolls. Dozens of frost giants, some reaching eight meters in height, roared and sang, wielding their weapons like farmers harvesting grain.

The caravan was destroyed, its wagons broken by the huge boulders thrown by the giants. Even the horses weren't spared. All the weapons, foodstuffs, and healing herbs destined for the blockaded dwarven city of Miridor were lost.

Aelfin Thorn wiped the blood from his face. Only by chance did he see the coming axe and jump clear, too late to save his brave steed. A shadow loomed, and Aelfin looked up.

The towering frost giant boomed with laughter, pulling his great battle axe free from the dead horse. "Good jump there, Elf-ling. No difference. You're still going to die." Then the giant strode forward, the huge axe reaching for him.

Aelfin jumped back. Frost giants were strong, much stronger than either man or elf. Only the strongest fighters could withstand the physical force of combat without injury. Aelfin had no inclination to test himself directly. Arching and twisting, he backpedaled, desperately trying to put some distance between the giant and himself. His opponent pressed forward. Aelfin uttered words of summoning as he dodged, seeking a response. The next instant it was answered. The minor wind elemental whirled and blew snow about the giant's face. Taking advantage of the distraction, Aelfin suddenly rolled forward, slipping under the giant's guard. Using both hands, he swung at the gap between the chain shirt and leg guards. Steel sliced to bone, crippling the giant, and then he was away, barely dodging that deadly axe.

"Puking magicker!" roared the giant. He flailed uselessly at the minor wind spirit, then leaped to overbear Aelfin.

Aelfin jumped clear, then whirled and stabbed his long blade home into the exposed neck. The frost giant jerked and died. Pulling out his sword, a burst of cyan-colored blood sprayed, then pulsed onto the ground. Catching his breath, Aelfin scanned around. Three frost giants from the caravan's rear hurried up the narrow road toward him.

"Bright Lady," Aelfin breathed, then ran in the opposite direction, where he hoped his half-elven daughter Brianna and her human husband Moril still lived.

As Aelfin rounded the bend of the pass, his hopes soared. A handful of elves still fought back to back, though he saw they were surrounded by at least a dozen giants. The heavy trot of Aelfin's pursuers drew closer, their great strides rapidly closing the distance.

Muttering as he ran, the elemental answered his call once again, growing stronger with the added words of power. Behind him, snow gusted and swirled, blinding his pursuers. Aelfin charged ahead, through the line of giants, slicing deep into the back of one as he rushed on by. The monster roared and flailed about, barely missing Aelfin, then grabbed at the wound, cursing.

Hurtling forward, Aelfin nearly didn't see the spikes of ice littering the ground, his light feet passing through the dangerous terrain. The elves cheered as he reached their ranks. The spikes created a wide and dangerous perimeter around the elves, keeping the giants at a healthy distance. Crouching defensively, Aelfin realized he knew all the survivors. Rogeros, Solamancil, and Branthadan were warriors with a bit of magic like himself. The fourth defender was Melithia, a woodland priestess. All four of them held stout ash spears.

Lying on the ground, protected in the middle of their circle were two wounded. The mage Indurana coughed, blood spattering her chin. Her eyes registered pain and little else. The second one tore his heart. Moril! Deathly pale, Aelfin at first wondered if his son was already dead, but then he saw the man's hand twitch. Aelfin scanned about. Beyond their besieged circle, beyond the first shattered wagon at the head of the caravan, stood a defiant Brianna, her sword crackling with eldritch light. His daughter was alive! Scattered among the dozens of slain elves were several dead giants, the trampled snow splashed with red and blue.

Aelfin quickly wiped his sword before sheathing it. "Melithia, give me your spear and do what you can for the wounded."

The priestess nodded. When they shifted, two giants moved to melee, but Rogeros nicked one and the ice spikes did their work. Both giants retreated, the worse for their efforts.

"Did you see anyone else?" Solamancil asked.

Aelfin shook his head. "We are all that survive."

Solamancil nodded sadly. Almost a hundred slain.

"Why aren't they using boulders on us?" Aelfin asked.

"Indurana took out both their priests," Rogeros replied. "Even after she got hit, she managed to put up a warding spell. Unless they want to wait until tomorrow, no missiles will get through. Unfortunately, that affects us as well. Melithia put up the spikes of ice to keep them from overrunning us." He nodded at Indurana. "Broken ribs must have punctured her lung."

Hearing intense combat, Aelfin glanced back to where his daughter fought. He saw one giant fall back, pale-blue blood geysering from the stump of an arm. She whirled and met the axe of a second giant. A bright flash, a deafening shriek of metal tearing metal, and the axe shattered with explosive force. Without pausing, she snapped her sword up and sliced through the giant's thick steel hauberk as though it was paper. The giant screamed, then vanished in a thick cloud of dust, his body consumed by the incredible power of the sword.

Berek, the Life Slayer. The ancient weapon was aptly named, Aelfin thought.

A third giant tried to overbear Brianna from behind. She dodged and spun, stabbing upward, shattering shield and giant both. Using the giant's own leg as her springboard, she jumped clear as five tons of dying behemoth crashed to the ground. Brianna crouched as she landed, alert for the next attack. Those nearby moved out of her reach. To their cost, the frost giants were coming to understand she was a force to be reckoned with. With an ordinary long sword, Brianna was a skilled master and a deadly opponent for anyone to tangle with. Berek was an ancient blade, one of six swords forged fourteen centuries past by Rondar the Smith to fight the fell armies of Talso Tindalos and Samset Cstephion and their extra-planar lieutenants. King Donovan Sorena had been gifted with one of those six swords by Rondar. Most of the long-vanished nations, including the Kingdom of Sorena, were destroyed in the Great Cataclysm that followed. Even though King Donovan was slain and his kingdom drowned under the ocean, his heirs and the ancient weapon survived, passing unbroken from eldest to eldest. With Berek in her hands, Brianna Sorena was a deadly juggernaut.

Yet she was not invincible.

"Brianna!" Aelfin called. "You're bleeding!" The dark red streaks on her trousers and tunic filled him with alarm.

"Glad to see you finally made it!" she shouted back, her breath a white cloud in the cold air. "How is my husband?"

Her teasing filled him with relief. It was when she became sentimental that he knew she was truly hurt. Aelfin glanced at the priestess chanting over Moril before answering. "She's working on him now!"

Moril groaned, then coughed up blood. "Aelfin? I--I can't feel my legs." Melithia chanted louder, more intensely. Suddenly he sat part way up, reaching for him. "Take--take care of my girls!" he gasped, then died.

She sniffed his mouth and wound. "Poison!" Melithia turned to Indurana and began a new healing spell. Aelfin looked at Moril with great sadness. He could not tell her now. Her grief could make her reckless or even take the fight from her. Aelfin closed Moril's eyes before turning to watch his daughter.

Brianna took off her helmet and tossed it aside, shaking out her long red braid. In her best barracks voice, she shouted in Norse to the giants. "Come on, you putrid filth! A woman is killing you! Is this the best you can do? Come on! Pixies are braver than you are! And, they are better hung!"

Several frost giants retorted in kind. Then, one giant swaggered forward, pushing through the crowd. A large bundle of scalps hung from his belt, some of them fresh. His huge war axe glowed and shimmered, and his armor glinted with an unnatural light.

"Lady have mercy," whispered Rogeros. Aelfin swallowed. A frost giant with enchanted armor and weapons! What mage could be so foolish?

"I am Skrimli Dragonbane, Jarl of the Angrbodhim, scourge of the Starfall Mountains! I challenge you, elf-bitch!" the giant bellowed, shaking his axe.

The giants cheered and whistled raucously. The Nordic traditions of the frost giants, like the humans of the Northumbrian Confederacy the giants so often fought against, venerated single combat between leaders and champions, especially when both sides appeared evenly matched and the outcome uncertain. Unless the elves broke the temporary truce, they would be left alone until after the combat. If Skrimli won, the giants would quickly overrun the elves, gorging themselves on the slain. If their leader lost, there was a good chance the giants would retreat or even flee.

Brianna hawked and spat. "Amazing! Talking troll vomit!"

"Give your name, slut!" The giant yelled angrily, demanding she abide by the ritual.

She smiled mockingly, giving a slight bow. "Brianna Sorena of House Sorena, servant of the Lawgiver. My House and line are unbroken for eighteen centuries. I give fair warning, you pale putrescence, for all the friends you have killed this day, I intend to piss on your corpse!"

"Dark Hel take you!" Skrimli approached the half-elven warrior, his swagger full of arrogance. As he passed the elves, he sneered, "You're next!"

Shouting a war cry, Skrimli trotted forward, his war axe raised. Brianna took a step back, both hands on her sword hilt, then yelling, she sprang forward as a bright light burst forth about her. The intensity of the light made it hard to look at her. Skrimli shielded his eyes, his attack spoiled, his axe swinging out defensively. Brianna's blade, humming with power, whipped forward to meet it. Steel and magic clashed in a howling shower of splintered light.

Aelfin realized Melithia and Branthadan were quietly chanting, and he recognized it as a transit spell. Normally, he would expect Brianna to be victorious. The magical armor and weapons of the giant, combined with his great size and strength, however, put the outcome in doubt. Even with the fierce-some artifact she possessed, she could still be killed. The elves were preparing for a quick exit. "Come on, Brianna," he muttered. "You can take him."

As the long seconds of screeching metal became painful, elves and giants covered their ears. An instant later, there was a deafening explosion, and the shockwave threw both combatants far apart. Even the elves struggled to remain upright, nearly losing control of the spell they were building. Skrimli landed with a huge crash onto a wagon, a hunk of his shattered axe protruding prominently from his face. Stunned at how quickly it was over, everyone turned to Brianna.

More seconds passed, and the mountain above them answered with a cracking boom.

Several giants looked up fearfully, all thoughts of warfare banished. A wave of ice and snow broke loose and began down the mountain, quickly gathering speed.

The giants ran.

"Come on, Brianna!" yelled Aelfin desperately, but the growing din of the avalanche drowned him out.

Slowly, Brianna rolled over onto her stomach, then pulled herself upright. Sheathing her blade, she began a slow, shuffling run toward the elves, her tunic fully drenched with her own blood.

With a cry, Aelfin leaped up, only to be grabbed and held firmly by Solamancil and Rogeros. Brianna stumbled and fell. The enormous wall of ice and rock roared down at them. Twenty meters away, Aelfin could see the grim determination on his daughter's face as she struggled to her feet, the snow where she had fallen splashed with red.

"Let me go!" Aelfin struggled against their firm grip. "Brianna!" Fifteen meters!

"Stop it!" Rogeros shouted in his ear. "If you leave, you'll break the spell and kill us all!"

Ten meters!

Aelfin leaned toward her, straining against their fierce grip. "Hurry, Brianna!"

The ground and air about the circle of elves turned to grey mist as the magic began to coalesce. Brianna staggered, her hands outstretched, maddeningly close. With a great thunderous crash, the tsunami of ice, rock, and snow hit the pass just as the transit spell carried them to safety. All that is, but one.

The ground around the survivors solidified.

"Brianna."

Rogeros and Solamancil released him, and Aelfin collapsed to his hands and knees, shaking. Overwhelmed by grief, he wept freely. Far off in the distance, they heard the wake of the snow's destruction rumble and then echo into silence.

Several minutes later Rogeros returned. Aelfin hadn't even noticed he had been away.

"We are about ten kilometers northeast of our last position in the pass," Rogeros said. "We are closer to home, but we are also on the other side of the ravine, away from the road. Without magic, it will be very difficult to get across, and we can't manage that until tomorrow. Worse, we can't continue much further on this side of the ravine. I think I found some shelter, but I want to make sure it's safe first." As quickly as he'd arrived, Rogeros was off again, moving nimbly over narrow ledges and steep inclines.

Solamancil urged Aelfin to his feet. "We all ache with loss, my friend. We will mourn your daughter and her husband with all the other friends and kin we have lost this black day. Right now, we must be away from this open place." He looked at him sadly. "Aelfin, we must burn Moril's body. We are over a month away from our own borders, and as you know, there is no priest in Cedardale with the skill to restore life to anyone dead longer than a few days."

Indurana, who had the skill and power to take their small group home in an instant, lay on the ground, barely alive. Aelfin turned to Melithia. "You can't heal her?"

Melithia quietly placed her hand on Aelfin's shoulder, her own eyes heavy with emotion. "Indurana's bleeding inside. I spent most of my energy to kill and on defensive spells. I can only do minor healing with what little power I have left. I'm not even sure I can keep her alive."

Melithia had been Brianna's midwife, the first to hold his granddaughter, Dayanna. Brianna had once assured a room full of happy friends and a grandfather bursting with pride that the little girl was going to have many brothers and sisters. That promise would be forever unfulfilled. Dayanna was an only child now. Orphan. Aelfin cut away a lock of Moril's hair, then put Moril's dagger onto his belt, both as keepsakes for his granddaughter.

Standing, he nodded slowly, sniffing as he wiped at his eyes.

The priestess smeared holly berries over Moril's head, hands, stomach and feet. As she chanted the words of power, the body burst into flame. Except for Melithia, who was absorbed in the spell's incantation, the elves covered their noses at the stench of burning flesh, then stepped back as the heat grew. Snow hissed and melted, and in minutes, the body was reduced to white ash and puddles of cooling metal. Melithia began another chant, picking up bits of muddy earth, calling, cajoling while she produced a small sack. A cream-colored light settled over Moril's ashes, which then gathered into a mass and flowed into the sack. She added some incense and herbs into the bag, then gestured, placing a simple warding over the remains before handing it reverently to Aelfin. He placed the sack inside his jerkin. Though she said nothing, Aelfin could see she was shaking, visibly drained by the spells.

"Rogeros is signaling all is clear," Solamancil announced.

Aelfin scooped up the unconscious Indurana, the thin elf-woman surprisingly light. Branthadan pulled himself up, leaning on his spear, wounded as well as drained from his own contribution to the transit spell. Aelfin surveyed the battered group. Slowly, they started the climb after Rogeros.

They discovered the cave was indeed a lair, but one long since abandoned. By the litter of the nest, as well as the bones, feathers, and old spoor, Solamancil announced the former occupants to have been griffins. The elves were grateful they did not have to contest with the proud beasts for the shelter. Using the remains of the nest, they built a small fire and huddled around it, for comfort as much as warmth, and shared what meager food they had in their wallets.

There was little enough, but channeling magic without food and even rest could leave them tired, or even cause them to sicken. As the most fit, Rogeros, Solamancil, and Aelfin split the watch. As the light of the third sun began to fade to evening, Melithia quietly lifted her voice in an old song, and the others, as they were able, joined her.

Treasured hearts, beloved and true,

Laughter and hard labors shared,

Most precious the love we knew --

One more time to say I cared;

More than sorrow, more than a memory,

You've taken the low road away from me.

I knew you before the oak

Sprouted tall from acorn seed,

Knowing what my heart spoke,

You tended my heart and need --

More than sorrow, gentle a memory,

You've taken the low road away from me.

The wind keens your name to me

In the rustling green leaves;

I think of you lovingly,

Though tears are quiet, my heart grieves --

Past my sorrow, I ken your memory,

You've taken the low road away from me.

Hours slipped by as they whispered and sang of the fallen, of shared adventures and experiences, recalling as many as they could by name. Long past the rise of the second moon, their tired voices finally lapsed into quietude, and then to the wakeful dreaming of immortals.

In the predawn hour of the third watch, as he stood guard by the lair entrance, Aelfin suddenly felt a presence. He turned to make sure of his companions. Everyone was where he expected them to be; no unexpected intruders. When he turned to look outside their cave again, he saw her.

Brianna!

Aelfin was sure he did not dream. There she was, moving toward him. He felt no evil or unseemly presence, as often accompanied the Unseelie Court or their ilk. Indeed, she looked healthy, dressed just as she had been the day before their departure on this disastrous journey. And that was how he knew the truth of it.

Brianna stood near enough to touch him, but did not. Turning, she inhaled deeply as she stared out at snow-covered mountains luminous in the moons light. "It's beautiful tonight."

Aelfin felt compelled to ask. "Am I dreaming?"

Brianna smiled wistfully. "No, Basha. I had hoped to spend the next three or four centuries getting to know you better, you of whom I am so proud. And my beloved Moril, I did so want to give him a houseful of children, and to grow old and grey by his side. Now, none of that will be." Brianna touched his cheek. Aelfin shivered at her caress. "Dayanna is the heir to House Sorena, the last of our line unbroken, eldest child to eldest child. She is our hope now. Will you live and raise her in our new home, Basha?"


House Sorena Ch. 01



"If that's your wish, my beloved child, I will honor it. There is no hope that your goddess, your Lawgiver will intervene?"

"It is by Her grace that I am here."

"A chance to say goodbye. I am overwhelmed by the gesture." He sighed and nodded. "The road your House leads those of us who marry into it is a hard one. It seems that just as I fall in love with your beauty, your bright lives wink out. There are times I regret immortality for the pain it brings. I shall grieve for your mother, for you and for Moril, dear heart, when all the trees that are saplings today have grown old and fallen back into the earth. Yet I would not change places with anyone else. The four years I had with Theláyna, your mother, were the happiest of my life. I was blessed by thirty-nine wonderful years with you as my child. I have been immensely proud of you, Brianna. Loving, kind and moral, and a superb warrior. I will raise my granddaughter, and honor my pledges to your House. But as much as I tell Dayanna of your love for her, and the love between you and Moril, it will never be truly real for her. She is only three years old, Brianna, and even if she is three-quarters human, she is too young. A child needs to be held, nurtured, and loved every day in order to grow up healthy, strong, and whole. I fear her memory of you, despite all I endeavor, will fade away."

A tear rolled down Brianna's cheek.

Aelfin's voice shook. "Oh, what a cruelty to make the dead weep! I know you did not choose this, and I do not seek to hurt you, my child."

"Hold me, Basha."

Aelfin reached out, still not quite believing she was there. When he felt her warm flesh, he embraced her with a rough fierceness and tears filled his eyes. "How long can you stay?"

"Until dawn. Then I will take Moril with me."

"Your Lawgiver's hand is heavy on your House. Is there anything you can tell me?" He relaxed their embrace to look at her face and into her eyes.

"My daughter's heart is strong and true, and whatever path she follows, support her choices. No matter how dark it appears or how painful it is, believe that she will choose correctly. She will see her own share of sorrow and hard choices, and even with free will, there is nothing that we can do to change that, for the gods have an interest in her. Her path will be harder still for you, my gentle, loving father. Yes, I use the elvish word for father and not the language of my mother."

"Basha and father mean the same thing. Neither your faith nor your use of your mother's tongue gave me trouble. You are my daughter, Brianna, and nothing will change that."

"Another reason why I loved you so." Her grey eyes sparkled.

"After we make it home, I will return to look for your sword," Aelfin promised.

Brianna shook her head.

"But it's Dayanna's birthright," he protested. "As I understand it, the sword cannot be used by evil, but it's absence will certainly affect the future."

"There is no need," she assured him. "With my death, the power of the blade is dormant, and by the Lawgiver's will, Berek is now safely stored in my chest in Cedardale, waiting for the time my Dayanna becomes a woman." She brushed his cheek. "Basha, I was allowed to speak with Diora, who keeps watch over my Dayanna. A rescue party is on their way and will be here sometime tomorrow. Stay here and be safe. There are more giants scouring the pass."

"So much effort to kill us! Why?"

Brianna looked at him sadly. "We are pawns in a greater game. The Sharlan Empire and their rivals, the Kiroean Hegemony, far across the northern ocean are drawing us into their wars. The Sharlans have signed a treaty with our neighbors, the Northumbrians. The Kiroeans aid the giants, both to distract us and to fill their need for slaves."

Aelfin shook his head. "That is ill news, daughter, but because our time is short, I am loathe to spend any more talking of politics and war. Because of your human blood, I knew old age would one day overtake you and I would have to say goodbye. You weren't even forty summers! There is so much I want to say, Brianna, but I would need a thousand years to even begin." He kissed her forehead.

"When there is love, even silence can be eloquent. What more do we need?"

He nodded, and they held each other, content with the intimacy of touch.

All too soon, the sky began to lighten with the first sun's rise.

Brianna broke their embrace, putting her hand on Aelfin's chest. "His ashes, please."

Aelfin retrieved the sack.

Brianna gestured and the bag floated in the air, opening. The ashes floated gently out and swirled in the air, Brianna's face full of anxious anticipation. "Come to me, my beloved husband!" she called, and Aelfin felt great power within her voice. Variegated lights flickered and danced, solidifying into a human shape. For a moment, Aelfin saw Moril, hale and hearty once again. Brianna embraced her husband, kissing him passionately, and in the brief seconds they held each other, their shapes blurred, becoming golden humanoids. When they broke apart, Aelfin recognized neither one of them. And yet, he had no doubt who they were.

"I must leave, Basha," came her voice. Moril's voice echoed hers. As their forms faded before his eyes, Brianna spoke one last time. "I love you, Father. Temper your grief with the thought that one day, we shall meet again. This has been promised to me." And they were gone.

Aelfin wiped his eyes. He saw Melithia sitting up, her large, green eyes focused on him. He walked over to her.

"So they are now namarutna, free-willed angels to their Lawgiver," she observed. "I had wondered what namarutna looked like. Greeks cross the Styx to Elysium or Tartarus, Valkyries collect Norse warriors slain in battle while their death goddess takes everyone else, and we wait in the Halls of the Dead until the Maker chooses otherwise. Myriad are the ways of the gods," she said thoughtfully. Then she looked away. "I'm sorry, Aelfin. I felt her arrival and awakened, but I did not mean to eavesdrop."

"There is nothing to apologize for. We are in the wilderness, hunted and in hiding. Besides, you have been Brianna's dear and true friend, as well as my own, and I know she treasured your counsel. I do not mind sharing this with you."

The priestess smiled. "Thank you."

"You heard her request also?"

She nodded.

Aelfin looked sheepish as he hunkered down beside her. "If I'm to raise my granddaughter in her parents' home, I will have to take care of her."

Melithia nodded, curiously following his words.

"Their home is east, beyond the bounds of Cedardale," he continued. I can't ask anyone to leave our homeland on her account, though I'm sure some would do so for her family's sake. I can hunt, fish, track, fight, even conjure some minor magic. But all is lost without your help. Melithia, will you teach me how to cook?"

She blinked in astonishment, then quietly convulsed with laughter.

Aelfin frowned. "I fail to see what is so funny. I can dry meat and I know how to make a good smokehouse, but I just never learned how to cook. And when Dayanna is old enough, I would like you to teach her as well."

"Oh, Aelfin! You are full of surprises!" She gasped, struggling to regain her breath. "Students are always coming to me, seeking to learn my magic of earth and tree and the healing arts. I shared a few secrets with Brianna, including that apple cobbler recipe you were always pestering her to make. Don't look so surprised. Yes, that was my recipe! I am honored and accept your petition to become my apprentice. We will both know in a short time whether you can cook or whether you should be banned henceforth from all kitchens. Agreed?"

Aelfin nodded solemnly. "Agreed. What sort of payment should I provide?"

Melithia had offered her services freely as a gift. She frowned, all trace of humor gone, a hard edge to her voice. "I helped bring Dayanna into the world. I want the best for her, and not just for the sake of the debt we all owe her family, but for also for Dayanna's own sake, as well as for you and the memory of Brianna and Moril. They were good people, and your grief is shared by us all." She paused to scratch at a smudge of dirt on her nose, realizing that even in his grief, he had acted to protect their friendship. "Of course, Aelfin, you have the right of it. There are rules, and if you don't follow them, catastrophe follows. All right. Aelfin Thorn, do you agree to abide by all that I tell you, obeying me in all things, keeping true my interests while you are in my House until your apprenticeship is completed or terminated by mutual agreement?"

"I accept the conditions and pledge to abide by them."

"I, Melithia Coriander, promise for my part, to reveal my knowledge to you, as you become ready, providing those things that are needful for your welfare, and keeping your life safe to the best of my ability while you remain my apprentice." She held out her hand, and Aelfin touched it to his forehead. "As for the apprentice petition gift, I have seen your leatherwork. Two pair of boots I require of you. One pair for summer and one for winter, due at the completion of your training. If the culinary skill proves beyond you, you need only provide a winter pair. What I teach Dayanna and what I charge her will be between her and myself. Fair enough?"

"Yes, Mistress."

There was no trace of teasing or mockery in his voice. Yet her eyes narrowed, irritated. "I'm only a hundred years older than you, Aelfin. Once we are in the kitchen, you will have no doubt of our roles. But that is for the future. Don't overdo it."

"As you wish."

Melithia looked up at him, thinking about Aelfin and his mortal granddaughter, and what lay ahead for them both. Seeing the ache in his eyes, she took his hand. At her encouragement, he sat beside her and she leaned against him. The two old friends talked of little things and nothing, affirming their connection and connectedness by the light of the new day.

# # #



House Sorena Ch. 02 Pt. 1



Sisters – Part 1

A Tale from Skyra

by T. J. Skywind

Location: Sargossa, seaport on the Great Northern Ocean, easternmost member of Northumbrian Confederacy, east of Cedardale and the Starfall Mountains

Date: June 1999

Note: Dayanna Sorena is a young girl. While her body is twelve, she is one-quarter elven and maturing at a slower rate than full humans. 

Warning: story ends with sexual violence.

* * * * *

Twelve-year old Dayanna Sorena raced outside the temple doors into the warm June day. After three months of advanced survival training, she was eager to go home with her grandfather. Spying him through the milling crowds of parents and peers, the small girl ran headlong to his waiting arms.

"Babba!" she laughed, her grey eyes sparkling. "I got first marks!"

Aelfin scooped her up into his arms, hugging her light frame tightly. "Of course you did, Little One. You are my Granddaughter, are you not?" Kneeling, he brushed wayward raven locks from her face, happy that she was back in his care. The ten weeks of training had felt like ages. "Your mother and father would have been proud of you."

"You think so? Babba, I missed you so much! Brother Rayan says if I work hard, I might be able to serve the Lawgiver as a church knight! He said I can apply right after I pass my Rite of Adulthood."

Aelfin set her down gently, frowning. "Dayanna, you are one-quarter elf! The blood--"

"Babba, you already told me about the debt-pledge to House Sorena."

"I'm talking about aging, not marriage." Aelfin sighed. "Humans live at most six score years, a few a bit longer. Because of me, Little One, because I married your grandmother, you will see three or four centuries of life, maybe more! And a longer life means it will take you longer to become a woman. And yes, some humans reach maturity as young as twelve, but they have parents with money or skill to provide healthy, regular diets. Your mother didn't become a maiden until her thirtieth year. You may be twelve, but you have many years of childhood yet." He lifted her chin. "Did you meet a few boys you'd like to know better?"

Flushing, Dayanna gave a nod. A sea breeze played with her loose curls.

"I thought so. You are so like your mother and grandmother -- headstrong and always in a hurry to get things done. By the time you are mature enough for your church ritual, most of those boys you met will be long wed and have established families. We both have a problem, my love. For you, it will be waiting while the humans around you grow older and pass you by. For me, it is watching how fast the years mark you. To me, but a few days ago you were a babe in the arms of your mother, Brianna. Both of your parents loved you so much, dear heart." Aelfin caressed her cheek, then held out his hand. Dayanna clasped it, and he smiled down at her. "Come, my beautiful girl! Everyone is celebrating their success. How can we do less? Let's go shopping!"

"Can we go to the Drunken Giant first, Babba?"

"What?" Aelfin drew back in mock surprise. "Twelve years old and already seeking your cups? I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you!"

Dayanna giggled. "I just want to see Beri!"

Grinning, Aelfin nodded. "Now that is a good reason! One must be true to your friends. We will visit them first. If her mother allows, you may invite Beri to join our shopping trip. And, if you wish, we can afford for you to get her one or two things."

"Really? Oh, thank you, Babba!"

It took an hour to traverse the many streets from the temple compounds to the merchant quarter, and then to reach the large, three-storied inn. The commons bustled with the lunch crowd. Chloe Silvanos, bartender and half-owner of the Drunken Giant, spied their entry. Waving to them, she pointed to a small table near the bar where Chloe's daughter toiled at her schoolwork. Written in three languages was a sign that said, "Reserved." Beryl Silvanos had corn-silk hair and large blue eyes, and showed every sign of one day being as tall, angular, and wiry strong as her mother.

As they sat down on the bench beside her, Beri looked up, surprised. "You're here! You're really here!" She jumped up and hugged Dayanna, kissing her cheek. "I have missed you!"

Dayanna gave back as good as she got, delighted to see her best friend. "Of course, we are here, silly. I wouldn't feel right going home without seeing you first!"

Chloe hobbled from behind the bar, her awkward gait and the odd twist in her left arm the result of the Bending Sickness many years earlier. Seeing the waitress Jocelyn approach, Chloe shooed her away; she wanted to wait on her guests herself. Well used to her mistress, Jocelyn patiently hovered nearby. Chloe beamed at Aelfin and Dayanna. "Good to see you, Aelfin. You don't come here often enough. What can I get for you and the young Princess?"

The elf smiled. "Your kind words honor us. What would you suggest?"

"Well, the last batch of coneys we got in seem a little tough. We'll probably stew the rest tonight. There's trout and sea bass that's reasonably fresh off the docks. We've venison steak and pie, and of course, there's the house mulligan that I'd swear has been cooking, in one form or another, since before Prometheus was chained on the mountain. There's more, but I recall you prefer wild meat."

He nodded appreciatively. "Venison pie for us both, Good Lady."

"Perfect choice. What would you like to slake your thirst?"

"Jasmine tea, if you have it. Otherwise, rosehip or chamomile will do as nicely. Cider for Dayanna, I think?" Dayanna nodded her acceptance to her grandfather. "Yes, cider for her. Thank you."

Chloe passed the order to Jocelyn, then sighed as she settled onto a bench. Beri looked up hopefully at her mother. Chloe glanced at them both, then waving her hand dismissively, trying not to grin at their exuberance. Beri bounced to her feet and collected her books.

Dayanna touched her grandfather's hand. "Can we go to Beri's room?"

"Of course. Friends should have private time together. Just don't forget a meal will be here soon."

"Thank you, Babba!" A quick kiss to his cheek, and the girls dashed through the crowded room and upstairs as fast as their legs could carry them. Aelfin watched them with amusement. Then, with concern, he asked, "How are you doing, Captain?"

Before becoming an innkeeper, before the Bending Sickness warped her body, the Amazon had served in the army of Sargossa. "My body is aging faster than my head, I'm afraid. Melitihia stopped by last week. The priestess told me I have arthritis and then she cured me. Refused payment for the healing. Again. Says it's already taken care of." Chloe looked intently at Aelfin. The elf smiled to himself. He already had Melithia's newest leather boots completed. Chloe had her suspicions, but could get nothing from either Aelfin or Melithia. She continued. "Melithia apologized once again because fixing my crippled body is beyond her. As if I'd hold her to blame! It's beyond every priest in Sargossa. She told me the arthritis will be back in a couple of years. Without such good friends, it would be worse. Much worse." She looked meaningfully at Aelfin. "Enough about me. Need I ask how she did?"

"I spoke with a few priests before they released the students. They called her exceptional."

"You don't seem terribly happy about it. She's a bright girl, quick on her feet, a good eye, and fearless. She'll be a fine warrior. Maybe even as good as her mother, Brianna."

He sighed. "One of the warrior monks has encouraged her to become a paladin in the church. I don't doubt her talents, her skill, or even her character. I worry only that she's trying to grow too fast."

Jocelyn brought a steaming pot of tea and cup for Aelfin, a stein for Chloe, and just as briskly, moved on to her next table. Chloe took a deep drink and smacked her lips. "Good beer, and even better that it's cold. Children growing up is the way of the world, my friend. It's what they do. By all accounts, Brianna was also exceptional, and you raised her on your own. This isn't new stuff to you."

Aelfin looked up sharply, then away. He picked up a spoon and stirred his tea absently. "Believe me, I am well aware of mortality. If anything, I fear what lies ahead for her. Though both died too young, Brianna and her mother were both great warriors. We could all see that. Yet I would not be surprised if Dayanna one day surpassed them. It's not just her prowess either. More than once that child has impressed me with her insight. No, it is the fate of her House that concerns me. She is meant for great things, but House Sorena has rarely seen peace or happiness. Theláyna died giving me Brianna, and then Brianna died when Dayanna was just learning to crawl. It's Dayanna's heart I fear for. She's quiet and sober enough already."

Chloe rubbed her ear thoughtfully. "I count the friendship between our girls as a blessing from the gods. With you so far out in the woods, they don't see each other often enough. If you're worried about her growing too fast, you could always pick a couple of orphans to be playmates and companions for her. Dayanna should have friends, yes, and servants, too. If she will one day be the leader of her House, she needs to learn how to command, and the earlier the better."

"Any human children I bring home will grow up faster than Dayanna, and may confuse things for her. No servants yet either. It is always better for one destined for power to learn self-sufficiency and service first, to help resist the darker temptations that power will offer. However, your advice is prudent. We will make more trips to the city."

"Huh. If it's work you want her to learn, I'd be willing to put her to task."

Aelfin suddenly burst out laughing. "With those two together? I doubt they'd ever be underfoot to task!"

Chloe nodded with amusement at the truth of his words, then finished her drink.

* * * * *

Upstairs, the two girls ran down the hallway, their boots clattering noisily on the wooden floor. At the hall's end, Beri unlocked the door to the half-sized nook that was her room, and shut it firmly behind them. Papers, book, and stylus all landed roughly on her dresser top.

Dayanna surveyed the room. An oil lamp on the dresser, shelves with odds and ends, and the woven hanging of Pallas Athena Sophia in a stern yet heroic pose in her armor, helm, brandishing her spear and Aegis shield. "Those curtains on the window are new. The spiral patterns are very pretty."

"Oh, Dayanna!" Beri threw her arms around her friend, kissing her cheek. "I've missed you! A couple of days a month is not nearly enough time for a proper visit, and this last time you were gone nearly all spring!"

Dayanna squeezed back, enjoying second embrace. "I know. I've missed you, too. But I need the training if I'm to survive the Ritual of Adulthood."

"Was it tough?" Beri sat on her small cot, patting the space next to her. 

"Babba has been a very good teacher, so I did all right." Dropping her pack to the floor, Dayanna took Beri's hand and sat down.

"Bet you got good marks. Hah! I knew it. Will you stay long? I know your Grandda doesn't like the city that much." 

"I don't know. Babba wants to take me shopping, so we will probably at least stay overnight. By the way, if your mother gives permission, you can go with us."

"Truly? I do have a few copper bits of my own stashed away. I love you so much, Dayanna! I know we aren't sisters, but if I had one, I'd want it to be you."

"I love you, too, Beri. What about Selene? She actually is your sister."

"Humph! She's ten years older than me. Most of the time, she's bossier than Ma. Always ordering me about, telling me what to do. Might as well be an only child!"

Dayanna squeezed Beri's hand. "You're the best friend I have, and you're the only person I can talk girl stuff with. Sometimes I wish you and your mother would move out to our place! The house is more than big enough for you both."

"What would we do there? I like your place in the woods, but I also like living here in Sargossa. Ma can't soldier with your Grandda and his Border Scouts, not with her legs and her arm. I don't think she'd go, anyway. Some of the custom have been coming for years, and she'd miss them. Besides," Beri winked, "Alexandros has been warming her bed the past few months. And I don't think your Grandda would consent to taking his place."

The thought of her grandfather and Beri's mother kissing caused Dayanna to gasp, turning pink to her ears. She shook her head fiercely. "He still loves Bamma Theláyna, keeping the memory of her in his heart. Maybe you can stay the summer, like last year!"

Beri pursed her lips while rubbing her earlobe. Just like her mother, Dayanna realized. With a flash of insight, she wondered how many of her own quirks stirred memories for her grandfather.

"I'm sure Ma will let me go with you," Beri enthused. "I'm caught up with my ciphering and numbering. She is always telling me that knowing other languages is important. I'm picking up Norse here in the tavern. If your Grandda promises to teach me more Elven speech, that might convince her."

Dayanna whooped. "We'll speak Elvish the whole time you're with us!"

"Well, maybe not that much," Beri grinned. "I wouldn't want to forget Hellenic!"

"Then you'd be a barbarian, just like the rest of us!"

"Hah! What a laugh! You speak it almost better than I do. Besides, even if you couldn't speak Hellenic -- I'm not some snotty aristocrat. You not being Hellene doesn't mean a thing to me. When we grow up, we can be shield-sisters, fighting side by side."

Dayanna suddenly leaned closer. "Do you really want to be my sister?"

Beri nodded. "Of course! You're my best friend, Dayanna!"

"Let's make it happen."

Beri leaned closer. "How?"

"I saw something at the temple school a couple of years ago, during my Tenth-Year training. One of the girls was adopted by her patron. I remember the words. But we need a fire."

"A fire? What for?"

Dayanna drew her belt knife from its sheath. "Babba says clean blades make clean wounds. I prick my thumb and smear it on your forehead. You do the same to me as we recite the words."

"Oh, yes! Amazon warriors do something like that! They cut their arms and mix the blood together, swearing before Artemis and Athena to be shield sisters, protecting each other always." Beri bounced on the bed in excitement. "Oh, this will be so great! My mother is a Brattara Amazon and I want to be a warrior like her! We can use your words, but I want to do the arm blooding, okay?"

Dayanna held out her arm, and in Hellene-style, they clasped elbows. "Deal."

Beri brought down the oil lamp, then rummaged through her dresser for a tinderbox. After several moments of clattering and digging, Beri gave a cry of triumph. "Found it!"

When the oil lamp was lit, Dayanna proceeded to heat the blade. "We need bandages, too," Dayanna said. "If we get blood on our clothes, we'll both get an ear full."

Beri dug further, and produced a dress several summers too small. Sitting down, she tore from the hem four wide strips of cloth.

Dayanna examined the blackened steel. "It's ready I think. I'll go first." Rolling up her sleeve, she first tested the knife's edge with her thumb. "Could be sharper." Digging in her pack, she pulled out a whetstone and set to work honing the edge.

Beri watched her. "Tell me about this survival school. Do you think I should do it? And do they let non-believers take the training?"

"While I was there, some guardsmen came for classes, and none of them were Ba'lorian. You're sure you want to become a warrior?"

"Of course!" Beri answered. "There have always been Amazons in our family. Ma says a woman should know how to protect herself, but if you have an education, you can make a lot of money, and pay others to protect you. She wants to apprentice me to a merchant, or maybe even have me attend university. But most women have to lie on their back for a man. Getting married and having babies is okay, and boys are sort of cute, but most Hellenic men won't marry a woman with an education. They say education is for courtesans, not wives. I want to earn my own way, using both my head and my hands. Ma was a good fighter. She earned enough to buy into this place. With hard work and a bit of luck, I'll do okay, too. Maybe I'll even strike it rich."

"Then you should take the temple training. They teach some weapon drill, but it's mostly about living off the land and teamwork. We can talk to your mother about it during lunch." Dayanna eyed the blade, then resumed sharpening it.

"Do we need anything else for this ceremony?"

"Nope. Ready?" Dayanna tested the edge. Satisfied, she put away the whetstone and cleaned the blade again.

Beri moved to the floor. "Ready."

Dayanna rolled up her sleeve. Pursing her lips, she ran the blade firmly along the inside of her arm. A thin red ribbon appeared in its wake. She handed the knife hilt first to Beri. "Your turn." Beri closed her eyes, but Dayanna grabbed her wrist, startling the blonde girl. "Eyes open," Dayanna insisted. "A little blood and a little pain. Not a major wound. Do it like you're cutting a loaf of bread."

Beri sighed, nodding. "Okay."

Dayanna dabbed at the blood spilling down her arm.

"Done." Beri gritted her teeth.

They held their arms together, wound to wound. Dayanna recited, and Beri repeated.

"Not blood of my blood, not flesh of my flesh, not bone of my bone, but heart of my heart. I declare that I love you. My House is now your House. From this day forward, you will find love, comfort, sustenance, and shelter wherever I abide, and protection from those who would do you harm. You are now blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone to match the heart of my heart. Before Rena the Lawgiver and these witnesses, thus do I pledge and vow."

Beri added Artemis of the Bow and Athena of the Spear and Shield to her own pledge, then giggled as they broke their grip and wrapped their arms. "Witnesses? There's nobody here but us."

"The gods and their servants know what we do," Dayanna replied. "What better witnesses than they, Sister?"

Beri's blue eyes shone with excitement. "Sister. I'm glad we did it. I respect the gods, but I trust what I can touch and feel more. Know what I mean?"

Dayanna laughed. "If you were just like me, Beri, you'd probably drive me crazy. I like that we are different." Then she sobered. "Babba and I talked after he picked me up today, and it set me to thinking. I want to ask you a favor. You don't have to do it, but please think it over."

"We're shield sisters. Bound forever. Tell me what you need."

"You know Babba's an elf."

Beri rolled her eyes. "Dayanna, that was old news years ago."

"Just listen! Babba reminded me that my elvish blood means it will take longer for me to grow up. I may not have my first menses until I'm twenty, maybe even later. You, on the other hand, are already becoming a maiden."

Beri arched her back, cupping her small breasts. "Do they look okay? I don't think they're all that big, but Ma says they'll do what they're made for, and I still have some growing yet. Of course, Ma also says that a warrior with big teats better have a good firm bra or she'll be in a world of hurt in her first combat."

Dayanna giggled. "I never thought of that. She's probably right. Beri, they look perfect. I just wish mine were getting bigger. You're getting hair between your legs, too, aren't you? I thought so. I'm still hairless and flat-chested. We're both twelve and that's exactly what I'm talking about. When I am of age and it comes time for me to pick a partner for the Rite of Adulthood, only strangers will be available, and a man would expect to copulate with me. I trust the Lawgiver to look out for me, and I would love any baby I have, but I don't have to be stupid about my choices. He could be a good man, but he could also be a jerk, or worse. I could be stuck parenting with a man I despise for decades! I might even have to raise the child alone. I could do it, but I don't relish the idea. So will you be my partner and go with me?"




House Sorena Ch. 02 Pt. 1



"Dayanna, what if you meet some cute boy in the meantime?"

"There will time enough for that later. The more I think about it, the more I'd like to prove I am a woman with my sister by my side. So will you think about it?"

"What's to think about? Of course! Yes! I'm proud you asked me. But I'm curious. I thought the first part of this ritual of yours is two weeks of wild sex at the temple of your fertility god, Osh Mayan. Isn't there a chance you'll get pregnant? And do I do that, too?"

Dayanna shrugged. "It's not wild sex, it's learning how to be a good lover. I don't know, but I don't think you have to go unless you want to. But that wouldn't be so bad, would it? Going through that part together, too? If I get pregnant, then it's God's will. Some take the Daughter's Gift to prevent pregnancy, but most choose not to use the magic during the Rite. The priests say it's not true, but the tradition is if you're barren during your first coupling, there's a risk it could become permanent. When the time comes, I'm not sure what I'll do."

"Ma says a man takes sixty seconds teaching a maid about being a woman, and a woman spends a lifetime raising the result. One day I'd like daughters of my own, but not until I'm rich."

"Sixty seconds! I hope both of us have better lovers than that. The temple teaches us so we aren't ignorant of our bodies. As women, we bear the children. It's up to us to make sure we don't have too many children so the family doesn't go hungry." Dayanna lowered her voice. "We heard a story that some of the priests can go all night without shooting their seed. Sister Khrysanna said it was true, that she'd experienced the pleasure herself."

Beri shrieked with laughter. "Sex all night long? I can only do it once or twice before I get sleepy. If I did it that much, I don't think I could put my legs together, let alone walk the next day! Whooo-hee! Ha ha hah!"

Masturbation was fun, but spending an entire night just having sex? Dayanna laughed, too. It really was too silly for words.

When they could look at each other without giggling, Dayanna grabbed her pack and stood. "Lunch is probably waiting. We'd better go."

Beri went to her dresser. "I almost forgot your present."

"You didn't have to do that! I like visiting you!"

"I know! I just wanted to. You did sort of graduate. Now it seems appropriate. Here, Sister." Beri grinned, handing her a small lacquered box.

Dayanna saw her name crudely etched in Elvish script on the top. Beri must have written it in her own hand, she thought. Under the lid was a small metal mirror, and inside the velvet lining were two jars of grease paint, red and black.

"They're the same colors Ma used when she was a warrior. Do you like it?"

Dayanna hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek. "Oh, I do! Is there any special way to apply the colors?"

"I asked Kynthia, one of Ma's shield-sisters. Ma used a thick black band over a thick red band, the same on both cheeks. Kynthia was pretty cool about my asking her. She even took me to go buy it."

Dayanna put the gift into her pack. "You just have to come for the whole summer now! When we go hunting, we can both wear your mother's Amazon markings. Deal?"

"Deal!" On impulse, Beri kissed her on the lips. When she broke contact, the two girls looked at each other. "I love you, Dayanna," she whispered.

"Get your carry-bag, Sister." Dayanna slung her backpack onto her shoulder. "After lunch, we have shopping to do!"

* * * * *

The revelation of the girls and their pledge as shield sisters was met with a mix of emotions. For Beri's mother Chloe, it was elation that the girls were so close, and unexpected surprise and pride that the girls used her own warrior markings. For Aelfin, it was further evidence that his granddaughter was indeed trying to grow up too fast.

After the shopping, both girls begged her to allow Beri to spend the summer again with Dayanna. Chloe knew she'd miss her baby, but seeing their excitement and knowing Aelfin would watch them both like a hawk, agreed.

The summer in the wilderness was a grand time enjoyed by both girls. Many glorious days were spent learning hunting, tracking, and forest craft, getting bronzed in the sun, improving language skills, and keeping a certain grandfather seriously busy. 

As the months passed, Dayanna grew four centimeters. Beri grew twice that, and to her delight, more than doubled the size of her breasts. Dayanna's clothes were getting a little small and tight. Beri was unable to get her old shirts on. Digging into some of Brianna's old clothes helped clothe the young girl, but they were always in danger of falling loose. At belt cinched above Beri's breastline helped prevent accidental exposures but looked awkward and was uncomfortable for the girl. Wishfully, Aelfin wondered if he should tie a brick to Beri's head to slow her down a bit. Only the fortuitous arrival of a young clothing merchant, new to the area and quite lost, allowed the two girls to be properly attired in decently modest apparel, with some extra selections having space to grow into. With a heavier purse and easy directions, the merchant agreed to return at least twice a year thereafter.

With the advent of fall, the three of them returned to Sargossa. The week-long trip back to town was without incident. The pleasant weather and the breeze from the sea made the stink of roadside garbage and street debris tolerable. Betwixt the sea birds, vendors, and shoppers, the noise was a boisterous, tangible thing. Dayanna and Beri basked in it.

Once they sold the furs from their summer hunts, they loaded up their packs with gifts for Beri's mother and sister as well as for other friends in town. Taking their time through the bustling streets, they strolled leisurely in the early afternoon, enjoying themselves and doing a little last-minute shopping.

While Aelfin busily haggled with a merchant, Dayanna licked the last of the pastry icing from her fingers, and turned to ask Beri if she, too, was thirsty. To her horror, she saw Beri's limp body being carried off through the jostling crowds by three scruffy, well-armed young men. They quickly disappeared around the corner into an alley.

Instantly, Dayanna was in pursuit, screaming, "Babba! Help! Kidnappers! Babba!"

By the time she was halfway across the street, Aelfin passed her and charged around the corner, eldritch words of power on his lips. In the seconds it took Dayanna with her shorter legs to catch up, she saw amidst the clutter and shadows one kidnapper already sprawled bloody and lifeless on the ground. Further down the alley, her grandfather fought furiously blade and dagger with two more, their clashing steel a rapid staccato. Past them, near the end of the alley, Beri writhed and jerked against two more two villains, screaming and kicking. One pinned her arms to the ground while the other cut off her pants before dropping his own breeches.

"No!" Dayanna ran forward, and immediately the alley brightened, all shadows vanishing before her. In a hot rage, Dayanna reached for the long hunting knife on her hip as she closed the distance.

The one holding Beri's arms saw Dayanna, and he jumped up to meet her, drawing his dagger and short sword. Beri took the opportunity to rake the cheek of the one forcing himself between her legs. Snarling, the older youth hit her twice in the face, then twice more in the stomach. While she was stunned and bleeding, he began his abuse.

The ruffian charging at Dayanna grinned, thinking her an easy foe, and perhaps another victim. He tried to use his greater height and weight to overwhelm her, to knock her down.

Without thought or hesitation, all of Dayanna's hours training at the temple and with her grandfather automatically and seamlessly came into play. She sidestepped and whirled. Using both hands, she snapped her blade up, cutting deep, and yanked down to pull it free. Then she ran on.

Hearing her approach, Beri's assailant struggled to stand up and grab his sword at the same time. Dayanna swung in a downward sweep. He looked at her in surprise, then fell apart, sliced cleanly from shoulder to hip, dousing both girls liberally with blood. Beri shrieked and scrambled back to the alley wall. Dayanna pulled Beri to her feet, and throwing one arm protectively around her, held her sword en garde. When Beri tried to reach for the broad sword on the ground, Dayanna roughly pushed her back. As much as she wanted to help her grandfather, she knew better. They would more likely get in his way.

"Dayanna!" Beri cried, wiping her bloody nose. One eye was swollen and bruised, nearly closed. "I can still fight!"

Dayanna shook her head and squeezed tightly, causing Beri to grimace. The pain in her ribs lanced into her small frame, causing her to gasp.

"Then kill them all! No coins for the ferryman! Let 'em be ghosts forever!" And the young girl bawled into Dayanna's shoulder. Her body was one searing, throbbing mass of pain.

Aelfin slew one of his opponents.

Dayanna glanced around. Only one remained, and he struggled desperately against Aelfin's skill. Beri's pain tugged at her thoughts, and without thinking about it, Dayanna began to hum a tune. Colors danced on the edge of her vision, heat flushed through her body briefly and then it was gone.

Awed, Beri whispered, "It -- it doesn't hurt anymore. What did you do?"

Tears streaming freely, Dayanna kept her attention on the fight in front of her. 

Seeing his death, the youth cried in Hellene, then in Norse, "Quarter! I yield!"

Aelfin spat back, "No quarter!"

When he tried to fight past the elf, Aelfin's dagger took him under the arm, and it was over.

It was sometime before Dayanna realized her grandfather was speaking to her.

"Dayanna! Can you hear me? Breathe! And please be careful with that sword!"

Aelfin squinted at her, his sensitive eyes narrow slits in the bright light. 

Dayanna was amazed. She was holding a sword. Where did it come from? Exquisitely balanced and feather-light, the grip seemed made for her hand. The edge looked wicked sharp and deadly. 

Perplexed, she looked for her hunting knife. It was there, still in its sheath on her hip. She blinked, exhaling -- and the light around her vanished.

"Come on, Little One," he urged. "It's all right. You're safe now, both of you."

"Babba?"

"Just past thirteen years old and your first battle, you shine like all three suns at summer noon. That's the first -- Dayanna! Watch out! That sword is deadly dangerous. You don't want to hurt Beri or me, do you?"

Dazed, she shook her head. Carefully, she laid the long sword down. She thought its silver-blue sheen beautiful. The large diamond in the pommel almost seemed to wink at her.

Aelfin hugged them fiercely, kissing away their tears. "Lady above! You're both a mess! All soaked in blood! Dayanna, are you hurt? Are you sure? Good. Beri, I'm going to clean you up so I can check you better, is that all right?" Gesturing with his hands, he muttered a cantrip and she was instantly clean of all blood and grime. Her clothing was in shreds. Beri's face was purpling, but he was startled to find that her split lip was partially healed, and swollen nose only a little tender. Frowning, he glanced furtively at Dayanna before completing his exam. "Anything broken? Any other wounds? No? Without magic, that eye will probably swell shut. Try not to loosen that tooth any further. Beryl . . . there are no words to express my sorrow at what you have suffered. Someday, I hope you will forgive me. I'm not sure your mother will. First, though, you're going to see a healer." He repeated the cleaning spell on Dayanna, then checked her, too. "No wounds at all, Little One?" he asked, surprised and relieved.

Dayanna shook her head, staring at the carnage. She'd learned from her grandfather how to dress out animals for food. The alley was grisly; worse than she'd expected. During the battle, she had simply acted, each move a clear action in her mind. Her thoughts now, though, were awash with sadness at the emptiness of death, knowing these had once been living, sentient beings. Now that the fight was over, she trembled. Yet she felt no doubt about the correctness of her actions. They had hurt her sister, Beri! Then Dayanna noticed there were four bodies, not five!

"Babba! Where's the other one? Did he get away?"

"No, Little One," he answered, satisfied at last she was unhurt. Digging into his pack, he pulled out his cloak and wrapped it around Beri, as her clothing hid nothing. Both girls were shaking, slipping into shock.

"Where's the body?"

"Your sword sliced clean through him, Dayanna. The power of the sword consumed him." He touched her chin, his eyes staring into hers. "He was vaporized. Totally. Into dust. Do you understand what I'm saying? What is the name of your sword?"

"Berek, the Life Slayer." She stared at him in surprise: surprise that she knew the answer, but also that he knew to ask. More so, she knew that sword. Berek had belonged to her dead mother, Brianna, and it was supposed to be locked away in a chest at home, more than a hundred kilometers away. "Babba, what's going on?"

Unslinging his wine skin, he held it up to Beri and made her drink. "Berek belongs to you now, Dayanna. When your mother died, it went dormant. It seems your goddess heard your plea, and has gifted it to you. The sword is awake now, with all its fierce abilities. If the need is strong enough, it won't matter the distance -- your sword will find you, and Lady help any that dare stand before it."

Using one hand to steady Beri, Aelfin touched his granddaughter's face. "Dayanna, take a drink and then I want you to listen to me. You've survived your first combat, and I know all this is overwhelming, but please try to pay attention. Pick the sword up carefully and shake off the blood. Think its name in your mind, and use your thoughts to command it to become small."

As Dayanna bent down, the sword moved, skittering over the cobblestones and into her grasp. Numbly, she did as he bid. Instantly, the blade shrank, becoming a dagger with an overly-large hilt. When she tried to hand it to him, Aelfin jumped back, shielding Beri.

"No, Dayanna! Listen to what I'm saying. The sword is awake and you are its master. This sword can kill, even if you don't wield it yourself. Never, ever let anyone else attempt to use it or even attempt to draw it, because it might kill them, even if you don't want it to."

He retrieved Dayanna's bedroll from her pack and opened it up. "Lay it here. I will roll it up so that you can carry it safely." Dayanna laid it down carefully, and Aelfin rolled it within the blankets. He quickly secured it back to his granddaughter's backpack. Using the cantrip fasten, he made the leather straps around the blankets even tighter. "There's a temple near here, and both of you are going to be checked out by a healer. While I carry Beri, I want you to hang onto my belt and stay close."

"Babba? What of this one?" She pointed to the dead rapist.

Aelfin looked back. "He's dead, Dayanna. See the tattoo on his arm? Cult of Ares. He's Hellenic, not Ba'lorian. There's no need for your Un-Naming Ritual."

Cult of Ares. Gangs of young men were initiated into the cult's mysteries by kidnapping a woman or a young girl to be tortured and murdered. Devoted to violence and death, the sect was outlawed within the Confederation. What her grandfather said wasn't strictly true, but Dayanna settled for a firm kick to the corpse. If the villain's soul made it past Charon the Ferryman, across the River Styx and into the underworld of the Hellenic dead, she hoped Hades exiled his soul to Tartarus for at least a hundred lifetimes. Then, she hurried after her grandfather.

# # #



House Sorena Ch. 02 Pt. 2



House Sorena – Chapter 2 Part 2

Sisters – Part 2

A Tale from Skyra

by T. J. Skywind

Note: Only a little sex in this one. Dayanna and Beri are both twenty.

Location: Sargossa, eastern member of Northumbrian Confederacy, northern Anzac

Date: May 2007

* * * * *

"I said I'd go with you, Dayanna." Just off her patrol shift and tired, Beri stretched in her chair, then drained her stein. At twenty, Beri was a hundred and seventy-five centimeters, lean and well muscled, and showed signs of still growing. She rubbed her hand tiredly through her short, blonde hair. "Did you think I'd forget? You're my shield sister. It was the first thing you ever asked of me. Don't you want me to go with you?"

A patron of the Drunken Giant bumped into Dayanna as he stood to leave. Dayanna glanced at him and then checked for her wallet before shaking her head. "Of course I want you to go. That's not the point. Patrol Captain Argelos promised to make you corporal if you went through leadership training. You've worked hard, Beri. I want you to get that promotion." She turned to her grandfather. "Babba, please, make her see reason."

Aelfin rose, his face full of pained determination. "You are both old enough to work this out for yourselves. Dayanna, this whole survival thing your church insists on is difficult to endure as it is. You've already survived your first combat and killed two opponents when you were but a child of thirteen, so to my mind, this should be moot. I'm only permitting it because I made promises to your grandmother. So please excuse me while I take my drink elsewhere." Moving to another table across the room, the grey elf turned his back to them.

Beri chuckled, her blue eyes dancing. "Your Grandda, he's a smart one. Figured out a long time ago he can't out-argue you. Told me once you're as bull-headed as your Grandma. And you are, too! Not that I could have known her, of course. But you are a stubborn mule sometimes. Shield sisters, bound forever. I made a promise to you, Dayanna, and I mean to keep it."

"I can wait, Beri. Really. I don't have to undergo the Rite this year. I can go next year or even the year after. Take your training and get your promotion."

Beri stared at her. Dayanna was twenty years old, but she looked scarcely older than when they'd pledged their vows to each other eight years earlier. Only now were Dayanna's breasts beginning to enlarge. Her raven locks when loose, reached below her bottom, but were in braided and folded and tied off warrior fashion. Beri continued. "Already put your name on the lists, didn't you? If you take it off now, they'll say things about you. Mean things." Beri shook her head. "If I lose the promotion, I lose it. Besides, what about the offer the church made you?"

Dayanna blinked, surprised Beri knew about it. Brother Rayan had approached her after the temple service just the day before, and she hadn't mentioned it yet. Ah, her grandfather, she thought. He always kept close tabs on her progress.

A monk of the church militant and expert in unarmed combat, Brother Rayan had been one of Dayanna's trainers for the past six springs, and she had come to think of him as a friend. Rayan had explained Dayanna showed all the marks of being a paladin, a holy warrior. The church was willing to pay the entire cost of her training. As a knight, she would automatically gain command as an officer.

Beri crossed her arms and rolled back on her chair, smiling clear up to her blue eyes. "Yes, I know about their offer. Do this knighthood training. You start later this summer, right after we get back. End of argument."

"And you said I was mule-headed. I don't have a say in this?"

"Nope! As your sister, it's okay for me to win once in a while. You train and become a knight, see? I'll go with you, be your squire and take care of you while you train. You'll earn ten times what I would as corporal. And one day, you build your own place. Hundreds of people, maybe more, all wearing your family arms, and me right there beside you. One day, I want the honor of being Captain of your Guard."

"Beri, we're blood-sisters. I won't have you serving me."

The blonde warrior leaned forward, lowering her voice. "I know you love me, and I love you, too. I'd positively die if anything came between us. We both know your long pedigree and a copper will get you half a loaf of bread. But you've also got the divine gifts of healing and light. Your goddess has picked you for something special. Even if you don't count all that, you've got King Donovan's sword – a thing right out of legend! Pallas Athena Sophia Brighteyes! One day –"

"Don't swear!" Her grey eyes looked at Beri with worry.

"– you will be a great Lady, Dayanna. And it will be my privilege to serve you. That's the way it is."

Dayanna pursed her lips, her grey eyes disapproving. "The gods should be spoken of with reverence – or at least respect – or you risk their wrath."

Beri waved her hand dismissively. "Fine. Now, are we going or not?"

"All right," Dayanna suddenly grinned, raising her hands. "I surrender! I'll add your name to mine on the survival lists. Might even be funny. When they see our names together, they'll assume we're lovers."

"And what's wrong with that? Heh, heh. I've been waiting to get into your panties for a long time. And I'll have you for a whole month, all to myself!"

"What about Phillipos? I thought you and he were getting to be more than, well –more than just friends."

"We're drinking buddies after watch, but he's not getting between my legs. Never has, never will."

Dayanna paused thoughtfully. "I know you've gone to Aphrodite's pleasure house. Did you ever visit with the men?"

"What difference does it make?" she asked, taking another drink.

"The spells necessary to prevent conception are cheap enough. If you don't have the money, I'll give it to you. But if you're never with a man, you don't need protection, do you?"

Beri's fist pounded the table. "That's my choice, isn't it? I don't want to talk about this."

Dayanna stood. "Quite right. A crowded room is hardly the place for such personal matters. Your old room?"

Beri guffawed. "Hah! Mother filled it with boxes right after I joined the Patrol. Even a dormouse couldn't squeeze into the room now!"

"Upstairs on the roof, then?"

Beri stared at the table top. Then she glanced up.

Dayanna stared back at her, her face firm.

"Hecate's tits! You're a hard one sometimes." Beri got up, kicking over the bench in irritation.

"Beri!"

Scowling and grumbling, the tall, blonde warrior stomped all the way up both flights of stairs. The smaller, leaner, black-haired woman followed behind her.

Outside on the narrow landing of the roof, the hot and humid May evening was surrendering to breezes from the Northern Ocean. The third sun hung low on the horizon. The Hellenes called the suns Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. To Dayanna, they were Aljahn, Tahna, and Miri, in Ba'lorian tradition, named after the first humans created by the Lawgiver. In the eastern sky, Sandahl, larger of the two moons rose pale green, waning bright. Pax, the smaller, white moon still lay below the horizon.

Dayanna sat down on the flat roof near the rungs by the loft window.

Beri sat on the other side of the ladder, staring out to sea. "Nice evening. Not too many clouds out. Should be warm again tomorrow."

"I don't want to talk about the weather, Beri. Are you afraid of men?"

"No!" Beri snapped. "I work around men all the time, no problem!"

"You're a young, healthy, lusty woman. You're an amazon warrior. Haven't you lain with a man, Beri?"

"I've been with a man! You were there when I was raped in that alley, remember?" Hugging her knees tighter, she glared at her sister.

"Oh, Beri." Dayanna grieved at wounds eight years fresh. "When Babba speaks about Bamma Theláyna, I can hear the love he still bears for her, even though she's been gone over sixty years. Men aren't the enemy. You once told me you wanted daughters of your own, to raise and love and follow behind you. A good dream. I always imagined us raising our children together. That won't happen if you never take a husband. What happened to you in that alley was cruel and–"

"Damn straight it was! I was thirteen! They had no right to hurt me like that! No right at all!" She looked away.

"Even if you can't forget, you need to move past it. You're a wire, stretched tight. I'm worried about you, Sister."

Beri wiped her eyes and said nothing, staring out to sea.

Dayanna sighed. "I blame myself. I should have kept more alert for trouble."

Beri whirled angrily. "What a bunch of tripe! We were kids, minding our own business and having a good time! If anyone's to blame, it was that rat bastard who raped me! But for you and your Grandda, they all would have had a turn, then killed and buried me without proper rites. And if not me, it would have been some other girl."

"Not all men are like that, Beri! Sure, few men turn down a woman offering sex, but they wouldn't force her."

The blonde warrior shook her head. "Maybe that's so with elves, but it happens a lot here in Sargossa. I work Patrol, Dayanna. I've seen it. A lot. A fat lip or a blackened eye, a dress torn to rags. Women so bruised and bleeding they can't even get to their feet. More often than not, it was men they knew who did it. Every time I see another woman victimized, I thank the gods my mother was an amazon and that I can be a warrior because of that birthright. Rape is against the law, but women learn to keep quiet or they get worse the next time. Some even wind up murdered. Women with money or power are safest, but even that's no guarantee. No, Dayanna. Men will rape if they can get away with it."

Dayanna shook her head. "I don't agree. There are many honorable men. Babba says the measure of a society is how it treats its women and what rights they have. I think he is right. An elvish maid can fight and no one looks twice. And the Lawgiver teaches that men and women are equal partners. A woman can be the head of a household or lead in battle as well as any man."

"At least you Ba'lorians kill rapists. If she can prove it, and most of the time the woman can't, Sargossa's courts may jail them for a year or two, and usually they just levy a fine. Once they're out, the woman catches it all over again."

Dayanna watched Beri sadly. "I've heard some of the insults they say to you. Only the fact I'm not legally an adult and Babba would be liable for anything I do has kept me from challenging them. It must be hard to endure."

"There's nothing wrong with women making love to each other. They make it sound dirty. It's not! I'm a good soldier. Does that mean anything? No. All they care about is who I sleep with. 'Oh, yes, kind sir! I'll wear a dress and breed your brats!' Heck I will! I'd sooner hump a dog." Beri looked away.

"Sometimes I see a man, and smell him, and–and, well, I get positively wet."

Beri smirked, eager to change the subject. "Really? Anyone I know?"

"No. Just some of the men training at the temple. Nobody I know really well. Babba once told me some female animals in the wild, before mating, make the male chase her. It's part of the foreplay, but it also lets the male know she's letting him take her. Anyway, after a good long workout, sweat pouring off me, the men exercising – with their big shoulders and tight butts – they look awfully good! All I know is I'm frustrated and I'm too young to do anything about it. My hands aren't enough anymore."

"I'll fix you, anytime, Dayanna."

"I know you would, and I appreciate the offer. That's not the point. By your religion, you are an adult. Until I pass the Rite, by the laws of my people, I am still a child. The law is specific. No coupling, and no sex with an adult. At the temple, they will teach me how to be a good lover. Besides, I want to know what it's like to feel a man inside me."

"I took a knife to the guts once. I can vouch it's pretty much the same."

"Beri!"

"Look, Dayanna. Some men I trust to fight beside me, but sweaty men don't do a bloody thing for me. I've been in the bathhouses and seen the statues in Aphrodite's pleasure houses. I think men look preposterous with that thing flapping about. Let's leave it at that, all right? Now what about this Ritual of yours? I'm not Ba'lorian. You're sure it's okay for me to go with you?"

She nodded. "Here's what I was told. Because of your age and your religion, you are considered legally an adult. But since you aren't a believer and have never taken the test, church law is that you can qualify as a child if that's what you want."

Beri made a rude noise.

Dayanna ignored her. "You have to follow the same rules I do, though. We will have to survive on our own skills for thirty days with what we can carry. No outside help. We may trade with those we meet, and we can accept aid in case of injury or illness, but we cannot accept shelter, money, or food as gifts. Some families think simply going to another city and living off your own labor is test enough, and I admit there is some truth to that argument. Everyone has the sexual initiation– that's required. Surviving in the wilderness is the old way, and that's how I want to test myself. Anyone who wants to be an officer, a knight or even the head of a household, must go through the full Ritual, in the traditional way. You know I am the last of House Sorena."

"Fair enough," Beri said. "Say, do brother-sister pairings do this survival test?"

"I haven't seen it, but I'm told it does happen."

"And do they, like, do it, when they're out there alone?"

"Copulate? Not always, but I suppose some do."

Beri screwed up her face. "Ewww! That's gross, Dayanna! And sick, too!"

"Unlike the gods? Zeus and Hera are brother and sister as well as husband and wife. And their parents, Chronos and Rhea, also siblings? The heavens of many faiths are filled with brother-sister matings, Beri. What if you had a brother, close to your age? He might have become a good friend, a protector, someone honorable, trustworthy, and dependable. Our faith discourages marriage or mate pairings among siblings, yet as long as the previous five generations have no such joining, it's permitted. Their children, however, must marry foreign spouses."

"If you had a brother, would you do him?"

Dayanna shook her head. "No. First of all, the elves wouldn't tolerate it. The elves of Cedardale granted the eldest heir to House Sorena the right to find a spouse from among them every fourth generation. My ancestors have exercised that right. I know the names of all seven elves whose blood runs in my family. Sleep with a brother? My religion says under the right circumstances, it's okay. But doing so would tarnish fourteen centuries of family honor and sever all connection to my elvish kin. The shame would kill Babba. I don't think I could live with that."

"Huh. You can really trace your family back fourteen centuries?"

"Sixteen. It's only thirty-seven generations. We get a longer life, but like elves, it's harder for us to conceive, we carry longer to term, and we are slower to mature."

"Thirty-seven generations? I don't even know who my father is. If Ma knows, she's never told me. Even though you lost your parents when you were little, I envy you. You know your roots – who you are and where you came from. I'm Beri Silvanos, daughter of Chloe Silvanos, former amazon captain and now innkeeper. I have two sisters, Selene and you. That's as much as I know."

"Babba once said your family has a long-time warrior tradition, proud amazons noted for their honor and bravery. He once said you are the very image of your great-great grandmother, Corisande Silvanos."

"Ma doesn't talk much about it. Mostly says that fighting is a hard life, that she wants better for Selene and me." Beri rubbed her ear. "Just like her, huh? Think he'd tell me more about this great-great grandma of mine?"

"I'm sure of it," she smiled.

"Dayanna, it's a Hellenic tradition before any quest to see an oracle. Will you go with me and get your future read?"

"If you wish. But I'm not Hellene and the oracle might refuse to see me."

"I'll convince them!"

Dayanna looked at Beri with wide eyes. "You wouldn't threaten them, would you?"

"And risk a curse? No. But in my experience, priests are always hungry for gold."

* * * * *

Snap!

A bound and the deer vanished into the thick underbrush.

"Sorry, Dayanna." Beri stared longingly where the animal once stood.

It was the fifth day of steady rain, and the third since their last solid meal. Very carefully, Dayanna eased the tension of her bow. "We're both tired, Beri, and soaked to the skin." She returned the arrow to her quiver and capped it, then unstrung the bow. "Maybe the snares caught something. There's still a chance we will have meat tonight."

"If I can get a decent fire going! I feel like I should have fins, I'm starting to forget what it's like to be dry." Beri removed her headband and wrung it, a futile gesture.

"Me, too." Dayanna gave her a quick squeeze on the shoulder before they set off for the snare line. "Once we're dry, we'll feel much better."

"Why couldn't we have found Mr. Cow? A quick whack of the blade and steaks galore. Pot roast, tip roast, rump roast–"

"Stop!" Dayanna covered her ears, laughing. "You're making me hungry! Besides, Mr. Cow is an oxymoron. It'd have to be Ms. Cow or Mr. Bull."

"Really? What if he cross-dresses on Tuesdays? Then Mr. Cow could be the correct form of address. Besides, I've never seen one yet that's too terribly smart."

"Mr. Cow works only if you are going to talk, Beri. I was under the impression you were planning to eat him. And what does smart have to do with it?"

"Spoilsport. You ruin my fantasies with your logic."

Dayanna glanced sidelong as she picked her way through the underbrush. "Huh! The other night you said I was your fantasy."

"Oh, you are, my dear. But in this fantasy, I introduce Mr. Cow to my plate and cutlery."

"So your interest in Mr. Cow is cupboard love, then?"

"Dayanna, that is twisted, not to mention being a horrible pun. Na, na, I just want to cook up a nice four-inch steak. Ma's cucumber sauce and tabouli would be good, too."

"There you go with the food again! When we're back in Sargossa, I'll take you to Nicolas' for the Ten-Gold Special. You can survive a week after one of those meals. Right now, you would do better keeping a lookout for some of the plants and mushrooms I showed you earlier. Unless you want dried hardtack again?"

"We finished the last of the hardtack yesterday," Beri reminded her. "I've tightened my belt three notches since we started this foray, so I guess another notch or two won't hurt. Hey, isn't that some of the funky fern?"

Dayanna stopped and examined the plant more closely. "Yes, it's licorice-root, all right. Remember, take only part of the plant, leaving some for next time. Beside, with that, a little goes a long way."

They managed to find some more greens and roots, and even a couple of wild yams. Despite their hopes, however, the snares were empty save for a single chipmunk. Beri watched sadly while Dayanna quickly prepared it.

"I could eat a dozen of those, all in one sitting, you know." Beri's stomach growled, and she rubbed it sympathetically. "Yeah. What you said."

"One chipmunk is better than nothing. Don't shun the blessings, my friend, just because they're not as obvious or as large as we'd like. It's better to thank the little one for its life so that we survive. With what we've found, we may even fill our bellies tonight." Dayanna cleaned and put away her skinning knife, then handed the prepared animal to Beri, who put it into her game bag. "You might give a word of thanks to your own gods, too. They do listen, you know." Dayanna collected the snare. Even with the rain, it would have to be set into a new location as the blood and remains would drive off other game. "Faith gives you strength and a sense of purpose. It can help you endure what you once thought unendurable."




House Sorena Ch. 02 Pt. 2



"I trust to my spear, sword, and shield. When I hunt or ride, I say a word to Artemis. When I fight, I look to Athena. I pay my respects to the others when needed. Each to their proper sphere. More than that, what need I do?" Beri scanned around for any movement.

"Nothing, I suppose. You often remind me, sister, there are many paths to wisdom. I didn't mean to criticize. I just want you to look on the bright side. What comes our way is a series of opportunities. How we approach them is as important as the choices themselves."

"Too deep for me. Give me a decent weapon and I do okay."

Dayanna halted again, shaking her finger at her companion. "Beri Silvanos! I work hard when we play chess, and you beat me five times out of six. You pretend you're just a grunt with no brains, but I know better!"

Beri grinned. "Tactics I can do. Philosophy and religion? I bow to my mistress. Speaking of bowing–heh heh–that would put my mouth right about–"

Dayanna jumped back. "No way! As much as I love what you do to me, I'm not getting out of these wet clothes until we get back to camp, and that's final! And when we do get back, my first objective will be food and dry clothes! Play can wait until after we have something warm in our bellies."

"Yes, Princess."

Dayanna narrowed her eyes, then strode briskly for camp, Beri following. In the three weeks since their journey began, Beri sometimes tested Dayanna's patience until she became angry, only to embrace her and proclaim her love, kissing her roughly as her hands roamed freely. The roused passions did make the sex more intense. During her initiation at the temple, Dayanna discovered she truly liked the intimacy and pleasure sex gave. She loved Beri, and embraced the truth that adding love to sex made it ten times better. Yet Dayanna preferred honest lust to manipulation. To her mind, mixing anger and sex was dangerous. Not that she feared Beri would ever intentionally hurt her. No, she trusted Beri, loved her for the sister she was and the lover she'd become. Dayanna just didn't like that type of foreplay.

Twice during the rest of the trip to camp, Beri tried to make conversation. Dayanna remained as dour as the wet evening.

At their camp inside a hedge of hawthorn, under the partial lean-to, Beri made the fire and laid out the meat. Dayanna prepared the vegetables, deboned and diced the chipmunk, and then tossed into the pot some spices, roots, the yams, and the last of their flour. While the stew cooked, they shed wringing wet clothing for a slightly damp set. The lean-to kept their possessions from the constant drizzle, but the precipitation was even permeating everything in their packs. Once the food was cooking, they began changing clothing.

Half-way dressed, Beri suddenly threw down her wet shirt. "What is it, Dayanna? Did I say something wrong? Why are you angry?"

"I'm not angry, Beri." Dayanna pulled out her last pair of semi-dry pants.

"You'd tell me true?"

Dayanna frowned. "Of course, Sister."

"Then why the silence for the last five klicks? I don't understand!"

Dayanna hiked up her trousers and put on mostly dry socks and her spare boots. She put their wet boots by the fire to dry out. "Yes, I admit something is bothering me. I'm worried, Beri. About you, about us. But I'm not angry."

"Worried? About what?"

"Your first sexual experience wasn't a good one. There is touching, intimacy, and the trust that goes with making love. I like how it feels." Dayanna paused, turning to look her in the eyes. "Beri, I love how you make me feel. Once we get to the touching, you are a good lover. What bothers me is the aggressive foreplay. You tease me or say mean things and handle me none too gently. It almost feels like you want me to resist before submitting to you. And that feels less like love and more like dominance and control. I don't care for it."

"Dayanna, that's crazy!"

Dayanna wrung the clothes and hung them on the line. "You asked me so I'm telling you how I feel, Beri. Finish getting dressed. Your breasts are turning blue. Those socks wet? I've one more pair fairly dry in my pack. Take them. Don't argue with me, just put them on." Dayanna lifted the lid of the stew pot, stirring and sniffing, then continued. "Maybe ten more minutes yet. I like being held, my love, just not held down. I'm not some prostitute from Mayfair Street. I learned and did a lot at the temple. Some things I'll never do again. I like sex. I love you, but I also like coupling with men. Beri, I didn't know my toes could curl that tight! Who knows? Maybe I'll get two husbands or maybe even three–and yes, I mean at the same time! Don't look so shocked. Some men have more than one wife. A woman, or at least Ba'lorian women have the same rights as men. Beri, I love being with you. What I don't need are games."

"Dayanna, I–I ..." Beri suddenly curled into a ball, weeping.

Dayanna scooted closer, pulling her into her arms. Gently, she kissed away Beri's tears. "Were you even listening? Give me an urgent kiss and a gentle touch. Okay?"

"I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm tired and cold and wet and hungry, and I know I'm whining, but I–I don't know if you love me."

"Beri, we are sisters. I will love you always and forever." She caressed her cheek, then kissed her lips gently. "Always. Believe me?"

Beri nodded, wiping her nose and eyes.

Dayanna held her tight, rocking and caressing her until the food was ready. When the stew was all too quickly eaten and the kitchen chores done, they wrapped themselves into their blankets, holding each other close for warmth. When Beri gave a tentative kiss, Dayanna responded, firmly and thoroughly.

Gently, they settled into the rhythm of each other's pleasure. Hands reached out, under shirts, caressing nipples, teasing and tweaking. Beri disappeared under the blanket first, her mouth working on Dayanna's small breasts, licking and nibbling. Aroused, she took her turn, kneading and lathing her Beri's larger mounds. Her free hand snaked down into Beri's pants, caressing and probing her slit. Around and around her clitoris Dayanna worked her fingers. As Beri moaned and arched, she undid Beri's belt and shimmied down her trousers. Kissing her way slowly down, Dayanna traced her way with her tongue. Down to the damp center of Beri's oozing lips, circling her center, closer and closer, kissing and licking. When Dayanna's tongue touched her pink nether lips, Beri gasped then gave a long sigh, pressing Dayanna's face into her pussy. Dayanna ran her tongue up and down her lips, lapping up the juices flowing from her sister's swelling sex. One hand worked back up, caressing her breast, tweaking her nipple. After working over Beri for several minutes, Dayanna slid two fingers into her depths while her tongue lathed her clitoris. Beri grunting, struggling as she tried to keep quiet. Slowly, Dayanna probed Beri's slick and puffy pussy while her tongue worked its magic. Up and around her clitoris, then directly on the underside, around, then along the fat lips. When Dayanna turned her fingers along the top for that soft, squishy spot on the inside of her pubic bone, Beri bucked, huffing and panting, shaking and gushing as she came. Dayanna licked it all up.

"By the gods, Dayanna," Beri breathed, "I love you so much."

Dayanna chuckled. "I bet you do." Then hummed as her mouth inhaled Beri's snatch. After the first orgasm, it didn't take much to set Beri off again. Fingers sliding in and out of her tunnel and Dayanna's mouth vibrating on her center, Beri bucked again, then arched, humping Dayanna's fingers as her belly tightened and exploded again. Finally, gasping for air, Beri pushed her away. "Too much! Too much!"

Holding each other close, they kissed gently while Beri calmed down. Then Beri turned her attentions to Dayanna, plundering her lover's liquid center. The black-haired young woman moved under Beri's tongue and fingers without a sound. Patiently Beri lathed and licked until Dayanna stiffened, her juices running freely from her pulsating snatch. Dayanna reached down and pulled Beri up, kissed her ardently.

Once their trousers were back in place, they held each other close, enjoying the warmth and comfort of each other's arms. "Thank you," Dayanna whispered. "That was lovely." Beri sighed contentedly.

Later, Dayanna banked the fire and kept watch while Beri slept beside her.

* * * * *

Dayanna felt a hand over her mouth. Instantly, she was awake. In the moonlight, she could vaguely make out hand signs from Beri: Large party, behind and to the left. The campfire was out, but the blankets were still warm on the outside. Just arrived then. Dayanna rolled into a crouch. Both of them quietly slipped as much of their gear into their packs as they could manage. From their sounds, she estimated twenty, maybe thirty persons. Too many for just the two of them. Too easy to be surrounded and overwhelmed.

A harsh voice barked out in the night, "Grka ja krinak mitchko rikn! I smell smoke over here!"

Orcs!

A century earlier, tempted by the rich caravans plying the Hellenic city-states, a major force of orcs had erupted from the Starfall Mountains, sweeping southeast, bypassing the Elven lands of Cedardale. They had rampaged across the countryside for months. Then the city-states and the elves struck, delivering the orcs a shattering defeat. For a hundred years, no orcs had dared venture this close to Sargossa. Yet they were here now. Dayanna wondered - was it a raid? Or part of some larger force? Orcs bred like rabbits. Perhaps their warrens, filled past capacity, once again forced them out to spread death and mayhem.

The sound of approaching footsteps refocused her attention. Dayanna slipped her backpack on, holding her bow and quiver in one hand. She dared not draw her blade; its magical light would become a beacon for hundreds of meters. A look, and both knew they would have to run for it. Hearts full of words to say and all the time was gone.

A large, ugly porcine head with an enormous tusked mouth, cursing at the sharp thorns, poked through the brush. The orc scarcely realized his discovery before Beri impaled him with her spear. A kick to dislodge him, and the orc dropped. Then they burst out of the thicket, running.

Almost immediately, a cry arose and arrows flicked past them. Dodging trees and foes, the sisters dashed on. Two orcs tried to cut them off, but Dayanna ducked and struck out with her dagger while Beri blocked and stabbed with her spear. The orcs chased them for almost three kilometers, but even with their superior night vision, the young women soon outpaced them.

When there were no more sounds of pursuit, Dayanna and Beri bent over, pausing to catch their wind. Relief washed over them and they both smiled at their luck.

"Hecate's tits, that was close!"

"I've always wondered, Beri," Dayanna panted, "why do you invoke Her? Athena for warfare and Artemis for hunting I understand. But you don't wield magic. We're not at a crossroads and it's not the dark of the moon. And why that particular phrase?"

Beri grinned, wiping her brow. "Sort of embarrassed, but I'll tell. You know there's a large grove dedicated to Hecate in the northeastern part of Sargossa, right? In one corner of the grove is a statue, carved by Stenklos Imphegenia, the famous sculptor. She's lifelike and absolutely stunning, Dayanna, and the most erotic image I've ever seen. Her breasts fill my hands perfectly. Each one is carved not just with the nipple, but down to every nodule of her areola erect. And the rest of her! Like a real woman feeling the heat of her excitement. Her breasts are in a class by themselves. Before I left, I kissed them–I couldn't help myself!"

"Crazy amazon." Dayanna took a drink from her water flask, then handed it to Beri, who took a long swig. "Bet you'd hump her, too, if you got the chance."

"In a heartbeat."

"You've sure got some ovaries, girl. Mortals in your Hellenic stories don't fare too well when a god becomes their lover. I don't dare wonder what Hecate thinks of you." Dayanna paused to listen before continuing. "So you think Her breasts are better than mine? Maybe I should be jealous."

"Just think of it, Dayanna! Her statue will still be there, jutting proud and perfect when we're both dust. Not that I don't love your tits, my dear. Hers are just better."

"I won't argue–"

They both heard the distant howl, followed by answering cries yet further away.

Beri spat. "Damn their hides! Dire wolves! With the blankets and clothing we left behind–they'll track us, too, even in this rain."

Dire wolves, bred by orcs and goblins for generations, were as large as ponies. Cunning trackers, the fell beasts had a deserved reputation for cruelty matching that of their masters.

Dayanna dug into her pack and produced a small, worn box. "We'll do our best to outrun them. But if we fight, we should be properly marked."

Beri nodded grimly. She leaned forward as Dayanna applied the black and red grease paint in great bands across her cheeks. Beri marked Dayanna in turn.

"Heart of my heart," Dayanna said, clasping her shoulder.

"Shield Sisters, no matter what." Beri looked up to the night sky. "The clouds are thinning out. I can make out the Hunter's Horn. You know these lands better. Shall we go north or continue east?"

Dayanna secured the small box. "North. We should reach Little Xander River by morning. Hop a log and take a ride downstream. We'll be colder and hungrier, but we'll be safer. Maybe catch a patrol."

"If we get that far, Dayanna. We're a long way out of town, and not likely to see a patrol for at least three days. What'll this do to your Ritual?"

"The dire wolves mean the orcs are here in force. Ritual ends in wartime, and we join the ranks of the warriors in the coming fight." Dayanna dug into her pack again. Opening the pouch, she scattered half its contents on the ground around them.

"What's that?" Beri asked.

"Cayenne pepper. Nasty, painful surprise for the four-foots when they get here. Burn their noses and ruin their sense of smell for hours. I'll dump the rest in about a half hour. Catch more unawares."

"Wish I had some caltrops. Just didn't expect I'd need them." Beri looked up, speaking louder. "Of course, if anyone's listening, a company of Sargossan heavy cavalry or a full phalanx of amazons would be better."

After checking their remaining gear and packs, they set off at a slow run.

Three hours later, in the early light of dawn, they reached the last ridge before the river. More howling wolves revealed the closing gap between hunters and hunted.

"How far do you think?" Beri bent over, sucking air.

"They're close. Maybe three klicks."

"Gods! It's that far to the river. And I'm winded. We've been on light rations for too long. I don't want to be run to the ground like some deer. I'm an amazon, trained to fight! If I'm going to die, I want to take some of those bastards with me."

"As long as they don't realize we're women. If they do, they may try to capture us instead."

Beri fixed her with a hard stare, gripping her arm. Orc treatment of women was well known. Those not raped to death and eaten would be enslaved for breeding. "Death before capture, Dayanna. Hear me?"

"I hear you. Look, if we go to the river, we'll have it at our backs. But they'll have missile weapons. Here in the trees, it's back to back, but we'll have some protection from missiles and they can't attack en masse." Dayanna paused. "You've had military experience. What do you think?"

Beri rubbed her ear and pursed her lips. "I say stay. Give us a chance to catch our breath before we fight. Any snare wire left?"

"A bit. Why?"

"Tie it off between a couple of trees. They see us and we run around between. They move to cut us off, let the wire mess 'em up good."

"Do it. I'm going to string my bow and check my arrows." Dayanna pointed downhill. "They'll probably follow that ravine to the top of this ridge. I'd like to get in a few long distance shots, maybe take a few out." She retrieved the wire from her pack. "Here."

"Dayanna, I want you to know–"

"I love you, too. Go! We don't have much time and there's work to do."

Beri nodded. Picking a couple of trees, she quickly strung her traps.

Dayanna opened her quiver and checked her flights. All nine remaining arrows were dry and intact. She said a quick prayer of thanks and then looked up to the sky. After five days of rain, the clouds were finally scattering. Already, thick pockets of fog were forming. That would last an hour or two, she thought, until the heat of the suns burned it away.

"Beri! There's some fog. If we hurry, we might be able to make the river after all!"

"Too late." Crouching near the slope's edge, Beri pointed at movement. Maybe two hundred meters away, the first dozen orc cavalry were already in sight.

Dayanna strung her bow. "If I can get a few, they may take time to change their tactics. There's still a chance for the river."

Beri hurried back to Dayanna. "All right. Maybe the gods will smile on us." She loosened her broad sword in its scabbard, checked her shield and helmet straps, then picked up her ash spear. All the while, her lips moved silently.

Drawing the arrow to her cheek, Dayanna sighted the lead wolf. As she released, she began her morning devotional. In the way her grandfather taught her, she almost didn't aim but shots flew rapid and true. Arrow after arrow found its mark. Two down! Four others wounded! Then a dozen more wolf-riders appeared, joining the first squadron. Howling and yelling, they surged up the ravine. Three more wolves fell. Beri jumped and waved, drawing crossbow fire, yelling every elvish swear word she knew, then switched to Hellenic and Norse for variety.

The first wolf made the rise and sprang, its rider shouting and whirling his sword. Beri braced the butt of her spear to the ground as Dayanna fell back. The next instant, Beri rolled aside as the point impaled the snarling monster, killing it instantly, throwing the rider senseless to the ground.

Dayanna tossed aside her bow and her sword Berek flew into her hands, the ancient sword humming with power. Turning on the second rider, Dayanna swung. The eldritch blade clove clean through his chain hauberk and into the dire wolf. Both cries abruptly ended as both disintegrated. Dayanna turned and ran to Beri.

Seven more riders cleared the top. The chase was on! Dodging and twisting, the women led them afoot. Two charging wolves suddenly stumbled, tangled and bleeding, mauling their riders. The others raced on heedless, eager for the kill. Dayanna broke left and Beri broke right.

One wolf rounded a tree, snapping at Beri. Suddenly Beri whirled, swinging as she dropped, her broad sword slicing the wolf's snout. Howling in pain, the wolf leapt aside, taking its cursing rider with it. Beri turned too late as a second wolf-rider bore down upon her. The beast's fangs sank into her waist, then shook her, sending her shield flying. Cursing with rage, Beri drew her dagger and stabbed the monster's eye. Crack! Pain shot up her arm from the rider's mace. Beri stabbed again, striking home. The dying wolf collapsed, still gnawing into her flesh. Struggling to pry herself free, the orc dismounted for the kill.

The next moment, there was a blur and the orc collapsed, blood spraying from its headless body. Dayanna stood behind him.

"You okay?" Dayanna asked.

Beri sighed with relief, then angrily pried and kicked herself free. "Don't worry about me. Go to it." Her weapon arm broken and her entire left side a searing throb, by sheer determination, she pulled herself to her feet. Hefting the blade in her left hand, she tested its unfamiliar weight.

Dayanna caught sight of two more riders charging, and she turned to meet them. Beri leaned against a tree, watching as Dayanna moved and attacked, her sword passing through flesh and armor with scarcely a pause. Two more wolves and riders were down, slain like cattle in a stockyard.




House Sorena Ch. 02 Pt. 2



With a sinking heart, Beri counted nearly a dozen wolf-riders still arrayed against them, not counting the wounded. The huge wolves paced and circled around Dayanna, probing for a weakness. Several riders fired crossbows, to no avail, as she dodged or flicked them aside.

Three suddenly charged at once. Bright light enveloped Dayanna, distracting her foes, and her blade danced and whirled. The wolves and their riders were quickly slain, but she was knocked down by the impact. Beri gasped in horror as Dayanna's weapon sailed out of her grip. Beri knew better than to try and pick up the sword herself. Howling with glee, a nearby orc snatched it up while two wolf-riders pressed their attack. Beri halted as she saw the orc struggle with and then lose control of the blade. With no hand to guide it, the orc shrieked as the sword pulled itself from his grasp and, floating in the air, sliced him in two! Dayanna's grandfather had once said the blade was alive, and now she believed it.

As Dayanna rolled free, dodging and ducking, she held out her hand, reaching, and the glowing blade flew through the air to her. As soon as it was in her hands, Dayanna spun around as two wolf riders overtook her, the fierce blade humming with power as it whirled. One wolf jumped clear; both riders and the second dire wolf were dead as they hit the ground.

Shaken, the orcs and wolves took stock of their losses. Seven dire wolves remained, two of them riderless, and nearly a score dead. Minutes earlier, the humans had seemed an easy prize. When Dayanna, covered in blood, surrounded by bright light and a magical, eldritch sword advanced upon them, they wavered nervously. When she burst into a battle song used by the elves of Cedarvale, they routed, howling in fear.

Beri leaned against a tree as Dayanna quickly slew the wounded. Veteran of numerous fights, Beri was puzzled at the uncontrollable trembling that now wracked her body. Oh, yes, she thought. Shock. Beri felt herself sinking slowly to the ground. When she looked up, Dayanna was there beside her, grimly examining her.

"Gods above, Dayanna. I almost feel sorry for them." Then try as she might to stop, she began to tremble.

"I'm not invincible, Beri. When they knocked me down, a few spears could have finished me. We're trained warriors, Beri. Your traps accounted for several of them. And you took care of a few yourself. No, we gave them the pasting they deserved. Here, look out. I'm going to cut away the leather."

Beri grabbed her wrist, shaking her head. "No, don't. Might burst and spill my guts. Oh! That hurts! Go. When they–when they master their fear, they'll be back."

"Shut up and let me work. Can you move this hand? Good. Put it here."

Dayanna drew her dagger and cut away the leather, then emptied her water flask onto the wounds. She began to hum. Even though Beri knew what to expect, the rush of heat startled her. When Dayanna was done, the lacerations were a mixture of pink flesh and scabs. Painfully flexing her fingers, Beri was disappointed that her arm still hurt so much, but at least she could move it.

Dayanna retrieved a shirt from her pack. Tearing it into strips, she splinted Beri's arm and helped her up. "When we stop later, I will look you over again. Right now we need to fly. Understand?"

Beri nodded, unable to stop shaking. "We–we'll make it?"

"You're asking me? I'm as scared as you are." Dayanna pulled Beri's face down, wiped the blood from her face with her sleeve and kissed her firmly. "The Lawgiver provides us with opportunities. Sometimes the opportunity is how to die well. However, I promised you a Ten-Gold Special at Nicolas' and I will do everything I can to honor it. Ready?"

"Where's your bow?"

"No arrows left. Babba will understand if I leave it." Dayanna dug into her pocket and pulled out a small wad of cloth. Unwrapping it, she handed two pieces of dried fruit to Beri, then ate the last piece herself. Reluctantly, Beri ate them. It was the last of their food.

Hurrying down the long ridge, they ran as fast as they could to the river and the safety it promised. Northward flowing, the Little Xander was a full-fledged waterway year round. It was wide, swift, cold, and almost always deep. At the bend, the river narrowed to rapids that frothed and roiled about huge boulders.

Finally, the sisters reached the shore. They scrambled down the embankment and waded into the water, struggling to maintain their footing. Overhead, the three suns blazed white, burning off the last vestiges of mist and fog.

"Selene has two kids, doesn't she?" Dayanna asked loudly, trying to be heard over the noise of the rapids. They were only a couple of meters into the roiling watercourse, with almost thirty meters to the other side.

Incredulous, Beri looked up. "What?"

"Your sister, Selene. She has two kids, right?"

"I know who she is. Yeah, she's got two. Anemone and Demetrius. Why?"

"Just hadn't seen her in a while and I wondered how she was doing."

"We're hip deep in a cold river, an army of orcs and dire wolves after us, and you ask about Selene?" Beri barked with laughter. "Sister, you are strange!"

"We're family. She's your birth sister. It's been awhile since I heard any news, and I just started wondering. That's all."

"I see. A little gossip to take our minds off things? Okay. Well, she likes being married. Eugenos, her husband, is a merchant and gone a lot. He's Hellene, of course, but since he is a merchant, it doesn't bother him that she can read, write and do accounts. Gives her a lot of independence. Ma's got grandkids, so the pressure's off me."

"Your Mother's been pressuring you to have kids?"

"Not in so many words. She won't admit she's proud I'm a warrior, but she keeps going on about how it isn't good for me to be alone."

Dayanna nodded, scanning left and right. Half-way there. "Babba is too. Not children, mind you. He wanted to know my plans after I become a knight. For a while, I intend to live in the house my parents built. He doesn't approve. He thinks I should live in Cedarvale, or at least Sargossa."

"What about us? I thought we are going to seek our fame and fortune?"

"I still want that. But I'll need a place to live. I was born in that house. It's my home. Sometimes I feel my parents are still around, checking up on me. Here, take my hand."

One hand on a boulder, Beri leaned for Dayanna's hand, then jerked upright, reaching for the heavy bolt suddenly impaled in her back. Several more bolts splashed into the water about them. Bursting from a shoreline copse of trees, several wolf-riders galloped toward them, bare seconds away.

"Beri!" Dayanna desperately reached for her hand.

Beri stepped closer, struggling, slipped, then swore as the swift current toppled her over. The next second, she vanished under the frothing water.

"Beri! Beri!" Dayanna searched frantically. There! Already twenty meters downstream, Beri broke the surface, gasping, then went under again. 

Gone.

A dozen more bolts peppered the water. Dayanna turned and dove. A strong swimmer, she fought as the river swept her along, spinning her about, battering her against boulders seen and unseen. Desperately, she flailed for air, then choked as water filled her mouth. Her pack, filling with water, began dragging her down. Reluctantly, Dayanna shed it. Then, at last, she was through the rapids. Swimming more easily, she surfaced, coughing until her lungs cleared. When more bolts splashed nearby, she ducked and swam with the current until she lost them.

* * * * *

As soon as she dared, Dayanna swam above water, looking for any sign of Beri. After floating downstream for several kilometers, she came ashore. With grim determination, she backtracked to the bend where Beri had first disappeared. Dozens of wolf-riders scoured the other bank, but Dayanna kept out of sight, and no further missiles were sent her way. Because they didn't bridge the rapids, she judged the main body of troops must still be some distance away.

Night fell, and when her second search of the area proved fruitless, Dayanna waded back into the chilly water. Hugging the riverbank, she scrutinized every nook and eddy, praying Beri still lived. Hours later, and chilled to the bone, by purest chance, she caught moonlight glinting off a sword. Beri!

Rushing ashore, she checked for a pulse. Faint, but there!

Unbelievably, Beri still wore her pack. She barely moved when Dayanna snapped the bolt protruding from her back. Lifting her up and smashing through the underbrush, Dayanna carried her until she found a nook against a tree. Using her knife, she carefully cut away the rest of Beri's leather shirt. Drawing her sword, she used its eldritch light to examine the wound. Dayanna fretted over the seeping blood.

"Dayanna?" Beri was so quiet, she almost didn't hear her.

"I'm here, Sister. I don't know if I should remove it. You're chilled to the bone and you've lost a lot of blood." Dayanna sheathed her sword, then pulled off her own shirt, tearing it into strips. "You'll bleed to death if I don't pull it out. But if I pull it out, it might be worse. You need priest magic. I don't have any more healing until sometime tomorrow. I gave you all I had this morning."

"S'okay," Beri mumbled. "Glad you're here."

"I found you and I'm not going to lose you again! So you better stay alive!" She dug into Beri's pack, looking for anything. Under all the wet clothing she pulled out a tinderbox.

"No fire," Beri protested. "Find us."

"If I don't make a fire, you will die for sure. Besides, if the bandages don't stop the bleeding, I'll have to try and cauterize the wound."

There was no response. Beri had passed out. 

Scouting around, dry wood was collected and in a short time, Dayanna had a small, smokeless fire burning. Gathering up more fallen branches, she added to the blaze. When it burned hot and bright, she moved to work on the wound. There was a chance the fire could be seen across the river, but it couldn't be helped. Beri needed warmth and food to stay alive and they were out of food.

Seeing Beri awake, Dayanna gave her water. "Beri?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to remove the bolt. I don't want to hurt you, but I must."

"Do it."

Tugging firmly, the bolt came free. Blood welled out and Dayanna pressed strips of cloth firmly into the wound. When the third bandage was soaked through, knew she would have to cauterize it. Neither one of them had any oil. Taking a deep breath, she heated her dagger in the fire. When it was hot, Dayanna pressed it against the wound. Beri stiffened, gasping. Choking on smoke and the smell of burnt flesh, Dayanna examined the site. Blood still oozed.

"Sweet Athena," Beri whispered, "that hurts."

Dayanna threw her arms around her and began to sob.

"Don't ... cry."

"I can't–I can't stop the bleeding!"

"Would've died .. this morning ... if not for you."

"Oh, Beri!"

"Hey, 'bout the oracle? Know we're aren't ... supposed to . . talk about it. Don't care. Said I'd die for love. Funny, huh? Dreamt I'd be saving you ... on some great quest. Like in the great stories."

Dayanna squeezed her tighter.

"Tell me, Dayanna! Please?."

"O–okay." Dayanna rubbed her eyes on her arms. "She told me I would have to choose between glory and true love."

"That all?"

"She said I'd meet a man, and I would know him without knowing him. She–she even told me his name."

"Women always .. giving up dreams ... for men and kids. Dunno. Maybe a quack."

"I don't think the oracle lied to you. You're dying in this blasted wilderness because I asked you to go with me. You came because you love me."

Beri smiled faintly. "'Okay. That's romantic."

Dayanna suddenly giggled. "Beri!"

"Lot of things .. don't know about me. Promise me?"

"Anything."

"Stupid wench! Not everyone loves you ... like I do." Beri coughed, and blood flecked her chin. "Sew a coin in my mouth when I die. Need the –"

"– coin for Charon, the ferryman, so you can pass into Elysium. I know. But I'll get you back to town! I have some jewelry from my parents. Enough to pay the priests to raise you from the dead."

Beri shook her head. "On foot. No food. Orcs'll come, hunting your sorry butt. Hades don't like giving up the dead. 'Sides, He don't like your church." She coughed again. "Heel of left boot has silver penny, needle and thread."

Dayanna stared, tears streaming down her face.

"Promise me!"

"I promise, Beri. I don't have to like it."

"Kiss me?"

Dayanna lifted Beri up and kissed her long and tenderly. When they broke, Dayanna cradled her.

Beri sighed. "S'good. You kept talking ... about the chance to die well. We kicked 'em good. You warn Sargossa. Give my death meaning. Have to survive, Sister. Have to."

The amazon grew weaker, closing her eyes. To keep her company as much as to console herself, Dayanna rocked her sister as she sang. Songs to Athena and Artemis she'd learned from Beri, and songs from her grandfather. When Beri gave a last ragged sigh, Dayanna tearfully sang from the Song of Death.

Like the Norse overlords of Sargossa, Ba'lorians burned their dead. Hellenes preferred earthen burial in a shroud. Without the coin, there was no passage across the Styx, condemning the soul to wander among the living as a ghost, knowing neither the hellfire pain of Tartarus nor the heavenly paradise of the Elysian Fields.

Dayanna kicked out the fire. Sobbing, in the tradition of her people, she smeared hot ashes over her face, hair, and body. The loss of a sister permitted the willful spilling of her own blood. She knew it was foolish, with the wolf-riders so close, but not doing it for Beri felt wrong, even cowardly. Using Beri's knife, Dayanna cut her palm. As the blood welled, she smeared it over the ash on her own face. In the final mark of grief, she hacked off her long raven braid.

Using both of their daggers, she dug a shallow grave into the damp earth. Her hands raw and aching, and palm bloody, she pulled Beri's blanket from the pack. Prying off the boot heel, she retrieved the coin, needle and heavy thread. Placing the penny in Beri's mouth, Dayanna sat, steeling herself for the agonizing task remaining. At long last, lips that had argued and yelled and loved were stitched closed.

The shorn braid and Beri's broadsword were placed in the hands of her dead sister. Dayanna wrapped her in the blanket, then dragged her into the trench. When the dirt mound was raised, exhausted in heart and body, she looked skyward. Birds, greeting the light of dawn, were beginning to chatter overhead.

Dayanna wiped her face, and looked skyward. "Athena, Artemis, and I guess Hecate, too. Great Ladies, I'm not one of yours. I beg you, please, look kindly on my sister, Beryl Silvanos–"

Far off, the hounds of war bayed. Answering howls, closer, echoed through trees gone silent.

"I know she wasn't the most pious of women," she continued, "but she was an amazon of brave and true heart, and – and I love her. Please, don't let them find my sister." The last part of her plea was too painful to speak aloud. So the dire wolves can't eat her. Before her soul makes it to Charon.

Grabbing Beri's pack, she dragged a fallen tree into the cold water, and climbed aboard for the long trip downstream to Sargossa.

# # #