Omnixius
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DKP 6-23 A secret, a truth, and two loves.
🕑 Added 2021-03-28 19:53:50 +0000 UTC“It is shameful,” Alayse remarked as Mingfe stood by impassively.
“You have come and made your request. I do not wish to engage in your many disagreements. Commander Thayle showed you a tremendous amount of respect by appointing you as her voice in meetings she can’t be present for. You should mind your tongue and show her the same respect, despite how you feel about her relationship.”
“She is the leader of the greatest army Ulustrah has ever fielded, and yet she bows to three masters. One who values her only for her body, the other as a toy, and the last as a child.”
Mingfe turned on her to point the spear and make her point.
“She doesn't bow to any master. She obeys her goddess, who told her to love this family with all her heart. Thayle plays her role expertly, loving them without condition or limit. To Gersius, she is a passionate wife, Lilly a treasure, and Sarah, a daughter according to the dragon way. She uses her skills to help them form a family with a true heart, as is the noble purpose of our order.”
Alayse didn’t look impressed and leaned against a tree with a huff. “Who are you to lecture me? You are a woman who was raised to your rank because it was convenient. I earned my place through trial and battle.”
Mingfe’s eyes flared with anger as her hands tightened on the shaft of her spear. Alayse was as disagreeable a woman as she had ever met, and her pride was wounded. She couldn’t tolerate being subordinate to a woman who had once been her lover, especially when those roles were once very much reversed.
“If you wish to find out why I command a company, I would be happy to show you,” Mingfe snarled. The smile that curled Alayse's lips told the story. That was exactly what the woman wanted. If a duel was her goal, Mingfe would give her a sound beating and put that ego back in its place.
“Why are you so angry?” a gruff voice asked as both women looked up to see Shadros approach, his tall, dark frame barely contained in the shirt and pants he wore. He had no boots on, preferring to walk barefoot even across rough ground, and his shirt tied at the bottom, the top open and blowing in the wind. He moved directly to Mingfe's side, his eyes glowing with a blue fire as he searched her face for an answer.
“And now your master has arrived,” Alayse laughed. “The women who lead this army like to bow to men.”
Shadros looked her way with a snarl and advanced a step before Mingfe put a hand on his shoulder.
“Do not let her goad you,” she urged.
“She should not speak to you in such a way,” Shadros replied and turned his gaze on Alayse. “She is the master in this relationship. I am bound to her, not the other way around.”
“And yet she melts in your presence and caters to your desires. I bet she beds you just as Thayle beds the other beasts in this camp.”
Mingfe wanted to rage at that comment but felt something strange over the bind with Shadros. It was a sort of happiness or pride at that remark being true. He valued their time together and longed for it so much that Alayse's statement only reminded him of his joy. The sensation made it hard to remain engaged as she turned back to Alayse to smile as she leaned into his chest.
“I know where my passions lie,” Mingfe said. “I would not deny him his meals.”
The look of disgust on Alayse’s face was all the reward she needed. The woman turned about and stormed away as Shadros put an arm around her waist and held her tightly.
“So you are a meal now?” he asked.
“I am what you need,” Mingfe replied. “I will make sure you are well-fed, especially after what you just did.”
“What are you talking about?” he replied defensively.
She turned in his arm and looked deep into those eyes that tried to look defiant. “You cannot hide the truth from me. Your words a moment ago betrayed your truth even if I could not see your aura.”
“What truth?” he said indignantly, dropping his arm.
“You put that right back,” Mingfe commanded and waited for his arm to return. “Now, grasp me tightly and tell me who I belong to.”
“What are you talking about?” he growled.
“You know full well what I am talking about,” she lashed back. “You just admitted to being bound to me with no shame and then felt pride in knowing you were bedding me. Tell me the truth. You feel as if I am yours, don't you?”
He tried to pull away, but she clung to him, pressing into his chest as she looked into those glowing eyes. Weeks of working on his heart were paying off, and sharing herself had finally born fruit. He valued their intimacy and hungered for more, he was going to admit it, or she would go back to throwing spears at him.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked, as she latched on to his shirt.
“Why are you refusing to tell me what I already know?” she said with a smile. “You have seen the nature of Lilly's relationship. Tell me, who does she belong to?”
He hesitated but eventually answered with the name Gersius. Mingfe nodded and leaned up to give him a gentle kiss before finally stepping away and turning her back on him. She wanted to give him a moment to think before she pressed her next question.
“Now, consider how I behave for you and tell me honestly which one of us belongs to the other.”
“But you hold the bind,” he said.
“Only because you want me to!” Mingfe snapped and turned back on him. “You can be free this very instant if you desire it. I keep it because you asked me to, and I want to honor you.”
He looked shocked and began to look around as if the thoughts going through his mind were too complex. “But that would mean you belong to me?”
“Do not say it as a question,” she insisted. “Speak it as a truth that you know deep inside. Tell me, to whom do I belong? To who do I give myself freely whenever he desires.”
Shadros stepped forward and put his hands on her arms, looking down into her eyes with an even wider smile. “You belong to me.”
“Yes,” Mingfe whispered. “Now, stop hiding how you truly feel. I grow tired of not being able to surrender to you fully. Tell me you want me as Gersius has Lilly. Tell me you want me to be your wife.”
He froze as his eyes began to tremble, a sensation of pain pushing at her from over the bind. She knew this was the great challenge, and the moment had finally come.
“But, Lilly is his wife because she –,”
“Because she loves him,” Mingfe finished as a torrent of vague feelings flooded over the binding. She wished her connection was as strong as Thayle's was so she could make sense of it, but she had a pretty good idea what it was.
“My mother,” he began.
“Said she loved you,” Mingfe replied. “The love a husband has for a wife is very powerful but different than that of a mother. No love is as great as that of a mother for her child.”
Tears began to form in his eyes as Mingfe felt his terrible pain.
“Now you know the truth,” she said. “You have begun to understand what your mother meant when she said I love you.”
He turned away, a sound of pain escaping his lips as she stepped up behind him.
“I am sorry you had to learn it this way,” Mingfe said as she wondered if it was safe to touch him. “But know this, I love you too.”
“Why?” he said without turning to face her.
“Because I know a great man when I see one. I know a strong heart that beats with deep passion. I know that I was born to be in your arms and help you understand.”
“You, you want to be my wife?” he said in a strained voice.
“Only if you can tell me honestly that you love me too,” Mingfe said. “It must flow both ways, or it will bring us great pain.”
“I didn't even understand what love was until now,” he struggled to say in a firm voice. “I am still not sure I understand it fully.”
“You are being exposed to a new emotion, and it is confusing you,” Mingfe said as she dared to put her hand on his shoulder. When he didn't react, she leaned into his back and wrapped her arms around his chest. “Let me bring you the same comfort Lilly brings him, and you will come to understand love in all its forms, depths, pains, and great joys.”
The silence that followed was tense, but finally, he nodded and spoke the words that made her smile.
“I love you,” he said. “I want you as mine.”
Mingfe felt her heart stir to hear his words and decided to strengthen their union.
“I am going to speak with Thayle and ask her and the high priestesses to pray to Ulustrah for me. I am going to ask them for the secret of my true name so that I can give it to you, and you can bind me.”
He turned in her arms as she leaned back to look up into his wet eyes.
“You want me to hold your bind?” he asked.
“Can I trust you with complete control of my heart?” she asked with a smile.
He cupped the back of her head to pull her into a hug. “I would never betray your trust,” he replied and looked skyward with a deep sigh and a sudden flood of what felt like an embarrassment.
“Why do you feel such?” she asked in confusion.
“Lilly is going to tease me,” he replied.
Mingfe started to laugh as he continued to worry about how Lilly was going to respond to the news.
“You have no one to blame for that but yourself,” Mingfe said between laughs. “But she will be happy for you as well. In a week, you will be more than at peace with this.”
“Does,” he began but faltered before chewing on a word. “Does this make you my wife?”
Mingfe smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him. “Yes, it does, my husband.”
He breathed deeply as she stepped back and straightened her armor. “Now, your tent is too small for the both of us. Go and move your things to my tent. From now on, we share one space.”
“And what are you going to do?” he asked.
She smiled and looked deeply into the camp. “I have to go and ask Thayle about my true name, oh, and tell her we need a bigger bed. I am sure she will find that most amusing.”
She walked off to let him swim in his thoughts and looked forward to whispering her true name in his ear.
“Unworthy!” Alayse shouted as she stormed into her section of the camp.
“Governess commander,” one of her captains began, but Alayse kicked a bucket to the side and continued to rant.
“None of them are fit to command. He tries to avoid bloodshed, the little dragon is more interested in kisses, and the red acts like a broody mother.”
“Commander I –,”
“What?” Alayse snapped and turned about. “What is it, Gisell?”
Her captain squared he shoulders and gestured with her head to the left. “You have a visitor.”
Alayse turned about, and only then did she see Jessivel, frowning from where he stood beside a wagon. He held a folded paper in one hand, creasing it with a clenched fist.
“You are careless with your words,” Jessivel said. “You should have more sense than to speak such thoughts so loudly.”
Alayse took a firm stand as she folded her arms and glared his way. “Why are you in my camp?” she demanded.
He stepped forward and held the paper out, a smile pressing his lips. “Your orders were given to me. I wanted to make sure you had them.”
“Why would you be given my orders?” she snapped and tore the paper out of his hand. With great annoyance, she turned away, pacing as she opened the letter.
“What? This is outrageous!” With the paper firmly in hand, she waved it in his face as she confronted him. “You had something to do with this!”
“I have nothing to do with it,” he replied. “Gersius wants our cavalry units to train together so we can work as one unit in the specified maneuver.”
“And which of is to command this one unit?” she demanded. “The order doesn’t say.”
“We aren’t combing, just working together,” Jessivel corrected. “Your women will still answer to you.”
“What does he hope to gain by this? Your horsemen are slower and poorly trained. You make better spies than you do soldiers,” she quipped. “I will have to adjust the timing of our charge to accommodate your lack of speed.”
Jessivel shook his head, the long hair framing his face as his scowl deepened. “Do you hate men, or are you just disagreeable to everything?”
Alayse finally smiled and snapped the letter up between two fingers. “I have made my life by my own hands and achieved great things. However, I have seen so many women who could have easily done the same turn away and chose to allow a man to make their life for them.”
“Maybe they didn't feel like being alone,” Jessivel pointed out. “Not everyone finds the life of an endless soldier appealing. Even Gersius doesn't want this life anymore, and he has been doing it a long time.”
“He is one of the greatest soldiers of our time, and all he cares about is ending wars and starting a family,” Alayse spat.
Jessivel stood impassive at her outburst, waiting for her to finish.
“There is no shame in a man or woman seeking the comfort of the other to raise a family. In fact, Gersius should be held up as an example of how the two working together creates a stronger whole.”
“I don’t need a man to lead me.”
“He doesn't lead them like a master over his house. He leads the way, and they choose to follow,” Jessivel replied. “All three of them are powerful in their own right and don't need him; they want him.”
Alayse rolled her eyes as she took a passive stance. “I will never understand why.
“How did you ever become a priestess of Ulustrah?” he asked.
Alayse looked insulted, her hand instinctively going to the hilt of her sword. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means for an order that focuses on love and the harmony of the home. You seem out of place. All you care about is earning glory in battle.”
“Isn’t that how Gersius did it?” she shouted back.
“So you're jealous of his accomplishments then?” Jessivel asked, his smile a hint wider.
Alayse tightened her grip for just a moment before taking a calming breath. “No, I simply wish to walk the same path. Do I not have the right to appreciate martial skill in battle?”
“Of course you do. I am told it was through a duel that Sarah came to open her eyes to her desires.”
“A duel?” Alayse repeated and looked to the letter in her hand. “Perhaps we can solve our problem the same way.”
Jessivel looked confused until she held up the letter.
“We duel for command,” she said. “The winner leads the formation in the attack on the city.”
“No,” Jessivel replied. “I agree you are right. One of us needs to lead this formation because you can't be trusted to work with me. I will ask Gersius to put me in charge, so there is a clear chain of command.”
“You!” she shouted. “I should be in charge! I have victories in dozens of battles and experience leading my company into tough fights.”
“Maybe, but your strategy is always the same, charge in blindly and kill everything in your path. Gesius’s plan calls for discretion and coordination, both tactics you lack.”
“What's the matter? Afraid you will lose to a girl?”
“You can’t goad me with so childish a lure, and I do not seek to prove myself,” Jessivel replied in a dry tone.
“Then you're not up to the challenge,” she said with a smile. “You are just a spymaster.”
“I have trained in the sword since I was a boy and been in the order since my early teens. I am more than capable with the sword and of beating you in a duel.”
“Then you have nothing to lose,” Alayse commented. “Except your pride.”
“He wants us to practice the maneuver listed in the orders, not waste time on your games.”
Alayse looked at a hand as if inspecting her nails, paying him no attention at all. “Then I suppose your forfeit.”
“I didn’t say that,” he replied.
“You refused the challenge for the right to lead, so you forfeit,” Alayse replied. “Or am I mistaken about your intentions?”
Jessivel nodded. “One hour, then we decide,” he replied and stormed away.
Alayse watched him go with a smile as Gisell stepped closer with a shocked expression.
“Was that wise?” she asked.
Alayse nodded as she watched him go, confident in her victory.
“No man has ever beaten me in combat,” Alayse said. “And I have fought warlords, desert raiders, and trained mercenaries.”
“This is a man from an order that prides itself on martial skill,” Gisell replied. “It is the leading reason why our soldiers always take higher losses in battle.”
“Our soldiers take higher losses because we outnumber them ten to one on the battlefield,” Alayse corrected. “We bear the brunt of nearly all the enemy's attacks.”
“Governess Commander, I fear you are being blinded by pride.”
Alayse took a moment to consider that thought and felt a sense of pain. “I wish to pray to the goddess for calm and guidance. Will that make you feel better?”
“It is not my place to question your mental state,” Gisell insisted. “I only worry that you will anger the camp's leadership.”
“Then pray yourself, and see if Ulustrah has anything to say about it. I swear on my faith I will yield to her will.
“As you command,” Gisell said with a bow and hurried off.
Alayse smiled wide as she dreamed of holding her sword to that man's throat as her entire company watched. This would prove once and for all who is fit to lead the armies. Thayle might have been chosen, but she would see the need to appoint Alayse as her second in command, much like Gams was for Gersius. Let Thayle be called the chosen of Ulustrah. Alayse would settle for the commander of her armies. With a bounce in her step, she headed for her tent; There was an event to dress for, after all.
Gams poured over letters and lists as the candles in his tent burned low. Reports from all over the region were flowing in. Not a single soldier of the Father Abbots was to be seen for miles. It was as if the old man had given up and admitted defeat, but Gams knew that was far from true. The enemy was at the tipping point, and open battle now favored Gersius. His only hope was the strength of the cities walls, but those walls were formidable.
One problem was finally dealt with, and it was having an overwhelming effect on the camp's morale. Thanks to the divines, the whole land was now aware who they supported, and all turned an angry gaze to Calathen. The reports told of towns attacking the temples of Astikar and driving away the few priests that remained. Militias or mobs were now protecting temples of Ulustrah, and nobody would openly admit supporting the false father. Gams was sure there were plenty who did still support the old man, money was always stronger than faith in the old houses, but they were smart enough to keep the secret. Even now, they would be plotting for advantage, seeing the Father Abbot's position as a means to earn favor by covertly supporting his hopeless cause. Once Gersius reached the city, they would wait to see who won, then openly support the winner. Eager to curry favor with the changing government.
That was what bothered him the most. The king who ruled Calathen and the surrounding lands was deposed and missing. He apparently stood against the order to arrest the women of Ulustrah and was promptly removed as an enemy to Astikar. Now that bastard son of a serpent Dellain sat on the throne as Emperor, staining the once-grand seat with the blood that poured from his hands. He and the Father Abbot were two of a kind, brutal men who would do anything to achieve goals, no matter the cost to others.
Calathen was now only three days hard march away, and the landscape was slowly becoming barren. Many people close to the city still trusted in the Father Abbot, and many towns saw significant portions of their populations flee to the city itself. They took livestock, and goods with them, swelling the city's supplies and securing it for a long siege. There wouldn't be a long siege if Gersius had his way. The man promised to take the city in one hour, but very little of his plan had come to light. The large dragons were now taking groups of soldiers up during the march. The goal was to condition them to fight from the dragon's backs, with bows and crossbows. The southern warriors were training them to lead targets while flying at great speed and making modifications to the saddles themselves so that thirty people could comfortably ride on a dragon's back in rows up and down the sides of the saddles.
He supposed it all made sense. The saddles were nearly ten feet wide and fifteen long. The riders were meant to sit on a raised ridge in the center, but additional people could be secured with straps and ropes. Those were easily added thanks to a series of metal rings that ran down the saddles to tie bags. In addition to all this, cages were being built a day's ride behind. Gersius would send the dragons to collect them in a day or so and use them to carry even more soldiers over the wall. He planned to deliver as many men by air as possible, but that plan would only go so far. Gams wondered how many dragons protected Calathen and how quickly they would be in the air to repel their war cages.
The city was never going to be taken from the sky, but that meant an assault on the gate itself. Here there was another plan at work, one that was every bit as confusing. Every cavalry unit they had was being combined into two formations and drilled in a single maneuver. The rest of the army was broken into three groups that would approach the city from three sides. A good strategy so the enemy couldn't focus all their firepower on one place, but the wall was strong on every side. Perhaps it was better to focus in one place and punch through. Why divide his strength and weaken those punches?
“Have you figured it out yet?” came a woman's voice as Channi entered the room, her dark hair pulled back as her eyes looked over his shoulder to the mass of dispatches.
“If you mean, have I figured out how he plans to get into the city? No,” Gams replied with a tired voice.
“He is wise to keep the secret so close,” she suggested. “We have many local people flooding our ranks. Some of them are sure to be spies, reporting on our preparations.”
“What preparations?” Gams laughed. “We aren't building siege engines, rams, towers, or even ladders. He has made no effort to prepare enough arrows for a protracted fight or establish a line of defense.”
“He doesn’t plan to have a protracted fight,” Channi replied and read a dispatch. “Nothing to report?”
“All of them are like that,” Gams replied. “Jessivels spies are reporting a strange silence across the land. It’s as if the people are sitting still and waiting for something to happen.”
“Something is about to happen,” she said and took a chair next to him. “Do you know why they are making the little blue one practice weaves?”
“No,” he replied. “But then she practices swordplay as well. Lilly is being trained in nearly every form of combat he or the others can teach her.”
“And what of the weavers and shapers? What role will they play in this conflict?”
“Aside from that fire weaver, the captured ones will make the cages and riders lighter to help the dragons carry them. They are also assigned to making four treasure wagons as light as possible.”
Channi wrinkled her nose at the mention of the treasure wagons. It was a sore spot in the army that so much wealth was being extracted from the people. Already some suggested Gersius was going to be another tyrant, but she didn't believe it. He wouldn't tell anyone why he was collecting the wealth, but he did speak with great sincerity when he said it was necessary. He kept the reason as secret as his plans for the battle, assuring them all it would make sense soon.
“He has his reasons,” Channi suggested and reached for a wine bottle to find it was already empty. “Drinking a little heavy tonight?”
“It keeps me awake,” Gams replied and looked at a map. Already three separate armies were moving apart to encircle the city. Soon blood would flow and make all their previous battles look easy by comparison. The Father Abbot's hopes were now placed in the unbreachable city never before invaded by man or beast. Gersius was planning to take that city in one hour, defying all logic and reason.
“He plans to lead the march on the golden gate,” Channi said.
“I know,” Gams replied. “He has given me detailed instructions on how to mix the faiths into a specialized formation for his attack. He’s even ordered the unarmed women into his formation. He has Chiune teaching them how to overlap their shield blessings as her company does to form bridges.”
“The walls are too high to form a ramp,” Channi suggested.
“He isn’t planning to use a ramp. He still plans to use that damn sword of Ulustrah to shatter the doors.”
“You don’t think it will work,” Channi suggested as she searched for another bottle on a nearby table.
“You have been to the city. Surely you have seen the golden gates. Even his dragons couldn't break those doors without a week to tear at them. The doors are covered in bronze plates. The fire breath will be useless.”
“I am aware of why they are called the golden gates,” Channi replied as she found a full bottle. “But he seems to think he can combine the power of Astikar’s sword with Ulustrah’s to boost the power and tear the gates from the walls.”
“Even if he could tear them down, the enemy has to know that's his plan by now. They will position every soldier they have right inside the gate, waiting for us to try and exploit the gap. No doubt every building in the plaza will be fortified, and barricades built all across.”
“Still, that seems to be his plan,” Channi offered before setting the wine before him on the table. “I wonder if that's why he wants those formations so precisely formed. He might be planning to use the priest's ability to combine blessings and add to the effect.”
Gams laughed as she poured them both a glass and sat beside him, taking a sip as he pondered the thought.
“I don’t know how he plans to form such a precise and focused combined blessing with all hell reigning down on him. He is going to have to get close enough for the defenders to throw stones at him, let alone the blessings, arrows, weaves, and the siege equipment they will no doubt be using.”
“And dragons,” she reminded. “We know they have several of them.”
Gams nodded and picked up his glass, swirling the wine as he stared into the crimson surface. Soon the land would run red with blood deeper than his glass, and the end would come one way or the other.
“General Gams,” a voice cried as a soldier ran into the tent. “There is something you need to see before it gets out of hand.”
“Out of hand?” Gams said as he looked to Channi, who downed her wine and got up.
“Come on, old warmonger,” she said as she headed for the door. “You're needed once again.”
Gams got up to follow her out as he heard a chorus of cheers in the distance.
“What in the blazes is going on, man?” he asked as they left the tent. The soldier quickly turned to lead them into the camp as shouts and cheers rose from the distance.
“It's a fight, sir,” he said. “One of special importance.”
“Special importance how?” Games barked as he grew irritated and saw masses of people gathering in the distance.
“It is High Seeker Jessivel and Governess Commander Alayse,” he said as Gams and Channi exchanged another worried look.
“I told you she was trouble,” Channi said. “Thayle even suggested she be removed.”
“Gersius didn't want to dishonor her by removing her from command,” Gams grumbled and charged ahead. “Besides, she is a tough and ruthless leader. Just what he needs in the coming fight. How in the bloody blazes did Jessivel of all people end up crossing swords with her?”
Channi shrugged as they reached the edge of the crowds to see they formed a wide ring where the two combatants were going toe to toe in a battle that did not at all look friendly. Alayse dashed about aggressively, slashing with great skill while keeping her shield high. Jessivel fought with a great sword, using the weapon's reach to force her back and make blocking with her shield risky.
“Soldier, go and find Governess Commander General Thayle,” Gams barked to the man who led them here. “Tell her I need her assistance here immediately.”
The man saluted and ran off as Gams pushed his way through the crowd, ordering the masses to part until he could reach the ring.
“What is the name of the divines do you two imbeciles think you're doing!” he shouted as he broke into the ring, bringing the battle to a sudden halt.
“She challenged me to a fight for command,” Jessivel replied with a nod to his opponent.
“For the command of what?” Gams demanded and turned his gaze on Alayse.
“I don’t answer to you,” she asserted but Gams wasn’t about to play her game.
“Your commander-general has placed her army under Gersius, and I have been appointed head over the whole thing. I choose who leads the formations and special assignments, now answer me, what are you shaming yourself to prove?”
Alayse looked annoyed at his outburst but snapped to attention and bowed slightly. “We are dueling to see who will command the combined cavalry formation.”
Channi tried to hold in a laugh as Gams went speechless and looked to Jessivel, who nodded she was being truthful.
“What? You are being combined for a single maneuver. After that, you're to move on to separate objectives. This whole thing is a farce!”
“I tried to explain that to her, but she refuses to see reason,” Jessivel replied. “She has a terrible temper.”
“You mind your tongue!” Alayse snapped. “One of us has to command the formation until the city is breached.”
“Fine, Jessivel commands it,” Gams said in a voice of finality. “I will not have two of my sub-commanders tearing each other apart over a single maneuver!”
“I think Ulustrah’s champion should have something to say about this,” Alayse countered.
“Oh, I have so much to say,” Thayle said as she arrived in the clearing with Mingfe at her side. She strode to the center and joined Gams in, staring down the two combatants. “You have no idea what you just interrupted me from,” she said and glanced back to Mingfe, who looked thoroughly annoyed. “Unlike you, I still do the loving work of Ulustrah instead of seeking petty conflicts to prove my worth.” Alayse went to speak, but Thayle held up a hand to silence and continued to berate her. “All these years, and you haven't softened a bit. Your anger and pride have always been your downfall, and now you can't stand that I was chosen to lead the armies over you.”
“You ran from your posting and position,” Alayse said. “You choose to be a country priestess in a tiny temple when you could have lead a full company in glorious battle. Why of all the warriors of Ulustrah were you chosen to lead her armies?”
Thayle nodded as the pain in Alayse's aura began to flare, and for the first time in years, she felt pity for the woman.
“I was chosen because Ulustrah doesn’t want soldiers. She wants loving hearts that yearn to share the gift of a love's sweet embrace. She wanted a woman who knew how to fight but only did so if absolutely necessary. She wanted a woman who would look for the loving solution first and resort to bloodshed only when every other option was exhausted. She wanted a woman who shared her qualities to carry that forth into the darkest places so that the healing might begin. You lack all of that, Alayse, and thus you were not chosen.
“You and I could have been lovers,” Alayse said in a broken voice.
“You didn't want a lover, Alayse. You wanted a servant. I tried to break through that exterior of yours, but you used your bloodlust to build a wall around your heart even I couldn't breakthrough. You treated me with all the worst qualities of a possessive man, never appreciating the gift of my heart. You are guilty of everything you condemn men for. It’s a wonder Ulustrah still answers your call.”
It was clear in the way Alayse’s head fell that those words stung her deeply. Her sword tip fell to the ground as Thayle wondered if removing her from command was the only way forward.
“Before you make that decision, you near to hear what I have just been told,” Mingfe whispered into her ear.
Thayle, Gams, and Channi turned to see Mingfe had joined them and motioned them to step aside. She led them halfway back to the crowds stopping them short to whisper.
“It would appear several of Alayse's women have prayed about her. They feel her pride is blinding her.”
“She is blind,” Gams said. “This duel is just a show to prove her skill and right to lead.”
“Her company would agree,” Mingfe said. “So they prayed, and Ulustrah answered them.” She turned and waved to a group of five women who stepped forward with nervous expressions. “Tell her what you told me.”
One of the women bowed nervously and spoke for the group, relaying a story that shocked the listeners.
“We were shown a vision of Alayse riding her horse toward the city at great speed. Then beside her came a dark man, and the light of love began to flow between them. The vision suddenly changed to you, laying a crown of white petal on her head as you married them.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Gams asked as Channi ribbed him.
“Come on, you’re not that old,” Channi laughed.
Thayle looked to Mingfe for support, but she too was smiling wide. With the idea that somebody might be able to temper the fire that was Alayse and marry her in mind, she asked the next logical question.
“Was there some indication to whom this dark man is?”
The women began to giggle and smile as the speaker nodded. “He is to be revealed by defeating her in a duel.”
Thayle looked back to the two combatants waiting near the center as a smile spread wide over her face.
“This is as fitting a punishment as that women could ever be given,” Mingfe said. “First publicly beaten and placed under him in command. He will break her like a wild horse, then she will grow to love him.”
“I have to say I approve of it as well,” Thayle said.
“A public fight between commanders is bad business,” Gams replied. “They are supposed to be an example of discipline and leadership.”
“I agree with your assessment, but the goddess has ordained this fight must happen. They must be allowed to finish it,” she said and turned back to the combatants. She took a deep breath and spoke loudly so all gathered could hear. “As the champion of Ulustrah, I have decided to bless this duel and accept its outcome. Whoever wins will be placed in command of all cavalry forces. They will lead the combined army for the duration of the attack on the city.”
Jessivel looked shocked, but Alayse smiled as she looked up.
“You are giving me permission to continue?”
“Isn’t it what you want?” Thayle asked. “I hope you’re up to the challenge.”
“A man has never defeated me,” Alayse said with a salute.
Thayle nodded and turned away, moving to join Mingfe and the others.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Alayse called.
“I have something more important to do,” Thayle replied. “Besides,” she added with a glance back and a wide smile. “I already know how this ends.”
Comments
WhiteRabbit
Getting close to the big battle... :)
Sorry this was late. I have medial problems that are making it hard to sit and write for long durations. I will keep them coming though. The walls of Calathen are near.
