For the first time during his manhood did the Knight feel the deep chill of fear. The god's tone of voice suggested the darkest of evils though he spoke with a calm whisper. By tightening his grip on the mighty weapon, the Knight fortified his courage despite his deep desire to flee in terror! Knowing he could not let Qatula become aware he knew him, the Knight gave forth his reply. "There is no mischief Great God. I simply stand watch over the Goddess as bidden. If you would but wait bare moments mighty one, she will emerge and tell you herself."
The Knight knew this wasn't going to go well. From beneath the cloud-like gray cloak, the god drew a short sword of strange design yet was made of the same unknown black metal as the weapon he carried for thirteen years. Qatula said nothing yet the Knight knew his silence spoke volumes. 'There was no getting out of this', thought the Knight. With his free hand, he placed the half-skull mask over his face and fluidly went into his fighting stance. Those red eyes narrowed within the hood's black void and the god said, "As I thought. We meet again... Death."
Before he could process his dismay, the world around him slowed to near stillness. Qatula was upon him at what seemed to be normal speed, but was still faster than anyone the Knight ever fought! No doubt through the power of the mask, the Knight could move fast enough to block the brilliant attacks of a god as if fighting a mortal man! Despite the onslaught, a wry grin crawled across his face. Secretly, he had wanted to test himself against so great an opponent and now....
The Knight's battle hardened abilities suddenly came to the fore and he no longer fought defensively. Wielding the Goddess' spear, he executed a series of spinning blocks followed by a flurry of slashes and thrusts coming from multiple angles. However, Qatula dodged or blocked them all. A sudden lull in the duel came as their weapons clashed. Even with the power of the mask aiding him, Qatula held the War Spear at bay with one hand and no seeming effort.
"You are not Death. Many times have we fought and we know each other intimately. You are merely a mortal whom Death favors. How odd." It was all the Knight could do to hold the clash while Qatula moved not a muscle. Grunting while doing his best to hold the Knight replied, "I would have told you as much had you asked!" Leaning in closer Qatula retorted, "Humor? You are confident enough mortal to crack-wise in this situation? Do you recognize that regardless of your obvious skill, you are far beyond the realm of the mortal?" "It had occurred to me...." The god blinked those red eyes once and laughed with a mirth better suited for an executioner.
"I see why she didn't kill you. You're one amusing motherfucker." With one fluid move, the god spun out of the clash and struck the Knight across his back. The maneuver whirled the Knight around and he looked upon the glowing form of the Priestess as she emerged from the ball of amber light. Seeing him look upon her before she'd told him to made her scream, "NO!" Her godly power had not been completely sealed within the mortal shell. There was nothing she could do as it began to consume him!
The Knight burst into flame and the skull mask began to crack. The Priestess' screams shook the boulder they stood upon and the Knight lost his footing. As he pitched over the edge, the last thing he saw was the Priestess grab the spear as it fell from his grasp and ram it through the body of Qatula pinning him to the bouldertop. Amidst a great burst of lightning, the Knight fell from the top of the dam as a ball of flame. tumbling through the air, he saw the alternating pattern of sky and rocks rushing to meet him. In the moments he had left, the Knight had no regrets.
It was apparent he was the husband Qatula had killed. Though she would endure hundreds of years alone, eventually, people would come to the Valley as life bloomed bringing the Goddess his one day wife, thousands of years of happiness and purpose. Best of all, they would meet for the first time again and again for all time. The Knight prepared himself and realized Death would have him at last. There was a sudden bone shattering impact, then blackness.
White light grew before him and the doorway to the afterlife lay just ahead. A shapely dark arm reached through from the other side gently beckoning. The Knight reached out and took the offered hand ready to serve at Death's beck and call. Instead, he was hauled bodily onto a beach at late sunset. The bright white light came from the fish scale necklace worn by the Priestess. "Got you!" said his relieved wife.
Laying in the Priestess’ arms with her green dress soaked the stunned Knight stammered, "B-but h-how? I died! Qatula and your power killed me." Taking away the remaining piece of the shattered Half-skull mask stuck to his face the Priestess scolded, "How exactly would one die when protected by Death?" "You have a point... Wife." "I always do Husband." "Am I ever going to win an argument with you?" Smiling and with tears filling her eyes the Priestess replied, "You did once. A very long time ago." She then kissed him like she hadn't done so in thousands of years.
Like a bucket of cold water came a very familiar voice from on the beach. "Okay you two, break it up! The evening meal is ready and we're not going to wait for you." Qatula in his guise as a prime-aged man stood beside another familiar looking man of similar age. He wore a fish scale necklace like the one Little Fish possessed and the Knight recognized him as the Gatebringer. "Is that...?"
The Priestess put a gentle hand over his mouth and whispered, "Yes, that is Little Fish... the Man. You have much to discuss with your son's." As the Knight formed his lips to question, an excited and very youthful Little Fish along with the Aesir Chief in tow came barreling down the beach toward them screaming his name over and over. Though Death's gift had protected him, he still felt like he just took a beating from a god! Little Fish jumping on him and the multiple crushing hugs from the Chief were of no help to his condition. However as he walked up the beach with his 'family' and saw the gorgeous spread of local foods laid out on a bed of broad leaf palm fronds, The Valley Knight felt pretty damn good.
"Thanks for coming to my rescue Wife." The words resonated with the Priestess and in all seriousness she replied, "You came to mine twice that day. I owed you. Besides, you are my beloved Knight and protector. I would not be much of a wife if I didn't rescue you once in a while." With another kiss planted on the side of her head, his arm around her shoulder, she watched the Chief carry Little Fish upon his shoulders. The adult Little Fish scowled at Qatula and her beloved and oft hated second husband smiled that razor-toothed grin at them all. This was the Priestess' idea of heaven.
As they sat down to eat the elder Little Fish with the help of his younger and unknowing self, unwrapped the tuna which had baked under the sand all day. There was a wonderful smell which filled the Priestess' nostrils. The sight of the tender cooked flesh and stuffing of crabs along with other delectable sea creatures mixed with coconut, made her mortal mouth drool with anticipation.
Sunrise would mark the end of the fifth day she granted the Chief to undergo his quest. He had succeeded in not only finding and helping his men return home, he had given her the excuse needed to ensure the existence of the Valley and all who lived there. Unfortunately, this idyllic scene would not last. In saving himself, the Chief broke three of the conditions the elder Little Fish put in their agreement. Each transgression would soon lead to grave consequences for the Chief, his people and those who lived in the Valley.
Little Fish was now set upon the path which would lead him to both great power and even greater sadness. As for her husband's fate, she had carried the secret of their very first encounter for three thousand years. She could easily peer through the fog and look into the swirling currents of time, yet chose not to. She had to wait thousands of years to be with him again. Every second she spent with him and her growing family was a gift.
Her only regret was her child Aduni. Born from the rape of the mortal woman's body, Aduni shared a part of the Priestess' power until her lust for supremacy forced her to banish the semi-divine child. Though she held a mother's grief, It was in a deep and far off place within her. At least the Knight had the opportunity to pass his blood on through Little Fish and would have the opportunity to help raise his son.
No matter the trials to come, life was good. Her husband's offer allowed the goddess she was the rare opportunity to take up mortal life once more. She had taken it gladly and intended to enjoy it long as possible. The Knight held out the first broad palm leaf loaded with food as was customary for an honored guest. His eyes lit by the roaring fire her young husband said, "For you my love. Without you, there would be no 'us'."
"Well said Caretaker!" barked Qatula as he handed them both a half coconut filled with the Chief's honey meade. "Hey! snapped the Chief. The god sat down and said, "You have good taste in husbands wife. Oh and anytime you want a rematch junior, let me know. Don't forget, you still owe me a drink." Smiling as she held the cup the Priestess warned, "It may be unwise for you to offer such a challenge. He just might beat you next time...."
There was a sudden thick silence and then the Priestess burst into laughter followed by all. She downed the cup and dug into her meal as her husband whispered, "Speaking of unwise, Qatula mentioned it is best not to allow you to get drunk." Giving the Knight a big fish oily kiss on the cheek she replied, "Come now, I am a goddess in mortal form. How bad could it be?"
The End
© 2011 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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