The air of celebration was absent in the Regent’s Receiving Room. Also absent were courtiers privy to the grim report on the enemy’s movement told by a bruised and battered N’Sisi, Champion of Palm. Regent Agozi, Princess Meru and Minister Namba looked on with concern as the renowned warrior quickly drew images in the sand at the request of the Montsho Banga.
“Mazi, the enemy column moves towards us on three fronts! At the head of each column are strange devices shaped like scaffolds, but are much larger and heavier. They move towards us on great wheels!”
The Valley Knight looked up from the sand table to those present as N’Sisi quickly drew. Her initial strokes with the drawing stick confirmed her description as he recognized the images of Siege Engines! The drawings depicted a large wheeled ‘battering ram’, a large crossbow and siege tower. During his years at war, the Knight saw such engines in action against fortified cities and the horror they could wreak.
Just as the god Qatula chastised him about giving the people of Palm the power of Bronze weapons many centuries before they would have discovered it naturally, the Red Spirit too had given the Tenaree’ terrible weapons of war far ahead of their time! That the Tenaree possessed neither horses nor any other draft animals to speed the transport of both the army and their engines would give the people of Palm time. It wouldn’t be much, but it would have to do.
“How many days march are the Tenaree from the city?” asked the Knight pointedly.
Looking up from her drawings the warrior N’Sisi replied, “Three Mazi. The forest impedes their path. They cut down trees and make additional weapons as the army moves forward.”
Pointing with his blue glass tipped scepter Regent Agozi queried, “Do you know what these things are Montsho Banga? Why would the Tenaree bring such contraptions to bear upon our city? With the new improvements you’ve made to our fortifications, we can keep them at bay indefinitely!”
The Valley Knight put forth great effort to not sigh with concern at the Regent’s unfounded certainty. This was all new to the people of Palm. How to explain the escalation of siege warfare to people unaware of the concept, but would soon experience it without causing a panic gave the Knight pause.
It was at that moment Chief Svengald, his son Little Fish and the young Aesir Mjarga were announced as they entered the reception room. As the trio approached the sand table, the Valley Knight recognized the better way to inform the Regent of the coming peril.
After kneeling in recognition of the Regent and Princess, Minister Namba beckoned the trio to the table.
“Now that those persons you requested are here Montsho Banga, can they help shed light upon this new threat?”
“Yes, Kimoni they can. First I must call upon my son’s and the young woman’s power.”
The Knight saw the quizzical looks on Fish and the Chief’s faces from the Minister’s question. Pointing to the sand drawings, he spoke in the Aesir tongue so Mjarga would also understand.
“These drawings are of siege engines the Tenaree will bring forth in the coming battle no more than three days hence. Battering Ram, Ballista and Siege Towers will be brought to bear upon this city. The ballista alone would give us serious trouble, especially since the Tenaree will use fire-based projectiles hurled at and over the walls into Sea City.
If I explain to these people who have never seen such warfare how bad it will be, they will panic and it will be impossible to defend the city. Little Fish, Mjarga, I need you two to give them a glimpse of what they will face. I will then give them options to prepare for the coming battle. We must maintain their confidence or the entire endeavor is lost.”
Little Fish was off balance for a moment at his father’s request. He never participated in such a war, but had seen it during his secret jaunts from the Valley Realm to other worlds down the ‘Dark Road’. He knew Mjarga had not participated either in so terrible an endeavor, but she’d no doubt seen such a thing in her visions.
Having seen his God-Mother the Priestess project her thoughts into visual representations during his ‘lessons’ as a child, Little Fish knew it could be done through the power of the Fishscale Necklace. He recognized his father’s knowledge of Mjarga being more capable seeing the future than he, so it made sense to combine their abilities to fulfill the request.
Mjarga seemed to realize what needed to be done and made no protest as he gently guided her in front of him. Placing one hand on her back at heart level and the other upon her neck just below her head, Little Fish felt the Fishscale burst with energy as it passed between them!
Mjarga felt the bolt of power flood her body first in searing pain and just as sudden, with electrifying confidence and certainty at a level she’d never felt possible! So this was how Little Fish felt all the time? They were connected beyond their love for each other she realized. Mjarga knew before she ever met Little Fish they were connected, but to feel the depth and breadth of the connection surpassed time itself was overwhelming!
All she experienced flashed past Mjarga in less time than an eyeblink. She understood it all and that made it child’s play to peer beyond the curtain of time to reveal that which would come in three days. Opening her eyes, they were filled with red light from the Fishscale. As she spread her arms out over the sand table, her voice took on the tone of the gods.
“Behold that which is to come people of Palm!”
Over the sand table appeared a flash of red light. Within its glow appeared to be the view of the Palm forest when looking from the city walls. Great billowing clouds of dark smoke rose to the sky as plumes of ash blighted the once verdant forest. The remaining natural barrier of trees burst into flames and fell in a hail of shards and splinters. Emerging from the smoke flew balls of fire arcing over the expanse of sand, tree stumps and sharpened stakes placed to hinder the Tenaree Horde from charging the raised city bridge.
At the edge of the burning forest stood thousands of Tenaree and their bound captives arranged as a protective barrier against archers on the walls. The Horde beat their hide and wicker shields with their weapons while waiving the severed heads of their victims like children’s play toys. Behind them, a great vortex of flame and smoke arose. Suddenly a pair of eyes made of red flame appeared within the vortex and all present heard a voice like the sound of roaring flames!
“Look to the future all you wish little witch and your godling paramour! This is the future that awaits. There is nothing you can do, no action you can take and no magic you can employ will prevent all that is to come! All of Palm’s lands will fall to the might of the Tenaree! Your men and boys will be enslaved and murdered. Your women and girls will suckle generations of Tenaree warriors! Stay and I will turn you both into my thralls to do my bidding for the next thousand years. Run! Run while you still can….”
The image and light abruptly winked out and Mjarga fell backwards into Little Fish’s arms. The Valley Knight expected something like this to happen with there being two near divine beings in such close proximity. He also expected the looks on Agozi, Meru and Namba’s faces having seen both a vision of the future and hearing the Red Spirit’s dire threat against their defense of Sea City.
“I know it looks bad Kimoni, but we have seen the Tenaree’s battle plan.”
Regent Agozi wasn’t having it.
“Montsho Banga! What can we do against such power? Never have we seen such devices for war! Flames thrown like falling stars upon this city will burn everything to ground!”
Before the Regent could pull the others into panic, The Knight intervened.
“Kimoni, did I not save you from the Tenaree when all seemed lost?”
As if reaching for any avenue of hope, Agozi grabbed the Knight’s hands amid the protests of Minister Namba.
“Yes my son you did!”
“Kimoni, did I not help you defend this city from the Tenaree as they attempted to infiltrate by mingling with the many refugees begging for our aid?”
Nodding emphatically, Agozi replied, “Yes, yes you did!”
“Kimoni, does not the new Army of Palm now have warriors trained, equipped and armed better than the Tenaree with my and your champions help?”
Minister Namba’s eyes narrowed for he did not like where this line of thought was going.
“Yes it does!”
With a slight bow of his head, the Valley Knight looked the Regent squarely in the eyes with iron fortified resolve.
“Kimoni…‘Baba’, believe me when I say these things are not new to me. Terrible as siege engines may be, we can protect the people of this city from them and make the Tenaree pay in blood for every inch they draw closer to this city. I will not allow anything to happen to your daughter and legacy. Do you believe me Baba?”
Tears rolled down the Regent’s eyes as he firmly gripped the Knight’s hands.
“Do what you must to save our people…my son!”
Regent Agozi placed his hand upon the Knight’s black scarfed head in blessing and then turned to leave followed by his guards. Looking up the Knight stared into the emotionless eyes of Minister Namba for a moment and then watched him turn to catch up with the ruler of Palm.
Princess Meru stood by for several heartbeats looking at the Knight and those at the sand table. Her attendants made to have her withdraw, but she held up her hand to stop them.
Little Fish and Chief Svengald took in the painted dark beauty as she stepped closer to the Valley Knight. Surprisingly, he bowed to her and to follow custom they both did so as well. Both men felt there was something terribly familiar about the young woman, but it eluded them.
“Montsho Banga, thank you for bringing your people to help us in our time of need.”
Before the Knight could reply, the Princess looked to Little Fish still cradling the unconscious Mjarga.
“Will she recover ‘Lumumba’? Please give the young Amoosu my thanks for showing us what is to come. We are grateful for your power being lent to us.”
Little Fish was somehow humbled by the Princess’ presence and her words of thanks. He found himself bowing his head without question having been called ‘Gifted One’ and Mjarga ‘Great Witch’.
It was then the Princess addressed Palm’s Champion, N’Sisi.
“Champion N’Sisi, you have suffered greatly to bring us news of the enemy. Come, let my attendants cleanse your wounds and take your rest once more in my chambers.”
There came an odd hush within the receiving room as those around the table and the Princess waited for N’Sisi to respond. The Champion bowed her head and averted her eyes when she responded.
“Ade Meru, I thank you for your benevolence. As one of your champions and hands of the Montsho Banga, it would be more appropriate to be tended among my troops. Forgive me, but I cannot accept your kindness.”
The Valley Knight saw the mercurial look of disappointment flash across Princess Meru’s blue-painted face. Upon his arrival and for the weeks after, despite both their duties the pair were nigh inseparable. In the last few days, something changed between them. To the Knight’s mind, whatever the issue driving a wedge betwixt the women could mean trouble for everyone.
“Very well my Spirit-Sister. I wish you speedy recovery and strength for the coming defense of our country. Thank you Montsho Banga for sparing me these moments.”
The Knight and those at the table bowed deeply as the Princess left. Turning to N’Sisi, he saw the look of hardness remained on the warrior’s face.
“Champion, thank you for your report. We have much to prepare for. Take leave to see to your injuries and then your troops.”
Giving the salute of striking her chest popularized by the arrival of the Great War Chief, N’Sisi left the receiving room.
Chief Svengald waited until only the guards outside the door and the Knight’s man Sadiki were the only others present beside those at the table. Clearing his throat, the Chief spoke in the Aesir tongue.
“What in Niffelheim was that about?”
“I’m not certain Chief, but it does give me pause. More important is coming up with a plan to deal with the approaching army and the goddess my damn fool son managed to piss off.”
Little Fish looked up to say something but was stopped by his father’s eyes looking from him to Mjarga cradled in his arms.
“Uhm, I’ll take Mjarga back to her room. The attendants will look after her until she wakes up.”
The Chief looked at him with the same stern look his father gave. With the dark green silk patch over his eye, the look seemed harder than usual.
“Thank you for your help today son. We will require both you and Mjarga to do what needs to be done here to save your God-Mother. Meet the Chief and me in the main barracks hall for the evening meal. There is much to do in the next two days.”
Surprised at his father’s praise after being chastised, Little Fish nodded and carried Mjarga off to her room.
The Valley Knight looked away from his departing son to see Svengald’s good eye upon him.
“What?”
“Since I encountered ‘Sir Fish’, I ‘see’ far better than I used to. I now understand why we are here and what we must do. You haven’t told these people what must come to pass have you brother?”
The Knight rested his hand on his sword pommel then hooked a thumb in his wide sash. He gave a sigh and returned the hard stare back at his brother-in-arms.
“No Svengald I have not. Besides, I do not know all the details of what happened…will happen here. I only know what must happen to protect my wife, the Valley and Aesir peoples. What have you told your tribesmen about what we are to do here?”
Svengald scratched at his beard for a moment before replying.
“Whooo! Well, I told them there would be ‘spoils’. Ghilda wants to fight, take spoils and return to Aesirfjord as do the others. I did tell her some of where I’ve been and she is interested, but she wants to go home first.”
“So you haven’t told her or the others how deep in the past we are and the Aesirfjord she knows does not exist…yet?”
“Absolutely not! How far back are we anyway?”
“From what my son says, it’s about one thousand years before we met Mjarga’s father in what was Vanirland.”
The Chief’s face went blank.
“I am not going to tell Ghilda or anyone else that!”
The Knight managed a smile and then sighed.
“Come my brother. We have a great deal to do before the evening meal. Your people need to finish getting arms and armor and we must get this city prepared for a siege in barely more time than it takes to say so!”
As they left the room with Sadiki in tow the Chief queried, “A thousand years eh?”
“Yes Chief. A thousand years. That should be more than enough time to explain everything to your wife….”
****
© 2017 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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