with the 'writing on the fly' style, I haven't edited or done a hard
spell-check on it. Took about three hours to write. I haven't even read
it yet so tell me what you think.
AN AGREEMENT OF ANCIENT ENEMIES by H. Wolfgang Porter
The morning sun filtered in through the gauze curtains to gently caress
the dark bronze skin of the sleeping woman and her husband. A
particularly persistent sun ray seemed to mischievously follow the
woman's closed eyelid no matter which way she shifted. Angrily, she
awoke and placed her hand over her eyes. Giving an angry groan at being
awakened so after finally getting getting back to sleep soured the
pleasant feeling she had. Now fully awake, a sudden but pleasant ache
grew between her legs was the remnant of her husband's earlier
'awakening'. With a great stretch, the woman then sat up at the edge of
their sleeping arrangement and looked out past the blowing curtains. For
a moment, she thought how pleasant it was living this way with her new
husband. Looking back at the sleeping man she thought, 'Of course he can
sleep now!' Giving him a gentle caress as not to wake him, the woman
got up and went to the window.
Right away, she knew something was odd. Moving aside the curtains the
woman cast her near black eyes over the sprawling farmlands dotted with
adobe and thatch covered homes. Today was an important day as it was the
last day of spring and the fields would be irrigated for the last time
this season by raising the gates of the great dam. However, there were
no voices raised in expectation of the Watering Ritual or the festival
to occur afterward. No parents, with their exuberant children passed her
home on the nearby road on their way to the dam. No pilgrims bearing
offerings to the great Goddess of the Lake nor the Mountain God who
watched over this fertile oasis in the vast desert surrounding it. In
fact, no birds sang nor insect buzzed about their normal activities. All
that existed outside was the sound of the growing wind.
Quickly, the woman shook her husband awake and gathered her everyday
robe. Waking with a start the woman's husband asked, "What is it?"
Seeing the concern on her face, he immediately grabbed his tunic and
sandals. Just as she tied closed her robe came a frantic banging at
their door. The husband with sword and shield at the ready opened the
door to see an out of breath youngster startled by his sudden
appearance. "What brings you here boy?" Still winded and frightened the
boy replied, "S-sir Knight! T-the s-strangers have gone t-to the
mountain! The Elders beg for the Priestess' to come before they awaken
it!"
Suddenly, the Knight felt the presence of his wife behind him and stood
aside as she came forward. "So the Aesir against the Elder's many
warnings have gone to the mountain to seek the 'Glowing Stones'?"
Falling to his knees the boy replied, "Yes Priestess they have!" Without
having to be told, the Knight grabbed the Great War Spear hanging over
the doorway and rushed past to get their mounts. The Priestess placed a
gentle hand upon the boy's sweaty shaved head and said, "Child, get you
and anyone you pass in the village to the Dam. It will be the safest
place should the Mountain God be awakened. Hurry!" Giving her hand the
customary kiss, the boy flew down the walk and out onto the road.
The majority of the Valley Folk surrounded the strange fur-clad and
hairy pale-skinned strangers who called themselves the Aesir. They were
sea travelers who said they were blown off course by a great tempest and
had found the valley after a hazardous march through the desert. For
several weeks they had been welcomed amongst the folk long as they did
not ascend the Mountain over watching the Valley. However, two of the
Aesir's younger members along with a youth from the Valley Rim had found
a small cache of the yellow 'Glowing Stones' that occasionally wash
down from the Mountain after the Ten-year Rain. Not satisfied with what
they found, they decided to ascend the Mountain and search for the
source of the stones. Now the Valley Elders stood angrily arguing with
the Aesir Chief and his men at the foot of the Mountain as dark clouds
formed high above.
It was then at the point of the argument when both sides drew weapons
that the crowd of angry villagers parted for the two horse mounted
riders. Over the growing wind the Knight shouted, "Stay your weapons!"
Upon the command, the Elders immediately complied. Surprised at how
quickly the locals backed off at the presence of this lone man and
woman, the Aesir Chief went with caution and signaled his men to hold.
Looking at the somewhat shorter but powerfully built man carrying a
hammered iron shield and a spear with a blade long enough to stab a man
in the chest then stick out his arse, also gave him pause. The main
thing raising the Chief's hackles was the man's near black eyes. He had
seen eyes like that on many a battlefield. They were the cold
emotionless ones of a man who would fly into the face of a dragon
without hesitation. Killing men in great numbers meant nothing to the
possessor of such eyes. The Chief sheathed his sword and gave the
command to his men to do so as well.
Again the Aesir Chief was surprised for the Warrior stood aside and the
most striking of women stood before him. Her head was crowned with a
shining cascade of thin black braids that would make a raven envious.
Her face was an exotic combination of soft yet chiseled features with
full lips. Skin the color of fine aged leather covered a shapely frame
that could not be hidden by the simple white-linen robe she wore. The
mere sight of her caused his loins to rouse abruptly! In a gentle yet
authoritative voice the woman addressed him. "I give greetings to you
Chief of the Aesir travelers. I am the Priestess of this land and have
come to ask why are you and your people at this place when you were
strictly warned against it?"
The Chief's hackles ruffled at the thought of being addressed so by a
woman, but he had endured such things in his own land with the Witches
of his tribe. Normally, he would just cut this foreign savage down but
they were badly outnumbered and there was still the warrior to contend
with.... Swallowing his pride, the Chief replied in his best
approximation of the local language, "We no come Mountain. We look for
lost ones who disobey." The Chief waited for the Priestess' reply and
suddenly in perfect Aesirean she said, "You should have asked for the
Valley Folk's help. This place is very dangerous. You do not know what
your people's actions may have done." Amazed at her ability to speak his
language but skeptical, the Chief replied, "What could be so dangerous
woman? It's just a mountain. I'm only concerned they haven't gotten
themselves killed falling into a cave or something." Shaking her head
the Priestess snapped back, "You do not understand. The Mountain sleeps.
If your people awaken it, things will go badly!" Incredulous of these
savage's superstitions, the Chief and his men all laughed uproariously.
The Chief then guffawed and said, "Ho? And how can the mere tread of a
man on the back of a mountain awaken it?"
The answer abruptly came as the sky grew dark from the black clouds
gathered over the strange curving mountain peak. The wind now blew to
near gale force and the earth beneath them trembled! Knowing what was to
come, the Priestess turned and gave a sharp look to the Knight. To the
screaming Valley Folk the Knight yelled, "Everyone get to the Dam!"
Turning back to the Chief the Priestess then said, "If you wish your
people to survive, send them on with the Valley Folk. If you want to
find your lost ones, you alone stay."
With the earth now cracking beneath them the Chief looked to his men and
then back at the Priestess. "You men follow these folk to safety!" One
of his senior warriors grabbed him by the arm and said, "We're not
leaving without you!" Yanking his arm away the Chief snarled, "By Odin's
Iron Codpiece you do as I say!" Suddenly, the Chief smiled wickedly and
then said, "Besides, if things go bad I'll need someone to sing a
proper song about how well I met my end!" Nodding, the Senior Warrior
said, "Aye! I'll see to that! Save me a seat in Valhalla!"
The Priestess watched as both the Valley Folk and the remaining Aesir
fled the Mountain and then turned to the rumbling summit now covered in
black thunderclouds. She could see the fear on the Aesir Chief's hairy
face but could feel his courage holding. That was good. He would need it
for there was no doubt those young men of his and her adopted people
had roused the Sleeping Mountain. Long, long ago when she had come to
this place she had confronted the war between the River and the Mountain
as they prepared to destroy the world. The battle she fought with it
created the valley and lake which made life in so lifeless a place
possible. The conflict was resolved with an agreement between the once
River now turned lake, the Mountain and herself who would stay and act
as peace keeper. Long as it was left undisturbed the Mountain agreed to
take its rest and long as it was allowed to flow across the valley
during the spring as it always had, the River agreed to be dammed.
Over time people came to live in the fertile valley region and as
payment, abided by the conditions of the Lake and Mountain. They came to
honor her as the 'Priestess' and every so often brought forth their
strongest warrior to be her husband and protector. After generations of
silence, the Mountain was waking up! The ground trembled again and with
her husband the Knight and the Aesir Chief flanking her the Priestess
said, "If you have never looked upon the powers of the world, you shall
now!" The crust of the Mountain fell away as great boulders, ancient
trees and clouds of dust flew into the sky.
From the very roots of the world burst the head of a creature long
unseen in the racial memory of men. The peak of the once mountain was
actually the scimitar-like horn of an ancient creature known as an Elder
Elemental. Its roar skyward blew away the center of the thundercloud
bank and a wide single shaft of sunlight burned its way through to the
ground beneath it. Echoing far and wide across the vast landscape came
the indignant thunder of the Elemental's voice, "WHO HATH DARED DISTURB
MY SLUMBER"
Clapping his hands over his ears the Chief looked to the skyward looming
beast in abject dismay. Before him was a beast the size of the Giants
of Jotunheim and made of the stones and flame of the earth itself!
"Great Odin!" exclaimed the Chief. Placing a hand on the frightened
man's shoulder the Priestess said calmly, "Hold your heart steady
warrior. You may not need call upon your gods for aid just yet."
Stepping forward, the Priestess held out her hand to her husband. In it
he placed the Great War Spear and the Priestess suddenly exploded in a
flash of amber light. Now standing a head taller and covered in shining
armor the color of blued-steel, the Priestess spread her silver and
black-tipped wings.
The Mountain looked down to see its ancient adversary and said in that
thunderous voice, "I knowest thou hast not broken our agreement mine
ancient enemy. I feeleth the crawling of fell creatures gnawing at mine
insides with ill intent! Doth these vermin belong to thee mine enemy?"
The Chief already flabbergasted to find himself in the presence of both a
giant and now a goddess, flinched like a frightened maiden as she
suddenly ascended the sky with one powerful flap of her great wings.
Looking toward the Black-skinned Knight, the Chief felt ashamed for he
stood ready for battle before so fearsome a beast as he did against his
men. Picking himself up the Chief readied his iron-bound round shield
and drew his axe and said, "I'll be damned before I let a black killer
of men and beasts enter the Hall of Valhalla before I do!" The Knight
looked over to the Chief and shot him a grin only those who have stood
in the face of death and survived could appreciate.
High above the land the Priestess came to eye-level with the Elemental.
She knew if the Mountain were allowed to vent his rage, the Lake would
too rise up in anger. The damage from the two Elemental's previous war
took the land ages to heal. The fragile band of life having grown
between them and nurtured by her all this time would be erased in an
instant and only she could prevent that. Now in her true form, the
Priestess' voice was powerful enough for the Mountain to hear her as she
replied to its inquiry.
"Yes my ancient enemy the foolish young ones within you belong to me.
They are of a span of existence that cannot remember or have known of
our conflict except from stories and songs. So much time has passed that
they did not believe so great a being such as you could exist. Yet I am
certain they believe it now. Normally, I would say keep them and as
their punishment take them to the roots of the world to your place of
rest. But because they are so fragile and short of time such a
punishment would be wasted on them."
The Elemental rumbled with anger that spread across the land and then
said, "Mine rest is not to be trifled with! How canst I forgiveth such
pitiful creatures for so great a transgression? Perhaps the full force
of mine wrath shalt fall upon them as payment for their foolishness...."
Not wanting that to happen at all the Priestess interjected. "Pardon me
my ancient enemy, but you do realize such action would rouse the river
now turned lake? In the time you have slept, your other ancient foe has
grown much more powerful yet is content to not make war long as you
sleep. Look upon the world as it is now. No longer is the earth the ruin
it once was because of your battles. Through both your powers and
restraint a living world in which those who live here owe you their
thanks. I know you have heard their thanksgivings over the ages my
ancient enemy. Can you truthfully say that you are not pleased by what
you see?"
Turning its great head about the great crescent shaped valley the
Mountain saw the verdant landscape of forests and the vast patchwork of
fertile fields within it. Looking across the valley the Mountain could
see its old nemesis the River no longer tore at its roots which was the
point of contention during their epic battles. That the River had grown
vast in a lake contained by a great bulwark of earth and stone from
their struggle was also plain to see. The Mountain realized the wisdom
of not raising its enemy for the River's new power could tear away its
very roots in one mighty flood. Most pleasing to the Mountain was the
great pulse of life it could feel even whilst it slept. His tiny but
powerful enemy was correct. This was a much better arrangement now than
of times of yore. Turning its great head back to its brightly glowing
enemy the Mountain asked, "So mine ancient enemy, what doth suggest?"
Relieved the Priestess said, "Return the young ones to me. Their new
found fear and respect for thee will be past down for many generations.
You will not be disturbed for ages until they forget again. At that
time, you will again awaken and make judgment upon what you see as to
whether the world pleases you or not."
Long moments passed as the Mountain thought it over. Yet the wind began
to slow and the Mountain replied, "It shall be thus. I shall offer up
these irritating vermin under the condition they and their get stand
guard over mine slumber until I again awaken." Nodding, the Priestess
agreed. "It shall be done as you wish my ancient enemy." With a rumble
of the earth the Elemental began to descend back within its resting
place. As it descended it asked, "When I again awaken, whilst thou be
present my ancient enemy?" Smiling, the Priestess replied, "Time itself
will stand judgment on that my ancient enemy!"
The Aesir Chief watched in awe as the Giant was again covered by the
land as if nothing had happened. When the Goddess descended to earth he
fell to his knees and placed his forehead upon the ground. Once more he
heard the gentle but authoritative feminine voice say, "Rise Chief of
the Aesir." Quickly, the man gained his feet and looked upon the face of
the woman he first saw. Humbled, he started to speak but was cut off.
"Did you hear the conditions of the Mountain?" Nodding his head sharply
the Chief replied, "Yes Goddess, I did!" Pointing up the new mountain
trail and said. You may ascend the Mountain to retrieve the young ones.
It will be your responsibility to instruct them on their roles as
guardians.
You and your men are welcome to stay and even venture forth to bring
your families here if you wish. However, all who come must abide by the
laws set down by the Lake and Mountain without exception. Am I
understood?" This time, the Chief bent his knee as he would to an Aesir
Chief and said, it shall be as you say Goddess." Dark gentle hands upon
his shoulders guided the Chief to his feet. With the shorter woman
looking up at his face she suddenly grew stern and said, "One more
thing. Call me Priestess." A sudden tear of joy crept from the the
Chief's weathered face as he said, "Aye ma'am, uh, Priestess."
Gracefully, she stepped aside and the Chief set forth up the mountain
trail with the full intent of putting 'foot to arse' to those damn fools
when he found them.
Looking at her husband who stood smiling the Priestess said, "You don't
look sorry to have not shed blood this day my husband." Falling in
beside her as they started the long walk to find their runaway horses
the Knight replied, "Eh, it was nice to see even a Mountain can't win an
argument against my wife!" Playfully, the Priestess struck her
husband's shield with the haft of the Great War Spear and said with a
grin, "Well we never did completely finish our 'argument' from earlier
this morning." Placing his shield arm around his wife's shoulders he
replied, "Well my 'ancient enemy' I will be happy to engage in such
battle with you for many years to come." It was then the clouds
continued to break up and once more a persistent shaft of sunlight
struck the Priestess' eye. Hugging her husband's brawny arm she sighed,
"You win."
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