Tagaern - The second night after training, the Queen invited us into the lodge to hear our history and to tell stories. Gathered in the room were several of the War-son chiefs, the albino and the shield maidens.
I entered respectfully with Hakaar, nodding to the assembly. I chose to dress lighter, more in accordance with their ways, my heavy armor left back in our adopted hut. Taking in the vision of Queen Mbira and the War son chiefs and shield maidens, I sat as directed.
Queen Mbira spoke first, "I am told you are a worshiper of Qinnah. How is that possible? “
I responded, "Yes, my Queen. It is so. Since I was a youth I have studied Qinnah in my homeland of Southern Pallidorn in a place called Materune. There, Qinnah, who we say in our tongue Qinnah (de-emphasizing the second syllable), is worshipped and the tales of many battles and victories are told, sung and written.”
Queen Mbira considered something in private to herself then asked, "You are a war chief in your home lands?"
I considered my response. Once I truly had been. I seemed to be dominating the conversation and I wondered if Hakaar being a half-orc was any deterrent, yet no, he was welcomed as another brother of the tribe now. That I was equally interested in the Queen, the Shield Maidens and the tribe made it all the easier to speak out.
"I was a student and devoted follower since a youngling. My father was a great leader of warriors, called the Red Shields, by legend made so by the blood of our fallen foes. In his footsteps I followed, coming to lead them myself into many battles in a Great War. It is something like a War Chief, but the armies of men of which I speak make many such War Chiefs needed, leading their warriors."
The leader of the guard, Olyn, leaned forward and asked, "How is it you are so far from home?”
I replied, "When our Great War was over and the Mad Elven King vanquished, I lost my purpose. I lost my way.” I choked back a moment. How close to the surface now were my feelings in this guileless place, among this accepting brother and sisterhood.
"There were only unworthy and empty things left for me to do, or so that was all I could see...by Qinnah's will I know now that I was called North. I was new purpose, right along with my young friend Hakaar here who also fought in the war.”
Queen Mbira considered my open and honest words with seeming interest, eyeing me curiously, to my secret pleasure.
She used the opportunity to look to Hakaar, " 'alf-orc, how is it that you come to posses this beautiful blade. The earth-mothers tell me it can speak. How is that possible?”
Hakaar looked at her, in his careful gentle giant way, "Yes. I've been trying to find a place again after the war. There is little place or tolerance for men of war in peace time. I've always sought a higher path, a higher cause, but never found one that felt worthy to me. I found a purpose in a way I never expected. I don't believe in fate, and my luck has been just as finicky, but this sword changed my world." He Paused, considering his next move. "Fair warning, I know it reeks of magic, but it is a magic I know and while she is both a magical being and a weapon, I know her heart. As well, as well as any man can know a woman's mind.”
He turned the sword point down and willed forth Silah among us. There was a hush among the warriors as she came into being before us in her soft, youthful appearance. Yet her eyes showed a greater depth than any mere slip of a girl.
Hakaar continued, "I've struggled to find of peace after the life of a warrior and it made me soft. Silah. She helped me find purpose again."
Queen Mbira considered this and responded, "We may look to your eyes like a primitive people. But it is by design that we live as rough as we do. In this way we do not forget our connection to the land. We have looked upon the cities that other men build and revere as progress." A shadow seemed to fall across her face before she continued. "In these cities discontent grows and the warriors soul is lost. Our ancestors handed us our way of living and we honor it by not changing it. It is true that we have a mistrust of magic, for it to softens our nature. Magic in itself is not a bad thing only if it is used to replace real skill. For you, young warrior, it seems to have returned you to the path. In that respect we honor your choice."
Hakaar answered with understanding, "My previous mentor felt I leaned too heavily on her, but were it not for her, there would be a different story to tell and I would likely not be here to tell it.”
The warrior named Berek turned to me and asked, "Do all warriors of Qinnah wear such armor in the south?”
Queen Mbira tilted her head quizzically and asked before I could respond to Berek, "Do the women of your tribe fight along side you? Here the shield maidens from our front-line fighters. All other women are forbidden on the field of battle. Younger women here train in hopes of gaining status as a shield maiden. The trials of acceptance are severe. We do not limit the number of women that become shield maidens, the trials themselves do that. These women before you are considered the elite warriors of our village.”
I shake my head to the queen, allowing a low murmur to escape from my throat, looking at her with some esteem and appreciation, "Not like you and your shield maidens, Queen Mbira. In the south it is much less common to find any front line fighters, much less such examples living as the praised shield maidens themselves." Giving acknowledgement to Berek's question as well, I added, "My Red Shields were all heavy infantry, men bearing metal armor, sword and shield. Women could be found in other units, and many make exceptional archers...but your tribe alone has such women, such warriors.”
I stared at her intently, fascinated. "I'm intrigued to know how such a tribe began in these lands and I wish to also share a story of victory. An offering of Qinnah."
Hakaar seemed concerned and perhaps doubtful. He said, "I've had a hard time believing that the gods are mindful of us. But with what I've seen here, and on the battlefield, Tagaern's own beliefs are tugging at me and I'm more inclined to bend an ear. What has it been to you to fully accept Qinnah? This question goes to you, too, Tagaern. Seeing Titans battle made me feel little more than a pawn in all of this madness. Fending off the Temple of Kols reminded me, again, the need that the Gods have had of us. Yet... do you feel that there is a mutual respect there?"
Several servants entered the room carrying a wooden plank supporting a pit roasted goat over potatoes. The strong smell of peppers and cinnamon hung in the air as they entered. A pause or perhaps a hush came over the assembly as I considered how to answer Hakaar’s questions. To me, they were so foreign. Was it from overthinking the reality of things? I raised a hand to give a moment as Queen Mbira rose to offer the blessing over the meal. "Qinnah, we welcome these strangers onto our fold. We share in the nourishment you provide. As we take this feast into our bodies we seal the bond of warriors." She then walked over to the meal and pulled the eyes from the skull and extended one to Hakaar and myself. "May we see beyond our own limited horizons." With that she gestured for those assembled to eat.
Hakaar took the eyeball and looked at it... squeezing it quizzically, keeping any revulsion down. Silah looked over his shoulder with a bit of a smirk and he popped it in his mouth and bit down, swallowing hard on the juices. Likewise, I took the eyeball and put it into my mouth, biting down, showing my gratitude for the offering.
Giving some time for the feasting to occur, I judged the time was right to address both Hakaar’s question of mutual respect of the gods as well as offer my story of Qinnah blessing our venture to seal the breach between the worlds.
I looked about the room, focusing due deference to the warrior queen, rising to my feet. I began, addressing first Hakaar, then all, "Qinnah began on this plane in the Titan Wars as a warrior, as a tactician, fighting to expel the formless gods from our lands. This place we call today our world is a credit to Her prowess and victory she helped bring forth. Some measure of gratitude and devotion surely should be a warrior's or anyone's measure of respect for such deeds." The fire in my voice grew and carried throughout the lodge, booming like a Templar priest of the church, matching the fiery gaze I swept across the shield maidens, warriors and Hakaar, "In my life, I have heard Qinnah before. I have felt her strengthen my shield arm and deliver victory in the face of death. Then after the war, I was called back to the path. I traveled north and together with Hakaar and a party of chosen, we faced off against the invading hordes from beyond the Veil, in order to stem that tide and secure the world once again. Qinnah visited me and granted me a vision! With my own eyes I saw the seven shield maidens and heard Qinnah's words whisper in my ear, protecting us across the divide that separated us from the breach to enter that world. And we crossed into the nexus with Her blessing and acted with valor that day. Qinnah be praised!"
There were sounds of awe from the gathering as they listened to my words. The Queen studied me closely as I revealed the tale. She seemed to be probing my words and actions, looking for the truth of it. Satisfied, she smiled broadly and tells Olyn to bring in the Bloodwine. He returns shorty with a cask. She pours the black drink into wooden cups and hands them around the room.
"Qinnah be praised! We stand in the presence of a true war-son." She raised the cup to her lips and throws back the dark liquid like a shot.
We all toasted, likewise taking the shots, salty-sweet drink warming in my belly and making a flush come almost immediately to my cheeks. I settle back to sit by Hakaar, bowing my head to Queen Mbira. The mood in the room seemed enhanced almost immediately. From outside we could hear the percussive sound of log-drums beating out a rhythm.
I added further, in fervor, "To the war-sons and their warrior Queen! We thank you for your kinship and to meet such brothers and sisters in arms!” The brew flowed freely, but in careful measure.
Hakaar leaned to me, considerate as he so often was when not in his enraged state, and spoke. "I'm not nearly as well spoken. I can see that your time and devotion to Qinnah is deep and tested by time. I've never been one to look for outside influences.”
He continued, "I've seen the acts of the gods. Many gods. I've participated in those acts, on occasion, but I find myself at...odds with those above and what fates they have in store for us. For me."
This was disappointing for me to hear but he was young still, and had different experiences from myself. Perhaps that was part of the reason why fate had brought us together. Perhaps to teach him, I wondered.
Hakaar leaned in closer to me, "As strange as it sounds, I think these are much more your people than my own. I'm not too sure I am ready to embrace this wholeheartedly just yet.”
I laughed and clapped my hand on Hakaar's back, “You've clearly never travelled with the Yin'Srich tribe of the iron hills! I had a number of them in my Red Shields. They were fearsome and the most devoted shield brothers you could ever ask for. Perhaps that aids my ability to join them.” But I felt it was something else as well. The straightforward way of these strong people, brutal and short lived as their lives may have been, was very simple…very true.
Deciding to keep the mood light, I delighted in the company and particularly the queen. Over the course of exchanging and learning about the war-sons around me, I turned also to Silah with a grin, "And a more powerful blade or woman I have never met, Silah. Hakaar is indeed chosen, even if he does not think it so!” She smiled at me and spoke quietly to Hakaar, making him look heavenward a moment to my enjoyment.
The Queen seemed relaxed and in good spirits as well. As she consumed the portions of meat and potatoes on her plate she allows her gaze to linger on me and I wondered if she might have given me a suggestive wink…either it could have been my imagination with the bloodwine, perhaps not. But a warrior lives once. I exchange a glance with more ardor than my first, biting into my meat. Truly I'd never seen such a warrior woman, let alone a queen such as this Mbira. Wiping my mouth with my forearm, I inquired, "Queen Mbira, does a war-son claim the honor of being your king or is that not your way?”
Hakaar beside me smirked through the haze and spoke low to Tagaern. "Bold, my friend. I hope you know what you're getting into.”
I ignored his “impertinence” so in order not to break my stare upon her. Of course, my question could easily be deflected to save face, I hoped.
Queen Mbira smirked, leaning back across from me and eyed me as she spoke, "You are correct in assuming that you must first be a war-son to approach the Queen. As it relates to the position of King, we have no such position. The Queen may be attended by whom she deems worthy. There is no assumption of attachment. If a child is produced from the union he or she has no greater claim to title or favor within our society than any other member. My position is not hereditary. I am the strongest of the shield maidens and maintain my title so long as my leadership and my strength do not fade. To answer your unspoken question, I do desire to lay with you.”
I held her gaze with my own, smiling. A woman after my own heart. No flitting about. Straightforward and eager for the fight. I nodded, grateful for the flush of the bloodwine already on my countenance. "Then I'm even more honored to be a war-son, Queen Mbira,” I replied.
Beside me, keeping now a straight face, Hakaar nudged me and gave a nod appreciatively when eyes were off me. I smiled towards Hakaar. With double meaning I joked, "And you doubted?”
"Oh, never doubted, just duly impressed with your boldness,” he replied diplomatically. "Again, these are your people in a way that I never expected." With a wide grin, he added, "If I left you here, I expect I wouldn't recognize you when I returned."
I chuckled and patted Hakaar on his large shoulder. "Duncan and I shared a saying--'Live today to the fullest for you may die tomorrow.’ I am still a man who enjoys his comforts though. I don't think I could give them all up," I mused, turning to gaze toward the queen. "Then again, who knows?"
The feast continued for a time, but the introduction of the bloodwine had changed the mood toward amore'. It was not long before people started secreting away to neighboring shelters. The shield maidens seemed to hold the right (by tradition) to choose partners and exercise that option. The Queen presided over the feast until the servants had cleared away the dismantled banquet. Then she dismissed all guests, save one…
The night was one I would never forget. And between unbridled passions, laying and talking as well, I learned more of her as she did of me. Of her journeys every spring to Mezzaqat and Steranka to meet with other tribal leaders. Even visiting Dowry as a young woman, just before she passed the shield maiden trials. Even as far east as Umigawa two years ago to meet with the Samurai War chief. When I asked about becoming the Queen of the shield maidens, assuming it was by being replaced through combat, she confirmed, gesturing where they were seated earlier. One of those women would likely challenge her for leadership before the year was out, and that challenge was usually to the death. A queen could choose not to fight granting the challenger victory, but in such a case the queen was banished. There had never been a queen older than forty years of age. The requirements were just too arduous and the challenges harder to fend off. As for herself, Mbira had been queen for ten years and she challenged the last queen when she was 23.
In speaking of the Shield Maiden trials she spoke of the Wyrms, but said no more on the matter, save for showing me a scar that looked like a claw or tooth of considerable size made the mark.
I traced it, looking into her eyes meaningfully, "This Wyrm was one of your trials alone?”
"It is not a small feat to achieve the status of Shield Maiden. I would wager any one of them could best three of the knights in Dowry,” she replied simply and with an absolute confidence in it which I had to agree to.
I gestured to my face and the scar, "This, I can say was my last trial as war chief in the Great 10 Years War. I do not speak of it to anyone...but it was in the final battle with an Elven War Chief. One who killed many of my men. And when I killed him, I most assuredly thought I had been killed as well…but I must have been saved by a Shield Maiden that day.”
Mbira looked at me closely as she said, "It is your past achievements and your willingness to embrace our ways that makes you interesting to me." She paused in thought then continued. "It is our scars that record of our adaptability and zest for life. Otherwise we would decorate the blades of our betters.”
Indeed, I nodded. "This is why I never allowed it to be healed and erased as well... Your ways are easy for me to embrace -- they are so true, without guile or pettiness. Pure." I traced her lips with the same finger as touched her scar before drawing her to me. "But I do enjoy my creature comforts.” The night continued.