Sapphic Voices Fantasy
THE AMAZONS OF FLETALIN VALLEY
Part Three
The Amazons of Fletalin Valley is the story of a medieval-like civilization made up entirely of Women, with
it's own myths, and culture; including feudalism. The main character Roe is a brave knight commanded by a tyrant.
Roe is destined to become commander of the army, but is reluctant to challenge authority.
Invocation to the Web-Muse
‘Lo gentle Muse, come near, give me your consent, give me your blessings so that I may properly tend to the seeds
which you have planted in my fertile imagination, please allow me to turn your seedlings into saplings, then at
last a mighty tree budding with the sweet purple flowers, that will attract admirers from miles around. Muse, hear
me, I will have no dead end projects that fizzle out after much time and effort, no evil characters to haunt my
head when my work is done. Please do not allow me to become too obsessed, ignoring loved ones, and neglecting important
duties, i.e, proper nutrition and grooming......
To my beloved Angie, hopefully one day I will be able to dedicate an actual book to you-my very own muse, who sings
my song, and knows my heart- because I whispered the lyrics and allowed it to be-
THE MYTH OF THE GREAT OWL OF THE LAND:
Once, just like all women, Fletalin was joined with the creature man.
Fletalin was a good place, yet not as good, for man is oppressive, and he started wars with other lands, and captured
their people and made them slaves.
There was one called Hazure, not of noble birth, herself a foreigner, who knew this was wrong. And so she banded
together a faction, peasant women, for the men were afraid of change, and all the men and women in the court would
do nothing to damage their status.
The first true women of Fletalin were farmers, and seamstresses, mid-wives, and young scholars. They armed themselves
with what they knew; their needles, their hoes and axes, their herbs and books-and finally swords.
Hazure was their leader and the bravest amongst them, she was not much for speaking, but of acting. She was wise
and knew the woods and all the ways of nature, she knew the magic of the Goddess. She fought a man’s army with
a ragged woman’s, and when she had driven the men out she taught the women of Fletalin all she knew.
Many years later before closing her eyes to sleep forever, her daughters by her side and her old wife clutching
her hand, Hazure told them all to fill their heads with knowledge she could not provide-to put study and scholarly
endeavors above all, and to never be too proud to learn from other nations.
And it was said that when she died there was a great flutter of wings at the window of her death room, and when
all turned they saw, a white owl carrying away the soul of the great Hazure.
It is said that one day the owl will return carrying the soul of Hazure-to once again seek out and destroy any
kind of tyranny.
........................................................................................................................
HAZURE-OWL OF THE LAND
BOOK ONE: Part Three
Vestia and I were married several months after my return in the temple of the Goddess. All of the soldiers were
present, and outside the peasantry cheered nearly all of them were fully well from the blight; they called me a
heroine.
When I was amongst them I took pains to share the light with Bryseis and of course my beautiful wife who was so
joyous on the occasion of our wedding she was ten fold as lovely as usual. The soldiers kneeled to her as I had
predicted they would.
Hara blended well with everyone, each day she picked up more on the Fletalin language, all the while I prepared
her for the army, and she begged to be taught to be a sorceress, which pleased Vestia.
"Surely you can not learn so much in so little time as a fortnight, or even a moon" I said to her.
"Perhaps then" she said, "I shall have to stay longer"
We were out riding the next morning after my wedding, Vestia too who smiled at the conversation I was having with
Hara.
"That is very good to know" she laughed and galloped ahead of us, shrieking with delight as she disturbed
a small group of pheasants.
"You love her" Hara said, her statement halfway a question by her tone.
"Of course, she is my wife" I told her.
"Yes, still you love the queen I have noticed" she said, riding the chestnut colored mare from Myseaus’s
farm, she had fallen in love with the beast and insisted I trade another with my friend.
"Not as I love Vestia" I told her, "It is safe to love her, and not the queen"
"I do not understand" she said.
"Do not try" I said, "Only focus yourself for the army, you will have to try like all the other
pages..."
"I can beat all the other pages" she laughed.
It was true but I did not admit it to her, she was much too brash with everything and everyone, including Bryseis
who had taken to sending her gifts. It had not been hard for my daughter to become as saucy as the other privileged
girls, and I feared she was in for a big lesson.
Hara pulled her bow and chased after a stag that dashed into some trees.
"She is going about that all wrong" I commented to Vestia.
"Roe, she is barely a woman" my wife said, "She’s strong minded and will have her way no matter
what-"
"A young Bryseis" I said.
"Maybe so, yet she has you to guide her" Vestia said, "She will be a fine ruler someday"
"I pray she will" I said, "And how are you my dove?"
"Very well" she said curtly and kissed me.
"Very well" I repeated.
Bryseis galloped by bow in hand, "Is there anything your daughter can’t do?" she called and sounded her
horn, bringing on several pages with a cart to haul dead game.
Curious I left Vestia’s side and followed her into the foliage where Hara had downed the stag. On closer inspection
it had a great set of antlers and a brown coat spotted white.
"As nearly beautiful as his predator" Bryseis smiled.
"If you like beasts" Hara said in perfect Fletalin.
"Hara" I warned and she ducked her head and I apologized to Bryseis.
"Quite all right Bryseis said, "She is not a soldier yet, let her be as smart as she pleases"
The pages came to haul away the stag and Hara followed them at my bidding.b
"Are you sure you want her to be a soldier?" Bryseis asked, "She is much to small, even though she
is swift..."
"She says a soldier is all she as ever wanted to be commander" I said, "Where we come from women
are not allowed that makes her want it even more"
Bryseis sighed, "You have told her that she cannot be so brazen towards me in front of my ranks-"
"I have explained, commander" I said, "She shall be treated as an unruly soldier as any other would,
I assure you"
"I know you will not show favorites, Roe" Bryseis smiled "You are much too honest and fair...you
would hand an enemy his sword if he dropped it"she grew stony, "Just make sure your girl does not bring
herself trouble"
I left her and found Hara drinking with the pages and several ladies, all of whom were in love with her.
"Hara" I called startling them all.
"What is it mother?" she asked.
"Draw your sword" I said.
She did so.
"Well" I said in the language of Terralin, "Hold it up if you mean to duel"
"Duel?" she asked.
I used the flat of my sword to swat her hip.
"Mother that hurts" she exclaimed.
"You want to see how it is to provoke someone like the commander, how it would be to fight her?" I asked,
"How it will be to fight an enemy who will not think twice if you are dead at the end of their blade"
"Are you insane?" she asked.
"No, I’m the enemy, just as sane and brazen as you" I sliced my sword so it came very close to her.
"Now is not the time for a silly lecture" she said in Fletalin language.
"This is no lecture, just a lesson" I answered in Terralinish, "Come along, you groomed dog, pretty
brown dog"
Angry she used her sword to try and strike mine from my hand, I held on to it though and ran at her like a mad
woman. She ran at me calling my bluff causing our swords to lock.
"This is not like the day in the woods" I told her, "You will not get the better of me strength
wise"
She did not listen only barred down on her sword with all of her little might, trying to get the better of me.
I pushed her backwards and she nearly lost her balance.
"I could have killed you that time" I told her, "Enemies do not let you get upright, men especially
have no honor at all"
She ran at me and I moved to the side hitting the back of her legs with my sword causing her to fall forward onto
the ground, she quickly rolled over raising her sword to deflect any blows. I struck the sword out of her hand.
"Roe, what are you doing?" I turned to see Vestia and Bryseis along with the pages and ladies.
"Stay out of this" I told her picking up Hara and setting her on her feet and shoving her backwards.
"What will you do now?" I asked, "Stomp my shin?" I grabbed her arm and twisted, "I am
a man who wants you as captive- can you escape me"
She struggled and could not.
"Stop it now" Vestia appeared and slapped me, "You’ll hurt her"
Hara fell.
"Have you lost your mind, Roe?" my wife asked grabbing my face in her hands, I was numb to her. I glanced
at Hara who stood and ran towards the stables.
"You go and fetch her, Roe, before she leaves" Vestia demanded, angrily.
I went after Hara and found her leaving the stables heading towards the woods, not even on her favorite mare.
I rode in front of the girl catching her reigns.
Hara was crying, and I had never seen her do so, it broke my heart especially since I had caused her tears.
"Away from me" she said, "You are an evil woman-"
"Perhaps" I took one of her arms and she snatched it back.
"Hara I only wanted to show you what trouble brazenness could cause you" I told her, "There are
dangerous foes out there, it is dangerous to fight them, but even more so to flirt with them"
"I am sorry that I cannot be as humble as you mother" she cried, "Letting an idiot rule when you
could easily take her down"
"What is this?" I asked, "Even my own daughter wants me to defy my commander"
"Who else wants it so?" she asked.
"The queen, and Vestia, and my own mind partly" I said.
"You should very well listen" she began to ride away.
"You ladies are not very good allies" I called, "All you can do is talk, and plot,
and the one of you who can fight can only fight pages"
Hara stopped her horse and turned, then went along.
I rode to catch up with her calling her name with such conviction she stopped.
"So you wish your mother to rule the land?" I asked.
"Yes and I wish to fight along side her" Hara said, "She will allow me no fun though"
"Hara" I said, "Your fun is much too dangerous to continue"
"I only wanted to show her she cannot have all she wants" Hara sniffed, "Bryseis the old fool, she
cannot have me...none of those idiots of the court may have me"
"A lone warrior" I laughed, "You are young now-"
"Yes, I am young" she mocked, "And will one day find the love of my life, and I probably will not
be able to have her because of some circumstance, or some swine like Bryseis"
"Hopefully you’ll have a happier life" I told her, "Now let’s return, Vestia slapped me very hard
and I am so dumb I just now feel the sting...bringing you back will be the only way she will forgive me"
Hara gave a short laugh.
"I am so sorry if I hurt you" I told her, "I only wanted to humble you some"
"I forgive you mother, in exchange for a promise" she said.
"Anything" I answered
"Promise me that one day I can be captain of your army"
"I promise" I laughed.
We clasped arms and returned to the castle.
Vestia waited alone for us, still very cross.
I helped Hara from her horse, and Vestia greeted her, inquired of her aches and threw me a nasty look. She left
to give her aid and I was not invited.
Bryseis appeared laughing;
"You remind me of my own mother, Lycia" she said, "She was rough with me but loved me, I did not
understand it until I was older...she had to show me the ways of war...Vestia will ruin her with coddling"
"She could do with a little coddling" I said of Hara, "I think I was a bit too rough"
"Of course not" Bryseis exclaimed, "You’ll do a fine job of raising her, she will definitely be
the next captain, perhaps even take my place some day, she will have much more experience over any child of mine.
I could rest in my grave knowing that she ruled my army"
She patted my back, "She is the future Roe, you must take care"
...........................................................................................................
I did not seek Vestia for the rest of the day and she did not come to me, not until I had supped alone that evening
and was nearly asleep in our chambers. She smelled of her healing salve and I knew Hara was resting comfortably.
I shifted to hold my wife but she growled for me not to touch her.
"Any woman who wants to make a new Bryseis for the world, can do so but will be no wife of mine" she
murmured.
"The path Hara wants to take will be a harsh one"
"Does she need harshness from her own mother?" Vestia asked.
"She does if her mother helps command the army" I said, "Things are forgiven between Hara and I"
I captured her in my arms, "Dove, I am also sorry to you, and must ask you something"
"What?" she asked, not won over.
"Have you ever considered joining the army?" I asked, "You have a mean right hand"
She laughed and turned to me at last hugging me around the neck,
"I don’t use it sparingly"
I laughed and kissed her, "My love, my fair lady Vestia"
.........................................................................................................
The sounds of clashing swords rang though the air as I toured Bryseis over the ranks as they sparred.
"Hara has improved much more" the commander commented.
"She has" I agreed.
"All the soldiers say she is an exceptional fighter, they believe the way you came about her was some magic"
"The way I came about her?" I asked.
"Impregnated" she said.
"Oh yes" I said, "A most happy gift from such misfortune"
It was nearly midsummer, and the air was anxious for the wedding of Bryseis. I had not talked with Minestra in
weeks though I did hear from my wife that she was not looking forward to her marriage.
"She will do fine in the upcoming raid" Bryseis said.
"Raid?" I came to attention.
"Yes a raid" the commander was quite annoyed, "On a small village for a child"
"A child?" I asked.
"Has the sun sapped you of you scruples...a child for Minestra and I" Bryseis said, "Motherhood
should keep her quite busy"
I said nothing in return.
"We leave immediately, to return with the child by nightfall" Bryseis said, and yelled, " Call ranks"
I said nothing in return.
"Call ranks captain" Bryseis insisted and I did so, the soldiers cheered.
She laughed with triumph, "We ride, soldiers, in the morn"
The soldiers scattered to prepare, Bryseis went to the arms of some girl, and I went to see the queen. A group
of ladies were quickly retreating from her chambers when I appeared, carrying sewing baskets spilling spools of
silver, trailing yards of white silk.
"The queen has refused to allow us to finish her dress" one of them informed me, "Bryseis will be
angry, we are already behind schedule"
"Never mind the Commander, where is the queen?"
"Sobbin’ her eyes out" another of the ladies said, "It is silly, will she cry on her wedding day?"
I left them and went to Minestra’s chambers.
She lay on her bed sobbing dressed in her half made wedding dress, black tresses spilled over quivering from her
sobs.
I touched her and she turned ‘round, and I caught her in my arms.
"I hate her Roe" she sobbed, "I truly do"
"You do not have to marry her" I said.
"She’ll be furious" Minestra sighed her sobbing abated.
We were silent for a time.
"Recall when we first made love?" she asked.
I nodded that I had but she told me the story all over.
"You had been here a year, impressing everyone with your skills, and catching my gaze. We spent that whole
time just watching each other slyly"
"Then we happened upon each other in the garden one evening" I added.
"You said nothing to me in greeting, only gathered me in your arms and kissed me. I was so surprised and so
exhilarated, your arms and hands were so strong, they felt so good to me" she looked up at me.
"Your lips were as soft and sweet as flowers" I said, closing my eyes in remembrance, "Then we went
to the stables"
"I had never been in one let alone made love in one" she laughed. "You were so tender with me"
I kissed her, she held my head in her hands pushing me away.
"Go to your wife Captain" she sighed.
"I am sorry" I said, "I came to comfort you"
"There is no comfort for me my love" she answered.
............................................................................................................
The next morning Hara dashed down the stairway trying to find Lady Vestia, as she bounded to the end someone caught
her and she would have began to fight if she had not seen a flash of gold hair.
"Commander" she said finding herself at the end of Bryseis’ gaze.
"Just the lovely I was looking for" Bryseis smiled.
Hara tried to struggle away, "I cannot bow to you Commander if you are holding me so"
"Now is not the time for that" she backed Hara into some mock doorway, that actually opened when Bryseis
pushed it.
A lamp smoldered a low red glow, and Hara turned to see a plush fainting couch. Bryseis kissed her, sternly forcing
Hara to sit, she kneeled in front of her.
"I am to meet Lady Vestia-" Hara said.
"She shall wait for you" Bryseis whispered untying the soldier’s tunic.
"You have lived in the world of men, and know of their brutalities, that they have convinced their woman are
pleasures. Do you not?"
"Yes" Hara said.
"Yet you do not know the ways of Fletalin" Bryseis pulled the tunic past Hara’s breasts and caressed
them with her palms through the under garment, "The ways of pleasure here?"
"I am not sure I know what you speak of" Hara said breathlessly.
Bryseis pulled down her undergarment and kissed her naked breasts, tasting them as she would a fine meal if she
were ravished past the point of using utensils.
Hara gave a short startled moan.
She was vaguely aware of her clothes sliding to the floor as Bryseis lay her down.
The commander’s hands sailed across her body, down between her legs where Bryseis caressed the hair covered mound
of flesh there.
The commander’s lips moved to her and Hara’s prayers were answered when hands were replaced with lips at her quivering
center that tingled from the new sensation.
"Where has my fierce one gone?" Bryseis whispered, then sat up and removed her own tunic and undergarment.
Hara touched the other woman’s full breasts, they felt nearly feverish.
She lifted herself to kiss them, but a knock startled her.
"I do hope your are here commander" the voice outside said, "Queen Minestra calls for you-"
"It is only Voelia my sweet" Bryseis whispered, "She is the only one who knows of my secret rooms
and only bothers me when it is urgent"
She pulled on her tunic and left the room.
Hara quickly dressed and listened to the conversation;
"Minestra refuses to continue to finish being fitted for her dress" Voelia reported,
"She will not lend her opinion to the flower arrangements-"
"Enough" Bryseis said coldly, "Go to her, tell her I am coming"
Hara left the small room slipping past Bryseis.
"My sweet...let me finish with you"
Hara shook her head, "I can’t, I mustn’t.....Lady Vestia expects me-"
She scampered off, throwing a glance behind her as she rounded the corner
............................................................................................................
Vestia poured over some books when Hara finally arrived looking as if she had seen a ghost.
"What is wrong gentle Hara" Vestia stood and cupped the young one’s face in her hands, "Has someone
frightened you?"
Hara shook her head, tears melted down her eyes.
"What is wrong, you must tell me"
"Please, what I am about to tell you, do not tell mother-"
"It depends on the seriousness of this matter, and who it involves" Vestia sat down urging Hara to join
her. "You mother is my wife, you are her beloved so you are mine also"
"I am a whore" Hara sobbed, "That Bryseis she seduced me, and I had no will to stop her"
Vestia embraced her step-daughter, "Now darling, calm yourself and tell me what happened?"
"She drew me into a secret room, and we kissed, and striped we out of our clothes, but Voelia knew of the
room and came for Bryseis to tell of some matters with the queen"
Vestia went cold, "I will go have a talk with the fiend"
Hara gasped, "Mother will surely find out then"
"No she will not" Vestia stood, "I know Bryseis, she would never let on to Roe that she tried to
seduce you-this is none of your fault, you are a ripe girl, who has never been touched until now" she smiled
a bit, "You are even more beautiful than your mother, and if all were as brazen as Bryseis, there would be
attempts to seduce you half the day"
"Even if I nearly gave in to an evil woman such as the Commander"
"It changes nothing, you are still strong and still brave, and swift, and admired in this court"
Hara kissed her cheek, "My thanks mother"
Lady Vestia smiled and left to find Bryseis, who was back in the garden chatting with some ladies. Vestia shooed
them.
"My long-lost red kitten" Bryseis exclaimed, "What can I do to service you"
Vestia glowered, "You can leave Hara be"
Bryseis raised her eye-brows, "I could, yet I will not"
"You will Commander, she is only a young girl"
"Young yes, but still too old to be clinging to her virginity as if it were a rag-doll-
"Does love mean anything to you?" Vestia asked, "Hara is not fond of you, no one is not even the
queen"
Bryseis slapped her, "You red headed whore, you are the wife of my best soldier, a Lady perhaps, but still
a whore. What do you know of love?"
Vestia regained herself refusing to cry, "I know more than you possibly ever will, your wife to be cries constantly,
and you are chasing girls, power mad bitch what do you care?"
Bryseis lunged at her but stopped, "Go to your wife, Vestia, go before I strangle all the breath from you-"
"You have brought yourself to abuse your captain’s daughter and wife, why not murder one of them?"
"Insolence" Bryseis thundered causing the other woman to pause, "I want you out of my sight-"
Roe paced across the garden, "What is happening?"
"Your wife dares to confront me" Bryseis spat, "If she were any other woman she’d be dead on the
end of my sword"
"Vestia" Roe hissed, then spied the red blaze of flesh across her cheek.
"What has been done here?" she whirled on Bryseis.
"Your wife-"
"Yes." Roe thundered, "My wife, and no one is to put a hand on her"
"She was disrespectful , and you are not setting example for her"
"She is not a soldier, she is a lady and I demand she be treated as such, or would you even dare to put a
hand on the queen herself?"
Bryseis grinned, "You treat your wife as you will and I will treat mine as I will. When Minestra craves to
be coddled she can come to you and when your wife craves a slap she can come to me, or so I will assume if she
craves one if she ever dares to confront me again"
That said Bryseis flipped her cape and walked away, she stopped and called over her shoulder, "Do not look
so sour my friend we have a raid a-coming"
Roe clenched her jaw as she watched the Commander disappear, she turned slowly to Vestia.
"My love, I am so sorry for this"
"There is nothing for you to be sorry for"
"There is plenty, my wife is abused, my queen is abused, and I am too much of a coward to act...I fear...I"
Roe turned away, "I must go now, there is a raid, we should be back this evening"
Vestia said nothing as her wife walked away, a warrior at the cross roads of greatness, she only needed a sign
to point her in the right direction
........................................................................................................................
Pages brought horses loaded with gear, me, Bryseis, a few other soldiers including Hara were privileged enough
to have our own mares.
Armor was passed out and we were all helmed, me numbly, I was supposed to be stopping this. It was insanity to
bring a child into her brutish game of politics, to use the sanctity of marriage to steal and corrupt a queendom.
We rode out fast, the young soldiers singing their battle songs, foolish enough to be taken by Bryseis’ grand show.
The senior ranks and my wise Hara looked worried, and they all looked to me.
I knew then that the time was close at hand, the time for me to take control of the army. At midday we arrived
on the village, the people took cover in fright only being a group of farmers with no warriors among them, especially
not enough to battle and army.
That was why Bryseis chose the village, a royal woman called for a royal child, but she was too much of a coward
to go for child of another local court, especially the much hated Niamlin.
"We have come to do no harm" Bryseis told them, "Only to exchange gold"
The chief of the village came out, "We are a poor village and have nothing to trade for gold"
"I have come for a child, a girl child for which I will pay twice her weight in gold" Bryseis explained.
"A girl child?" the chief asked incredulously.
"Yes" Bryeis answered, "They are not of much value to you, to us they are priceless"
The chief eyed her, "If they are so priceless surely two of your magnificent horses, one for me and one for
the father of the girl, is little to pay...along with the gold of course. For such a girl"
Bryseis laughed, "You are a born leader old man. A great negotiator, I am Commander Bryseis Grafeal and to
your price agree of one healthy girl girl child of no more than 18 moons, no less than nine"
"People of the village" the chief called, "Families with girl babes come from your homes if you
agree to these terms nothing more for we are simple people"
A great wail rose in the village from the mothers as their girls were taken from their arms. Some husbands left
their huts still struggling with their wives, eager to present their babes to Bryseis.
She dismounted and motioned for me to do so, stopping to inspect each of the children. She finished still not satisfied.
"There was one I saw" she announced, "A red headed girl run away with her mother, for her I will
give my own sword, three horses and four times her weight in gold"
The chief looked sorrowful, "That would be the daughter of Chyna, a widow, she has no husband to tell her
what is right"
"Yes" Bryseis said, "So she’d have no interest in gold or horses or swords, her wealth is in every
strand of the red hair, every blush of her girl...such a cherished child is worth a stately ransom"
Ransom. The word stung me, Bryseis was taking advantage of the brutish will of men, their greed and disregard for
women and girls. That was lower than a man could ever sink. Bryseis was nothing but a yellow swine.
The chief called to some men to go to the house of Chyna and retrieve her baby.
"Bryseis" I hissed lowly, "Surely you will not allow a child to be ripped from her mother’s grasp?"
"I am paying for her" the Commander told me, "Is it better to wage war on this village and take
the child as a spoil?"
The men came pulling a woman behind them.
"She has hidden the child" one of them told the chief.
I called to Bryseis once more but she raised her hand to quiet me.
"Please brave warrior" Chyna begged "Please forget my little fair Ju she is pretty yes but dumb
as a sow"
Bryseis laughed, "My mother was a poor woman like you, in a village just as this, my fair wise Chyna-not much
else I know of her because I was sold to Lycia who fell in love with my golden hair and clear eyes, the village
was paid the ransom of a goddess"
Bryseis was lying, she had been stolen from another royal family, just as she planned to steal this girl.
"Now I am commander of an army, my wife is a queen.....I have received a good education, all can belong to
Ju who will one day rule in my place and her own daughters after her, never to be ruled by a man or burdened by
his seed and brutish will"
"How dare you insult us" the chief exclaimed.
"Hush little man" Bryseis told him.
"Give her what she wants" A villager called he slapped Chyna "Where have you hidden the girl, bitch"
"See how they are?" Bryseis asked.
"Never, I will never" Chyna cried.
"Selfish , foolish woman" Bryseis said, "You dishonor your village and your child"
"I’ll have none of it" the chief said, "Take the babe and leave us"
"It is up to Chyna" Bryseis said, playing her usual games, she was annoyed now and wanted to cause some
damage before she left the village.
"Never" Chyna yelled, "Never"
"Even if I order the slaughter of every child here?" Bryseis asked.
"Please" The chief begged, "Go on fetch the girl, I hear her cries"
One of the men got the girl and returned with her, red face streaked with tears.
He handed her to Bryseis who removed her helm and took the child.
"Give them the gold" she said, "We have a new princess"
"Filthy swine-bitch" Chyna spat, "May the goddess curse your golden head, may your army be-damned"
The other women made signs and too spat in the dirt, it seemed as one.
"Now, I trade with you fairly, and you curse me-" Bryseis Grafeal was angry,
"Well if I am to have the fury of the goddess, give me all of her fury...warriors kill all the children here"
"Surely we cannot take arms against children" I said.
"Kill them I say" Bryseis yelled, the baby in her arms began to squall.
"No" I told her, removing my sword and dropping it "I will have no part in this"
The others drew their swords, I turned to see them drop theirs onto the ground.
"Harlots" Bryseis called, "Disobedient. Are you not of Fletalin?"
I shook my head, "Not of the Fletalin that murders and steals children"
"My own sister" Bryseis hissed, "The one who I have given the name that the great Lycia gave me,
turned against me"
"This is mad" I told her, "You have the babe, now let us go"
"Mad am I?" Bryseis asked pushing the child aside, the girl fell to the earth her landing knocking the
wind from her.
Chyna hurried to pick her up, and Bryseis drew her sword to slay the woman.
I lunged from my horse and pushed the commander over the rear of her horse.
"Mutiny" she exclaimed, "Mutiny- I order you my army to pick up your swords and kill that brown
dog"
They did nothing, only looked at me.
"Move out" I told them, "Move out"
I mounted my horse and rode away, the army of Fletalin following me.
I kept Hara close to me as we rode home, Bryseis calling that she would have my head for insolence.
"If you want my army take it rightly" she said, "Duel me"
I ignored her until Voelia informed me that now I had to duel with Bryseis, or be brought in front of the council
on charges ranging from attempted assassination to treason.
Once in sight of the castle Bryseis’ ranting grew worse, she charged me with her horse trying to cause me to fall.
"Come on you brown bitch" she called, "Once I kill you I’ll burn your wife at the steak and make
your daughter my whore"
I could back down no more...
"I accept your duel Grafeal" I told her "What shall it be?"
"Swords" she said, "Right here right now, make a ring and light torches...call the council and the
court...it is Fletalin honor, once you are dead I shall take all you have as you would if you killed me"
"Mother" Hara said to me, "Perhaps this is too soon-"
"No, Hara" I said, "I have accepted the challenge"
"Please Mother, I am scared for you"
"Go on to Vestia" I said. "If anything should happen, flee"
It was too late of course, the court came not taking time to preen themselves. The council came with their books
and began to record an agreement between
Bryseis and I to be signed. If I was killed, my wife and daughter were all her own.
The scholars made up a ring, with the use of their calculation instruments. Great torches were lit to make up for
the fading sun.
The council consecrated the circle and blessed us warriors, the victor and the one who would never step out of
the ring alive. As this went on I looked about me to see Vestia and the queen, arm and arm, hands clutching. I
wished that they were not there to see me to distract me. Also I did not want to see them die.
We stepped into the ring.
Bryseis wore no helmet, so I wore no helmet.
"So fair my sister" she said when we entered the ring, she drew her sword, twirled it then seemed to
move swiftly for my belly , but instead tried to drive her sword through my foot.
I dodged the blow and we were upright, our swords locked, her strength was amazing. She kneed my ribs bringing
back the old pain from the Niamlin mountains, with all I had I tried not to let the pain weaken me, but I was and
Bryseis knocked me to the ground.
I rolled away from her sword but into another kick to my ribs.
"Does knowing what I am going to do to them slow you?" Bryseis asked, "Knowing that your lovely
wife will be my mistress, your daughter my slave?"
"I rather see them dead" I told her getting to me feet.
Our swords drew sparks as they were struck against each other. Bryseis fought with the fury of two women, and I
could do nothing but ward off the blows.
I saw a chance to wound her hand and took it, Bryseis dropped her sword and ran at me knowing that I would not
kill her unarmed. I dropped my sword and we began to grapple.
I punched her hard in the chest, then in the neck, she gave a choked roar for blood and went for my throat locking
her strong hands around it.
I was able to hold on to consciousness and butt her head with my own, she let go staggering close to her sword
which she flipped into her hand with her foot.
I lunged for mine a move that proved to be a mistake, Bryseis caught my side running my flank clean through, staking
me to the ground.
I kicked her back and pulled the sword out, I was in a squat trying to stand when Bryseis ran at me once more.
I flipped her over me, she grabbed the back on my tunic and was on me once I fell, trying to pluck out my eyes.
I grabbed my dagger from my boot and cut her right above the eye, then once again kicking her away.
"I have always imagined how it would be to fight you to the death, Roe" she said blinking away blood,
"You do not disappoint"
"I am glad" I told her, throwing the dagger away.
She ran at me once more and I met her with a flying kick to the chest, she lay stunned. I decided not to let her
stand ever again.
I was on her my knee in her belly my forearm crushing her throat.
A blind panic filled her eyes as she struggled against me, as her throat began to give way. She snarled at me as
I bear down harder, her mind busy working on ways to get the better of me once again.
She quickly realized that it was over, I saw her make the decision to give up and die, the fight in her eyes faded,
her snarl grew almost sorrowful.
Her throat caved in and she was dead.
I feared that I was likely to follow, I stood slowly, and walked towards the
outside of the ring. As I stepped from the battle the court cheered, the soldiers saluted me.
"Women, of Fletalin" I called to them, "Now is the end of the tyranny of Bryseis Grafeal, the scarlet
hawk. Now come I, Roe Hazure owl of the land"
A great cheer rose up, and I knew then that I was not to die, not for a very long time.
Then, I was Commander.
........................................................................................................................
Pipes played and drums beat as Bryseis’ body was carried off to be burned on the royal lake, where all the dead
royals were floated out and set afire.
I led the army which followed the cart that held Bryseis’ linen wrapped body, it was driven by one of the council
members as was tradition.
I had insisted that Bryseis have the funeral of a commander even though her life had been dishonorable. The service
was made a silent one by the council the trademark of one who had lived corruptly, there were to be no words said
over her body by loved ones or even blessed ones.
I turned behind me to see Minestra’s royal wagon, Vestia was in there with her.
I longed for the verbal comforts of my wife, we had been too surrounded by medical scholars the night before to
talk. The only thing I had been able to do was order a proper funeral for Bryseis.
During the night I had actually dreamt the horrid woman was alive, and even as I watched her funeral pyre be lit
and sent sailing did I wish her not to be dead.
The second half of the ceremony then took place, my coronation.
I kneeled before the queen and received the helm of Bryseis, I felt strange putting it on my head. I gave my captain’s
sash to Gwain, who gave her lieutenant’s sash to my daughter.
I felt an even heavier weight be pressed upon me.
There were festivities the entire day in my honor, even beyond the court. I had ridden out of the court to escape
the joyous occasion only to find that word had spread of Bryseis death. Singing and music rose from the city as
I watched from a hill.
"They all know that better times have arrived" Vestia said, I turned to see that she followed me on Hara’s
horse.
"I only hope that I do not let them down" I said, she rode next to me and clasped my hand, kissing it.
"Of course you won’t" she said, she regarded my new uniform, "It will take me a time to get used
to you in Bryseis’ uniform"
"I do look incredibly regal in this long cape" I said, mine was green as we spoke my helmet was being
made. I preferred silver over gold, and green over the scarlet of Bryseis. The soldiers had nearly exhausted the
tailors of the court trying to get green tunics, the lieutenants green sashes.
"You’ve always been regal my love" Vestia smiled at me, then in Terrlin language she said with a perfect
accent, "Every move you make in that uniform makes my whole body blush...tonight I shall show you how very
pleased I am with you"
I laughed, "Who taught you that?"
"I’ve picked up some words from you and Hara, but she taught me a few choice words" Vestia smiled.
"Well I cannot wait" I turned my horse towards the castle and my wife followed calling behind me, "I’ll
be careful not to finish you off"
We frolicked to the castle and onto her chambers like children, where we instantly aged into lovers. Vestia made
love to me more passionately than she ever had. We finally had the rest of our lives it seemed, to make love, to
grow old together.
I slept in her arms that night in a peaceful sleep violated by thoughts of Bryseis a filthy corpse deep under the
ground clawing through dirt towards the surface, it caught in her mouth as she moved like some lethargic blind
creature.
"But she was not buried" Vestia exclaimed nearly in tears, my troubled sleep had caused her to wake me
to inquire.
"I know, I know" I said still panicked.
"She is gone, Roe" Vestia told me, "She will never see another day"
"Of course" I answered, "I slay her myself"
............................................................................................................
Now for something fun, a little song I made up-it’s no madrigal-but hey-who likes madrigals anyway-but ditties-I
never met anyone who didn’t like a good ditty-especially after some modern ale...
FLETALIN DRINKING SONG:
If ever the goddess blessed a land
over which her waters ran
molded with her own very hand
that place would be Fletalin
our mothers and our daughters
will sing of our great martyr
that brave and handsome Hazure
she lay down for the slaughter
home where we are brave and free
to fight our fight and drink our fill
take up our swords, roar like the sea
And take a lusty lady
That queen and fighter of old
Hazure the bravest soul
That will ever walked this earth
Brought her sisters to their rightful rank
We’ll raise out glasses high and sing
Toast at what tomorrow may bring
Death per’aps a glory
Never the end of this story.
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