I. Helping Hands
The sun crept out over the mountains, the first watch had come and gone without incident as Badan, Yavin, Ifko and Dhiig had all returned back to their homes to rest. Farin and Eeud were still at the front entrance and Vivae at the side which was still closed. They were a little tired but still alert, although their watch was just about to reach its conclusion. They were just waiting on Yavin and Dhiig to relieve them of their posts.
As soon as Badan had left his hut in the morning Truset was at the ready. She had grabbed Yavin’s training weapons she had never thrown out and put them out. She knew there would come a time when she would have to fight again, regardless of whatever tribal custom was agreed on. She would not leave her fate to the men, she intended to do what was necessary to ensure the other women were not merely victims, but formidable opponents.
Dreanna had been patiently awaiting Gunthry leaving as was Drea, as soon as he left to meet up with Badan to discuss the plans for how to deal with the impending threat moving forward.
Dreanna smiled at her mother after Gunthry had exited. The moment had come, they left their hut and upon exited were greeted by Truset arriving at that moment as well. “Dreanna, get Cora and Poli. Drea, get Jayna, I’ll grab Riiva and Genota.”
“What of Traia?” Drea asked.
“…she is best off where she is.”
“Very well.”
Dreanna had already left to go and retrieve Cora and Poli, Drea on the other hand looked ahead at the Hall of Mammoths where Elora and Traia were often left to their own devices, often mixing potions and medicines, caring for wounded when the occasion arose. Lately though, Elora served as someone who helped the rest of the tribe by occupying Traia as her mind had begun to wander in recent years.
Drea and Truset walked together for a moment as Jayna and Genota lived on the same side of the habitat, just on opposite ends.
“Your mother does not improve?”
“She is less herself every day.”
“And Yavin? How’s he doing since…?”
“G’an’n? He’s broken. Sad. Angry. Looking for something to lash out at.”
“It seems so is everyone else.”
“We just need to keep the tempers down, quell whatever fires ignite in the heart into foolish action. It is why we do what we must, we defend ourselves and do not wait to be protected. This world has no sympathy for the weak, even if we may offer a place to those who can not survive on their own. We must take action into our hands.”
“Aye. This is a threat we cannot hide behind others. I’ll grab Jayna and see you back at your home.”
With that Truset and Drea went opposite ways.
Truset continued on her mission, though she appeared to be in good health and spirits, the days as of late had become a struggle for her. She had kept it quiet but in the years that followed the Patac War those years back, she had gotten an unexpected passenger in her blood from the Female Patac leader. It was nothing at first, but after a few months she began to feel sluggish, just a step slower. She tried to play it off as a minor illness, tried to power through but after she did not improve she sought the guidance of Elora.
Under Elora’s assistance they tried to read Truset’s future but nothing was able to be interpreted by seer or voyager. Elora would brew various concoctions but it only ever proved to be a temporary boost, never anything that would make the constant fatigue dissipate. As time would go on it began to be more than a feeling of being a step slow, it began to feel as though it was beginning to be laborious to continue on, but still she did.
Whereas Badan always provided strength and focus to the tribe, in private, Truset did the same to Badan. She was not only his wife, but his friend, closest counsel and the one whom he sought direction from before any other in regards to the Bone Herd. Countless nights and years were spent with the two of them deciding the direction of those they protected in between moments of intimacy. Those moments had become further and further apart in their relationship.
She kept these things to herself. She presented a strong front, and kept up the facade that everything was okay. But things weren’t okay, as of late she was feeling weaker. As of yet she never allowed it to show despite the growing difficulty in pretending everything was okay. She wasn’t okay, but she could still push on.
She arrived at the home of Eeud and Genota and their daughter Riiva. Eeud was fast asleep after having returned home from his watch at night. Riiva and Genota greeted Truset with surprise as she appeared in their doorway since she had not often visited them in recent times. Riiva was playing with her pet wolf Denajii, who was a year older than Riiva and had come to find a home with the Bone Herd after a fateful day with Gunthry, nearly seven years ago now. Riiva was considered the “miracle child” of Eeud and Genota. They had been together many years but never could conceive. Even Elora was unable to help them in their wish to have a child. Until one day, after they had taken in Denajii and treated her as their own daughter, that they did manage to conceive.
“It is a pleasure to see you ‘set”
“The pleasure is mine. I see Eeud is asleep already?” Eeud was covered in his sleeping furs, even his head, nothing was visible just a lump underneath.
“Ah yes, he doesn’t do well being up at night.”
“I feel many of us are of a similar mind. I worry about the future and safety of our people.”
“Badan will see us out of this trouble as he has in the past. You needn’t worry yourself.”
“But I will worry myself, and that’s the reason I came to see you.”
“Oh?”
“Bring the guards at the front gate some water, on your way back find your way to mine and Badan’s hut. There are weapons we can practice with.”
“As you wish. Riiva and I will see you shortly.”
Drea had arrived at Jayna’s hut, but when she called out to her she did not reply. She would peer inside of Jayna’s hut only to find it empty. After looking around for a moment she pulled her head back out only to see Jayna walking up. Jayna had long dark hair that reached her legs.
“Mornin’”
“Morning, where’d you get off to?”
“A woman is allowed to keep her secrets, isn’t she?”
Drea gave Jayna a look before Jayna interrupted, “I had to drop some things off…um…downstream.”
“You didn’t venture out by yourself, did you?”
“I ran into Vivae and Farin after they finished their night watch. They were kind enough to escort me.”
“Those lads are kind.”
“The kindest. So what brings you to me this day?”
“Truset has.”
While Drea filled in Jayna on the plans for the day Truset had already made her way back to her hut to prepare for the arrival of the other women. She laid out several weapons, a bone dagger, a couple of wooden spears, a couple of smaller clubs, a bow with several arrows, things that she had access to that were Badan’s old weapons, or Yavin’s training ones. Dreanna entered the hut with Poli, but Cora was absent.
“Where’s Cora?” Truset inquired.
“She will not be joining us today. She insisted Poli come with me as she too agrees that we must ready ourselves, but she said today she must say goodbye to G’an’n in her own way.”
Truset sighed as she understood that Cora must process it in her own way, she was happy to get Poli to join them though. Every capable hand might be save another from a similar fate met by her brother. Poli looked over the weapons that were laid out as Dreanna grasped the spear as if she had come to know its feel over the years.
“You look to know your way with that.”
“I’ve picked up a few things over the years. Nothing much” Dreanna offered, modestly. In actuality she had been learning how to fight for years. After the Patac War ended, in the peaceful days that followed she would find her way out beyond the safety of the Bone Herd. She closed her eyes and thought back to the day that would begin forming her into who she was.
II. The Sunrise Sneak
It was only a couple of years back. On this particular day the Bone Herd had not yet begun to stir as the prior nights tale by Ifko was so rousing that almost everyone remained up late into the early hours of the morning in celebration. Such an opportunity couldn’t be ignored by Dreanna, she had decided to take advantage of her chance to venture out into the wild on her own. She had been preparing for a day like this, having prepared a bag of fruits, dried meat, and a drinking pouch made out of a deer stomach, filled with water and for this occasion her furs that were made from wolves, the hides of these wolves were particularly thicker as her father would attest having barely survived the encounter, but that is another story to be told another time.
Dreanna remained stealthy as she made her way through the calm habitat, careful not to to make any noise that may draw attention to her. It was warmer than usual this morning, which allowed everyone to really sleep in on this rare occasion, on this day, some say they saw ice melt for the first time ever. They did indeed, but by the evening it was a memory to be spoken about in wonder. As she scanned around the habitat looking for a weapon hoping perhaps someone was irresponsible and left one out after the previous evening’s tales. The only thing to be found that wouldn’t be missed was a wooden staff. Nothing deadly in her hands, but it was better than nothing.
She wrapped herself up tightly in the wolf furs that adorned her body and made her way out. The journey was risky, but she was not averse to taking risks in order to get what she wanted. That was the entire purpose of her journey today.
She walked toward the path up to the mountain which lay far beyond the back of the habitat. It was the same path Yavin took on the day he started to his journey to become a man, the path he took when he became separated from the other hunters. Dreanna thought about the story as Yavin told it, it had been almost three years to the day since then, and even though she herself was two years older than Yavin, she was still not considered a woman. Not until her eighteenth birthday would she then become betrothed, then and only then would she be considered a woman.
But that was not the life for her. She was not out here worrying about her next birthday, nor having any worry about what it meant to become a woman, no, she did not care about the intended rite of passage laid before her, she was to become a warrior and no one would stay her hand and divert her path. She didn’t care about any title beyond warrior, and on this day, she would begin that journey. As she got closer to the mountain path the air began to get colder as well. She bundled up tighter to remain as warm as possible as the cold began to feel it.
After marching onward for what seemed to be longer than she remembered it to be, she reached the point where Yavin and Ifko fought the Patac and started the war that claimed many lives on both sides, but it brought about a peace between the different tribes, even if it was earned through pain and bloodshed. The spot had since become somewhat revered some of the members of the Bone Herd, Yavin especially, as it was here where his fate intertwined with two behemoths and only he managed to walk away. It had only been the previous year when Dreanna joined Yavin on a pilgrimage to the area, it being the first time she was allowed to travel out without her father Gunthry present.
There was something that compelled them and led them to journey further than he had when he was younger, to where they reached the edge of the safe zone.
What they saw beyond was a wasteland of death.
Decayed creatures, lifeless monsters and beasts that were a wonder and a terror to behold once upon a time. For whatever reason this was where so many came to die. The only ones from the Bone Herd to survive the journey had been Dhiig and Li, even though they came from different parts of the world their journeys led them through the Dead Lands. Li, as he often did, refused to speak of his time through the wasteland, but Dhiig had no problem extending the warning of his experience.
“There are things out there you do not wish to see. They are all in the Dead Lands. They only come out at night. I do not know what they were, but do not go out there. You will only find your death.”
The words weighed heavily on Yavin and Dreanna as they looked beyond the world they knew. It was not a place to go unprepared. From the safety of the mountainous plateau they looked down upon the bones and scales and manes and claws and webs and skins and the dead of many male and female, Patac, all manner of beings and each one seemed to echo the pain through its dying posture. Even decayed they painted a picture that to know this place meant to know one’s death.
The thought that there was something more deadly than each of these…things…was not anything either would want to cross its path. They would return back to their tribe that day, but on this day Dreanna would not. She sat on the very same plateau looking down below at the Dead Lands and beyond. On this day she would take the lonely path beyond the mountains, into the Dead Lands and become who she was meant to be, or die trying. She knew it was a foolish endeavor, but still she moved down off the mountain, below into the cold wasteland of decaying, unforgiving death.
III. The Lonely Path beyond the Mountains
Although the sun had risen, in the path there was still a darkness that stretched over the Dead Lands. It was only the slightest bit of light which gleamed though the tree branches and shrubs that surrounded the edge of the landscape. It was just bright enough that Dreanna could see there was no apparent threat. She had entered the graveyard fearful but also filled with wonder and a bit of curiosity as to what each creature was like at their most vibrant, and their most terrifying. It was a strange thought for her to have, but it also was strangely comforting. She was not like any of the other members, whereas others would act impulsively, she was more calculating. She often played the attentive daughter, ever present and helpful, but in reality she often lingered around the training sessions of the men. Although she could not participate, while she was doing her chores, she was attentive to every lesson Badan, Gunthry, Dhiig and before his injury, Ifko. She listened as Vivae and Farin went over the intricacies of hunting with a bowAs she crept through cautiously, it made her think of herself as a strong beast, soaring through the clouds, or moving through the open frozen tundra before they met their ends here.
She contemplated what her odds would be should she come across the same foe. She didn’t like the thought. She shivered as the coldness finally broke through. She allowed herself to get lost in the wonder of the moment, the overwhelming presence of beasts ten times larger than she was, some even larger.
Much like everyone who had become a warrior in the Bone Herd she too dreamed of having her own heroic moment and returning with a story to tell and a trophy to show the entire tribe that she was to be treated as an equal to the men and looked at as a warrior of strength, not to be a provider, a gatherer, or someone who stayed at camp to care for others and do chores.
She was intent to prove her value for she feared in this world, one who cannot fight for themselves has no value.
The wind had picked up as she pressed forward. She had begun to get the feeling she was being watched. Still, she continued forward, pressing on through the husks of creatures, and decayed bones in desolate landscape. The path began sloping upwards, at first only slightly but as she reached the end of the graveyard it became steeper and slowed her progress significantly.
She stopped for a moment as she thought, “If I were gonna attack me, this is where I’d do it.”
The higher ground loomed ominously before her.
The wind shifted and was now at her back, almost as if the path was compelling her forward. She dug her staff into the ground and used it to brace herself as she carried herself up the path slowly.
Cautiously.
Weary of any stretch where her vision was obscured by an obstruction or a shift in the path. Every corner she braced for an attack from an unseen enemy. Unsure if it would be the Patac, if there were any Patac left, or even a beast like she had passed only moments before. She would take a moment to gather herself and reflect on the journey that went by without incident thus far, realizing that she was only the third member of the Bone Herd to come this far. The adventurous spirit inside of her did experience a bit of joy at the revelation, but nothing would prepare her for what she would see as she would continue down the path. It would begin to slope upwards until it became steeper, where she had to dig the staff in and propel her self up each step with its assistance. As the path leveled out and her footing became steady, what she would see amazed her.
IV. A Terrifying Wonder
Dreanna had wandered into an oasis, it was still frigid in the area, but there were hot springs below. There were fruit trees and bushes, somewhat plentiful in number. There was also vegetation growing, things that she had never seen before. Wheat, barley, rye, beets, plentiful enough that it could be able to feed her tribe for weeks. She was overjoyed at the sight.
She grabbed as much as she could carry, hurriedly filling her pouch with as many berries as and fruit as she could hold. She even ate a few pieces as she was stocking up. It stopped her in her tracks.
The berries were the juiciest berries she had ever eaten. They were plump, full, and filled her mouth with a flavor that gave her a joy she had not known before, it was like water, but tasted different. It was difficult for her to comprehend, but she knew she liked it.
The landscape itself gave her more joy as it had become a more vibrant visage as the plant life seemed to come to life as she took in the surroundings. She had not been used to seeing this much green, actual thriving plant life, instead of the drab, cold, crisp evergreens and shrubs that surrounded their habitat. As she breathed in the warmer air, it seemed as though the world did so as well.
She lost herself in the moment as this was a wonder to behold, a paradise of that no one would expect to emerge from beyond the desolate landscape of death she had traveled through. This place had everything one could need to survive. As she had joyously gathered all she could carry, she had lost sense of her surroundings. The noise she made had drawn the attention of something she would soon regret disturbing.
A Basilisk had been hibernating in the oasis. While this particular basilisk was not fully grown, it was still a deadly beast to encounter for even the most seasoned warriors, something she was not. Had Dreanna taken another minute to take in her surroundings before gathering she might have noticed it before entering, but she had not. She was still a novice in the wild and drawn in unsuspectingly.
She had plucked one last berry and put it in her mouth. She let out a sigh, enjoying one final juicy fruit before she would return back home to tell of her journey, tell of the abundance. Unbeknownst to Dreanna the basilisk had stealthily slithered it’s way within striking distance as she had taken in her final fruit, though it was seemingly out of striking distance, it had the ability to strike twice its body length and was something she would soon discover.
The basilisk flickered its tongue as Dreanna finally noticed she was not alone.
She froze and didn’t move a muscle, not even the slightest twitch as it slithered its way around her. She hoped that remaining still would allow her to go unnoticed but it was already too late, she had been noticed. The snake circled her before coming to rest right in front as it lowered its head and flicked its tongue. She did her best to remain motionless, but flinched ever so lightly…the basilisk bared its fangs as poison glistened down them.
Dreanna gripped her weapon and positioned herself defensively, closing her eyes as she awaited for it to strike, she could hear it positioning itself. It was imminent. There was no way out. The basilisk reared its head back as even in its young age, it towered over Dreanna, lunging forward…
Dreanna screamed and strengthened her stance as she readied herself for the impending bite…the basilisk slammed down into the ground as Dreanna dodged at the last moment. It shook its head as it was not prepared to hit the ground and was knocked senseless for a second before it hissed at her angrily and prepared for the next attack.
She wasn’t scared. She was…but she didn’t have time to be scared, she could only rely on her instinct.
Instinct was keeping her alive.
Were one to see the ensuing moments, from a distance it might have looked like a dance between monster and man. Up close however, for the participants the reality was a desperate fight for survival between a girl who was doing everything she could to stay alive, but slowly tiring and getting just a bit sloppy and a creature that made her feel like she was little more than a mouse.
She knew that there had to be an end, but she was unable to do anything to get off the defensive. Had she been more skilled, had more experience she would have seen the next thing coming, but it was too late, the basilisk had whipped its tail and flung her hard against a tree. She slammed into it back first then fell forward in a heap. She dropped her weapon.
Her vision was blurry.
Her body was tired.
It burned in pain as her adrenaline was wearing off. She gasped but the air had been taken from her. Slowly the air came back to her. She gasped, taking in the air, breathing as deeply as she could. She pushed herself up with her arms as she tried to get off her feet but was unable to. The basilisk slowly slithered up to her nearly broken body. She pushed herself to where she was resting on her knees propping herself up as she looked upon the glorious death before her. She grabbed for her weapon and held it up in a feeble attempt to save herself. It was no use, but such is human nature, until the very end.
“On with it, then.” Dreanna muttered through bloody lips.
The basilisk hovered over her for a moment before pulling itself back for a lunge to finish its hunt and capture its prey.
It began its final approach.
Dreanna closed her eyes. Her heart full but saddened at what might have been. Sharing a thousand moments in this one, she was ready. She knew it was over.
…
…whoosh…
…
…
…
…slice…
…
…
…thump…
…
…
…silence…
…
…
…
…
…
….
Dreanna was still in her stance, clinching her weapon defensively with her eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable. But the inevitable moment never came. All that came was a gust of wind.
V. Beginnings
“You can open your eyes, Dreanna, we’re about to begin.” Truset nudged her.
“Ah, she’s just focusing. She sees Dhiig does it all the time.” Drea chimed.
Dreanna didn’t bother to listen to what her mother and Truset had to say, she cared only to show them what abilities she had gained in the years under the secret tutelage of her teacher. Her heart raced at the anticipation of the moment, thumping and making her feel shaky in the moment. Drea stood beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder, this action calmed her nerves and settled her adrenaline. Although her heart still raced with excitement, the anxiety did not appear externally anymore.
Truset grabbed a spear and made her way before the others.
“I am the first to admit I am not the most skilled with this weapon, but the truth remains that we must not leave our fates to others. If the moment comes, we will defend our home, our lives and our loved ones. That is the only way I care to live.”
The other women nod their heads in agreement while Drea adds an emphatic “yes” to agree with Truset.
“We do this in secret so we do not offend the customs of our tribe, but if it leads us to live another day, we can apologize for our offense then. Now, I will share what I have learned from Badan and Yavin’s teachings over the years. And I’m certainly not the only one who has been paying attention while we fixed food, patched our huts and furs, tanned hides, we are attentive. We are aware, and in some cases, our instincts are greater than those of our protectors.”
“I will volunteer first.” Dreanna steps forward.
“Very well. Try and disarm me.” Truset instructed.
Dreanna got in her fighting stance, it was a stance that none had seen before and had led to some mutterings from Jayna and Genota, though Dreanna could not make out what they said as she was focused on the task at hand. Truset had gotten into a defensive stance she had seen Badan take so often in the past.
“Drea, want to start us?”
Drea stepped forward and looked both women in their eyes, determining that both were ready she spoke “begin!”
Truset was relatively skilled for someone without practice, but Dreanna was able to proceed in a manner that was not expected by Truset and with a few precise and practiced moments Dreanna had indeed disarmed Truset’s spear from her grasp. The women in the hut were awestruck, they were not expecting to see such fluid movement in the first day, much less in the first lesson of the first day. In fact, no lesson was actually taught. Nothing was learned other than Dreanna had secretly gained the ability and skill somehow. They didn’t understand what they had witnessed, or rather, they did understand it, but they couldn’t quite process it.
Truset stood there for a moment looking down at her fallen spear, the spear in Dreanna’s hands inches from Truset’s chin and the moment lingering in time.
It was as if no one could move.
Drea had thought to herself that it was a lucky strike. Truset, though she was not a warrior, had received some training from Badan in the past. This was shared with Drea in one of their many mornings doing chores while the men were out hunting or fishing. She was not without knowledge in the way of handling a spear and though she did see it with her own eyes, Drea did not believe the skill she saw her daughter possessed. The feeling was shared among the other women who were watching.
Truset on the other hand knew that it was not luck. She prepared herself for the attack but thought maybe she underestimated her opponent at first, but as the seconds passed she did realize that it was skill she was greeted with.
Smooth and precise.
The spear clattering on the ground and coming to a rest was the last sound for a long moment until finally it was the youngest of the group, Riiva, who finally broke the silence.
“That was amazing. How did you do that?” Riiva asked full of curiosity.
The question resonated with Dreanna, it brought her back to that moment again as it made her recall having a similar voice. A similar inquisitive attitude.
So much time has passed since then, and even still it felt like she just blinked and there she was again.
VI. The Warrior Path
Dreanna opened her eyes and she was back in the moment before.
Laid out before her was the head of the basilisk.
She fell backwards in shock.
“It’s okay now” the stranger assured her.
“Who are you?”
The stranger stood in the shadow of the basilisk’s body.
“My name is Uran, you are safe now.”
He appeared an older man, but his age couldn’t be determined by Dreanna. One moment the light would reflect on him and he’d look as though he could be Yavin’s older brother. Another moment the shadow would cover him and he’d appear to be old enough to be Gunthry’s grandfather. It puzzled her in a way she could not understand, but not so much that she cared to let it alter her from her new goal, to gain a master who teaches her the ways of the warrior.
“Uran? I’m Dreanna. Thank you for…well…” she emphasizes the bloody scene.
“On your way now. This is no place for little girls.”
Uran wrapped his weapon in a piece of cloth and tied it around his shoulder where it hung on is back, Dreanna was unable to get a good look at it, but what she did see it appeared to not be made of wood or bone, it had a glimmer that almost looked as though it were the sun itself, or so she thought in her brief time seeing it before it was put away.
He turned around and began to make his way in the opposite direction Dreanna was going.
Dreanna jumped back to her feet and ran to catch up with Uran.
“What are you doing? Turn around. Go back to wherever it is you came from. You should be fine now.”
“Um…but what about…headless and his brothers and sisters?”
“Headle—“ Uran stopped, dropped his head and sighed. He seemingly understood that he had an extra person to care for, even if only for a moment.
“Dana?”
“Dreanna.”
They began slowly walking their way back down the path, back towards the area which would lead her back to the Bone Herd encampment. Dreanna was still overwhelmed by the encounter and the result.
They walked in silence for a while, it wasn’t until they were completely out of the oasis by the time she had gotten the courage to speak.
“How did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Back there. That?”
“With my weapon.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“That was just a baby. If you encountered his mother, we might not be having this talk.”
“That wasn’t…”
“Just a baby. Fully grown they are almost like a living river. As large as fifty men. As tall as twenty.”
“Even you couldn’t defeat it?”
“I could. I just wouldn’t have been able to save you.”
Dreanna stops for a moment.
“Keep moving. Prey stops.”
They were walking among the long dead husks of the beasts she had previously passed on her journey before she reached the oasis and battled the basilisk, back into the graveyard of man and monsters.
“Do you know what this place is?”
“It used to be a very dangerous path.”
“Used to be?”
“Only the bravest, or craziest, would come down this way…are you brave? Crazy? Stupid?” Uran looked at her for a moment before continuing. “You almost joined them today.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Even the best defender will lose if they never strike an enemy that is intent on killing.”
They stopped for a moment.
Uran looked at her weapon.
“That is only part of the problem. You act as though you have never used it before because you have never used it before. I can tell you are a quick study, you have listened to the ways of your people, but you have not been able to apply the teachings. Are they that…prohibitive?”
Dreanna took a breath about to say something but retreated inward while looking down, silencing her voice and becoming a child again, not even remotely resembling the brave warrior who faced a basilisk twice her size.
Uran sensed the change in her demeanor immediately. He had no intention nor the want to become her teacher as he himself did not know how much of a future he had, if any. He was older than even he could remember, and a shell of the man he once was, but he was still formidable, strong of mind and will, though when he looked and saw his reflection he no longer recognized who he remembered himself to be. He appeared a stranger even to himself.
The cold was bitter for him, stepping out of the oasis and returning Dreanna weighed heavily on him, but he was determined and willed himself forward.
“You are not without skill…” Uran stopped walking and took a breath to regain himself. The formidable figure Dreanna had perceived earlier was becoming frail before her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“Every moment we are alive, every second we are marching towards our death.”
“So…where did I go wrong with the ‘lisk?”
“You didn’t take the opening when you had it.”
“I couldn’t find one…”
“It was there. I want you to think about it, when you have figured it out, return to me.” Uran offered.
They were back where Yavin had met the Patac. Where many had left behind tokens to honor Ifko’s sacrifice and offering to the gods.
“I distract it and tire it out and you get a lucky shot.”
“Lucky? Hmph.” He turns his back to her. “Strike me.”
Dreanna looked at Uran as he left himself seemingly wide open to attack.
“No.”
“So, even now you are afraid to strike. I have given you an opening and an advantage.”
“You only appear to do so. As soon as I strike, I’m on the ground. Then you’ll say something all knowing and wise and make me feel stupid. No, I’m not making that mistake. I’ve had enough fighting for one day.”
“I don’t think what you did would be considered fighting.”
“It doesn’t matter…” Dreana states, mildly annoyed. “I can recognize when a battle serves no purpose.”
“I hear it in your voice. It tells me you will run as soon as you can.”
Dreanna gripped her weapon tighter as she tried to control her growing anger. It didn’t matter to Uran though, he continued poking and prodding her. He had seen something in her, but it was only a small piece of the bigger picture he hoped to discover. Her defensive prowess was sound and her situational awareness and mental acuity in perceiving an outcome before it has occurred was equally impressive, but everyone has their limits and when one is young, tired and growing in anger, as Uran himself was trying to stoke the fire inside her chest and make it rage in an effort to draw out her inner warrior.
“Are you a coward? Will you not raise your had against any foe? Even if your life is at stake? Would you strike if it was your family being attacked? What kind of warrior is afraid to attack?”
He turned back around and looked at her as she stilled herself, her anger was rising, but she had not reached the point of rage where she couldn’t help but attack. She was focused on the ground, tears had filled her eyes and begun rolling down her cheeks. She felt ashamed that she could not save herself. She felt worse that this stranger was ridiculing her. She calmed herself and walked towards Uran.
“The difference between you and me is simple.”
He watched as she walked towards him.
She looked him in the eyes then walked past him, stopping with her back to him this time.
“You need to fight to feel alive. Me on the other hand…”
Dreanna threw a backhand fist aimed at Uran’s face but it was stopped an instant before it hit as he grabbed her by the wrist and flipped her over onto her back.
Uran laughed.
“The other hand. Very funny.” He made his way to a nearby rock and sat down while he continued laughing to himself.
Time seemed to stop as Dreana hit the ground. It didn’t hurt, but it did shock her to an extent she was not expecting. Her perspective of the graveyard had changed. She could now see everything from the point of view of all the other beasts whose final resting place was here as well. She could hear Uran’s laughter but that was a distraction.
“It’s you.”
Uran stopped laughing and asked quizzically. “What’s me?”
Dreanna rose to her feet and brushed herself off as she looked at Uran in a new light.
He realized that she had figured out who he was and this made him give Dreanna a modicum of respect.
She dropped to her knees and laid her weapon before Uran, dropping the pretense of bravado she had been using just moments before, humbling herself before a master of fighting in hopes she could learn from him.
“Teach me. Please?”
Uran looked down at her as she had finally shown him proper respect. He too took the moment to shed his own act, allowing her to see him unguarded for the first time. He extended his hand to her and lifted her to her feet.
“That shall be the last time you will ever kneel to me. You may be humbled before me as you grow and learn, but at the end of your journey with me, we will be equals and you will be able to tame these creatures just as I have. Come now, we must get you back to your tribe.”
They continued onwards towards the Bone Herd encampment, to the point where it was visible on the horizon.
“As I told you, when you have figured out your mistake, return to me and our lessons will begin. Until then, decide the kind of warrior you wish to be, then when you see me again, you will become it.”
They parted ways until Dreanna would return to path to becoming a warrior.
VII. The Fighter
Dreanna tuned her attention towards Riiva, she could barely contain her joy having finally gotten to practice her abilities with her tribe. The women looked upon her with bewilderment and awe. She felt the moment linger as everyone stopped and became fixated on her.
“Um…”
Truset knew exactly what this meant. She didn’t have to do it alone. She had someone capable and knowledgeable with a weapon in her hand, perhaps they could do this. Truset would draw too much attention, and eventually all the women disappearing for lessons would draw scrutiny and possible unintended consequences, but with Dreanna, they could split the group. Maintain the appearance of being good wives and workers, while the other half is secretly gaining the ability to defend themselves against the threat that loomed before them.
Drea could only wonder how her daughter had gotten this ability. Her daughter had always been around when she was needed. She could not figure out how she gained the ability to fight so well. Gunthry never showed her more than defensive strikes to use against larger men, never anything involving a weapon. It was as though she no longer knew who her daughter was.
It was a weird place for Dreanna to be, she was the second youngest woman present, but by far the most skilled. Jayna had even thought to herself that Dreanna could even match some of the men in skill, but even she had a hard time accepting the truth. It was the youngest one there to acknowledge the truth, Riiva was amazed.
From this moment on she looked up to Dreanna, as Dreanna had often looked up to warriors like Dhiig and Farin, graceful in their movement and skill and not reliant on strength like her father, or Badan and in the years before his injury, Ifko. She had a bit of a crush on Farin, truth be told, but he was easy on the eyes and his movements in battle where of a rhythm that often left Dreanna feeling heated when she watched. It was a harmless crush, but the unintended effect was when she learned her skills, his style bled into hers. If one were to watch them both, they would see similarities in stance and gracefulness, but where she diverged from Farin was speed. While Farin would move with rhythm, Dreanna would become rhythm while in battle.
It was when she was fighting that Dreanna would feel her most alive, being in the moments between life and death, she always returned back to the battle with the basilisk that first day. Indeed, she had figured out what mistakes she made and returned to Uran. The lessons that were imparted to her she ensured to give the same respect teaching the others as Uran had given to her.
“Truset is not without skill. In fact, she is the most skilled one here. I will tell you what happened, she was taken by surprise. This can happen to the best warrior.”
Dreanna did not know where the strength to speak these words came from, when it was in fact the confidence instilled in her by her lessons with Uran. She had grown into a warrior, but in addition to the skill of battle, he sharpened her mind as well.
She continued, “One must not underestimate any opponent. Mistakes such as that are often ones we do not recover from.”
The women were hanging on her every word. She looked towards Truset and met her eyes, then was encouraged to continue with a subtle nod.
“Before we begin any lessons though, I will need each of you to choose your weapon. Do not take this choice lightly, if it does not feel right, it probably is not.”
“You heard her. Choose your weapons. Dreanna will take the lead while I will step out for a moment to ensure things are clear to continue and when I return, I expect to have a rematch.”
“You will have it.” Dreanna replied.
Truset made her way towards the exit of her hut as Dreanna watched over the other women selecting their weapons. Upon exiting Truset took in her surroundings. Things were very still. An eerie quiet hung over the habitat. The men on their current shifts were at their post while those from the night before had still remained in their huts resting for their next shift. Perhaps in time the women would be able to show their ability to contribute to the defense of their home Truset thought. Maybe then they could have a more normal setting, but as things stood they had to remain in the shadows as they learned these lessons.
Truset made her way to the Hall of Mammoths, entering to see Traia and Elora sitting before the altar and in deep conversation.
“…and his lungs filled with blood as he struggled for breath, it was too late. Iofar had taken him. He was no longer of this world.”
“He was for D’gondod?” Traia inquired.
“Perhaps…one cannot always tell where others are headed when they leave this place. If he was fortunate he awoke in D’gondod, if he was not, he would have never woke. That would be his final resting place in this world and the next.”
Truset remained silent as she allowed the conversation to reach its natural end.
Traia sat there for a moment then she noticed Truset, “Mother! It’s you!”
It always hurt Truset when her mother called her “mother”.
“Truset, thank you for coming. It is always a pleasure to receive your visits.” Elora greeted her.
“It is my pleasure.”
“Traia, dear, would you please go grab me some bone dust, black ash, viper blood and my mixing bowl.” Traia made her way to grab the ingredients as Truset sat beside Elora.
“How is she?”
“She is well. She is currently who she was at seven. You remind her of her mother, she did say you looked similar before she reached these ages.”
“Thank you. It hurts me to see her this way.”
“She is not this way. She is who she was. Sometimes, she is who she is.”
“I know…” Truset looked down sad for a moment before regaining her composure.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m tired. My heart beats so fast. I do not feel myself.”
“Traia, dear, could you also grab some wild Sang.”
Traia continued looking for the ingredients Elora had asked for. She had gathered the bone dust and black ash and mixing bowl but was having some difficulty finding the viper blood and wild Sang.
“I am sorry my potions have not fixed you.”
“You are doing what you can.”
“Yes, but it is not enough. I fear for you my friend.”
“I do as well.”
They sat there for a moment, Elora was the only other person who had known of Truset’s condition so this was one of the few moments where Truset did not have to cover her demeanor and pretend. It was the only time she could truly let her guard down and not have to prop anyone else up.
“Rest for a moment, please. I will make you a new mixture and maybe this will be the one.”
“Maybe.” Truset laid her head down for a moment, then remembered the reason for her visit.
“Elora, I needed to tell you, Dreanna needs her vision. She is ready.”
“Very well. Send her to me tonight when everyone gathers around The Fire and I will guide her.”
“I must get going. I am expected back with the other women.”
“Stay for a moment longer.” Elora insisted, as even though she was blind, she could still feel an overwhelming force lingering over Truset, it was the same sickness that had inhabited Truset’s body and Elora, though she tried to cure it with various tinctures and mixes, knew sometimes the best medicine was simply rest.
Truset however couldn’t allow herself to stop for so long, such was the life she lead.
“I will return this evening for your potion. Thank you my friend.”
Truset made her way out of the Hall of Mammoths and again observed the lonely habitat. The sight of it so still gave her chills, just days before they were calm, vibrant and joyous, now it was cold and empty, almost lifeless if not for the sentries on watch. It made her think of the future of the Bone Herd, and how she hoped that this was not its future.