‘Sorry lassie, I’ll make it up to you one day, I promise,’ muttered Brunick, already on the move again.
Sullied, Cid threw away his ruined helm now as well; he was starting to feel rather naked given their situation. He glanced at Brunick as they swerved through the pass. There was a demented look about him now and he knew what he was thinking:
Fighting your own Kingdom was bad enough, being forced to strike at women was morally almost too much a price to pay.
‘This is Stelinger’s doing, all of it!’ bellowed Brunick, his voice echoing through the gully.
Then they heard a shout of warning from above, as though in concert with Brunick’s ramblings.
‘Fallen!’ came a women’s voice.
They couldn’t see it, but a song of snapping strings broke out above them and it turned obvious that Lidayel and Alex had been successful.
‘They did it!’ said Brunick in disbelieve.
They risked a peek, climbing the rock wall halfway up, just high enough for them to peer their eyes past the edge.
It was true. The Valkyrie had assembled in a spread out formation and orchestrated a rhythmic surge of arrow-fire. Their target; hardly visible black armoured figures across the canyon edge and concealed in the border of the forest. The Fallen were returning crossbow fire, the exchange a whistling affair of projectiles. What was clear to see though was that the Valkyrie’s unsurpassed skill versus the Fallen’s clumsiness would not prove to be a prolonged distraction, even with the Fallen having the higher ground.
‘Brunick, this isn’t going to last long, we have to act quickly!’
Brunick grunted.
‘There!’ shouted Cid, pointing.
‘That’s their leader, the one in the maroon armour!’
She was a tall woman, with golden hair flowing from her helm.
‘The plan?’ said Brunick as they climbed down again.
‘They’ll focus on us again soon enough, you draw fire and I’ll take her from behind,’ said Cid.
‘You got it.’
‘Okay, break!’
They split off, invisible for the moment as they sprinted through the narrowest of gullies right underneath the furiously fighting Valkyrie. Their leader though had spaced herself on a separate outcropping of rock, sporting herself a clear view of what was happening.
Brunick was first to break into the open field and the marooned armoured leader immediately targeted Brunick instead.
***
Vanapha saw the renegade soldier appearing into open space. Immediately she changed her target and shot at him. The burly man moved uncannily and he took what should have been a headshot to the shoulder.
No matter. Now… killshot.
***
Alex and Lidayel appeared some yards away from the rapidly losing Fallen by the forest edge. They remained well hidden as they viewed the entire scene from the side. Alex looked upon Brunick, the aiming Valkyrie Captain, and Cid approaching her from behind. He knew he had to act fast. He garnered an arrow and pulled, aiming. He could easily kill the Valkyrie, but that was obviously out of the question. He loosened…
***
Vanapha sensed the arrow coming at her, knowing it would have snapped right through her own bow or hand. She took a step back, the arrow whistling past, mildly interrupted, and aimed again within an instant. She could however not possibly sense what would happen next.
Cid slipped in right behind the Valkyrie’s position. Like a lizard he scrambled up the rock face, reached out, and pulled hard on the rim of her chestplate, clearing her from the rock and hurtling her to the ground.
The shot never became reality as Vanapha felt herself hooked from behind, wrenched right clear off her perch. The fall was short and sudden, too much so to try and break it. She landed flat on her back, her body and head jarring with pain.
She was dimly aware of the figure still on the rock wall, now jumping down towards her. The traitor would not have her this easily. Instinctually she threw herself upright past the pain, gaining her feet in a twirl of legs. The renegade soldier backed away just in time, Vanapha spotting the broken down spear at the sides of his waist.
Furious, Vanapha, launched a roundhouse kick at the man’s head. Cid was rocked as the flying steel greave almost smashed his consciousness to bits. He staggered away, and instinctually employed an old sparring technique by feigning longer than the actual incapacitation, favouring his head to one side so that he could know where to defend next.
Somewhat like a predator sensing weakness, Vanapha charged forward to finish Cid, kick pending. Vanapha was outdone when the man caught her leg, drove his own past her standing ankle and pushed her from her feet again with all his weight, pinning her. This time there was no recovery as a saber-sword appeared at her neck.
Cid looked down at the woman, past the steel helm and straight into beautiful honey coloured eyes, his sword pressing down on her throat. There was something in her eyes he did not expect to see; a visible lack of defiance or panic, and it unsettled him after all the fight he had just seen.
She’s ready to die a warrior’s death.
Sympathy was a useless sentiment for now however.
The Fallen were dead, and all around the Valkyrie aimed their bows at the downed Brunick.
‘Halt!’ came a woman’s voice.
The Valkyrie all eased the tension of their bows as they saw their leader appear, a Lanston soldier holding her as a shield with a sword against her throat.
‘Tell them to drop their weapons,’ whispered Cid.
‘One way or another they’ll kill you, you get that don’t you?’ asked Vanapha at Cid.
‘Not if you call them off,’ said Cid.
‘What do you wish to accomplish?’ asked Vanapha.
‘I have a better question, why are you willing to die?’ asked Cid.
That shut her up.
‘You have a Star·Seer in your ranks, right?’ asked Cid.
‘Yes.’
‘Call her over, let her look into my head,’ he urged.
‘I can do it myself, we are all practiced at the skill,’ said Vanapha.
‘No, call over your Star·Seer. Do it Valkyrie, and we’ll both get to live!’
‘Claire!’ called Vanapha.
Moments later Claire was standing with them.
‘Harbour no ploy Valkyrie, for I will slit her throat if it came to it,’ said Cid threateningly to the raven haired girl. He hoped he was convincing, because he had no stomach for killing an innocent person just following orders.
Carefully Claire stretched out her hand to touch the temple of a man at the brink of killing their Captain. Cid felt an eerie prick in his head, followed by numbness to the back of his neck, the woman’s fingers seemingly ghostly. The sensations became stranger still, Cid straining to keep the Valkyrie at sword point. It tingled as Claire’s Sight worked into the mind and Cid could almost feel how the woman was peering and paging through his head. It was worrying having someone access memories so conveniently, the worst of all being the different emotions that came surging up. Cid went through rage, fear, sadness, happiness and surprise within seconds, yet he willed her to see the truth. Again he lived through the ambush…
Suddenly Claire stood clear, her withdrawing hand leaving Cid mercifully alone in his thoughts.
‘Vanapha!’ she gasped. ‘This man is no traitor!’
‘Now, tell your warriors to stand down,’ said Cid with a calm satisfaction.
Reluctantly the Valkyrie did as they were told, looking a bit confounded by the sudden change of plan. There was a visible relieve of tension for all as Cid released Vanapha. She quickly stood aside, her sisters-in-arms joining her side.
‘Brunick! Are you okay?’ yelled Cid, weary.
‘Just playing some possum, no harm done!’ yelled Brunick in return, giving Cid a thumps-up from where he sat.
Vanapha looked at Brunick, her eyes searching for a wound to his shoulder.
Nothing.
/> Her gaze lingered on the man as he regained his feet, her suspicion and surprised noticed only by her sisters.
It was a surreal scene that night as eight female warriors sat along Cid, Alex, Lidayel and Brunick around a massive campfire. The Valkyries were peaceful for now, and yet there was much awkwardness between the two groups for their earlier encounter. Lidayel helped stitched that rift by spending the afternoon healing everyone’s cuts and bruises, mending among others two bolt wounds sustained by the Valkyrie, practicing his returning power with care.
After she had been healed Brunick apologized profusely to the warrior whose ankle he had stepped on. Brunick seemed much more at ease when the woman assured him that she had suffered much worse injuries by now and that he should not concern himself.
Cid sat next to Vanapha, locked in conversation, already having explained to her their misadventures to thus.
‘Your friend keeps looking at me,’ said Vanapha in amusement.
Cid shot a quick glance at Alex, who was talking with another Valkyrie. Cid however had also noticed how Alex shifted his eyes towards Vanapha now and then. He could not blame the man.
When they had set up camp the Valkyrie undressed their armour to be casual in their cloth garments. They were all attractive women, but there was something different about Vanapha. Both Cid and Alex had a firsthand shock of Vanapha’s visage.
She had removed her helm, letting the rest of her golden hair falling loosely. She was tall, almost six feet in length. Her body was perfectly slim and toned, and her skin, like most Valkyrie, had a healthy bronze shine from spending days under a dessert sun. Her face was mix of soft and sharp features and Cid could now admire how those honey-coloured eyes fit into the bigger picture.
Immediately noticeable however was a thin milky white scar over her left eye and cheek. What would one expect? They were warriors after all…
It was a small blemish, but Cid had to admit that even though it was a scar that would ruin the beauty of most women - on Vanapha it was more like a reminder that she was after all, only human. Cid could not deny that this woman was, if anything, intimidating. Both her stature and her beauty was enough to repel most men as they considered their unworthiness.
‘I’m afraid your people have been dealt a raw deal again, Vanapha,’ said Cid.
‘Hmm, you’re one to talk. It’s your head Stelinger wants,’ said Vanapha.
‘Do you think Stelinger is a traitor?’ asked Cid.
‘Either that or he’s stupid. Why condemn a decorated soldier before questioning him?’
‘Stelinger is not a stupid man, which leaves but one conclusion for all of us,’ said Cid soberly.
‘What are his intentions though? Surely it’s not just about endangering the army?’ asked Vanapha.
‘No, he planned this expedition with Commander Bennam for a reason. We’ll make it our job to find out, and if need be, stop him. As for you, I suggest you lead your warriors back home.’
‘That’s it huh? Send the pretty women back home so they don’t get exploited or mistreated by men?’ said Vanapha defensively.
Cid was alarmed; he had underestimated just how prideful the Valkyrie really were.
‘That is not what I meant,’ started Cid, ‘I am merely pointing out that this is truly not your war. If I could I would take my own men back home.’
She looked hard at him.
‘Claire tells me you’re really only in this war because of your woman in Lanston,’ said Vanapha, her voice altogether gentler now.
‘Yes, wish I could tell everyone that I’m out to fighting for Lanston, but this place is…’
‘Don’t feel guilty, from what I’ve heard you’ve done more than your fair share of saving people,’ said Vanapha.
‘I’ll tell you one thing though, after losing four hundred men to treachery I am inclined to think that I might just finish this war with a vengeance,’ said Cid.
‘Someone has to pay,’ agreed Vanapha.
‘So, are you intent to return home?’ prodded Cid.
‘Hmm, it’s as you say, my warriors owe no allegiance to a treacherous Commander. I’ll send them back to Rade’Remar tomorrow. As for me…’
Cid’s face formed the question. ‘What is it?’
Vanapha turned her face away for a few moments before answering.
‘A few weeks ago I got a letter. There was no name on it save for my own. The man who delivered it was nearly shot dead by my sisters, for he appeared as nothing more than a desert bandit. He made tracks the moment the letter was handed over. He seemed pretty determined not to linger.
‘It wasn’t a Kingdom letter so I had no obligation to look at it. It was a curious thing though so I read it before I could decide to burn it for good measure; we have never much trusted the world of men outside the Kingdom, and even the ones on the inside do not escape our suspicion. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I was completely thrown by the message. I couldn’t fathom who would send me such a thing, or know so much about me.’
‘What did it say?’ asked Cid
Keeping a glassy gaze on the fire, Vanapha cited:
“I hold your answer, a truth long discarded.
In Durandal I await your fair approach, for the light outside shadow’s sake permits me not.
Know I that your blood is touched by a flame that withers all, a tempest chained but not laid to rest.
Seek forth a war imminent, betrayal abroad a sign of the times,
then follow the Winged Serpent to guide your way.”
Cid shook his head in disbelieve. He didn't like the sound of that at all.
‘Alex!’ he called. The trailblazer's gaze shot up where he sat.
‘Come here a second will you?’
Alex stood up, coming closer unsure, his eyes darting between Cid and Vanapha.
‘Show her the wings.’
‘Oh, right,’ said Alex, hastily taking the wings from his back and holding it so that it glinted by firelight.
‘Those come attached to my spear, Mindevhier, also known by the name of...
‘The Winged Serpent,’ finished Vanapha in understanding. ‘I had thought the reference might allude to some obscure star formation, but this makes much more sense.’
‘Thank you Alex,’ said Cid, dismissing the man, and he returned rather disappointedly back to his spot.
‘I guess I found you. But now what? I don't suppose you have any answers for me?’
Cid pulled up his shoulders. ‘None. I don't even have answers for my own men. Unless...do you have the letter here?’
From her pack Vanapha took a fine slip of paper and gave it to Cid.
It was written exactly like she said, giving Cid some indication of how many times she must have read over it. More than anything he was looking for familiar handwriting. After years of reading Bennam’s war reports he could distinguish the old man’s handwriting without much effort.
This is not it.
Bennam’s writing used to be neat and had a pull on his letters from being right handed. Whoever wrote this letter pushed hard down on the paper with his left hand and his crooked letters was a terrible mismatch to the stylish riddle of words.
Cid sighed. ‘This is not Bennam's writing. Someone is playing us…’ he said hopelessly, thinking of the very letter he had received. The two were connected in no way, but considering Lidayel’s situation as well left little doubt in his mind that someone was manipulating them, and quite possibly, the army. To what ends though?
‘I get the last part, but “your blood is touched by a flame that withers all...” What is that about?’ asked Cid.
‘That is my burden and my burden alone Colonel, it’s a matter that I will not divulge, not with anyone,’ said Vanapha evenly, yet making it clear she wasn’t open for discussion.
Cid nodded to show understanding, ‘and this person who wrote the letter is leading you out to Durandal, because he is informed on this… matter?’
/> ‘It is not keeping any secret I’m worried about, it is answers that I’m looking for,’ said Vanapha.
‘You are troubled by this, the letter is written to prey on your need for knowledge and you know the words by heart from reading it obsessively. It is likely then the reason I saw that fearlessness in your eyes. Further you take it upon yourself to share this with me because I’m mentioned in this letter.’
‘Hmm, insightful on your part. Fearlessness is a bit of a strong word though, but I take your point; yes I am looking for answers, and someone is leading me on by some pathetic riddle, and it troubles me that I’m so easily drawn out to the most cutthroat city in the world.’
‘Are you then not willing to tell anyone why you would be so touched by this letter?’ asked Cid again.
Vanapha shook her head. ‘Not when I myself do not understand the matter, Colonel. When I was young some terrible things happened, things I could not explain, and it raised questions that have hung over my head for all my life. More than that I won’t say.’
‘And you’re still determined in going to Durandal?’
‘Initially it was my plan to sign up for this mission. That way I could fulfil my quota of duties for this year and visit Durandal in one go. Now however I just want to go home again, yet…’
‘What is it?’
‘I want to return home because this whole Durandal tale is likely to be a ruse. It is not impossible that some wily well-informed Durandal slave trader is looking for a Valkyrie to catch and sell. Besides, getting to Durandal is difficult enough, even for a Valkyrie. But now I’ve met you and…’ said Vanapha looking at Cid’s spear.
‘Does this mean you want to come with us? You do realize that we have no intention of going to Durandal?’ said Cid.
‘I know, I would like to tag along if you’ll have me, you said you’re going to Jacanta point right? If I do come with you I might still be able venture to Durandal, pending on how the war turns out.’
‘I should warn you, we are traitors still in the eyes of Lanston, you might be in danger if you are seen travelling with us,’ said Cid.
‘Don’t worry Colonel, I’ve spent my years growing up avoiding marauders in the desert. Steering clear of an army will only be easier for you if I come along,’ said Vanapha.