Gygr laughed, “What do you take me for, Bal. An idiot.” She quickly turned serious as she danced the sword in her hand, “I know exactly where my son is.” She slowly approached and before anyone realized the prisoner was on his knee holding the stump of what remained of his left leg. “Wrap his leg and send it to Jauka with my compliments.” She turned to the bleeding man smiling, “Let’s hope you don’t anger me again or you’ll be no-legged Balador.” She lightly took Lisi’s arm, “See, I kept my promise.” The warrior handed the sword back to the soldier she’d borrowed it from as the two women walked from the cave.

Lisi couldn’t speak. Gods Gygr has a son. She looked up at the woman as they walked to the stable and Hannibal. “Huh, do you really know where your son is?”

Gygr slowed almost imperceptibly. What do I tell her? Yes, the boy is dead? He died before I could even hold him? Tears filled her eyes but she held them back. I won’t cry for something that happened years ago. I didn’t cry then and I won’t now. Damn Balador. I hope he bleeds to death. “He’s dead.” She mounted Hannibal and reached down to help her friend up.

“Dead? I’m so sorry Blue.” Lis stroked a tanned, muscled thigh.

The warrior shrugged her shoulders, “it was a long time ago Lis. You coming up or what?” She shook her arm toward the woman.

The younger woman held out her arm and allowed herself to be swung behind the warrior onto the war horse and returned to Tang City.

“Mish I’m telling you there’s enough room for the entire population of Tang and then some.” Gygr and Lisi had joined Stefan and Mish for the evening meal.

“But Red I don’t want to live underground.” Mish took a bite of stew, chewed and swallowed. “And besides I really don’t think it would be seemly for the Sovereign of Doria to hide from the people.

“Mish you won’t be hiding. You’ll just be in a more secure environment. I doubt the people want their Sovereign in danger.” Gygr looked at Stef, “can you talk to her?” She threw up her hands, stood and began pacing.

The tall, dark skinned woman turned to Mishal, “you know she’s right don’t you Mish?” She took her Sovereign’s small hand into her large one and gently kissed the open palm. “But,” she turned and looked up at the pacing gladiator, “maybe we should see it before a decision is made?”

Lisi finally released the breath she was surprised she was holding. “That sounds like an excellent idea Stef.” She turned to the tall, red haired warrior, “that way you can show them the ocean and the personal business area we found. Blue? What do you think?”

Gygr stopped pacing and looked down at the trio who were still sitting at the table finishing their meal. “I won’t be able to. I’ve scheduled extensive training over the next fortnight and just can’t spare the time.” She had expected the Sovereign to agree with her plan and was disappointed to find she did not. Gygr turned to her love, “but you can take them.” She stood behind Lis and gently squeezed her shoulders, “be careful though. Maybe you should take Carillios or Gustav with you. You know, get their input.”

Stefan stood, “excellent idea Commander.” She turned to Mishal, “and I think it would be a good idea for the Royal Guard to accompany us as well. They’ve been cooped up in the city quite long enough.”

“Okay,” Mishal smacked her thighs with her palms, “that’s what we’ll do then. Lisi?” She turned to the small blonde, “you will accompany us?”

Lis laughed, “try to keep me away.”

The evening continued the women discussing plans for Doria, various goings on about the city as well as  the surrounding area and finally gossip about their friends and acquaintances. At that point Stefan and Gygr stepped outside into the cool night air. “Do you really have training scheduled?”

Gygr turned to the tall warrior in surprise, “of course I do. I’ve been thinking of new maneuvers that hopefully will prevent the near disaster of a few days ago. We were caught off guard. I don’t ever want that to happen again.”

Stef cleared her throat, “I’d  . . . uh I’d like to become a part of the army again.”

Gygr tried to suppress a smile but failed, “thought you’d get bored.”

“Yeah,” Stef laughed, “I love Mish, but I need more. I need action. I need to use my skills.” She stopped and faced the Commander, “Hades, I’m a warrior. I love it. I don’t know why, but I do.”

“I understand.” Gygr placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder and squeezed gently, “it’s a part of me as well. Someone once told me it was called ‘battle lust.’ I don’t know about that, but I do know that when I’m fighting a part of me comes alive. I don’t understand it. But there it is.”

Inside the palace two women spoke softly. “Do you still love her Mish?”

The Sovereign bowed her head and fingered the cloth of her simple dress, “yes,” she looked into green eyes, “yes I do Lis.” A lone tear escaped onto her cheek, “after the accident I was so afraid of her. I kept thinking she was going to take me back to a former owner and . . .”

Lisi stroked the woman’s arm, “yes I understand.”

“Anyway after awhile things became more clear. Stefan was a great help. Just being there for me, you know?”

Lis nodded and smiled, “yeah I know exactly what you mean.”

“It’s not that I don’t love Red, it’s that I love Stefan more.” A slow stream of tears followed the first. “And after the way I treated her I didn’t think she wanted to even see me. When I heard what they did to her at Emilie I thought I’d die.” She turned to the woman beside her. “I’m so glad you were with her Lis. You don’t know how relieved I was that someone had stayed with her and helped her.” She shook her head and wiped away tears with the palms of her hands. “I just wished it was me.”

“But now you’re friends Mish. I know Blue cherishes that."

“She does?”

The young blonde smiled, “oh yeah she absolutely does. Just like a part of you still loves her,” she stroked the woman’s arm “a part of her still loves you.”

“I . . . I thought she hated me.”

“Mish, I don’t think Blue can hate anyone unless they hurt someone she loves or cares for. And then,” the woman thought a moment, “and then she can become primal. She lashes out and seems to have this need to destroy the pain by destroying the one that caused it in the first place. And when she can’t do that, when that person isn’t available, she goes to the next best thing. She’ll try to destroy whatever reminds her of it. That’s what she did to Balador today.”

“You said she’d promised not to kill anyone.”

“Yes she did. But I don’t think Balador was the person who caused her to loose her son. That was someone else. Balador had the displeasure of reminding her of it though. I think even without the promise she would not have killed him. But she does want to kill someone for it. I just don’t know who.”

“The child’s father?”

“Who knows? And we don’t even know how her son died. Could have been an illness. Whatever it was she does seem to blame someone and that someone is living on borrowed time until she finds him.”

Gygr and Lis lay cuddled in the large bed. “Do you have to go?”

The red haired warrior nuzzled an earlobe, “uhhhmmm,” then moved over the smaller woman and placed a feather light kiss on her soft lips. “Yeah, got De Mei’s men working on a new strategy today and ZoZo and Jason tomorrow and . .
. ” Soft fingers stopped her lips.

“Shhhh,” she replaced her fingers with her lips for a moment. “I get the picture,” so should I make you some hard eggs to take to the field with you?” Lisi rose and stretched only to be pulled back into the bed by large hands at her waist. “Blue,” she pulled herself up and away from the bed. “I have to cook the morning meal and make your hard eggs and get ready to go with Mish and Stef to Number One. The least you could do is not make it so difficult.”

“Ulgh,” Gygr fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. “I love you Lis. You know that don’t you?”

The young woman stopped in her tracks and turned toward the bed, “Blue you know I do. Why are you questioning that?”

“Not questioning,” she shrugged and sat up placing her feet on the fur covered floor. “Just,” her voice broke and she cleared her throat. “Just wondering.”

Lis quickly sat beside the warrior and wrapped her arm around her waist. “Blue I love you so much that if something were to happen to you I would follow you before the next sunset. Please know that. Please know that here,” she lightly touched the woman’s chest over her heart.

In one swift smooth movement Gygr rose, picked up Lis in strong arms and swung her around squeezing her close. “I don’t know what I’d do without you Einstein.”

Lis chuckled, “now let me down so I can get us something to eat, unless you want porridge.”

Immediately the warrior gently lowered and released the smaller woman. “Just hearing the word gives me a bad taste in my mouth.”

“Speaking of bad taste, go and do your teeth cleaning.”

“Lis I don’t understand what the purpose of cleaning my teeth is.”

The blonde settled the pot over the flames in the hearth and turned to her lover. “I told you that one of my customers said he’d learned about it in the east somewhere past the great ocean and that it’s supposed to make your teeth last longer.” She put her hands on her hips, “now if you can name one person who still has all their own teeth at the age of 40 let me know.” She waited a moment, “ha. That’s what I thought. This man was over 50 and still had all his.”

“Bris.” Gygr smiled and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Bris what?”

“Bris still has all his teeth.”

Lis shook her head slowly, “no Bris does not have all his teeth. If you look closely you’ll notice he’s missing three.” She pulled a small object from the mantel, “now go use this teeth broom I made and clean them.”

Reluctantly Gygr retreated to the wash bowl and did as she was told. “So,” she sat at the table, “what do I do when I’m out in the field?”

“You take it with you, silly.”

“What?” Gygr stood quickly only to be forced down by a firm hand on her shoulder. “What will my men say?”

“I’ve been thinking of that,” she settled a plate of fruit and cheese in front of her warrior. “I’ve decided to ask Aldo to make teeth brooms for everyone. If we get the children to start using them when they’re young they’ll have healthy, strong teeth for the rest of their lives.” She set a loaf in the middle of the table and returned with a large pitcher of goat milk and two wooden mugs then took her seat. She looked at the nearly empty plate across from her and sighed. “It would be nice just once to eat with you instead of after you. Next time you don’t get to sit until everything is ready and I’ve already started.” She raised her brows and gave the woman across from her a steely gaze.

“Uh, yes Lis.” The warrior lowered her eyes in embarrassment. Why does what she thinks suddenly mean so much to me? Gods don’t let me ever let her down. “I’ll try to eat more slowly,” she smiled, “just for you.”

Dumb. Dumb. DUMB. So what if she eats fast. Obviously it doesn’t make her sick. Leave her alone. Can’t you see she’ll do anything for me? “No Blue, you just eat the way you always do.” She smiled and reached her hand to stroke that of her lover. “I really love everything about you. Even the way you eat. Please, I think I’d miss it if you ate slow.”

Gygr chuckled and entwined her fingers with those of her partner. With her other hand she deftly cut a large slice from the loaf and began eating it, much more slowly. “I’ll try anything for you Lis.”

“So,” the warrior stood as Lis wrapped a heavy cloak around the broad shoulders and clipped it. “you be careful at Number One. And be sure to take Gustav or Carillios with you.”

“Yes Blue.”

“And don’t take any chances. Be careful of your footing. It can be dangerous in caves. You never know what to expect.”

“Yes Blue.”

“And be sure to take plenty of water and food. Stop and rest often. Mish does have a delicate heart.”

“Yes Blue.”

“And . . .” fingers on her lips stopped her.

“Yes Blue to everything,” green eyes sparkled, “and we will take someone with us.” She stood on her toes and kissed the pursed lips of her warrior. “And don’t forget Stef will be with us.” Gygr nodded. “And I want you to remember to sweep your teeth.”

“Yes Lis.”

“And don’t train too hard. It will only frustrate the men.”

“Yes Lis.”

“And,” she again stood on her toes and kissed the soft lips, “have fun.” She wrapped her arm around the waist of the warrior, “You’ll be home for the evening meal?”

“Absolutely Lis.”

Outside it was still not yet dawn. They embraced for one more kiss then separated. Lis watched the warrior mount Hannibal and waved as she rode away with nearly four hundred troops following in her wake. “I love you Blue,” she whispered as three furry critters attacked her ankles, “oh no. Last time Blue had to bring you back in her tunic. Today you’re staying here with Light and Dark and Jonni promised to watch you all”.

Gygr and the troops rode until she felt the heat of the sun on her back. They were quite a few leagues from the city and as she turned Hannibal to face the troops she breathed in the cool dusty air. “Jason you’ll attack from the north,” she nodded and the officer led his men northward where they would assemble for the mock battle. “Zo you’ll defend that hill just to the south. De Mei I want your men practicing with the new bows a league west of here. And make sure the men work at being accurate. No use having these new longbows you developed if we loose accuracy in the bargain.”

“Right Commander,” he turned and led his men westward.

Gygr watched as Zozo positioned his men. She had been watching him work with his troops for some time now and noted the camaraderie and closeness that had formed. She also noted the new shields the men used. According to Zo something one of his men had suggested required the slightly heavier and larger model they now sported.

Gods let’s hope this works. The warrior waited for Jason and his troops to begin the attack. This was to be a two pronged learning experience for the troops. First, Zo and his men had a surprise defense against the oncoming troops that, if it worked, would be incorporated into new defensive strategies. Secondly, both Zo’s and Jason’s troops would be surprised by the attack of De Mei’s archers to ascertain their ability to adjust their battle style. Zo and his men had wanted to surprise their Commander with the new defense and that worried the warrior. She hated being in the dark about anything. Especially something as important as security of their new homeland. To assure no one would be injured the troops would be using arrows with their tips removed. Actually the tips had not yet been added by the women who had made a business of making arrows for the Dorian Army.

Gygr saw the dust announcing Jason’s troops to the ‘enemy’ and watched as his archers prepared to send a sky full of arrows toward Zo whose troops had initially divided into three groups. The tall, red haired warrior watched carefully as Zo shouted orders to his men. Gygr was too far away to hear them, however understood what they were. Or so she thought. Immediately the three groups Zo had so carefully formed merged onto one. At the front and sides the new shields were used to hide and protect the men. In the second row the soldiers held their shields over their heads effectively shielding themselves from the incoming projectiles. As Jason’s troops got closer three things happened. The arrows bounced off the shields protecting Zo’s men, Zo’s archers let fly arrows of their own which would have killed many of Jason’s troops if they had not bounced off their leathers. And lastly when Jason’s troops were almost upon them, Zo’s outer men raced behind leaving body length posts laying on the ground.

Gygr shook her head and yelled to the forces to halt which, after much confusion and panic by the horses, they finally did. “Okay Zo explain what this little demonstration at the end was all about.” Before the man could speak Gygr saw approaching horses from the north. “That must be De Mei’s men.” She turned and pulled one of Jason’s men aside, “you. Tell De Mei to abort the attack and . . .” SWITTT. The warrior was catapulted from her mount by the force of an arrow through her shoulder.

“Form up, form up,” immediately Zo ordered his troops into a defensive position around their Commander. Zo’s men used their new shields and strategy to protect themselves as Jason’s troops swung to the rear and divided into two forces on either side of Zo’s troops.

“Tristan,” Jason shouted to the man Gygr had pulled aside, “inform De Mei of the attack.” The dark skinned man immediately heeled his mount to avoid the oncoming enemy and follow his orders.

Zo’s troops had formed around the unmoving body of their Commander using  their new shields and strategy protected them from the arrow assault.

Although the Dorians had used unfinished arrows for the mock battle they were well supplied with new fully tipped shafts which they let fly at the enemy. “Now,” Zo shouted. The third, sixth and ninth rows moved their shields forward allowing the fourth, seventh and tenth rows, who were De Mei’s archers assigned to this unit, the ability to quickly rise and send their projectiles whizzing toward the enemy. The men in the fourth row would aim at specific targets in the hope of slowing the momentum of the fastest moving enemy and taking out officers. The back rows shot higher to reach the middle and lagging attackers.

The strategy worked better than Zo had hoped. He turned to Jason and nodded his head giving the officer the signal to let loose his mounted troops on the now confused and panicked enemy. Jason’s cavalry galloped on either side of the defenders, stretched out as they passed, then swiftly turned into a full assault. The enemy was caught in the pincers of the Dorians and found themselves unable to continue forward or retreat.

From the west De Mei’s oncoming troops squashed any hope the enemy may have had about leaving the desert with their lives. “Other than the Commander how many are wounded?” Zo paced and glanced at Jason and De Mei.

“None.” Jason watched as a soldier trained by Stamos and Bris attended to their general. “We’ve got to get her back to Tang.”

“No you don’t,” the warrior’s eyes revealed the pain she was in. “Help me up I want to question their officers.”

Her officers looked at one another then at the young soldier working to staunch the blood flow from their Commander’s shoulder. “Commander, allow Toloc to see to your wound and we will bring the officers to you to question.”

“Very well,” she glanced at the young man’s shaking hands. “Weren’t you one of the men who brought the bed Aldo made to my office at Number One?”

A large grin formed on the man’s face, “yes Commander. I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

She leaned back against the saddle one of her men had placed behind her back. “I also remember that you’ve improved as a soldier.” She winced when he broke the tip that protruded from her back.

“Thank you Commander.” He had one man thrust a dagger into the fire and swallowed hard. “Commander, uh . . . this is going to hurt. I have to pull . . .”

“Just do it Toloc. I promise not to kill you.” She tried to smile, but at that moment he quickly withdrew the shaft and inserted the white-hot dagger to cauterize the wound. He then applied the dagger to her back effectively stopping the slow flow of blood.

After applying salve and a bandage Gygr was able to slip her leathers and armor back on and stood, shaky at first, to attend to their prisoners for interrogation. As she approached the warrior spoke softly to Jason who marched beside her. He nodded and turned to speak to two soldiers both of whom left quickly to obey their new orders. Gygr saw a dozen of Jauka’s men surrounded by fifty of her own and before them were saddles, Creanitrian saddles, arranged by the Dorians to make a chair for their Commander to be comfortable as she interrogated the prisoners. As Gygr sat one of the soldiers Jason had sent on an errand returned with the warrior’s sword. She nodded and smiled at the very young man and motioned him to stand beside her. He was so excited he tripped over his own feet and would have fallen had not his Commander, their general, grabbed his arm and firmly held him upright. The Creanistrians laughed.

Gygr pointed her sword at the one who was laughing the loudest and he was grabbed by two Dorians and dragged before her. “Funny?”

The man’s laughter had died in his throat. “N. . . no.” The Dorians laughed when his voice cracked like a young boy’s. The warrior quickly turned to her men and gave them a dangerous look. They quieted quickly.

“Where’s Ngano?”

“Who?” The man shrugged and lifted his hands palms up, “I nev. . .” The sword was swung across his chest so fast the man didn’t know his beating heart was exposed until he looked down and saw it.

As he fell Gygr nodded to one of her men, “get me another one.” As the body of the first was dragged away another prisoner was brought forward on shaky legs. “Where’s Ngano?”

“I don’t know,” the man was shaking so badly the Dorian soldiers had to hold him up.

“Where do you think he might be?”

“I . . . I don’t know. I’ve heard only rumors.”

“Pike him.”

Immediately another was brought before her. She did not even have to ask. “Rumor has it he’s holed up in a series of caves to the north of here. We don’t know where it is.”

“You came from the north didn’t you?” The man nodded, “pike him.”

A very young man was brought forward next. His blond hair fell over his forehead and he brushed it back with shaking fingers. “Ngano. Where is he?”

Bright blue eyes met ice blue eyes. He looks a little like Wilem. A small shiver ran down the warrior’s spine. “Only the officers know. They kept us in a valley while they went to meet with him.” The boy cleared his throat.

“Which valley?”

“The one to the north that has the twin peaks on the east end and three peaks at the west end.” He tried to smile but failed miserably, “do you know it?”

“Yes.” Gygr turned and sat on the saddles, “what’s your name?”

The young man visibly relaxed. “Ox 9.”

“Who in Hades named you that?”

Ox 9 cleared his throat again, “I was born on Jauka’s slave farm. When we are born we are named for the service we will provide for the rest of our lives. I was raised to pull the plow as an ox would.” He shrugged his shoulders, “so I’m Ox 9.”

Gygr looked at the slight young man before her and chuckled to herself. I can’t believe he’d be able to hold a plow up let alone pull one. “Why are you in the army?”

The man smiled, “well, I really wasn’t very good at my job. My brother oxen really could do a good day’s work. I was an utter failure. But one of the men who’d been sent to the farm had been a map maker for Plydias’ forces before Jauka destroyed them. He taught me about maps. When the farm overseer found out he told the captain of one of Jauka’s regiments and that’s how I ended up here.”

“So were you still a slave?”

Ox 9 lowered his head, “yes I am.”

“No you’re not.” The young man’s head snapped up and he looked at the warrior sitting on the saddles as if she were Sovereign of Doria. “There is no slavery in Doria. As soon as you set foot on Dorian soil you were free and are so now.”

Ox 9 fell to his knees and wept. “My parents died in slavery. I . . .”

A strong hand on his shoulder made him look up into concerned blue eyes. “You won’t.” She offered her hand and helped him up. “Are there others who were slaves in Jauka’s army.”

“Yes,” Ox 9 nodded his head. “Nearly fifty of us.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“Anyone with a brand on their left rear cheek.”

The warrior swallowed hard and glanced at the young man, “if you would like to be a part of the Dorian Army we have need of another map maker. Or if you’d rather not be a soldier you can start your own business.” She nodded to Jason and Zo who then approached her. “No need to make a decision now,” she squeezed his shoulder then turned to her officers.

They spoke for some time before the two men nodded and returned to the prisoners. Forty-three men and two women were separated from the prisoners and told they were free in Doria. The remaining prisoners were told to strip and their clothes and foot coverings were burned in a large bonfire. Their weapons were included. Doria now had enough weapons they need not use the inferior Creanistrian issue. Half the prisoners were executed while the other half were piked. Gygr wanted to leave a message to Ngano and any other Creanistrian who dared attack a Dorian. The enemy horses were rounded up and herded to Tillymoss where Jerome would check them out and Kosta would repair or make new shoes. Those who were more suited to pull a cart or plow would be sold to farmers and merchants.

Gygr, as was her custom, led the Dorians back to Tang City. She sat tall in the saddle belying the excruciating pain in her shoulder to say nothing of the aches and pains she normally felt after a battle. The Dorians had lost four soldiers and another seven were injured. She was already planning the search for Ngano. If she’d not been wounded she would have been halfway to the valley by now in search for his hideout. That will have to wait for now. But I’ll move Tron’s unit to patrol that area and beef up his troops by adding Jason and Zo to it. Another couple hundred won’t hurt. We might be able to use De Mei’s archers as snipers in the hills surrounding the valley.

That’s a possibility.

Yeah.

On the other hand we can just sweep the valley with a full invasion force.

And leave the rest of Doria unprotected? I think not Assassin.

It was just an idea.

Assassin why don’t you just shut up.

And why don’t you just crawl in a hole Red.

Oh be quiet.

And now we hear from the nuthouse, huh, killer.

“Will all of you please shut up.” Every head turned to the general. Great now they’ll think I’m really a basket case.

By the time they reached Tang City Stamos and Bris had been notified of the wounds suffered and had rooms set aside in the palace to serve as a hospice. Gygr checked on her men and stabled Hannibal where a love struck young boy begged to brush and curry the war horse. With a nod the warrior made the boy’s day as he scurried to perform the task.

It was half way past midday and the former gladiator was exhausted. She removed her armor and leathers and sank gladly into the bed falling asleep immediately.

“So what did you think Mish?” Lisiana rode beside the Sovereign and waited for a reply.

Mishal pursed her lips and nodded ever so slightly. “Nice.”

“You hated it.” Lisi accused the woman.

“No,” Mishal glanced at the blonde, “yes. You’re right I didn’t like it. But,” she raised her brows, “I didn’t hate it either. I just think it’s . . .”

“Too confining,” Stefan finished for her.

“Yes,” the dark woman smiled, “too confining. For me. But others may like it.”

“The whole point is to have a place for you to be safe if we’re attacked.”

“Ahh,” Mish nodded. “In that case let me think about it.”

They continued into Tang City and left the horses at the stable to be taken care of by the stable boy. “Hannibal’s here. Blue must be back.” Lis smiled to her two friends, “bye.”

“She’s got it bad.” Mish turned to Stef and took her hand.

“She’s not the only one.” Stef smiled as they returned to the palace.

Lisi ran to the home she shared with the warrior and once inside stopped beside the bed in horror. “Blue?” Gygr lay on the bed in a fetal position shivering, teeth shattering, covered in sweat with three furry bundles snuggled close licking her arm. Lis retrieved a bowl and filled it with water and began to try to cool the warrior down. She squeezed the water from a cloth and applied it to the feverish forehead and cheeks. “Gods Blue what happened now?” She didn’t hear the tap at the door and was momentarily startled when a warm hand rested on her shoulder. She turned and nearly wept, “oh Bris she’s sick.”

“I know little one. The arrowheads were dipped in poison. Two of the injured have already died.”

“Died? No, no,” she turned to the man, “please help her Bris.”

“Shhhhh,” the dark skinned man held her at arms length. “Crying will not help her Lisi.”

“Yes, I’m sorry Bris.” She sniffled. “What can I do to help?”

“Put some water to boil and,” he passed the bowl of water to her, “toss this out and get cool water from the lake.” The two spent the night desperately trying to cool the woman’s body. Bris mixed herbs every few hours holding her as Lisi poured it into Gygr’s mouth. They were thankful she swallowed it all. But the fever continued.

Bris pulled a small leather pouch from his healer’s sack and with his fingers crushed the brown substance into a bowl. He helped Gygr sit and began feeding it to her. Automatically she chewed and swallowed until there was none left.

Lisi watched. “What’s that?”

Bris glanced at the younger woman, “something I use when nothing else seems to work. The poison has worked it’s way through her body. The only way to remove it is to draw it out.” He lifted the little sack, “this will do it.”

“What is it? Some magical potion?”

Bris laughed, “no. It is a special soil of the earth.”

“What? You’re feeding her dirt?”

“It is a combination of soils that have curative properties and the only thing I know of that will draw out the poison. If you can think of anything else I am open to suggestions.”

Lis shook her head.

The child heard the screams of those who went before her. She couldn’t imagine what would be so horrible that forced grownups to scream like that and began shaking as she waited her turn. On the other side of the tent flap she heard a man beg and cry. “Please don’t. Please don’t.” His cry was the most harrowing she’d heard and the girl couldn’t contain her fear any longer. She looked down at the puddle she’d formed. “I won’t cry, I won’t cry, I won’t cry.”

A large man leaned from within the tent and grabbed her arm. “You’re next.” He carried her inside and pulled her tunic up to her shoulders. She turned her head and saw the irons white hot amongst the red hot coals. “It’s okay if you scream.” Her eyes widened as the man pulled an iron with his left hand as he pressed his right onto her back holding her down. She screamed when the fire seared her flesh. “Just one more little one now.” The man leaned his weight into her back and applied the short brand forming a J on her body.

In less than a heart beat the former gladiator had the younger woman on the floor her hand wrapped around her neck. “You dare mark me?” Her voice was ragged.

“Blue,” Lisi stopped struggling sensing that would make the warrior less dangerous, “it’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” When the hand loosened Lis tried to sit up but was pushed back down by a strong finger at her shoulder. “Blue, you’re safe. No one will hurt you here. You’re safe Blue.” Lis stroked the woman’s cheek and smiled hoping to get through the nightmare, her own and that of the tall red haired woman she cared for so deeply. “Your safe,” she whispered. “You’re safe, no one will ever do that to you again.” Do what? What was she dreaming?

“I won’t cry,” tears fell from the warrior’s eyes, “I won’t cry.”

“No, Blue you won’t cry.” Lis, finally able to sit up, wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist and hugged her.
“You didn’t cry Blue.” She rocked back and forth whispering soothing words into the taller woman’s ear until Gygr fell asleep her head on Lisi’s shoulder.

Together, Bris and Lis, struggled the large woman onto the bed. Lis slipped in beside and held her fever ridden warrior. When both women were asleep Bris left to attend to other patients. It was already dawn and he looked into a cloudless sky whistling as he returned to the men at the palace who required his skill as well.

The sun was at it’s zenith when Lis opened her eyes. She watched her warrior’s chest rise and fall evenly then laid the back of her hand to the woman’s cheek. She’s cool. Thank the gods. The smaller woman returned her head to her favorite headrest, Gygr’s shoulder, and fell instantly into slumber.

The former gladiator opened her eyes and smiled at the comfort of Lisi’s head against her. I want to wake up like this every morning. Don’t I tell myself that every morning? Who cares! She turned her face and kissed the soft lips of her partner lightly chuckling when Lis automatically moved closer, her lips and body each demanding more contact.

Golden lashed eyelids fluttered open and green eyes smiled into blue. “Morning. How you feeling?”

Strong arms encircled her, “much, much better.” She raised her arm, “see no problem moving this baby.” she slipped her arms under Lisi lifting her from the bed. “Or this one.” She fondled an earlobe with her teeth. “Uhmm you know if you put porridge on your ear I’ll probably eat it.”

“Blue,” oh gods, she does this to me every time. Get yourself together Lis. You’ve got a lot to do today. “Blue?” Oh no, not there, you know I’m mush when you get me . . . ahh Blue.

“Hmmmm?” Lisi shook her head. No words would come out as the fire within her began to flicker then burst into flame.

“Gods Blue. Take me to bed now.”

“Ummm hummmm.” She carried her bundle and settled her in the center of the bed and lay on top of the smaller woman. “This what you had in mind?”

“Ohhhhh.”

A pounding at the door cut short the moment and Lisi hastily slipped her tunic over hear head and turned before opening the door to make sure Gygr was appropriately dressed as well. Lis opened the door to Gustav. “Can I have a moment with the genr’l?”

“Uh, yeh . . .”

Gygr was behind her and pulled the woman to her chest leaving more room for the door to open completely, “come in Gustav.” She winked at Lis before releasing her. “What can I do for you?”

“Uh,” the man looked around and kicked himself mentally for interrupting his Commander. “Lumor wants to talk with you.”

“Lumor?” What in Hades does that man want?

“Let me guess,” she sat in the chair beside the table where Lis was already placing bowls of fruit and a large square of cheese for the warrior’s morning meal. “He’s not happy in his work.”

Gustav cleared his throat. “No, but that’s not what he wants to talk to you about.” He continued when he saw she was interested. “He wants to join your army.”

Gygr wanted to leap up and scream at the man. WHAT? He wants to join the Dorian Army? Even she was surprised at the softness of her voice, “and why would he want to do that?”

“It appears Jauka had his family killed as retribution for losing the mine.”

“Ohhhh!” Lis drew her hand to her lips. “How horrible.”

“How does he know?”

“Balador was fevered after you severed his leg. It was then he began rambling about Jauka and what was done to Lumor’s family as well as the commandant’s of every other mine. They were all killed.”

“God’s Blue that’s terrible.” Lisi sat in a chair and drew her hands to her chest.

The warrior glanced at the younger woman beside her. “Jauka’s not the forgiving type. He probably also had their pets killed.” She stood and motioned Gustav to a chair which he gratefully sat on. “I’ll speak to Lumor later today Gustav.” She poured a mug of goat milk, “please share the morning meal with us. I don’t get to see you as often as I’d like.”

Lis added more fruit and cheese and poured the now hot water into mugs for tea. The three enjoyed the meal as Gygr
and Gustav discussed his troops. “I think,” the former gladiator said between bites of cheese, “it’s time we rotated your troops from Number One into the field. Tron and his men have been out too long and should appreciate the break as will your troops.”

The man nodded, “I agree.” He swallowed the last of an apple, “I accompanied the Sovereign, Lis and Stefan on their investigation of the caverns. Very interesting.”

“Uhmm,” Gygr chewed her cheese then swallowed, “what did you think?”

“Easily defensible. However I would like more than the single means of escape it allows.”

“I agree,” she swallowed the last of the goat milk and stood, “but we have not had a chance to go through it
completely. Too bad Dakkan is . . .” She remembered the young man’s fierce battle with Ngano and his death. “He might even have already been through there when he was younger.”

“I don’t think he got here until he was enslaved. His family, as all the original miners, did not live this far west.” Gustav had stood as soon as his Commander had and now turned to the door. “I’ll make sure Lumor is presentable for your visit.” He nodded and was out the door.

The warrior dressed in her leathers and light armor, “what are your plans for today Lis.”

“Jili has promised Jonni the help of the children planting seedlings. I’ll be with them as another pair of eyes and hands.” She turned from washing the dishes and placed her hands on her hips, “you know those kids can disappear like that.” She snapped her fingers. “It’s a job just keeping them in sight.”

“You taking the triplets?”

“No. Stef is picking them up to spend the day with Light and Dark. She said her two miss their friends and are pouting.” She shrugged her shoulders. “How can wildcats pout? And how would she know if they were?”

Gygr chuckled, “probably the same way you know when one of ours is unhappy or in pain or excited.”

Lisi eyed her friend and snorted. “That’s different.”

“How?” She slipped her sword into the sheath on her back, “they know their little ones as well as we know ours.”

“Well, anyway they’ll be visiting the twins so I’ll just have my hands full with the children.” Lis dried her hands and approached the warrior. “Now,” she pulled on the armor forcing the taller woman toward her and leaned into her chest. “ooooh that’s cold.”

The warrior chuckled, “what did you expect. It’s metal.” She leaned down and stole a kiss which was immediately returned. She gently pushed the smaller woman at arm’s length. “If we don’t stop neither of us will get out of here.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“If one of the children should disappear because your eyes weren’t there to keep watch you’ll think so.” She wrapped an arm around Lis’ shoulder and walked her outside. “Now,” she kissed the younger woman’s cheek, “you go do what you do best and I’ll go do what I do best. And I see you for the evening meal.”

“Blue, please be careful.”

The warrior chuckled, “I’m only going to Number One. What could happen?” She turned and strode toward the stable.

“That’s what worries me Blue, anything can happen.” Lis whispered to herself and watched until her warrior disappeared inside the stable, then went to the nursery where Jonni, Jili and seventeen children waited.

Gygr patted Hannibal, “hey big guy were going for a nice ride. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. You set the pace today.” The stallion nodded his head up and down and snorted. “Good,” the woman chuckled. “Who says you don’t understand me?” She saddled her best friend, mounted and ducked her head as they left the stable then allowed him to proceed to Number One at a full gallop. Hannibal and Gygr moved as one. The former gladiator loved riding at full gallop. The wind fingered her hair back and up sometimes slapping her neck and cheek. Hannibal’s mane slapped her hands as she held the reins just over the saddle horn. Her body unmoving save for the legs that pumped down and up, down and up with every stride the stallion made.

The dark clouds to the east looked heavy with rain, but after nearly two years in Doria Gygr felt safe the rain would hit the extreme east coast and not make it all the way to Tang City or Number One. Later in the season it would be different though. The rains would make travel difficult at best. The road from Tang to Tillymoss was completed and the ditches on either side would hopefully keep that road from becoming a muddy bog.  She thought the same should be done with the road to Number One since it was becoming more important in the safety of the Dorians. Have to convince Mish to think more about the caverns. Probably should send a team down there to map the whole thing. Who was the man who helped Dakkan? Oh yeah, Kelt our mapmaker.

She watched as the dust rose up from the west. The warrior slowed Hannibal. Good I could use a little exercise about now. She watched the horses come into view hoping Ngano was atop one of them. “Come on, come on,” Gygr slowly unsheathed her sword and lay it across her thigh as the horsemen rapidly approached. Behind the first group she could now see a second larger force. “Damn, two waves.” She settled Hannibal with firm legs against his sides, “as long as I get Ngano, I’ll happily escort him Hades and make his eternity miserable once we get there.” She smiled and waited until the first group was nearly upon her before she made her move.

The warrior heeled the stallion and together they swiftly and gracefully approached the oncoming troops. Gygr held her sword high and for the first time in her life sent a earth shattering yell toward her future victims. At almost the same moment the approaching cavalry split allowing Gygr free rein toward the second group. She turned quickly and saw the smiles of the men surrounding her. “Are we glad to see you.”
 

Copyright MM by  Frances Spinella .
All Rights Reserved.

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