Her Mother told Jaromira the day she first bled.
"Our family has a secret," she had said, moving a warm, wet cloth over Jaromira's smooth skin, removing those first traces of womanhood. "Your Great Grandmother told your Grandma, Grandma told me, and now I will tell you. So, too, will you tell your daughters as each reaches the age of bleeding. It is not a thing for men."
Jaromira blushed as her thighs were pushed father apart, the wash cloth moving to the source of the red flow.
"There were Gods in Poland, my little Flower Blossom. Before we came to this world. Before the Cross came to our homeland. Gods and Goddesses lived among us. We worshiped them. Served them, as they served us. They made the trees grow, the crops flourish, our babies grow up healthy and strong."
She put the cloth back in the ceramic basin of water resting on the floor, the clear water slowly turning red. Gently, her mother closed Jaromira's legs, restoring her modesty.
"The most honored of all was... Zywie."
****
Felek moved his hand away as the kindling finally caught, the carefully placed tinder having done its job. He looked up from the hastily built fire pit. The sun was now just below the horizon, shadows becoming darkness. A few of the men worked, tending the horses their lives depended on. The rest...
"It makes no sense," Kazik was saying, his head moving back and forth as he leaned against a tree. Felek agreed with him. "Why would your mother say this?"
"Because her mother did." Jaromira was no longer the stern, humorless woman Felek had come to know. She sat on the ground, Lewy's arm around her, eyes distant.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I have." The dark haired woman gave a dry laugh. "I asked her. Believe me, I did. She didn't know. Mother told me because her mother had, and her mother's mother before her. It's... just something we had to do."
"And none of you others heard this?" The soldier looked around at the other women. Ruta shook her head. Felek saw the others do the same. Cyla, though, hesitated. Felek pushed himself to his feet.
"Cyla?"
The soldier took a deep breath, hands in the process of unstrapping her breastplate. She cast a worried glance towards Anelie. Closing her eyes, she breathed out.
"Mother... passed something different down to me. Not about this god." Her fingers finished with the straps. Felek watched as she removed the armor, the padded under armor now visible.
"About what, then?" Felek asked. Bach moved to the girl's side. She smiled as he took the metal armor from her. Her gaze returned to Felek.
"I... I'm Jewish."
Felek blinked.
"What's that?" The term was familiar. He had read something about it, but could not for the life of him place the word. She shrugged.
"Don't know. Mother wasn't sure, either. She just said that we were part of a special people, but only those born to Jewish mothers were, in fact, Jewish. So, while both I and my brothers and sister are Jewish, only my children and Kasia's will be. That's why she was only telling us, and not the boys. So we could tell our daughters."
"That makes no sense," Issa scoffed. Felek let out his own laugh.
"Which is more than the rest of this is doing. Jaromira, you don't know anything more?"
"No." She leaned against her husband. "No. I hadn't even thought of it in years. May have even forgotten, until I heard that name." She looked down, ashamed. "I may not have even passed it on, if we ever have children."
"Knowing your mother," Lewy said, chuckling, "she would have been more than happy to remind you."
"True." With a sigh, Jaromira rose to her feet, Lewy doing the same. "OK, enough of this. Ruta, Ofure, let's get dinner started."
****
The bird was still there.
Felek contemplated the creature as he sat near the fire, a mug of ale in his hand. It took a good drink to understand all of this. Sober, it made no sense. As he watched, the blue and orange bird moved a bit on its branch, head seeming to sweep the campsite. Felek took a long drink. Nope, still made no sense.
He wasn't sure the keg had been a good idea. Oh, he understood why Anelie had ordered it tapped, and the soldiers certainly needed the distraction. But...
Felek sighed, taking another small sip. What was done was done. Nobody seemed to be overdoing it, at least. There was no singing. The men just sat with their thoughts, a few groups conversing softy.
Ruta sat beside him on the log. Without even thinking, he moved his mug to his other hand, snaking his arm around her body. She leaned against him, shifting closer. She smelled of sweat, of smoke, of that strange spice that had been added to the roasted potatoes. He wished they were alone. Just the two of them, free of all responsibility. Free to just be with each other.
"I'm sorry," she said, quietly. Felek squeezed her.
"For what?"
"Tricking you."
He looked at her, surprised.
"How?"
"Our night together. At the palace." She didn't meet his gaze. "I lied to you."
"About what?" He had no idea where this was going.
"I... I told you it was safe. I lied."
Safe? Felek tried to think back. The alcohol was not helping. Neither were the events of that night. All he remembered was the feel of her skin against his, of being inside her. Of the love in every touch and sound. Not caring if the others saw, he moved his hand up, gently cupping her breast.
"What are you talking about?"
"I wanted to have your baby."
His hand slid back down to her belly of its own accord. She stiffened.
"What?" he asked.
"It was the worst time for us to be together, which is why I wanted you with me. In me. I was so selfish."
"Why are you telling me now?" The thoughts that ran through his mind were very confused. Thanks to his sister, Felek had a pretty good idea how the whole making babies thing worked. Surely this was something which would not affect them for months yet...
"I bled today. It didn't work." She turned to him, eyes wet with tears. "I realized how stupid I had been. How... childish. I was like a silly girl trying to catch a boy with a wandering eye. I didn't think..."
Felek silenced her with a kiss. Putting his drink on the log beside him, he let his hand caress her face. Breaking the kiss, he slid a finger to wipe away a tear.
"We would have been back before you showed, my love. It's... OK." He smiled. "This means we just have to keep trying." Felek saw Issa regarding him from ten feet away, a grin on the Kikker's brown splotchy face. "Not now, though," he added. Issa's expression turned to mock disappointment.
"I know," Ruta said, missing the exchange. "It's not the time for that, anyway."
Felek nodded, pretending he understood. Women were still a mystery.
As, he thought, eyes going again to the bird above, were so many things.
****
Anelie took her time as she walked through the field, retracing their wagon tracks back towards the road. The night was still warm, the day's heat not yet sucked out of the air. It was not quiet. She could clearly hear the stream, darkness seeming to amplify the sound of water flowing over and around rocks. Insects fought to be heard over the babble, succeeding greatly. Leaving the camp, Anelie had entertained the thought the nightly noise would hide any movement by intruders. The sound of her own footsteps through the tall grass dispelled that worry.
Exactly why she was out here, she wasn't sure. Anelie did not have a watch that night, having drawn it the previous evening. True, she could not sleep, her mind a swirl of ideas she did not want to deal with, but one did not fight insomnia by leaving your bedroll and wandering the world. She would not suddenly find sleep hidden out here under the stars.
Anelie saw a dark shape rise where the roadway began crossing the stream. It was slender, a swell at the hips proving it was not Bach. A smile came to Anelie's face, even as she felt a tug at her heart. Had she ever thought any other than Shanna would bring out that feeling, however bittersweet?
The thought of Shanna was a cold splash of reality. Anelie... was bad at this. Whatever this was. It could be nothing. Couldn't it? It probably would be best if it were nothing.
What did Klocia think it was?
"Lady?" Klocia's voice was quiet, yet alert. Anelie had not awakened her from a nap. Bach would be on the other side of the raised roadway, the two both invisible from the road yet able to spy any east/west travelers. Unnecessary, perhaps, but better the unneeded precaution than an unwanted surprise.
"Shh," Anelie whispered as she approached. Coming to a stop before the teen, their heads well below the top of the roadway, she smiled. "Just thought I'd get some air."
Klocia nodded silently, Anelie unable to read her expression in the starlight. Anelie looked around.
"Anything going on?"
"No, Lady." She shook her head, long braid swinging out from behind her back. Anelie nodded.
"Good." Moving so her feet were on some sort of small outcrop, she let herself fall back onto the grassy hill. It felt weird, gravity telling her she was almost standing, yet she was almost supine. It reminded her of draping herself off of various furnishings around their home, viewing the world while upside down or sideways. She would occasionally use Bogdi for such games, body splayed over his blanket covered form while he slept. She felt more than saw Klocia do the same beside her. The girl then removed her helmet, firmly shoving it into the angled ground beside her. It poked out like a metal breast.
They were quiet. Anelie shot glances down the embankment every now and then, doing her part to keep watch. They would not see anything from this angle, but travelers on the road would be heard long before they became visible.
"Lady Anelie." Klocia's voice was calmer now, less formal. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure." She closed her eyes. Anelie felt so... calm, now. Why was that?
"Why did you join the army?"
Anelie opened her eyes as she looked at Klocia. The blonde regarded her with friendly curiosity, their heads two feet apart. She felt herself shrugging against the packed earth.
"A few reasons. Why?"
"I'm just curious. We..." Her smile became sheepish. "The others talk. Lots of stories about... well, you."
"Soldiers are worse than old women," Anelie laughed.
"With just as much swearing!" Anelie was happy to see Klocia was not giggling, the sound more of a laughing chuckle. She didn't like gigglers. Shanna didn't giggle.
Shanna. Anelie let out a sigh. It always came down to Shanna. She turned away from her friend, eyes finding the pattern of stars her Brother had named for her. Four bright stars in a rough square, beside a much larger six star Bogdi Box.
"I joined because of Shanna." She felt Klocia's eyes. "I mean... I didn't see it, we were already over the river, but Bogdi fought with her at the Battle of the Bridge. He found us in the wagon train the next morning, all excited. He had seen the most incredible woman, he told me and Mom. Beautiful brown skin! Brave as a bear! Leaping here, there, everywhere, to destroy that raft! She was like a Polish demon, he said."
Anelie closed her eyes, remembering.
"That evening, after the wagons stopped for the night, I left camp. I just wandered down the river bank, watching the women bathe. I... I just wanted to find her. I didn't even know why. Well, maybe I did. She just sounded so..." Anelie felt something touch her hand. Her eyes opened again, locating the five stars near hers she had named after the woman.
"I found her. She was nude, just coming out of the river. Her body... It was strong. Beautiful. Water dripping off of her, seeming to catch and highlight every curve, every muscle. I... I had to be with her. Had to be LIKE her. I had never wanted to be like the other girls. I had always enjoyed playing with my brother, his friends. Here was the most perfect woman in the world..."
"I joined because of you." Anelie turned to Klocia, startled, as the girl's hand took hers. "You probably don't remember. Three years ago. The Orlan river was flooding, flowing so fast travel up it was impossible. My father thought there was money to be made traveling along the banks by wagon up to Daraja with a load of those smoked shellfish the Watu like so much. It was raining, our wagon barely moving through the muddy road..."
"The wolves," Anelie said, an image flashing before her. Klocia squeezed her hand.
"You remember! They came out of the woods, jumped our horses. We couldn't run away. Father grabbed an ax, ready to take the first one to try and jump into the wagon. I found a short knife. Then... we saw you. Saw black armored saviors riding towards us, your red braid flapping behind you."
"They just ran. We did nothing." Anelie whispered the words. Klocia's face seemed now mere inches away.
"You saved us. More, you showed me. I had felt so helpless, unable to help Father fend off the beasts. But, you... I did not have to be helpless. I could be strong. Strong, and still a woman. I could defend my family, my people. I could make a difference."
Anelie, body not waiting for her command, leaned forward those few inches. Her lips touched Klocia's.
Anelie had only kissed one person before that night. One person who her heart told her she loved. That kiss, and the few which had followed, had been sweet, yet... The love which had flowed back to her had been more subdued. Uncertain.
Klocia's lips told of the purest love.
Anelie drew back. Her heart beat so fast, she was sure it would have caused any armor worn to ring out in alarm. Her mind, too, was sending out warnings. What the fuck was she doing?! The soldier was on DUTY, for fuck's sake! She knew better! Would be damned tempted to have any of her own men whipped if she caught them doing the same! The rules applied to HER as much as they did to any man! Forget everything else about this, her feelings, the taste of the girl's lips. She had just...
Anelie sat up, trying to think. Her feet slid off their perch, body moving downward on the grass. As she felt level ground, Anelie pushed herself off the causeway, standing. A moment later, Klocia stood beside her. The teen was at attention, helmet in hand.
"I'm sorry, Lady," she said, a tremble in her voice. "That... please forgive me. That was unprofessional. I will accept any punishment." Klocia bowed her head.
Anelie took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. She could still feel the touch of Klocia's hand on hers.
"It's my fault, Klocia. Don't worry about it." She smiled, hesitantly. "Some things should be left to those off duty."
The two women stared at each other for a long moment. There was a flicker at the corner of Klocia's mouth. Slowly, a smile formed. Her body seemed to both relax and straighten, strength and maturity flowing from her. She placed her helmet back on her head.
"Will you be awake when I get off watch?"
"Probably not," Anelie said. "I... wake early, though."
"I know." Klocia saluted. Anelie returned it. She'd head back to camp. Maybe check the other sentries...
Anelie grimaced.
"Bach?" She said, loudly. Even in the darkness, she saw Klocia's face redden.
"Lady?" came the reply from the other side of the berm. There was not the trace of sleep in his voice.
"See or hear anything this evening?"
"No Lady." No hesitation. She nodded, more to herself than to Klocia or the unseen man.
"Good. Good night to you both, then."
Smiling again to Klocia, she made her way back towards camp. How she would sleep after this, she had no idea. She glanced south west, at the stars back over their distant homes. What was Shanna doing, that night?
****
"FIRE!"
Shanna dropped her right arm, the archers beside her letting loose a volley of death into the small valley before them. The Elven riders looked up, even as arrows found their mark among their number. Five, six of the green monsters fell from the stout, furry beasts they rode. Two more were thrown when their mounts stumbled, arrows penetrating that thick hide. Shanna drew her sword.
"For Poland!"
As the archers fired again, Black Beauty leapt out from the shadows, Shanna's left hand white as she clutched the reins. Twenty other Hussars burst out beside her, riding down on the Elven raiders and their exhausted, stumbling prey. She angled Black Beauty to put herself just behind that thin running form, trusting her men to deal with the few soldiers still able to put up a fight. It was the Elven boy who was important.
It had been pure luck the afternoon patrol had picked up his back trail, marking his likely path before returning to report. He was already south of Fort Buffalo, having somehow slipped across the well-traveled road, avoiding civilians and soldiers alike. Resourceful, this boy. A report of Elven riders just as she was setting out turned a potential diplomatic mission into a full military expedition. It was her border, damn it. Nothing was getting past her.
Shanna could see him better now. Definitely Elven, dark skin which in daylight would probably be green. He ran swiftly if erratically, dodging between sparsely spaced trees, long black hair trailing behind. He wore a leather tunic, flaring out like a kilt at his waist as it fell to his knees. Closing the distance, she saw no weapon. Slowing, Shanna looked towards the sound of fighting. Her men were engaged with the Elves. She only saw one still mounted. He fell as she watched. Nodding, Shanna sheathed her sword.
"Boy!" Shanna shouted the Polish word as if it would have some meaning to him. Her Elvish was worse than her Latin. The Elf looked back at her, shock clear on his ugly face. Shock turned to surprise and pain as he stumbled, body flying onto the ground so hard Shanna could not help but wince. As she reined in, she saw his left hand had landed right on a nasty looking rock, its surface jagged.
"Czcibor!" She yelled for the Lieutenant as she dismounted, hand reaching into a satchel for the first aid kit. She was at the boy's side as he pushed himself up on to all fours. "It's OK," she said, knowing the words were meaningless but hoping the tone was not, "you're safe."
He pushed off forward, trying to stumble to his feet like a bad sprinter. His bare foot slipped on moss, body crashing to the ground again. Dark blood dripped from his hand.
"Easy there," Shanna said. She put her hands on either side of his head, forcing him to look at her. His black eyes with their white pupils were wide with fear. "It's OK. You're safe." Again she turned towards where she knew the others were. "Czcibor!"
"I'm here," the lean soldier said, running up. Shanna saw a large dent in his breastplate, which had not been there earlier. "All dead, no captives."
"Good." A prisoner would have been nice, but she thought they'd get all they needed from their target. "Help me with him."
The Elf stared at the two as they helped him to his feet. It was just Shanna's luck Anelie had her only half decent Elven-speaker with her. She handed the medic pack to Czcibor, indicating his hand.
"Do you speak Polish, Boy?" Obviously not. "Do you speak Kikker?" That, really, was the extent of her knowledge of Kikker, a pitiful state of affairs. Language just wasn't her thing. She was lucky Polish had come so quickly to her. Seeming to relax, he shook his head again. He tensed as more riders approached. Shanna looked up at her men.
"Good work. I want the bodies stripped, disposed of. Nicefor, ride into the village. I want that trader family woken, whoever speaks the best Elven brought to the fort. Tell them we'll pay for their services, naturally."
Two more of her men dismounted, she motioned them over to take charge of the boy.
"Then, we'll see if this is another messenger for the Elven Queen."