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Hejira: Sanguine Wave

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode 37: Harbinger

Marching through the forest, in a trail that had been created by many blades, Adelram's thirteenth group head for home. With the northern lands scouted and a plan of action drafted by Faye's own hand, she is eager to deliver the map to her master. Balian, the grizzled warrior, glances toward the stunningly beautiful woman. With eyes staring blankly into the wilderness, she walks with a subtle confidence. Each step extolls her features; her swaying hips deceive many.

He often can't help but chuckle at the mere sight of her. Though Balian was once a great warrior on Earth, a knight of renown, here he is just an aging swordsman with leather armor; his blade isn't even made of steel. In this realm, a beautiful woman from a land he once conquered is far more powerful than he.

“What?" She turns her big brown eyes to him.

“Nothing. Just wondering what was running through that mind of yours." Balian replies.

“The usual. What I'm going to eat for dinner, how long until the glory of the kingdom is a reality, how much I would've loved to destroy that town."

“I figured as much." He chuckles. “I have to say, I've watched you for nearly a year now, and you are by far the greatest, most bloodthirsty warrior I have ever seen."

“That's quite a compliment from a man with your skill and training. As far as warriors go, you're the most dangerous man here." She replies.

“Thank you, Harbinger, but your aura makes up for all of my training and experience." He retorts.

“You were a crusader, weren't you?" She asks.

“Oh yes." He nods. “I slaughtered so many back then, fighting for the Holy Land. What fun it was... I was once a lord with my own castle, until I was gifted a crystal skull by one of the Knights Templar. I foolishly entered the portal and have never seen my wife, children or castle again. Hundreds of years have I been here. Sometimes, I wonder what happened to those bastards..."

“Perhaps king Adelram will gift you a new castle and lands?" She says.

“Will he, or will you?" Balian retorts.

“What do you mean by that?" Faye narrows her eyes at him.

“I've watched as you built this whole army single-handedly. You lead the battles, and you command the men's respect. For a woman as beautiful as you, that's quite impressive. Then, of course, you are also molding a kingdom as though it were clay in your hands; I haven't seen Adelram anywhere. Who really rules?" He poses.

“That's dangerous talk, Balian. You're a good captain and friend, so I'll forget it this time, but next time you won't be so lucky. I'd hate to kill a man of such talent, and who pays me such lovely compliments." She warns him sternly.

“My apologies, Harbinger."

A squad of Sahvorai men march through the compacted dirt streets of Wildwood. All volunteers, they have been summoned by Emma for a meeting, who is acting as another assistant to Sarvah. With weapons in hand and shields on their backs, they have been outfitted for battle, though they are merely villagers. They find several more squads as they approach the gate; they are the last, the sixth of such groups. Sarvah paces before them, her clawed hands gripped together at the small of her back.

A cool wind flutters her long, white hair, the full strands swaying gently, like her bushy tail. The gray, black and white furred she-wolf looks anxious as she walks back and forth. Standing on either side of her and watching the men are Kelly and Emma. Kelly has recently been placed in charge of Wildwood's security, while Emma is acting as both an advisor and another assistant. Taking their positions beside the other squads, the two dozen volunteers prepare for their orders.

They know how important the job is. Word has spread fast throughout the village, and volunteers revealed themselves only moments after Faye's small force departed. Turning her head to the men, who stand at attention, Sarvah stops in her tracks. Looking at the men who have all requested the assignment, her heart weighs heavy; some of these men have families. She clears her throat and takes a deep breath.

“It seems that you're all here. I don't want to sell this to you; I'm a skilled merchant, but this isn't incense, clothing or food. This is our future. Our very lives." She begins. She paces slowly before them as she continues to speak. “An army belonging to a powerful king is sitting, poised to command or destroy us at will. We've chosen to fight; not one person in the village has asked to join the kingdom. I am proud of all of you for that, but we aren't strong enough to survive on our own.

I have six duplicate maps, with the locations of six known tribes, all of them large and prosperous, like ours. Each group will collect a numbered map. Walk to the tribe that is circled and marked with your map's number. Try to establish peaceful contact on our behalf. Tell them about the kingdom, if they don't know already, and tell them that there are others who would rather fight than be enslaved. If they wish to stand together and fight, they may send you back and we can negotiate an alliance to fight this king.

This will be a long journey, and some of these tribes are a week away or more. Many of you have wives and children, if not all of you; I know that's why you are doing this. If you all still believe in our cause, and if you all still wish to go, step forward."

No sooner has she finished her speech does the entire group, in unison, take a single step toward her. Lowering her head, she sighs. It's not frustrated or relieved; she doesn't know how to feel. She's never had so many lives in her hands before, and the pressure is unbearable. The fact that they have chosen this doesn't make it any easier. She's still leading the tribe, and they are still her responsibility. Glancing to Kelly and Emma, they both wait patiently. Sarvah gives them a subtle nod.

Stepping away from her, Emma and Kelly pick the older and more experienced of each group, giving them authority as the squad leader.

“Squad leaders may step forward and pick a map." Sarvah says rather softly.

Stepping forward, the six men each collect a rolled map. With only two maps left, the remaining two leaders glance at each other. Which one of these maps has the furthest objective? Do either of them? Slowly claiming the maps, they too return to their groups. With a wave of her hand, Sarvah sends them toward the gate to begin their arduous journey. Merchants have volunteered extra food, some medical supplies and miscellaneous gear that they might want. Fully outfitted and as prepared as they ever will be, the six groups of two dozen men leave the city.

Walking further away from their homes, many glance back several times. If they don't succeed, they might not even have a home to return to. For every man with a wife and children waiting for them to come home, failure simply isn't an option. The gate closes behind the men, the doors being barred immediately after fitting together. The very sound of the wooden beams locking out the scout parties makes Sarvah's heart sink even further. Why must it be this way? Nothing is as she imagined it would be.

“Well... With that over with..." Kelly sighs sorrowfully.

“What now?" Emma turns to Sarvah.

“Check on the farms, hunters and the rancher. Make sure that we will be able to maintain steady production without those men." Sarvah answers her, her icy blue eyes staring at the ground.

“Should I go do my thing?" Kelly asks.

“Yes. Make sure the watchtower is completed as fast as possible, and that the extra scaffoldings near the front wall aren't forgotten. If you can find any men who aren't necessary to production, see if they'll volunteer for full-time guard duty." She replies.

“Understood."

“Hi everyone." Naomi interrupts, her boyfriend Travahn walking by her side. “I want to make the journey to the temple."

“Seriously?" Emma raises a brow.

“I don't think this is the best time for that." Kelly replies.

“It's the only time that makes sense." Naomi retorts.

“How so?" Emma asks.

“What if we never put together an alliance? What if this is all for nothing? What if the kingdom takes over? They'll be here in a few short months, and if we're going to die, I'd personally like to go out beside my Travahn, in my true form." Naomi answers.

“Aww, sweetheart." Travahn hugs her from behind, kissing her cheek. “I love you."

“I love you too." She strokes his snout.

“While I can't argue with your points, it's a long and dangerous journey, and-"

“Let her go." Sarvah interrupts Emma.

“I don't want these two going up there by themselves. I was supposed to go with them." Kelly interjects.

Sarvah turns her head toward Naomi. The two share a long, silent stare. Sarvah's melancholy eyes express her own concerns, but Naomi's eyes are hopeful.

“Send Steve with them." Sarvah commands.

“Are you sure?" Emma asks.

“He's skilled enough; he fought during the attack on the Blue Feet village. He's also a hunter who can help provide for them, a competent bowman who can help protect them, he has wilderness survival training from Gare, and he's single and without children." Sarvah explains.

“But he's also overseer of the logging crew." Emma remarks.

“Most of whom we just sent out to forge alliances with other tribes." Sarvah retorts.

“True... Alright." Emma sighs. “I'll find him right away."

“Thank you, Sarvah!" Naomi exclaims.

Stepping closer to the girl, Sarvah takes Naomi into her arms and holds her like her own daughter. The embrace lasts for several seconds before Sarvah turns her head down and kisses Naomi's cheek.

“You're welcome. Please be careful." Sarvah quietly urges.

“We will. As soon as Steve gets here, he, Travahn and I will make our way there and come right back. No big deal, right?" Naomi adds.

“Travahn's parents are alright with that?" Kelly asks with surprise.

“My parents love me, they love Naomi, and they know that I love her more than anything; I'd gladly die for her. They understand that I'm not going to let her walk up to that temple alone." Travahn answers, taking hold of her hand.

Leaving the group, Emma looks for Steve in the village. Walking through Wildwood, she soon finds him at home, alone and whittling a piece of wood. He appears to be quite bored without the logging crew to keep him busy. Thankfully, they have cut many cords of wood; it's enough to replace half of the wall, or survive a winter without work, should either of those things occur. To Emma's surprise, Steve jumps at the chance to help Naomi, though she suspects that leaving Wildwood at all is a godsend to him; he has nothing else to do.

He takes a moment to pack some things and prepare for the journey before accompanying her. Returning to the group with Steve, they stand and wait near the gate. Emma finds that Naomi and Travahn had taken the time to rush back to their homes and collect their own belongings, as they now are wearing full packs that they didn't have before she left them. With Steve by their side and the jade stone in Naomi's pack, Sarvah orders her men to open the gate. Slipping out, the group walks away from Wildwood and through the field.

They watch the popular teenage couple as they leave with an equally well-known adult. Many of the nearby villagers wonder why they are leaving on their own. They could at least understand when the scouts left; forging an alliance to prevent themselves from falling to the kingdom is of genuine importance. After a moment, Sarvah's men begin to close the gate.

“Wait!" She barks at them.

She abruptly begins walking, heading for the field by herself. Emma and Kelly are unsure of what she's doing, quickly following behind.

“Where are you going?" Emma quietly asks, trying to prevent the guards from hearing them.

“Yeah, Sarvah. We have work to do." Kelly adds.

“So do I. This is important."

“This isn't the time for a walk." Emma grumbles.

“I need to talk to Gare." Sarvah blurts out.

Emma and Kelly stop in their tracks. While Emma is genuinely surprised and horrified, having no idea that Gareth was anywhere near Wildwood, Kelly is fearful for his friend's life.

“What?!" A horrified Emma asks. “He's here?!"

Sarvah stops and turns around. Storming up to her, she glares at Emma. She's long been a thorn in Sarvah's side. First, she wanted to take control, then she stirred the pot and had Gareth sent away by mob rule, and finally she's put incredible pressure on her to fight Adelram's kingdom.

“Yeah, he's here... Just across the lake, in fact." Sarvah begins, taunting Emma with that fact.

Kelly closes his eyes, resting his brow in the palm of his right hand, the other crossing his abdomen. Though genuinely shocked, he uses the gesture to clandestinely unbutton the flap of his holster, should he need to draw his 1911 pistol against an enraged and hostile Emma.

“He's been hiding there for nearly a year, and every night that I walk alone in those woods to 'think', I'm really seeing Gare... My lover... All of the stress and anguish that you and this whole damned town put me through; I flee to him, the only one who truly loves and protects me." Sarvah's eyes well with tears. “He makes it all okay, and do you want to know something else? Gare relieves my stress, in every way imaginable. One day this 'Red Claw' nonsense will die out and he'll become my husband and father our children, so shut up, do your job, and get away from me!"

Turning back to the field, Sarvah walks away. A stunned Emma stands in silence. She glances to Kelly, who looks more worried than surprised or angry.

“Did you know about this?!" Emma growls.

“Of course I did." Kelly replies.

“And you didn't think that the rest of us should know?!"

“No." He shakes his head.

“Why not?!"

“Because you're wrong about him. He's been protecting this village since before you came here, and long after he left. If it wasn't for him, Sarvah would have fallen apart and ran away a long time ago. He helped me too; I probably wouldn't have married Vahna and found real peace and happiness if he hadn't given me advice... Come on. We have work to do."

Emma is even more astonished after Kelly's own revelation. As he returns to the open gate where the guards wait with confused expressions, she stands there like a stone.

“Move your ass!" Kelly yells back at her.

Snapping herself out of it, Emma dashes to catch up to Kelly, who is nearly back at the gate. Though displeased and worried, she knows that Adelram's kingdom is a far bigger threat to them at the moment. For the time being, she'll reluctantly guard their secret.

“Gare?!" Sarvah calls out, her voice trembling. “Gare?! Where are you?! I need you!"

“Hi Sarvah!"

Spinning around, Gareth stands with a slain deer, already gutted and ready for skinning and butchering. He immediately sees the look on her face, dropping the carcass and racing up to her.

“What's wrong?!"

“Oh, Gare!" She cries.

Taking her into his arms, Sarvah collapses. She sobs like a little girl, holding him tightly with tremoring hands. No longer can she bear the burden that weighs her down like an anvil. Her legs grow weak and she slowly collapses. Reaching an arm down, he scoops her up and into his arms, carrying her like a bride. Gareth's heart breaks as she cries, her arms around his neck and her head resting against his shoulder; her tears mat his fur.

“I can't do this anymore. I don't want to lead; I just want you." She cries.

“Please don't cry, Sarvah. You're so strong and-"

“I don't want to be strong!" She yells through her tears.

He shushes her and carries her toward the treehouse. Setting her down, he sits with her and holds her in his arms.

“Did someone tease you? Do you want me to beat them up?" He asks softly.

“Shut up." She chuckles, quickly sniffling.

“I can cook you dinner. I found a great deal on fresh meat. Zero cents a pound; you can't beat that."

“Gare... Something's happened."

“... I know."

“You do?" She leans back and gazes up at him.

“Of course. I'm always watching over you. I was ready to jump in and help you as soon as you were talking to Faye and her Viking wannabes."

Her heart burns as she feels his love for her. She leans in and kisses him, holding their lips together for some time. Never has she been so cherished or well taken care of. Ending the kiss, she rests her cheek on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck with her nose.

“I need you. Will you help me?"

“You don't even need to ask." He replies.

“I love you, Gare." She coos.

“I love you too." He says, softly stroking her back.