Chapter 22:
The Long Walk
A few days after Volka had awoken they walked together through the monolithic cedars.
Erica pursed her lips and considered Escrya.
“So how come you know so much about Valkyrie and stuff? You don’t look very old to be all grown-up and wise.”
“Do I not? I recently celebrated my one hundredth birthing day.”
Erica’s jaw dropped.
“What!? Seriously?”
Escrya looked at the Katje with one canny eye, a smirk taking her lips.
“Perhaps, or perhaps I spent a great deal of my childhood in the company of my great grandmother, who passed along all of her stories to me to safeguard until I can similarly pass them on to the next generation.”
The Katje frowned and her eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t know that Amazons could be bull-shitters.”
Escrya chuckled.
“It is a necessary skill for a teller.” She said with mock seriousness.
Her mockery continuing right up until Volka’s booming voice entered their minds.
Indeed? I would have thought forthrightness would be the trait of a good teller!
Her tone was severe and silence fell upon them all as Escrya went pale and stammered in the face of the Valkyrie’s abrupt condemnation.
They all held their breaths for a few moments.
But then again, Valkyrie are notorious pranksters so what would I know?
Her tone had suddenly turned playful and looks of shock took up residence on the faces of those who had heard her.
Oh dear, did I do it wrong? I have not had anyone to practice my sarcasm on in so very long.
Erica began to laugh and was soon joined by the others, while Escrya ruefully shook her head.
“It would seem I still have much to learn of our golden sisters. Sarcasm indeed!”
Meanwhile Milly was walking beside Nina with a thoughtful look on her face. She had been quiet for some time, even when the Gigas had chortled with the others.
“What’s bugging you? Back problems?” Nina nodded as she stretched one arm up and poked the underside of one of Milly’s breasts. But the Minotaur was oblivious to her teasing.
“No I was just curious about something.” She looked around and, realizing that she suddenly had a large audience, her cheeks reddened slightly; “But it’s not important!”
“Well now you have to tell us dearheart, it is certainly more important than Volka’s silly jokes!”
I do have a good one about a Harpy and a camel…
The looks of shock on the Amazons’ faces at her continued silly behaviour were highly entertaining to the others.
Milly spoke with hesitation, her eyes meeting Escrya’s for a moment.
“It’s just, I’ve been wondering, with all the talk about Amazons and Valkyrie, you know so much about your people. And I remember back when you told us, um, about the fall of the Valkyrie. You said all of the warrior tribes fought alongside you and you looked at me too…”
Escrya blinked.
“But of course! The charges of the Minotaur herds were legendary! Did you not learn of this as a child?”
Milly hung her head, shamefaced.
“No, I didn’t go to school or anything. And I’ve so rarely ever seen another Minotaur, and never really spoken to one.”
Escrya moved to walk beside her, distressed at the cow girl’s embarrassment.
Volka dropped her joking behavior and her voice became serious in their minds.
Your people have always been gentle, but so very strong. And during the war, with far too many in need of protection, they stood shoulder to shoulder with all of the warrior tribes and did what needed to be done. As Escrya has said, the sight of the herds heading into battle was breathtaking. But alas, it was also costly. I have seen far too many of your ancestors lying slain on the field.
The jovial mood that had diminished at Milly’s shame disappeared altogether at Volka’s remembrance. And once again Nameless was treated to a sight of a war long over, the grief that Volka felt made the images of piled up Minotaur bodies truly vivid in his mind.
She had lost so many friends.
Forgive me, I do not mean to inflict my memories upon you.
She worked hard to shake aside her reverie.
He swallowed as he too struggled to compose himself, the sight had been horrifying, and many of the faces looked far too similar to Milly.
“I-It’s alright, you have been through a lot, more than I can even imagine. And so if you need to tell silly jokes, or to… to remember these terrible things in order to make your peace with it. Please don’t hold back.”
There was a long silence as they all awaited Volka’s response.
She eventually spoke in their minds with emotion.
I was right. You are so very easy to love! Such selflessness. To willingly bear witness to the horrors of war, just to ease my pain. Thank you, Husband.
He swallowed.
“You’re so very welcome, wife.”
Though he turned crimson at the word, his voice was steady and he was pleased when she giggled at his first use of it. He could tell that she really liked him calling her his wife.
Escrya put her arm across Milly’s waist as they walked and spoke earnestly.
“I do not know all there is to know about the history of your people, Volka would know more, but I can at least tell you some. And Erica had mentioned that the two of you were training with the warriors of Brael? If you would like, I am sure that my own sisters would be happy to assist you with this. I did not witness Kala’s fight with Myrina. I am told it was impressive, but I am sure that the Saenga could build upon what the Brael have taught you.”
Myrina and many of the Amazon warriors readily volunteered, the kindly girls eager to help the gentle Minotaur however they could and Milly’s mood improved drastically, she had dearly enjoyed training with Kar and the others.
“Awww crap, I’m about to get my ass kicked again aren’t I?” Erica mewled.
And indeed she was.
__________
With the Saenga leading the way they made it back to Bramblewood in a few more days. To say that they drew shocked looks when they resupplied there was an understatement. They were a memorable group and the addition of all of the Saenga Amazons made quite the impression on the locals as this time Miranda insisted they all stick together to avoid further misadventures.
“As Alcaia has commanded, most of our number must leave you here. Though I and several others will continue on, at this point we must trust in your judgement as we journey now into the world of men which we have little experience with.”
Myrina was looking around at the rough and tumble inhabitants of Bramblewood and did nothing to hide her frown.
“Don’t worry, it gets better, kinda.” Nina offered.
It was painfully obvious that the Amazons who would be returning to their village were not at all happy to leave, but their warleader had been clear in her orders so leave they did, though not after they each took a moment to bid Nameless, Volka and the others a fond farewell.
He wondered at what he had done in life to have so many beautiful women take it in turns to bury his face in their breasts while they embraced him.
After they had resupplied in Bramblewood, they once again opted to camp outside of town before resuming their trek the next morning. While they journeyed Milly and Erica continued their training with the remaining girls of the Saenga, learning as much from them as they had from Kar and the others.
Nameless likewise resumed studying with Miranda, though now Volka provided her own insights that often offered a very different picture than the one that he was expecting.
“So Garland is nestled in a valley in the mountains about fifty miles to the northwest of Wayfelt, and the Bastion is at the center of the city right?”
Miranda nodded.
“Yup, and let me tell you kid, for a little farm boy it will be a sight to behold.”
Curious, the land has changed much, but the area you describe was once part of the Divine Republic…
Miranda nodded.
“That’s not surprising. The Bastion is a pretty impressive structure, certainly not something anyone could build today.”
I see. I suppose that is alright then, after all, it is just a building. All that matters is who inhabits it.
“That’s very big of you.” Miranda said.
Nameless felt a hint of amusement from Volka at Miranda’s dry response.
Husband, this woman is very droll, I like her.
“Glad you approve. So I’m curious, what have you and the Amazons spent so much time talking about all these nights in the woods?”
Volka considered Miranda’s question for a time then responded honestly.
Them mostly, the Amazons have always kept an oral history, which binds their culture together, but tellings change with time and the teller, so some details are inevitably lost. I told them what I could of their ancestors. While they in turn told me of themselves since the calamity. It has been… pleasurable to speak with them so simply.
“How so?” Nameless asked.
You forget the world I come from. The Amazons I know today are far removed from those of yesteryear.
“In a good way or a bad way?” Miranda asked with a quirked eyebrow.
A good way, friend Holt. The Amazons today have an innocence about them that was sorely lacking before. During the war they eagerly took the van, to spare their sisters certainly, but also because they reveled in the chaos of combat. Often it fell to myself and the other Valkyrie to reign in their savagery. And while I can see hints of this in them still, it is as a sleeping dragon. Peace has allowed them to remember how to be kind, as they were long before I was born. It is something I am dearly glad to see. Thank you, for your part in that.
Miranda once again looked puzzled.
“My part?”
Do you not seek to keep your wife from forgetting herself in the heat of combat? I understand that she has only recently taken a life. Speaking as one who has taken many, I can see your influence at work in young Kala. You are good to her and I am grateful for this.
For once, Miranda was at a loss for words.
Retracing their steps through the rough pines and then the light coloured birch proved monotonous. Just as Yana’s team had, the remaining dozen Saenga warriors watched over them at night, not taking no for an answer. Most nights they stayed up quite late with Volka anyways, as she told them of their ancestors and they kept a wary eye on their surroundings.
And just like that, they found themselves surrounded by farmland, and more than a few gaping farmers. It was like coming home; Nameless felt like he could cross any one of the fields they passed and find himself in Paul’s yard.
Nina and Erica had picked up on his relief at leaving the trees behind and so they kept thinking naughty thoughts at him, making a game of it while he tried to hide his embarrassment from Miranda, her girls, and the Amazons.
He failed utterly.
“What in the hell has gotten under your collar kid? I’ve seen tomatoes that had less colour!”
“N-nothing, just hot out here.”
At that moment, Nina and Erica had joined forces and were imagining an erotic encounter with him in some of the high grass all around them.
“Do you need to rest Valkyrja-datta ?” Escrya loomed over him, her voice concerned.
Then Nina and Erica got really devious as they whispered together and the pair focused on how jealous they would be if Nameless mounted the poor girl right there in the middle of the road.
But he was on to their little game and so he fought fire with fire, thinking long and hard about doing exactly what they were picturing, focusing on just how attractive he found the Amazon, her luscious curves, her full lips made for sucking his...
“You win!” Erica screamed and closed her eyes while shaking her head.
Nina meanwhile was staring death at the oblivious Amazon.
“I like this new game.” He said as he recovered from the secret embarrassment.
Volka had been silent throughout the entirety of the exchange, though her amusement had mounted by the second.
As do I Husband, but it is hardly fair to poor Escrya to have such thoughts about her without her knowledge. Allow me to even the playing field then.
“What do you- oh! Oh my…” Escrya’s eyes widened and then her colour was a match for his.
Volka had passed along his fantasy about her in vivid detail, and Nameless was mortified when he realized it.
Fortunately, mercifully, the Valkyrie had not included Miranda, so the Aegis operative’s look was simply confused as her head swiveled between all those in on the joke, until finally she threw up her hands and walked away from the lot of them to join Jan and Jez at the rear, swearing under her breath.
“In truth, I have no experience with such things but if you desire this from me, it is yours.”
Escrya’s voice was barely more than a whisper as she blushed and licked her lips for his benefit.
“Nope.”
Nina had heard enough.
She stomped over and picked him up by the legs with one arm, lifting him straight in the air and carrying him away, helpless.
Milly and Ophelia meanwhile had not been part of the game, but had sensed Nameless’s half of it and were sharing amused looks at how it had played out.
All the while Volka laughed in his mind.
“Volka can be a bit devious can’t she?” Ophelia remarked.
Milly nodded her agreement and then the Minotaur’s brow furrowed as she considered the Valkyrie’s behaviour over the past several days.
“I think she’s trying to figure out the world now, and how she fits into it.” She spoke slowly, uncertainly.
“That’s… probably very true.”
Ophelia tried and failed to hide her surprise at the Minotaur’s astute observation.
Nina carried a protesting Nameless for nearly an hour before finally setting him down when he complained of his legs falling asleep.
“So we’re in agreement, no more games like that.” Erica said with a pout.
“You two started it…” He muttered.
“Yeah, well I’m ending it.” Nina still had death written on her features.
He patted the air placatingly.
“It does bring to mind Alcaia’s suggestion when we left the Saenga though.” Ophelia remarked.
At the puzzled looks of the others she continued.
“About taking an Amazon, to wife, I mean.”
Nameless jaw dropped and Nina was now glaring at Ophelia, though she stopped when Erica spoke.
“You’re talking about Kar.” The Katje’s head tilted and she had a thoughtful look on her face.
Ophelia nodded, and Nameless wasn’t sure what to say or even who to say it to. Fortunately Milly made it unnecessary.
“Kar was so kind to me and Erica. Even when she was sitting on me or grabbing my butt. I… I wouldn’t be against it, I mean. Not right away but maybe once we get home and things calm down a bit…”
“I like her, she’s hot, like Milly said, even when she was kicking my ass. We flirted a lot. And she helped me deal with my shit after Bramblewood.” Erica declared.
Nameless was frowning, wondering at exactly what was happening.
There were a few minutes of silence.
“Nina?” Ophelia prodded.
The Gigas was deep in thought.
Finally she spoke with a shrug.
“Meh, she’s probably a beast in the sack, so sure. Plus she did teach you two how not to die so easy, and kept the weakling from biting it in Bramblewood.”
Love is beautiful, and from what you have told me of this Kar, she is as worthy of it as anyone. Though the pleasures of the flesh are lost to me, so perhaps my opinion is not so important.
Nameless frown ended at that and he spoke immediately and passionately.
“Your opinion matters enough that we crossed the desert to get it! Maybe you don’t have a body, but you still have a voice!”
The other girls nodded in agreement and he knew that if Volka had a face she would be smiling warmly at him.
Such sweet words you speak of me! Very well then, I will share my opinion. I have seen in your mind that you desire this woman, the effect that she had on you during your travels is apparent, and while it would fade with time it is enough to show me that you truly care for her. As do my bond-sisters, clearly. What I would suggest then is more time. We should spend more time with her, get to know her better, there is no need to rush into anything.
They were all silent for a long time, walking together, surrounded by other Amazons, who were curious as to what they discussed but respectful enough to give them their privacy.
“Trust a Valkyrie to be all wise and stuff.” Erica admitted finally.
Ophelia nodded.
“Still it would be good to see her again, her and the others.”
They were all in agreement on that.