Sharon Green - Jalav 2 - An Oath To Mida

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JALAV 2: An Oath to Mida

by Sharon Green

CH 1. A meeting of enemies and the tears of Mida

The fey was more than cool despite the brightness of the skies, yet I would not allow the

discomfort of it to touch me. My warriors and I wore naught save the clan covering of the

Hosta about our hips, each of us standing within small, silent sets not far from the platforms

which had been set upon the grass within sight of the entrance of the immense dwelling of

Galiose. The High Seat of Ranistard had declared a feast that fey for those who would soon

arrive in the city, yet my warriors and I planned a greeting of another sort. I sat cross-legged

upon the grass, watching the slaves both male and female prepare the provender for the

feast, and Gimin and Fayan came to sit beside me.

"All are prepared, Jalav," said Fayan, her brown eyes arove among my warriors. Then a small

laugh escaped her, and she tossed her heavy, golden hair. "The males insisted to all Hosta

that they be present at the feast for the Silla. Soon shall such demands be regretted by

them."

"Males must ever be demanding actions of warriors," I murmured, my eyes, too, unable to

rest. "The damned Silla shall be welcomed as Hosta are ever wont to welcome blood

enemies, and I regret only the loss of our weapons. Yet shall we make do without. How goes

the time for your slave, Fayan?"

Fayan's eyes came to me, and laughter was there in them as well as in her voice. "The slave

Nidisar finds his lot a hard one." She grinned, her hand going to her life sign where it hung

upon its leather about her neck. "I have had him secured in the room of feeding in his own

dwelling and there have I used him each time desire has come to me." She paused to laugh

again, with true pleasure. "Truly has he been repaid for his actions with me, and great anger

is ever upon him-most especially when he must swallow his slave gruel, or have it forced

upon him by Galiose's males. My enjoyment of him is great, and I shall not see him released

till my revenge is complete."

"I do not envy you your enjoyment," said Gimin sourly as she lay upon her side by us. Her

hair, as black as mine, fell about the arm she leaned upon, and her gray eyes watched the

grass. "The male will not forget your treatment of him," said she, "and if ever you release him,

you may be sure he shall see to his own revenge. I do not care for the revenge of males."

Fayan and I exchanged a glance, for easily might it be seen that Gimin yet felt the

punishment given her by the male who had claimed her. The Hosta, once free, had all been

taken captive by the males of Ranistard, and now were we expected to tend to the males and

obey them, and serve them in their pleasure. Gimin had joined Fayan, Larid, Binat and myself

when we had escaped from Ranistard to seek the third Crystal of Mida, yet had we been

recaptured by the males, the Crystal taken from us, and we, ourselves, returned to Ranistard.

Much angered had Gimin's male been at her attempt to regain freedom, and much leather

had he used upon her in punishment. After having given her humiliation and pain, he had

used her as though she were slave and unable to deny him, saying he would teach her

clearly what her actions had brought upon her. Gimin continued to ache from his anger, yet

she had joined us as we grouped against the coming of the Silla, for true Hosta warrior was

she. The pain given by males was not to be considered against the duty a Hosta owed to her

clan.

Fayan was no longer amused, and she, too, stretched out upon the grass in thought, her

unbound hair amove about her. Once before had she angered Nidisar, and the male had not

been gentle with her. That was doubtless now in her thoughts, although the time was past

when the predicament might be avoided. Galiose had given Fayan the gift of Nidisar as a

slave, for Fayan had demanded such in exchange for her assistance in using the device of

the gods. That the use had not brought the males the results they had desired made little

difference, for the gift had not been disclaimed by Galiose. The High Seat Galiose was at

times capable of a certain honor, and Fayan had retained her gift.

I shifted in the grass and raised my eyes to the blue of the skies with a sigh. Such great

difficulty had the Crystals of Mida caused, pain and death the like of which only full battle

might produce yet had it all gone seemingly for naught. The males had not spoken with the

gods as they had hoped, and were greatly distressed. We had been told that we were lost kin

to those who spoke from the depth of the golden air about the device, and that soon would

come others to take from us our ignorance and lack of knowledge, to be replaced with the

great benefits of those who are truly civilized. Deep shock had been felt by the males, caused

in great part by the knowledge that those who came to teach the ignorant were female, and

the past two feyd had been spent by them in almost constant discussion, seeking a means by

which those who were to come might be returned from whence they came. Fayan and I, who

had been present when the threatened invasion had been spoken to us, had yet,

nonetheless, been barred from the discussions of the males, first having been cautioned to

speak no word to others of what had occurred. Most annoyed had Fayan and I been;

however, we had other matters of import to discuss between ourselves. We had withdrawn to

the dwelling which had once been Nidisar's, and there had we drunk renth and spent many

hind in an attempt to make sense of what had occurred.

We, who were Hosta of the Midanna, followed the teachings of Mida, and Mida, too, had

been spoken of by her whose voice came from the golden air. The female had denied the

divinity of Mida, saying Mida was naught save a joining of theirs, yet was such not to be

believed. I, myself, had been spoken to by Mida in dreams, and had often seen things that

only occurred by the will of Mida. Fayan and I agreed that the female who had spoken did not

know the true nature of Mida, and then we discussed how to halt the strangers when they

came. The Midanna would require little urging to ride forth upon their gandod, bravely draped

in their clan colors, each warrior eager for battle, yet would it be necessary for word to reach

them of our need. Although the males would surely lose if they engaged the Strangers in

battle, the Hosta were kept close behind the walls of Ranistard, not being allowed to return to

our lands beyond the Dennin river. Once we had escaped the walls to ride in search of the

third Crystal, but our escape had been known to and approved of by the males, who had

wished that we fetch the Crystal for their use. Not again would escape prove as effortless as

it had been then, and the Hosta would need a greater effort to ride free once more.

The cramps came again to my middle as they had done so often in the past two feyd,

therefore I lay back in the grass, one hand upon the pain, till the aching would cease. The

pain brought Ceralt to mind, and deep anger filled me at thought of the male. Much pain had

Ceralt brought unknowingly to me, yet this pain that now was mine came from his desire to

see me with child. That a war leader of the Midanna, such as I, was forbidden to have life

within her meant naught to the male, for he had claimed me as his own, to do with me as he

pleased. Many strange feelings had I had for the light-eyed, dark-skinned hunter, and by

cause of these feelings had he been able to send me seeking the third Crystal, thinking I rode

to aid him in dire need, when in truth he and the other males had merely followed the track

my warriors and I left, and then took the Crystal from us when we had secured it. Many times

had I been betrayed by the hunter Ceralt, yet now he would see me further betrayed by

placing his seed within me. The leaves of the dabla bush, which had kept me childless, were

then in battle with a potion given me by Phanisar, a thing done by the aged male at the urging

of Ceralt, and Phanisar had said that the potion would have bested the dabla leaves in a

matter of feyd. Quite pleased had Ceralt been with his actions, yet had I been able to locate

dabla bushes within Ranistard, and had, each fey since the potion was given me, chewed the

leaves to increase its strength against the potion. The taste of the leaves was not unpleasant,

yet even were they foul enough to curl the tongue, still I would have chewed them with a will.

Not again would the hunter Ceralt have opportunity to betray me.

"Jalav, I have had a thought," said Gimin from where she lay. "The High Seat will not be

pleased by the manner in which we greet the Silla. Think you his anger shall reach out to the

war leader alone, as once before? That would be an unfair burden upon you."

A sudden breeze blew my hair about my thighs, and I brushed it back before shrugging.

"There is no knowing, Gimin," said I, "yet have I little care for the anger of males. Should they

so dislike the doings of Hosta, they may release us and have done with it for all time. Hosta

have ever been free, and I, for one, will retain my freedom even in captivity."

"It is difficult for one to be free beneath the lash," said Fayan, sitting straight once more so

that she might look down upon me. "Thus far has Ceralt kept you from it, yet the patience of

Galiose runs thin in these times. The Hosta have given over darkness roving so that they

might prepare themselves for the Silla, yet our attack may well bring the lashing Galiose

promised in revenge for the roving. Think you Ceralt shall once again find himself able to

dissuade the High Seat from his purpose?"

"Do not speak of that male to me!" I spat, raising myself, too, from the grass. "Should the

hunter Ceralt be taken by Mida before my eyes, I would do naught save laugh! The battle will

soon be upon us, Hosta! Have you no means by which to prepare for it save by chatter about

males?"

My warriors appeared shame-faced and subdued before the anger of their war leader, though

Fayan looked at me strangely. Fayan had found revenge for what had been done to her by

Nidisar, and I was unable to revenge myself upon Ceralt in a like manner. The male had used

the darknesses of the past two feyd to fill me well with his seed, and had refused to hear why

I wished to remain as I was. Jalav will no longer be war leader to the Hosta, he had said,

therefore might Jalav now be given a child to bear. The first of many, he had said, and then

had he forced his way within me, using the accursed strength of males to overcome my

denial. Deep pleasure had I found in the past through the touch of Ceralt, yet little pleasure

had been granted me of late. No word would I again address to Ceralt, though he as yet was

unaware of that. Much concerned had he been with the discussions in the dwelling of

Galiose, and had returned to his own dwelling only for sleep and the use of Jalav.

"The nilno seem nearly done," said Gimin, her eyes upon the hand of nilno aroast upon the

fire beyond the platforms of provender. "Surely the time will not be long before the Silla are

brought. Think you they have chosen a war leader to stand for Zolin, Jalav?"

"Undoubtedly Zolin left one to direct matters in her absence," said I, again smoothing down

my hair. "Though the Silla know not yet that Zolin has been bested, they shall still be led by a

war leader. Would that her blood, too, might cover my sword as Zolin's did upon that fey long

past."

My warriors made no answer to my words, for no sword had any of us to wield. The males of

Ranistard had taken all from us, as they would have taken all from the Silla before

approaching the city with them. In truth, I felt less loathing toward the Silla than for Ceralt,

since the Silla had not betrayed me as Ceralt had. My freedom and pride had Ceralt taken,

my will and desires ignored by him, and then had he caused me to feel such things that a

warrior was not meant to feel. Having nearly destroyed me as a warrior, he had then betrayed

those feelings he had caused within me, giving me shame for ever having felt them. Once

had I delighted in the feel of the male's arms about me, once had his lips been the sweetest

of touches, once had I longed for the gentleness of his presence. Not again would desire for

those things come to me.

The sound of a kan's hooves upon the broad way caused my warriors to turn, and they and I

beheld the hasty arrival of a male in the leather and metal of Galiose. The male drew rein

before the large, pink-stone dwelling of the High Seat, then jumped from his mount and

climbed the steps rapidly, to disappear within the entrance to the dwelling. The large grin

upon his face spoke of the arrival of the Silla, for the males of Ranistard were sorely in need

of females to tend them. Few females had there been left by cause of the doings of the traitor

Vistren, therefore had the males decided to replace the lost with captured Hosta and Silla.

The Silla, through dealing with Vistren, had hoped for the trade of their Crystal for many male

slaves to serve them. With the death of Vistren had gone their hopes, and soon would they

be urged with leather to tend to the needs of males they had wished for slaves. No less had

the Silla earned by their actions; yet the Hosta had not done as they. The Hosta had

displeased Mida with their failure to recover her Crystals, therefore were the Hosta held as

well. Perhaps the coming battle might in some measure ease the wrath of Mida, so that her

Hosta might be forgiven their failure. Could I but raise the host of Midanna from beyond the

Dennin to face the coming strangers, surely would I also find a means to return the Crystals

to their rightful place. The Hosta would then be free to return to their own lands, where naught

of males might touch their lives with pain.

An ache again ran through my middle, and I wrapped my arms about myself and willed the

pain to be gone, for soon I would need all my strength. No sound did I make against the pain,

yet Fayan saw and frowned.

"Jalav, I fear the pain comes more often to you than previous," she said, her hand upon my

shoulder. "Perhaps it is unwise to continue with the dabla leaves in the presence of the

potion. Can naught of council be gotten from Phanisar upon the matter?"

I forced a breath of air through my lungs, and then looked upon Fayan bleakly. "Phanisar is

male, and moves in the cause of another male," I rasped. "As the warrior Fayan should know.

Perhaps the warrior Fayan becomes too concerned with males and their aid. Has she yet

decided upon a time when her war leader may have use of her slave, as was previously

promised?"

Fayan's hand left my shoulder, and her gold-maned head rose high. "The war leader may

have use of Nidisar whenever she chooses," she answered, her dark eyes unblinkingly upon

me. "Yet do I feel that Jalav seeks not to punish Nidisar for his treatment of her while she lay

chained as a slave, but seeks instead to cause hurt to another. Has he touched you so

deeply, Jalav, that you are no longer able to speak as one sister should to another?"

Fayan did naught to betray her hurt, yet was I able to see its presence in her eyes. Of all my

warriors had Fayan been the truest, and no cause had there been for me to speak to her as I

had. My head lowered in silence, and one hand left the ache in my middle to cover my eyes,

so that I might not look upon the shame I had brought to myself. Again her hand came to my

shoulder, and her words were soft and concerned.

"Jalav, I do not care to see you so," she said, though I looked not upon her. "I feel certain the

potion has done you an illness which was not meant to be. Speak with Phanisar and question

him upon the matter."

"I cannot," I whispered, shaking my head. "Should he learn that I have again chewed dabla

leaves, the other, too, would know. The pain shall soon pass and leave me free once more."

A short silence was there, and then Fayan grasped my shoulders. "Jalav, can you not even

speak his name?" she demanded. "What has he done that burns so within you? Many times

has Ceralt kept you from the wrath of the High Seat, to his own jeopardy! That he cares for

you may easily be seen by . . . . "

"He has betrayed me!" I snarled, disallowing the balance of her words as I brushed her hands

from me. "The male uses me in all things, forever an item of trade! The pain-!" My words, too,

ended abruptly, for no wish had I to discuss my pain. I looked again upon Fayan, and then

rose to my feet. "Soon shall the Silla be among us, sister. Let us make ready."

Fayan sat saddened, Gimin silent by her side, and then they both regained their feet as

sounds came to us from the beginning of the broad way which ran past the dwelling of

Galiose. Chill was the air, and chill, too, was the grass beneath my feet, yet all matched the

chill within me as my hair blew about my thighs. Completely unbound was the hair of my

warriors, for I had disallowed the placing of war leather upon it. Many of the males knew the

use of war leather, and foolish, indeed, would it be to give warning of our intent. The Silla

would be well aware of where they had been taken, for the drug used for their capture would

no longer be with them, and sight of waiting Hosta would be warning enough.

Many males began to drift within sight of us, each looking back toward the body of the city

and the sounds of joy and greeting coming faintly therefrom. The dwellings were hung with

many-colored silks as they had been hung about for the fetching of the Hosta, yet no more

than two colors would find preeminence that fey. The green of the Hosta and the red of the

Silla would merge in battle, one to prove triumphant above the other. Mida willing, the grass

of Hosta would prevail as ever it did when Hosta and Silla met.

The sounds of male voices raised in triumph reached us more clearly, and then appeared the

first of the males, a Silla held bound before him. The Silla twisted about, attempting escape

from the male who held her and the leather which bound her wrists, yet were her efforts to no

avail. Nearer to the dwelling of the High Seat was she brought, others behind her, and the red

of their clan colors reached to my warriors and caused them to stir. No more than a stir did

my Hosta allow themselves, no more than a stir would the males perceive. Later, with the

Silla unbound, would they perceive further.

Not long was it before the Silla were brought to the platforms of provender, their eyes no

longer looking about. They gazed upon the waiting Hosta, knowing full well of the battle soon

to be brought to them, not one of their greater than twenty hands in number doubting such.

We, too, numbered greater than twenty hands, therefore would the battle be of much

pleasure, although no weapons were at hand. The males dismounted, reached the Silla down

to stand beside them, and then Galiose approached from his dwelling, the males who had

been in council with him moving in his wake. Large and broad was Galiose and dark of hair

and eye, his well-made body clad in a short blue covering of city males, with blue leather and

metal covering of protection above that. His feet, like those of the other males, were encased

in leather, which was bound up his legs, showing he cared naught for the touching of Mida's

sweet ground by his own flesh. Those of the cities have no souls, and by their each and every

action do they proclaim it. My hand went to my life sign, that of the hadat, the guardian of my

soul, and there it rested as Galiose and his males drew nearer. Behind was Ceralt, and the

large, dark hunter moved his light eyes about, searching for the presence of Jalav. Jalav had

been bidden to attend the feast, and as Ceralt's eyes touched me, a small smile of

satisfaction appeared. Jalav had obeyed Ceralt, so he thought, yet never would Jalav obey

Ceralt. Beside Ceralt, Telion walked, and the great, red-gold-haired male warrior also

seemed pleased. Telion, as Ceralt, cared little for disobedience, and therefore had Larid, my

warrior whom Telion had made his own, been refused permission for attendance. Larid, who

was with child, had not been deemed strengthened enough from her illness to bear the

exertions of a feast time, yet had it been my word that had kept Larid within Telion's dwelling.

Indeed had my warrior not the strength for battle, and this had I proclaimed above her

protests. A true Hosta warrior, Larid had wished to join her sisters against the Silla, yet had

she obeyed the word of her war leader, as do all Hosta.

Many murmurings were there from the males all about, and then Galiose paused before the

gathering to hold his arms high. Much pleased was the High Seat with the look of Silla, and

slowly did his eyes move among them as a silence covered the waiting throng. When full

silence had fallen, Galiose raised his voice.

"We, the men of Ranistard, welcome the Silla wenches to our city," he shouted, his deep

voice carrying to all. "The Silla have been found pleasing to men, therefore have they been

taken by men as mates. No longer shall the Silla find need to do battle, for we shall now

stand their protection. We open our city to you as we have already opened it to the Hosta,

and you may explore as you please, so long as you remain a distance of two streets from

gate or wall. I feel sure the Hosta will inform you of the penalties for being found nearer, for

the Hosta have already incurred those penalties." He paused briefly to grin about himself, and

the listening males chuckled in rueful remembrance. Again the Hosta stirred, also in

remembrance, yet naught was said. "Now, wenches," Galiose continued, "you may join us at

the feast prepared for you. Ranistard welcomes her newest citizens in such a manner."

The males beside the Silla began to unbind them, and other males began to approach the

platforms tended by slaves. As previously instructed, each of my warriors watched her war

leader closely, and then began her approach as I did. The Silla twisted about, desperate to be

released before the arrival of Hosta. No battle would there be with bound Silla, and as the

leather fell from them and they turned to face us, I gave the signal for attack. Hosta battle cry

merged with Silla as males were shouldered from our path, and then were our two groups

met, nails and teeth and stones doing that which should have been done by sharpened metal.

Shouts were there about us, and cries of victory and defeat, and she who had closed with me

found a scream in her throat for the pain which my teeth brought to her. Her hair, a pale gold

of a length like mine, merged with mine in the struggle of battle and the breeze which had

grown to wind. Naught save a single silver ring in her ear did this warrior wear, showing that

she had attained full warrior status in battle, but I wore the second ring as well in my left ear,

showing my attainment of war leadership. In true battle, each war leader sought out the other

so that skill might match with skill; now, though, that was impossible. The true Silla war leader

lay dead by my sword, and no other yet have been chosen for the second ring. I faced only a

simple warrior but was not reluctant.

A chaos and cacophony surrounded the area, the blood lust rose high within me, yet no time

was there to dedicate my enemy's blood to Mida, nor to partake of it. Blood flowed freely from

the Silla's shoulder when I was pulled from her by the hands of males, and each of us was

held well out of reach as other warriors were separated. My left arm bore the marks of her

painful reprisal, yet I had no feeling for the touch of pain. High was my pleasure at having

closed with Silla trash, and deep was the snarling coming from the Silla as a male attempted

to examine her shoulder. All about were warriors held from what they had been about, and

high was the anger of the males, yet was their anger as naught when compared to that of

Galiose. The large male roared about himself, ordering the separating of warriors, and Telion

and Ceralt each held a struggling Silla, attempting to keep them from the Hosta who

struggled toward them, held by yet other males. Galiose, in his anger, did not await the

silence as he had before, but strode toward where I stood, held in the grip of males, and then

took my hair in his fist and shook my head by it.

"So!" he hissed, his blazing eyes not far from mine. "The Hosta war leader would turn my city

to a battleground, spitting upon my words of welcome to these others! Never before have I

seen wenches act so, and never again shall I see its like! This time shall Jalav feel the lash of

punishment!"

"No!" shouted Ceralt from where he stood, and quickly did he pass the Silla he held to

another male so that he might stride to where Galiose glowered, my hair held in his fist.

"Galiose, do not have her lashed!" he insisted, his light eyes disturbed beneath dark brows. "I

shall punish her for this affair, you have my word!"

"As she was punished by you upon previous occasions?" Galiose demanded, his anger not

lessened. "Look about yourself, man, and see how effective your punishments have proven

to be! She has not obeyed you, nor shall she! The lash, I will wager, she shall obey! In any

event, we shall soon see the testing of the matter." His eyes left Ceralt to come to the males

who held me, and he ordered, "Escort the wench to the holding cells in my Palace, and have

the guards see to her locking away."

"Galiose, I will not permit it," Ceralt growled low, his hand upon the High Seat's arm. His light

eyes, so startling in the dark of his face, had become hard and cold as they never before had

been. Galiose's fist left my hair, and he turned completely to Ceralt.

"Hunter, you presume too far upon my patience," said he, his voice as hard as Ceralt's gaze.

"The wench shall be lashed for her disobedience, and no further shall be spoken upon the

matter."

Then Galiose walked from Ceralt, his bearing stiff, his head held high. A brief, glaring flash of

anger was sent to me by Ceralt, then he followed the High Seat, his wide shoulders set in

determination, yet no farther was I able to see, for the males who held me propelled me

toward the dwelling of Galiose. Through the sets of Hosta and Silla and Ranistard males was

I taken, across the way lined with stones, and up the steps of smooth, pink stone, and within.

The fingers of the males went deep into my arms as their anger hastened their pace, and

roughly was I taken between them up the flights of steps within the dwelling. No time was

there to fully see the blue cloth upon the floor before the entrance, no time was there to frown

at the silks upon the walls, no time was there to observe the startlement upon the features of

males and city slave-women who stood about in uncertainty, astare at the males and the

Hosta held between them. To the first landing above was I hastened, a landing of many

rooms for taking repose, to the second landing, a place of polished wood on walls, rooms with

strange, unwholesome smells, and the like, to the third landing, a place of no floor coverings,

bare stone walls, and rooms doored only with lines of metal. It was there I had once before

been placed, and it was there I was placed again, the lined metal being closed firmly upon me

once the males had thrust me within a room's confines. I stood straight with head held high

as the males glared upon me, then when they had withdrawn, I walked to a wall of gray stone

and sat myself before it.

Truly great was the anger of Galiose, yet I cared naught for the male and his anger. Twice

before had I felt the touch of a lash, and still did memory of the flaming touch hold sway within

me, yet was Jalav war leader of the Hosta. To no male would she show pain, to no male

would she give obedience, for Midanna were warriors, not slave-women of the cities. Galiose

would use his lash, and then would Jalav feign great fear and assure the male of future

obedience. When once the male's back turned, Jalav would be gone, over the wall and to the

south, to fetch the waiting clans of Midanna. Upon my return would Galiose learn the extent

of my obedience, and should he live through the ensuing battle, great pleasure would I take in

naming him sthuvad for my warriors' enjoyment. A use tent would be his dwelling for many

feyd, and should he also survive his use, he would then be given to the Harra, sister clan of

the Hosta, who hold slaves as the Hosta did not. Ceralt, too, would join Galiose in bondage,

and never again would I lay eyes upon the accursed male. The pain came again to my

middle, allowing in its distraction a memory of dark, unruly hair above light eyes, yet I thrust

the memory from me, placing my shoulder to the gray stone of the wall as I bent to the ache

in my middle. No further pain would Jalav be given, had said Ceralt, and Jalav, a fool truly

made, had believed. Not again would Jalav heed a male's false words.

Some few hind passed in the waiting, and I did naught save sit by the stone. A cloth-covered

platform was there within the enclosure, of a sort called "bed" by those of the cities, yet would

I have naught to do with such. Sleep is properly taken upon sleeping leather or bare ground,

a thing unknown to those of the cities, yet were Hosta not of the cities. The enclosure

contained no window, therefore I didn't know what had befallen my warriors, and that

disturbed me somewhat. I had given them no word of my intentions, for surely most would

have attempted to join me beneath the lash to promote their own escape, and I had no wish

to see such. Escape would be brought to them through the pain of their war leader, and their

pain was unnecessary to ask. None other had felt the touch of a lash and, Mida willing, none

would need to do so.

Then came the sound of male footsteps, heavy upon the bare stone of the floor, and to the

lined metal of the enclosure came Telion, his broad face angered, his eyes disturbed. He

stood by the metal a moment to study me, then shook his great, red-gold-maned head.

"Never before have I seen so foolish a child," he growled, looking at me. "Have you any idea

of the pass matters have been brought to, girl? Know you the trouble you have caused?"

"Telion may save his words for another," said I, turning my head from him. "Jalav finds no

interest in the babblings of a male. "

"The babblings of a male!" Telion echoed with outrage, his large hands grasping the metal.

"Truly meet would it be for a child such as Jalav to receive a sound hiding at the hands of this

male! And so it would go, had Jalav not worse to come to her! Will you never find the good

sense to avoid the lash?"

"All is as Mida wished," I informed him, seeing him only from the corners of my eyes. "Should

Mida wish it so, the lash shall be avoided."

Telion made a sound of disgust, and then removed his hands from the metal. "Your Mida

sleeps soundly and does not hear your call, wench," said he, once more coldly angry. "The

lash awaits you now, and shall not be avoided. Galiose has had your wenches bound in

leather, till they have witnessed your punishment. Ceralt gave challenge to the High Seat for

possession of your overly desirable body, and for that was seized by the High Seat's guard.

Galiose, in unexpected generosity, merely had him beaten somewhat before expelling him

from the city in exile. Once you are lashed, you shall be given to anther whom Galiose shall

choose."

"To no male shall Jalav be given!" I snarled, rising to my feet. "Jalav is no city slave-woman,

to be given away at the whim of Galiose!"

"Jalav is female!" Telion shouted, lost again to his anger. "A black-haired, black-eyed female

child too lovely to long go unclaimed by a man!" With no further words, he removed the metal

from before the door, and then took my arm to lead me forth. Silently we passed the males in

leather and metal, and the eyes of those males found pleasure in the appearance of Jalav,

yet the looks held more than mere pleasure and desire. Jalav was to be given to a male for

his use, and the eyes of the males imagined themselves as he to whom she was to be given.

These males knew not the true meaning of taking a Hosta war leader, and I held my head

high to scorn their foolishness. Let the chosen male of Galiose beware, for I would have none

of him.

Beside Telion did I stride, allowing my fury full rein, and therefore was I able to think of Ceralt

not at all.

Again were there large numbers gathered before the dwelling of Galiose, yet had the fey

grown clouded, Mida's light grayed cold as it reached us. A murmur arose when Telion led

me forth from the entrance, and many were the Midanna and males astare below the height

of the steps. Silla stood in great satisfaction, Hosta stood angrily bound in leather, males

stood covered with grim approval, all eyes upon Jalav as her hair blew in the chill wind.

Galiose and a hand of males stood to the left of the entrance, where a contrivance of wood

had been erected, and to this contrivance Telion took me. The dark eyes of Galiose fell upon

me as I approached.

"Pleased am I to see the matter nearly done," said he to a male who stood beside him. "We

have little need now for distractions such as these." Then his eyes went to Telion. "She has

been told?"

"Aye, Galiose," Telion nodded. "She has been told."

"Good," Galiose approved, also with a nod, and then those eyes came to me again. "Ceralt

dared my displeasure once too often," said he, "and now he finds himself without city and

without wench. You shall go to him whom I deem most suitable, for I shall have no further

disobedience from you."

I folded my arms beneath my life sign, and returned Galiose look for look. "Jalav shall go to

no male," I said. "Galiose shall one fey find himself sthuvad to Hosta warriors, and then shall

he learn the foolishness of his actions. Jalav shall never be his to give."

Galiose looked amused. "Jalav is mine to give on the moment," he snorted. "Once the

punishment is done, I shall make my decision. Take her to the frame, Telion, before the

clouds empty upon us."

"How many is she to be given?" asked Telion, making no move to obey.

"The wench has earned twenty-five strokes," said Galiose in his deep voice. "She will receive

what she earned. Take her to the frame."

"Relinor, take her to the frame," said Telion. The male beside him nodded in obedience and

grasped my arm, and then was I led to the contrivance of wood. Upon a base of heavy timber

stood two high poles, one to each side of the base, yet were they forced to bend toward each

other, so that they might be joined at their meeting place with heavy leather. Upon each of the

poles had cuffs been placed, one to each pole, and no further adornments. The male Relinor

pulled me to the base of the contrivance and upon it, then he saw to the fastening of my

wrists within the cuffs.

As in Bellinard, where first I had learned the touch of a lash, I found myself unable to stand

flat when cuffed. Surely those to be lashed were meant to have attained a greater height than

I, though there were few Midanna who had my size. Perhaps it was males who were meant

for the cuffs, yet had I, for the third time, come to such a pass. Little time had I to note the

smoothness of the wood beneath my toes, as though many feet had stood there before mine;

Relinor captured my flying hair and brought it forward across my shoulders so that it might be

knotted below my chin and give the lash no interference, then he stepped away from me.

Already did my arms twinge from the strain of the cuffs, and the ice fingers in the wind

reached to me and touched my blood to freezing, and then was I touched in another manner.

A gasp was forced from my throat as the lash set my back afire, and my hands clawed at the

poles to which they were fastened as I rose yet higher on my toes to escape the flames.

Worse, far worse, was the actuality than the memory, and I writhed in silent agony as a voice

proclaimed, "One." A sound arose from the watching throng, a sound which rose about in

waves, lapping with growls and shouts and peals of laughter. Amid the noise the word "two"

was lost, yet the stroke itself remained. A second trail of fire marked me, setting down in my

flesh a guide way for agony to follow to my soul. Well marked did the trail become, and soon

was the ache in my middle a mere nothing, easily overlooked and forgotten in the face of its

larger kin of the lash. No sound did I allow to escape my lips, yet my body writhed and sought

a means of relief, relief which would not soon appear. Surely did I wish to cry out when no

more than "eleven" was to be heard, yet I clung to the memory of being a warrior, and did no

more than cry to Mida in my soul. The skies lit to sudden brilliance, blasting the ears with

screaming sound, and then the tears of Mida struck together with "twelve," a blessing and

damning at once admixed.

In some manner the remaining count advanced itself even in the face of Mida's fury, all

sounds from the throng lost to hearing as the rage of Mida roared about and upon those

below her skies. The lashing done, still was I pelted by the rain and wind, and when at last I

was permitted to crumple to the base of the contrivance, through merging sheets of rain and

pain I saw that none had moved from their place. Nearly awash were Midanna and males, yet

they stood braced against the winds, making no sounds, their eyes upon a Jalav who could

no longer stand erect. The male Relinor reached toward me where I lay upon the smooth

base of wood, my cheek bruised by too rapid a fall, yet was he halted by Galiose, who slowly

approached and knelt beside me. The tears of Mida covered his expressionless visage, and

so, too, did they soak within his long, bound hair and blue covering. A moment he gazed

upon me, a large guardsman with bloodied lash silent behind him, and then his arms reached

toward me, to take me from the wood. Surely had I felt the touch, I would have been shamed

by voicing my pain, yet Mida spared me such. Quickly, softly, before the male, Mida touched

me with darkness.

CH 2. A male to be given to-and an encounter in the woods

Returning to the light and pain was not pleasant. Mere breathing restored the agony, and my

fingers grasped the cloth beneath them in desperate reflex, wishing the darkness to return.

No darkness came, therefore I attempted to move myself on what I lay, to perhaps ease the

pain in such a manner. A grunt accompanied my effort, and immediately was a hand placed

upon my head.

"Lie still!" came the sharp voice of Phanisar, a surprising amount of unsteadiness to it. "You

are conscious too quickly, wench. It would have been a greater kindness had you remained

insensible."

My eyes opened slowly to the sight of blue cloth beneath me, and in a moment I saw that the

cloth covered a platform called "bed." Once before had I seen such blue in such unvaried

amounts, and clearly then did I know myself to be in the sleeping room of Galiose, though I

knew not why. The silk beneath me was cool and smooth, still possessed of the faint odor of

a male. My hair was no longer tied about my throat, but lay piled above my head upon the

cloth of the platform. All these things was I aware of but partially, for the raging of my back

denied other sensing. The hand of Phanisar removed itself from me, therefore did I turn my

head to relieve the pressure upon my bruised left cheek, thereby bringing the males into view.

Phanisar stood closest, tall and grayed in his lengthened green covering, the silver sign of an

opened eye upon its chain about his neck. Sharply did his dark eyes touch me, strong

disapproval upon his long, thin face, and beyond him stood Galiose, still adrip from Mida's

tears. The High Seat also inspected his handiwork, for it has been truly said that should one

wish a thing done, one must also find the will to look upon it.

"Far too excessive," muttered Phanisar in his disapproval, his gaze unblinking. "Blessed One,

the thing should not have been done. A wench is not a man."

"Never was it meant to reach such a pass," said Galiose, also in disapproval. "The lashing

was to have ended when she cried out begging it. The stubborn she-lenga refused to cry

out."

Galiose grew angry at this further disobedience of mine. I had not wept and begged release

as I should have, therefore was the fault of the lashing mine. Unbidden, the laughter began in

me, at first a chuckle, then rising and swelling to great gasps and roaring, covering me with

amusement without humor. The pain in my back increased as the laughter gained in strength,

yet was I unable to halt it. Phanisar came quickly close, as did Galiose, and achingly then did

my head ring as Phanisar slapped my face. As quickly come was the laughter gone, and

barely was I able to lean my head from the platform before my stomach emptied itself upon

the blue floor cloth. Over and again did all heave from me, till at last it was done and I was

able to lean back from the vile roundness below and close my eyes. No strength does the

lash leave behind it, no more than a trembling in the limbs, a quivering in the soul. I lay still,

wishing it were possible to halt the need to breathe for a time, and again a hand touched my

hair.

"I have sent for a salve," came Phanisar's voice, moving my hair away from my back. "Once

applied, I shall also give you a potion for sleep."

Again his potions. Had I been able, I would have thrown his hand from me. "I wish none of

what males offer," I whispered, pained. "Keep what you have for use upon each other. I did

not ask to come here. I do not wish your aid."

Deep silence greeted my words, and from it came a dizziness to surround me so that I fairly

fainted away.

My wrists were bound with leather when I next opened my eyes. Still I lay face down upon the

blue silk, yet had my wrists been bound, separately, to the metal of the platform. Never shall I

find ease upon a platform, for the proper place for taking one's rest is upon sleeping leather,

flat upon Mida's ground. No more than an ache was there left from the lashing, therefore did I

attempt to free my wrists from the leather.

"Lie still," came a voice, yet this time was it Galiose rather than Phanisar. Then came a creak,

as of one rising from a seat, and heavy steps approached me. Galiose came to view upon my

left, and no longer did he show the signs of Mida's tears, though the sound of them came

clearly from beyond the window. Briefly he studied me, then folded his arms across his chest.

"You must lie as you are for some time yet," said he, "for Phanisar would see the salve

undisturbed. With his permission shall you be unbound."

"I would be unbound now," said I, of a sudden aware that my hair was held well away from

my back by some device. "I do not care to lie here so, nor do I wish my hair as it is."

Annoyance flickered across his broad face, and he looked at me sharply. "You shall remain

as you are till Phanisar wishes otherwise," said he, his voice nearly a growl. "How long have

you been war leader for your wenches, girl?"

"Nearly three kalod have passed since I slew her who was war leader before me," said I,

wondering why he would know. "I do not wish to await Phanisar's pleasure, and would . . . "

"You shall not be released!" he snapped, greater anger growing within him. "Too long have

your word and your wishes been unopposed, and such bodes not well for a female. Men have

little patience for willful wenches, and a female would be wise to recall the fact, should she

wish to avoid punishment!"

"I see little reason to associate with males other than with a sword," said I, my annoyance

growing at his. "Does Galiose still refuse to meet Jalav so?"

"Galiose regrets having met Jalav in any manner!" he shouted, fists on hips. "On the morrow

shall you be given to Nolthis, a Captain of my Guard, who is foolish in no way save that he

wishes the possession of a she-lenga! Then, the Serene Oneness willing, I shall be rid of

you!"

"Jalav shall not be given to a male!" I shouted in return, pulling at the leather. "Jalav and the

Hosta shall ride free!"

"Jalav goes to Nolthis," he repeated, his anger grown deep and cold. "Inala and I shall pass

the darkness elsewhere, for I would not have her disturbed seeing you so. For some cause

beyond reason, my woman has a fondness for you. My chamber is now yours."

A final glare did he send before moving from the platform, and then came the sound of a door

aswing, interrupting his footsteps. My fury at his words lasted till I recalled my earlier intent,

then I groaned most feelingly. The lashing was to have been to a purpose, and now had my

foolish tongue seen the purpose undone. Galiose would not take his eyes from me till his

male had come, and as surely as Mida ruled her warriors would the High Seat then caution

his male to do as he did. Ah, Mida! Is there no way for you to silence your warrior when

silence would be best? Perhaps by use of a hand to mouth, as Ceralt had so often- The

thought had not come by volition, and quickly did I banish it. No longer had I to think of that

male, for he was truly gone. Telion had said so, and no call had Telion to lie. Ceralt was

gone, and soon Jalav, too, must be gone. I heard the door swing, yet none entered, therefore

did I know that Galiose had left one to see that his word was obeyed. I had thought upon the

wisdom of chewing through the leather which bound me, yet now would the effort prove

wasted. Mida's tears continued to strike the window in anger, yet was there naught save

weariness within me. I rested my head upon the blue silk, and awaited what would come.

Despite all things, the darkness passed most rapidly. Sleep would not stay from me, though I

yet lay upon the platform, and no more than a single time did I waken to the ache in my

middle. The pain passed quickly, and again sleep took me, allowing no time for thought. Then

was there a hand at my hair, and my eyes opened to see the leather and metal of a male

quite near. My hair fell free once more, and the male backed a step or two, the better to study

me. Large was the male, of a size with Galiose who was also present, possessed of gold-

hued hair worn long and bound, green eyes astare at me where I lay bound upon the blue

silk. Faintly did I recall the male, having seen him about the dwelling of Galiose, yet I knew

him not. Heated indeed was the look he gave to me, yet I turned my face from him in

complete disinterest. A chuckle came, and the faint creak of leather.

"High spirited, as I knew," said a voice, presumably that of he of the gold-hued hair. "She

shall be a source of amusement and delight. My thanks are boundless, Blessed One."

"Do not be hasty with your thanks, Nolthis," came the voice of Galiose, dry and annoyed.

"The wench is completely undisciplined, and stubborn beyond belief. May you have more

success with her than Ceralt had."

"I am not Ceralt," came the reply of the male Nolthis, with amusement. "May I take her now?"

"Aye," replied Galiose. "She will be sore from the lashing for some time, yet there is little

reason for her not to learn what manner of man she is now the possession of. Phanisar would

not have her worked overmuch till her back has begun to heal."

"I shall see to it," said Nolthis, and then were there hands by the leather at my wrists. The

leather was removed from the metal, yet left upon me, and then was I pulled from the

platform to my feet. There was some slight dizziness in such abrupt movement, as well as

familiar pain, yet I gave sound to none of it. Straight did I stand before the grin of Nolthis, the

leather to my wrists in his large hand, his eyes arove about me. Behind him, past the window,

the tears of Mida continued to rage, yet was his laughter unaffected by it.

"I have wished possession of this wench since first I saw her," said he to Galiose, his eyes

unmoving from me. "See how her black eyes flash with hatred and challenge. Those long

legs carry fire between them, those large, jutting breasts were made for a man's teeth, that

face was meant to be tear-covered, begging a man's favor and mercy. So do I wish to see

her, and so shall I see her become. It will not take long, Blessed One."

Galiose made no answer, his broad face expressionless, his eyes seemingly lacking the

pleasure he no doubt felt. The male Nolthis was his choice, willing to give that which Galiose

would see me have, yet was Jalav no city slave woman. Jalav would be free of Nolthis, and

gone from the Mida-forsaken city. No further did Nolthis speak, and with a bow for Galiose he

pulled me from the room by my leather-bound wrists. Through the corridor to the steps was I

taken, Nolthis' stride forcing haste upon me, and then down the steps to the lowest level of

Galiose's dwelling. Upon this level, I knew, were the places of many males, the males of

leather and metal bound to Galiose. To the left of the steps Nolthis went, and great was the

amusement of those males we passed. With laughter they hailed Nolthis, remarking upon the

sight of the wench hurrying in his wake, and to all he replied with a laugh that the wench

hurried to her first proper bedding. The leather s knotted too tightly upon my wrists to allow

me to free myself, and so was I taken by the male Nolthis to that place which was his.

The room revealed by the swing of the door was not large, muddy reds and blues and greens

and browns darkened still more by the lack of brightening light from the window. Here and

there upon the floor cloth lay discarded coverings, weapons belts, strapped footgear, and the

like, well-tended weapons alone covering the walls. Much did I wish even one of the weapons

within my grasp, yet was such a wish idle. Quickly did Nolthis slide a bar of metal across the

door to prevent its swing, and then I was pulled to his sleeping platform, where his foot

cleared a space upon the thinning floor cloth. With various sized pots and soiled coverings

aside, I was forced to my knees upon the floor cloth, and quickly were my wrists bound

behind me.

"We have some hind yet before I must report for duty," said this Nolthis with a grin,

straightening from my wrists and beginning to remove his covering. "I shall not take the time

and begin slowly with you, for too much time has already been wasted so. Within a matter of

feyd shall you obey me completely, for I shall have little patience with you."

I made no answer to the male, fighting the fury within me silently, so that I might find myself

unbound the sooner. Instead, I attempted to regain my feet, but this was contrary to the will of

the male. With his foot, he knocked me to my side upon the floor cloth, and then was he free

of his covering. Broad and hard was his body, scarred with marks of battle, and eager indeed

was his maleness for Jalav. Quickly was he upon the cloth beside me, and his muscled arms

nearly brought a gasp from me as they circled my back.

"Still feel the lashing, do you?" he chuckled, his hand going to my clan covering without

removing it. "A good lashing it was, too, and well deserved. I shall have to procure a lash for

my own use, should the need arise. Best you hope you never earn it, wench, for a lashing at

my hand will not be as light as that which you received from the High Seat."

His fingers moved below my clan covering, teasing my blood to stirring, yet I felt a quivering

of another sort within me. Not again was I willing to face the lash, not again did I wish the

agony of its touch, yet was I possessed by one who would joy in its use, one who was eager

to see me writhe beneath it. Within my soul a wail began, and the face to whom the wail

called was not that of Mida.

"I have heard that you wenches made practice of capturing men and using them for your

pleasure," said Nolthis, his hand leaving my body to slowly remove my clan covering. His

green eyes looked close upon my face as he spoke, and my covering gone, his hand

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JALAV2:AnOathtoMidabySharonGreenCH1.AmeetingofenemiesandthetearsofMidaThefeywasmorethancooldespitethebrightnessoftheskies,yetIwouldnotallowthediscomfortofittotouchme.MywarriorsandIworenaughtsavetheclancoveringoftheHostaaboutourhips,eachofusstandingwithinsmall,silentsetsnotfarfromtheplatformswhichhad...

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Sharon Green - Jalav 2 - An Oath To Mida

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