《Tiya and Deuce》


 Chapter 1 - Deuce

    The labor wasn¡¯t as hard as she¡¯d been warned it would be, but that didn¡¯t make it easier. The Hand and her assistants hovering around her, helping her through the process, had carefully masked expressions as they tended to her, but she didn¡¯t care about them.


    They were wondering why she had bothered to go through with this. There was no practical reason to do so. Yes, the child was innocent, and did not deserve death, but still...!


    But no, she had gone through the pregnancy. She had refused the philtres that would have caused an abortion and sent the child out of her, poisoned and stillborn. Her ferocious defense of the babe had frankly startled and alienated many of those who knew her, especially knowing where it came from.


    -The Hand is planning to turn me in the womb and strangle me on the umbilical cord. I do not need to be turned. Do not let her hands in you.-


    The cool voice wafting up from her belly sent her eyes fixing on the woman bending over to inspect her.


    ¡°Corporal, your child seems to be coming out the wrong way.¡± Her hand pressed forward.


    ¡°My child is head-down and coming out correctly!¡± she snapped back, and the Hand flinched back at the cold rebuke. ¡°Get out of here!¡± she snarled at the woman, who backed away sharply. ¡°If you cannot even tell a head from a foot, you do not belong in here!¡±


    The wide-eyed assistants looked at their senior, whose face soured immediately. ¡°Forgive me, you are correct. It seems I was in error...¡±


    ¡°Get. Out!¡± Tiya screamed at her, livid with anger. A Healer, planning to commit murder on a child?


    The motherly woman looked offended, exasperated, and startled at the same time. ¡°See here, Corporal, there is no need to react so...¡±


    ¡°You are either incompetent or a fool! Get OUT!¡± Tiya screamed at her, and the Healer was almost physically forced back by her voice.


    Exasperated and overruled, the Hand gave her aides sharp looks, and strode from the birthing room, wiping her hands of the mess.


    ¡°And you two!¡± Tiya snarled at them instantly, interrupted by another pang shaking her belly. ¡°If my son is not born and delivered safely into my arms, alive, I will gut you both and hang you both from a pole!¡±


    The two hesitated, knowing that the plan had been for the child to ¡®perish unfortunately¡¯ by any of several methods, but it was plain that the woman meant what she said.


    Others could deal with the child. Tiya saw the submission in their eyes as they steeled themselves to just do their jobs properly, and let others handle the fate of the boy.


    -They will do their jobs properly,- the cool voice murmured from inside her. -Alright, the final push is coming up. If that knife they use to cut the umbilical cord gets anywhere near me, I¡¯m going to have to kill them.-


    Tiya didn¡¯t nod, acknowledging the voice as she tensed. She could feel power swirling inside her, inside her womb, gentle and soothing, and building up for a gentle push.


    The delivery itself was almost anti-climactic after the tenseness faded. The boy was brought forth in a display of stinking amniotic fluid, caught in a ready warm towel, and cleaned carefully as a short knife flashed, severing the umbilical cord.


    ¡°Give him to me NOW!¡± Tiya demanded harshly, uncaring of the mess between her legs or the cramps already starting as the placenta began the process of being ejected, too. The aides hesitated only fractionally before delivering the still-messy boy into her arms, even before they could strike him to get him to break the film on his lungs and breathe.


    She quite startled them when that was the first thing she did, turning the tiny baby over and striking him exactly once. He coughed once, ejecting and breaking the membrane, and promptly began to wail softly, almost more relieved than hurt.


    -Let¡¯s not do that again,- the boy murmured as she turned him back over.


    The tiny, slightly-pointed ears were expected, and his hair was very black, while his skin was much fairer than the olive tones of his mother. He did not look like his father, for which Tiya was quite grateful, and for just an instant, his tiny, squinting eyes opened and met hers.


    They glittered with a silvery sheen, brilliant and pure, like no natural hue of eyes. Even the watching aides were startled to see it.


    ¡°I have him,¡± Tiya said fiercely, continuing the cleaning process, helped by a gentle wash of magic under her fingertips that was cleaning the child off much more effectively than the threadbare cotton. ¡°Give me a swaddling blanket.¡±


    The helpless aides did as requested, but only one of them remained behind after they cleaned her up and waited for the post-pregnancy ejection.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The tiny, tiny hands had no strength, but she could feel the touch of them on her skin, like little points of cool fire. -I will help eject the placenta, and then start removing the physical complications of the pregnancy as soon as they leave you to rest. You should be back to normal well before nightfall, and we can leave.-


    Tiya gave the little bundle in her arms the gentlest squeeze, a protective gesture that would not hint at anything as she kept her distrustful eyes on the aides who had finished taking care of her, one retreating patiently to the side while the other exited the chamber.


    Nobody was coming in to greet her or congratulate her on the birth, but that was hardly unexpected. The sheer idea of giving birth to a half-breed fathered the way this one was had garnered her tons of disapproval, such that her entire career in the Imperial Legions was basically forfeit at this point.


    There was great understanding of motherhood in the Legions, commanded by women as they were. For children born of rape, not so much, and especially children born of rape by non-humans.


    Legitimate half-breeds were not treated well in the Empire. A child born of violence? Especially a male child? He could expect nothing of support from any about, and Tiya was neither highborn nor from a wealthy family. She was a farm girl with some strength and skill with an axe, signing up with the Legions for perhaps a chance to become an Amazon and one of the true champions of the Empire.


    Fighting elusive, ghostly elves on the borders of the Empire who were defending their forests and lands against the incoming legions of soldiers with deadly guerilla warfare of all kinds, was definitely not what she had expected to be doing, let alone being surrounded, capture, and humiliated by masked raiders with long pointed ears who did not deign to speak to any of them at all.


    It was a thing unspoken, especially among the women of the legions, only the undead up in the North not devolving to the tactic. It was also one of the great reasons why the Legions had a low opinion of male soldiers in general, and had little sense of mercy towards them. Raping legionnaires was a good way to earn the slaughter of anyone fighting on the other side, which in turn triggered more such behavior on the parts of their enemies.


    The fate of the children sired by such actions was nearly universal. Her refusal to follow them had been surprising, upsetting her friends, commanders, and squadmates that she was not getting rid of unwanted vermin.


    She had not bothered to explain herself, she had simply refused obstinately and unreasonably. Being pregnant had naturally cut into her military duties and sent her back behind the lines, unable to serve with the others, so most considered that she was simply using the pregnancy as an escape from the fighting... cowardice, basically.


    Her willingness to grab for her axe when insulted that way to her face had quenched some of that behavior, but the whispers behind her back never really stopped.


    She didn¡¯t care. The voice in her belly told her to stay silent on the matter, and she had never been known for being overly thoughtful. Ever more dogged stubbornness was all the pressure falling on her received, sometimes with flying fists, and her frankly savage ability to defend herself and the child she carried had won her unwanted respect despite herself.


    The magic the child gave her to defend them helped a lot, too.


    ------


    As he promised, the follow-up ejection took about an hour, delighting the aide who wouldn¡¯t have to wait around any longer with the unreasonable, quiet soldier cuddling her half-breed of a son. The placenta was removed, the fluids cleaned up as Tiya was wiped down one more time, and then the aide quickly removed herself from the room.


    Whether she would return with food or drink in some time was a different matter, as the subtle discrimination was already beginning.


    Golden Light shimmered over Tiya¡¯s chest, stealing down into her and moving slowly towards her belly. Muscles, skin, and organs stretched and distorted by the pregnancy seemed to burn with a soft, warm fire that made her moan in relief despite herself. She could feel the magic trembling in her nerves, setting right her posture, the strain on her back and legs and balance, mending and adjusting matters back to a level before the lesser physical activity had made her go soft.


    She clenched her hand, calluses rippling and her bicep seeming to gleam as her forearm redefined itself. She had done exercises recommended by the voice, swirls of new inner power going through her and helping immensely with trying to stay in shape, but the simple need to protect her baby meant she could not endure the level of physical conditioning she had always been able to.


    But it was all coming back. She could feel it. The Restoration magic was something offered only by the most competent Healers to mothers, an extravagance and luxury for those held in highest regard by the Priestesses blessed with the power.


    She gave the newborn boy her nipple, and a pleased sigh rippled through her mind as he began to slowly draw in the milk.


    She had seen a great deal of what her son could do, but growing up faster was not among those things, it seemed.


    ¡°I have everything ready to go, Deuce,¡± she assured him. He had directed her on how to stitch together a working papoose, helped her make up a list of supplies, and even how to pack more efficiently.


    -I know you do. Thank you, Mother,- the babe replied softly, and Tiya smiled fiercely, clutching him proudly.


    Her Legion term of service lapsed at midnight, and she had not re-signed, not that the Legion would treat her well with a child weighing her down. Children were to be left behind and reared with relatives or husbands not involved in the fighting, or even to the common camps run by the Legions for those women who bore children by multiple fathers over time.


    Leaving the Legions to care for a child was not uncommon, although frowned upon, but to do so for a half-breed was basically an admission of cowardice to many. Tiya had broken a lot of teeth and jaws of those who had dared to say such things to her, until they had not dared to do so.


    Courage? What did they know of courage? She had a baby to protect from them, the cowardly bastards who wanted to kill an infant!


    Her eyes closed but her thoughts intent and focused, Tiya sat back and let the magic flow through her, rebuilding what she¡¯d lost, and making her ready to get out of this place.


    She would not miss it. She had a son to raise, a son like none of them could imagine, and she, she had been chosen to be his mother!


    She smiled fiercely. Her son would change the world, and she would watch him do it, and those close-minded cowards would only be able to look on and dream that they could have been chosen to be his mother instead...

 Chapter 2 – Mustering Out

    Technically she was already an ex-Legionnaire, they just hadn¡¯t given her the papers because she was pregnant from ¡®adverse circumstances while serving¡¯. The least the Legion would do is take care of her until her term was up.


    That was fine. It was time to go, and she would have no regrets going. The men and women she actually knew and was somewhat friends with were sitting on a battle line trying to take the lands of other species from them, for the glory of the Empire. Those people had all gone cold and distant when she decided to keep her child, so she had nothing to keep her here.


    She had been very punctual at getting her pay during these last few months, downright terrorizing the paymaster if he didn¡¯t cough up on time. There were things she¡¯d had to buy, things she¡¯d had to make, and things she¡¯d had to trade.


    Her son had told her a lot of what had to be done, even in the womb, and it wasn¡¯t all that different from what she remembered in her family, so she did it. In any event, she knew he had magic, that he was a Caster, and so money in the long-term was not going to be an issue. The way he talked about money as some necessary thing that just came in and flowed out in massive quantities, as if a goldweight was spare change, was really damn impressive.


    Then again, her baby was so awesome he could Cast spells before he was even born, so it shouldn¡¯t have surprised her at all.


    Now that he was out, his ability to Cast had increased, because he wasn¡¯t limited to giving her some magical ¡®Buffs¡¯ from inside her. She really appreciated those, right, but he had threatened to actually kill one of those treacherous midwife aides! That meant he could do real Caster stuff already, and she knew he was looking out for her.


    She wrapped Deuce up in one of the warm blankets, helping herself out of her bed and going for the clothes she¡¯d left in the corner nearby. Actually, she¡¯d brought in her entire travel pack, unwilling to trust others not to go through her stuff while she was gone, and it had been conveniently forgotten about under a blanket in the corner.


    She tore off the soiled gown, threw it on the bed, and proceeded to get herself dressed.


    There was no need for metal armor behind the lines, especially for a pregnant woman, so her breastplate and metal greaves had been turned in long ago, leaving only the under-leathers for her to wear, something issued to all those who signed in and basically considered their property.


    She had oiled and stored them carefully, taking them out frequently to treat them and make sure they stayed supple. The cotton undergarments and padding went on first, and her relief when they fit without any problems would have made her sigh loudly in relief and cheer, were she not trying to stay silent.


    Her axe was still there. It was the standard Lunar design used by the Legions: a bearded killing arc suitable for cracking heads or chopping logs, a hammer backer to crack bones and pound in armor, and a piercing spike if she needed to brace or work it into a vulnerable spot.


    The only shield she could conceal in here was a buckler, a far cry from the kite or box designs widely used by the Legion, but better than nothing. She hooked it on her belt as she checked the jerked sausage, dried fruit and nuts, and hard bread that would be rations for a while.


    There was a spearhead there, but not spear. Also something hard to conceal in a pack. It would stay there until she could find a shaft for it. She would have loved a crossbow as well, not having the time or patience to develop the strength to use a true longbow, but Deuce said he¡¯d take care of that eventually, too.


    She pulled on her second boot and stretched out despite herself, feeling so wonderful now that she could do so. She loved her baby, but it was true that carrying one around made her feel like a fat cow. Feeling her stomach all hard again was extremely gratifying.


    -Breathe. Circulate.-


    Oh, the breathing exercises were wonderful. The core of smooth power in her belly, which had been right next to his head, swirled alone now. Tiya inhaled deeply, let the sensation of breathing steal down from her diaphragm, into her gut, and then slowly pulse through her blood, carrying to the tips of her fingers and toes in no time, a silent thrum going through all her muscles.


    This ki stuff was awesome! She wanted more of it, to do more with it, and Deuce had agreed that it would be a great thing for her to have it.


    He was propped up on her pillow, barely able to keep his eyes open enough to watch her. Still, the gleam of silver was very hard to disguise against his dark lashes. She sat down next to him, making the final adjustment to her pack, the stitchwork long and laborious and very irritating, but done right and true, with straps and the pocket and supports and everything.


    She gently took the blanket and rewrapped him. He had told her that the heat and cold wouldn¡¯t matter, but it was about the jostling and comfort more than anything. That was quite wonderful to hear, and a great relief about how she was supposed to keep him warm.


    Equally carefully, she lifted his tiny body up and fit him inside the papoose inside her pack, tightening the straps down, especially with his tiny head, so he wouldn¡¯t bounce around.


    ¡°Is that good?¡± she whispered to him, touching him all over again to make sure he was packed in there very snug, indeed.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    His silver eyes opened slightly, the only part of him that was visible. He would just be able to peer over her shoulder with the design. -I think so. No hard running or jumping, please!- He had lots of padding around him, so he couldn¡¯t move even if he wanted to, which was the whole idea here.


    Slowly and carefully, she slung the pack on, gratified that she was able to carry it. Really, it didn¡¯t seem any heavier than her campaign pack with all the metal armor in it.


    -Finger.-


    She reached her right hand back over her shoulder, traced the edge of the papoose, and found the hole. She put her finger in, and tiny fingers touched her own.


    Again, silent power pulsed, but this was more like a quiet mist, gathering around her. The darkening world seemed to fall out of color, hues of black and white, and when she looked down, the light seemed to bend and flow around her fingers. She could make out where they were, but if she didn¡¯t move, she could see right through them.


    A normal person wouldn¡¯t be able to see her at all.


    Tiya grinned in appreciation. Scouts in the Legions used this trick, and the elves certainly did. Now she had it working for her, in a camp already slowing down in the darkness.


    Quietly, she moved over to the hanging privacy screen, the noises beyond those of quiet conversations. The birthing tents were in use basically every day given the number of women serving, so she wouldn¡¯t have been able to stay in them more than a day or two, but the women who had difficult deliveries still needed bed rest if they couldn¡¯t get some magic to speed their recovery along.


    The light in her room was out, so only darkness here. She drew the curtain in, instead of out, crouching and sliding out into the larger tent with minimal motion, letting it fall back behind her, as if caught by a stray breeze.


    Nobody was expecting someone to be invisible in a recovery camp so far behind the lines. She fluttered the curtain at the entry, the dim magical Light catching the motion, and an evening breeze carrying the smells of horses, people, sweat, and blood swirled in and past as she stepped outside.


    She was nearly run into by a Healer returning there, but simply stepped aside and froze as the woman stepped past. She waited until the white-robed woman was five steps away before starting to move quietly herself. As she had been practicing for months, she circulated her ki around the soles of her feet, and more skated than purely walked along the ground. Disguising the Wave-Skating Step she had been taught had been hard to do, as the gleeful feeling of being able to slide and coast, or plant and root at will, was a wonderful feeling for a fighter.


    She could feel Deuce¡¯s irritation and hostility towards the White Robes. Given the things he had told her, and the women¡¯s intentions to kill him, she had a good idea where it came from.


    Invisible now, she could move as she liked, and so every stride covered almost half again the normal distance as she moved.


    It was a strange feeling, like her soul was caressing the ground, feeling the earth and mud, the stones and grass and sticks. It was also very nice, as the pits and twists and little hollows had no chance to catch her heel or toe or ankle at all, so her footwork was perfect and stable and there¡¯d be no surprises despite a pace which was almost a trot.


    She was heading towards the corral.


    -Finger- her son said, and she obliged him again.


    More silent magic gathered to her, this time around her eyes.


    The darkness lit right up, suddenly no longer there. She blinked as she looked around sharply. She could see that the darkness was there, like a dim film over everything, but there was no range restriction on her vision at all, and she could even see colors clearly, despite it being a relatively moonless night.


    Devilsight. He had shown it to her before. It didn¡¯t really come from devils, of course, but all devils had the power, so it was named after them.


    Now well able to see people ahead of time, she glided through the muck and dirt, avoiding pure puddles but barely sinking at all in the mud, more coasting across it to drier land that could hold her and her son.


    She had to avoid anyone she saw carefully, making sure they sensed no sign of her passage on the ground, or her breathing. Being able to coast past them was certainly useful in that regard, or she could simply stand still on firmer ground and wait for groups to pass, moving behind ropes or obstructions as cover against being touched.


    She wasn¡¯t in a big hurry, and again, there was no heightened alertness or those looking for her. If they checked on her and found her missing, they¡¯d just chalk it up to her having been moved out somewhere and be glad to be rid of her, most likely.


    And there it was, the brown gelding sitting by the post.


    Forging the orders had been fun. Her handwriting was not that good, but it had sufficed to slip simple orders into the stablemaster¡¯s queue, pressing in her lieutenant¡¯s seal, ordering that a horse be prepared for a messenger to deliver a priority message scheduled for tonight. The dutiful stablemaster had picked a decent horse and had it ready for when said messenger arrived.


    Well, she had!


    She was still invisible as she walked up, and felt some magic swirl past her and paint an image floating in front of the eye of the horse. It had heard her coming, and the illusion filled in what the invisibility took away.


    The stablemaster was right over there, keeping an eye on the horse and waiting for said messenger.


    More quiet magic dribbled past her, and she saw the wiry man¡¯s eyelids droop. Without missing a beat, she unhitched the horse and swung smoothly into the saddle, turning and riding away smartly in the night.


    Behind her, the stablemaster would have a clear memory of an official messenger in cloak and everything coming up to report, and taking the horse all proper-like.


    Tiya knew a riderless horse was going to receive more attention than one being ridden, and it was time to get away. She took a deep breath as the gelding trotted along the edges of the stable, a couple of the stablehands coming up...


    Something like a black door popped up just ahead of their horse¡¯s nose, not even seen, and swept past them. There was a moment of disorientation, a darkness deeper than the night, and then the horse froze beneath her in confusion.


    They were hundreds of yards out past the camp, in the open fields nearby, away from the roads and anyone who might see them.


    Tiya looked back at the bright Lights of the camp shining in the darkness, and patted the gelding reassuringly. The animal huffed, dipping its head to smell the tall wildflowers, and nibbled off a couple opportunistically.


    ¡°That was pretty sweet, Deuce!¡± she told him, grinning at the display of stronger magic. Males weren¡¯t supposed to be able to use the stronger magic, which only supported how good her decision actually was!


    ¡°Any idea where to, Deuce?¡± she asked. She only knew the route from her ancestral lands to the Imperial recruiting center in the regional capital, marching to the training camp, and then marching out here. She literally knew nothing else of the ground.


    -Nothing at all, Mother,- he admitted honestly. -I leave the next move to your judgement.-

 Chapter 3 – A Tale of the Old Gods

    Her ancestral lands were to the north and east, and if they went looking for her, that¡¯s the direction they would go. She didn¡¯t think it would happen, but it was best not to go home... not that much was waiting for her there, anyway.


    ¡°I think south and west towards the hill country is best. The place is considered pacified, but there¡¯s no real love for the Empire there, and lots of empty land and dangers from the mountain to keep folk close to home and not investigating their neighbors. If we can find a small place to set up, that would be fine. If not, we keep moving?¡±


    -That sounds fine. We are not in a race. Growing up takes time, and there is no huge hunt for me now.-


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go that way, and see what¡¯s there!¡± She felt more light-hearted than she had in months as she turned the gelding, and they set off through the night.


    ---


    They only rode for a few hours, enough time to put some miles between them and the camp. They lucked onto a game trail which helped them along tremendously in the dark, then moved off it into a copse of trees to settle in until the dawn.


    There was no need for a fire. Tiya moved Deuce from his papoose to her chest to feed, wrapped in a blanket. Contrary to most such situations, she didn¡¯t need to keep him warm. Having him clasped to her chest, he radiated a calm living heat that fought off the night¡¯s chill quite well.


    ¡°Deuce, can you tell me a story about Aethra?¡± she asked him.


    -Aerthra, the wayward daughter of Eryl.- Completely unperturbed by the breastfeeding, his calm voice was strained and irritated. -There¡¯s nothing wayward about the Wind Rider, of course. She is her own woman, and does not bow to her mother. But it was not always that way, of course...-


    -----


    Aethra flew about randomly, as she was wont to do whenever she tired of her mother ordering her about. Shoot this, use your spear here, call the wind, punish those disbelievers there...


    Her mother¡¯s continuous need to fight everything about her wore on her daughter, so Aethra rode the winds away to a place her mother¡¯s storms were not, just to gain some time and peace.


    Eryl would not notice her absence, embroiled as she was with another of her unending conflicts with Hurn the War God.


    Into the forests, where the birds flew about unbothered by the wild winds and lighting and thunder, and the beasts came out to play and hunt and feed, instead of sheltering from the storm.


    She came upon an old man fishing out in the woods, a simple pole in the water, bobbing for bait. He was attended by an old horse and an equally old hound, all of them placidly enjoying the quiet and serenity so little seen in her mother¡¯s realm.


    She noted he was dozing more than fishing, for the fish had already taken his bait and run off. He seemed more concerned with petting his dog¡¯s ragged ears and enjoying the sun and peace.


    She announced herself with a gentle breeze. ¡°Old man,¡± she said in amusement, ¡°you will catch no fish with no bait?¡±


    He raised his floppy hat to look at the goddess floating above the ground. ¡°That¡¯s not the point of fishing, young lady,¡± he said gravely, and to her amazement, put his hat back down. His dog and horse barely flicked their eyes her way. ¡°The point is this.¡± He waved his hand to encompass the tranquil lake, the flowers on the water lilies, the birds in the trees, the squirrels chattering, and the life around. ¡°You should try it, just sitting down and appreciating what is there, instead of flitting to the next thing.¡±


    He was only an old man, and so Aethra was unafraid. She sat down and stilled her winds, and looked around the lake. She drank in the rare sunlight of Aru, seen only after her mother¡¯s storms passed by. The clouds were very white, the sky very blue, unlike the greys and lightning flashing of the storm. There was color to be seen and had, some alive and moving, some just bathing quietly in the sunlight instead of drowning in the rain.


    It was very good, and very different. The delighted goddess watched life go on about her, living and moving without needing a storm or war to do anything, all at a different pace, without the ominous weather looming over all.


    The old man broke his fast with simple bread and cheese, and wine from his skin, sharing with her. Used to the fare of an empress¡¯ table, it was again something new to her.


    ¡°Do all mortals eat so simply?¡± she asked the old man.


    ¡°Well, no. But a great many, yes. These are staple foods, young lady, upon which many survive. If they wish better food, and more plenty, mortals have to work together to gather and make them.¡±


    ¡°Mother has cooks to do such things!¡± Aethra replied brightly.


    ¡°Aye, but the cooks must have the food first to work their wonders. Have you ever baked bread?¡±


    ¡°I have been taught to fight and shoot and ride and control the winds!¡± Aethra stated proudly.


    The old man just nodded. ¡°Aye, all things for a warrior. But are you aware of all the things that must be done by others to help that warrior?¡±


    Aethra tilted her head and thought on that. ¡°Smiths make weapons and armor. Bowyers craft my arrows!¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°And where do the smiths get their metal? The bowyers their wood and feathers? Where does the food for your mother¡¯s cooks come from? Do all your soldiers eat at your table? If not, what do they eat?¡±


    Aethra wasn¡¯t sure her mother¡¯s soldiers ate at all, being proud Amazons and warrior women¡¯s souls. But then again, she didn¡¯t really need to eat either, did she? So, what did they eat?


    ¡°Sometimes, mortals eat fish, too.¡± And the old man reached over, jiggled his stick, and there was a swirl as a fish was attracted to the motion and bit. He lifted it clear of the water, kicking and splashed, and Aethra clapped in delight.


    She had the first roast fish cooked over a simple fire she¡¯d ever had, and was delighted. She wanted to be shown more of what went on outside a warrior¡¯s life, and the old man obliged.


    He noted that he was a decent hunter, but his dog was much better, and so they both followed the hound as it tracked a deer, and her arrow brought it down. He showed her how to hunt and skin it slowly and surely, and what parts of the deer had value, and what parts were returned to the forest, where things would make use of them.


    He showed her how bone and horns could be carved into beautiful things, or weapons when one had none, or clothing and ornaments for attire. He showed her how to treat meat for immediate eating, and to preserve it for longer terms, and the herbs and spices and salt needed to do that job.


    Mortals needed shelter, and the tools to make that shelter, and the skills to put all those together properly was something learned and passed on from their elders to the younger, a great and revolving cycle where the young would inherit old knowledge, sometimes improve on it, and then pass things down to their children, who might improve it again, and so mortals advanced from wood to stone to steel.


    Hunters used the knife, the spear, the axe, and the bow. All other weapons descended from them. She was familiar with them all, but not the way he used them, each tool for a task, combat and otherwise, turning them from simple killing things to implements that could help make other things.


    Aethra had never considered any of that, and was much impressed by the courage and determination involved in this teaching to the younger generation. She told the old man that she had never been taught any of these things.


    ¡°Well, who determined your teachers? You were taught what they wished you to learn. If that is all you know, then why did they want you to learn only to be a soldier?¡±


    ¡°Mother is an Empress. She only wants more soldiers to expand her domain,¡± Aethra said sourly.


    ¡°A soldier is only one of the jobs of a warrior, and the least important, in the great scheme of things, and the most important, at the end of things. As an Empress, your mother would want obedience and fortitude.


    ¡°The jobs of a warrior are to be a champion to face a single threat when needed; a Master who passes on their skills and knows the value of the mind; a hunter who can provide for his people; a leader who can command both to prepare for a fight and during the fight itself; the soldier who must fight when great numbers do battle in a Cause that they have chosen freely; and the archer and scout who pursue alternate methods of fighting and information on the enemy.


    ¡°These six tasks are what make a warrior great.¡±


    ¡°So, I am merely a soldier?¡± Aethra sniffed. ¡°I would excel at all these things!¡± she said seriously.


    ¡°Are you a soldier? Did you choose your Cause freely?¡± the old man asked her calmly.


    Aethra held back her reply. Indeed, had she ever been given a choice of who to fight, and why? Certainly her battle-sisters believed in her Queen Mother and followed her orders zealously... but she was her Mother¡¯s daughter, not her follower.


    ¡°I... do not think so?¡± she said sadly. ¡°I did not know there were Causes, other than those of my Mother¡¯s enemies!¡±


    ¡°Well, that sounds like all Causes are your mother¡¯s enemies, which seems mighty strange on the face of it.¡± Aethra thought about that reply, and agreed it did sound strange. ¡°Would a Cause of finding love and raising a fine family be worthy for a mortal?¡± he asked her, and she agreed it would be. ¡°What of hunting down a great threat to one¡¯s friends and neighbors, since you had the skill to do so?¡± She agreed that it would also be worthy. ¡°Of fighting for a world where one did not have to fight wars, but could sit down and just fish?¡±


    Aethra was delighted by the thought that fighting might have an end! ¡°That would be wonderful!¡± she agreed.


    ¡°So, to be a soldier is to follow orders in service to your freely chosen Cause, and endure where others fall. It sounds to me like you need a Cause. As that is something that echoes with your heart, you will have to search to find it.¡±


    ¡°I will do so! I will find my Cause!¡± the young goddess agreed.


    ¡°I can show you something of the Master, and how to pass on what you have learned to others. You have seen your Mother, so you know something of the duties of the Leader. I think you may need to learn more of the ways of unconventional fighting, and while I am not yet weak, I am not the best example of a champion for you. I have a friend who is good at such things. Perhaps you would like to ride with him, and learn from him? He has tremendous wanderlust and never sits still, going all over and seeing many things.¡±


    Aethra found herself nodding eagerly. She wished to see more of the world, to go wherever the winds blew.


    ¡°Then you must find a proper mount. While a hunter needs be skilled on foot, a proper champion must be able to fight ahorse and off it.¡±


    ¡°I was never given a mount, because I could fly,¡± Aethra said innocently. ¡°Where should I seek one out?¡±


    The old man thought about it a moment. ¡°There¡¯s an old horse living up atop that mountain over there. Now, he¡¯s too old to ride, but maybe he has a daughter fit for you. Why don¡¯t you go ask him?¡±


    Aethra agreed and ran off to the mountain. She was the daughter of the Storm Queen. What old horse would dare turn down her request?


    It took her no time at all to reach the mountain and look about for the old horse.


    What she found instead was a kingly ki-rin, a bearded golden steed with a great golden horn, scaled like a dragon, with wings of ephemeral flame and clouds trailing from his hooves. She could sense his age, and his power, and immediately sought to impress him.


    ¡°I am Aethra, daughter of the Storm Queen, who rules all the skies!¡± she called out haughtily. ¡°I seek a mount to carry me on my quest!¡±


    The great golden steed turned to her, and suddenly the sky cleared away, all the clouds gone, clear to the horizon. The sun blazed down and seemed to look upon her.


    ¡°Rules all the skies?¡± the old steed answered the goddess, his tail swishing in amusement. ¡°A glance from Aru¡¯s eye, and her storms evaporate. You think she commands a sky where Aru reigns?¡± the ki-rin asked her.


    Aethra stared up at the golden orb that was the eye of Aru. Her Mother had spoken little of the sun god, and when She did, it was in ire and frustration, not respect. ¡°No, elder horse, I do not think so,¡± she admitted carefully.


    An instant later, darkness swept across the sky, and the stars were out in a greater shining glory than Aethra had ever beheld. Sylune¡¯s moon crossed the sky, winking silver stars following her in her court, and the heavens danced and spun about her.


    ¡°Think you Eryl dares to touch the skies where the Queen of Stars passes?¡± the ki-rin went on calmly, looking about tellingly. ¡°I see no storms daring to disturb the Silver Queen here.¡±

 Chapter 4 – A Tale of Old Gods, Part II

    Aethra had never heard of a flying creature that dared oppose her mother like this, so this was a novel experience for her.


    ¡°The old man said you would have a daughter fit for me to ride, elder horse! I did not come for you!¡± she told the ki-rin, somewhere between pride and humbleness in her words. This ki-rin was likely the servant of two other powerful gods, not meant for her.


    Two gods who could look DOWN on her mother. She found the thought rather funny.


    The ki-rin¡¯s golden tail swished. ¡°The old man? Picking on my daughters now, is he?¡± the horse huffed, stomping the ground. ¡°Mmm. Go, down to the second peak, to the pool there. My daughter Windsilver alights there at highmoon to drink. If you can win her favor, perhaps she will serve you, little goddess.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, elder!¡± Aethra beamed, and zipped off down the mountainside, undeterred as the golden steed looked after her.


    ---


    The area about the pool, really a great crystalline lake as smooth as a mirror, was as calm and sacred as the night sky it reflected so wonderfully. The cool breeze blowing past stirred nothing in the waters as Aethra waited, enjoying the mountain trees and valleys that seemed to have been carved with a perfection of nature sorely missing under her mother¡¯s storms.


    The arrival of the ki-rin¡¯s daughter was heralded by the beating of soft feathery wings, and silvery hooves treading upon the winds. The celestial pegasus, her hide as softly white and silver as her father¡¯s had been armored gold, swept down upon the lake out of the sky, prancing easily down upon the glittering stones of the shore, themselves almost a painting or sculptured artwork, and drank deep of the clear waters.


    Aethra waited politely until the wary horse was done, before gliding over to stand next to her and appreciate the lake beside her.


    ¡°Why do you drink here?¡± she asked the pegasus, appreciating the fine lines and beauty of this princess of skysteeds.


    ¡°This is Skymirror, where one can read one¡¯s destiny in the stars. I have come here to see what my future holds.¡±


    The two of them looked down into the lake, which so perfectly reflected the stars above... and the maiden and the celestial horse, standing side by side, all the stars in the sky wheeling about them as they traced a path across the heavens.


    ¡°I have to go on a long journey, and see many things, and learn many things,¡± Aethra said earnestly. ¡°The old man said I would need a mount to see them all properly. I would like you to come with me, as a friend and partner, for to travel alone means you do not share joys or wonders with others. Would you come with me, Windsilver? I am Aethra, and I have much traveling to do...¡±


    Windsilver looked at the picture of herself and the goddess together, and trails across the moon and stars. ¡°I will come with you, Aethra,¡± the celestial steed agreed, seeing her destiny before her, and allowed the young goddess to mount her back as they turned from Skymirror.


    ------


    They rode up on the old man, who was tending a fire and a pot of rabbit stew cooking there. He had his old dog and horse with him, but across from him was a great bear of a man, hairy and bearded and in worn armor, his spear and axe set aside, sitting back against a great silverback of a bear more than tall and mighty enough to carry him with ease.


    ¡°Ho, old man, I have returned with a mount! This is Windsilver!¡± Aethra waved cheerfully at him.


    ¡°She is welcome by my fire,¡± the old man said, gesturing her to a spot, as the silvery horse sidled over next to the old, scarred warsteed and drooped her head in greeting.


    Aethra claimed her own position cheerfully, eyes fixed with both challenge and curiosity on the big, strong man, who looked more like one of Hurn¡¯s berserkers than anything else she knew. ¡°I am Aethra!¡± she announced loudly to him.


    He just grunted, golden eyes looking to Mithar instead, and she blushed at being treated so. But she could feel the air about the man, heavy and somber, but waiting to erupt with a terrible ferocity. She had felt that air about her mother in her dark and brooding moments of rage, but on this man, it seemed as natural and composed as a heartbeat made of thunder...


    ¡°Young lady, this is Master Val, an old student of mine. He¡¯s rambunctious, unruly, affected by perpetual wanderlust... and the mightiest hunter in all these realms. He has been a great many places, including a great many he was not supposed to go, together with that old rug he¡¯s leaning on. If you seek a guide, there is none better. If you seek a teacher in the ways of a Champion and a Hunter, there are also none better.¡±


    A faint smile cracked the face of the huge, bear-like man at the honest praise. ¡°Old man, your tongue can be as silver as your sword there yet!¡± he guffawed, and held out his bowl. ¡°I hope you at least taught her to cook. You know how good my stew is.¡±


    ¡°I did indeed.¡± The old man scooped out a big serving to him, and Aethra eagerly held out the wooden bowl she had proudly carved out herself. ¡°He can burn water, and that¡¯s when he¡¯s paying attention.¡± Aethra blinked, looking to the big man, who just shrugged. ¡°You¡¯ll be doing all of the cooking, because you¡¯ll want to eat more than char.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Aethra considered that as she regained her seat. ¡°Well, at least you don¡¯t eat things raw, right?¡± she had to ask him, to which the big man guffawed.


    ¡°I eat a lot of fruits and roots, because I can¡¯t cook to save my life, so yes, I eat things raw all the time!¡± His eyes gleamed, and Aethra laughed at the joke despite herself. ¡°Old Granite here has a good nose for all the best berries and tubers, too.¡± He reached over and patted the head of the great bruin, who just yawned at him. ¡°Where are you looking to go, girl?¡± he asked her plainly.


    ¡°I am not a girl! I am Aethra!¡± she immediately retorted, fixing his eyes with a steely glare.


    The gold in his eyes flashed in appreciation for her spirit, holding her gaze for a moment or two, and no, her knees were not trembling at the strength in his eyes, by her mother!


    ¡°Aethra it is, then. You will call me Uncle Val, then,¡± he stated firmly. ¡°Where are you looking to go, Aethra?¡±


    ¡°I do not know where I can go, so anywhere is fine, Uncle Val!¡± she replied quickly.


    Uncle Val looked to the old man. ¡°Wiser than you ever were, old man!¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°A vacation is fine, Val, but some of us do like to have a home to return to,¡± the other chuckled, and if a light of regret flashed through the big man¡¯s eyes, who was to see it?


    Aethra watched the light banter between the old man and his former student, and could feel the weight of long years and old bonds between them. It was very plain they were two very different people, yet they held great respect for one another despite all of that.


    But Aethra was not one to be ignored, and as she was the reason they were together, she firmly intruded on their time by asking questions, eagerly pressing where they would be going and what they would be doing, how Uncle Val was qualified to teach her, and some of the things he had fought and beaten.


    The morning came, and the two men greeted the sun, and Aethra did, too, as she had been taught by the old man, a simple thing her Mother had never bothered to teach. Then the old man mounted his old scarred horse, and his lean hound trotted at his side as he turned away. Aethra in turn went atop Windsilver, and watched as Uncle Val mounted the great bear, looming over the goddess on her steed after he did so.


    Yet she had no sense of being looked down on.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to hunt an old bastard of a creature that¡¯s been waiting for a lesson for a long time,¡± Uncle Val said. ¡°Or rather, you¡¯re going to make a lesson of him, and I¡¯m going to watch.¡±


    Aethra nodded eagerly as he pointed down a side trail she¡¯d never ventured down, and she was off on her second adventure, eagerly waiting to see what the wider world would bring her.


    =========


    Tiya had half-dozed through the whole story, the whole tale like a dream playing out in her mind as she did so. When the tale of the young goddess ended, she started as she realized the sun was almost coming up.


    -I would like to greet the sun on my first day,- Deuce said quietly.


    It was an old custom, fallen out of favor with the disappearance of most of the gods, meaningless platitudes offered to those who had abandoned their followers. She didn¡¯t even know the words before, but Deuce had told them to her, and the Salutes, the old prayers to the Gods of Heaven, that were the cornerstones of Faith in them and their people.


    She held him to her breast, facing the sun as it crept towards the horizon in this wild and unknown area of the Empire she was in. With him prompting her, silver eyes narrowed, they faced the east and the lightening sky there as she spoke, slowly and deliberately, feeling the hum of a melody in her mind that she didn¡¯t know quite yet, as she hadn¡¯t been allowed to express the Salute while in the camp, for fear of the attention it would draw.


    The fallen god Aru was a man¡¯s god, after all, and there were only goddesses, now.


    ¡°Dreams of the wind at dawn,


    A new day has begun.


    Light chases back the dark, and the future lays before us.


    Will it be something bright and new?


    Walk the road before you now, and leave the night behind,


    Today is a new day, and the light comes to warm you all.


    Let go the shadows, and behold the sun!


    The Light has come, as ever it must.


    Behold the new day!¡±


    As she finished, it was somehow right at the time the first ray of sunlight broke through in the east, washing over her with the same kind of warmth that was emanating from her son. She could feel a lightness in her heart, a hope for the new day that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    Her breath steamed out in the morning chill, diffusing around her. Such a simple thing, a prayer said at dawn to start the new day... and yet, she suddenly felt just plain better than she had just before.


    ¡°How many Salutes are there?¡± she asked Deuce, turning her eyes from the sun lest she be blinded.


    -There is one for each deity in Heaven. The other powers have their own Rituals, of course. Four to six are traditionally performed over the course of the day. The Salute to Aru begins the day at Natural Renewal. The Salute to Mithar marks the midday of work, and the High Renewal. The Salute to Amana starts the evening meal for the assembled family. The Salute to Aethra marks the sun going down, and the start of the Long Watch against the Darkness, the Dusk Renewal. The Salute to Sylune marks midnight, and the moon guiding those in the darkness towards the dawn, the Highmoon Renewal.-


    ¡°What of mighty Valus? His stories were the favorite of my father and brothers, he was the patron of our people, long ago...¡± His silence, and the rise of Eryl and her Amazons, had devastated their culture. Not even the fabled erhiar, the Shield-Maidens of Valus, could rise with the God of Valor being so silent.


    -The Salute to Valus is given for the beginning of new ventures, and when courage is needed, such as before a duel or battle.


    -It is appropriate for today, I think. Face the direction we will travel, and salute Valus, who wanders all the trails and new roads, that He accompany us on ours.-


    She took a deep breath. ¡°We... do not know the Salutes any more. The last Priest and Champion of the God of Valor died generations ago...¡±


    -It is fine. Repeat after me...- he replied gently, able to see how much it pained her not to know the truth of the god of her forefathers.


    ¡°There is Thunder in mortal souls.


    Before you lies a choice, wrought in Free Will.


    None but you can seize it.


    With every beat of your heart, that Thunder builds anew.


    A chance to take, and to be embraced.


    A future to determine, none have the right to take from you.


    Dare to take the road untraveled.


    Dare to say the words unsaid.


    Dare to sing the songs unsung.


    Dare to fight for what you believe.


    Dare to live, and to not regret!


    Embrace the Thunder!¡±


    The quiet hope in her chest seemed to blossom, filling her with a strength of resolve she had never imagined possible, as if her heart was too big for her chest.

 Chapter 5 – A Strike of Inspiration

    ¡°So, what do you think we should be doing, Deuce?¡± Tiya asked her son as they rode along the hillside. These were wild lands, but monstrous creatures who didn¡¯t mind attacking human settlements were prime targets for wandering, non-Legion Amazons to practice being awesome on, so they¡¯d been well-taught to avoid single women travelers, it seemed.


    Which was good. Although she was pretty confident she and Deuce could handle most things that might bother them, she didn¡¯t want to do so unless she had to.


    -A farm would be ideal,- the mellow voice of her son responded slowly and clearly. -But we don¡¯t have the resources to start one, and a proper farm is a long-term investment worked and built up over years. It also generally involves trading excess produce for other items, and there¡¯s only you and I to provide for here.


    -We should just make a hunting lodge, something we can walk or run away from if we need to, with a garden attached to it if possible. Enough seeds to do that shouldn¡¯t be hard to acquire, and won¡¯t draw much attention.-


    ¡°Any animals? Chickens or a goat or anything?¡± she asked reasonably, her gaze drifting for a moment. ¡°I would really like to see what kind of farm I could help you build, Deuce.¡±


    -What are you thinking about, Mother?- he asked gently.


    ¡°A barn!¡± she answered brightly. ¡°A big bright well-lit barn, where the animals are all cared for, with fresh straw and sunlight streaming in through a big window! You walk outside, and you can see the wheat and rye growing in the fields, rippling in the wind...¡±


    -With lots of chickens chasing the bugs here and there,- he sighed softly back to her. -Yes, that is a good dream, but not one we can pursue for now. We have to get you to Seven and Forsaken, and a farm away from civilized areas needs more than two people to look after it properly, especially with magical creatures and fey about willing to prey on it. Once you hit Seven and I¡¯m a little bit older, we can consider it, but there will likely be other problems, related to you having a halvyr son who can use magic.-


    Tiya¡¯s lip curled. She already had plenty of tastes of that, even before Deuce was born. She could totally picture what it was going to be like when the same kind of people actually met him in person. ¡°What kind of trouble are you expecting?¡± she asked him.


    -You mentioned that the Empire likes to take away anyone who can use magic, and either farm them out to the Temples or the Imperial Academy. Any whisper of someone who can use magic will bring inquiries, and as I¡¯ve elven blood, I¡¯m naturally a Caster.-


    ¡°Huh.¡± She hadn¡¯t thought about that fact, and frowned at the trail ahead. ¡°And people are suspicious and will talk if a farm with just one adult is doing really well...¡±


    -I apologize in advance for wanting a nice farm, too...-


    Tiya laughed despite herself, surveying the green trail ahead. ¡°So, what am I looking for at this point?¡±


    -A small forest in this area we can raise a lodge within. If there¡¯s things to fight so that we can establish our territory, so be it.-


    ¡°The lands get wilder further south, with beastfolk everywhere and more monsters and beasts in the forests there, even at the outskirts,¡± Tiya said thoughtfully.


    -Can¡¯t make you into a heroine of the legends without doing some legendary things, even if nobody else sees them,- he noted for her.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna get strong enough to pound an Amazon flat!¡± Tiya declared promptly, shaking her fist as the gelding maneuvered down a narrow section of the trail, picking his way forward carefully.


    -Damn straight. But it¡¯s best to start with ogres or something. On that note, see that tree off to the left? Should look a little burned, at the least.-


    Tiya turned her attention off to her left, where a half-split tree, charred and burned, was sitting forlorn and alone over a crack in the hillside. ¡°Yeah, I can see a tree there. Looks like lightning hit it?¡±


    -Perfect for both of us, Mother. Go over there. We¡¯re going to get us some heartwood from a lightning-struck ash.-


    ---


    Tiya obligingly turned the gelding that way, and in a little bit of time they were setting next to the tree. She looked it over, the withered leaves and bare branches, and of course the wretched split down the middle of its trunk.


    ¡°Is this still alive?¡± she asked, as she swung off the horse.


    -Barely. I¡¯ll fix it as a thank-you for the wood.-


    Tiya shook her head at her son¡¯s casual kindness, unslinging her papoose so he could reach out to the tree. ¡°What do I need to do?¡± she asked him.


    -Grab the two staves when they come out.-


    Not bothering to ask more, she lifted the baby out enough that his tiny arms and hands could brush up the charred bark of the broken ash.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He only opened his silver eyes slightly, and golden lights shimmered over his tiny limbs. They gathered and swirled into complex circles and patterns Tiya could not understand in the slightest, only that they made a wonderful, uplifting thing to see, pumping the power of Heaven gently and surely into a new spell.


    The entire tree trembled as The Light bled into it. Stressed and strained wood shivered and groaned, and Tiya half-thought the tree itself might actually animate and do something. Around the point of contact with Deuce¡¯s hands, the bark began to pale and regenerate, the charring vanishing, and the groaning and creaking within the tree seemed to increase in relief.


    A sound like reverse cracking drew her eyes down, and down at the base of the tree where it protruded from its little niche in the ground, the great split in the trunk was drawing itself together with visible speed, and the whole body of the tree was trembling as it drew back together.


    The number of circles of light only increased and the pace of the healing sped up with them. The Light was pouring into the tree, and the burns were evaporating. Branches twitched and seemed to extend new twigs like growing fingers, and then in a wondrous moment, just like a suddenly blossoming flower, leaves shot forth all over the tree, straight green clusters veined with gold that shone as brightly as the sun overhead, displaying all the Light within the tree.


    The gelding behind them huffed in shock, watching all this with wide eyes, but he did not run away.


    The trunk in front of them creaked and cracked and rustled back beneath the tiny fingers on either side of it, and continued on and upwards, all the way up to the remaining part of the trunk that had not fallen down and away before from the lightning strike.


    A gentle wind sprang up, and the leaves rustled in a dance of delight and new life above them.


    There was no mark on it now, save scars where part of the trunk had fallen away, and even that was scabbing over with new bark, pale and strong.


    There was a peculiar sound, and Tiya realized it was the sound of wood flexing and moving with a life of its own. She watched as the bark split open, and two long poles of dark wood, slick and very tight-grained, were pushed out of the pale wood within, given up by the formerly battered ash tree towering up above them with new life and vitality.


    The Circles and Seals pouring The Light into the tree disappeared one by one, and when the last one faded, she knew he was done.


    Without asking, she bundled him back up, then slung him back onto her back. She grasped the poles and tugged them, a slight pop answering her as they broke free of the last of the tree¡¯s embrace, and came into her hands, firm and heavy, but not too heavy.


    They were shaped differently, with one being top-heavy and thicker, like a quarterstaff made for walking and clouting people, while the other was long and straight, made for a spear.


    She smiled, backing up once, and, after a moment of thought, bowing respectfully to the tree that had granted these things to them.


    When she mounted up and rode away, she did not look to back to see that some of the branches were waving in their direction with motions that couldn¡¯t have come from the wind.


    ----


    ¡°The Night Wind comes, the World now breathes deep,


    The Shadows grow strong, and Song falls to silence steep.


    Eyes in the Darkness wait, yet the Rider stands not alone.


    Let the Clouds pass beneath the Silver Moon¡¯s embrace


    Where rest the weary, and dream of the wind at dawn.¡±


    Tiya blinked a tear away from her eye as she inhaled a breath, feeling an abrupt sensation as the Night¡¯s Renewal was abruptly upon them as Aethra¡¯s Salute, and the time of the Long Watch was upon them.


    Rangers were the favored servants of the Rider of the Winds, those who went out into the darkness, seeking and fighting it, standing the Long Watch on the borders of their peoples, the first to fight, first to hunt, first to follow the retreating enemy. They were no mere hunters, barbarians, or savages, but servants of the Land and Gods alike, as holy and committed to a greater cause as any templar, Amazon, or priest.


    Of course, with the gods in Heaven silent, the numbers of Rangers had plummeted to basically nothing, a fact held up as yet one more reason to believe that so many of the gods had abandoned them.


    ¡°I need a spear haft, but why the head thumper?¡± Tiya asked when they stopped for the night and the nursing was over with. Deuce was clasped to her chest under a blanker, keeping her warm and cool at the same time. One arm supported him, the other slid over the dark ash of the spear shaft.


    -I can use magic because of the elven blood, but there are no disadvantages to wielding an Implement, especially at my age. I¡¯m wielding magic very slowly and supplying a great deal of the energy to do so from my Pact, as my body simply won¡¯t support actively wielding my Matrix like a true Caster. There¡¯s something to be said for growing up, I guess.-


    She picked up the quarterstaff, much heavier than normal ash. ¡°But you can¡¯t use this?¡± she asked him, a bit confused.


    -I can when I shrink it down, Mother.-


    Tiya burst out laughing despite herself. ¡°Okay, okay, I should have seen that coming. How are you going to work on them?¡±


    -I only need to be touching them to Wood Shape and Temper them, although it will be slow. Let¡¯s start with the spear, as you¡¯ll need to hold the spear head to the top of it. Once we¡¯re done, you can doze off while I do the staff.-


    ¡°Oh, good!¡± she said cheerfully, reaching over to rummage through her pack and pull out the bright, shiny new spearhead, sheathed just like a long knife so as not to cut or penetrate anything. She worked it around so the shaft was leaning against Deuce, while she held the spearhead to the end of it and watched.


    Once again, silver glowed in Deuce¡¯s eyes and The Light gathered about them again, slow and gentle.


    The shaft quivered around her hand, and the dark ash flowed over the long handle of the spear. There was no need to split the wood and anchor it within the wood, as it was accepted directly into the wood and centered perfectly, the wood grasping and holding it perfectly.


    Tiya¡¯s eyes gleamed. A Woodcrafted spear like this was an expensive toy for Amazons, and perhaps some Legion officers, a sign of wealth and favor. She watched the wood growing over the metal like an extension of itself, and threads of glowing magic extend from wood to the metal and back, just like they were the same thing, one rooting into the other and melding them together into something better than either.


    Who had the chance to watch magic being worked like this, so closely? All the Casters she knew were very private individuals with little to no time for soldiers. She was getting to see Holy and Natural Magic right up close!


    Tiya sat back against the tree that was her support for the night, along with the gelding¡¯s saddle.


    She noted that the gelding was watching the display of Light closely, too, and definitely without the air of bring frightened about it. That didn¡¯t surprise her, either.


    -I will do your axe as well,- he told her, and she obligingly added it to the stack of wood in contact with him, and held him tightly as she gazed into the fire and began to doze off.

 Chapter 6 – Stars of Sylune

    She woke with a start, feeling something was going to happen. She looked up at the sky, and gasped at the sliver of the moon overhead.


    Something seemed strange and utterly clear, the edge of the bright moon too sharply defined, and the stars in the sky were all looking down at them.


    There was magic all about them, gentle and sharp at the same time, woven of silver and moonlight and moonfire and starfire.


    ¡°There is a light in the darkness.


    Our Lady in Silver walks the night, not the day,


    There to guide us on our way.


    The Moon cries silver tears along the Shining Road,


    The Court of Stars sings in the silence,


    Where the dark would be deepest and strongest.


    From the evening to the dawn.


    Walk through the darkness, follow the path


    From light to light,


    And sing to the Day once more!¡±


    The Salute to Sylune!


    Magic was dancing around them, drawn to this moment of Light in the darkness, as if something long awaited had finally returned. The Stars were wheeling in the sky in just a moment of clarity and focus that turned the night into a moment of joy and wonder that was nearly overwhelming.


    And then it was past, Highmoon come and departed. The slight arc of the moon, which had not been seen in its full glory for hundreds of years, was back to normal, the sky was dotted with clouds, and the stars were just points of light in the night.


    ¡°What, what was that?¡± Tiya whispered.


    -I am sorry, that was probably foolish of me. I hope there are others who still remember the Salute to the Goddess of Silver Magic.- Deuce sighed, but his happiness was evident, regardless. -The Silver Magic is still there, even without Her. Even with whatever force has sealed all of the gods away from here, that little crescent of Her moon has kept it alive!


    -The Moon and Stars are with us! The Sun Rises in the Morning! The Wind Breathes at Dusk!


    -Heaven is with us! We are not abandoned, and we will break the gods free from whatever has Sealed them from us, Mother!-


    Tiya squeezed him tight, her eyes still wet. This was why she had endured the ridicule of her friends and everyone around her, and taken her son to term.


    Heaven had not abandoned them, because that was not something Heaven did. It was not right, and Heaven did not do that which was not right. Heaven was there, Heaven was waiting, and the only reason the gods of Heaven did not answer them was because they could not, not because they WOULD not.


    Something had cut them off!


    The Salutes had cracked open her heart like nothing she had imagined. Just simple prayers, salutes, things of respect given the gods for what they did, and returned as guidance to the mortals below.


    Who knew how many voices had once arisen in those Salutes, and even now, centuries later, their echoes still held so much power?


    Who, who had denied this to the people? Her bare fist clenched so hard in outrage, unable to shake the truth of the moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do everything I can to help you, Deuce,¡± she whispered fiercely.


    -Thank you, Mother. That means more than you think,- he replied softly to her. -But this will not be easy at all. There are many powerful forces who do not wish the gods to return, and we can probably start with those that are still here.-


    That... made complete sense to Tiya. Who more logical to know what had happened to the gods then their peers and rivals. -Are you saying that the goddesses who remain are responsible for all this?- she asked, feeling her heart skip a beat at the ominous idea.


    The goddess Eryl, the Storm Queen, Patron of all Amazons, was the major faith of the whole Empire! While there were others, She was definitely the strongest of the Goddesses left behind, and her martial discipline and zeal had allowed humanity to continue, and perhaps even grow stronger, after the other gods had vanished.


    -I do not know, but it is likely. Eryl has always desired to dominate the Pantheon, and with all Her male competition gone, now She does. Ruilvei, Jynx, and Rue have risen sharply in prominence, with all their competitors gone. Queen Voyd seems crippled somehow, which is fortuitous for all the others, and there¡¯s this new Saint Celese who seems to be trying to take on Mother Amana¡¯s Healing role. I think She¡¯s another of Eryl¡¯s daughters... but I am not sure.-


    ¡°Is this so bad?¡± Tiya asked seriously. ¡°I mean, it is not a bad life we have left behind, is it?¡±


    His reply was a mental sigh, which conveyed no irritation, nor resignation, but sad resolve. -There is no active force of Good here, Mother. I do not know any more than you, and what you have told me, only what I can infer.


    -But I do know that corruption is endemic without Good to offset it. I can tell it by the magic used by the Legion¡¯s Witches. That corruption is reaching into the hearts of power and twisting them there, above where we can see.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    -And I am very, very certain that Bone Keep up north did not gain its name until after Skulos and Harse were both locked away.-


    Tiya did not know the truth of the matter, but nodded. ¡°That¡¯s true that nobody says the Bone Keep saw any undead until after the gods left. Some blame them for the dead being unable to stay in their graves...¡±


    -Which is probably totally true. Harse judges all the dead, and sends them on to their fates. Skulos receives the dead and ensures that all things die in time, and especially makes certain those judged receive their punishment.


    -If there is no one to Judge the dead and to send them on, then where can the spirits of the dead go, Mother?-


    ¡°Does not the Godwitch hold power over the dead?¡± Tiya asked, shocked.


    -Being able to command the dead and undead does not make Her the Goddess of Death. Her Eminence is Black Magic and Witchcraft. Necromancy is the power of Death, and its Eminence was held by Skulos. Her people might wield necromancy, but that does not make Her the Goddess of Death!


    -And, in any event, She is also no Judge of the Dead, as she would exploit all souls to gain power for Herself if She was able. If the spirits of the living cannot pass on, what matters death? They are still doomed here with us, their spirits in torment as they cannot pass on to where they should. Judgement of the Dead is a terribly important job, and why Harse is the Ivory King.-


    Tiya had only heard tales of the Bone Keep. That wasn¡¯t it¡¯s real name, of course, but that was what it was called now, for the undead had been assaulting it every night, for over a hundred years, and its proper name was long forgotten.


    Legions were rotated through there to be blooded, at once losing the weak, learning to face down terrifying foes, and getting combat experience night after night, albeit against a horrifying and untiring foe. The Legions and recruits who returned from Bone Keep were thinner but elites, men and women who had been blooded far harder and more harshly than any campaign could give them, and so strengthened the Legions across the Empire with their endurance and toughness in battle.


    Few talked about the walking dead they fought there, their eyes flat and cold, only offering tales if talking to another of their kind, or if they learned others were going there. Then they¡¯d dispense their wisdom in cold, flat tones, the same voice you¡¯d hear when sending soldiers to their doom if they didn¡¯t listen, and so those frightened soldiers would listen with everything they had.


    ¡°You think Bone Keep is important?¡± she asked at last, unable to keep a shiver out of her voice. The thought of fighting the undead every night, night after night, was horrifying.


    -Not the Keep itself, although such a place is a great opportunity. Constant battle is a constant Karmic Buffet. The reason the legionnaires who come out of that place are so respected is because they are Levels higher than those who do not serve there. All the men have hit their Level Caps of Four. All the women are Sixes or higher, if they have the Stats for it. The Empire is using the Keep as an anvil and whetstone to strengthen the steel and edge of its armies and people, a place of conflict its enemies may not have and do not equal.


    -The danger is what the increasing number of undead represent. If they are indeed the spirits of the dead, unable to pass beyond and find rest, then that number is only increasing, mother. And it will never go down without special means being taken, which involve utter destruction of their souls.-


    She could feel the bitter truth in his words. Instead of passing beyond, to whatever Doom or Reward awaited them, the spirits of the dead would endure forever, and rage against the living in their pain and anguish. They would kill the living, and add to their numbers, which would grow and grow and grow as the living continued to die...


    Tiya swallowed as she realized the implications. ¡°The dead... they will eventually kill all the living, then?¡±


    -Unless their souls are burned away in vivic fire, yes. Which is both utter doom and a surcease from their pain, a complete travesty of the cycle of Life and Death. In the end, we will have to slaughter the souls of everything that has died, all of our ancestors, parents, and forebears, if we wish to live.-


    Tiya twitched again, despite herself. ¡°That is horrible...¡± she finally got out, hoping against hope that was not the situation.


    -We weren¡¯t able to tell by the stories, but logically, there are ever more dead, and so the realm of the dead up there should be expanding. I would happily bet you all the money I do not have that every year, the dead rise up at dusk ever so slightly closer than they did the year before, and so they have less distance to travel and can attack the Keep there for a longer and longer period of time.


    -Moreover, Bone Keep should be far from the only place the dead are pushing down from, but we simply haven¡¯t heard of other areas because the knowledge is being kept from us, both by your superiors and the fact all the Empire¡¯s neighbors are hostile to it.-


    Tiya blinked. The dead were coming down from the north, but the north existed in more places than beyond Bone Keep... only nobody from the Empire went to the North, safely warded by the Hoarcloak Mountains there, home to great beasts and dangers and...


    She flinched. ¡°There have been many attacks by great beasts and the beast-men tribes of the Hoarcloaks, moving south...¡±


    Deuce sighed inside her mind again. -Fleeing the undead. Not even the strongest creatures there can win over the endless tide. The undead are limited only by how unfriendly the terrain is... and where the anthros live is going to be the friendliest terrain, relatively speaking. They are being pushed out by the expanding numbers of undead and the lack of prey that once roamed the northern tundra.-


    ¡°How long do we have?¡± Tiya asked, her teeth clenched at the mental image.


    -The undead are limited in their threat by how far they can travel in one night. As more die, they area they occupy increases, and they can push further and further south if they seek to.


    -How long we have depends on how many undead it takes to claim each increasing amount of territory, and if we can shrink their numbers permanently, and how many beings die. It is a lot of area, and a lot of ground to cover. We have time, Mother.-


    Tiya nodded firmly. ¡°Right! What do we have to do?¡±


    -Find a place where there are old evils nearby that need to be disposed of, and get you to Seven. Once that has been done, our options and time available expand.¡±


    ¡°These are old hills with old powers in them,¡± Tiya nodded at his words. ¡°Some of them are very strong, and others are simply vicous.¡±


    -The vicious and the malicious generally don¡¯t like it when such is returned to them, and the Land has always had an appetite for those that think themselves eld and beyond morality.- Deuce¡¯s voice was filled with complex notes of schadenfreude and grim truth.


    ¡°Life favors the young and the living!¡± Tiya agreed with grim spirit. ¡°But, uh, it¡¯s okay if we go at least a few days further south, right?¡±


    -We¡¯ll go as far as we need to go, Mother.- he assured her calmly. Tiya smiled, pledging to herself to go at least a week before seriously looking for a place to hole up.


    -----


    With a touch of a baby¡¯s hand, the scarring of the Imperial Brand fell away from the gelding¡¯s flank, replaced by smooth brown hide that bore no hint that the horse was once Imperial property. Tiya smiled and inspected the restored hide carefully, making sure no overly anal inspector could see that it had been there, and smiled in approval.


    -I can conceal my ears, have no fear, Mother,- Deuce told her, as they picked their way down a hillside towards the small village below. -But be wary. I sense no welcome for strangers ahead of us.-


    Tiya knew the attitude, as it was quite the same as the clan holding where she had grown up. ¡°They have a tavern, so a place to eat and drink, and that might mean we can buy some supplies, which they¡¯ll doubtless try to overcharge us.¡± That wasn¡¯t going to impress her, as her horse was absolutely fine with eating conjured manna, and some spices and different cooking styles were enough to spice it up for her, not much different than eating mystery meat in the legions...

 Chapter 7 – Darker Influences

    -Mother, I think you should be treating this entire area as hostile ground. These are not friendly people.-


    She could almost feel his silver eyes shining through closed lids, and nodded slowly. The looks she was getting from the men working the fields and the women about their homes were cool and measuring, without much measure of friendliness and hospitality, the latter being the big rule that kept neighbors civil with one another.


    She figured it was the Imperial design of her armor, weapons, and tack, signifying that she was from a long way away, and so no neighbor of theirs. In addition, the Empire had never been very gentle about conquest or pacification of any society or culture dominated by men, which bred towering levels of resentment that the Empire was perfectly happy to quash repeatedly as needed.


    After all, males could only reach Four. It gave women an incredible edge in all factors in life, making them more physically able, more competent, well-trained, skilled, and so dominant, especially in the spellcasting professions. Men could take advantage of their naturally greater strength to tilt the odds early on in their favor, but as they never got above Four, simply putting a well-trained female Five or Six in charge of them basically ensured she could take them on, and any woman of higher Level than that could trounce almost any man, no matter how well-trained.


    The Empire usually dealt with overly proud men by killing them and putting their daughters and sisters in charge. It generally only took a generation or two for the gender discrimination to flip in the other direction. Where men had once dominated humanity, ruling by strength and aggressively seeking Levels, now women did, taking up all the positions of power men had once held, because the men had no way of stopping them.


    Men were now the second-class gender anywhere the Empire¡¯s reach extended, and all the women knew that if they could Level, they¡¯d be able to dominate the men around them, too. It was harder than it seemed, of course, and men being stronger out of the gate could suppress a lot of women, as Tiya well knew from her childhood.


    Those were the eyes she was seeing now, the same as the men in her family. Denied the ability to advance themselves, forever stuck at a false ceiling that had not been there for their ancestors, no longer rulers, forever second-tier to their overlords, and many of their female kin.


    Not unexpected for people at the fringes of the Empire, who considered themselves a part of it only insofar as Imperials were around to force them to acknowledge it.


    The smart families could gaff the Empire and adjust at the same time. Strength and endurance still had their place in common life, and despite their ravings, most civilians still never got past Three. Most men who reached Four had active military experience, or careers with great conflict.


    The smart families simply had the women concentrate on jobs and duties where Levels were important, and the men concentrated on jobs that required more strength and brawn. Fighting against the dictates of the gods was stupid, so work around it as much as possible. If that meant women soon dominated many of the less physical crafting and skill professions, so be it, as long as they contributed to the family. If it meant the man couldn¡¯t be the face of the family, nothing said he couldn¡¯t influence behind the scenes, just as the women had to be satisfied with at one time.


    Men raised on tales of the heroic gods often did not take the demotion well, and then their families tended to suffer. Without higher-Level women in the family, they declined with precipitous speed from any positions of power they held, and soon lost everything to the aggressive women with their eyes on the prizes to be had.


    A lone woman with a child, even if an Imperial, was still a lone traveler, and lone travelers were the preferred prey of hill bandits and brigands. Tiya knew that well, as her family had never been adverse to a little profitable raiding and looting if they could get away with it, and outsiders were naturally their preferred targets.


    But they didn¡¯t know what they were dealing with. Tiya had only confidence in her gaze as she met theirs, daring them to try something.


    Her wax-boiled leathers didn¡¯t look overly impressive, but they were just for show. The unseen Force Armor Deuce had put around her was as good as the plate armor worn by elite cavalry, and was only the most basic of the defenses he could give her.


    She actually found it amusing. The sorceresses and priestesses most admired by the legionnaires were the ones who buffed up the soldiers with spells, but here she was getting them from a male. There were few male spellcasters of any kind around anymore, mostly because few teachers wanted to spend much time on a student who would never exceed Four, and the goddesses rarely accepted them as novitiates, with the notable exception of St. Celese. Nobody minded having more healers around, even if they weren¡¯t that powerful.


    Professions requiring mental ability or agility were basically the preferred province of women, and even if minor spellcasting was still useful, men would never receive much recognition or achievements in such fields.


    Then again, Deuce had repeatedly proven he was a far more powerful spellcaster than she had ever met or seen personally, and his gender didn¡¯t seem to be limiting him. She didn¡¯t know why, and she didn¡¯t care, assuming the gods had arranged things that way.


    ¡°Don¡¯t spend the night?¡± Tiya asked under her breath. She would have liked a roof over her head for one night, instead of a rough tent, but if they had to move on, so be it.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    -Whether we stay or not, I imagine we¡¯ll have visitors in the night.-


    Tiya¡¯s eyes gleamed as she headed for the only building with a signpost, displaying the Imperial symbol of a tavern. ¡°Which means don¡¯t drink the booze.¡±


    -They are sending runners here and there already. Industrious people.-


    Getting brigands into position on the route ahead. Tiya wondered if she should just pull out her axe and shield and start to killing, but figured it would be better not to have to fight the whole village.


    She had seen Casters a lot less powerful than Deuce kill villages worth of people quickly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stop in, get directions, and see what they have to see to eat, probably for too much money,¡± she said under her breath.


    ---


    The old man behind the bar was grizzled, grey, and gnarled, glaring at her with steely eyes that didn¡¯t get any further than a brusque attitude once he marked her accent as not Imperial.


    ¡°A Northerner,¡± he said, the word half-curse, half-curious. ¡°What brought you down here?¡±


    ¡°Mustered out. Curious about the south. Nothing to go back to,¡± Tiya replied, watching him bundle up some rough bread, cheese, and dried ham. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than nothing, and she wouldn¡¯t have to see if she could snipe a squirrel or rabbit, not that Deuce had trouble locating them for her.


    ¡°Zat so?¡± Welcome news, if they planned to kill her. ¡°Got a babe with you, too...¡±


    ¡°My son!¡± she declared proudly, frankly startling him. ¡°Nothing for him to look forward to in the Empire, either.¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes flashed with barely-concealed hate. ¡°Truth enough, woman. Not going to spend a night? It¡¯s late enough to be going, and your horse could use the rest.¡±


    Said horse was being treated by Deuce at the end of the night, and consequently it was as spry as a yearling colt. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine, so I¡¯ll not be imposing, not that I¡¯ve much coin on me.¡± She slid across the silver to pay for the rations, and he scooped it up without hesitation. Say what you like about the Empire, everyone trusted their coin. ¡°How far to the next town?¡± she asked calmly.


    ¡°Twelve miles, if you stick to the river road,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Water¡¯s good, should have no problems with it. You want some wine to go with you?¡±


    ¡°Nursing a newborn?¡± she scoffed at him, and he had enough awareness not to press the point. ¡°Anything dangerous from the hills?¡±


    He hesitated, as if afraid to say something, and she wondered if he¡¯d actually give her a warning. ¡°There¡¯s been hill ogres come down further away from town, maneaters, picking on the peddlers and hunters if they can catch ¡®em. They¡¯re big and loud and smell like nothing you¡¯ve met afore, so you can usually tell they are about, but be careful if you want to light a fire.¡±


    ¡°Cold camp, then. Got it,¡± she nodded. ¡°Take care of yourself, old-timer.¡±


    ¡°Miss,¡± he managed to get out without spitting.


    ---


    -He¡¯s sending up smoke to let them know you¡¯re coming.-


    Tiya looked back, seeing some thick black smoke coming up out of the tavern. It would be visible for some distance.


    ¡°Clever. Should I go back there and cleave his skull?¡± she wondered aloud.


    -Our problem is ahead of us. There¡¯ll probably be at least six of them, with bows.-


    She smirked. ¡°And you¡¯ve that spell that wraps me in invisible armor, and another that bounces arrows like they are rain.¡±


    -It¡¯s like I want to make sure my mother stays safe, or something.-


    Tiya grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve fought with magical help before. Six brigands is nothing. If they are experienced hunters it could be bad without more help.¡±


    -You are assuming that we are going to play at all fair, Mother.-


    There was getting some extra buffs from a Witch, and there was the help her son gave her. Tiya smiled even more widely.


    ------


    The ambush, such as it was, was indeed set up properly. There were spotting posts up above the trail by the river, screened by brush and stone, with line of sight to one another, and a second trial below the hill line, where the spotters could run to join the ambushers without being seen.


    Muddied blankets layered with old scrub, dust, and even pebbles camouflaged their hiding positions at the turn, with space for a half-dozen archers to rain down fire from above, out of reach of any hapless travelers sticking to the rough road below them.


    Illusions and invisibility, along with floating Disks that could ignore the rough terrain, turned that all on its head.


    Deuce was propped up invisibly on a Disk, while the gelding ambled along the road below, happy to play his part with an illusionary rider on his back. Naturally the intentions of the brigands tripped Deuce¡¯s Detect Evil at V, Behold the Heart of Darkness, and they had plenty of warning as to exactly where the men were.


    Tiya wasn¡¯t truly invisible, as it would keep getting broken by her attacking the men, but blurred camouflage worked perfectly well if she stayed still, and when the spotters scrambled out of cover after signaling with waves to their companions, they ran right into the edge of her axe and died on the ground after a second cut ended their kicking misery by chopping off their heads and starting the process of vivisizing their bodies so the wolves and ravens wouldn¡¯t get them.


    Tiya scrambled along the trail with a measured pace, glancing at where she knew Deuce was slowly and invisibly following, paralleling the gelding below to keep the illusion intact, the floating Disk he was on ignoring the rocks and dips as it drifted along.


    He could even drop a temporary illusion atop her, making her look like the dead man she had just killed at a glance, if they were looking for the spotters to join them.


    The third one was a little suspicious when he saw number two crouched and trotting for them, wondering where number one was and why he hadn¡¯t come on ahead.


    Then Tiya¡¯s crossbow bolt took him in the throat, and he fell convulsing to the ground


    -The rest of them are around the big rock ahead, Mother,- Deuce¡¯s voice came to her as she split the scout¡¯s skull with a crack of her very keen axe, now glimmering with layers of magic that helped it bite very deep, indeed. -There are four down by the road with spears, and two more archers up above.-


    Tiya bared her teeth. Two in front, two in back, and archers from the side peppering their victims who didn¡¯t choose to surrender. A classic ambush set-up. ¡°Give me some Silence,¡± she called out softly, and a moment later, the world went very quiet, indeed.


    With no chance of being heard, she sprinted for the last position, her crossbow slung back and only her axe in hand, the spear down on the gelding.


    It was two hundred yards and the trail was very rough, but that was why she¡¯d been practicing the lightfoot all the months she had been pregnant. Dips and knurls in the stone that were just waiting to twist an ankle and send her tumbling were nothing much when she was skating over the ground, pushing off with the force of her soul more than the force of her soles.