These Old Bones

28-1

28

Aeraduth found an inn, used by pilgrims when the village were not under siege, and Brorzjav dipped into his pack, taking the pouch of Talons the girl paid him with, tossing several to the soldier.

"Do not get drunk! We may be fighting before you know it." He made certain he caught the eyes of all the soldiers, especially Yisrith, who grinned at him.

"Can't promise anything, My Lord." Coratuth joked, but Brorzjav knew they would not. He could see it in their eyes. The anticipation of battle.

Upon seeing the priestess approaching, he sent the girl with the others. He needed to speak to the woman alone, without the girl bristling at every word. He would tell her, later, of what they spoke, but, for now, he needed the time alone with the priestess. The girl, reluctant, followed the others to the inn, looking back every step.

"Time is short, Brorzjav of the Steppes." The priestess clasped her hands before her, considering him. "The First Maiden tires and will soon die. Another must take her place and secure this valley or all we have built here will be lost. You must speak with Viriili."

"You know my name and the girl's, no doubt told by your Patron, but I do not know yours." He stood, his hand on the pommel of Notch, giving nothing to the priestess.

"I am Maeredent of Kwiruth." She offered no more than that. "You must speak to Viriili. You must make her understand and take her place as the First Maiden. Even now, the barrier fails, the invaders near. Soon, the First Maiden will not be able to hold them back and she will give her life to hold as long as she can. She is old, tired. She will not last the night, I fear. The girl will ..."

"The girl will do as the girl wills it." He reached down, picking up a pipe of straw, tucking it between his lips. He looked around at the villagers, continuing their lives as if murderous raiders were not about to attack. "These people should prepare to defend themselves. The invaders, they have a mage and the mage has one of these 'Ever Wands'. It'll be a slaughter, unless they fight."

"We know of the Sword Ever Wand, the one made for aggression, for violence, to attack." Her fingers turned white as she gripped them before her. She hid her fear well. "The Shield Ever Wand, the one made for protection, for peace, for defence, can match the Sword, if wielded by someone of youth and strength."

It all came back to the girl. He could tell the priestess had no intention of calling the villagers to defend their homes. He had seen such like, before. People having too much faith in one Patron, or in one group of people. Their lives would end as easy as cutting an apple in two, unable to take to arms once it became too late. These villagers needed to take up arms, now. He had seen several farm implements that could become weapons, if they tried.

"You know she can't make a shield, a barrier? She can barely do anything." Maeredent's eyes narrowed at that and he continued to tell her the truth. "I tried to teach her, but I'm not a mage. She can make an invisible sword, can knock back folks, but a shield? She hasn't got the first clue."

"That can't be! The power she wields is defensive, not to make weapons. She shouldn't be able to do that." Maeredent turned, as if about to run back to the temple.

"The girl does as the girl does. The people you sent to escort her, the ones that died, they taught her nothing. Told her nothing. She's had to learn by trial and error. Mostly error." He could feel an anger building inside him, now. They expected much of the girl, yet had given little. No wonder the girl didn't want to do their bidding.

"I must speak with others. With the First Maiden." The priestess turned her head, this way and that, gathering her robes up to keep them from tripping her.