Chapter 45 - Aresk blesses this union

Kril accelerated our chariot ahead of the slowly moving wagons. Two more of the rickety seeming vehicles sped up to pace us as we raced north towards Mondit.

“What’s the rush?” I asked as we bounced along, the wind blowing through my unruly hair and beard, sweeping them both back behind my head.

“Have you ever been married, boy?” Kril snapped over his shoulder.

“Yes. A long time ago. It didn’t work out.” Regret wasn’t present in my voice but it lurked in my mind.

“Why not? It’s not that hard. Pump a few babies into them and don’t piss away your wealth!” Kril cackled in reply.

“It’s not like that where I’m from. Well it kind of is, very broadly speaking, but I went to war when I was young. I came back different to how I was when I went. Jenny put up with it well enough for a while but then we lost a baby and things fell apart,” I replied. The sadness from the miscarriage and the collapse of my marriage was well behind me, I repeated the thought to myself to make it true. I spoke about it in an almost clinical fashion.

“Losing one child broke her? She wasn’t a good woman!” Kril barked. Infant mortality must be very high among the tribes, I carefully reminded myself. “Well you remember the day you wed, I trust? How much faffing and pomp and ceremony was there?” he demanded. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach at this point but I couldn’t deny his point.

“How much ceremony is there among the Areskyn?” I asked tentatively as I clutched onto the rim of the chariot with one hand, the other clamped onto Kril’s shoulder.

“We’re the Mondyn now, boy, and don’t you forget it again. As to the ceremony: about the right amount. There’ll be the sacrifice, the pledges, the celebration and then the consummation. You’ll have a grand old time!” The cackle was back in force today it seemed.

As we headed north I kept checking in on Glimpse who I had left orbiting Areskyn. The cull had slowed down somewhat but the remaining people were clearly still focussed on that monumental annual task. A trickle of wagons and riders had left town to follow our trail, converts to our cause I assumed, but there was no sign of Hakubin preparing any kind of military response to the splitting of the herds. I reached out and directed my crow to head north to find Mondit and give me some idea of what I’d be walking into.

Crows aren’t terribly good at judging human activity but after he overtook us and arrived at Mondit I was surprised. Two squadrons of horse archers, twenty riders apiece were practising charging, launching a barrage of arrows and turning to retreat.

They all had saddles and stirrups, simple things compared to what someone from Earth would expect but effective enough nonetheless. More chariots had been completed and were rattling around the nearby steppe as the horses were broken into their new roles. I couldn’t help but respect the quiet efficiency of the Areskyn- Mondyn, I caught myself. Their barbaric professionalism was truly a wonder.

Glimpse landed near the impromptu forge at the centre of the town and cocked his head to one side while he observed the activity below him. The apprentices were now doing the crude shaping of the stirrups individually, all three holding the partially formed metal in the fire with crude tongs as one of the prisoners from Gethanel worked a bellows to keep the fire burning hot. Klip was busily smashing the final pieces into the proper shape as they were passed to him and cursing his apprentices at the same time. The smith had an impressive ability to multitask.

As our chariot got closer to Mondit I started seeing more and more aurox and goats. The families must have kept hundreds of beasts back from the cull, leaving us a large enough herd to survive next year. With the additions I was sure were trailing along behind the final Herm and Hatrik wagons we would be a formidable force, perhaps over a thousand people in total. For a brief moment the thought of the paperwork required to organise such a mob made me worry but then the bustling efficiency of the illiterate tribespeople came back to mind and I smiled as the wind rushed past my face.

When we arrived at Mondit I hopped down and left the chariot and horses with the guards at the palisade.

“You don’t know our ways but you’ll figure it out as you go,” Kril snickered. “Right now your job is to sit in your tent and wait. When people come in, do as they bloody well tell you, ok boy?” he snapped.

He escorted me through the camp to my tent. Along the way every warrior insisted on a warrior's clasp and every woman bowed her head and smiled at me. The smell of the smoke and curing hides filled the air with a sulphurous mix of piss and fire. None of them stopped to speak to me, the simple gestures being all they seemed to need. It was unnerving. My grey man days were truly behind me now. Everyone here seemed to know me on sight.

Kril abandoned me in my tent with a wink and a cackle which I didn't find very reassuring. I set a fire and began boiling water before pulling the chest and bedding I’d taken from my temporary tent in Areskit out and arranged them in the cozy space. I felt a double bed would probably be in order for later.

I was on my third bowl of ched when I got a sense of urgency through the link with Glimpse. Haylin was heading towards my tent carrying a small chest with a leather wrapped bundle on top of it. I stood and turned so I was facing the flap before she entered. She followed the local tradition of neither knocking or announcing herself.

“Mond. You need to be made presentable for your bride. Sit. I will cut your hair and beard.” There was a formality to her words so I simply nodded and sat down on the soft earth near the fire. She unrolled the leather package and revealed what I mistook for implements of torture for a moment. I realised they were grooming tools as she picked up a sharp piece of flint with care and began shaving away at my hair.

“Wait! Let me wet it first or I’ll be covered in cuts and pimples!” I offered. She slapped me on the head, hard enough that even with a strength stat of thirty it made my ears ring and resumed her task.

When she was done the sides of my head were shaved down to the skin, the razor sharp flint doing an excellent job and leaving the skin smooth. My fringe had been cut back to just above my eyebrows and the back of my hair was left alone. I was now officially sporting the clan mullet and I found I didn’t mind at all. My hair had not been properly cut since I arrived and the lack of mirrors had kept it from being something I’d thought of much. I called Glimpse into the tent, having to stop Haylin from attacking the poor bird in the process, and examined myself through his eyes. I looked… savage. Like a bearded barbarian or a Norman knight of old.

However Haylin wasn’t finished with me yet. My beard went next, the smooth-chipped stone sliding across my skin to cut the hair away at the root. Glimpse had moved to sit opposite me so I enjoyed the uncanny sensation of sitting with my eyes shut while a primitive tribeswoman ran razor sharp stone across my face and neck. As the last of my beard fell away I opened my eyes and looked up at her.

“Thank you Haylin,” I said solemnly. She snorted.

“You can’t see what I’ve done, fool! Maybe I’ve left jagged lines in places you can’t feel!”

“I know you haven’t.”

“You be good to Fay. They’re going to make you king but if you turn out like Hakubin, or worse Hakudan, I’ll slit your throat myself.” She was fierce, like all the Areskyn.

“I’ll be a good man for her,” I promised and I realised as the words left my mouth that I meant them sincerely. Whether it was her perfect eyes or the mark affecting my mind I couldn’t be sure but I knew I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. I hadn’t realised my coronation would also take place today and I quietly cursed Kril in my mind. Sneaky old bastard.

“Here.” Haylin opened the chest, moving the leather wrap to the floor and pulled out a brilliantly red tunic. She passed it to me and I marvelled at the texture. This wasn’t the rough wool - felt, Aresk had told me it was felt! - that I was used to. It was clean and smooth, some kind of linen almost as soft as silk. “Your tunic for the night. There are trousers and boots in the chest as well. There is also a flask of yalk if you need to steady your nerves,” she smirked slightly at the last. The yalk - fermented mare's milk - was potent enough but not so strong as to be able affect me after my recent levelling, I assumed...

“Thank you Haylin. Will I see Fayala before the ceremony?” I asked as she stood to leave with her grooming tools tucked under an arm.

“What sort of bloody savages are your people, Mond? Worse than the Koprigyn I’d bet! No, you won’t see her until after the sacrifice.” She stooped to put a hand on my shoulder and leaned forward. “Don’t worry, Mond. Just be good to my friend!” she whispered before rising and stalking out the tent like a lioness on the hunt. However much I came to know and respect them, these nomads were strange folks indeed.

“Haylin, Can you send in the Fangs please?” I called as the flap closed behind her.

“Yes, oh mighty king,” she muttered before I heard her feet pad quietly away.

I got changed then borrowed Glimpse’s vision again and now I truly looked the part of a warrior of the tribe. The smooth chin and weirdly appealing mullet combined with my bright, blood red clothing all combined to give me an air of barbaric splendour. The only thing setting me apart were my bright blue eyes. It set my old instincts off. I was still too noticeable, but I fought down the urge to change back into my regular tunic. The sound of boisterous voices approached from outside and I recognised Jandak as he made a joke at Mune’s expense.

“Mond!” he called as he led the Fangs into my tent. I poured out bowls of still warm ched and handed them to my friends. They sat around the fire but I chose to sit on the bed. I didn’t want to risk soiling my wedding clothes even though I wasn’t even sure if anyone would care if I did.

“How’s the training been?” I asked once we’d exchanged greetings.

“Always straight to work with you! You're marrying my sister in a few hours, you dolt!” laughed Kos.

“It’s going well. The stirrups and saddles are incredible. We’re working through the horses to train them to accept the new equipment as fast as we can!” enthused Mune.

They filled me in on the progress they’d made while I slaughtered cattle and I couldn’t help but be impressed. In a few more weeks I’d have a formidable force of chariots and mounted bowmen. I made a note to add in lance training to give us a close combat unit of cavalry as well.

“I’ve got a gift for each of you. The cull gave me a lot of Souls and I’d like to share some of them with you?” I asked. I was confident they had embraced their new capabilities with rabid enthusiasm but I wouldn’t force them to accept anymore if they would prefer to refuse.

I needn’t have worried. I spent fifteen hundred Souls to give them each another two hundred and fifty to spend. Their body stats all jumped to D- as I cautioned them to spend some souls to improve their basic spells. After being quizzed about which affinities they should choose I explained as much as I could. They all chose Time, wanting the Haste spell to further boost the effects of the Enhancement spell in the Life tree. They would be formidable warriors, unmatched by normal men.

We shared the bottle of yalk but before they became drunk they stood to excuse themselves.

“Won’t be long now, brother,” grinned Kos. “You should see my sister in her bridal gown! Such a beauty!”

“I’ll take her if you refuse,” offered Mune, earning a slap to the face from Kos but Jandak fell about laughing and any tension fled the tent.

“I look forward to our adventures, lord. I expect fell deeds and great honour in my future!” Jandak said when he stopped giggling.

“Please extend my thanks to Haylin for the grooming. She has deft hands and a gentle touch. She’d make you an excellent wife,” I sniped back at him. He blushed and tried to stammer something but Mune and Kos each grabbed an arm to drag him out of the tent in fits of laughter as they quizzed him about making her an honest woman. Glimpse cawed and ruffled his feathers as he settled on one of my chests once they were outside.

“I know, right?” I muttered to the crow but I was smiling to myself as I said it.

I sat and stared at the tent walls as I drank more bowls of ched. I listened to the excited chatter and bustle as preparations were made just outside my tent. After a while I sent Glimpse out to circle over the camp to get a feel for what was happening. A fire pit had been dug nearby in the open central space and most of the normal work had stopped except among the prisoners who continued to craft saddles, stirrups and simple furniture from the green wood that had been brought into the camp while I was away. I sent Glimpse off to look for food and eventually dozed off, stretched out on my bed.

“Time to wed, little King,” Jandak shouted into my ear from close range. I jerked upright and lashed out without thinking. He blocked my fist but went skidding back a few feet from the force. “I see you aren’t neglecting your physical stats as well!” He chuckled as he shook out the hand he’d used to block. “Come on Mond. It’s time.”

He led me out of my tent and to the firepit that had been dug nearby. Khan was standing at one end of the depression with a stern expression on his face. Kril stood next to him with a gap toothed grin. As we arrived Jandak guided me to stand facing the pair of old men and backed away to stand by Mune at the front of the crowd. Every bloody person in the camp must have been present. Even the prisoners had now been relieved of work and stood to one side of the gathered tribe.

“You are pledged to wed my daughter. Will you honour your word?” Khan demanded loudly. I flinched at the sudden silence following his call.

“I will.” He nodded and a faint trace of a smile lit a face I’d only ever seen scowl and grimace.

“Bring out the offering!” yelled Kril. I turned to look behind me but a slight shake of Kril’s head told me I should stay as I was. A perfectly white heifer was brought forward and stopped in front of the Dreamer. Pink eyes rolled in the beasts head, I had no idea where they’d found an albino aurox.

“Aresk blesses this union of your families!” Kril called, as the bone dagger that I’d only seen once so long ago flashed out and crimson blood painted his lower legs and feet. There was a wash of pressure as Aresk flexed his aura over the crowd and a hushed murmur ran through them. Thanks Aresk, but I’m pretty sure you weren't invited to my wedding. I felt rather than heard the faint chuckle in response to my thought.

Another murmur ran through the crowd and I started to turn but Kril coughed and glared at me so I stayed facing Khan and my grumpy mentor. A presence stopped next to me and I dared to glance across. My jaw dropped.

Fayala had flowers woven into her flaxen hair, giving her a colourful crown of organic beauty. She was wearing a long dress of sheer linen, pure white and sealed at the front with lacing to hold it together. The braiding ran from halfway up her thighs to her throat and gave the dress a simple elegance. As she stopped next to me I saw a flash of cream skin as the dress parted briefly over her bare feet.

“Daughter. Your price is six heifers and a bull which I will cede to Mond if you are willing to accept his hand?” Khan said. Wasn’t this all agreed on in advance? I briefly worried I’d missed something then narrowed my eyes at Kril as I assumed he’d neglected to mention this detail for his own amusement.

“I am father.” Her voice rang out, full of pride and joy. “I have a gift for my husband.” Oh shit. Was I supposed to bring a gift as well? Kril snickered softly as he watched my face shift ever so slightly and I swore to take revenge on the old goat no matter what.

Haylin stepped forward and handed an ornately worked leather belt, already hung with pouches, to Fayala who smiled as she passed it to me.

“Thank you! I- Uh…” Think you moron! Too late to pop to a garage and pick up some flowers, no shops here anyway… but wait! I dived into the Shop and pulled up something I’d been considering for myself. I bought two of them for a total of two thousand Souls. They arrived in my dimensional pocket and I opened it with forty mana to pull them out. A susurration ran round the crowd as my hand seemed to vanish into thin air then emerge holding two long silver objects.

I clipped one to my new belt as I locked it around my waist and held up the other. The adjuntium sheath looked like glowing silver to my eyes and I slid the matching blade out. I held up my bronze knife in the other hand and effortlessly sliced it in half with the Shop bought weapon. As the front half of my old dagger fell to the muck at my feet I sheathed my gift and offered it to Fayala with an awkward smile.

“A blade fit for a queen,” I said, unable to think of anything else to say. She passed the knife to Haylin who retreated back into the audience with it and Fay bowed her head slightly.

“My thanks, my lord,” she spoke softly so only those nearby could hear. “Giving such a weapon to a woman may upset some of the warriors, Ray.”

“Speaking of queens and kings!” Kril called out, taking control of the ceremony once again. “With this union we become a new tribe! The tribe of Mondyn. The primary clans are the Herm, the Hatrik and the Mond! I swear on Aresk’s holy spear to serve as a true Dreamer to our new tribe! Who will pledge themselves to the newly formed house Mond?”

A roar went up from the audience. Even some of Tanil's people, prisoners though they were, joined in happily.

“In accordance with the ancient rites the strength of Mond is tied to the beauty of Hatrik! We are no longer Areskyn! We are now Mondyn in truth and any man who dares to disagree will be met with spears and stones!” Kril was really getting into this. I got the feeling this kind of shit was why he’d become a Dreamer in the first place and it had bugger all to do with his brother's rise to power back in the day.

“King Mond will lead us to ever greater glory!” He practically screamed the last part but the crowd seemed to love it so who was I to judge? I’d just been married and crowned a king, by the local standard at least, in less than half an hour.

A bench was brought out for Fayala and I to sit on as gifts were presented from the various clans and families. Kril presented us with a pair of large wooden chairs, the nomad equivalent of a throne, and Fayala and I switched to them, letting Khan and Atas take our places on the bench. Hides, bags of herbs and food were offered up, mostly modest offerings but the heartfelt nature of people with so little offering as much as they could left me strangely affected. I was a professional. Cold blooded and meticulous. A pile of leather or a bag of grains shouldn’t have touched me as much as it did. The brand messing with my head again? I didn't know, so I decided to roll with the situation and just enjoy myself.

Most of my time here had involved endless travelling, boredom or pain. I reminded myself that those times had been interspersed with moments of terror and rage. It felt to me like I’d earned this brief reprieve from the horrors of my new world.

Once the gifts were given and taken away to my - our - new tent, which was considerably larger than the previous one, the real entertainment began. Kril thrust a jar of red liquid in my hand and told me to drink with a no nonsense tone. In a much more polite fashion he offered Fayala a jar of white liquid which she accepted with a laugh and took a long slug from.

“Drink up, my lord. It will give you energy for later!” She emitted a throaty laugh as she took another swig of her yalk. I took a tentative taste from my jar. It tasted like sausages? Or maybe black pudding? This must be the fermented blood drink they prepared after the cull and it was much stronger than the yalk I’d enjoyed previously.

Fortunately as the night wore on I found my new body statistics preserved me from obvious drunkenness. I definitely had a buzz going by the time Kril stopped telling the stories of the first tribes and the heroes that led them.

Next the ladies danced, a mesmerising display of simple movements perfectly choreographed. They flowed back and forth, their skirts swirling around them and even the shit-sitters clapped along to the beat of the drums and the atonal humming that passed for singing among my warriors. They were my warriors, I realised with a shock. These were my people.

To round out the celebrations the now thoroughly drunken warriors pitted themselves against each other in feats of strength. Aside from wrestling and something like boxing matches, they formed teams and held a wooden rod over a fire. On each side the groups tried to pull their opposition into the flames or force them to drop the rod. In every competition my Fangs proved too much for anyone else to match. I smiled as Haylin planted a kiss on Jandak’s cheek after he and my other captains yanked twelve men off their feet from across the fire with a single heave.

Fayala laughed and joked with me as we watched the antics of the tribe. The people were finally blowing off steam after the tension of the last few weeks. We had parted ways on moderately friendly terms with the Areskyn and successfully set ourselves up as a new faction on the steppe. Her breath seemed to creep closer to my ear and her words were clearly only for me as she drank more flagons of yalk.

“It’s time to retire, my lord,” she whispered. She stood and offered me her hand, the sheer dress highlighting the contours of her body. I rose and took her hand then Jandak raised a mighty cry.

“It’s time to consummate!” he crowed and I flinched, flushing red in embarrassment. Glimpse circled down to land on my shoulder, briefly startling Fayala, and cawed loud enough to silence the raucous laughter. The bird circled up then shot into my new tent without another sound. After a few seconds Jandak, impervious to the opinions of others as ever, made a crude joke about three being a crowd and the entire mob howled with laughter.

“Well my husband,” said Fayala once we were inside the tent, hooting and grunting noises echoing around from outside. “I think you know what is expected of you,” she finished in a breathy voice. I stepped forward but stopped as her new dagger appeared in her hand, aimed at my chest. Flint daggers barely cut me anymore, as Haylin had “accidentally” tested earlier, but I was sure that blade would slice straight through me.

She backed away until her calves were pressed against my bed and then she slid the blade I gave her as a wedding gift through the cords holding her dress together from the bottom to the top. She shrugged out of it letting fall across the furs behind her. She had been naked underneath the whole time. Her creamy skin seemed to flicker in the firelight and I stepped forward, pulling my tunic over my head as I did so.

“Husband?” she whispered in a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

“Wife?” I grunted as my tunic came free and I threw it into a corner of the tent. The word felt right on my lips.

“Send the bird outside?” She sat down on the furs and put her arms behind her, arching her back as she crossed her legs. Glimpse took off like a rocket, shooting through the tent flap and away into the night.