The Crystals of Mida

10 Midi’s visit—and a meaning is found

I awakened much awed, for in my sleep Mida had come to me. My eyes had been blinded by her brilliance, and I had turned away in misery, attempting to hide myself from her sight, yet how may one hide from Mida? Her gentle presence had drawn closer, and I found myself comforted and reassured.

“Do not agonize, Jalav,” she had said softly. The war leader of my Hosta has not been bested.”

“I have!” I cried, shame forcing me to speak the truth. “The male called Ceralt has bested me, yet he will not obey your law! Is there naught you may do to sway him, Mida?”

“All has already been done,” answered Mida, laughing lightly. “The males do act as I have demanded, yet they know it not, and the male called Ceralt does not disobey my law, for he is not of the Midanna. The law is for Midanna only, for males stand outside of it. Did you think, war leader, that I would ask you to stand unarmed against a male, and demand your victory? Am I not aware of the greater strength of males? It shall be when you stand with sword in hand that I shall demand your victory, be it male or warrior you face. And soon will be the time you stand so, therefore you must take heart. My Crystals must be recovered.”

“I hear, Mida,” I had acknowledged humbly, knowing that what had befallen me had been by Midi’s will. I did not know the why of it, yet might it one fey be clear. To be bested by a male, then, did not have the weight of being bested by a warrior, unless the male held weapon in hand. Though this was exceedingly strange, Midas word was not to be doubted. I opened my eyes to find Mida gone and the males awake, putting flame to the candles against the coming of the new light. I accepted the meat when it was offered me, and chewed the overdone stuff with determination. Were I to further serve Mida, my strength would be required.

Again we marched till the light was high, though this time there were differences. Gone was the leather from my wrists and Fayan’s, it being replaced with the linked metal cuffs, for, so said Ceralt, the strength of metal was needed to keep his captives from escaping. Though I said naught, I knew that was foolishness, for the leather had done well preventing escape till then. I suspected that Ceralt wished Fayan and my self to think ourselves more dangerous, yet did I fail to understand this. Surely there are few things more dangerous than an armed Midanna warrior; however Fayan and I were still unarmed. How, then, could we think ourselves dangerous to the males?

Such made little sense, but it made more sense than the humor of Fayan. She, as well as I, was drawn along by the collar leather, yet did she seem far removed from the warrior who had so recently spoken of cleansing her honor with death. She gazed upon Nidisar with a look which brought a puzzled frown to me, a look not unlike that of one who has seen the glory of Mida’s Realm. She had stood beside the red silk tent with him before the march, he holding her collar leather, she presenting her wrists to be cuffed, and both had gazed upon one another in like manner. Afterward, they seemed nearly in a daze, he often turning on the kin to look at her, ever finding her eyes already upon him. I failed to see what captured her interest to so large a degree, and once, when she chanced to glance in my direction, her face reddened and her head had lowered, only to be drawn up again in a moment to further contemplation of Nidisar. She and I had both had opportunity to comb our hair before the march, yet I failed to see, too, what Nidisar found so compelling in her.

When the light was highest, we halted for a meal, and Telion rode back to our vicinity to join us. The leather of my collar had been held by Ceralt, for Telion had been off about other matters, and had Mida not told me that the males served her purpose, I would have been easily away. There would have been little difficulty in holding the leather taut with one hand as the other unknotted it from my collar, yet had I decided it to be unwise to rejoin my warriors just then. Mida had placed me with the males for a purpose, and I would do well to discover that purpose.

Telion dismounted as Ceralt did, and he laughed lightly as he tied his kan. “The young ladies are somewhat eager to reach Ranistard,” said he to Ceralt. “Of course, they would not admit it, but they wish to see those whom their fathers shall choose. I had a delightful time.”

“The next delightful time must be mine,” laughed Ceralt as he removed the wrapped meat from the back of his kan. “It is time I thought more seriously of taking a wife, and a man must look about him before he may choose.”

“I sometimes believe the looking about to be superior to the choosing.” Telion grinned, taking the portion of meat handed him. “How has our captive been behaving?”

“Quite well,” said Ceralt, handing to me a cut of the meat. “You seem much refreshed, Jalav. I trust you have gotten over whatever disturbed you?”

“Indeed.” I nodded, examining the meat with distaste. “Telion was right, for Mida does indeed understand.”

“I somehow felt she would,” commented Telion as he chewed his meat. The thought came that he made sport of me in some manner, but it was unimportant. He, like the others, acted only as Mida demanded.

We each crouched a short distance from the kand and fed, Ceralt with the leather to my collar in his hand. Nidisar and Fayan sat a short distance away, also feeding, yet also gazing upon each other as they had done for hind that fey. So rapt was Fayan, that she failed to hear the Hosta call sound again, though. I heard it quite clearly. I wished to acknowledge it in some way; however, since the males were close beside me, I could only stand slowly and stretch, holding my cuffed wrists high so that they might be seen by those who watched. The angry scolding of the lellin came again, quite briefly, and much pleased was I. My gesture of acknowledgment had been seen.

I brought my arms down again to find the eyes of Ceralt and Telion upon me, yet neither male moved or spoke. After a moment, Telion cleared his throat.

“It would not be difficult to find further pride to be avenged,” said he, rather weakly. “Think you, Ceralt, it might be possible to....”

“No!” said Ceralt firmly. His light eyes were pained as they rested upon me, and then did he look away and stand. “We have given our word, Telion, and may not reclaim it.”

“I deeply regret being a man of honor,” sighed Telion as he, too, rose. “A scoundrel’s life would be much more convenient.”

“Aha!” said another, higher voice. “I shall not forget that I heard you yearn for the scoundrel’s life!”

We all turned to see a hand of the females who rode within the conveyance which was covered. They wore long, slavewoman coverings of various colors, and she who had spoken was as black of hair as I, yet was her hair bound tight in twists and knots, and held in place with bits of metal. Small were these females, and almost of a size, and all smiled upon Telion, who also smiled.

“Halia!” said Telion, a pleased sound to him. “I had not known that you stood there. May I present my friend Ceralt of Bellinard, of the brotherhood of hunters?”

“I am honored, ladies,” said Ceralt smoothly, performing a small bow. “It is a pleasure traveling in your company.”

The females looked upon one another and laughed strangely, a high, shrill laugh I had not heard before. The laughter seemed to please Telion and Ceralt, for they grinned at one another, also in an odd manner. The female Halia looked upon Ceralt, and brushed the skirt of her covering to and fro.

“I have heard many terrible things said of hunters,” said this Halia with her head to the side. “Is it possible that they be true, Ceralt of Bellinard?”

“Not at all!” said Ceralt in amusement. “Hunters are fine fellows! To prove it, I shall also present my brother hunter, Nidisar.” Then did he turn his head and call, “Nidisar! Come quickly to assist me in the defense of the brotherhood of hunters!”

Nidisar looked about at the call, saw the females, and rose to his feet with a small laugh. With Fayan’s collar leather in his hand, he walked to join us, saying, “Shall I fetch my spear, Ceralt? Defense of our brotherhood is a serious matter.”

Again the females laughed that laugh, and Ceralt and Telion laughed as well. “Your spear is not necessary, brother,” grinned Ceralt, gesturing toward the females. “These are the critics we must defend against, for they have heard slanderous lies about hunters. In truth, now, are we not fine fellows?”

“Definitely the finest of fellows,” said Nidisar with a grin. “A young lady might do no better than to be paired with a hunter.”

“She would do equally well with a warrior,” said Telion firmly, which comment again caused laughter among the females. “A warrior,” said Telion, “is no whit less a fine fellow than a hunter.”

“I fear you are all terrible fellows,” said the female Halia, her eyes low, a small smile upon her face, “yet what may a woman do? She shall be given to him her father chooses, and she may say naught on the matter.” Then her eyes raised, and looked upon me. “She may even be given to one who holds a slave in so awful a manner. Have you no shame, to dress them so?”

The males looked upon one another in discomfort, for the female’s disapproval was strong, yet did I find the matter amusing. “Hosta warriors dress as they wish,” I informed the small city female. “To feel the caress of Mida’s air is no shame, as you might find should you attempt the matter.”

“How dare you speak to me so?” gasped the female, color rising to her cheeks, anger strong in her eyes. “Never would I so display myself to the sight of men! It is shameful, especially so for one as over-endowed as you!”

“Now, Halia,” began Telion in upset, and, “Jalav, do not...” began Ceralt, yet did I throw my head back and laugh.

“Now do I believe I see the reason for such coverings,” said I to Fayan. “Mida has given them none of that which Midanna possess, and therefore must they disguise the lack! The displeasure of city males is now explained.”

Fayan, too, laughed heartily, yet were the females in a fury. They stood with fists clenched angrily, and the males groaned as though in pain. Nidisar attempted to quiet Fayan’s laughter, Telion attempted to speak soothingly to the females, and Ceralt briefly attempted to hide his face in his hand. The females muttered among themselves despite Telion’s attempts, and the female Halia took an angry step closer.

“Beat her!” demanded this undersized female of Ceralt, fury ablaze in her eyes, her voice a hiss of hatred. “No slave may address me so, and I demand that you beat her!”

“Allow me to apologize for her!” said Ceralt, his smoothness dotted with desperation, his eyes nearly pleading. “Surely, the words of a slave have no ability to affect one of such excellent breeding! It is....”

“Beat her!” screamed the female in a frenzy. “If you do not, I shall!”

Ceralt stood in wavering confusion, looking upon Telion, who shrugged his own helplessness, and the female Halia waited no longer. She bent resolutely to the ground, grasped a large, broken branch which lay at her feet, straightened again quickly, and brought the branch swinging hard toward my head. I raised my cuffed arms in immediate defense, and the branch merely struck against my left forearm, for the attempt had been clumsily executed. The female had swung with only her arms, using none of the weight of her body to aid her.

Ceralt angrily caught at the branch, twisted it from the hands of the female, then turned quickly to me, his arms up as though to intercept me, should I have thrown myself toward the puny female. I, however, stood as I had stood, my arms again lowered to where they had been.

“She must be beaten!” insisted the female Halia, as Ceralt’s eyes gazed upon me in puzzlement. “She is a miserable slave, and I do not fear her as you seem to! There is little she may do, chained and leashed as she is!”

“Why do you do naught, Jalav?” asked Ceralt of me, taking no note of the female’s words. “I had not thought you would allow yourself to be treated so.”

“What may a warrior, in honor, do against one such as she?” I asked in amusement. “Am I to hurl the ability of a war leader of the Hosta of the Midanna against a sorry city female? There would be little glory in such an act.” Then did I look at the female where she stood, and I was no longer amused. “Though, should the female wish to take sword in hand,” I informed her coldly, “her challenge would be happily and quickly met. As have other challenges before hers.”

The female paled at my words, her eyes wide. The other females seemed frightened as well, and all moved a step farther back from me. Then they saw that Ceralt’s hand remained tight upon the collar leather, and a new courage possessed them.

“Slave!” taunted one, her hands upon her hips, her face pushed insolently toward me. “Slave on a leash! Plaything of men! Naked, naked, slave!”

The others were pleased with the words of the first, and all took up the chant, “Slave, slave, slave on a leach! Slave, slave, slave on a leash!” Halia was first in the set, laughing and chanting with glee. I felt my chin rise high at their ridicule, and a low growl came from my throat. Little glory would there be in besting such females, yet the pleasure would indeed be great.

Fayan, in indignation, attempted to scatter the females, but Nidisar restrained her. Telion frowned in disapproval as Ceralt’s face darkened, and he who called himself warrior stepped forward.

“Enough!” ordered Telion coldly, gazing sternly upon the females. “Have you no dignity about you, that you act so?”

“It is she who has no dignity!” said the female Halia, pointing toward me with a casual finger. “How may a woman possess dignity with no clothing, and hair free to her thighs? She is naught save slave on a leash and plaything of men! Should you wish the company of true women, you may come, henceforth, to our wagon! Not again shall we return to be sullied by the presence of slaves!”

With heads high the females then took themselves off, back toward the conveyance from which they had come. Telion and Ceralt looked upon one another in annoyance, and Telion took a breath which he expelled slowly.

“So much for our delightful time,” said Telion with a shake of his head. “Now must we visit them there, beneath the eyes of their fathers. Hardly as amusing as here.”

“I found small amusement in their visit,” said Ceralt sourly. “They are young, I know, yet they appear to have little sense. Perhaps it would be best to seek elsewhere.”

“Such as where?” asked Telion, equally sourly. “In Ranistard, they will be the best to be had.”

Ceralt nodded his head. “Perhaps you are right,” he said to Telion. “We must attempt to repair the damage done, but that would best be left till their anger has cooled. Perhaps we may make the attempt later.”

“Most definitely without the presence of Jalav,” said Telion, frowning toward me. “It is little wonder that they became so outraged, being told to remove their clothing. They are gently reared, and are not used to being addressed so.”

“Obviously not.” Ceralt nodded in agreement, then he looked sideways at Telion. “Do you think, perhaps, that that is the reason for such long, high—”

His words abruptly ceased as Telion looked startled, then the two males laughed uproariously, slapping their own thighs and each others’ shoulders. I, however, felt little amusement. The puny city females had made sport of me, yet was I forbidden by Mida to walk from them, and forbidden by honor to cause them harm. Naught else was there to do save suffer the abuse, though I liked it not. Fayan, who had been upset by the incident, was further upset, for she stood a distance away with Nidisar, he speaking angrily she listening sullenly with eyes downcast. Then did her eyes raise in indignation, and with a toss of her head she turned from Nidisar, willing to listen to no more of his words. Nidisar, in annoyance, attempted to turn her to him again, yet did she keep her face averted. At last did Nidisar cease in disgust, and angrily pull Fayan by the collar leather to his kan, where he mounted in preparation for continuing the march. Ceralt and Telion, still chuckling, also mounted their kand, and once again did we take to the forest way.

As the fey previous, the march halted with a hin of light still to be passed, and male slaves began the replacement of the tents. Nidisar stood beside his kan, his hand tight upon Fayan’s collar leather, impatient for the completion of his tent. Fayan had refused to look upon him for all of the march, and his anger had grown with the passing hind, till barely was he able to contain it. Ceralt had led me to a tree, pushed me to the ground before it where I might lean back, and had tied me tightly in place. Then had my arms been cuffed behind the tree, which had allowed Ceralt and Telion to ride away, satisfied with my immobilization. I sat and watched the progress with the tents, glad of an opportunity for rest.

With the tents finally as they had been, Nidisar handed the lead of his kan to a slave, and pulled Fayan within the red silk. The slaves looked upon each other with laughter; though they were forced by the armed males surrounding them to continue with their work. Nidisar’s kan was led away, and I glanced back toward the red silk tent to see that a small fold of the silk allowed a narrow field of vision within the tent. Partially did I see Nidisar speaking to Fayan, and again did Fayan turn haughtily away from him, whereupon Nidisar grew truly angry. Quickly did he seize Fayan and bend her as Ceralt had bent me, then heatedly applied a loop of the collar leather to her clan covering. Dismayed, Fayan struggled, yet was the leather repeatedly applied to her, finally causing her to wail in a manner most unbecoming to a warrior. Nidisar did not cease swinging the leather at the wail, but continued till she blurted indistinct words, whereupon he ceased immediately, and stood Fayan to face him. Sternly did he speak to her then, seemingly asking a question, and miserably did she nod, her eyes downcast, her head lowered. Nidisar’s hand gently raised her face to his as he spoke yet other words, and again did Fayan show the strange look she had worn much earlier, and her lips rose to those of Nidisar. With much heat did he take her lips with his own, and then he put his arms about her to throw her to the lenga pelts. The movement carried them from the opening of the silk, and I was much puzzled. What had Nidisar done to force my warrior to such strange behavior? I wished very much to speak with her, yet knew that Nidisar would keep her well occupied for some time. Naught was there to do save sit where I had been placed.

“Mida’s blessings, Jalav,” came a whispered voice from behind me. “How do you fare among the males?”

“Not as well as you have fared, Larid,” I whispered in return, grinning. “You and the others are well?”

“Well and free,” came Larid’s amused answer. “There was little difficulty in avoiding those of the cities, and once over the walls, we followed the sign left for us by Gimin. Once with our sister warriors, Gimin had certain of the captured males release us from the metal. The others are a bit more than a fey before us, I alone remaining to bring you word. Gimin would know if you wish us to fall upon these males and free you.”

“That, though pleasant to contemplate, may not be,” I said in annoyance. “Mida has appeared to me, and demanded that I remain among the males. I know not why, but I may not disobey. Carry to Gimin the word that these city folk do travel to Ranistard, and therefore may the way be more fully known. Also, that warriors must be placed secretly within its walls before the arrival of this set. Once there, Ceralt and Telion shall be quick to speak of impending attack, and then shall their guard be alert.”

“I hear, Jalav,” whispered Larid. “I shall carry your word to Gimin, and then shall return against your need of me.”

“Do not return!” I whispered sharply, attempting to move my throat within the leather which bound it to the tree. “You need not place yourself in jeopardy of capture, and Gimin shall require each sword available to her!” Silence greeted my words, and I whispered, “Larid, do you hear?” but the silence remained. Angrily I pulled upon the metal which held my wrists, for too often had my word been ignored by my warriors. With Jalav bound in metal, all went their own way, secure from the wrath of the war leader. Soon, soon! must I be released, to see once more to the discipline of the Hosta!

Slowly did the light withdraw from the skies, and still did I sit, my arms chained about the roughness of the tree, my throat held tight by leather to it. More clearly could the campfires be seen, and the smell of roasting meat wafted itself to me upon the breeze. Lightly, also, came the sound of laughter, that of males and females together. I wondered what amusement they shared, and unbidden came to me the memory of the dwelling within Bellinard, the place of hunters and renth. Laughter, then, had warriors shared with males, and the time had been an oddly pleasing one. Often had I found joy in battle and the hunt, yet joy of a sort there had also been in the dwelling. No sound was there from the red silk tent, and the darkness deepened.

Full dark was about all things when I heard the sound of footsteps. I could not turn to see who approached, yet the forms quickly stood before me, and then crouched in a half circle, three armed males, guards, by the looks of them, of the set with which we traveled. They gazed upon me with amusement, and the one in the center put forth his hand and stroked my breast.

“A fascinating slave,” said he with a grin for my anger. “A slave any man would be eager to own. See how she moves against the leather, brothers. She would warm a man even upon the ice of Sigurr’s Peak.”

“What do you do here, little slave?” said the one to my right, extending his hand to me as well. “You travel far from your land, and we do not care to see such as you. Have you merely been taken and enslaved as you should be, or do you follow where only death awaits you?”

I did not reply, but I felt a great, bloody joy. These males knew well the sight of a Hosta warrior, and knew, too, the home place of Midanna. Though I had thought them to be well ahead of the chase, those who had taken the Crystal and lives of my warriors were before me! Ah, Mida! Clear is your sight, and deep is your understanding!

“The wench does not wish to speak,” said the one to my left, raising a dagger from the sheath at his belt. His face was light-boned and delicate, like that of a girl, and his smile made him seem prettier still, like a young warrior returned from her first battle. He turned the dagger about, and then pressed its point to my breast “Perhaps she must be persuaded,” said this male, leaning the point a bit more into my flesh. “Speak to us now, wench, and speak of that which we wish to hear.”

Well I knew the pain must be borne without a sound, for the lives of these males were mine to take when I was freed. The male moved his dagger about somewhat, then he in the center made a noise of vexation.

“She is as stubborn as the other,” said he. “Present your dagger to her more delicate softness, and perhaps she may find her tongue.”

He with the dagger removed it, but before it could touch me again, the male was pulled roughly to his feet and shaken as though he were child, clutched in the furious fists of Ceralt. The other two made as if to rise, yet were halted by the blade of Telion, it being free and near to their throats.

“What do you do near my slave?” demanded Ceralt of the male, who had dropped the dagger in his shock. “For what reason do you touch her so?”

“She—she savaged me!” screamed the male being shaken, fearful of the larger male who held him captive. “She, a mere slave, refused to beg my caress, therefore did I caress her with my blade!”

“It is not your caress she must beg!” growled Ceralt in disgust and anger. “Should I again find you near her, the caravan shall be lacking a guard! Take you hence, and your filthy friends with you!”

Roughly did Ceralt throw the male to the ground, and hastily did the male raise himself again and stumble away, the other two being driven off behind him by Telion. A moment Ceralt and Telion watched their departure, then they turned to me in the darkness.

“Tied fast to a tree, and still does she find trouble,” muttered Ceralt in annoyance. “Had I not my brother hunters to consider, I would rid myself of her as quickly as possible.”

“As you do have your brothers to consider,” said Telion as he sheathed his blade, “it would be wisest to bring her now to the pavilion. The newly roasted meat will soon be brought.”

Ceralt grunted an agreement, and walked behind to release my wrists as Telion made for the tent. The candles glowed within the tent as the last of the leather was unwound from my throat, and Ceralt pulled me to my feet by it, and took me behind him through the opening in the yellow silk. Once within, he turned as though to speak to me, but his eyes went instead to my breast and an exclamation escaped from him.

“By Sigurr’s fetid breath, see what was done to her!” said Ceralt, stepping closer to grasp my arms. “I should have broken the craven’s neck while my hands were upon him!”

Telion stepped to us quickly, in cold anger. At four points did blood flow from my breast, yet the cost was small for the knowledge of the faces of those who had been at the Tower. Never would those faces escape me, and, Mida willing, neither would the males themselves.

“Not a sound did she make!” said Telion in upset “Not a sound from her lips nor a tear from her eye!”

“She is a—warrior!” said Ceralt in anger, and then did he take me by the arm and seat me upon the lenga pelts. “Hear my words, O warrior of stubbornness!” said he, crouching before me. “Should you ever again be approached by those who would offer harm, you are to raise that throaty voice and shout for assistance! Not again are you to suffer such treatment in silence!”

“For what assistance would I shout?” I asked in confusion. “My warriors are not near enough to hear me.”

“You would shout for me, child of idiocy!” shouted Ceralt in a rage. “For what other reason would I instruct you to shout?”

I did not understand what he meant, yet Telion seemed amused. “He thinks only of his hunters, of course,” chuckled the male who called himself warrior. “For no other reason does he alone wish to be called.”

Ceralt’s face darkened somewhat, and he straightened and turned from me. “Of course, I meant that Telion should also be called,” said the hunter as he strode to the waterskin which hung from the tent wall. “The other was merely a slip of the tongue.”

“Certainly.” Telion nodded, still in amusement. “And when is the miserable slave to be beaten?”

Ceralt stiffened before the waterskin, yet did not turn. “I do not take your meaning,” said he a bit faintly.

“My meaning is simple,” answered Telion most affably. “The lovely Halia has decreed that the slave is to be beaten, else are you to be banished from the light of her presence. I, myself, heard her pronounce the decree to you, and most soft were her tone and manner. Did you then not agree to do so?”

“I—may have said some such,” acknowledged Ceralt feebly, his voice low, his back still turned. “It is all foolishness, and best quickly forgotten. By the new light, the thought will be gone from the wench’s memory. Have you anything to wash the wounds?”

“I shall fetch a cloth,” said Telion, and then he strode from the tent. Ceralt turned toward me, seeming to search for the words he would say. I looked upon him briefly, in bitterness and anger. Again did he use me for purposes of his own, as he had attempted to use me to free his males in the forest, as he still meant to use me to trade for their release. To promise the puny female my pain was to add to the shame he had already given me. Always was I to be used by him, my value in trade foremost in his mind. I sat in silence, the pain of my wounds a throb in my mind.

Telion returned quickly with a cloth in hand, and Ceralt poured water upon it to moisten it, then did Telion approach with the cloth where I had put myself in the fur. He crouched beside me, and a gentle smile touched his lips.

“If you wish, Jalav,” said he, “I believe I might find another to assist you with the cloth.”

His glance had gone to Ceralt, who still stood beside the waterskin, yet for what reason his glance moved so, I knew not. Ceralt wished naught from me save use, in one manner or another.

“I wish the assistance of no other,” said I to Telion. “Are we not both warriors?”

“Indeed.” Telion nodded a bit sadly. “We are indeed both warriors.” He put the cloth to me, and I closed my eyes, barely hearing the departure of Ceralt through the pain I felt. The dagger had bitten fairly deep, and the touch of the cloth was no small thing. By the time the blood had ceased to flow, I no longer had stomach for the meat which had been brought. Telion insisted upon my drinking of the renth, then I lay once more in the fur, a heavy toll taken of my strength. Vaguely did I hear the return of Ceralt, who stood briefly above me before going to his sustenance. No words were exchanged by the males, and easily then did I sleep.