Barbarian Tales 1: Mistress of the Sword - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Sword Maiden

Shailaja frowned into the mirror. "Have I not spent enough time before this piece of glass? If Gera combs my hair much longer it will begin to come out at the roots."

"You are the daughter of the War Leaders of the Kaltara," her mother replied, placing her arm on Shailaja's shoulder. "It is only proper that you look your best at the banquet. The Emperor will expect no less."

"The Emperor," Shailaja replied. "I saw him as he came in. A great hairy beast if ever there was one. And it is rumoured he has bedded hundreds of women."

"He is reputedly a great warrior; perhaps even one to equal a Kaltaran. It is only natural he exhibit a healthy sexual appetite."

"And you think to have him dine on me?" Shailaja bristled. "I think not mother."

"I did not say that," her mother replied calmly. "As is our custom you are free to choose your swordmate. However, you have so far found few to please you among the warriors of the Kaltara and Cleron might well be a good match."

Shailaja knitted her fiery eyebrows together as she peered into the mirror. "I will think on it," she conceded, "but I see no reason why I should choose at all. Can I not remain free as do some men?"

"It is not against our custom as you know," her mother replied. "But it would be a shame for one so blessed physically not to have children, and who better than with a man like Cleron who might prove a useful ally?"

Shailaja grunted and stared back into the mirror. Piercing green eyes set in a remarkably beautiful face stared back at her. "Is it always to be thus?" she asked. "Am I to be judged for my physical beauty rather than for my prowess as a warrior? I know that the Prithian Emperor is regarded as a man equal to any Kaltaran, but I also know that Prithians do not allow their women to fight. I cannot endure the thought of being kept in a palace and used as nothing but a brood mare."

"It may not have to be thus," her mother replied. "You could change that. The Prithians have a history of warrior queens."

"Had a history you mean," Shailaja replied. "No Prithian woman has taken up the sword in centuries."

"I knew it was a mistake having you learn so much history," her mother smiled.

Shailaja laughed and got to her feet. Standing up she stood a good head taller than her mother, and Jarita was no small woman, standing over eight spans or some six feet in the Common Tongue. Other than that they were very much alike; both graceful and full figured, although Jarita's colouring was blonde compared to Shailaja's vivid crimson hair.

"You are my only daughter," Jarita said, looking into Shailaja's eyes. "I can deny you nothing. You will marry whom you choose; or no one at all if that is your pleasure. However, try not to insult the Prithian Emperor. I have heard that he intends to ask for you at tonight's banquet."

"So this is what this is all about," Shailaja growled accusingly, her fair complexion darkening. "How long have you known that I was to be bartered off?"

"Do not look that way at me, daughter," Jarita warned. "Have you not been listening? "You are free to do as you wish. I merely thought to prepare you for the unexpected."

"And the unwanted," Shailaja muttered. "Why is it that women are always faced with the hard choices? It would have been better had I been born a son."

"It is because we are the stronger sex," her mother replied. "Do you not think that I faced the same choices?"

"But you married father, and became the Hasta; the War Leaders of Kaltara."

"Indeed, I did marry your father; and I do not regret a day of it. But you know the story. It was not at first a love relationship. It was originally a political arrangement; a marriage intended to strengthen Kaltara and unite the clans against outside invasion."

"And now you wish the same for me," Shailaja said resignedly.

"Not at all. You will make your own choices as is the Kaltaran way. But you are the daughter of Jarita and Hari, War Leaders of Kaltara, and have the honour of the clan to uphold, just as do your brothers."

"Perhaps one of them could marry Cleron," Shailaja suggested wryly.

"If the stories are true it appears that Cleron is not inclined that way. It is unfortunate he is not a woman; I am sure one of your brothers would enjoy entertaining him."

"It is somehow hard to imagine Cleron and one of my brothers rolling around with one another in bed," Shailaja grinned.

"Yes," Jarita agreed. "They are a randy lot, but indisputably drawn to members of the opposite sex."

"Perhaps if I was more like them I might find Cleron less eager to take me to his bed."

"There is that," Jarita agreed. "By the time I was your age I had already bedded several swordmates. By Cleron's standards I would have profaned myself and not be fit to share his throne."

"Perhaps I should invite Telor to my room. There is still time."

"There is no time," Jarita said. "The banquet begins in less than a turn of the glass."

"How long does it take?" Shailaja asked innocently.

"Longer than that, if done properly," her mother replied. "Now stop delaying and get dressed. "You are running out of time."

"Must I really wear this?" Shailaja replied, looking at the array of clothing and jewellery laid out for her.

"You must, and I must as well," Jarita replied. "Gera will help you into it. And we had best hurry. We are expected in half a turn of the glass."

"Must I wear this?" Shailaja asked, picking up a magnificent emerald necklace. It was an unexpected gift from Cleron and had been presented to her when she and the rest of her family had greeted the Emperor at the entrance to the Great Hall. To publicly refuse such a gift would have been the height of indiscretion and bad manners and Shailaja had taken it from the Emperor's hands with a confused "Thank you." She now stared at it distastefully.

"You know that you must," Jarita answered curtly. Not to wear it would be the greatest of insults." It was clear her mother's patience was at an end and with a sigh Shailaja allowed Gera to help her into her formal attire.

By the standards of the rest of Vedra Kaltaran formal dress resembled that worn by others when they were going to war. She was dressed in tight black leather pants set off by knee-high high boots of the same colour. Her upper body was covered with a leather vest dyed a deep green, and slashed to the middle of her chest, leaving much of her ample bosom uncovered. Her arms were left bare and adorned with silver armlets above the elbow and wound with a silver band of the same metal that extended from just below her elbow to her wrists. About her neck was placed the silver medallion of the Ice Wolf which had been given to her by her father on her fifteenth spring, the year a Kaltaran warrior was considered to be an adult. Reluctantly Shailaja removed the medallion and allowed Gera to secure the emerald necklace behind her neck. A jewelled dagger presented to her by her mother on the same occasion was secured to the silver-studded belt about her waist.

Her hair, normally kept in a warrior's braid, was allowed to flow like red silk over her shoulders and hang loose to her waist. Loops of silver worn only on such festive occasions pierced each ear.

Shailaja frowned at her reflection as her mother spoke. The green is a perfect match for your eyes," Jarita remarked. "Don't you think so, Gera?"

"She's the perfect maiden," Gera smirked. Shailaja gave her a stare of mock hatred. Gera had been Jarita's attendant and bodyguard ever since she had bonded with Hari to become the other half of the Hasta. She was now in her sixtieth summer but was still counted a formidable warrior and she had taught Shailaja most of what she knew about swordsmanship.

"Fear not," Gera continued, "I am sure the Emperor will be overcome by your maidenly virtues."

"My maidenly virtues can go…."

"Daughter," Jarita interrupted before Shailaja could complete her blasphemous statement, "do not anger the gods. You never know when they may be listening. Now, enough delay. We are due in the Great Hall in a quarter of a turn of the glass."

Jarita was dressed in a manner similar to Shailaja except that she favoured the colour red for her leathers and the gold and rubies she had chosen as jewellery seemed to better set off her golden hair.

Yes, mother," Shailaja answered contritely. When her mother took that tone it was not wise to push her further.

"And remember," he mother continued. "You are a warrior of Kaltara. No one can make you do what you do not wish to do; but tonight we welcome the Emperor of Prithia and we do not wish to dishonour our people through offering insult."

"I will do my best, mother," Shailaja replied as Gera finished the final lacing of her jerkin. She gave herself one more look in the mirror. She could not say that she was altogether unpleased by what she saw. In spite of the fact that she would much rather have been wearing her usual fighting leathers she had to admit that the clinging leather outfit showed off her sumptuous curves to advantage.

It was strange to see herself like this. She had always been more admired for her prowess with the sword and bow than for the beauty of her body, although she had been told by some that she was indeed beautiful, and more than one sword partner had gazed into her eyes and attempted to convince her to join him on his pallet, but she never found any of them interesting enough to go that far.

She had not abstained out of any wish to keep herself "pure." Kaltarans in general were a sexually free people and did not hide behind the artificial conventions of other peoples regarding mating. She had simply not found any of her sword partners, either male or female, interesting enough to go beyond the casual touching and kissing that all healthy young men and women engaged in. Her reluctance to surrender to any man was not due to a lack of sexual desire; far from it. She experienced sexual hunger as strong as that of any nubile young woman, but she wanted a liaison to be with a man she considered her equal as a warrior and she had not yet found that man. And she certainly was not interested in the arrogant lump that styled himself Emperor of Prithia.

She had met the emperor once before as a girl of thirteen and even then had been far less than impressed with him; especially the way his eyes had swept over her just developing body. Even then she had been almost six feet tall, with small pointed breasts and slender hips. Now that she had filled out, she was considerably more pleasing to the eye and was not looking forward to having the emperor's lascivious gaze on her once again. However, there was little that she could do about the situation when affairs of state were involved.

Prithia was an important source of markets for Kaltara, the trading opportunities of the country limited by the fact that it was bordered on the south and west by the Mountains of Storms and on the north by the Sea of Ice. Kaltara was a land of little agriculture, the short summer months allowing farming only in a few sheltered valleys. However, it was rich in furs and much of the winter months were spent gathering a rich harvest of pelts which were traded all over Vedra. The problem was that the markets for those goods led through the lands of the self-styled Emperor of Prithia. If Kaltara was to have trade it needed to keep on the good side of the emperor; either that or go to war.

And war was something that most Kaltarans were not adverse to. Their harsh homeland bred tall, strong warriors, most standing over eight spans or six feet as measured in the Common Tongue. Heights of ten spans were not unusual among Kaltarans. Both males and females of Kaltara shared this characteristic height and strength, and it was thought by some that Kaltarans were not truly of the race of men, but were something else entirely. As a result, in spite of their small numbers, Kaltarans were feared in war and a number served in the northern kingdoms as mercenaries. However, all out war with an adversary as formidable as Prithia was something that daunted even the fiercest Kaltaran warriors. Prithia was not especially known for the high quality of its warriors, but it had a population ten times that of Kaltara and its warlike emperor, Cleron, had already shown that he was a formidable opponent in war, having added considerably to the size of his empire at the expense of his neighbours. As a result Kaltara was forced to honour the Emperor on his trip north.

Ostensibly, he came due to his interest in the hunt. Cleron fancied himself a great hunter, having killed many a defenceless animal with the aid of his hunting parties. His passion for killing brought him to Kaltara in search of trophies to add to his already extensive collection. It was at the state gathering held in his honour that Shailaja along with her five brothers had been presented to him.

Barely thirteen springs of age, she had been awed to be in his presence, but her awe soon turned to disgust and trepidation when she saw the way he looked upon her. These feelings intensified when she learned even more about him. Unlike most Prithians, who were rather short and swarthy, Cleron was a huge man, rivalling most Kaltarans in height. His great mane of tawny blond hair and thick chest-length beard made him seem almost lion-like. Unfortunately, although only in his forth decade, he had allowed much of his body to go to fat, so that although he presented a most formidable presence he reminded Shailaja more of a great bear ready for hibernation than anything else.

For all that, she was impressed by his great size and forceful personality, but was not in any way attracted to him. It was not so with Cleron. He looked her over like a caged wolverine eyeing a chunk of raw meat. It, therefore, did not come as a complete surprise that he had asked for her and had offered inducements to her mother and father that were far too tempting for them to refuse outright. But only after he discovered that she had not yet been used by a man.

Such a distinction was important in some lands and Prithia was one of them. There, women were not accorded the freedoms Kaltaran women took for granted, but were instead regarded as tainted if they had been used by a man before bonding. It seemed to Shailaja a strange custom and she had no interest in becoming what she thought of as one of Cleron's slave women. However, her wishes in this matter were given little thought by Cleron. Fortunately, Shailaja's parents were not about to simply give away their only daughter, no matter how much they needed the Prithian Emperor's good will. Cleron was told to return when Shailaja achieved womanhood, a promise Cleron was unable to keep until his current visit. War with his southern neighbours had kept him busy for the next five years leading Jarita and Hari to believe that he had forgotten all about the request regarding their daughter.

However, this latest "hunting" trip proved that was not so. The Hasta had received word that Cleron was planning another visit; and this time he was hunting more than just wild game.

His intentions could not have been more obvious, nor could the careful inquiries of the Prithian ambassador been more odious. Even as discreet as most ambassadors were inclined to be, he could not hide the fact that Shailaja's virtue was the focus of his interest. It was an investigation that her parents and particularly her protective older brothers found most invasive. Shailaja had five older brothers, and needed their protection about as much as an ice bear needs more fur; but it was there, nevertheless and was perhaps another factor in Shailaja's purity. It was also a source of considerable irritation to Shailaja that she could not show interest in any member of the opposite sex without having that unlucky warrior subjected to severe scrutiny, to the point where she had almost given up any hope that she might enjoy conjugal relations until she was past the age of bonding.

However, it went a bit farther than that. Shailaja had a natural reluctance to commit herself to another; so much so that her parents became concerned that she might be ill. At age sixteen she had been summoned by her parents and ordered to submit to the attentions of a healer. In Kaltara healers were held in high regard, not just for their medical qualities, but also because of their ability to intercede with the gods.

The healer was an elderly woman called Usha, and after a quick introduction she had ordered Shailaja to strip in front of her parents, a seemingly common request of all healers, who seem unable to deal with the even the smallest medical problems without first gazing upon naked flesh. However, in Kaltara, the request was not as unusual as it might seem. Shailaja felt not the slightest discomfort, having frequently bathed with her parents as was the custom of her people. She was unashamed of her body and readily set aside her clothing and stood waiting her inspection. She was then subjected to the usual poking, prodding, and fondling that all healers seem to enjoy, before Usha finally finished and pronounced her verdict.

"I have never seen a healthier young woman," Usha stated. "In fact she is truly magnificent and will make fine breeding stock whenever she is ready." The healer reached out and touched Shailaja's left nipple eliciting a surprised gasp from the young woman. "Look how it rises to so light a touch. She will prove very willing once she makes up her mind."

Shailaja had blushed in anger and mortification at these words, a peculiar reaction of hers that frequently took her unaware and which she found more than a little irritating. It began in her face and quickly spread to her neck, chest, and breasts, until it finally reached her belly. It was a very noticeable reaction, causing her to turn quite pink in colour and was perhaps made even worse by the fact that she found it so annoying. To cover her discomfort she quickly donned her clothing while Usha elaborated.

"She is quite normal in all respects relating to primal needs. In fact the first man to breach her will have a most enjoyable time of it as her loins are very well muscled. However, the fuel that generates the need to mate does not yet burn. One day very soon it will ignite, but it cannot be hurried. All things come in time and when it comes to Shailaja it will be most powerful."

At this pronouncement both parents had seemed pleased and relieved. Shailaja was considerably less so, not having believed there was anything wrong with her in the first place. She had frequently felt strong attraction to certain males, but they had always been much older than her and engaged with women of their own. As a result she had simply waited, forcing down the urge to simply mate with anyone.

Kaltarans were very open about matters of the body and once they had matured, young men and women were left to their own judgement as to what was right and wrong. In Shailaja's case it was simply a matter that she was more particular as to who should be the first to share her bed. The freedom to choose their bedmates and bondmates was considered the right of all Kaltarans and only under the most unusual circumstances did anyone bond with another according to the wishes of anyone else. One such circumstance might be that of a union that would strengthen a prominent or wealthy family. Even then such unions were not usually contracted without the consent of those chosen to marry unless it was deemed necessary to overlook the wishes of the proposed bondmates. Shailaja, however, had never heard of such an exception during her short life. Nor were her parents quite so ready to deny Kaltaran custom simply because Cleron desired it, as her mother had emphasized. It hardly needed explaining that the romantic notions of a girl of eighteen springs were poorly served by the notion of bonding with someone like Cleron, not to mention the fact that Shailaja had not remained unbreached merely to serve the commercial interests of Kaltaran merchants. She was even less pleased as she sat herself at the table of honour to discover that her father had already discussed the matter with Cleron.

As was proper Shailaja was seated among her brothers at a place just below where Cleron and her parents sat. She could feel Cleron's eyes upon her when her father leaned toward her and spoke quietly.

Hari's words were not intended to carry beyond the table and with the noise in the Great Hall generated by several hundred Kaltaran warriors his aim was easily achieved. "His exalted majesty, Emperor Cleron has a most interesting proposal involving you, Shailaja, and I thought that you should hear of it as it concerns you most deeply."

Warned by her mother, and knowing that her father was only doing what was required of him, Shailaja still felt a chill run down her spine as the proposal was made. Cleron leaned toward her, his dark eyes fixed upon her face. "As you are no doubt well aware," he began, "Kaltara has long sought closer ties with Prithia, particularly in the area of trade." He glanced toward my parents. "The Hasta have been most persuasive in pointing out the merits of such an agreement and I have been persuaded that such an accord is indeed in my interests. However, I am also well aware of the fact that such pacts are often difficult to keep unless cemented by bonds stronger than mere words on paper."

Shailaja listened, her throat tightening and her stomach clenching as Cleron slowly got to the point. When he finally did she wished that he had gone on longer.

He dropped his eyes to her breasts as he continued. Shailaja's outfit was designed to draw the eye, and it certainly drew Cleron's.

"The Hasta," Cleron went on, "have agreed with me that a treaty would be best secured through marriage, the only problem being that among your people the finding of a suitable consort is more difficult than among mine. However, I have been assured that in addition to your remarkable beauty you are also extremely virtuous. It needs only the approval of my physician to determine whether or not this is indeed the case. In that case our betrothal may be announced and the union can proceed."

It would have been a gross understatement to say that Shailaja was not pleased by the proposal. She flushed to the roots of her hair and the tips of her breasts, a shade Cleron no doubt found most becoming. But he found her words much less so as she turned to her parents. "Am I to have no say in this matter?"

"You have all of the say in this matter," her father smiled reassuringly.

Cleron seemed taken by surprise. "What is this?" he growled, his brows knitting menacingly. "I thought it was agreed."

"What was agreed," Jarita said soothingly, "was that we would broach your proposal to Shailaja. That we have done, and now it is her decision."

"But I thought you ruled Kaltara," Cleron protested. He was clearly displeased, perhaps guessing the way events were going to end. "Surely you do not allow a woman, and a mere girl at that, to overturn the ruling of her parents and rulers."

"We are the Hasta," her father explained patiently, "the War Leaders of Kaltara, and as such occupy an important position, but we do not rule. We lead in times of war and currently we are at war with no one."

"If this was Prithia this girl, would be told, not asked, what her place was to be." Cleron spat the words, placing special emphasis on the word 'girl,' but her parents were unperturbed.

"But this is not Prithia," her mother answered. "All are held equal here whether they be man or woman. And it is Shailaja's decision to make, not ours. Now will you hear her answer or no?"

Cleron turned almost as red as Shailaja had been. Grinding his teeth he forced out an answer. "I will hear her. But it will be the last time."

The last part of Cleron's answer was stated in so threatening a tone that Shailaja had little doubt of what his reaction would be if she refused, but it had also confirmed her opinion of him. She would not be bound to any man who would seek to bind her to him in the chains of a slave. She remembered that Cleron had already distinguished himself by murdering two of his wives and her decision was an easy one.

Shailaja had always been encouraged to be forthright in her views, bluntness of speech being a Kaltaran trait, and she was fully a Kaltaran in that regard. "My lord emperor," she said, her voice steady and loud enough to be heard by most persons in the hall after the sudden hush that had fallen over it. "I am but a simple warrior and would be poorly suited to serve as co-ruler of Prithia. It is a land I know little of and I fear I would not meet your expectations. As a result I decline this honour," Shailaja had risen as she spoke and stood proudly, knowing full well that the eye of every man and woman in the hall was upon her at that moment, and that her words were clearly audible to all.

If her parents were surprised it was only at her diplomatic tone, especially considering the hotness of their daughter's temperament and the stubborn streak of character she had displayed all of her life. Her father had once commented that she had a disposition to match the colour of her hair and the tact of a bull walrus in pursuit of cows. She had given her answer in front of a hall full of witnesses and by custom it should have been allowed to stand. But what they probably found most amusing and interesting was the implication in her reply that she would be co-ruler of Prithia; an offer Cleron had clearly not intended.

Cleron, however, was less amused and he was not about to allow either Kaltaran tradition or the desires of a girl of eighteen summers to stand in the way of his desires. He lunged to his feet, his drinking horn clasped in his fist and bellowed in outrage. "What is this? This slip of a girl refuses my offer? She should have the whip applied to her for such insolence."

To her mother's credit it was she who answered. "Sit down, sir. You are a guest in my hall and you will abide by Kaltaran customs." Unfortunately, this seemed only to enrage Cleron further.

"I will not remain in a land that is ruled by women and where all men seem to have been gelded."

At this insult Shailaja's fiery temper finally erupted. Glaring at the Prithian emperor she took a step toward him, ignoring the fact that she was unarmed except for her dagger and that he, as emperor of Prithia , had been allowed to keep his sword. "It is you who will be gelded if you dare to step beyond the protection of your bodyguard. I will teach you what it means to insult a warrior of Kaltara."

Cleron stared in disbelief, seemingly astounded that he was being challenged by a woman; and a "slip of a girl," at that. But by this time Shailaja's father was on his feet as Cleron's comment was a slur upon his manhood and that of every man in Kaltara. However, Hari directed his anger not at Cleron but at his daughter. "Sit down, Shailaja; the Emperor is a guest in our halls and is under our protection."

About this time Cleron, suddenly seemed to realize that he was surrounded by what were the most formidable warriors in all Vedra and that the six members of his bodyguard would have had little chance against them. Unwilling to lose face he suddenly seemed to gain control. He turned to Hari and Jarita and bowed. "Forgive me," he said, calmly. "In my disappointment at being refused I forgot who I am. I apologize for this disturbance in your hall. Let the banquet continue. Tomorrow we will hunt."

The last sentence was delivered with an almost triumphant air and heard with some sense of relief and not a little amazement from the assembled warriors and dignitaries. Cleron was not known for his forgiving nature and no one had ever known him to apologize for anything. In fact throughout his violent life he had shown a level of ruthlessness and vengefulness unrivalled in all of Vedra.

Jarita, however, bowed and smiled at these words, obviously willing to take advantage of the Emperor's uncharacteristic contrition. "We receive the Emperor's words with pleasure. Let the banquet proceed and tomorrow we will hunt."

To everyone's relief, especially Shailaja's, the matter seemed over. Cleron had asked and been refused. By Kaltaran law and custom the subject was settled. Even more surprising the Emperor seemed to have accepted the decision. Shailaja, however was still somewhat nettled at being referred to as a "slip of a girl." Tomorrow when the hunt began she would remain in the Great Hall. Cleron might enjoy the hunt, but it would be without her.

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However, her resolution lasted only until she once again spoke with her mother. "Nonsense," Jarita said sternly. "Your absence would be seen as a clear affront to the Emperor. I am quite surprised that he allowed your rejection of his proposal to pass so calmly. I suspect that we have not yet heard the last of it and have no intention of allowing your absence from the hunt to give him a chance to claim that he has received further insult."

"It was my right to refuse him," Shailaja said, angrily. "There was no insult under our laws."

"Indeed it was your right," Jarita replied. "Just as it is my right to require that you be a part of the hunt tomorrow."

"As you wish, mother," Shailaja agreed. "I will be there. But I do hope the matter is finished."

"As do I," her mother smiled. "Now we should retire. Dawn will come early, and it has already been a long night. You and I need to get our beauty sleep."

Sleep was something Shailaja could agree with. Although she had engaged in no real physical activity, the banquet had been emotionally exhausting and it had gone on long after her refusal of Cleron's offer. Unable to leave the high table without insulting the Emperor, she had been forced to watch as Cleron and his retinue had slowly drunk themselves insensible along with many of her countrymen. It reaffirmed her decision to refuse Cleron's offer, and upon reaching her small room, she quickly stripped for sleep and sought her cot. Morning would find her soon enough. She would join the hunt and then with any luck she would be rid of Cleron forever.

Continued in Chapter 2

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