CHAPTER 8

The Victory

As dawn broke, a scout ran into Juno’s camp shouting hysterically,

‘Brude’s men are upon us. They are attacking us now!’

Just then an arrow pierced him in the back and he fell abruptly on the ground with his words of warning still gurgling in his throat. Men suddenly woke from their sleep, abruptly leaping up from whence they had been lying on the ground and at the same time grabbing for their weapons. Juno rushed out of his tent taking in the scene instantly with a sweep of his head and stared at the scout lying prone on the ground with an arrow in his back.

‘Sound the alarm! We are being attacked! Officers, marshal your men instantly!’

All the time Juno was buckling his sword around his waist and his servants were placing his golden armour on his chest, legs and arms. Then a blood curdling sound came from the bushes and out leapt a number of armed men, who ran straight towards the camp, letting out ferocious cries of, ‘Death to the enemy! Victory is ours!’

Some of these men kept on yelling incoherently, as they rushed to kill their enemy. There was a general skirmish of blades hitting their target and shrieks of agony as the weapons penetrated soft flesh, with many men falling to the ground silently or groaning due to newly inflicted wounds. The whole skirmish was over in a matter of moments and Juno was taken prisoner with a number of his officers.

Then in strode Brude triumphantly and with mock gallantry, he unsheathed Juno’s sword from his scabbard and pointed it directly at Juno’s throat. Juno had been forced to kneel in front of him, without flinching his eyes, Juno looked steadily at Brude.

‘Drive the sword into my throat now!’ he mocked, glaring all the time at Brude.

For an instant, Brude’s eyes lit up with the thought of ending Juno’s life then and there, but something prevented him from actually carrying out the execution, much to his own surprise.

Juno barked out, ‘Why did you hesitate? Are you squeamish about drawing blood and killing me?’

Brude replied, ‘I have another reason for keeping you alive for the time being. I now have time to win over your people and then I can execute you at my leisure. Guards, take this man away! Truss him up and guard him well.’ Looking around at the dead and dying, Brude shouted at his men, ‘Clean up this mess now. It is offending my finer senses.’

The order was carried out immediately, everyone was busy either carrying away the dead or attending to the wounded.

Watching this whole process, was Eena as she and her army had camped a distance from Juno’s men, because she did not trust Juno to pounce on her and her army, then treacherously killing everyone. Brude stood amidst the dead and dying, glorying in his victory over his arch enemy Juno and he felt triumphant over the success of his plan of ambushing Juno and his army. He was not the least bit concerned over his treacherous behaviour as he always believed that any tactic was justifiable, the main thing in combat was to be the winner.

Lost in his thoughts and emotions, he did not notice a slight feminine figure standing near him, until he raised his eyes when he noticed Eena in front of him.

‘You are a magnificent fighter. Congratulations on your victory over Juno and his army. I always admire a man who can grab power and glory, no matter what tactics they use at the time.’

Brude, still pumped up with blood lust, gripped his sword, pointing it straight at Eena’s heart. ‘How do you know that I won’t kill you this instant and then absorb your army into mine?’ demanded Brude.

Eena replied coolly, ‘You may have the upper hand, but there is a subtle layer of loyalty that my men have towards me. If you kill me, my archers will thrust their arrows into your chest and body, as I fall dead to the ground.’

Brude was flabbergasted with this reply. He began to laugh uncontrollably and hysterically. ‘You are absolutely right. Loyalty is the only wild element in the equation and that is something that I have not been able to control and overcome, even amongst my own men.’ He caught his breath and sighed deeply, looking squarely at Eena. ‘What bargain are you going to parley with me? There is always a sting in the tail of any wild filly or stallion.’

Without batting an eyelid Eena replied, ‘I know where the Sacred Sword has been hidden, even though you don’t believe me. Without the Sword, Juno’s people won’t listen to you, so your victory will be empty. They will turn on you and your people, until they have killed every last man, woman and child of your tribe.’

‘I don’t believe you have the Sacred Sword. According to Aela, Rom has it. So what woman am I to believe. You or Aela?’

‘Have it your own way, it is up to you to decide which of us is speaking the truth, Aela or myself. We are two women who have nothing to lose one way or another,’ Eena replied as she swung around on her heels and walked back to her camp, leaving Brude pondering his dilemma of who to believe.

He gave up this battle and realised he was feeling extremely tired after the excitement and physical exertion of fighting, so he decided to go back to his camp to relax himself with wine and sleep. But before he did, he ordered that Eena’s army was to be surrounded by a group of his guards to make sure that they did not escape. He stormed off, back to his camp to ponder his next move.

Then he had a sudden thought, ‘Who was guarding Aela during the fracas?’ So he ordered a couple of the guards to rush back to his camp, to see whether Aela was still there or not.

Not to be outdone whilst the battle was raging on at a distance from her, Aela took the opportunity to slip her bound hands by moving them down her legs and took out her dagger that was attached to one of her legs. She cut the ropes from her hands and feet and when the guard was distracted by all the noise of the battle, she slipped into the forest and ran for her life, hardly daring to breathe until she felt she was a safe distance from her captors.

Eventually she sat by a stream to thirstily drink water, as she was completely parched and physically spent. She looked at her reflection in the water and was surprised to see the reflection of a young woman with large blue eyes, whilst her face was surrounded with straggling blonde hair. She looked as though she was the wild woman of the forest. She lay down, hiding in some bushes and rested her weary body on the soft ground of moss and fell into a deep sleep.

Time passed, and the rays of the sun were starting to slant at a gentle angle indicating that evening would soon be spreading over the forest for another night of darkness. She slowly woke, cautiously stretching her arms and legs.

Aela realised that even though she was free, she must somehow find Rom, as well as food and shelter very quickly, otherwise she would perish alone in the forest. She decided to sit on the ground, with her back against the tree. She soon entered into a trance state, and sent her urgent message, ‘Rom, Rom, where are you? I must find you now or I will die.’

These desperate thoughts were transmitted through the air, carried along with a prayer of hope and longing. She wished she was with Rom, wrapped in his strong arms, where she would feel completely protected and totally loved.

Just at the same time, but a good distance deep in the dark forest, Rom heard in his mind, a soft, feminine voice calling him ever so calmly, ‘Rom, Rom where are you? We must be in each other’s arms otherwise I will die.’

Pictures appeared in Rom’s thoughts of Aela sitting crossed legged on a bed of moss, with her back leaning against a tree, hidden in a group of ferns near a small stream. But what stream, because there are so many waterways in the forest and they all in their own way looked the same.

Rom sent a mental message back to Aela, ‘Where are you Aela? And which stream are you near, so that I can come and rescue you?’

The message that came back did not please Rom at all. ‘I don’t know which stream. I am tired, Rom and hungry. If I am not with you very soon I will die of exhaustion.’

Then the scene and voice of Aela faded away and Rom was left in a quandary as to where Aela was situated in the forest. Just as he was feeling totally helpless and frustrated he heard a male voice close to him, ‘Hello, I come in peace,’ the voice said, but not too convincingly.

Rom, whose nerves were at breaking point pounced on the body of the man and placed his fingers around his throat as if to strangle him. ‘How do I know you are not an enemy from Brude or Juno. You look a scruffy, suspicious character who would lie through his teeth to save his own skin.’

‘Don’t kill me, Oh master, please!’ pleaded the person as he was trying to unlock Rom’s hands around his throat, so that he could breathe more normally.

Rom relaxed his hold but he still kept his hands around the person’s neck. ‘Speak now. What is your name, you scoundrel.’

‘My name is Ayab, and I have been wandering through the forest these past few days lost, hoping to come across some people or food. All I have been able to eat are some berries and roots and as I haven’t a spear, sword or dagger, so I haven’t been able to kill an animal for meat.’

‘Whose clan do you come from? And whose allegiance do you have? Brude or Juno?’

‘I come from the Dagger Clan who live near the Temple of the Moon. Athunor, is the goddess I worship. As far as allegiance is concerned, my only loyalty is to myself. As long as I can survive I will serve anyone that I see is advantageous for my gain.’

‘Well, you are certainly the worst of persons, but lucky for you, I also come from the Dagger Clan and I worship Athunor, otherwise you would be dead by now as I would kill you without thinking twice about it.’

With those words, Rom released his iron grip around Ayab’s throat, and jumped up from his chest shouting, ‘Get up you low life. Tell me now why I should help you to live another day?’

There was coughing and spluttering coming from Ayab’s throat as he slowly raised his head and chest and he looked at Rom’s feet. ‘Well, we have a better chance to survive in this forest if there are two of us. At least there are four eyes that can seek out the enemy, find meat to eat and water to drink.’

There was a pause and Rom replied, ‘For the time being your life is spared, but if I think you are going to double cross me at any stage. I will not think twice about killing you on the spot.’

With these words, Ayab breathed a sigh of relief and slowly got up off the ground. ‘I will follow you anywhere, master, to the end of this great forest and back.’

Rom then placed his sword in his belt, shook his head and started to walk in the direction that his sacred pendant was telling him to go, in his urgent search for Aela.

Brude was white with rage when he heard that Aela had disappeared from captivity. The guards who were looking after Aela, had fled into the forest, because they knew on Brude’s orders, they would be executed for their failure to keep Aela a prisoner.

Brude muttered, ‘Why are there women in this life? I much prefer that there were only men to deal with as women are so hysterical, emotional, stupid and treacherous. You never know next what they were going to do and they were always whining and moaning that no man understood them. They were just good enough for sex, to cook for you and have your children.’

By now, his physical strength had left his body and he decided to drown his frustrations in wine and food. He had to work out what he was going to do with Juno and how to win over Juno’s people so they were under his power and control.

Very soon he was asleep, snoring loudly, whilst his men took the opportunity to rest as well. Even though Brude and his army were victorious it was a hollow triumph as he still had the task of storming the Temple of the Sun and the surrounding settlements before he was truly in command of all the territories. Everyone in Brude’s army knew that they would have to face at least another conflict before they could go home to their loved ones hopefully laden with rich booty. All of Brude’s men were convinced that when they faced the enemy next time they would defeat them.

Just to be on the safe side they held a special ceremony, as dawn was breaking, giving thanks to Athunor, their goddess and asking for her blessing that they would be triumphant at the next conflict.

Brude considered this ceremony a waste of time, but went along with it in order to humour his men. As far as he was concerned he was invincible, especially as now he had Juno a prisoner along with a number of his men who had survived the last battle. Just for Brude’s own amusement and to feed his already bloated ego, he had Juno placed on a horse with his hands tied to the saddle which was led by one of his men making sure that Juno and the horse was walking beside his own steed so that he could keep an close eye on his old enemy. They all, including Juno’s army began their march once more along the sacred way towards the Temple of the Sun.

Juno was in no mood to enter into a conversation with Brude and maintained a stony silence thinking thoughts of revenge, of what he would do to Brude, once he could think out a way to escape his captivity flee to his Temple, rally his people and vanquish Brude and his men forever. Brude was in the best of spirits, and he was highly amused that Juno was sulking and refusing to speak to him.

‘Come now Juno, put a good face on your defeat. You never know, I may grant you your freedom after I have sacked your Temple, confiscated your treasure of jewels and gold, raided your food stocks, taken your horses and cattle and placed your people in bondage.’

Brude continued to chuckle to himself as Juno stubbornly refused to speak to him, no matter how much Brude tried to draw him into a conversation.

Just at that moment a scout came riding up on his horse and stopped in front of Brude. ‘My Lord, we are now quite close to the Temple of the Sun and the enemy is only a short distance from us. What orders do you want to be carried out, my liege?’ asked the scout still sitting on his horse, bowed his head towards Brude as he delivered his message.

‘We must prepare for battle at once, but we must approach the Temple stealthily and take them by surprise,’ Brude hissed back to the scout. ‘Be ready, my men. Now, pronto, we must be completely quiet. Death to the first man who makes a sound.’

These instructions were repeated swiftly down the line to the last man.

As an after thought Brude issued the order for Juno to be gagged and tied up more securely on the horse he was riding. Satisfied that he had been obeyed to the letter, Brude gave the signal for his army to advance along the sacred way.

The atmosphere was electric with each soldier absorbed in his own thoughts of home, their loved ones, their stomachs churning in turmoil, sweat poring from their brows, and dust caked around their dry mouths. As they stared ahead, nervously clutching the hilt of their swords, bows, spears or a lucky talisman and praying desperately to Athunor that they would not be killed or maimed in the ensuring battle.

Just as the tension was at breaking point, the front of the army rounded a corner of the road and there before them was the mighty edifice of the Temple. Standing majestically with flags fluttering from two formidable towers on either side of the monolith and a tall wooden protective wall surrounding the structure. By chance, the mighty bronze gate was open to let in a group of pilgrims who had come to worship the Sacred Sword hanging in the inner sanctuary.

‘Guards, look after this miserable bag of bones. take Juno and his horse to the back of my army of men. Make sure he does not escape or your lives won’t be worth living,’ bellowed Brude.

Brude knew it was his chance, destiny was on his side, so he shouted, ‘Charge! Charge now!’ and simultaneously drew his sword holding it aloft.

He dug his heels into the flanks of his horse and charged straight at the open gate, letting out a series of blood curdling curses. The rest of his cavalry of horses and men leapt forward, screaming at the top of their voices with the blood lust in their eyes.

‘Kill! Kill them all! Death to our enemies.’

Dust was swirling into the air, as this lethal melee of human fury, catapulted themselves towards their prize of victory. Simultaneously the guards at the gate rallied themselves into action and began to activate the machinery to close the gate. But this action was slow, as the wheels and counter-balance apparatus ground on in an attempt to close the gap between the two massive gates.

Brude on his horse, slipped through the opening, closely followed by his cavalry of officers on their horses as they rushed ahead to hack to death as many of the enemy as possible. The clash was merciless, with many men falling to the ground dead or wounded, lying there, drowned in their own blood and gore.

Brude did not hesitate but pushed his horse onwards down the main avenue towards the Temple, closely followed by the cavalry, with his foot soldiers taking up the rear running their swords through anyone who was in their way whether man, woman or child. The noise was catastrophic, with heart rending screams from the people, soaring into the atmosphere. The fighting continued for some time, with both sides gaining a momentary advantage over each other.

Gradually Brude’s men gained the upper hand as they stormed the Temple, cutting down anyone in their way. Brude, still on his charger rushed into the inner sanctum and grabbed the Sacred Sword hanging before him.

He clutched the handle and swung the Sword in a circular motion around his head, all the time spitting out of his mouth primal cries of exaltation and ecstasy. Brude then dismounted still clutching the precious Sword, not wanting to let go of his prize.

Then he heard an imperious female voice saying, ‘So you think you have vanquished Juno and you are the victor, what you are holding in your hand is a fake. Rom has the true one, your triumph is hollow and will not fool his people. They will laugh at you, rebel and run you and your men out of this Temple and our territory. Juno has already told them the sword is a not real and he had his goldsmith manufacture a replica. He rallied his army to seek out Rom and Aela, to capture them and retrieve the true Sword, then raid your territory, kill you and declare himself supreme ruler of all the lands.’

Brude was transfixed with this spate of news and quickly turned around and saw before him a tall woman with long black curly hair falling in thick waves around her shoulders, wearing a richly embossed robe of a priestess staring steadily with icy clear blue eyes, piercing the very depths of his soul.

‘Who are you?’ questioned Brude, ‘Who is the keeper of such knowledge?’ Brude held the fake sword aloft in a menacing manner.

‘You don’t frighten me, Brude, one bit,’ the priestess calmly replied. ‘My name is Tua, High Priestess of the Temple of the Sun, I have direct contact with our Almighty Lord, Luno, God Sublime, who is much more powerful than your insipid Athunor, Moon Goddess.’ Tua haughtily replied in resonating tones.

Brude was thunderstruck for a few moments, but soon regained his composure. ‘Your god hasn’t done too well so far. I am the victor and I have Juno as my prisoner as well as some of his men who have survived my onslaught.’ Brude triumphantly answered back.

‘You may have the upper hand now, but the tables can turn at any moment as you cannot control everything in this world,’ retorted Tua.

At these words Brude completely lost his temper, ‘Guards take this woman away and do what ever you wish with her.’

The eyes of the guards lit up as they had permission to use her to slake their sexual appetites at will.

Then Brude with lightening speed changed his mind, ‘No, take her to my tent and I will deal with her myself.’

The guards were immediately disappointed at the sudden change in their orders. Brude sensing their mood change turned on them, ‘You have plenty of other women amongst the prisoners to play with. She is mine to do as I wish and don’t any of you touch her too closely or you will lose your heads instantly with a sweep of my own sword,’ thundered Brude.

The guards hearing this threat hastily carried out Brude’s orders and gently ushered Tua out of Brude’s sight.

Brude had to admit grudgingly that Tua was right, that his so-called victory was a sham and he was no closer to his ultimate goal of total power and glory. What was he to do to change the tide of chance towards himself? Then a thought struck him. He would offer Tua the chance to come on his side, by rewarding her with riches and power with him. Of course, he would make sure that he was always in charge of her and she obeyed his orders at all times. With these thoughts in mind he swiftly walked towards his tent and threw open the entrance.

He saw Tua lying on a number of richly brocaded cushions, with her hands tied by a rope in front of her chest. Brude strode towards her and knelt down and placed his face close to hers, breathing heavily.

‘Well my dear, I hope you are feeling comfortable,’ and he began to laugh as Tua flinched at the sinister mocking tone in his voice. ‘I could take you now and satisfy my lust and then strangle you. I could have your soft sensuous body left for the wild wolves to devour and tear your limbs apart at their leisure. But I have decided to spare your life for the time being, as long as you obey my orders and advise me on what action I should take next to retrieve the Sacred Sword,, which I must have safely in my hands,’ sneered Brude.

‘I don’t know what to say,’ nervously replied Tua. ‘How do I know you will keep your word not to kill me, once you have the true Sword in your possession?’

‘Well my pretty one, you will have to trust me on that score,’ uttered Brude as he gripped his hands tightly around Tua’s neck as if to strangle her there and then.

Suddenly Brude crushed his lips onto hers, passionately sucking the sweet nectar from her soft tongue. A fiery spark flew through his body and an uncontrollable urge built up into his loins, to push himself into her time and time again until he has satiated his desires, with the pure joy of the conquest.

All this time Tua lay inert and unresponsive. Realising this, Brude suddenly withdrew and threw his body down beside her, lying panting and heaving his chest at the same time. Cursing to himself, he knew he had been a fool to let himself go with such abandon.

He then leapt up onto his feet and rushed out of the tent door and did not stop his hasty flight until he had placed himself a good distance from his tent and that cursed witch Tua, the High Priestess.

He remained confused for a short time, then he started to feel angry towards Tua, ‘I will show her who is master.’

He walked quickly back to his tent to find Tua now standing up on her feet looking around warily at her immediate surroundings. She stiffened when she saw Brude in silhouette at the entrance of the tent

‘Have you come back to kill me as you threatened to do!’ Tua defiantly shouted at him.

‘No, I have come back to apologise to you for my brutish behaviour towards you,’ replied Brude repentantly.

Tua was totally surprised at this sudden change of events and began to relax a little. ‘Well, you can make amends by untying my hands, as the ropes are hurting me,’ exclaimed Tua.

Brude walked across to her, quickly and efficiently untied the ropes around Tua’s wrists. He then took a few steps even closer towards where Tua was standing.

That was too much for Tua, so she stepped back a couple of paces, all the time not taking her eyes off Brude’s face. Her thoughts were in turmoil, what game was he playing with her? Soon, he would thrust his sword through her and that would be the end of her life.

As if reading her thoughts, Brude said soothingly, ‘I am not going to harm you Tua, I need your help to find the Sword so that my destiny is fulfilled.’

Tua replied mockingly, ‘Your destiny?’ All you ever think about is your precious self. Too bad about any one else!’

Brude was mortally stung by her reply. Here, he was trying to be noble towards her and all she did was to insult him! Women were so ungrateful, always picking fault in men, Brude began to darkly mutter to himself and lowered his head to his chest.

Sensing his change of mood for the worse, Tua rallied all her charm, smiling at him, ‘But there are always exceptions where men are concerned and you are obviously one of them,’ Tua sensuously replied, carefully stroking her long dark hair with one hand and quietly breathing slowly and deeply.

So Brude could see her rounded breasts rhythmically moving up and down together beneath her thin bodice. He was now completely captivated and wanted to take her in his arms and have her then and there.

Not wanting to lose her strategic advantage, Tua coolly stated, ‘First you must send your scouts out to scour the countryside, to ask questions from the locals, as to whether they have seen either Aela or Rom or someone they know who has spotted them somewhere. You must be patient, my friend, as they have to come out of hiding at some time to obtain food and shelter. Also whoever is harbouring them, is bound to talk to somebody about what they are doing, nobody can keep a secret for ever.’

The cool logic of these words resonated with Brude’s thoughts instantly. ‘Wise words Tua, even though I hate to admit it to myself. Patience is not something I tolerate readily. Come with me and we shall eat and drink together, giving each other a chance to get to know a little more about the other.’

With these words Brude held out his arm for Tua to place her hand on his extended arm, which she did elegantly, then they walked out of the tent together.

Soon they were sitting under a mighty oak tree, with a vast table full of sumptuous food, game, bread, grapes and a myriad number of other delicacies, as well as large flagons of wine. Brude felt in a generous mood and invited his officers to join him to partake of the mighty feast. It suited his vanity to have the beautiful Tua by his side laughing and talking to his men, for her temporarily acting as the hostess for the occasion.

He constantly cast his sharp eyes around the table to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves, but really keeping a close vigilance, to make sure no man was becoming too familiar towards Tua, after all she was his special property and off limits to everyone else. The men instinctively realising the situation, were very careful not to cross the line. With all the company maintaining their proper places, the meal went without a hitch.

Now that Brude was feeling warm and good hearted towards everyone, he commanded his guards to bring Juno before him, so he could play a little harmless sport with him, in front of everyone.

Juno was soon brought before Brude and again forced to kneel before him, ‘Well, have you now stopped sulking like a spoilt child, Juno?’ Brude mockingly taunted him.

‘I am not sulking as you accuse me of doing. Why should I lower myself to your grotty infantile level. I have other things to think about that are far more important.’ loftily replied Juno.

With these words Brude’s face went livid with incandescent rage. ‘I will show you who is in command here,’ as he picked up his sword from its scabbard that was lying on a nearby table and pointed it straight at Juno’s heart.

‘Kill me now, for all I care. But if you do I know my people will revolt, dispose of you and your army without as much as blinking an eye,’ triumphantly yelled Juno.

Flaring his nostrils as he stared back at Brude, whose face went bright red to crimson in colour at this insult. For a few moments both men glared unflinchingly, transfixed in their respective stances, like two fantastically ugly statues.

Then a sweet feminine voice was heard amidst the deadly silence, ‘You both look so ridiculous, sheath your sword, Brude. We three need to start some really solid planning to win back the Sacred Sword, before anyone is victorious in this round,’ calmly stated Tua. ‘First we must find Rom as he is the key. He has the Sacred Sword in his possession. But I must exact a promise from both of you, that when you have the Sword in your hands, you must give Rom to me, to do with him whatever I please.’

At these words both men turned to look at Tua unblinkingly for a moment, ‘I detect a scent of revenge in your voice, Tua,’ exclaimed Juno. ‘Is it something to do with the fact that Rom wounded your lover in the great arena just a few days ago, when I ordered them to fight each other to death?’

At these words Tua’s face flushed and tears were in her eyes. ‘You are right Juno, once Rom is my prisoner, I will make sure he dies a slow death.’

Both men looked straight into each others eyes. Brude was the first to speak, ‘Of course, my beautiful Tua, he will be handed over to you, for your own pleasure.’ Brude replied in honeyed tones and Juno also nodded in agreement.

‘Bring my scouts to me immediately, so I can give them instructions to seek Rom out. I am going to offer a rich reward for any information as to Rom’s whereabouts. His physical presence here as a prisoner would be just perfect,’ spluttered Brude.

‘I will also match your reward with equal amount of gold,’ added Juno, simultaneously jumping to his feet from his forced kneeling position on the ground.

With all three in sublime accord, the orders were carried out with alacrity and enthusiasm by Brude’s men.

Brude experienced dagger-like pangs of jealousy piercing his heart at the news that Tua had loved another man, even though he was now wounded. He wished he was the one to have wounded him and not Rom. So he had another score to settle with Rom, glowered Brude. But he would keep his thoughts to himself, for the time being and bide his time until he had the chance to even the score with his rival, sometime in the near future.

As far as Juno was concerned, he realised that he would have to kill all three, Rom, Brude and Tua in order to have supreme power and glory over everyone. With these thoughts swirling around, the three main players on the world stage stood together watching the sun sink slowly beneath the horizon, deep in their own thoughts of ambition and revenge, thus ending another day.