Godborn, page 53
part #1 of Gods of Bronze Series
Kounos had not taken to rule as easily as Makros had, for he preferred always to work in his forge than to settle disputes and make vital decisions. But he was wise and just and his people had great affection for him. Pehur and the other acolytes took over much of the forge work from Kounos and there was much to be done since they had come into possession of the vast bronze horde of Leuhon.
While he had itched to leave for the plains, Belolukos had stayed to organise what he needed for the journey east. It had been a far greater task than he had expected and the division of cattle, horses, wagons, and other resources had led to days and days of barter between the three groups to get to an equitable resolution. In the end, none of them were completely happy which Herkuhlos took as a sign it had been done fairly.
Sensible voices urged Belolukos to stay for the rest of the year and see out the winter in Nemiyeh before setting off in spring but already people were drifting away on their own or in small groups and so they hoped to make it to the river valleys across the plains before full winter set in. There was time enough to do it but they could delay no longer and now it was time to leave.
Belolukos urged Herkuhlos to come with them and Makros urged him to stay. But Herkuhlos knew he did not belong in Nemiyeh and nor could he go back to his homeland and he decided to set off for the south on the same day that his brother left for the east.
That morning he stood in the street beside the outermost of the houses, looking out at more than a hundred people making their final preparations. At his side stood Helhena. He did not want to leave her but they both knew that today, this moment, would be the last time they saw each other.
“I wish you would wait until the end of the harvest,” Helhena said. “The people wish to honour you at the feast. They want you to lead the rites.”
Herkuhlos smiled. “They may honour me without me being there.”
“It will not be the same.”
He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I am afraid that if I stay to see such honours awarded me I may never leave Nemiyeh. And that would be avoiding my oath.”
“A foolish oath,” she said, not looking at him.
Although he did not think it foolish they had discussed it many times and he had no desire to part with harsh words. “Perhaps. But it was made. And I think Kolnos knew what he was asking.”
“For a servant to do his bidding when he would not.”
Herkuhlos made a sound in his throat. “I think he knew that the life of a chief was not for me. Herding, raiding… raising strong sons and beloved daughters. All very well for a mortal but there is more that I can do.”
“I do not see why such things should be denied to you.”
He leaned down a little, a sad smile on his lips. “Yes you do.”
She sighed and cuffed her cheeks. “I know we must say farewell now but I do not wish to do so.”
“I go knowing that you will find joy here. Your sisters already bring you joy.” He watched as a smile spread slowly across her face. “And I am no wise man but I think Makros would like for you to be his wife.”
Her head jerked up. “What nonsense.”
“I think that if you wished it also it would be a good match.”
She frowned. “It does not anger you?”
His smiled faltered. In fact, to think of it brought him pain and the part of him that wished for a mortal life twisted in jealousy and longing. But that mortal part was not all he was and he fought those feelings down. “I want only what is best for you. And you would find no stronger husband.” He almost added the words after I am gone but he held his tongue.
She nodded to herself, frowning. “You best go.”
“I best had.”
Still they both hesitated. Helhena looked at him and then looked away. “I do not know how to say farewell to you. It is as though we are something like kin yet we are not.”
Herkuhlos forced himself to smile despite his sadness. “We were kin, for a while. And in some way, we always will be. But now I must go. I wish you good fortune, Helhena. May the gods bring you strong sons to bring you pride and good daughters to bring you joy.”
She stared at him, nodding slowly, and he turned to go.
Her hand shot out and held his and spoke quickly but haltingly. “Since the day the yotunan came, nothing was as it should have been. The world was become wrong. And we made our way through that world. We were not how we should have been, with each other, but that was right for the time. Now, things are becoming as they should be once more. And that is because of you.”
“Because of all of us,” he said, softly.
She slapped his arm. “I just mean to say that you will fulfil your oath, Herkuhlos. You will slay them all and you will make the world right again. It is your path and you will walk it to the end.”
At that, she embraced him and they held each other for a long moment before parting.
“Come down with me?” he said, nodding at his waiting horses on the flat ground.
She cuffed her cheeks. “I cannot. I will watch from here.” She pushed him. “Go, or it will be midday before you even mount your horse.”
With a final look, he turned and walked downhill to where the great mass of people made their preparations. Makros approached, smiling. Now that he was a roaming warrior no longer he had shorn his beard to the skin and cut his tangled hair short. He looked ten years younger and much happier.
Makros nodded up at Helhena. “You really should stay for the festival. Helhena will be broken hearted if you do not.”
“I must not stay a moment longer. Besides, I think Helhena’s heart will be just fine with you around, Makros.”
The new chief of Nemiyeh blushed and lowered his head. “Well, I don’t know about that, really.”
Herkuhlos could not help but laugh and he clapped him on the shoulder. “You are a good man, Makros, and a strong chief. But a chief needs sons so you better find a wife.”
Belolukos approached as they spoke, although he was named Belolukos no more. His naming rite, led by Makros, had been performed on midsummer’s day and Belolukos the boy had become Wiksoklos the man. His new name meant protector of his clan and all agreed it was fitting for he had delivered his people from Kreuhesh and would now lead them back to their homeland.
“A chief needs many wives,” Wiksoklos said. “I already have half a dozen begging me to wife them.”
“And do you find any of them favourable?” Makros asked.
Wiksoklos shrugged. “They will do for a start but I will need more eventually.”
Herkuhlos and Wiksoklos laughed while Makros shook his head.
“Your people are ready to cross?” Herkuhlos asked, casting his eye at the crowds.
“They cross as we speak,” Wiksoklos said, pointing at the boats on the river. “The wagons and oxen, cattle, horses, are all waiting for us and we will be ferrying people back and forth all day but tomorrow we will start out for home.”
Herkuhlos looked at his brother and felt a lump rising in his throat. “Then we must say farewell.”
Wiksoklos nodded once, his eyes just a little damp. “Our paths take us away from one another. I always knew this would happen but still it is strange. Our whole lives we have been together and now you will be gone. I hardly know what I will do without you.”
Herkuhlos agreed but he did not know what else to say on the matter. “At least you will have Old Henu at your side every step of the way. Her relentless wisdom will steer you in the right direction.”
Wiksoklos glanced over his shoulder as if afraid she was in earshot. “Old Henu will ride in a wagon all the way home along with all the other old women and I will have more peace from her than I have had this whole summer.” He rolled his eyes. “Still, she is Gendryon’s blood and I know Laonome will be happy to have her near. Girls need old women to keep them steady, you know.”
Glancing at the busy crowd, Herkuhlos nodded. “Look after Laonome.”
“You know I will. I will never let her out of my sight.”
“Not even when she is married?”
“I’ll find the second-best man on the plains and make him serve me and marry her to that man. Then I can keep my eye on her forever.”
Makros frowned. “Why the second-best man?”
Wiksoklos rolled his eyes and smacked his chest. “By Kolnos, because I will be best man on the plains!” He turned and bellowed for Laonome. “Come embrace your second-favourite brother!”
She was organising the crossing but came at once, running through the grass with her braids bouncing behind her. Her legs had grown long and strong and it was painful to know that he would not see her grow to full womanhood. But there was joy at least that she was not only alive but filled with life. She hardly slowed when she reached him and threw her arms around him, crushing him. “Will I ever see you again?”
He held her close. “I would like that, little one, but my oath…”
She clicked her tongue, leaned away and swatted his arm. “You did not swear to accomplish your task within any number of years, did you?”
“Well, no.”
“In that case you can come to us again one day. Between slaying the enemies of the gods. There is no reason why you cannot.”
He laughed. “That is true, sister. And I will.”
She poked a finger into his chest. “And you will do so before we are too old to remember you. You may live for a thousand years but we shall not.”
“Truly,” he said, “you are the daughter of Alkmene.”
“Yes,” Laonome said, “and she will want you to come to us. Obey your ancestors and your kin, Herkuhlos.”
It was not only his kin that called him back to the plains but his desire to find answers. Kolnos was in the east and Herkuhlos wanted to find the wolf god and demand from him answers to the questions that filled his mind. How much of what Leuhon had said was true? Were the gods and the yotunan related as he had claimed and if so what was it that had driven them apart? And it was not only Kolnos who had answers. One day, Herkuhlos knew he would have to journey to the Sacred Mountain to face his father. Had he truly released the yotunan from the Vale of Tartaros? If so, why had he sent so much destruction out into the world of men?
But those questions would have to wait. Wherever the yotunan had come from there was no doubt that they were instruments of evil and destruction and they had to be stopped. His path to glory lay before him.
He held up a hand with his palm out and spoke seriously. “One day I will return, Laonome.”
Wiksoklos frowned. “But do not make it too soon, either. I have to make my mark without you there.”
Herkuhlos laughed. “You will do well. Already, your name spreads far and wide. Your fame grows. Your glory will be undying, brother.”
“It will,” Wiksoklos, his face grave. “As will yours and you will carry your fame across the earth.” He smiled. “And think of all the women you will meet, brother. All the women of the world lay before you. You will have a hundred strong sons, I am sure of it.”
With a loud clearing of his throat to get their attention, Makros pointed behind them. “Kounos approaches. He looks angry.”
They turned as the chief of Pelhbriya approached, scowling. “It is ready, Herkuhlos. It is ready and I am waiting but you stand here flapping your tongue like a woman.”
Glancing at the nearby wagon that Kounos had brought from Pelhbriya, Herkuhlos shrugged. “I am in your debt, Kounos but you need not wait. We know already that it fits. You made your adjustments and I will take it all away with me. And you have my eternal thanks.”
Kounos sighed, shaking his head. “I made some final adjustments. Minor adjustments, just a little here and there. You will find the fit even better, now.” A sly smile touched his lips. “And my boys have polished it to such a shine. Come, you must wear it.”
“Wear it?” Herkuhlos was aghast. “I am travelling not riding to battle.”
Wiksoklos slapped his brother’s arm. “Go on, you fool! You must wear it. Show yourself to these people in your glory.”
Herkuhlos nodded, the idea suddenly appealing to him. “I should be certain of the fit before I leave you.”
They crossed to the wagon where Kounos’ apprentices stood ready with the bronze armour taken from Leuhon. For moons Kounos had reworked the pieces of armour until they fit Herkuhlos like a second skin. Not only had he shaped them to fit better he had reduced the armour in some places such as under the arms and over the hips so that Herkuhlos could move as freely as he wished and also he had strengthened and thickened the pieces of armour in other places to provide better protection. The helm also had been entirely remade to fit his smaller head.
The boys quickly pulled the breast and back armour on over him and then strapped on the curving pieces over his shins and forearms. The helm had required most work of all but now it was more glorious than ever. It shone in the sun as he took it from Kounos, glinting and shining. He could see himself in the golden reflection on the strips of bronze before he lowered it over his head.
“It fits perfectly,” he said, smiling. “Even better than before.”
Kounos grinned. “Of course it does.”
The senior apprentice stepped forward and bowed. “My lord,” he said, his voice breaking. He looked up and raised his voice. “My lord Herkuhlos, I wish to serve you.”
Herkuhlos frowned, tapping his ear. “The helm makes it difficult to hear, Pehur. Did you say you wish to serve me?”
Pehur spoke quickly and it was obviously a rehearsed speech. “My lord, you must have a servant before venturing into the wild. You need a man to arm you in bronze. You will need a kerdos to rework the plates when they are damaged in battle and I am skilled in such things. Also, lord, you are yet young. Not much older than me. You will grow taller, perhaps, and you will certainly grow broader, as all men do. You will need a kerdos to make adjustments to your armour.” Pehur coughed. “I can also sharpen, repair, and forge many weapons of bronze. And I can make fire. And hunt and fish. And prepare food and find—”
“Yes, yes, Pehur,” Kounos said, scowling. “I think he gets the point.”
Herkuhlos shook his head. “I am riding into great danger, Pehur. Any mortal that follows me is likely riding to his death.”
Pehur looked up, fire in his eyes. “All men are ever riding to their deaths, lord. I would ride at your side.”
“Well, I am not your master,” Herkuhlos said. “And I cannot free you from your oaths.”
Pehur turned his blazing eyes to Kounos who nodded slowly. “Pehur is a faithful servant and he has already asked me to release him. To this I have assented. On condition only of your acceptance, Herkuhlos.”
Herkuhlos looked down at the young man. He was courageous and he was skilled and it would be advantageous to at least have someone else to keep watch at night. And there would be someone to converse with, even if he was a lowly servant.
“Then I accept your service, Pehur. Prepare your things and say farewell to your friends.”
Pehur’s face lit up with pure joy and he bowed and ran to the other acolytes, babbling and grasping their hands. They clapped him on the back and embraced him.
Kounos bowed to Herkuhlos in thanks. His eyes were red and there was a quiver in his voice. “He is a good lad, that one.”
“I am sorry to take him from you after you have trained him to be your successor.”
“Successor?” Kounos said, scoffing. “He is nothing but a herder’s boy. Would have made an adequate bronze worker one day but serving you is the best thing for him. He has got the wanderlust in him, he has. Always had, I suppose.” Kounos turned away and pretended he had something in his eye.
“If I can return him to you one day, I will,” Herkuhlos said, looking at the final group of riders preparing for their journey. Further along the track the Seeress was waiting with her new acolytes and their horses packed and ready, along with six of Makros’ most reliable warriors to escort them.
“Return the boy to me?” Kounos said, shrugging. “That is for the gods to decide.”
“Will you excuse me,” Herkuhlos said, “I must say farewell to Dehnu.”
The men nodded and stepped back to let him through and he walked to where she waited for him. He felt remarkably self-conscious in his armour and somewhat foolish wearing it before Dehnu. She stood a head taller than the dozen women around her and they moved back and fell silent and he stood face to face with the Seeress.
“You look like the rising sun itself,” she said, smiling.
He looked at the fair hair fluttering around her pale skin glowing in the light. “As do you, cousin.”
Her smile widened. “Cousin. It is so strange to think I have kin. Even though you will be far from my body, my spirit will be with you, Herkuhlos.”
“I would still ride with you if you would come. With your strength and your wisdom at my side…” He broke off, having said it all before.
She tilted her head. “Every day since I left my lake has been a wonder and I have been blessed for this time living amongst these good people. But there is a place where I belong and to there I must return. I go now with new friends to serve me.” There were some women in Nemiyeh who, after their experiences, no longer wished to find husbands and had no desire to live amongst men at all. The best of these she had chosen to return with her. Kounos and Makros had sworn that they would protect her and her women and would see the Seeress of Nemos thriving once more.
“If you have a place where you belong then that is where you must go,” Herkuhlos said. “And I wish you good fortune.”
“You have a place also, Herkuhlos,” she said. “Your place, for now at least, is out there in the wild. It is ever beyond the horizon. But know that whenever you wish it you may return to me also and you will always be welcome.”
“I will.” He grinned. “If the yotunan do not kill me first.”
She did not smile. “I would offer a last piece of advice if I may? Take your time. Grow into your full strength and remember that you will have many mortal lifetimes.”
“I will try to remember that.”
