Disclaimers: This story will contain violence, same sex relationships, vulgar language and a few unsavoury descriptions. Some characters will be killed, and the fatalities will not only be among the 'baddies'. However, I hope none of this will be so excessive as to distress readers who are uncomfortable with such things. Equally, I fear there won't be enough (particularly of the sex) for readers who are keen on it - sorry.

Acknowledgements: Thanks go to my beta readers Pam and Cybernana. Any errors in this work will be down to my insatiable urge to fiddle with sentences, even after they've been proof-read.

========================================

Lorimal's Chalice

Part One - The Exile

By Jane Fletcher

========================================

Chapter 1: A bad joke

========================================

Pre-dawn light filtered through chinks in the stone walls, so faint it did little more than hint at the sleeping figures scattered across the earthen floor. Tevi lay on her side, awake, staring bleakly at nothing. Her thoughts were tormented by memories of a dozen miserable events over the past month. A hard day's work loomed ahead, yet sleep eluded her. She felt utterly alone, despite being surrounded by all her family. A pained grimace crossed Tevi's face at the thought. Her family. She was an enormous disappointment to them. She knew it - how could she not be? She was an even greater disappointment to herself.

The light strengthened with the passing minutes. Then came the wailing cries of seagulls. Tevi rolled onto her back. There was no point trying to return to sleep now and, as if hearing her thought, several bodies stirred. A woman by the hearth sneezed and sat up. Whispered words rippled around the corners of the hall.

"Hey, who's taken my boots?" The first loud voice of the morning. It was Laff - it always was. The question provoked several retorts, the wittiest of which were greeted with laughter.

Tevi closed her eyes. She did not for a moment think her sister's boots were missing, it was just Laff's excuse to be noisy and claim everyone's attention. What Tevi never understood was why people were so pleased by her sister, and so irritated if she tried similar childish ploys herself.

A man stepped over Tevi's legs. She watched him head towards the central hearth, weaving between the shifting bodies. He knelt and began coaxing the fire back to life. All around, people were getting to their feet, brushing dust from their clothes, rolling up blankets and sleeping mats. Noise in the hall rose. The double doors at the end were pushed open. A sudden shaft of daylight glittered on eddies of smoke rolling under the thatched roof.

Tevi turned her head and looked towards the centre of the hall. Laff was standing by the hearth, making a show of stretching the muscles in her shoulders while teasing the men preparing breakfast and exchanging boisterous good-mornings with the women. Everyone seemed to like her. It was a trick Tevi had never been able to master. Did the differences between them mean so much?

It was not their looks. Both were tall, with brown eyes and straight black hair, hacked short. They had small oval faces, on the bland side of good looking, with thin nose and wide, straight lips. However the similarity ended with their appearance. Laff was loud and assertive, quick to argue, quick to make friends. Tevi was always unsure of herself, uncomfortable in company, uninterested in the show of swaggering bravado other women put so much effort into. 'Weak and soft' were their mother's words to describe Tevi. Maybe, if Laff had been the firstborn, it would not have mattered that she was always the one to take the lead, but, at nineteen, Tevi was the elder by two years.

Virtually everyone in the hall was now moving. Tevi sat up and looked around. She was not the last to stand; a few still slept at the edges of the hall. One couple were lying nearby with their arms around each other. The man was sprawled lazily on his back. The woman, one of Tevi's many aunts, was up on an elbow looking down on him. Tevi's movement caught the aunt's notice. For a moment Tevi was subjected to a critical stare before the aunt bent back to whisper something in her companion's ear. The man's eyes brushed over Tevi as he twisted to giggle into the aunt's shoulder. Tevi felt a flush start to rise on her cheeks. She scrambled to her feet and hastened towards the hearth, but she knew she was being over-sensitive. Judging by the noises last night the couple had plenty of topics to laugh about.

Laff now had her arm around the waist of the young man she had spent the night with. A selection of cousins were standing near, matching her in good-natured banter. Something Laff said made the man blush and raised a howl of laughter from the women. He smiled shyly at Laff, who hugged him still closer.

Despite Tevi's attempt to join the group unobtrusively, Laff noticed her arrival and yelped. "Watch out! Don't tread in the porridge!"

Tevi froze and looked down, but her feet were nowhere near the porridge pot. It was a joke. Laff sniggered.

"You fall for it every time."

Tevi looked up to meet her sister's eyes. "Yes, I know. It's sad. I get caught out because I keep expecting you to grow up. I really should accept that you'll have a toddler's sense of humour all your life."

"Oh, I'm quite grown up." Laff squeezed the young man and asked him playfully, "What do you think?"

"Everywhere except between your ears." Tevi interjected.

Laff's face twisted in a scowl, but before the argument could escalate further they were interrupted by their mother approaching the hearth. Red was tall, a trait inherited by both her daughters. Her body had once been strong and agile, but no more, not since an ill-fated skirmish, four years before. Never again would Red lead the war-band to victory. She hobbled across the hall, leaning heavily on a wooden crutch. Her naturally stern face creased in pain, but she managed to smile indulgently at Laff as she passed. If Red noticed her older daughter she gave no sign.

A slight bustle announced the emergence of Tevi's grandmother, the Queen of Storenseg, from behind her screens. Her status was marked by a wicker partition around her sleeping area. It was the nearest thing to a private room to be found on the island. Two of Tevi's cousins hovered in attendance while the Queen settled herself on a bench. Sound faded as people paused to nod respectfully in the Queen's direction before picking up their conversations again. The hubbub flowed from group to group, the friendly family chaos binding everyone in the room, from laughing grandmothers to squealing babies - everyone except Tevi.

The group around Laff had subtly closed ranks so that Tevi stood outside. Her mother and grandmother were in conversation. They glanced once in Tevi's direction, but their expressions were not warm. Nobody else in the hall seemed anxious to catch her eye. Tevi looked at the porridge heating over the fire. It would be some minutes before it was boiling, and Tevi had no wish to hang around. A nearby basket held several loaves of dark rye bread. She tore a chunk off one, dipped its corner in a bowl of honey, and then headed for the doorway.

No one looked in her direction. The whole family was happy to ignore her existence. Tevi paused at the entrance and glanced back. For an instant the Queen's eyes met hers. The ancient face held an expression of shrewd appraisal, and regret. Once her grandmother had been an ally, but it had changed. Tevi was not sure when, or why, she had lost the Queen's favour. Now, of the whole island, only Brec was ever on her side. Tevi spun on her heel and escaped outside.

The sky to the east was awash with pink. Clear dawn light hit obliquely on the surrounding hills. Seagulls overhead called raucously as they wheeled around the valley and, pitched below the sound of their squabbling, the hissing roar of surf on the beach carried cleanly on the crisp air.

Tevi rested her shoulder against the stone wall of the hall and breathed in deeply, tasting the salt on the air. The smell was comforting. Soon she would be out on the water, with the solid timbers of her boat beneath her feet. Captaining a fishing boat was the only thing she was good at, and the women in the village respected her ability even if they did not respect her.

Thinking about her boat eased the knotted tension in Tevi's stomach. She lowered her gaze from the hilltops and began eating the bread. Abrak's chapel stood in the middle of the village square. An armed woman was posted at the door. Tevi allowed herself a cynical smile at the sight. There was little point setting a guard now, after the chalice had been stolen. In Tevi's opinion there was no likelihood of the thieving raven returning. Obviously a sorcerer had wanted the chalice and had sent the bird to take it. Whoever it was had now got all that was wanted. There was nothing left in the chapel worth stealing. In truth, even the chalice had been purely symbolic. Abrak's true legacy lay in her potion, the magic brew that gave the women of the islands their strength. Without it they would be even weaker than men.

Tevi could not stop the grimace as she remembered being forced to take her daily dose of the potion, throughout her childhood. It tasted foul, but it had done its work. Her enhanced strength would stay with her for life. Typically, Laff claimed to like the taste, but Tevi was pleased she would never need to take it again. However, at that moment, it was the only thing Tevi could think of to be grateful for. Her situation was hopeless. The friends of her childhood had deserted her one by one, until only Brec remained. Now her family scorned her. It was not that anyone thought she was a bad person, just a bad joke.

The round chapel was the spiritual centre of, not just the village of Holric, but the whole island chain. It marked the spot where Abrak had been burnt, many years before. Now she stood, in spirit, at the side of Rangir, goddess of the sea - or so the myths claimed. Tevi was rather sceptical, but equally she knew she needed whatever help she could get. On impulse, her lips moved as she silently offered a small prayer; "Please Abrak, speak on my behalf to Rangir. Give me the chance to improve my reputation, so people will speak of me with respect. Show me a way to leave the scorn behind."

The space around Abrak's chapel was clear, but the edges of the square were busy with people. Clusters stood by the doorways to the halls, soaking in the new spring sunlight before they began their day's work. One group was definitely looking in Tevi's direction, although whether it was herself, or her grandmother's hall that was the topic of conversation was not obvious. Either way Tevi felt self-conscious. She was about to walk away when the character of the activity on the far side of the square changed. A few voices were raised in shouts although Tevi could not make out the words. Heads turned in the direction of pointing fingers.

Tevi stood straight and moved away from the wall just as a running woman burst from a pathway between two buildings. It took a second for Tevi to recognise the runner, Anvil, a senior member of the war-band. It took less than a second longer for the significance to dawn. Anvil was due to be on lookout duty on the Stormfast Cliffs that morning.

"Rathshorn." Tevi whispered to herself. It had to be the explanation. It was early in the year for the women of Rathshorn to come raiding, but Anvil would not be running so frantically just to bring a report on the weather.

Tevi spun back through the doorway. The family looked up, startled from their breakfast. "Anvil, from the lookout... she's coming."

Women in the hall leapt to their feet, but the Queen remained impassive, looking at the doorway. Tevi stepped aside as the drumming of running feet grew louder. Anvil charged in and skidded to a stop before the Queen, gasping for breath.

"Who is it?"

"Is it Rathshorn?"

"What's wrong?" a cacophony of questions greeted the sentry.

The Queen stood and waved her hands for silence. "Let her catch her breath." The questions stopped although the noise did not abate noticeably. Feeling strangely detached from the scene, Tevi leaned against the doorpost and surveyed the hall, taking in the fear on the faces of the old, and the excitement of the young. Laff even looked happy, as if she had received a gift. Tevi gazed at her sister with something between irritation and sorrow. Maybe not a gift, but a prize, the thought came to Tevi, just one more game for Laff to win.

Anvil had one hand pressed to her side but the heaving of her shoulders had eased enough for speech. "There's a boat. It must have come close during the night."

"Just one?" the Queen asked.

"That's all I could see. There might be more around the headland."

"Anything else?"

"They've got a green pennant on the mast." Anvil's words drew a soft sigh of relief from some corners of the hall. The green flag was a sign of parley.

"So they want to talk." the Queen said thoughtfully.

"They've got shields on display."

"They want to talk while reminding us what they back their words with." The Queen's face twisted in an ironic smile as she amended her words. "Did you recognise the shields?"

"It's Rathshorn." Anvil confirmed everyone's guess.

"It might be a diversion to catch our attention while they attack elsewhere." Red said from her position at the Queen's shoulder.

"True." the Queen agreed. "Send two scouts to Hanken ridge and the Skregin to see if any other boats are lurking. And for this parley we can play their game. Muster the war-band on the beach."

"The whole band?" Red questioned.

"Oh yes. It never hurts to bargain from a position of strength."

Laff was across the hall, heading for the weapon rack, even before the Queen had finished speaking. The rest of the family broke into groups. The men herded children to the back of the hall, the old women stood in the centre talking in low voices, the councillors gathered around the Queen, and the young women of the war-band assembled by the weapon rack.

Tevi joined the war-band, her heart thumping. All her life there had been relative peace - a few minor raids, such as the one where her mother had been hurt. However, the new Queen of Rathshorn was minded for war. Everybody knew that trouble was brewing.

Swords hung in their scabbards under the shields. Tevi took hers and adjusted the belt round her waist. Around her women were putting on helmets and greaves. It was all so serious, deadly serious, yet the atmosphere was like children playing on the beach.

"Tevi, what do you think. Is it war?" Tevi glanced over her shoulder to see Laff, her eyes alight, as excited as the young girls. In the enthusiasm Laff's hostility was forgotten. It was the first time in months she had addressed Tevi without a sneer.

"Hopefully not." Tevi said quietly.

"NOT?"

"I don't want to see women killed for no good reason."

"You're frightened." Laff's voice returned to its usual contempt.

Tevi cursed herself; she should have held her tongue. "It isn't that..." her words were cut off.

"I'm sure it is. And in your place I'd be frightened. It's only because the handle sticks out of the scabbard that you know which end of your sword to hold. And you're supposed to lead the war-band. It's going to be so embarrassing following you. You're the worst fighter we have. You'll be dead within two minutes."

"Then you won't have the embarrassment of following me for long." Tevi snapped back as she rammed the helmet onto her head and left the hall.

Of course, Laff's words were true. If it was war then Tevi knew she would be dead within days. Her incompetence at fighting was a running joke. The sight of Abrak's chapel made Tevi remember her prayer. Give me the chance to improve my reputation, so people will speak of me with respect. Another bad joke. No one would talk ill of a woman who died in battle, no matter how quickly or incompetently.

Tevi's face was grim as she followed the elders towards the beach, gathering the members of the war-band from their family halls as they went. The women were in high spirits, laughing with each other, but only Brec had a smile for Tevi.

"I hear we have visitors." Brec said as she joined the line of armed women, her well-formed features holding their usual easy grin.

"Just one boatload, so far." Tevi replied.

"So we're all going to pose prettily on the beach for them." Brec's laugher rang out.

"I think that's about it." Despite her bleak mood Tevi found a grin rising to her own lips.

Unfailing good humour was possibly Brec's most valuable trait - that and the simple, uncritical friendship she offered. Tevi was aware her own feelings for Brec were altogether more complicated. Everyone liked Brec. She was witty, honourable and good-looking, skilled with both sword and fishing net, easy-going but not weak-willed. So why is she eager to be my friend, when anyone in the village would welcome her company? The thought sprang from Tevi's bitter mood.

The war-band gathered in an untidy phalanx at the head of the beach. Tevi, her mother and the matriarchs of the families stood slightly detached from the warriors, directly behind the Queen. They had barely reached position when the boat from Rathshorn rounded the Stormfast Cliffs and cut across the blue waters of the bay. The figures of several women were visible on the small craft, working in unison, taking in the sail as they neared the beach.

Tevi's eyes were on the boat but, behind her, she heard the excited exchanges between members of the war-band.

"What do you think they want?"

"Might be some sort of ultimatum."

"As a pretext for war?"

"Could be."

"Perhaps Queen Fearful wants her brother back."

"I say we should let her take him - he's the next best thing to useless."

"You've had him?"

"Only once." The exaggerated exasperation in the woman's voice brought yelps of laughter that were quickly stifled by glares from the older matriarchs.

The boat ran aground in the shallows. Seven women jumped out, up to their thighs in the waves. Together they hauled the boat up the beach, beyond the reach of the tide. An older woman then disembarked and splashed through ankle high water. The green pennant from the boat was tied to a long spear in her hand. A dozen yards from the Queen she stopped and planted the butt of her spear in the sand.

There was silence while the two groups studied each other. Tevi looked at the leader of the Rathshorn women, taking in her spiky white hair and twin scars across her left cheek. It was always strange to see a face you could not recognise. Normally you could go months on end, even years, without seeing one. The temptation was to try to mentally force the features into familiar contours.

At last the stranger spoke. "I am First-in-battle, cousin and envoy to Queen Fearless-warrior of Rathshorn." Her clear voice was loud over the sound of the waves.

"I am Fists-of-thunder, Queen of Storenseg. I welcome you to the island and to the village of Holric." Tevi's grandmother replied, at her most austere.

The envoy's gaze raked appraisingly over the Queen before continuing. "My companions and I have travelled far to speak with you. We bring an offer that will aid both our islands."

"Then we will be pleased to hear to it." Despite the conciliatory words there was an icy edge of sarcasm in the Queen's voice.

The envoy was unflustered. "May I introduce my companions? This is Raging-shark, foremost in victories, whose courage is famed in song throughout the isles." A tall, redheaded woman nodded. "This is Steadfast-shield-wall, the despair of all who stand against her, fearless and invincible. This is..."

Tevi stopped listening. It was a meaningless formality to identify the women before the parley could commence. The ascribed feats were largely fictitious. The warlike birth names were never normally used. All the women on the islands were known by abbreviations or puns on their birth names, or as in Tevi's case, acquired nicknames.

The envoy finished speaking. The Queen continued the naming ceremony, with the small group assembled between her and the war-band. Brec's grandmother Lizard was introduced as Dragon-heart. Miam, ancient, half-blind and deaf, as Mighty-sword-arm. All were credited with feats of valour. Tevi would have found it funny, if she had not been dreading her own introduction.

The Queen was nearing the end of the line. There was only Red and Tevi to go. "This is my daughter, Blood-of-my-foes, a warrior whose name is spoken with awe, who has triumphed in countless battles." For once the acclamation was completely true - or had been once. The envoy looked with interest, but her attention was fixed on the crutch under Red's arm. "And finally this is my grand-daughter, Strikes-like-lightning, who boldly leads the war-band."

Tevi fought to keep the grimace from her face. It was decidedly weak praise, but anything stronger might have drawn sniggers from the women behind her. Now at last they could all go back to Holric, and learn the nature of the envoy's mission.

* * * * * *

Thick brown wax sealed the stopper of the terracotta flask. Beneath the dried surface it was still tacky and dull red in hue, where Tevi's knife picked it back. Her hands shook as she worked, aware that everyone in the hall was watching - not that there were crowds; in fact Tevi had never seen the royal hall so empty. Apart from herself and the Queen, the only ones present were the eight women from Rathshorn, the matriarchs of the seven main families and three veteran captains of Storenseg's war-band, including Red. Those who would normally have occupied the hall, mainly domestic slaves and the very old, had been ejected. Guards outside the doorway kept the curious at a distance. Undeterred, folk gathered some way off, peering in as best they could. Shouts drifted around the square, but no one inside was yet talking.

The Queen was the only one seated. Tevi stood before her grandmother, struggling with the stubborn cork. She could feel her mother's eyes burning into her back, imagining the shame should it be said that the leader of the Storenseg war-band could not fight her way into a wine flask, but soon Tevi had scraped away the last of the sealing wax and the stopper was loose enough to be pulled.

Tevi balanced the flask in the crook of her arm and poured a stream of yellow wine into a drinking bowl. The sweet, sickly smell seemed too heavy for the early hour, yet custom had to be observed. She offered the drink first to the Queen, who accepted with a faint nod and took a tiny mouthful, barely wetting her lips. Of course, anyone with her grandmother's years of experience would be alert to the risk of negotiating when light-headed. Tevi moved on to the envoy and again offered the bowl. The woman from Rathshorn also swallowed a sip - a small sip, but enough. The tension in Tevi's neck eased slightly. Whatever else the envoy might say, by all rules of honour, she had now shared their hospitality and could not declare war.

As the Queen's chief advisor, Brec's grandmother, Lizard, was the next to be offered the wine. It was thereafter passed from woman to woman in order of seniority. Some accepted with exaggerated formality, others knocked back the wine as if throwing down a challenge. Last of all Tevi herself took a draft. The sweet liquid rolled over her tongue like waves over sand. She had not realised how dry her mouth was.

With the wine ritual over, benches were pulled from the sides and arranged forming a square about the hearth. The women sat. The drinking bowl was refilled and commenced a second, less formal circuit of the hall. Tevi found herself at the end of a bench, next to her mother. Her eyes flicked from person to person. The older women sat in postures of rigid authority, their backs as straight as swords. The younger ones were more blatantly aggressive, with their feet square on the ground, arms folded or braced on their knees, bodies tensed as if ready to leap up and hit someone, and fierce expressions as if waiting for an excuse to do so. Tevi tried to imitate the pose, but she felt ridiculous, a poor burlesque of her sister. She prayed the women from Rathshorn did not realise.

It was hard not to wince as she met Blaze's eyes. Blaze, a captain of the war-band, had been the one charged with the impossible task of training Tevi in the arts of war. Impossible not because Tevi lacked strength or speed, or that she was half-hearted about weapon practice. It was just Tevi's inability to put what she knew into effect. The set exercises were easy, the faint, parry, thrust and advance, but as soon as she was pitted against a living opponent Tevi's defence crumbled so she might as well have been naked and blindfolded. "Watch her feet out of the corner of your eye. Don't just follow her sword! Think ahead." Blaze had screamed over the years, until even she had given up in disgust. Her caustic remarks about Tevi's incompetence were common knowledge. Blaze swore Tevi was the worst excuse for a warrior she had ever attempted to train.

The voice of the Queen broke the silence, pulling Tevi back from her brooding. "And now, may we ask the reason for your coming?"

The envoy got to her feet. Her gaze travelled slowly over the women assembled before she fixed upon the Queen. "I speak on behalf of Queen Fearless-warrior, defender of her people, head of the families of Rathshorn, rightful Queen of all the Western Isles..." She got no further.

"You must be aware I would also claim that last title." The Queen's voice was firm.

The interruption was accepted with a faint smile. "As would several others."

"Not all have history or law on their side."

"True. However the rival claims of Rathshorn and Storenseg are not the subject I wish to discuss." the envoy said with only the barest hint of conciliation.

"Then perhaps you should leave the titles until such time as you do." The steel underlying the Queen's voice was unmistakable.

After long seconds of silence the envoy continued, but less overtly confrontational. "I have come to speak concerning the island of Argenseg. This island is by treaty, and by will of the people, subject to the crown of Rathshorn. But, as you know, twenty years ago corrupt traitors overthrew their lawful rulers. They have not honoured the oaths of their mothers. They have not sent tribute; instead they have sent bands of pirates to harry the villages of Rathshorn. Their insults can not go unpunished any longer. It is the intention of the Queen to reclaim her rightful property."

"Why do you come to tell us? Surely your Queen is not seeking our assistance."

"We do not ask you to fight beside us. But there is help you may give. Storenseg is blessed with mines that yield ores of the highest quality. Blades made by your blacksmiths are the envy of the islands. It sometimes happens that these blades find their way into rebel hands. If you agree to stop this trade then Queen Fearless-warrior would take it as a sign of goodwill. And Rathshorn is always loyal to her friends."

"Swords may go from Storenseg to Argenseg by many routes. And I can hardly deprive my traders of their livelihood." the Queen said reasonably.

"Rathshorn will undertake to buy all the weapons you have for sale, at a fair price."

"What benefit do I get from interfering in the concerns of my traders?"

The envoy was silent for a while, as if weighing her next words. "There are some who say Storenseg has given aid to the rebels. Some, no doubt misguided, even say Storenseg first encouraged the treasonous revolt. A friendly gesture would silence the calls for retaliation, otherwise Queen Fearless-warrior might be hard put to ignore the council of war."

"Thank you, I think you have made yourself clear. Is this all you wish to say?" By her tone the Queen might almost have been bored.

"It is." the envoy said.

"An interesting offer, and one I must consider further. While I prepare my answer, you will be our honoured guests."

"My crew and I are willing to camp on the beach."

"Lodgings will be found for you. And, so that none of your misguided councillors may say I slighted the envoy of Queen Fearless-warrior, tonight we will hold a feast in your honour."

The Queen stood, signalling the end of the formal debate. The meeting broke into small groups. The matriarchs huddled together, waiting for the envoy to go before expressing their opinions. However the envoy clearly had other business before she was lead from the hall. She made her way through the melee around the heath and waylaid Red.

"Blood-of-my-foes, it has been a long time since we met, and the last time I saw you was over the rim of a shield. I'm sorry we did not have time to talk on that day."

"It was a brief visit to Rathshorn." Red spoke so calmly it took Tevi a second to realise they were talking about her mother's last, ill-fated raid.

The envoy went on, "But you went away with such valuable souvenirs. The Queen still greatly misses her brother, not to mention the fine jewellery and weapons."

"And no doubt she complains I scorched the roof of her hall." Red said, dryly.

"She was none too pleased." The envoy's tone was also light-hearted. "But I heard you were wounded returning to your boat. Now I see you walk with a crutch. Has your leg not healed?" There was no mistaking the interest in the state of Red's health.

"One souvenir of Rathshorn I would rather not have taken."

"It has been a bad time for Storenseg, losing both you and Abrak's chalice." The envoy was veering towards smugness.

"Neither loss is unbearable."

"Of course." The envoy's eyes shifted abruptly to Tevi. "And now your daughter leads the war-band. She must be a great comfort to you."

The urge to shuffle out of view almost overwhelmed Tevi, but somehow she managed to meet the envoy's enquiring gaze. Before anything else could be said, they were joined by Blaze who addressed the envoy.

"My name is Blazing-sword. If you are ready, I have been appointed to lead you to your lodgings."

"Ah yes, thank-you. I was just commending Strikes-like-lightning as leader of your war-band. Although young, the child of such an illustrious mother must surely be a warrior to be reckoned with. Doubtless the defence of Storenseg rests safe on her shoulders."

"Her skill with a sword is the talk of all the island. I have trained many warriors, but never before have I met her like." Blaze said with a deadpan face.

The crowds moved apart as Blaze led the women from Rathshorn across the square to a hall with sleeping space to spare. After a short discussion at the door two of the visitors trotted to the beach to collect such things as they needed. Several young girls tagged along, whooping in excitement, but the majority of the population remained, milling about the square. Families, eager to learn what had happened, surrounded their matriarchs as they emerged from the royal hall.

Tevi stood by the doorway, watching until the envoy disappeared from view. As quietly as possible she slipped around the edge of the square, avoiding all the questioning looks. Few would chose her as a source of information, but she had no wish to be involved in the overblown and facile arguments that she knew would take place.

Brec caught up with her at the entrance of a narrow passage between two halls. Her friend's habitual good-natured grin was replace by anxious, wide-eyed concern.

"Tevi, what's happening? What did they say?"

"They're playing some sort of game... the goddess knows what the point is. Our grandmothers will have a better idea of what it's about than me."

"Someone said they've given an ultimatum about selling swords to Argenseg." Brec said.

"I'm sure there's more to it. Come on, let's get away from all this noise and I'll tell you everything they said." Tevi gestured for Brec to follow.

The pair of them started between the buildings, leaving the bustle of the square behind. Before they had taken a dozen steps another voice assailed them.

"So. Did the women of Rathshorn tremble in their boots at the sight of our mighty war leader?"

Tevi turned around. At the entrance to the passage stood Laff, arms crossed and a sour expression of disdain on her face.

"I'm sure you won't be at all surprised to learn they hardly noticed me." Tevi said.

"What, you managed to avoid drawing attention to yourself by walking into a bench? You must be having a good day." Laff moved closer, until she was less than an arm's-length away. The two sisters glared at each other until Tevi sighed in exasperation and dropped her head - she was not in the mood to deal with her sister's hostility.

"Look, I know you're angry that I was at the meeting and you weren't. Honestly I'd much rather you'd been there instead of me. But I wasn't given the option, I didn't chose to be the firstborn daughter." Tevi spoke brusquely.

"I couldn't care less about the meeting." Judging by her tone, Laff's words were blatantly untrue.

"Then what are you so wound up about?"

"You; and the way you're going to bring shame upon our family." Laff spat out the words.

"I'll try my best not to."

"Your best is pathetic. Strikes-like-lightning - they named you well. You couldn't hit the same spot twice for trying." Laff rephrased one of Blaze's jokes.

"And you could do so much better?" Tevi snapped. She was starting to get angry.

"Of course I could! I should lead the war-band, not you."

"Then perhaps you should go to mother and suggest she reschedules our births." Over Laff's shoulder Tevi saw a group of women begin to gather at the passage entrance, attracted by the raised voices. It was time to cut the argument short, but Laff was not about to let it drop.

"How do you have the nerve to bring mother into this! She was a great warrior. She must be so ashamed to have you as a daughter."

"Oh she is. She makes that quite clear." Tevi spun about and began to walk away.

"You aren't fit to follow her. You should have been a boy - you go out of your way to act like one. How far do you take the act?"

Tevi knew she should have kept walking, but there was an edge to Laff's voice that could not be ignored. She turned back and snarled, "At least I don't act like a girl who has to think with her sword since she keeps her brain between her legs."

Laff grinned, pleased to have provoked a reaction. She looked her sister slowly up and down before saying, "Oh, no. No one would ever accuse you of that. I don't know about being a real warrior, you're not even a real woman."

Tevi's hands clenched into fists, she could feel herself shaking. It had been a bad move to start trading insults with Laff, but she could not back off now, not with the audience. "I'm enough of a woman to ram that stupid remark back down your throat."

"You think you want to try?" Laff was, if anything, getting louder. "Where were you and Brec going? Off to hold hands and stare into each other's eyes? But I'm probably being unfair to Brec. Perhaps she doesn't realise you'd like to play the man for her - on your back with your pants down."

Laff had gone too far, much too far. Tevi leapt forwards, her fist swinging for her sister's face. The sudden attack took Laff by surprise but she managed to raise an arm to parry. Even so, the punch clipped her on the side of the head, and knocked her backwards into the wall of the hall. Tevi swiftly moved in for a second blow, but her sister kicked at her legs, causing her to stumble and miss.

The fight was short and predictable. Tevi attempted to take the offensive; she knew she was better in attack than defence. Unfortunately, her sister was equally well aware of this. They traded a few quick punches; most were easily blocked. Then Laff connected with a hard kick to the knee. Tevi did not see the unexpected low strike coming - she never did. The first she knew was pain exploding in her leg. She crumpled forward, straight onto another vicious punch to the stomach that sent her crashing to the ground, gasping for breath.

Laff stood over her fallen sister. "You really should have been a man. I'm sure even our brothers could fight better. You're..." Laff's words were cut short.

"What do you think you're doing?" Blaze pushed her way through the row of spectators and arrived at Laff's shoulder.

"Tevi and I had a disagreement."

"This isn't the time to pick fights with her." Blaze said.

"Tevi started it."

"Then she's a bigger fool than I thought. And you're no better." Blaze's voice was low, but biting. "Supposing one of the women from Rathshorn had seen this."

"So what if they had?" Laff sneered, still looking down at Tevi.

Blaze pulled Laff around and glared into her eyes. "We all know Tevi is as much use to the war-band as a straw dummy - slightly less, we could burn the dummy to cook our dinner over. But she's your mother's eldest daughter and she has to lead us. How would they react in Rathshorn if they learnt the truth? Have you considered the boost it would give them, and what it would mean in battle? When you're as old as me you'll know that half of fights come down to confidence." Blaze paused for a moment, while the defiance faded from Laff's face. "Try to act like adults, at least until the envoy leaves."

Blaze stalked away. Laff gave a last angry glare at her sister and followed. The crowd dispersed. Tevi managed to haul herself to her feet and braced herself against the wall, massaging her damaged knee.

"You should have let me tackle Laff, I was only half a second behind you." Brec said.

"I lost my temper." Tevi did not look up as she spoke.

"I don't blame you. I don't know what gets into Laff sometimes... she can have a nasty mind. What made her say that?"

This time Tevi glanced at her friend, then dropped her eyes back to her knee. Brec was a good friend, but Tevi wondered how she could be so naive. Not that Tevi would complain. Of all the women on Storenseg, Brec was the only one Tevi could rely on for support, the only one she could talk to. But even so, there was no way she could admit to Brec that Laff's accusation was true.

* * * * * *

The Queen's private sleeping area had its own small hearth, though the fire was unlit on the warm spring morning. A rush mat on a bed of straw took up a third of the space. Two low stools were the only furniture. The Queen sat on one, her chief adviser, Lizard, on the other. Their heads were close as they spoke in low voices, discussing the envoy's message.

War had taken both of the Queen's sisters long ago, depriving her of close family support. Lizard had filled the gap. Together the two women had dominated Storenseg affairs for decades. The current situation was merely the latest in a series of potential crises they had avoided, or overcome.

Lizard was scathing in her appraisal of the Queen of Rathshorn. "Silly young fool."

"She'll learn - if she lives long enough." the Queen said.

"Do you think she'll attack Storenseg?"

"I think she'd like to. Control of the two biggest islands is a logical first step in conquering all the Western Isles." The Queen sighed. "Of course she won't be able to take Storenseg, but a lot of women will die while she finds that out."

"The traditional claims to rule all the islands create a lot of wild dreams."

"I know. I'd drop my own claim with no regrets, if I could do it without losing face. I worry about Red trying once I'm gone."

"She won't." Lizard said confidently.

"Can you be sure?"

"I agree she lacks political sense, but she knows enough about war to spot a lost cause."

"And Fearless doesn't." The Queen said firmly. After a moment's silence, she continued. "We need her to learn - and quickly. If I read things right she's heading for war, but can't make her mind up on the target. We need Fearless to go for Argenseg. She'll be able to take it all right; it's not a tenth the size of Storenseg, but she'll lose a fifth of her war-band. It might give her a better grasp of the practicalities of war, and she certainly won't be in a fit state to worry us."

"It would be comforting if she did decide on Argenseg, but I'm worried about this nonsense over the swords. It sounds as if she's trying to create a pretext for war with us. There was nothing subtle about the threat at the end." Lizard said.

"I noticed. But I don't think it's reached that point. This parley is just an excuse to send a party to scout out how things stand - you saw the envoy's eyes light up at the sight of Red limping. We need to make sure she goes back with the right message."

Lizard pursed her lips. "So what will you do about selling swords to Argenseg?"

"That's a hard one. To agree might be taken as a sign of weakness. To refuse would give an excuse to attack. But, if I'm right, she's not serious about the swords, and she can always find another excuse."

"True."

"I have to make polite noises and do nothing. We certainly aren't going to sell Rathshorn swords they can use to cut our throats with." The Queen looked thoughtful. "Perhaps I could send Fearless's brother back as an irrelevant gesture."

"That won't please Hilo - she's taken rather a liking to him."

"There's no shortage of men." the Queen snorted.

"We can't afford bickering among our families."

The two women sat in silence for a while, with identical frowns on their faces.

"And of course there's Queen Axe on Skuden." Lizard said at last.

"In what way?"

"She'd like to take Breel from us. Axe isn't stupid. She knows if Rathshorn attacks we'll fight them off eventually, but we won't be able to send reinforcements to Breel while we do it."

"Thank the goddess Fearless and Axe have a blood-feud so they can't co-operate directly." The Queen's tones were heartfelt.

"But if Axe attacks Breel and draws off some of our warriors, Fearless may think to turn it to her own advantage, and Axe may count on that."

The Queen groaned and sank her face into her hands, but after a moment she looked up, her face set in determined expression. "All right. We need to take a three-prong action. First we'll try and manoeuvre Argenseg into provoking Fearless - something she can't ignore. Perhaps we can suggest to some of their hotheads that it might be funny to take another of Fearless's brothers captive. Second we send our own envoy to Varseg. They've given more support to Argenseg than us. We exaggerate their danger and offer a mutual-protection treaty so if either is attacked the other will come to their aid."

"I doubt they'll agree." Lizard sounded unsure.

"Probably not. But I have sufficient reputation for engineering victories that they won't reject the offer out of hand. And their acceptance isn't the main object. We can make sure the news gets back to Fearless. Since Rathshorn is sandwiched between Varseg and us, she'll have to consider the risk that if she attacks either way she'll have an enemy at her back."

Lizard smiled. "And if she can't see the danger she has plenty of advisors who can."

"Finally we send Red to Breel. We've always been fair to Breel, and allowed them a lot of autonomy. If they have to choose between us and Axe I think they'll chose us. Red can no longer fight herself, but she could inspire the women of Breel to fight in their island's defence."

"And organise them for their maximum effect." Lizard added.

"Quite. If Axe knows that Red is in charge it will make her realise Breel will not be an easy battle, even without any other support from us."

Lizard smiled. "It's all sounding like one of your typical schemes. And just the news that you're playing politics ought to make Fearless think twice - or make someone remind her of the times when others tried to attack you, and found themselves out-manoeuvred before the first sword was drawn."

"A good reputation can be the best weapon of all." the Queen said. "My family has a lot of prestige, even with the loss of the chalice. I want to use our name to bluff a way through this without a fight. We want to make sure every woman on the whole island chain is reminded of the things Red and I have achieved. We want to make sure they think of the royal family of Storenseg as dangerous enemies."

"I do see one potential problem." Lizard said after a moment's pause.

The Queen's face was grim. "I know... Tevi."

Continued in chapter 2.

Return to Main Page