Dream

They were a peaceful people, living on a river close to a forest. They lived on platforms that floated on the water, with a rope bridge that led to the lush, deciduous woods. They loved nature and lived in harmony with it. The creatures in the forest did not fear them or wish to harm them, save one. The river lizards were carnivorous and violent, attacking anyone who fell in the river. There were even times when a river lizard was bold enough to crawl into a hut. But, that was rare and the people were smart enough to stay away form the beasts. Yet, through all this peace and serenity, there was much hostility. A neighboring tribe had made war on the peace-loving folk, and the battles were many. This is where our story begins: In the begging of these times of war.1

Life On The River Ch.12

It was near nightfall, lanterns and cooking fires were being lit. Four friends were sitting (or floating, however you want to look at it) in a gazebo, securely tied to a post with a long rope to make sure they didn’t float too far away. One of them spoke, a young girl with long brown hair and hazel eyes. Her long, clever fingers made a gesture. “Did you hear that there might be another tribe further south of here?” she asked, looking at all around her. The boy next to her shook his head. “Erin, you know you get all the gossip before anyone else!” The girl laughed, playfully shoving her friend. “Oh, be quiet, Ben! It’s not my fault that you just sit about all day.” She ran her hand over his spiky brown hair, knowing how he hated it. A second girl spoke, her short red hair came to her chin. “Hey, you forgot about me! I get the gossip, too!” The lad sitting beside her poked her arm, impishly. The urchin, Billy, was older than the rest of the four, and was the self-proclaimed leader. “Yeah, Andrea, right after everybody else does! You are always the last one to know…” Soon the call was made that dinner was ready. Andrea and Billy left, jostling one another and laughing. It was rumored that they were together, but in the little river community, relationships were held secret until the couple announced their engagement. Tradition was, the night the engagement was declared, the pair would be wed. People were married young, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Andrea and Billy  tied the knot, despite their age difference of 8 years.  “I’m staying here for a few more minutes, do you want to stay with me?” Ben asked. Erin leaned back against the wall, answered. “OK, why not? It won’t matter if we’re a little late.” They sat and watched the sun go down, admiring it’s brilliant reflection on the river. Ben’s arm slipped behind Erin. Startled by his action, the girl gazed up at his face quizzically. The boy mumbled something inaudible and took his arm away. Erin placed her hand on his arm, realizing what he was doing. “No, it’s alright, you can put your arm there, I don’t care.” Ben resumed his spot, and in turn, the girl scooted closer to him. It was then that The boy took the girl’s chin in his hand. Leaning close to her, their lips barely touching, he whispered, “I love you…” He didn’t need a verbal reply. They kissed silently, oblivious to the world around them. It seemed to last an eternity, the warmth of his mouth, the taste of her lips. In that instant, both were quite certain that they would see each other like this on the morrow.3

The Attack Ch.24

Erin leaned on her spear to steady herself. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her mouth was open in a wordless scream that no one heard, yet it echoed in her ears. A portion of the floating dock had fallen, creating a hole. And Ben had fallen into it…5

Into the water…6

The water lizards thrashed in a feeding frenzy, dragging the young warrior down. The neighboring tribe had indeed existed, and they wanted that part of the river for themselves. They’d take it at any cost, even if it meant killing everyone of the Northeast River Clan. They had caused the hole…7

They had caused Ben’s endangerment…8

She suddenly regained herself and sprinted to his side. He was tightly gripping onto the dock, trying to pull himself out. ”Take my hand!” Erin cried, and grasped him by the wrist. She pulled, he push, but in the end the river lizards prevailed, dragging her lover into the black depths of the river. For what was like hours, the warrioress stared at the churning water. In a nearby fray, Andrea burst through, physically knocking her friend back into her senses. “Erin, I’ve been looking for you! Where’s….” Andrea thrust an arm around her companion. “I am…oh my gah.” The girls said a quick word for their fallen comrade, then threw themselves into the melee. The battle of South River Tribe vs. Northeast River Clan was not over yet.9

Billy Earns The Title Ch.310

“All rise!” The members of the Northeast River Clan rose from their benches. The announcer held a long scroll that fell to the floor. He glared at all with a critical eye before continuing. “The first on our list: The position of Advisor is available, for our cherished friend and family member, Robert, is unable to continue this duty…” a sob rose from a girl in the back. With a sniff of disdain, the crier began again, “However, our own second captain to our militia will give up his place in rank to be our advisor, and he is fit in both wisdom and knowledge,” “And body…” Andrea whispered to Erin. It had been two weeks since the attack. Andrea and Billy had gotten married, just as the Clan suspected they would. The announcer cleared his throat, glowering at the two girls. “All that agree to this statement, say ‘aye’ any who does not, say ‘nay’. There was a loud chorus of “Aye,” and one “Whoo-hoo” from someone who will remain unnamed. Being thoroughly disgusted with the crowd as it was, the publisher hurriedly presented Billy with his Advisor’s robes and stepped down from his podium. The crowd started walking off to their chores. Andrea ran to her husband, throwing her arms around him. “I told you you’d win !” Billy rested his hand’s on his wife’s shoulders, smiled down at her lovingly. “I know! Come on, we’ve gotta hurry, there’s going to be a huge party before sunset. The whole village is invited!” The pair raced off, talking and anticipating the affair. Erin stayed after, stared into the river. Ben had announced their engagement the night he died. There was no time for a wedding, the attack came too fast. When one of the Clan members were widowed, the tribe considered the remaining spouse to be “married” to the Dead, and was to wear black and say nothing to anyone; for they were to be like the Dead themselves. The only way for this to end was if they remarried or the Chieftain said that they would not remain “Dead”.  “I guess I better get ready. No sense in moping around here all day.” With that she left, not seeing the man who stood behind her.11

“You Can Call Me Jim” Ch.412

In the blink of an eye, the room was alive with folks, dancing and socializing. “Hey, wussup?” Erin blinked again, and Billy was standing next to her, taking a swig from his beer mug. She shrugged, accepting the martini that he handed her. “Well, here’s something to keep your spirits up!Oops…no pun intended!I’ll see you later.” And he went out on the dance floor to find Andrea. Erin brought the glass to her mouth, vaguely wondering if she had bad breath. Not that it mattered. “Standing around by ourselves, are we?” A tall dark man was at her side, staring down at her. She nodded and continued to drink her martini. He held his gaze on her, and it became quite unnerving. Shifting uncomfortably, the girl looked back at him. He had wide, chiseled cheekbones, a small chin and sly looking eyes. For a moment Erin was taken aback, but then remember what she was doing. “You can call me Jim,” he said, “ and you are…?” The girl remained silent. “What a jerk! Can’t he see I’m not allowed to talk to anyone?!” By now, Erin was fed up with Jim and started to leave. He grabbed her arm. She glared at him defiantly, and jerked her arm away. Billy came back, refilling his beer mug (his fifth). “Oh, I see you’ve met our new Chieftain, Jim. Have you seen a little pink elephant running around here? He’s got my house-key…and my wallet…and my…” Billy stumbled off, mumbling about pink elephants. The girl and Chieftain watched the not-so-sober Advisor stagger off, and then lapsed into laughter. “Sorry, where were we…?” The girl was silent, still looking up at him. “Oh. I’m Erin…of the Dead.” Jim offered the girl his hand, led her out onto the dance-floor. They began to waltz across the room. Warm in the security of his arms, she knew she had found a place among the living once again.13

Unawares Ch.514

“Are the landings guarded?” The warring tribe was back, and they had brought more of their soldiers. Second Captain and Advisor Billy questioned a messenger.  “Sir, the landings are secure.” “And my wife?” the scout paused and averted his eyes from his officer. “Answer me, Corporal!” The young soldier trembled as he spoke. 15

“Captain, sir, Lady Drea has disguised herself as an armed fighter and is currently fighting the opposing forces.”16

“What?!”17

“Captain, sir, your wife is beating the crap out of the enemy.”18

“I know that! I…send for her. QUICKLY!”19

True to the scout’s word, Andrea had taken up a sword and shield, and was dealing out death like a dervish. Mostly though, she had killed them with her own raw skill. She shot Erin a side-long glance. “ How are you coming?” she called. Her companion skewered a soldier, slung his lifeless body off her spear into the river. His carcass was instantly devoured by water lizards. “Brisk as a bumblebee! And you?” Andrea caught a warrior by the throat, held on tightly to pressure points on his neck and he fell to the deck in a heap. She nonchalantly kicked his body into the water. “Fresh as a daisy!” Both gazed at each other then shook their heads. “That shouldn’t be a saying.” “Totally, dude.” This sort of fighting went on long into the evening. It seemed that for every fighter cut down, ten more took his place. The messenger came running up to the two warrioresses , dodging arrows and all other manner of weapons and such. “Lady Drea, Second Captain Billy Martin wants to have a word with you!” In the heat of killing a South River Tribe member, the messenger was thrown in the river with the victim of Andrea’s wrath. She shrugged, while Erin stood in awe at what had happened. “Well, he’ll just have to wait.” She said, and threw her sword back in its scabbard before seeing another opponent (or victim from your point of view). No sooner had the Second Captain’s wife charged across the docks, than seemingly out of nowhere, Jim dropped next to Erin. They both fought back-to-back in silence for a long while, then, the girl spoke. “You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” The Chieftain sighed heavily and made one South River Tribe soldier into two. “Yes, and - stab - no… - pulls sword out of victim’s stomach-” Erin nodded. “I thought you’d say something like that .”  In an instant, a loud whistling sound was heard in the distance. All fighting ceased as both sides watched the sky. The South River Tribe was a tribe who was mechanically inclined, and built machines that were far beyond their time. It was one of those weapons that was coming in on them. The S.R.T had built an enormous long-bow, from which they launched enormous arrows that were as big as spears (naturally). The arrow came honing in on the docks, taking out a large portion. Yells of anguish filled the quiet air. Erin looked around her, then back at her mate. “What are they doing?! Can’t they see they’re killing their own?!” she cried over the screams of pain. Moving to face his wife, Jim slung his sword over his shoulder. “They don’t care, as long as this river’s all their’s. Now go back—“ There was a sudden cry of, “Here it comes!” Jim turned around, shielding his eyes from the late afternoon sun.20

“It’s Times Like These…” Ch.621

The funeral mistress sighed and laid out the chain mail shirt. It was going to be a hard time, to be sure. But how long it would last, nobody knew. She began to sing a song softly to herself. “It’s times like these we learn to live again…” Gently snapping the chain mail shirt across Erin’s chest, she picked up the next shirt. She remembered how the girl ran off the docks, into the forest. There was a village close to the river, she would find help. Until the S.R.T found her first, impaled her the same way her husband died. The war wasn’t fair…and none wanted to discuss it at Clan meetings. Under rug swept…22

Master Billy Martin would be inducted as Chieftain that night. Lady Drea was to be made Second Captain. Advisor Robert had recovered from his previous wounds and was once again the addle-brained Advisor he always was. Afterwards there was to be a party…She finished the last snap on Jim’s shirt. She stared at the two for a long while, then tilted her head. “I guess I better get ready. No sense in moping around here all day.”23