The Great War Has Begun

      Trying to use war to bring about an era of peace is as a thought as old as time itself. My character is struggling as she tries desperately to overcome the tremendous army that stands beyond her walls. Led by the Djinn that killed her lover she is flooded with fear, grief, desire, anger, and confusion. She is lucky that she has so many others supporting her.

     I'm currently experience a war in my every day life. I'm not a soldier, but I believe each day we all have our own battles that we are facing. In my dream last night there was no symbolism, I stopped in the middle of my dream to say, "I am feeling overwhelmed and I need a minute. All of this is happening so fast." It is of course in reference to my engagement, moving out, and my life in general. After being at a stand still for so long, it feels hard to take that step into adulthood especially because my parents do not want to acknowledge that any of the changes in my life exist.

     These are my battles and the Princess is who I desire to be. A woman who is strong and capable. She does not need a man and is limitless. She will raise the dead to consume the living is that is what it takes to protect her men and save her kingdom. I wish I had that strength. Oh, remember to type in your email to the right to subscribe if you like what you're reading!

Mursili received the message quickly after he had assembled the troops to recall. It was much quicker to travel through the city streets on horseback.

“The princess has given us our orders.” He turned to his men. The twenty to thirty ranks stood awaiting their orders. “A few of you must remain behind.” He pointed to five groups. “Do not lose formation. You have fought under me long enough to know how I would like you to conduct yourselves. The princess orders that a few of us remain behind to deal with stragglers. Conceal yourself within the clay walls of the city. There you will remain until it seems the others have passed.” He pointed at two or three other groups of men. “You will lead those who enter through this gate into the middle of the city.” He then looked all his men. “The rest of you will follow me. You have your orders now break.”

His men moved quickly. It was not surprising. These were the best men the city of Hebat had to offer. He sighed and vaguely wondered how the baby was doing in all this excitement. Sooner or later she would no longer be able to lead the men into war. He prayed that would be sooner. Not that they would lose today, that was not an option, but he hoped she’d come to her senses and rest during her pregnancy. She had already almost lost the baby once.

He had always felt a fatherly and loving nature towards her. She had asked him to train her in the ways of survival and fighting tactics. She had wanted to be a warrior, yet he couldn’t help but want to shield her from the world. He would have never thought he would end up feeling this way seven years ago when she approached him for the first time.

He was entrusted to watch over this precious daughter of his highness. He knew however the tragic fate of Hadad’s mother. He had always included protecting her and her mother from the King himself. Her mother would be so proud of her daughter.

Her mother must be with the other women down below in the Serail. He prayed the sickly Tawananna was being cared for properly. He listened to the footsteps of his men as they marched along the dusty streets of their desert village. The lotus blossoms were in full bloom and small patches of grass lay here and there. It was in this place that his journey… his emotional journey began and it was here that it must end.

“What?” Hantili was taken aback at the brazen plan. It was an all or nothing scheme. He smiled to himself as he turned to his men. He would expect nothing less from the great warrior princess. She was delivered by the hand of god after all to give these men victory over their enemies.

“Our Princess has issued our orders.” He proudly looked at the men around him and began to break them into the groups they would need to fulfill her orders. He could not believe the tragedy and luck fate had bestowed upon him in the past few days. Everything had happened so fast. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

A cold wind blew across his dark hair. He looked up to see the darkening sky. It loomed overhead almost as a sign. Rain was a rare but welcome addition to the dry desert city. He had heard Hadad speak long about the irrigation tunnels that were built to store and bring the water from the rain to the people of Hebat.

There was nothing about this city or her that he didn’t love. He only wished Hadad would be here to see their victory. The day would come though when they would meet once more.

“All or nothing men! We will hold our ground till our legs go out from under us. Fight to the death Hebat will not fall today!” He issued a war cry as he went to join his Queen.

Life

Life could be cruel back in the day. Not to say it's any easier now, we just face different difficulties and stressors. My character is feeling the pressure as marriage looms ahead.

“What is your mother like?” Baffled she stared at him for a moment.

“What a strange question. She is an excellent Tawannana by all accounts. She is honest and loyal to the King. They are very much in love. She is beautiful and warm as the summer sun. There are those who have tried to have her murdered many times. I'm sure you are aware of the rumors surrounding her lineage.”

“Yes, your mother rising to be Tawannana was a very strange ordeal.”

“I know. That is how I came to be promised to you. I will pay for my mother’s love.”

“In Hebat the daughter succeeds the mother as Tawannana unless she is exchanged to a foreign land. In return the daughter of the Tawannana in the foreign city becomes the successor to ensure peace.”

“Yes." Astarte thought for a long moment. "I suppose asking for Mursili to teach me about war was my final way of trying to not be treated like live stock.”

“What?”

“Woman are traded every day for money or political gain. We are like animals that are traded to create a bond between men. Woman are raped, sold, and forcibly married. I have no choice but to marry you to restore the order that my father disturbed by making my mother a second Tawannana.”

“Until then though, you have your freedom.”

“Do I? I am expected to remain loyal in the promise. Even in freedom I am still confined. If I fall in love with another…. What then?”

“I see. Then let us look to the future together for now. You and I. I wish to live in a world where you love me. I will work hard to win your heart.”

“I want that.”

The ancient land of Pangea could be a cruel place to be a woman born into privilege. Unlike any fairy tale she finds herself leading an army into a battle well fighting not to be forced into a loveless marriage. She wishes to change the world, but her feelings waver along the way. It's scary to leave the security of the palace. To walk out and not know if you will be alive to return. Please leave comments! 

New Day!

I apologize for not being around for a while. I've been taking some time to work on other side projects as finally editing the book I wrote a year ago. Submitting a list to listverse to see if I could finally get paid for writing something. And working on a new manga comic strip. I am going to place out there a small excerpt of what I'm working on. I would love constructive criticism, but please make it constructive.

Let's get the comments going!

In front of him sat a pool of his own creation. He could sit and bathe until he felt settled enough to return. This was his private spot. Often you could find natural water here, but during the drought season it had dried up. It was a man dug hole that he and Hadad had dug when they were younger. During the hot rainy season it would fill with water and they could swim. Hantili had learned the water spell so they could bathe together even when the rains had not fallen. He quickly removed his furs and sank into the cool water.

"Good morning." A voice called to him from nearby. How had he not noticed someone else was here. It wasn't like him to be unaware of his surroundings. His hand reached instinctively toward his sword which remained near him at all times. "No need to be alarmed." Now he could hear the sound of hoof beats trotting forward. Coming out from beyond the trees was a creature with the body of horse with the chest and head of a man. Han had spent many hours in this forest yet he had never come across an animal quite like this before.

"Good morning." His hand had gripped his swords handle. "I would stand to shake your hand, but I'm afraid you may view more than you were hoping for. I hope you'll forgive me for not rising."

"Yes, that's quite alright. I appreciate the thought. I am sorry for startling you, however, you came and sat down in the pool I usually drink out of."

"I apologize, I did not realize anyone else used this pool."

"It's of little consequence." The man's features were sharp, but his voice was calming. It seemed to Han that the man's skin, fur, and hair were all the same color of light tan. His black eyes were eerie to look into and gave Han a chill. His body looked strong though he appeared to have no weapons. There was little Han feared, but something told him to remain on guard. The creature gracefully placed his legs behind himself and sat by the edge of the pool. "In truth I followed the party that arrived last night. I was curious about the girl who rode on the black winged horse."

"Forgive me, many women arrived last night, but I do not remember seeing one astride a winged horse." Han knew he was speaking of the Princess. He had not lied though. When the gates had opened she had no longer been on her horse. What had she done to get this creatures attention? "Perhaps you could be more specific."

"The one with the long, black hair and violet eyes. Her skin looks soft and glows as the sun." The creature smiled. "It seems I have struck a cord in you." Could his face have given him away?

Hantili stood holding his sword. He walked backwards out of the pool and reached slowly for his furs. He wrapped them back across his body without ever taking his eyes off his enemy. The creature remained seated as he dressed. Without a weapon it would be unlikely this animal could beat him. "Yes, there is no mistaking whom you are speaking of. She will be the next Queen, Tawannanna. What is the nature of your query? Do you have some relationship with her?"

"Ah, I came to see the girl who has a friend smitten. The Queen you say. I had heard previously that the djinn's Princess was lovely, but it seems none of the rumors did her justice.” He kept his eyes on Han as he slowly rose to his feet. “I did not come here to fight. Relax your sword. I shall take my leave of you. Enjoy the morning." He bowed low on his legs before disappearing into the forest. Perhaps Han would journey behind the group. Their Princess was attracting the attention of many people. Something big was coming and he now believed he would see it if he followed her.

Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to find my blog amusing!