“What was that!” A woman yelled amongst roars of anger. Several forgers and vultures on one side held spears, their glares fixed onto the top of the temple. Other Vultures and Forgers stood at the base. These women also held weapons, but theirs were aimed at defence against the crowd. On the temple steps, the Chiefess stood.
Half of the tribe barked and yelled to the temple, screaming blasphemy. The others stood against them, the fierceness in their eyes just about holding order. Seeing the crowd and division to be only growing, the Chiefess looked to the top of the temple. Inside the temple, Charlie lay upon a bed of furs. Around him, several Vultures hurriedly gathered bowls of scented oils and bundles of sacred feathers.
Just in front of him sat Nolkonoe. Nude, she muttered and chanted while mixing herbs. Her eyes were closed as she continued her chant. Raising the bowl into the air, she then lowered it onto her lap. A woman handed her some small sticks, while another handed her a flaming torch. Placing some of the herbs onto the sticks, she then set them elite. With the burning incense, she looked at a woman just positioning herself next to Charlie.
“Go,” she muttered, and the woman lifted a large bucket into the air. Quickly throwing it onto Charlie, she retreated.
Cold water harshly woke Charlie from his sleep. Leaping up, he began to pant as his eyes frantically looked around the room. It was dark. So dark he found it hard to see. But the glowing embers of the incense just in front of him illuminated a nude Nolkonoe. His fear and confusion were still present, but he also felt blushing coming onto his cheeks.
Before he could question the situation, two women came forward. Taking him by the arms, they sat him upright. Nolkonoe steadily approached, her soft chant filling his ears.
“Nol,” he was cut off as Nolkonoe stopped her chanting and opened her eyes.
“Charlie, there is no time to explain. But please, I need you to follow my instructions,” her tone was sharp, her eyes reeking of seriousness.
Silently, he nodded. He wanted to question her, yet he could almost see a fear resonating from her. Not even a second after giving his consent, she blew on the incense. It flooded over him, knocking him back into the arms of the women. His eyes were wide, his mouth agape. The smell was sweet but incredibly intoxicating. He was barely able to move.
Seeing the incense overtaking him, she sat back and placed the burning incense into a small wooden bowl. Muttering something in her native tongue, she nodded to two Vultures. Bringing forward a large feather cap, they swiftly placed it then onto his head. Standing back, they allowed several more forward quickly placed markings onto him with reeds which had been dipped in native paints.
“What’s happening…” he muttered, his eyes lingering on Nolkonoe as she gave him a look of sympathy.
“I will explain later, just know…” she shook her head as she stood. Yelling some orders, several women grabbed Charlie and hoisted him into the air, “you will be fine…”
Leaving the room, Charlie squinted as they entered the morning light. Upon the door opening and leaving the room, he immediately heard the sounds of yelling and bickering. Harsh words and screams accompanied them as they moved forward. Glancing at Nolkonoe by his side, he saw the worry in her eyes. Yet she tried to stay strong. Her posture and stoic face, unlike her eyes, had yet to betray her.
Walking out into the opening, the sun beat down on Charlie. Seeing the crowd gathered below, he saw the lines of Vultures and Forgers aiming weapons at each other. Upon seeing Charlie, the roars and screams only grew. Turning, the Chiefess saw him. Nodding to Nolkonoe, she gestured to an altar at the top of the temple steps.
Seeing the temple, Charlie tried to move his body, yet whatever had been given to him forbid him from doing so. Turning back to the crowd, the Chiefess took in a deep breath. Raising her hands high into the air, she glared at the crowd. Her eyes lingered on the woman before she spoke.
“SILENCE!” she roared over the crowd. Her booming voice quitted the woman. They stared at the Chiefess as Charlie was placed onto the stone altar. As he was placed down, Nolkonoe walked past him and down the steps. Reaching the side of the Chiefess, she nodded to her before looking to the crowd.
“Sisters!” she began, “We have come to give an official statement on the boy,”
“Did he kill the huntresses!” a woman yelled from the crowd, interrupting Nolkonoe.
“How? He was with us!” A Vultures yelled back at the woman. Mumbles began to stir again, but before they could boil over Nolkonoe spoke.
“I have taken a captive from the battle,” it was a lie. There were no captives taken. Yet due to the chaos, there was no one who would doubt her, “I sacrificed him. through his blood, I have had a vision from the Goddess!”
Now the interest and attention of the crowd were being held, she knew it was time to make the announcement. Whether or not what she was to say next would be considered a sin was questionable. But she would pay for that when the time came. For now, it was going to have to work.
“The powers we had seen him use; they were gifted to him by the Goddess!” all muttered. Some were in shock, others looking baffled, and some even more scared or uneasy.
“She has granted him powers…and made him her apostle…” Mutters now began to rise. Charlie could not understand her words as he lay on the altar. To his side, the Chiefess came. Seeing what Nolkonoe had planned, she leaned down and placed a kiss on the cheek of Charlie.
“But this power…Did his father not have a similar thing?” a woman from the crowd said. Nolkonoe nodded.
“Yes. But you see our Charlie could not use that power, so the Goddess gave him one which is almost identical to the power itself,” Nolkonoe said, her story seems to calm the people. Walking to the side of Charlie, she kneeled.
“Listen carefully. We are about to do a small ritual,” her eyes were serious as the Chiefess’s eyes widened. Her full plan was now clear, “The Chiefess along with you shall go into a trance, and then we can see your memories. See what’s going on with you,” her hand ran over Charlie’s head.
Pulling his head against the altar, she looked to the Chiefess. Nodding, she moved onto the stone. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she lent back. Nolkonoe clicked her fingers, and several women began to approach. In their hands, they held scared paints and burning incense. Seeing a twinkle of fear in his eyes, Nolkonoe frowned.
“Depending on what we find, it will depend on what happens next. So please try to not suppress anything,” her words were soft, yet he knew her doubtfulness in him.
It was easy to see why. Not every day is someone as fragile as him gets powers. Giving her a simple nod, he looked to the Chiefess. Straddling him, she looked to one of the women as she handed her a strong-smelling substance. Lifting it to her lips, she downed the liquid before starting at Charlie.
“That is a strong potion, your majesty… you only needed to sniff it,” a woman whispered to the Chiefess. Nodding, she stared at Charlie.
“I know,” she muttered before falling onto him. Looking back to the crowd and standing, Nolkonoe raised her arms into the air.
“The Chiefess as the embodiment of the Goddess’s strength shall now rinse her counterpart of seed. Once done, the Goddess may deliver her a vision. And then we may go to find the Huntresses!” Nolkonoe roared over the crowd. Knowing full well her lie. This was a Vulture ritual only ever used by her on merchants. It was a way that through the submission of their body sexually, and only when given the drug, she may see into their minds.
After a few men had visited the village claiming to be Charlie, Nolkonoe had taught this to Etasose as a way to weed out the imposters. Biting her bottom lip, the Chiefess began to slip down onto Charlie’s shaft. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she still wanted to at least make the process pleasurable for him.
Staring down into his eyes, she allowed her hand to grab his shaft and point it upwards. It was obvious to him that the drug was also having a strong effect on her too, but she was able to hold it off as she positioned herself. By now the crowd was almost silent, with the exclusion of a few murmurs and mutters.
Upon sinking him into her, the transition of his body giving into her in the ritual was complete. All fell dark around the Chiefess as she fell forward onto him. As the darkness crept around her, she slowly opened her eyes. Squinting, a light overcame her. Sitting up, she stared around as mist circulated her. At first, she swatted at it, before relaxing as she realised it caused her no harm. Or at least not yet.
So, this was it? She stared into a field. At the centre was a pole, and a small dog on a leash. It had white fur as fluffy as clouds and soft black eyes. It lay under the sun, the harsh rope around its neck visibly too tight for its small body. Crying sounded and the dog’s ears shot up. Looking around, it went onto all fours and stared off into an area of woods.
Etasose stood and stared as well. The mist faded as the world around her slowly grew into a clearer image. From the trees, a man emerged. His eyes are a deep emerald and his hair was a mix of brown and red. To his side, he gripped the wrist of a boy. Her eyes widened.
“Charlie…” she muttered. Realising that Charlie might have still been a little resistant to the spell, causing her to go further back than intended. Nolkonoe did say this was a common problem. Standing she looked around, trying to remember what Nolkonoe said which would help her find the memories she wanted.
Yet still, she couldn’t help but stare. Some protective instinct held her as she saw the bruises that lined his arms and the fresh one around his wrist. His father was almost expressionless, just a hint of disappointment in his eyes as he dragged the kicking and screaming boy. In his other hand, he held a long wooden box.
The dog sat up, yipping and screaming towards Charlie’s father. Walking to the side of the dog, he lifted his boot and kicked down into its side. Whimpering the dog fell. Eyes wide, Charlie bit down on the hand of his father. In a split second, his father let go and Charlie leapt from his side. Running to the dog, he wrapped his arms around it and held it to his chest.
Sobbing into the white fur, he pulled and tugged at the wooden pole in an attempt to free the dog. Mumbling to himself, his father gripped his shoulder. Dragging his son to his side, he glared at the dog. As he again held Charlie, he took off his belt with one hand. Wrapping the leather around his wrists, he made sure Charlie could not move his arms without assistance.
Etasose leapt forward. Grabbing her knife, she stared at Charlie’s father. All reason had left her as she lunged at them. Stabbing down onto the head of his father, just for the knife to glide through. Mist wrapped around her as she fell to the other side. Turning, she prepared to attack again but froze as she saw eyes of Charlie.
“Please…” he muttered; his arms trying to wrap around the dog as he whimpered. As the tears trickled over his cheek, he rocked back and forth with the dog. Grabbing his shirt, he pulled him back and threw him to the floor. Opening the wooden box, his father brought out a long rifle. Pulling back the bolt, he placed a single bullet from his pocket.
Dragging Charlie to his feet, he forced the gun into his hands. Charlie’s screams only intensified as he forced his son to point the gun at the dog. Its large eyes pleaded. up as it stared confused at Charlie. Shaking his head, he kicked at his father, but it did nothing as his fingers were forced into the trigger shield, and then around the trigger.
“DAD!” he yelled as his father tightened the belt and forced the gun to stay in his hands.
“Listen… Don’t act like that again! Acting like that at a party… You forget who we are boy,” his father whispered harshly as he stood up, “Kill it. Prove to me that I shouldn’t cut your tongue out for speaking in such a manner,”
“DAD! Th... They were being bullies!” Charlie screamed through his tears. His voice was strained. His father was expressionless as he again muttered, “Shoot.”
Charlie glared at the dog. It's innocent, slightly confused eyes stared back at him. Tightening his grip on the trigger, he subtly moved the muzzle to the stick. A bang let out as he fell back onto the floor. Hearing barking, he saw the dog standing just in front of him.
“RUN!” he screamed, leaping forward and pushing for the dog to run. In return, it barked and snarled towards his father. With a simple sigh, his father walked over to the dog. Staring down at the dog, he lifted his boot.
The barking stopped as his boot came down onto the dog. Charlie’s eyes widened. The Chiefess shuddered as she heard his scream. Wiping the blood of the dog from his boot onto the floor, he then turned and looked at his son.
“Don’t fight back. Be quiet. Be passive. Incredibly passive so passive you seem weak. Then slowly work up and become stronger. Then strike when they least expect it. Otherwise…” he looked back to the dog.
“Otherwise, you pay the price of acting too quickly. Act passive if you are being assaulted. Be aggressive if you feel safe,” Charlie simply stared at his father.
“But why…” He sighed and tried to wipe a few bits of blood off his trousers.
“Well, you will remember this right?” his father gave a small chuckle before beginning to walk away.
Charlie was alone. The Chiefess watched the boy. Walking over, she continued to stare. She was not sure how long she watched him, but she watched until the sun was high in the sky, then onto the horizon. He cried so long; his tears ran dry. He simply stared, making small noises.
“So, this is why you fight so little against me…” she muttered, crouching by his side.
He was only ever aggressive if he felt safe. When he was passive, he was scared… there was so much about him she didn’t know. Yet she called herself his wife? What did he even feel about her or the others? She stared at his swollen eyes before the mist again began to stir. Like that, Charlie was gone. The image of the bloody dog's corpse still in her mind’s eye.
“What was that!” A woman yelled amongst roars of anger. Several forgers and vultures on one side held spears, their glares fixed onto the top of the temple. Other Vultures and Forgers stood at the base. These women also held weapons, but theirs were aimed at defence against the crowd. On the temple steps, the Chiefess stood.
Half of the tribe barked and yelled to the temple, screaming blasphemy. The others stood against them, the fierceness in their eyes just about holding order. Seeing the crowd and division to be only growing, the Chiefess looked to the top of the temple. Inside the temple, Charlie lay upon a bed of furs. Around him, several Vultures hurriedly gathered bowls of scented oils and bundles of sacred feathers.
Just in front of him sat Nolkonoe. Nude, she muttered and chanted while mixing herbs. Her eyes were closed as she continued her chant. Raising the bowl into the air, she then lowered it onto her lap. A woman handed her some small sticks, while another handed her a flaming torch. Placing some of the herbs onto the sticks, she then set them elite. With the burning incense, she looked at a woman just positioning herself next to Charlie.
“Go,” she muttered, and the woman lifted a large bucket into the air. Quickly throwing it onto Charlie, she retreated.
Cold water harshly woke Charlie from his sleep. Leaping up, he began to pant as his eyes frantically looked around the room. It was dark. So dark he found it hard to see. But the glowing embers of the incense just in front of him illuminated a nude Nolkonoe. His fear and confusion were still present, but he also felt blushing coming onto his cheeks.
Before he could question the situation, two women came forward. Taking him by the arms, they sat him upright. Nolkonoe steadily approached, her soft chant filling his ears.
“Nol,” he was cut off as Nolkonoe stopped her chanting and opened her eyes.
“Charlie, there is no time to explain. But please, I need you to follow my instructions,” her tone was sharp, her eyes reeking of seriousness.
Silently, he nodded. He wanted to question her, yet he could almost see a fear resonating from her. Not even a second after giving his consent, she blew on the incense. It flooded over him, knocking him back into the arms of the women. His eyes were wide, his mouth agape. The smell was sweet but incredibly intoxicating. He was barely able to move.
Seeing the incense overtaking him, she sat back and placed the burning incense into a small wooden bowl. Muttering something in her native tongue, she nodded to two Vultures. Bringing forward a large feather cap, they swiftly placed it then onto his head. Standing back, they allowed several more forward quickly placed markings onto him with reeds which had been dipped in native paints.
“What’s happening…” he muttered, his eyes lingering on Nolkonoe as she gave him a look of sympathy.
“I will explain later, just know…” she shook her head as she stood. Yelling some orders, several women grabbed Charlie and hoisted him into the air, “you will be fine…”
Leaving the room, Charlie squinted as they entered the morning light. Upon the door opening and leaving the room, he immediately heard the sounds of yelling and bickering. Harsh words and screams accompanied them as they moved forward. Glancing at Nolkonoe by his side, he saw the worry in her eyes. Yet she tried to stay strong. Her posture and stoic face, unlike her eyes, had yet to betray her.
Walking out into the opening, the sun beat down on Charlie. Seeing the crowd gathered below, he saw the lines of Vultures and Forgers aiming weapons at each other. Upon seeing Charlie, the roars and screams only grew. Turning, the Chiefess saw him. Nodding to Nolkonoe, she gestured to an altar at the top of the temple steps.
Seeing the temple, Charlie tried to move his body, yet whatever had been given to him forbid him from doing so. Turning back to the crowd, the Chiefess took in a deep breath. Raising her hands high into the air, she glared at the crowd. Her eyes lingered on the woman before she spoke.
“SILENCE!” she roared over the crowd. Her booming voice quitted the woman. They stared at the Chiefess as Charlie was placed onto the stone altar. As he was placed down, Nolkonoe walked past him and down the steps. Reaching the side of the Chiefess, she nodded to her before looking to the crowd.
“Sisters!” she began, “We have come to give an official statement on the boy,”
“Did he kill the huntresses!” a woman yelled from the crowd, interrupting Nolkonoe.
“How? He was with us!” A Vultures yelled back at the woman. Mumbles began to stir again, but before they could boil over Nolkonoe spoke.
“I have taken a captive from the battle,” it was a lie. There were no captives taken. Yet due to the chaos, there was no one who would doubt her, “I sacrificed him. through his blood, I have had a vision from the Goddess!”
Now the interest and attention of the crowd were being held, she knew it was time to make the announcement. Whether or not what she was to say next would be considered a sin was questionable. But she would pay for that when the time came. For now, it was going to have to work.
“The powers we had seen him use; they were gifted to him by the Goddess!” all muttered. Some were in shock, others looking baffled, and some even more scared or uneasy.
“She has granted him powers…and made him her apostle…” Mutters now began to rise. Charlie could not understand her words as he lay on the altar. To his side, the Chiefess came. Seeing what Nolkonoe had planned, she leaned down and placed a kiss on the cheek of Charlie.
“But this power…Did his father not have a similar thing?” a woman from the crowd said. Nolkonoe nodded.
“Yes. But you see our Charlie could not use that power, so the Goddess gave him one which is almost identical to the power itself,” Nolkonoe said, her story seems to calm the people. Walking to the side of Charlie, she kneeled.
“Listen carefully. We are about to do a small ritual,” her eyes were serious as the Chiefess’s eyes widened. Her full plan was now clear, “The Chiefess along with you shall go into a trance, and then we can see your memories. See what’s going on with you,” her hand ran over Charlie’s head.
Pulling his head against the altar, she looked to the Chiefess. Nodding, she moved onto the stone. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she lent back. Nolkonoe clicked her fingers, and several women began to approach. In their hands, they held scared paints and burning incense. Seeing a twinkle of fear in his eyes, Nolkonoe frowned.
“Depending on what we find, it will depend on what happens next. So please try to not suppress anything,” her words were soft, yet he knew her doubtfulness in him.
It was easy to see why. Not every day is someone as fragile as him gets powers. Giving her a simple nod, he looked to the Chiefess. Straddling him, she looked to one of the women as she handed her a strong-smelling substance. Lifting it to her lips, she downed the liquid before starting at Charlie.
“That is a strong potion, your majesty… you only needed to sniff it,” a woman whispered to the Chiefess. Nodding, she stared at Charlie.
“I know,” she muttered before falling onto him. Looking back to the crowd and standing, Nolkonoe raised her arms into the air.
“The Chiefess as the embodiment of the Goddess’s strength shall now rinse her counterpart of seed. Once done, the Goddess may deliver her a vision. And then we may go to find the Huntresses!” Nolkonoe roared over the crowd. Knowing full well her lie. This was a Vulture ritual only ever used by her on merchants. It was a way that through the submission of their body sexually, and only when given the drug, she may see into their minds.
After a few men had visited the village claiming to be Charlie, Nolkonoe had taught this to Etasose as a way to weed out the imposters. Biting her bottom lip, the Chiefess began to slip down onto Charlie’s shaft. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she still wanted to at least make the process pleasurable for him.
Staring down into his eyes, she allowed her hand to grab his shaft and point it upwards. It was obvious to him that the drug was also having a strong effect on her too, but she was able to hold it off as she positioned herself. By now the crowd was almost silent, with the exclusion of a few murmurs and mutters.
Upon sinking him into her, the transition of his body giving into her in the ritual was complete. All fell dark around the Chiefess as she fell forward onto him. As the darkness crept around her, she slowly opened her eyes. Squinting, a light overcame her. Sitting up, she stared around as mist circulated her. At first, she swatted at it, before relaxing as she realised it caused her no harm. Or at least not yet.
So, this was it? She stared into a field. At the centre was a pole, and a small dog on a leash. It had white fur as fluffy as clouds and soft black eyes. It lay under the sun, the harsh rope around its neck visibly too tight for its small body. Crying sounded and the dog’s ears shot up. Looking around, it went onto all fours and stared off into an area of woods.
Etasose stood and stared as well. The mist faded as the world around her slowly grew into a clearer image. From the trees, a man emerged. His eyes are a deep emerald and his hair was a mix of brown and red. To his side, he gripped the wrist of a boy. Her eyes widened.
“Charlie…” she muttered. Realising that Charlie might have still been a little resistant to the spell, causing her to go further back than intended. Nolkonoe did say this was a common problem. Standing she looked around, trying to remember what Nolkonoe said which would help her find the memories she wanted.
Yet still, she couldn’t help but stare. Some protective instinct held her as she saw the bruises that lined his arms and the fresh one around his wrist. His father was almost expressionless, just a hint of disappointment in his eyes as he dragged the kicking and screaming boy. In his other hand, he held a long wooden box.
The dog sat up, yipping and screaming towards Charlie’s father. Walking to the side of the dog, he lifted his boot and kicked down into its side. Whimpering the dog fell. Eyes wide, Charlie bit down on the hand of his father. In a split second, his father let go and Charlie leapt from his side. Running to the dog, he wrapped his arms around it and held it to his chest.
Sobbing into the white fur, he pulled and tugged at the wooden pole in an attempt to free the dog. Mumbling to himself, his father gripped his shoulder. Dragging his son to his side, he glared at the dog. As he again held Charlie, he took off his belt with one hand. Wrapping the leather around his wrists, he made sure Charlie could not move his arms without assistance.
Etasose leapt forward. Grabbing her knife, she stared at Charlie’s father. All reason had left her as she lunged at them. Stabbing down onto the head of his father, just for the knife to glide through. Mist wrapped around her as she fell to the other side. Turning, she prepared to attack again but froze as she saw eyes of Charlie.
“Please…” he muttered; his arms trying to wrap around the dog as he whimpered. As the tears trickled over his cheek, he rocked back and forth with the dog. Grabbing his shirt, he pulled him back and threw him to the floor. Opening the wooden box, his father brought out a long rifle. Pulling back the bolt, he placed a single bullet from his pocket.
Dragging Charlie to his feet, he forced the gun into his hands. Charlie’s screams only intensified as he forced his son to point the gun at the dog. Its large eyes pleaded. up as it stared confused at Charlie. Shaking his head, he kicked at his father, but it did nothing as his fingers were forced into the trigger shield, and then around the trigger.
“DAD!” he yelled as his father tightened the belt and forced the gun to stay in his hands.
“Listen… Don’t act like that again! Acting like that at a party… You forget who we are boy,” his father whispered harshly as he stood up, “Kill it. Prove to me that I shouldn’t cut your tongue out for speaking in such a manner,”
“DAD! Th... They were being bullies!” Charlie screamed through his tears. His voice was strained. His father was expressionless as he again muttered, “Shoot.”
Charlie glared at the dog. It's innocent, slightly confused eyes stared back at him. Tightening his grip on the trigger, he subtly moved the muzzle to the stick. A bang let out as he fell back onto the floor. Hearing barking, he saw the dog standing just in front of him.
“RUN!” he screamed, leaping forward and pushing for the dog to run. In return, it barked and snarled towards his father. With a simple sigh, his father walked over to the dog. Staring down at the dog, he lifted his boot.
The barking stopped as his boot came down onto the dog. Charlie’s eyes widened. The Chiefess shuddered as she heard his scream. Wiping the blood of the dog from his boot onto the floor, he then turned and looked at his son.
“Don’t fight back. Be quiet. Be passive. Incredibly passive so passive you seem weak. Then slowly work up and become stronger. Then strike when they least expect it. Otherwise…” he looked back to the dog.
“Otherwise, you pay the price of acting too quickly. Act passive if you are being assaulted. Be aggressive if you feel safe,” Charlie simply stared at his father.
“But why…” He sighed and tried to wipe a few bits of blood off his trousers.
“Well, you will remember this right?” his father gave a small chuckle before beginning to walk away.
Charlie was alone. The Chiefess watched the boy. Walking over, she continued to stare. She was not sure how long she watched him, but she watched until the sun was high in the sky, then onto the horizon. He cried so long; his tears ran dry. He simply stared, making small noises.
“So, this is why you fight so little against me…” she muttered, crouching by his side.
He was only ever aggressive if he felt safe. When he was passive, he was scared… there was so much about him she didn’t know. Yet she called herself his wife? What did he even feel about her or the others? She stared at his swollen eyes before the mist again began to stir. Like that, Charlie was gone. The image of the bloody dog's corpse still in her mind’s eye.
