TRACK 8 –

MOON FLOWER

After saying goodbye to Law, we headed back to the real world and our camp. The goddesses dropped us off and we said our goodbyes.

“Remember, like the wind Moon Flower. Move like the wind.” Hasteoltoi said, waving goodbye as the light flashed in the portal and then they were gone.

The other girls and me were back in front of the rock wall where we had left, but now it was just a normal rockface. I took a deep breath and turned to the girls with stoic determination set in my expression.

“You all know what to do, it’s time. Push hard and good luck. I love you all.” I said, then all of us hugged and broke up each off on our tasks.

I watched them go for a moment then Winston’s familiar whinny sounded out and I turned to see the giant warhorse. He was massive and the epitome of a beast of war, but he was also one of my best friends and as sweet as honey. I walked to him and began scratching behind his ears to his delight. I patted him on the side then put my foot in the stirrups and leaped up, mounting him and turning the big equine with my legs. It was one thing all Riders of the Earth and Sky could do with their mounts. I didn’t need reigns or anything the two of us were bonded.

We rode through the camp at a slow walk and I waved to Riders, workers, and other tribe’s folk the we passed by. I used the time to make my plans and also oversee al the construction being done. The Jicarilla builders had arrived bringing the road with them and had already begun conscripting and training our new tribe members. The surviving members of the Blackfoot, Crow, and Cheyenne joined us with a fervor that I hadn’t expected.

Their Chiefs had all been killed and replaced by Skinwalkers that had basically run the tribes into the ground. All three were former shells of themselves, even after the Great Suffering standards of tribes. In total there had only been about a thousand total tribe’s men, women, and children from all three tribes. That was ok, the more people we saved and brought into our tribe the more people we had to build up our defenses, infrastructure, and to fight against the Invaders.

I didn’t need to worry about that right now, Falling Willow and Striding Squirrel had taken control of that and were surprisingly good administrators. Falling Willow being a former Chieftess was used to being in charge and had taken over logistics and supplies for me. Striding Squirrel had become an excellent Rider and now handled all the training of new recruits. This freed up Stone Fox and the other veterans for other tasks, like taking over more territories by reaching out to the smaller tribes.

That wasn’t my task right now though. I needed to head south, beyond the Jicarilla Fortress of Earth that was on our southern border. I gathered a dozen of the best Riders and tasked them with getting ready to leave within the hour. That meant, provisions, weapons, gear, and all that stuff. I didn’t need to do that since all my gear was on Winston and the Saddlebags that Coyote had gifted Law were always full of food, water, and pretty much all the things I needed for travel.

I told the other Riders to meet me at the Fortress of Earth and left with Winston on our own. After the defeat of the monster army all the lands between the mountains had become much safer. The lands that we controlled were even safer. For miles surrounding our roads, fortified towns, and outposts we had patrols and barring the wild animal or two there was nothing too dangerous. It was part of how Law wanted us to build our civilization as he called it. Train our forces, build out infrastructure, and tame the wild surroundings.

Never in my lifetime or my children’s, children’s lifetimes had I expected our world to be like this. But, as Law would say, ‘when in Rome.’

“Let’s stretch our legs Winston. What do you say?” I said, rubbing his neck as soon as we passed under the fortress’s gates.

Winston whinnied loudly and reared up in response. I waved goodbye to the guards on duty while holding on to my mount with my thighs, then he landed and took off like an arrow.

We practically flew along the newly constructed road made of magically shaped earth and rock. Law had taken the style from Rome he said, because there roads lasted a thousand years and until he could make asphalt these were the best in history. I had a vague notion what asphalt was but I didn’t see these roads getting any better, they were already amazing.

The craftsmen were Jicarilla and knew Earth Magic. That meant they could alter the terrain so all the roads were straight and flat. They went through hills and over streams and gullies. Law had even had them built in a certain way. It was rough stone, then soft dirt hardpacked, then another layer of stone, dirt, then the final cobblestone layer. These were form fitted and shaped till they were flat and slightly declined to let water run away to the ditches that Law had insisted were needed. Event the grooves between the cobblestones were there to let them expand and contract in cold and warm weather.

When Law had explained this, I was surprised not realizing there was so much detail that went into road making. My fiancé had tried to explain it with one of his boring to detailed lectures but as with most of those I zoned out and ignored him. I did appreciate the craftsmanship as did Winston. His metal shod hooves sparked as they raced across the stones, like little electric fairies appearing and disappearing every half dozen yards.

The next few hours went this way and the immaculately built roads sped us on our journey. By noon we reached our first stopping point. It was the first fort camp we had built on our foray north. Originally, we had ridden north and ended up being attacked by a huge army of Nirumbee in the middle of the night. We had been forced to flee or we would have been overrun.

I had promised myself that night that we’d get our revenge on the goblin fucks and we did, eventually. The camp had been given an upgrade, now it was a fortress and one of the major bastions of control in this part of our territory. The guards on top of the fifty foot tall walls waved and called greetings as I came in range. A grin came to my face on its own as I waved back and slowed Winston to a trot as the massive metal gate was risen.

I dismounted when we were through and patted my friends side before he headed away to get some water and food. My stomach grumbled and I smiled wryly going off to do the same. The fort had been named Camp Freedom and was the prototype for all the future forts. It was a Star Fort Bastion, shaped like a pentagon with each corner a separate fort of it’s own but also part of the whole. Cannon and mortar lined the walls each having enveloping fields of fire along with their own main area of responsibility.

In the center of the fort was the main bastion and it towered over the area. The fort already being built on a tall mesa with graceful archways that connected to each of the five corner forts. Law had explained the reasons for building them this way, enveloping fields of fire, difficulty of breaching, blah, blah, blah. It was all stuff he and my father had talked about before he died. It still made me sad when I thought about him but I had grieved and the melancholy came with a bit of happiness when I remembered the good times.

I made my way to the baths, another of Law’s necessities, of which I completely agreed with. We had running and heated water, showers, large bathing tubs, and soaps that were now a must have. When I thought back to before Law had come I still couldn’t believe we had lived without all these modern conveniences, my fiancé called them. Either way, nothing beat a hot shower then bath after a few hours on horseback.

“I figured I’d find you here.” Shining Eagle called, breaking me from my reverie and pre bath routine.

The former Chieftess was already stripping down exposing her muscled form. It still blew my mind that she was as old as my father had been and still in such amazing shape. I hoped I was in as good a condition as she was when I was her age.

“How long are you going to stare? Law is going to get jealous dear.” Shining Eagle said, with a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh, shut it, I was just thinking I hope I’m not as flabby and disgusting looking when I’m an old women.” I retorted, giving my mother-in-law a raspberry before finishing disrobing then entering the shower.

Both of us were quiet while we cleaned up from the journey and then entered the bath with loud sighs of satisfaction. The next five minutes were silent as we just enjoyed the heated mineral water. Muscles sore and compacted from the riding and bouncing loosened and tension was relieved. Shining Eagle broke the silence.

“How’s Winston dear?” She asked.

“Wonderful as usual, almost the size of a mammoth but still as fast as the wind. These airships Law was talking about can’t be faster, I refuse to believe it. Anyway, how is Fuzzy?” I asked.

“What did your fiancé call those giant machines? A tank, yes, that was what it was called, he is the size of one of those and just as formidable. He also eats as much as twenty tribe’s folk. Thankfully, the new growing techniques for farming, the husbandry of animals, the new smoking, curing, and pickling give us such an abundance of food. I have never seen the like in my lifetime. Law even used the Invaders food sources. We now have pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and have the bison’s tamed in the pastures. There is so much that is different it is almost a whole new world to me. This is definitely a world for the young.” Shining Eagle said, with a weary shake of her head.

“Fishing for compliments I see, have you no shame mother?” I replied, with a tinkling laugh.

“My dear, a woman will always appreciate flattery no matter the age. Now, enough idle chatter. Let’s talk about our upcoming missions.” Shining Eagle said, her tone growing serious.

“This is the largest thing we’ve planned yet. All our best people are running their missions with their own objectives. I can see why you’d want to go over them. Each one is important and vital to our success in the war campaign. Let’s start with Stone Fox, she is headed west to contact and invite or conquer the Flathead, Nez Perce, Yakima, and all the other of the dozens of tribes on her way to the great ocean.” I said.

“Yes, she’s pathfinding with twenty of the veteran riders and a hundred of the new recruits. A team of Jicarilla Builders will be following in their wake. They will continue extending the road and fort system, keeping our supply lines long and safe. I’m curious to see how those tribes react. They are not known to us anymore. It has been many, many years since any of The People or Jicarilla have travelled so far.” Shining Eagle replied.

“We are all The People now mother, you always do that. Anyway, after Stone Fox are my sisters. They are riding together south and are to do the same thing with more warlike tribes there. The Navajo, Mescalero, and all the little mountain tribes in particular will be difficult to deal to say the least.” I said, thinking about how dangerous it would be for my sisters and hoped they’d stay safe.

“They are taking the bulk of the Riders with them. They are also the first ones to equipped with the new firearms and artillery that is being crafted even as we speak. It still amazes me the things that Law creates. Not to mention the magical pictures and our character sheets. It feels like a dream. I’m sorry, I’m rambling, where were we? Oh yes, your sisters. They are tough and great warriors. Don’t worry they will complete their missions just fine. My daughter however, her pathway may be the most dangerous.” Shining Eagle said, the worry for Dancing Lion prevalent in her tone.

“The Comanche will not surrender. They will fight to the last warrior. I do not envy her mission. Also, The Fallen Tribe is moving again, Law warned us of them. The Comanche are known to consort with those bastards. I’m glad she is waiting to leave after she gets her elite Riders outfitted with the weapons that are coming from the Norse-Ojibwe. They are headed west and to meet with us at the Fortress of Earth. I am quite intrigued by them.” Shining Eagle said.

“The revolvers, binoculars, knives, swords, new armor, airships, and ironclads. They will be at the Fortress within a week. They can travel so fast. With that said, your mission to the Great Forest of the north is not going to be very pleasant. I’m surprised you came south first.” I said, giving her a knowing look.

“Silly girl, of course I’m going to get as prepared as I can for this mission. The freezing snows, cold temperatures, it’s going to be miserable. I can only be thankful for Fuzzy though. The big bear is a living heater. Not to mention he is the key to bringing the bears of the north into our war machine. An army of Bear Riders will be a great addition to our Riders of the Earth and Sky.” Shining Eagle said, a wide almost lascivious grin across her face.

“I know the feeling. I had the same with Winston and the Riders.” I replied, sharing her smile.

“Now, let’s move on to your mission. What do we know of this Thunderbird tribe? I only know the legends. To think you must go all the way through the badlands and all the way to the Grand Canyon. My mother’s, mother’s, mother told me stories when I was a child just to scare me.” Shining Eagle replied, shaking her head at the memory of great-great-great-grandmother.

“Tell me about it. My father used to tell us all ghost stories about the badlands by the fire on scary evenings.” I said, with a melancholy smile.

“I would have like to hear them. Your father was a great storyteller.” Shining Eagle replied, with her own sad smile.

“Be that as it may, it’s just Winston and I on my mission. We will be able to move fast and light. With the route that the goddesses gave me we should be there even as you are moving out with your new gear and weaponry.” I said, almost as if to convince myself.

“I’m still surprised you aren’t going to wait for the new gear.” Shining said, changing subjects.

“That’s the thing, I will also be getting the new gear, Law’s bringing it. He’s supposed to be meeting me at the Thunderbird Tribe. Until then, I have what I need and Winston. We could sit in here all day but it’s time for me to go if I’m to meet Law in time.” I said, rising from the bath and heading out.

“I suppose so.” Shining Eagle replied, standing as well.

The two of us went quiet for a bit as we dried and then dressed. Some attendants had come in at some point and cleaned our clothes, weapons, and other gear. After we were both ready we embraced.

“Goodbye daughter. Have a safe journey and may the goddesses protect you.” Shining said, holding me at arm’s length and looking me in the eyes.

“Thank you mother, I love you as well. Be safe on your own journey. I’ve already lost two parents. I could not bear to lose a third.” I said, with sincerity.

We left the bath and Winton and Fuzzy were waiting for us outside. The two were having an amiable chat with lots of whinnying and chuffing. I smiled at the sight considering when the two met they had hated each other, now they were the best of friends. I mounted Winston and waved goodbye again, then the two of us left once more. I could have waited for them but Winston was just so much faster than Fuzzy. And as we talked about earlier we each had our own missions. I’d only be stopping for a night at the Fortress of Earth while Shining Eagle would be staying there for a bit.

The miles fell away behind us as the sun moved through the sky. I aided Winston by feeding my magic into him, but he barely needed it. The sun was setting by the time the Jicarilla home came into view. I remembered the first time I had seen the structure and was awed then. Now, it was even more formidable and amazing since it had been renovated.

The setting sun glinted off the dozens of metal cannon and the almost metallic rock face of the Fortress of Earth, giving it an almost ethereal appearance.

“Great job buddy. Almost there, one last push ok?” I told Winston, patting his neck as we galloped along.

He whinnied loudly in response and increased his pace, going even faster now with a final burst of magical horse strength. Guards opened the gates on our arrival and I dismounted Winston as soon as we were through, letting him do his thing and strode into the massive double doors of the Jicarilla stronghold.

The stone faced guards on both sides of the huge portal saluted with fists to their chest with two loud bangs. I saluted in return with a glance at their ceremonial yet functional armor and two large halberds which they held at their sides. Law had said they were mirrored on the most formidable guards of someone called the pope. He called them swiss guards and the halberds, while for show were also deadly and functional. The guards armor was full plate mail with open face helms. At their sides were a curved longsword on one hip and a trusty Tomahawk on the left.

I passed them by and then put them from my mind as I headed to the reason for my coming here. I went through the Fortress of Earth until I reached the Jicarilla Stone Tableau of the Earth. The room lit up with a dark yet bright purple light and the large stone in the center of the room came to life as soon as I entered. The stone altar transformed before my eyes. It formed into a huge orb that moved and flowed like water as it floated above the glowing onyx ground. I took a deep breath and approached the magical construct.