Warrior Wolf

The Suitors

“Warrior Wolf,” the Chief pulled himself up to his full height, letting his staff stand vertically beside him. “The men of the village wish to go on the hunt. We request your aid and the aid of the Goddess.”

The power of the beast had been given to a child. Thus she had been made a tall, powerful woman to hold the power within her. She towered over all women and some men, and her powerful, lithe body was strong and built with the muscles of a warrior. When she was clothed with a woman’s sarong and weaponless, she was merely a resident of the village as she set about her daily tasks and preferred to be referred to by name.

But when she wore the men’s cloth, and carried her spear as ready for battle, she donned her true title as Warrior Wolf: Soldier of the Goddess. Red, the color of courage and power, draped around her body impressively.

“The animals of the forests have been on edge,” she answered. “I will be venturing out because I fear something might be coming. If your men can wait a half fortnight, I will happily accompany them. Otherwise, I would caution them against entering the woods at this time.”

His lips pressed in a thin line, that inevitable worry making him grim. But he nodded his understanding and took his leave, knowing that she would have warned him more if she worried it was something truly dangerous. Her cousin, Jawena, spoke up behind her.

“Do you fear it is the Fanged-Men?”

“Nothing so insidious,” she assured. “Otherwise the beasts would have fled. It could be trouble with other villages, or a herd coming through. I will be visiting our neighbors to check.”

“Will you search for a second husband?”

“Perhaps I will try one, but I can hardly go through all the villages in a fortnight.” She grinned. “It would do me no good if I cannot tell who the father is.”

She grinned back, and set to helping her cousin with preparations for her travel.

Later, that evening, Warrior Wolf traveled to the sacred spring. The small statue retained its shining silver, and had a few more intricate pieces, having been carefully tended and polished. Pounded and crafted pieces to look like drapery decorated her form, making the little statue even more elegant. The warrior woman knelt by the waters.

“O Great Goddess,” she intoned. “I pray for safe journey and passage. Watch over me while I run through your domain, so that I might protect the people you hold dear.”

There was a sound, a slight splash of water, before a faint light glowed from the depths. In the twilight, the moon’s power was weak, but growing, and the Goddess’s image was bearable to mortal eyes. Yet Warrior Wolf was still stunned at the sight.

“Goddess,” she greeted and bowed her head. “Have you a message for me?”

“I do,” she ensured. “I sense resentment against my power from within you.”

She bowed her head lower. “Forgive me, Goddess, it is not you I resent. This power you have given me has saved us countless times. We cannot think you enough for your grace and generosity. It is not you I resent, but my own strength.”

“You still have yet to find a suitable father.”

“You had to change my human body to house this power,” she argued. “How can any mortal man give me a babe strong enough to withstand it? My husband is the strongest in the village, and even he cannot do it.”

“Your pain is justified, but your resentment is not,” The Goddess responded. “Do not lose hope, my Warrior. My power within you will know who can father such a great responsibility. For after your mortal body fades, my power must live on to protect the people from the Fanged-Men. You will find a suitable partner, of this I assure you.”

The warrior bowed her head in relief. A promise of a Goddess was a promise indeed. “Thank you.”

Ronando Village was a wealthy place, with bustling families and healthy trade. When the attack of the Fanged-Men came ten years ago, they recovered much faster than their neighbors, and it showed now in a simple glance. Their great structures were framed with wood, but braced with imported red clay, and painted over with bright colors. Everyone’s sarongs and cloths were a mixture of traded patterns from the north, and homemade beads dyed with brilliant pigments from afar. Not many were out in the early hours of dawn, but as she stalked through the village, those who noticed her whispered with both excitement and worry. Of course, it was such an honor for the Warrior Wolf to visit them. But did it indicate more tragedy to come?

“I wish to speak to Chief Akinal.” She declared outside his large, clay abode.

The chief came out barely a moment later. “Warrior Wolf,” He greeted, and bowed his head. “What brings you to our village?”

“Nothing of worry,” She assured, letting her arm stretch so her spear was not so close to her body. “The beasts of the woods seem restless and I wish to find the source. Is your village preparing for battle?”

“Not us,” He assured. “We have had peaceful relations with our neighbors. You may ask the warriors of the village to be sure.”

“I will,” she answered. “Perhaps the squabbling amongst them is what’s making the animals wary.”

He smiled. Along with being prosperous, his village was known for having rowdy warriors.

“Besides that,” she continued, “I seek a new husband. Are there any among your men free to take a wife?”

His smile fell, and he straightened with clear surprise. Clearly, he was not prepared for such a request.

“We do,” he admitted. “But you will want the strongest ones, who are mostly married. However, I am sure they would be honored to take a second, if it is at the behest of the Warrior Wolf.”

“I can imagine.” She admitted. “Tell your men to consider it, then, and I shall choose among them tonight, after I have slept.”

Ronando Village was nearly a four day journey by foot, so her desire to sleep was not surprising. Not to mention, it was well known that the Wolf tended to sleep during the day.

“Of course. Let me prepare a cot for you.”

He turned quickly back inside to do just that, and she pursed her lips as she waited. Having a husband already married would make things complicated. Given her station, she would need her husband to return with her to her own village, and taking one man was much simpler than uprooting a whole family and his wealth. However, given that she truly needed the strongest of mortal men, perhaps she did not have a choice. After he offered her drink, and let her rest, he went out to spread word to the warriors to gather at the village square by sundown.

The sun had not yet fallen by the time she awoke, leaving her in human form. As the men gathered in the square two by three, Warrior Wolf was already studying them. The ones with strong faces and bodies would be the best candidates, though she knew that could not be the only factors. Out of the 500 warriors, 30 had gathered, indicating they were either unmarried, or willing to come with her. She waited until they had settled and the Chief gave her signal, and she circled around them like the wolf she was. Most of these warriors she knew by name, having seen them several times in her visits and battles. It was from past experience and knowledge that she stopped in front of one warrior in particular. He was only four years her senior, having lived through thirty-three rainy seasons. He was accomplished and powerful, having many great deeds dedicated in his honor, including holding off a Fanged-Man and living to tell the tale. Out of all the warriors, he was no doubt the strongest, and as a result, one of the wealthiest.

“Kanwo,” she greeted, but frowned lightly in confusion. “I highly doubt testing a man twice will reap a different result.”

“It is unlikely,” he admitted. “But my child was nearly three months before the miscarriage. I have been training hard, and perhaps now am strong enough.”

She was quiet a moment in consideration. “Are your two wives alright with leaving the village? Mine is not near as wealthy as this place.”

“We owe our lives to the Goddess and her Wolf,” he bowed at the shoulders. “If I can beget the next generation of powerful protectors, such a move will be worth it.”

Ah, she thought to herself. He sees it as yet another honor.

Not that she blamed him. And she could admit having two other women to help her estate would be beneficial. Jawena was already past her twenthieth summer, and had yet to seek suitors for her hand. Warrior Wolf knew she could not keep her forever.

“I have three other villages to attend!” She called out. “Then I will make my decision on whom I shall test first! Whoever can beget me a child shall become my second husband, and return with me to my village. Of the warriors standing here, I choose Mahina, Kanwo, and Naylan to test!”

There was a cheer from the victors, and the spectators around. The other warriors bowed their heads and stepped back reverently. Warrior Wolf took one look at the setting sun, and raised her spear in salutations, before marching off into the night.

The next village was a three-day journey. Where Ronando Village loved their bright paints, Nubal preferred carved designs in the clay structures. They also liked the rounded shaped huts, and the draping, curving patterns circled around them like cloths. Though their clothing was also as colorful as their neighbors

“Tikali is no longer the strongest?”

“I am afraid not,” The Chief smiled a little wryly. “He lost in the games last year.”

“By now he has reached his thirty-fourth year,” Warrior Wolf realized. “Perhaps it is not so surprising.”

“True enough. But this young man is a prodigy in his own right. Perhaps you would like to see demonstrations of his abilities?”

She considered it for a moment, and looked at him. He was young, just peaking at twenty-two summers. His youth made her purse her lips, though slightly with amusement. If nothing else, his stamina might at least keep up with her in bed, she thought to herself.

“You are not married?” She asked him.

“My family and I had chosen a bride,” the young man admitted. “But when I heard that the Warrior Wolf was seeking a man strong enough to father her children, I wanted to try my hand.” he said, bowing his head.

“Very well,” she said. “I shall see a demonstration and decide.”

“It is the Warrior Wolf!”

“Warrior Wolf.”

Greetings and small bows were bestowed on the great black beast as she sauntered through the village. Her coat- black as the night and the shadows she hid in- shone in the light of the half moon and torchlight. She was as large as two and a half men, and strong as twenty, and even at ease she moved with a rippling grace that promised hidden power beneath. There was a spot laid for her besides the Chief, a thick wool blanket to protect against the dirt, and she sat on her haunches expectantly. The chief raised his hand to signal silence, and when the hush fell to the circle, he raised his arms.

“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”

And cheers filled the night as the drums started. They were not true “games”, but mock games. None of the other men competing hoped to best Uwali. But they ran just as fast in the race, threw twice as hard in the stone throw, and battled just as fiercely as if they would. For their purpose was to showcase Uwali’s true strength, so that the Warrior Wolf might be impressed with his feats.

It ended with a mock “battle”. Three other men dressed in masks with white paste circled him with a club, a knife, and a rod. Their carved jagged teeth made it clear they represented the Fanged-Men, and to rile Uwali to battle rage. He fought fiercely with shield and knife, until the enemies fell one by one. He held his sword up in victory, to the cheers of the crowd. And then he turned to face the warrior wolf, fell to one knee, and lifted his sword to present to her.

A hush fell over the crowd as the black beast stood. She strolled to meet him in the center, and studied him.

It would not be right to say she was “impressed” with his display. No matter how far he threw a stone, she could barrel him over without blinking. He was fast, yes, but her four legs would carry her past him and circle him twice. And though he could take three men, against a real Fanged-Man, he would never last more than a few short minutes. Everyone watching knew that. It was simply impossible to compete with a power bestowed by the gods.

But, for mortal standards, he was certainly strong enough to try. So, she took the sword handle in her teeth, and turned to head back to her blanket.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and he leaped to his feet, throwing his arms up in victory. The drums started up again, as people danced and jumped for joy. Except for the wolf, who lay the sword by the edge of the blanket so that she might lay down to rest.

“When dawn breaks,” The chief called to the crowd. “Warrior Wolf shall scout the villages, and return to Nubal so she and Uwali will lie together, and hope for a strong, healthy child! But for tonight, WE FEAST!”

Everyone was more than happy to oblige.