After the death of Governor Larius, his successor, Florianus, decided to burn the forest where Alana and the Clan of the Brown Bear hid. Red flames, furious as lions, licked the ancient trees, torturing them slowly before turning them to ash. The flames lit up the air, burning beasts and plants alike. They raged for days, like sacred temple fires.

But the Clan of the Brown Bear had a hideout. They sank into secret caverns deserted ages ago, and they endured through persecution and fear. On a cold, moonless night, in the dead of winter, they emerged from their refuge and walked through burnt trunks and dead bushes, under falling snow, over a vast white desert and a frozen river.

A charred forest and dark catacombs could never be called home. They only had swords, a few arrows, and spears made of stone and wood as they crossed into the eastern forest, heading east. Alana grew stronger. She polished the Sword of Ares, a symbol of her struggle. She strengthened her arms and her skills, and they journeyed on with two young boys, ten women, and a bear cub.

One day, at the start of spring, they reached the border.

“It’s time,” Alana said, crouching through the tall grass of the steppe, with the moon and stars as guiding lights. The dragon blade hung from her belt, and Kassius crouched by her side, the Sword of Ares wrapped in leather straps, bound to his back, and a small bow in his hand. He had cut his wild hair short, but a sober beard was growing on his young face. Kassara, a former general back in the steppe days, stood by with a knife in her hand. Her hair was lush and blacker than the night, her eyes almond-shaped and decisive. She was leading the attack, and a segmented armor taken from an enemy soldier shielded her body.

“Kassara...” Alana lowered her voice, narrowing her eyes, looking above the wooden tower in front of them. She could see something shiny under the wooden roof. It was the watchman’s helmet. A wide wooden wall extended to the sides, illuminated by two torches close to the watchtower. “Can you see them?” she asked.

“I see one of them,” Kassara said in a harsh whisper. “Now, you two, listen to me very carefully. Do as I say or we may get in trouble.”

Alana nodded. She noticed Kassius rolling his eyes. His face, as usual, was marked with red ink and magical staves.

“No matter how many soldiers there are on this post, do what I say and save your butt,” Kassara muttered. Her voice had something motherly about it.

Alana bit her tongue. She wanted to trust in Kassara’s words, but even after months of training, she did not feel confident. Kassara’s plan was simple: avoid frontal engagement, lurk in the shadows like a hunting mountain lion, and if there was someone who knew about fighting and strategy, it was Kassara.They advanced, almost crawling through the tall grass. Kassara, Alana, Kassius, and two women who had fought in the war stayed close. Their names were Raxana and Aliya, and they held stone spears in their hands, keeping their heads up and looking proud and confident, although they still wore the ragged clothes from when they had escaped their imprisonment.

The man on the tower bobbed his head, casually peeking around. He leaned forward and his eyes wandered through the field. His helmet shone dully, reflecting the waxing moon. The group remained silent, and Alana instinctively lowered her gaze until the man turned to observe the opposite side of the field.

Kassara looked at Kassius.

“We only have one shot, magic man.” Kassara extended her hand toward him. “Now let the grown-up do the job.”

Kassius took a deep breath and passed her the bow and arrow with a frustrated sigh.

“Thanks.” Kassara winked at him. “Alright,” she said. Then she crawled forward and rested on one knee. With one eye shut, she nocked the arrow. “This is how you do it, boy,” she muttered.

Kassius faked a smile.

Kassara let go, and the arrow flew with a thud, causing the soldier’s head to collapse against the tower fence.

“Where did you hit him?” Alana asked in a whisper.

“Neck,” Kassara responded. “Quick, let’s go,” she commanded, raising her hand. They walked slowly through the swaying grass. The ones who were not fighting—the vanguard, which included Irema, Tor, Gitara with her baby, and a few others—remained about fifty yards behind.

“I’m going first,” Kassara announced. “Raxana, you follow me.”

“Yes!” Raxana said, her fiery-red hair blending into the flames that danced along the wall. Like Kassara, Raxana was in her late forties, her deep green eyes beginning to show signs of aging. Alana was grateful to have such great veterans to look up to and help them fight. They were invaluable, and without them, none of them would have survived the winter.

Kassara stepped with the sides of her boots and walked to the wooden stairs, bow and arrow in hand. They creaked lightly, and when she reached the top, she quickly looked around. Raxana followed closely. When she was halfway up the stairs, Kassara raised her hand and stared down at Raxana, indicating for her to stop.

Alana watched from below as Kassara shot two arrows, one after the other, as fast as a rabbit’s leap. Then, Kassara ordered the group to continue.

Suddenly, a deep sound buzzed in their ears.

Someone had blown an alarm horn. Alana raised her head and looked from side to side—to the field where Tor and the other ladies waited, crouched and hidden in the grass, and forward, where Kassara and Raxana remained calm halfway up the stairs.

It was time to shine.

Alana drew her Dragon Blade and swallowed. Her stomach churned with fear.

“Quick, we have the high ground!” Kassara shouted at them. Alana, Kassius, and the third veteran, Aliya, climbed hastily up the creaky stairs.

When they reached the top, Alana saw Kassara shoot two more soldiers who approached from the stairs on the other side of the wall, wielding long spears and shields. Alana felt her heart rate increase, pulsating through her veins. She had fought against great warriors and had managed to survive using only trickery and chance, but engaging in battle, even against a small group, was something different. Kassius looked even more distraught; he nervously fidgeted with the hilt of his knife. He always refused to train with swords, and now, with Kassara having taken his bow, he surely felt useless.

Alana rushed up the opposite side of the stairs. She held onto her dragon blade and waited attentively. For an instant, she glanced at Kassius. His eyes were not focused on the scene in front of him; they were locked down on the floor.

“Kasha, is something wrong?” she asked.

He shook his head.

Alana swallowed, grasping the blade with both hands.

“They’re coming up!” Kassara said, looking back at them. “I’m running out of arrows. Let’s stay together and not lose any of our warriors, understood?”

Kassius blinked, as if waking up from a trance.

“How many are there?” Kassius asked shyly.

Raxana took a quick peek at the field.

“More than a dozen,” she answered.

“Get ready!” Kassara said, checking the shiny gladius sword she had stolen from the dead soldier, Kassius’ bow now bound to her back.

Alana shut her eyes. Kassara had not fought in years, and Alana hoped she could hold her ground against the soldiers. The enemy formed beneath them, assembling with their large square shields and their spears with iron tips. They started climbing, one by one.

Kassara closed in, running down the stairs, dodging their spears like an acrobat. She reached one of the soldiers halfway up the stairs and thrust the blade into his side, between the folds of his segmented armor. The man dropped his spear, and she held him by the neck, using him as a shield.

Then, Kassara pushed his body, and two soldiers stumbled and fell to the ground.

Raxana rushed behind Kassara, grabbing the spear that had belonged to another soldier, then jumped to the ground below. She rolled upon contact with the trimmed grass, waved her lance, and struck a soldier in the neck. Another two attacked her at once, thrusting their spears viciously. She twisted her body to dodge, using the handle of her spear to smack one of them in the face. His nose broke, bathing his face in blood.

Two soldiers ran up the stairs, with their spears ready. Alana and Kassius looked at each other. They had practiced against long sticks, but even Alana was terrified. Aliya, the other veteran, stood next to them, holding a newfound gladius in hand. Both enemy soldiers advanced with shields protecting their faces and their spears forward. “What do we do?” Alana asked, gasping and fidgeting with the blade. Kassius, at her side, was as pale as a piece of paper.

“Let’s wait until they come up,” Aliya whispered. “And then I’ll close in.”

“Yes,” Alana said, and Kassius nodded.

[https://i.ibb.co/cJkQXsM/Alana.png]

Aliya did not wait and went in for the fight. The soldiers charged against her, and she moved to the middle. The spears brushed past her. She managed to hurt one of them but was attacked by the second one, who pushed her back up the tower, out of the stairs.

He made Aliya retreat to the corner while she held the sword and avoided the lancer’s thrusts.

Another pair of soldiers started climbing the stairs. Alana and Kassius had no choice but to fight and defend their position. The soldiers jumped up, quickly reaching the top of the tower.

Alana tried to close in with her blade, feeling a strange burst of energy rage through her, attacking the enemy’s side. The soldier’s spear shifted, now pointing toward her as quickly as a jumping lion. Her instincts reacted, and she blocked the thrust with her blade. She instinctively stepped forward. She had closed in. She pulled the blade away and waved it across, her grasp firm and unflinching. She felt it connect with something soft, then against the metal of the soldier’s helmet.

A long red wound crossed the soldier’s face, his nose sliced, and his face expressionless, as if the heat of battle had muted his senses.

From the corner of her eye, Alana saw Kassius closing onto another soldier, whose sword had fallen on the floor. However, Kassius went for his enemy’s wrists and landed a headbutt on the nose.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

In an instant, Aliya cut that same soldier’s head, and the blood splashed, staining Kassius’ forehead. Blood pumped from the dead man’s neck, and his body collapsed and clanked on the wooden floor.

An enemy spear advanced, looking for Alana’s unprotected flesh. She jumped back, grasping the dragon blade and holding it forward in defense.

The soldier closed in. She waved her sword to block, but the shiny spear tip circled around her. Now she was vulnerable. The spear drew closer, and she tried to step back and felt the corner of the tower against her back.

Suddenly, another spear pierced the soldier’s neck from behind. He opened his mouth wide as blood dropped from his neck.

Alana sighed as the lifeless body fell forward. Aliya stood behind it with the bloodied spear. She winked an eye at her.

“Thanks,” Alana muttered.

Aliya ignored her. Instead, she stared at the feet of the tower, where Kassara and Raxana fought, and she ran down the tower.

There were definitely more than half a dozen soldiers still fighting beneath.”Let’s go!” Alana said, putting her fear away and grasping Kassius’ hand. He nodded, and both walked down the stairs. Alana counted; now there were eight enemy soldiers against the two women below. The Gadalian warriors stuck close to each other, forming a circle and attacking constantly to prevent the enemy from forming a phalanx formation.

Kassius held an Itruschian spear. As soon as their steps echoed on the wooden stairs, three soldiers turned toward them and looked at them like hunters stalking easy prey.

The soldiers used the phalanx technique. Both soldiers advanced with their shoulders together, spears pointed forward in their right hands and shields on their left.

“I’ve got it!” Kassius whispered, stopping halfway down the stairs.

“What?” Alana asked.

“Jump out!” Kassius screamed. Alana instinctively obeyed as the soldiers marched undeterred, stepping toward the tower. Alana and Kassius were already on the ground. Alana waved her sword at the soldiers’ distracted side. She held the dragon blade in both hands and struck one of them.

Sword and armor clanked. She clenched her teeth in frustration; she had not dealt any damage. The soldier retracted his spear and jumped back into the grass. Alana moved to his right, away from his shield, and swung her sword towards his neck. The soldier had lifted his spear-wielding hand and got cut in the arm, but he did not flinch. Alana retracted the sword and attempted another attack at his hip, which the soldier blocked. The soldier stepped back, cutting the distance, and attacked with a frontal spear thrust. Alana dodged but felt the iron tip brushing against her clothes.

Alana sighed. She had practiced that move countless times that winter. She knew the soldier wouldn’t attempt anything new, as he was used to fighting in phalanx formations and nothing else.

The soldier attacked again, and she blocked, striding forward and touching the rim of the spear with her blade. When she was close enough, she twisted her hips and hit the soldier’s neck. The blow opened up his skin and flesh, piercing halfway through. A stream of blood poured like a fountain, and the body collapsed on the grass.

Alana sighed in relief and leaned on her sword. It was the first time she had won a battle in frontal combat, without resorting to trickery, and her enemy’s blood stained the short grass. Now, she could say she was a warrior. And yet, although she was satisfied with her skills, there was no joy in ending a life.

She looked around. Kassius was panting on the side; the soldier he had fought was also dead. Aliya stood next to him, and Raxana was kneeling on the ground next to Kassara. Kassara was down, with a faint stream of dark fluid staining her chest, and her black hair spread over the grass like a black sea.

Alana gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth, and ran toward Kassara.

“Kassara?” she said, kneeling by her side.

Kassara clenched her teeth as Alana noticed blood pouring from her collarbone, staining the white cloth beneath and her segmented breastplate.

“It’s a spear wound,” Raxana said, leaning over to examine the wound.

“Will she be alright?” Alana asked, scanning Kassara’s body. Kassara pressed her own wound with her blood-stained hands.

“We’ve got to stop the bleeding,” Kassius said, standing close to them. He then proceeded to take off his hemp shirt, revealing his naked, bony, and toned torso.

“Raxana . . .” Kassara said, clenching her teeth. “Go scout the area; they will take care of me.”

“Yes, Commander,” Raxana answered almost instinctively.

“Kassara, we cannot do without you,” Alana said. She looked into Kassara’s dark eyes. Kassara had taught her everything she knew about fencing and strategy. Although the wound did not look terrible, she had heard of creeping infections entering through shallow cuts.

“Alana . . .” Kassara called her, using the endearing term that people from her hometown used for children. She stretched out her hand and grabbed Alana’s.

“Kassara,” Alana said. “Hold on, you’re wounded, but it doesn’t look so bad.”

“Alana, tell her to sit; I’ve got to wrap this around her,” Kassius said, his green eyes serious under his abundant eyebrows.

“Big magic man,” Kassara said, smiling through the pain and looking at Kassius.

“Please, madam,” he said. “You know how serious this wound can be. We’ve got to stop it and let you rest.”

Kassara nodded and signaled for Alana and Aliya to lift up her body. Kassara sat, leaning her head forward. Alana untied her breastplate, and it fell forward, revealing her worn-out tunic with visible intricate designs, stained with dust and wear on the back. Kassara sighed in relief. The blood from her collarbone continued to flow down and fill her dress. Kassius wrapped his shirt tightly beneath her armpits, and the cloth immediately became soaked with blood.

“Hold on, Kassara. You will be fine,” Alana said.

Kassius tied the edges of his tunic into a knot.

“There are some herbs in this time of year that can help soothe the pain. We’ll look for them in the morning,” he said. “At least there are no vital organs there; she will be fine.”

“I’m finally going to join my husband Antanos in the Elysian Fields,” Kassara muttered, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “And my boy, Hirmas, after all this time. After the hell we’ve been through.”

“Stop saying that, Kassara. You’re not going anywhere. Don’t even say it,” Alana said, grasping her hand tightly.

“Don’t worry about me, Alana,” Kassara moaned.

“We need you, Kassara. Don’t go,” she insisted.

“You won’t know what to do when I’m gone,” she said. “I’m sorry; follow Raxana.”

“What are you saying? I need you by my side. We all do. Yes, we would die without you. Besides, we’re about to see the great endless steppe. You’ve been amazing tonight.”Alana couldn’t see her die. Why did everybody have to leave, everybody she knew?

Kassara took a deep breath.

“We better let her rest,” Kassius said. “I will write some healing sigils on her forehead. You’re fine with that, aren’t you, madam?”

Kassara nodded, winking an eye.

“Do what you can,” Alana said, blinking, and hoping that maybe, the sigils would work.

Suddenly, Alana heard the noise of steps on the other side and raised her head, alarmed. Two men marched towards them, their bodies covered in simple togas, their hair short, in Itruschian style, and their hands up in surrender. Their legs trembled in fear. Raxana was holding her spear up and walked behind them.

“These two were the slaves that worked for the soldiers,” she declared. “I found them in the kitchen.”

The men kept their heads down and exchanged fearful glances.

“Kitchen,” Alana said, noticing Kassius and Aliya had reacted the same way to that single word. Even Kassara’s eyes lit up. “Amazing!”

“I will tell the others,” Aliya said, a wide smile on her face.

“Good, a nice meal before departing, I really got my last wish,” Kassara said, resting her face against the grass once again and shutting her eyes.

“Don’t say that, Kassara. You won’t die today, not on my watch,” Alana stated, then turned toward Raxana and the slaves. “Anything else?”

“Alana,” Raxana continued. “They say a new group of soldiers will relieve these by morning. If we bind them and leave them, they will tell them about us. We could kill these two also.” The men shared another glance when they heard that, full of fear, sweat dripping down their foreheads. “There’s a stable with horses, we can ride into the woods and avoid the soldiers if we leave soon enough.”

Alana looked at the men straight in the eyes.

“Are you willing to come with us to the steppe?” she asked. “You would both be free men.”

“With barbarians? Nay!” said one of them, his hair was dark gold, and looked around twenty-eight years old.

“Avlix, it’s best for us.” His companion looked at him with disbelief, with his hands over his bald head. “Can’t you see? We’ll be free.”

“It is up to you,” Alana said severely. “You will have freedom. We are looking to avenge our decimated tribe. Innocent—”

“No one is innocent!” Avlix interrupted her, then spat on the floor.

“Well, they were,” Alana said bluntly. “And the Empire killed them. And we may not be, but we are trying to make a difference,” she declared.

“We won’t get into details,” Kassius spoke from behind her, he had his arms crossed and his expression was severe. “We do not wish to kill innocent men—that is, you. We believe the gods have guided us so far. Thus, we shall not do dishonorable things. If you swear to join us, we shall grant you your lives. A worthy gift, is it not?”

“Foolishness! I prefer to die!” Avlix frowned, clenching his teeth. “Innocent? What your people did to mine was far from innocent.””That was a long time ago,” Alana said. “It was another time, and we had another leader.”

Avlix spat again and looked at her with a frowned brow and disdain in his eyes.

“Avlix, you’re making a fool of yourself,” said the older man. “Listen to these people. They’re offering you freedom! Freedom from oppression, from fear, from having to obey a master who hates us and flogs us for any reason. Aren’t you willing to give anything for freedom?”

Avlix snorted.

“What should we do to you then?” Kassius asked with a somber face. He walked up to the slave and looked him in the eyes.

“Kill me, as if my life had any worth.”

Alana and Kassius exchanged a glance. Aliya and Raxana did the same, their hands on their spears, as if ready to execute any order.

Alana shook her head and crossed her arms.

“We shall not kill you,” Kassius said. “You have done nothing to us. But if you want to live in bondage, you shall get what you desire.”

“But . . .” he shook his head.

“Just keep an eye on him,” Alana said, eyeing Raxana. “And before we leave, tell them your friend was taken captive . . .”

“Magic boy,” Kassara hissed from the ground. “You just told him where we’re going, you genius, and now you want to wrap him up as a present? Kill him and be done with it, or if you want to be Kassius the merciful again, just chain him up and take him.”

Kassius clenched his teeth.

“Keep your opinions for when they’re needed, general. That is, for battle.”

Alana lowered her head. That scene, there, in that moment? Kassius was as red as an apple. He faced Kassara.

“Madame,” he said. “Why do you think you got stabbed? We need the gods’ approval, and we can’t have it if we keep killing innocent people.”

“Excuse me, boy, do you know anything about life?” Kassara snapped. “If you’ve come this far it’s because of skills. Praying won’t get an arrow through the enemy’s heart.”

“We did perfectly fine without you! Alana even killed the governor, and she saved you!” he shouted.

“Kassius, stop!” Alana yelled. She turned to Kassara and was about to say the same thing, but she refrained herself. Was it because she was older?

“We need both of you, so please . . .” she continued. “Don’t fight. It’s not necessary.”

Alana turned towards the slave as if expecting an answer.

“Make your choice,” she ordered.

“It’s all the same for me,” Avlix said, shrugging, but sweat dripped from his forehead.

“Do you have anything to live for?” Alana asked.

“Wine and women, food and drink, and I do not get much of that.”

Alana took a deep breath. She really wanted to ask Raxana what to do. It was confusing. Everybody had different answers.”We do not kill men for no reason,” Kassius said. “Only if we are attacked. We have sworn that as our principle.” Kassius turned toward Kassara. “It is an oath that binds us and protects us, guided by Ares. We are men and women who believe in the power of oaths.” He faced the slave. “We offer you your life, in exchange—”

“Then you’d better kill me,” he giggled. “Be done with it.”

“Avlix, no,” his companion said. “Why are you doing this?” Alana noticed moisture in his eyes.

“It is better to end this, friend. Better death than treason to my empire and my principles.”

Kassius shook his head.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming from the tower. Their comrades, who had hidden beyond the walls, were walking solemnly, guided by Aliya, now donning segmented armour taken from a dead soldier. Tor was holding the bear cub in his arms.

“They’re all women . . .” Avlix commented, narrowing his eyes. “Why are you all women?”

“The Empire killed most of our men,” Alana said. “Our fathers, husbands, and sons. Only a handful survived.”

He twisted his lips.

“You,” Raxana pointed her spear at him. “If you want to die, come with me. I won’t do it in front of your friend.”

Avlix swallowed and got up slowly. He dusted off his tunic. Raxana pointed the spear at him as his friend remained knelt on the ground, taking a last look at him. Alana lowered her head. She wished to stop it. Would they be foolish to trust him to be quiet? But as Kassara had told her, in war and being a ruler, she would have to change her perspective.

Raxana guided the man back to the stable, where he faced her, his face twisted into a grimace of fear under the torches.

“Please make it quick,” he muttered in the silent night, and his pleas even reached Alana’s ears.

The ones who had recently arrived stared in confusion. Kassius remained with his head low, as if trying to cope with it.

And Raxana opened the door for the man and stepped inside. Then the door was closed with a bang, but even their steps were heard from within.

“No, no, please forgive me,” the moans were heard from inside. “Please, I’ll do what you want, don’t kill me please!”

“Coward,” said Kassara, getting to her feet, as if nothing had happened to her.