Aero Part 2-4 Spears of Bellum

Nearly a week passed before Aero’s party reached the first checkpoints of Bellum. Long days of riding and training along Matthew’s drinking, Roasa’s passionate outburst, and Will’s complaining had the group on edge. Then they had to suffer the military order of the Bellumi people.

The scenery didn’t change much once the group crossed over into the territory. Miles between checkpoints, low ranking soldiers farming the land for the sustainment of the army, barracks sporadically dotting the landscape.

There are no traditional houses or families in the region only disciplined routine tested soldiers. Both men and women who are committed to performing their duties for the greater good of the people. Schools for children are nothing more than boot camps to prepare them for a life of service.

Marriage is a concept that was abandoned by the Bellumi for over a thousand years. Now the war council matches male and female warriors together based on merit. They mate for the good of the community and nothing more. After childbirth, the mother returns to the ranks never knowing her child.

Day in and day out, Bellum is bustling with soldiers preparing for war.

Every few hours the group passes by a barrack where infantry with shield and spear train in their phalanx formation. Their deeply practiced tactics on full display.

The Bellumi are a proud people. Their distinct darkened skin with midnight black hair and almond shaped brown eyes accentuate their oval shape faces with prominent noses. Their military uniforms are the only clothing they wear.

Most of the group enjoys the parade of might before them, but not Matthew. He is too busy fuming over the incident at the first checkpoint where the guards dumped out Matthew’s entire week supply of ale, per Bellumi law.

Hard drink dulls the senses and a good soldier must always be at the ready.

They approach yet another checkpoint and expect to jump through the same hoops as they have every time but this time a higher-ranking official allows them to pass through. Finally…

The Captain introduces himself by rank and formation name, Captain of Gate 43, and instructs them to follow him into the court of the Bellumi War Council.

They follow the Captain to a stone wall, about sixteen feet tall wrapping around the tallest building in the area. They are taken through one final checkpoint and arrive in the courtyard to find more soldiers training in archery.

The Lieutenant takes Aero, Stephan and David inside the main building. Waiting for them is the Commander in Chief of the Bellum War Council. He greets them as such then instructs Captain of gate 43 to return to his post.

“Words from our outpost say that you wish to travel through our land on your way to Meego. We understand that you have enemies in pursuit…”

“Actually, they are just spying on us for the King’s Council to make sure I go to Meego, we were hoping to travel along your border toward Cagle Crossroads, but travelling through your territory would allow us to make good time, if you allow it.” Aero responds.

“I see.” Says the Commander in Chief “Our people do not owe you any allegiance, you will not be king.”

The Commander in Chief shows little respect to Aero. The Bellumi respect rank, if David were asking the Commander, then perhaps his tone would have been different. But no one must know David’s true identity, so Aero stumbles to find words.

“I am not here to use my family status to get what I want, if you decide we cannot travel through your land we will find another way. I am not my Father. I respectfully request clearance to travel through your territory in whatever way you see fit. My party will respect the decision of the War Council and follow it’s judgment to the letter.”

“That is good to hear, anything else?”

“I have a good history with a Bellumi who was in the capital a few years back. If the Corporal assigned to the King is available, then I would welcome them as a guide. Someone to keep us on the path you want us on and someone to help get us through checkpoints.”

“I understand. I will convene the Council to discuss the matter. I will return with the decision shortly. You may wait in the yard near your wagons, we have guards appointed to you. Your people will be detained if they do not stay in the designated area. Bellumi law dictates failure to comply will bring about swift punishment.” Says the Commander in Chief.

Aero assures the Commander that his group will follow the instructions, then hurries back to the group to make sure Roasa hasn’t made a scene.

As soon as he rounds the corner though, he realizes Matthew is more likely to cause a disturbance.

Aero approaches Matthew.

“Are you oka…” Aero begins to speak but is interrupted by Ser Matthew.

“You better not even say anything about drinking piss! Just tell me some good news, you they going to let us pass?”

“I can’t say yet. The Commander called a War Council meeting to decide our path. Hopefully, they won’t be long. Until then, we must stay with the wagons. I wish David could have handled that, they would have given him what he wanted without much hesitation. But me… I will not be king, so they view me as a waste of time.” Aero says frustrated.

Matthew leans into Aero and whispers “I think Bellum was a waste of time.”

Aero cracks the slightest of smiles, “keep that to yourself.”

“Understood.”

While Aero and Matthew were talking, Ser Stephan and David speak to Will and Roasa on staying in the area. Roasa does her best to hide her anger.

Several hours pass as the group watches the soldiers in the yard train. The group expects bad news since it is taking so long.

Finally, the Commander approaches the wagons.

“The Council grants you passage but not along the border but straight through the center of our lands. If you want to escape the watchful eyes of these spies, this route will do it. We will also provide you a guide to see you through to your missions end.”

The Commander points behind the knights, they turn around to see a Bellumi woman roughly David’s age in uniform standing behind them. Her hair is tied tight to her head while her facial features are textbook Bellumi.

“Hello Mother.” Aero says as he greets her.

“Do not call me that, I did my duty for my people. Your Father was no warrior.” She responds.

The Commander speaks up “This is Lieutenant assigned to Prince Aero’s Convoy, her job is to see you through Bellum. The Council has also decided to assign her to continue with you until you depart for Meego. She will then return with a full report of everything that happens along your way. May your journey be swift and just. Good day.”

With that, he walks out on the group to return to his daily duties.

The Lieutenant addresses the group “Everyone ready up, we will depart the courtyard at once on an eastern departure. We can make it to Gate 37A before dark and will have a barrack for the convoy to spend the night.”

The Lieutenant grabs the reigns of one of the horses in the nearby stall, since the Bellumi do not own possessions, she grabbed a random horse. She couldn’t tell anyone if she had ridden it before. Even if she could, she wouldn’t care.

Aero approaches her as they depart. “We have been training Roasa, our female companion to use a sword, is there any way to procure a sword that would be more appropriate for her size?”

The Lieutenant responds “Men training a woman to fight with a sword? Are you trying to get her killed.?”

“No.”

“Women do not fight like men! We do not use strength and force like you do. If you allow me to take over her training, then that will not be a problem. Bellumi weapons are the finest in the world, and we have them in abundance.”

Roasa overhearing the conversation responds for Aero. “Yes, I will learn the sword from the Lieutenant.”

This relieves Aero. It was his honor to vow to help Roasa but training her had proven to be very difficult. Her Durrie impetuous was too much for him to bear. He had already taken a step back and allowed Matthew and Stephan to handle the training duties.

“Thank you, um…” Aero says as he hesitates trying to figure out what to call the Lieutenant.

“Lieutenant, use my rank.”

“What about your real rank, Queen? Or I can I call you by a common name? Everyone else has one. Even your daughter Shoala.”

“Who is Shoala? My daughter? You speak of the unfortunate duty I had to perform for Bellum. I did my duty to the best of my ability and I am glad it is over.”

“What was so bad about being Queen? Birthing a princess?”

“I do not expect you to understand. Bellumi people are trained from birth to desire mating with another great soldier to form a solider for the next generation. Your father stole that from me by requiring a Bellumi bride. The Council assigned me, and I did it. But your father is a pig! He is no warrior!”

“Still you are the Queen.”

“Your Mother was the Queen, what your father did to me was try to make me one of his comfort women. It was disgusting! But I did it, and as soon as I completed my duty I returned to Bellum. Everyone knows that no King will ever take a darker skinned woman as his first bride. We are always forced to be second or third or worse. So do not call me Queen.”

“I apologize, I just don’t understand Bellumi culture. Maybe you can teach me about it.” Says Aero.

The Lieutenant agrees and immediately begins teaching him about the intricacies of the Bellumi, which she does so at length.

Aero’s mind drifts towards Meego. Time is running short.