Chapter 69 - The Nameless

Sian emerged silently from the tent after checking on Silvast. She had awakened momentarily as Sian had rearranged the blankets that covered and kept her warm. Her silver eyes had watched her in mild fascination as she fixed the bedding. Despite seeming lethargic and lifeless, she had still managed to talk for a few moments. Silvast listened carefully as Sian explained the events of Winter’s restoration. She remembered the unsurprised look in Silvast”s eyes when she told her that Winter was now theirs and joint consort to Antrandis.

Silvast had told her of an understanding that she and Winter had agreed upon, thousands of years earlier. Her voice coming out at little more than a whisper between each breath. It did not surprise her that Winter was linked in such a way to Antrandis, she always knew more then she should have. But when Sian explained that with Winter’s restoration, the entire order of valkyrie were his to command, Silvast just stared at her asking her to repeat her words. After settling Silvast, she found herself surprised in Silvast’s words before she fell back to sleep. As long as the agreement between her, Sian and Antrandis still stood, it did not concern her that Winter had become their consort and a partner.

Sian looked up as she reached the edge of the encampment, nodding silently to the valkyrie standing watch. Not recognising her, she continued to walk.

“Mistress, excuse me?” came the voice from behind her.

Sian turned, looking at the winged warrior as she knelt before her, her head deeply bowed in respect and her hands on her knees. Her shield at her side and her spear laying cross-ways in front of her. The valkyrie’s russet hair falling around her face.

Sian stepped toward her, bewildered, “Warrior?” she asked in confusion.

“Please, Mistress, I wish to thank you.” the valkyrie said quietly.

“Thank me? But why?” asked Sian as she stood before her.

“We can feel you, your presence, wielder of the Dark Flame. We can feel your soul entwined with our Master’s, we can feel your truth.”

Sian stared at her bowed head, her eyes narrowing slightly, “I have not used that title in a long time, warrior.”

She bowed her head lower, “Mistress, I wish to thank you for your part in restoring us. Since our creation we have only lived a half-life.” she said quietly, “The one that called us his servants, the Host of the Underworld. He used us to do his bidding. He did not allow, he did not allow us to…”

Sian knelt before her, “Show me your face.” she asked calmly.

She watched as the valkyrie lifted her head, her dark eyes meeting Sian’s emerald.

“Your name, warrior?” asked Sian.

She looked at Sian in embarrassment, “We do not have names, except those you grant us, Mistress.”

“You do not have a name? Were you not in service to the three since…” Sian’s voice trailed off as she watched the woman shake her head.

“Can you not feel me, Mistress? I am right here. I am?” she looked around in mild confusion.

Sian watched her, “You were not in service to the three?”

The valkyrie shook her head, “No, Mistress.”

“She was not, not all of those who fell returned to the hall of the Host. Some were left broken on the battlefield.” said Winter as she approached, “You were not in the camp, so I came.” she said as she reached their side.

Sian glanced at Winter with an unasked question, Winter nodded.

“Yes, the moment I was made whole. She resurrected where she was left.” she said as she crouched beside them.

Sian glanced at her, “How many?” she asked.

Winter closed her eyes for a moment, tilting her head slightly, “Another six. All those guarding the camp. I intended to wait until returning home to assign them.”

“They don’t have names?” asked Sian.

Winter nodded, “You do not name a tool. The Host’s belief, not mine, he only named those he needed to be strong. The rest were just soldiers and without identity.”

Sian stared at her as Winter looked at the russet-haired valkyrie in interest, inspecting her face, “By the time of the fall, all of the nameless were broken.” Winter continued.

“How many, Winter? How many still stand? All of those we saw tonight?” asked Sian.

Winter met Sian’s eyes, “One hundred and thirty eight still stand, including the seven without names.”

Sian’s eyes widened, “How many were gifted?”

“One for each day of the year and the four seasons.” said Winter without hesitation, “It was my creator’s sense of poetic meaning that I was named Winter. The season that delivers the most souls, it is the most deadly and it can not be stopped. Once the ice, the frost sets in it is the bringer of death. And at the same time, it is the season that brings people closer, sharing their heat and life. It is the beginning and the end.”

Sian stared at her, “That many, but that would mean there are…”

Winter watched Sian’s eyes as they flickered, “Yes, more than two thirds of us are still broken within the Hall of the Host. If it is our love’s will, we will recover the nameless.”

“So many.” Sian whispered to herself, “We will recover them, Winter. Even if I have to name them all myself.” she said.

Winter nodded, looking back the russet haired valkyrie before them. “Without a name they can perform their duties, but they do not grow, their memories are fragmented, they are effectively the same as when he received them.” she closed her eyes, concentrating, “This one here has been nearby, since you avenged your elder brother and earned your wings.”

Sian turned, looking at the nameless with concern, “What happened?”

The valkyrie met her eyes, confusion swirling within them, “The mountain fell on me.”

“Gods.” said Sian under her breath, reaching out a hand and caressing the valkyrie’s face gently.

“It is not your fault, Mistress. I did not see.” she said quietly and without emotion.

Winter watched her and stood, “Spear, it is time to return to your post.”

Sian glanced between Winter and the unnamed as she stood, “But Winter, she is…”

“She is dormant, Sian. Do not be alarmed in what you see before you. When our love claimed me, our truth began and in a sense, we all were saved. The purpose that we were intended for has finally been realised. Except it is more; you can feel his thoughts; you know what is in his mind, your mind. You know what they will become.” Winter said.

“Winter…” Sian said, gesturing for the nameless to stay.

Winter shook her head, touching Sian’s arm, “Not now, Sian. If you do it now, the whole forest will wake.” she said gently, letting a finger tip slide slightly on the inside of Sian’s forearm.

Sian’s eyes became slightly unfocused, she shook her head, “Winter?”

“Not now, Sian. Tomorrow. Give her a name tomorrow. A name that has meaning.” Winter said, her voice working its way into a suggestion.

Sian looked to the nameless, blinking, “I promise you, I will name you.”

The unnamed valkyrie stepped back bowing, “Thank you, Mistress.”

Sian felt Winter’s hand on her arm, every movement of her fingertip drawing heat to her skin, she met Winter’s eyes, the copper glow alive within them, “Winter?” she said with uncertainty.

Winter’s eyes softened, “Come, Sian. Please don’t make me wait any longer. You can stop me if you want to, I won’t be upset. Just let me have some time alone with you, with no distractions, no concerns. Please.”

Sian looked at her, hearing Winter’s words with her ears and within her mind, overpowering her thoughts and making her hazy. She blinked slowly, smiling languidly as heat rose to her cheeks. She let herself be led away from the camp, Winter’s hand on her arm.

“You are using his strength against me, Winter.” she said quietly, her voice slow, her face flushed.

Winter looked at Sian briefly with a private smile, her eyes glowing copper in the darkness as she led Sian through the trees, “You can stop me with a word, if that is your will, my love.”

Winter smiled as she heard an involuntary gasp come from Sian, “You do not need to use your power on me, I know what you really are.” Sian said before whimpering slightly, stumbling, “Gods, it is like my nerves are on fire, like I am... Winter” Sian said, her eyes on Winter.

“You are not stopping me, my love.” Winter whispered, her voice low, dripping with desire, “Control me, or let me do as I please, what you please, my love.”

“Get out of my head, Winter. Or there will be no surprises.” said Sian, her voice strengthening as latched her hand onto Winter’s arm.

Winter slowed, looking back to see Sian’s emerald-silver eyes glowing. An indulgent smirk came to her lips as Sian pulled back and dragged her off the path while forcing her out of her mind.

“You wanted me alone, Winter?” Sian said as she pressed Winter’s back against a tree.

She looked deeply into Winter’s eyes, “You now have me alone. Let me see your true form. Show me what I saw yesterday in the mists.” Sian said, her eyes flaring, “Or I will make you.”

Winter shivered as she felt Sian wrestle back control, the bolt of heat running through her as she felt Sian’s will suddenly on the verge of dominating her. Sian’s mind sharp and unyielding while she held her on the edge of forcing her to shift. Her eyes widened as Sian pushed herself against her, the sensual heat from the press of Sian’s body against her own, one of Sian’s slender hands sliding around her neck, drawing her closer.

Sian stopped a hair’s breadth from kissing her, her lips brushing Winter’s lightly, sending pleasurable shocks though her.

“Show me.” said Sian, her lips touching Winter’s as she whispered, their eyes locked together.

Winter felt Sian’s other hand slide around her waist, pulling her tight against her, her voice faltering, “If-if that is your will.”

“You show me, because you want to, Winter.” said Sian.

Shadow of the Eclipse: Chapter Timeline

(Click to enlarge in new tab)