Ahead
Alrienne tried listening to whispering sounds of age-old trees dancing
in the wind, and her feet crunching on autumn leaves as she picked her
way through the forest. She always knew she was different and it
wasn’t approved of, but why should she do something just because
someone else did it that way?
Her intention hadn’t been to humiliate the men, but bringing back the
largest prize had been a bonus. Any help on the hunt should be
celebrated! But no, how dare she show up any man!
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting amber hues upon the
verdant canopy, Alrienne calmed to the nightly sounds of the forest
coming to life. She yearned for freedom, yearned to be able to choose
who she was, and for that to be okay. The forest didn’t judge, it
willingly embraced her.
Suddenly, a shrill cry, overflowing with desperation, shattered the
tranquility of the forest and broke Alrienne’s ruminations. It was
instinct that caused Alrienne to drop her water bucket and run toward
the call for help.
Alrienne stumbled upon a scene that stirred both dread and
determination in her heart. A young girl, no more than
thirteen-years-old, stood frozen before a monstrous silhouette looming
amidst the shadows. She was trembling before a dark-furred bear
standing on its hind legs. As it fell back to all fours, Alrienne
charged in with a yell to distract the creature. She’d left her
preferred weapon, a bow, at home when she’d hurried out of the house.
But she always had her dagger.
Claws and fangs flashed in the moonlight’s gleam as she desperately
fought with the shining blade. The girl was still shivering against a
tree, distracting Alrienne for a moment. Glancing over, Alrienne
hollered at the girl to run. Wide-eyed, the girl turned and darted
away like a frightened rabbit. But the break in focus was too long and
Alrienne knew she’d made a mistake even before the sting of claws
ripped across her back.
Turning toward the bear, Alrienne battled with fury, but knew it was a
losing battle. It was too late to turn and run, but her mission was
complete, the girl had gotten away. It wasn’t long before claws found
purchase, rending flesh and shattering bone, while her blade faltered.
In throes of agony, Alrienne gasped for air as she struggled until the
last, inevitability striking her in the face as she slipped into
oblivion’s embrace.
As darkness loomed over Alrienne, she fought to open her eyes once
more, prone on the forest floor. Squinting through the haze, Alrienne
saw the bear transform. It was still in the shape of a bear, but it
became ethereal, its figure no longer tangible. Alrienne watched in
amazement as it lowered its massive head and snuffled at her with a
nose that caused a slight chill. The bear was now no more than a
glowing pale blue and white light in the shape of an animal creature.
Alrienne wasn’t certain if her wounds knit themselves back together,
or if the pain simply melted away despite them, but strength coursed
back into her veins. Movement became easy again and she filled her
lungs with a deep breath before standing.
The bear didn’t make a sound, only watched with intelligent brown eyes
before turning its head away and lumbering into the trees.
Surrendering to the call of destiny, Alrienne followed the silent
guardian through the woods.
The journey took hours, taking Alrienne through small streams and past
countless bushes and trees. Despite the darkness of night that settled
over the land, she could see with clarity as if it was midday. Every
multi-colored tree leaf, every bush, every lingering berry clinging to
its branch was clear and defined.
Bright pink and purple hues upon a pale azure horizon alerted Alrienne
to the awakening dawn, but yet her body hadn’t tired. Then she saw
mossy stone steps within a small clearing, leading upward. The bear
stopped at the edge of the steps and looked back at her.
“Thank you,” Alrienne said in a reverent whisper, pausing in place
until the bear departed. She watched as it headed back from where they
came, its form flickering in and out as blue and white glow turned
back into darkened fur.
Knowing fate lay ahead and not behind, Alrienne began to climb the
steps. The staircase seemed to reach past the clouds and she could not
see or sense the end, but she continued to ascend. One foot in front
of the other, time after time, until a doorway appeared at the top of
the staircase. It was lodged in the middle of the vision of a pale
glowing six-foot fence, shaped as if forged from wrought iron, and
stretching each way into the clouds.
The door, the same height as the fence, was arched at the top and gave
off a blue glow, drawing Alrienne’s full attention as it opened. A
female figure draped in silver armor with gold edging stood in the
open doorway. A golden leaf circlet adorned her head, wings flaring
out from each side of it. Golden curls were pulled away from her face
in a tight braid, and tucked tightly against her back were feathered
white wings.
Awestruck, Alrienne sharply inhaled, mesmerized by the ferociousness
and beauty of the woman before her. She knew immediately who this
woman was.
Not a name, not a distinct personal connection, but she’d heard the
tales of the Nordics. Tales of female warriors who fought for the
gods. She’d been told to ignore such tales, her tribe followed
different beliefs and different gods. But here the woman was, golden
eyes fixed on Alrienne.
The woman didn’t say a word, simply waiting for Alrienne to gain her
composure and continue walking forward until she’d reached the
entrance. The woman stepped back, allowing Alrienne to pass through
the door.
“How am I here?” were the words Alrienne breathed out once she’d
passed through the opening. Her eyes took in the sight of mountain
peaks breaking through rolling clouds. Of impossible forests rising in
the distance, of houses and pathways, and female warriors, walking or
flying about their home.
The woman’s face broke into a faint smile, golden eyes searching
Alrienne’s face, “Do you not know, child?”
Though Alrienne was nineteen, she knew that here she was indeed no
more than a child. Her mortal years were a blink of an eye for the
immortal warriors who called this place their home. “The bear,”
Alrienne whispered.
The woman looked slightly amused at the suggestion, shaking her head.
“You may call me Geira, child. And do you wish to be here?”
Alrienne felt her heartbeat quicken and gave a quick nod of
affirmation, spirit soaring with possibilities now open to her.
Geira reached into the air and a silver spear formed within her hand.
She handed the weapon to Alrienne, gaze never leaving the girl’s face.
“Do not be caught without your weapon, child. I hope now you have
learned.”
Alrienne grabbed the weapon, fingers brushing Geira’s. She felt a
shock at the contact, an electrifying current coursing through her
body. An almost unbearable pain engulfed Alrienne, wrapping her in a
tightening, blindingly white light before releasing her. It was
instinct that told Alrienne wings were now upon her back, but sight
revealed her skin was now smooth, flawless, and effused with the same
soft glow as the woman before her. It took several moments for
everything to sink in, but the woman before Alrienne was patient and
waited silently.
Finally, Alrienne gathered her wits and looked up, gaze meeting
Geira’s. “What is my duty now?”
“But child, you have already chosen,” Geira replied, waving her hand
so the clouds below them parted.
Alrienne gazed down to find not only the clouds, but the stone pathway
had dissipated beneath her feet. Amusement momentarily overtook her as
she wondered, would she have fallen through the clouds to a second
death if Geira had gestured in such a way mere minutes ago?
But then, what Geira was focusing on caught Alrienne’s attention. It
was the preteen girl from the woods. She’d left her house early in the
morning and was heading toward a barn to care for the family animals.
The girl was humming and soon broke into song:
“Tell me what you will
Say I did not see it
But it was more than the thrill
And I was never even bit
A lady, I say,
A lass of brave stature
Bravely ran into the fray,
Blade piercing, the bear couldn’t stay.”
Alrienne felt a sense of relief, the girl was indeed safe. Looking
back to Geira, Alrienne swallowed hard, feeling a renewed sense of
purpose and a newfound sense of belonging. “I thought this was
destiny,” Alrienne stated, voice no longer a whisper, but strong and
bold – confident she belonged here.
“No, child. Even in the darkest of moments, we always have a choice.
And it is the choices you made that brought you here. You defined
yourself by embracing your purpose, even when those around you refused
to see. Your heart was born with wild thunder, but it is your will
that allowed it to run free,” Geira’s voice was confident as her bold,
golden gaze held Alrienne’s.
A smile spread across Alrienne’s face and she gripped her spear more
tightly, lifting it in the air. Slicing it across a cloud, Alrienne
felt the spear shift into a bow that fit comfortably in her hand.
Alrienne’s mortal existence, though less than a day’s distance, faded
into noiseless echoes upon the Earth. Alrienne embraced the future
with open arms, knowing now that another’s acceptance or disapproval
did not determine what was true. It did not determine who she was.
Here, Alrienne could embrace her own spirit, among a tapestry of
stars, in a timeless realm with other females of like heart and mind.
Full of freedom, Alrienne knew she belonged with the harbingers of
hope and change. Here, her fierce will was at liberty to embrace the
wildness within as she fought darkness in the world, one battle at a
time.
~ G.G. Marshall
Enjoying the story? Read more!
Part 1: Rise Together (Part 1)
Part 2:
Rise Together (Part 2)
Part 3:
Rise Together (Part 3)
Want to learn more about the creatures in the story?
Valkyrie: Valkyrie Profile
Spirit Animals: Spirit Animal Profile