The Holy Warriors

Wynn wasn’t able to sleep again afterwards. Her mind was too wound up and staying still wasn’t helping. She eyed the door, hoping Yuru would return so she could start helping him now. He said he was working on dinner and, sure Wynn didn’t know how to cook, but cutting things up couldn’t be so hard. If she knew how to wield a sword, a knife couldn’t be so different.

Making up her mind, Wynn took the empty bowl and walked towards the door. She took a deep breath before she pushed aside the thick curtain and peeked outside. She was met with a wide hallway with other similarly curtained rooms, six in total with hers being at the end. Unable to hear any steps on the stone floor, Wynn headed to the other end where a wider beaded curtain hung.

She entered a large room, a pit in the center for the fire, bowls and large bins laid against the walls and baskets with herbs and other food hung from the walls. Everything was tidy and organized and nicely decorated by colorful woven art on the wall, and pretty, painted pots.

Yuru had mentioned he needed help around the house, so that made him the caretaker? A servant or slave? But if he brought her in, then was this his house? There was so much about Yuru Wynn didn’t yet understand, too many questions for her to even attempt to list them.

Voices sounded from outside and Wynn became nervous again. There were probably other people living there.

What am I supposed to say if I run into someone?

She didn’t have a chance to formulate a plan as someone burst in, then screeched to a halt upon seeing Wynn standing there in nothing but a simple gown.

It was a young girl, younger than Wynn, maybe thirteen years of age. She had lighter, bouncy short hair and wide eyes, and small and slim. But when she gave Wynn a toothy grin, and the energy inside her erupted.

“You’re up!” The girl exclaimed and rushed at her with giddy steps. “So, is it true? Are you the fifth?”

“Uhmm…”

“I knew it! It was about time Yuru picked the final one!”

Just as the girl took a deep breath, Wynn cut in. “Wait! What do you mean, the fifth?”

“The last of the Holy Warriors.”

Wynn was struck silent, her lips parted open in surprise.

The Holy Warriors?

Seeing her face go white, the young girl’s face faltered and she took a step back. “You…aren’t?”

Of course Wynn wasn’t one of the Holy Warriors, she’d be hysterical to believe she ever could be. For one, “I’m not a man.”

“Well, neither am I! The Holy Warriors are all women!”

Wynn touched her own forehead. Did she get sick after all? Was she hearing things because of a fever?

“I’m telling the truth!”

“Pira?”

Another person entered the house, the taller woman that had given Wynn water. She had her hands at her hips as she glanced between the two others, not angry, but stern. “Pira, we need to finish before the sun sets.”

“I know, but I wanted to meet the fifth warrior—”

“She’s not the fifth warrior,” The woman said with a tired sigh. Though it was true, the blatant dismissal hurt Wynn. “Yuru’s only helping her. Now hurry up.”

“But Theya—”

“Or we’re training for an extra hour tomorrow.”

“I’m on it!” The younger girl, Pira, snatched a basket off the ground and dashed back outside.

With her gone, the taller woman turnened her steely gaze at Wynn, who swallowed. Pressed to answer an unasked question, she explained, “I couldn’t sleep. Yuru said I’d be helping him. With dinner.”

“He will handle dinner tonight.” Theya looked her up and down before walking past her. “You can wash up first. And after eating, you can change the sheets and help wash them in the morning.” The beaded curtain clattered as Theya passed through, and clattered again once she returned with bundled cloth in her arm. “I’ll show you to the river.”

Wynn hurried to put on the sandals Theya gave her and followed her out into the evening. The orange sky greeted her above, and Wynn breathed in the scent of the trees around them. The house was in a small clearing in a thin forest. She didn’t have a chance to look around what appeared to be a vegetable garden as she tried to keep up with Theya’s fast pace.

They didn’t come across any other houses or structures on their short walk to the river. Spotting her looking all around them, Theya eased her worries. “We’re right outside the town. We’re here to train without any distractions.”

They reached the river, moving along clear and calm. Theya set aside Wynn’s clothes and soap-plant on dry rocks. “You can find your way back, can’t you.”

Instead of responding, Wynn asked, “Are you one of the Holy Warriors?”

Theya straightened back up and readjusted her gloves. “You shouldn’t listen to what a silly girl says.”

“Should I listen to you instead?”

Theya raked her hair back with her hand, a lazy smile on her face. “You’re Yuru’s guest, not mine. If he wants to help you, that’s his choice.”

It was clear this woman didn’t want Wynn imposing. Wynn didn’t want to either. But she was set on repaying Yuru back. “I’ll bathe quickly and return.”

Theya nodded and, as if hit by an after thought, asked, “What’s your name?”

“Wynn.”

“I’m Theya. I’ll introduce you to the others when you return.”

Wynn watched her leave, releasing a long breath once her footsteps were gone too.

Theya couldn’t be a Holy Warrior. They certainly weren’t women either. For centuries, every time a calamity was foretold to befall the kingdom, the Blessed Maiden would choose five male warriors to receive her blessings and defeat the calamity. Wynn hadn’t heard of any such calamity coming, but then again, there was a lot involving the kingdom’s internal affairs that she knew. The king had yet to announce anything.

And to have all the warriors be women? Why such a drastic change? Wynn continued to ponder it all as she undressed and stepped into the cold water. She took the blue flowers and lathered them in her hand to wash off all the grime from her body.

By the time she was finished and redressed, she had decided to investigate further. Even if it was all true, what could Wynn do about it anyway? Putting on her sandals, Wynn made her way back to the strange house and its inhabitants.