The drums picked up telling me it was time to go out and shine, literally. My tribe's women helped me to finish putting on their traditional, Goddess of the moon dress and mask. Then I stepped out of the tent. A long walkway had been left for me by the women. The women lined each side watching me walk through. None of them could tell who I was thanks to the mask.
I took my time. I probably looked like I was walking down the aisle for a wedding. I let the drums get faster and faster. I decided I was going to force myself to enjoy this. Even if I did feel like I was doing a trick for treats. When I got by the big bonfire I let the drums take me and move my body.
The rhythmatic music of the drums, coupled with my dance, had the entire area in a trance. I weaved and waved. I danced completely around the bonfire pile. Then I again allowed myself to gradually catch fire as I danced. I flew above it landing on the top of the pile. Which lit the bonfire. I lingered there dancing for a moment before I came back down.
When I did, I had an accident. I did not mean for it to, but my costume burned off as I danced. It was replaced with a dress made of red, sparkly dragon scales. (it looked like I was wearing an expensive sequins dress from today's time) It was form fitting, and only came half way down my legs. The back dipped down to the bottom of my collar bone. There was only one sleeve that came down to my elbow. My other arm and shoulder were bare. Around the waist was a clear sheer that came to my feet. It was split in the middle up to my waist, and sparkled like the stars. It was such a beautiful dress! I did not know but my makeup was done too. However, I was still wearing the mask.
The natives thought I was still on fire at first. But when the chief approached me he touched my new clothes. His grin went from ear to ear. "This is wonderful!" He proclaimed, "My daughter you are beautiful." He then turned to the crowd of on lookers. "See her power! This woman I claim as my daughter. She will marry who I see fit. I proclaim there will be trials. There will be trials until there is only one man left standing." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. He held our hands up high, "He is who I shall proclaim my daughters husband."
The entirety of the camp burst out into cheers, and applause. The chief walked me back into the tent and told me to take off my mask. As I did he lifted up the back of the tent. "Go to the tent behind this one. Wife go with her. Get her into something matching the other girls. They will have issue if they see her face now. I wish no fighting during these trials."
The Chiefs wife and myself sneaked to the next tent without being seen. She had me wait while she quickly got me some new clothing. Once I was dressed I was scent to go and eat with the other women. The Chiefs wife took my pretty dress and folded it neatly, laying it on my bed. Then she came to eat with the rest of us.
In the eyes of all the tribes I was now the daughter of the chief. That meant I was to start calling his wife memaw and the chief Pepaw. So, I tried, "Would you like me to start calling you me-maw?" The chiefs wife looked at me with the biggest grin I had ever seen on her. "I would like nothing else, may I call you daughter?" I shook my head and we hugged.
The next day was the start of the trials. Pepaw lost no time in the trials. He began by having all of the suitors line up and run a marathon. (Forgive me I do not know all the native language for the terms so I am using modern language) All the men had to run for 20 miles. Basically, from our encampment to the seashore and back again.
The rules were simple. Only the first 100 back home will make it to tomorrows trials. The men would be allowed to trip, maim, and kill each other along the way. Pretty much, besides being the first back alive, there were no rules.
As Pepaw explained he had me standing next to him in the dress from yesterday. He also had me wear my mask. I was worried though. I even asked him why the rules were so harsh. I did not want the men dying for me. His answer to this day astounds me. He said, "Men are different then women. Where some women can show their strength in baring children, cleaning and cooking. Other women show there strengths on the battle field, in the mind, and in their physical abilities. You my dear show so many strengths that finding a suitable mate is difficult. You see men, like to show their strengths in fighting, bloodshed, and mental prowess. Your mate will have to show abilities in all these areas to be worthy of you. You are worth so much more! All these men can see it. That is why this must be. Otherwise, we will have fighting between our neighbors and friends. The bloodshed that will result could be a whole village's worth instead of a few men. We want unity, not more division. Do you understand now?"
I nodded my head. He sure held me up high. I was not sure I deserved such praise. It sounded like such an educated and thought out answer. I decided maybe I should just let things be and see the outcome. Pepaw had some very good points. Sometimes it may take bloodshed to prevent worse bloodshed. Where have I heard that before. The death of one to save the many. It makes since.
The next day Pepaw and myself stood in front of the men as they all lined up. I could see the Viking God Surt. He was standing in a black suit that was made to fit perfectly. I thought it was odd clothing for a foot race. It was almost like he could hear my thoughts. He snapped his fingers and was all of a sudden wearing the traditional garb of the other Indians. He kept his sunglasses on though.
I do not know quite why but Surt gave me goose bumps. I looked across the line for my story teller. But I think he was buried in the crowd. There were, just to many men, to count in the crowd from where I stood. Pepaw announced that the race would begin when the drums started and end when the drums stopped. If the drums stopped and the runners where still out they might as well pack up and head home. The first one hundred back would be brought by the main camp fire tonight where I would be doing another dance with the women of my tribe.
Well, I guess after what they are about to do, a nice treat would be welcome. I will have to get with my tribal friends and work something out. My Pepaw sat down and when he was comfortable pounded his staff three times. The drums began and the runners were off.
Several got trampled at the starting line, and could not continue the race. Several more a few yards out. When the men hit the tree lines, some were taken out by trees and could not continue. It was brutal! The men were punching and fighting, some pulled knifes out, some were crash test dummies. It truly blew my mind at the carnage that took place. Right here in front of me! It was like they didn't care. All that was on each and every mind of those racing, was winning at any cost. That was not right to me.
I did find my story teller before they hit the tree line. He was at the front of the stampede, so was Surt. They were neck and neck. It looked like they were they only one's without any blood on them so far. They were also the two moving the fastest. They were out in front of everyone. As soon as I saw them I made up my mind. This carnage was not for me. I turned away and went and changed. Then I went and helped tend to the wounded. I felt more comfortable there.
I found that helping the wounded was gratifying to me. I did not understand the sutures, and poultices that the other women were using. However, I could help the wounded back to camp for the others to care for. I could drape cold cloths on faces and foreheads for fever. And I could clean and dress minor wounds.
The women showed me many things when it came to medicine. I actually learned quite a lot from their loving care of the men. By the end of the day I was suturing and using poultices just as the best of them were. Many of the men I helped said I had a comforting presence. When I would lay a hand on a screaming man, the screaming would stop. He would say it was like I had healing hands and the pain just went away.
Of course, I could not be with all the men. Then there were some tribal women that refused to let me attempt to help their men. One man was begging for my help and the native woman (apparently his sister) pulled a knife on me. As I walked away the poor man died. The woman could be heard wailing from a mile away. Pepaw saw to it they had an escort back home. They left today. The woman could not stomach me anywhere near their camp. But I did send food. She accepted the gift as they left.
She never knew who I was. She just knew I wanted to help. She was not mad at me. But it felt as though this was my fault. Because of this I went to talk to Pepaw in the Chiefs tent. I could not take anymore needless bloodshed. Luckily he was alone. "Pepaw, we must do something. The other tribe's are going to blame our tribe for the death of their men. There must be a better way." Pepaw smiled at me, "You sound like you have a better idea my daughter." I sat down next to him, "I do. I suggest a wrestling contest. Anyone who is pushed outside the ring must go home." Pepaw and I discussed the rules and ideas to my trial suggestion. He loved it.
He agreed that tomorrow would be different as far as trials go. But on my way out, he gave me some food for thought. "Remember daughter, we men pride ourselves and hold our worth on the battle field. We are born and raised with this in mind. We fight for glory, we fight for honor, we fight for those we love. Right now, those men are fighting for the chance to love you. Don't think to harshly on them. Their families will understand. This is the way things have been done for many generations. I know it is hard for you to understand. But that too is in the differences between men and women."
As I left I thought hard about what he said. I do feel that there are many things women can do just as well as men. But there are things women do better and things men do better. Like men are more stout and made for hard physical labor, when women are born with the equipment to have children. But that being said, we are similar in many attributes as well. Like women can fight just as well as men if trained correctly. Men can cook just the same as women when shown how. We are equal in some things, but we do have our differences. Pepaw does have a good point. At least he does listen to me. I am seen as a equal in his eyes.
That afternoon at sunset we all patiently awaited the return of the racers. When they began appearing at the tree line by the edge of the field I saw Surt and my story teller in the front. I was actually excited for a change.
I was curious which one would make it back first. They ran neck and neck all the way back to the starting line, and crossed at the same time. They both collapsed from exhaustion. Surt was picked up by the Vikings and carried back to their camp. My story teller was helped by his two tribal friends back to their camp. Both men made a point of looking at me. Surt blew me a kiss and licked his lips.
The rest of the 98 men were counted as they trickled in. It was well after dusk when the 100th man crossed the starting line. The drums stopped and the crowd cheered. The rest of the men trickled back in throughout the night. The next morning half of the camps that had been here had been broken down or were being broken down and the tribes left. The only ones to stay were the 100 that crossed the finish line.