JUNIPER

JUNIPER

   The three great tribes were at war, many hundreds of people had perished in the huge conflict. It wasn’t clear who would win. It could easily end up with only three men remaining, each a warrior of the warring tribes. After that, there would be no one left. Juniper had let the war go on long enough, now she had to act. If not, she would be guilty of letting the slaughter get out of hand. The tribal warriors had killed and been killed enough times, their lesson had been learnt. It was time to stop the killing. She picked the strongest tribe to be the fulcrum of the event.

   Juniper was always earthbound, doing her roles of healer, witch and warrior woman. She was divinely worshipped as a Mother Goddess of fertility and a dozen other things. Her battle skills were equal to her life giving skills; she needed to fight to defeat her stubborn opponents when her magic wouldn’t work. Skilled in arcane arts, she was a spell weaver and magician of supreme power. Her hands could give life and take it away. Her crystals were her magical key and her bows and arrows were her life taker. A weapon she crafted herself and used with deadly efficiency. Dressed in animal skins, Juniper was an athletic figure of intelligence and emotions. She understood herself, her world and her subject. There was nothing she didn’t know. Experience taught her everything and knowledge was her key in winning her battles against the darkness. Dark energy balanced out the light side and goodness, like the day replacing the night. Such was Stone Age life in what would become Europe many aeons later.

   She could travel by foot, silently and stealthily, to surprise her enemies and bring them to heel. Or she was able to travel instantly from one place to another by using her magic power channelled through her crystal wand. This was a skill she used sparingly, early humans were very superstitious and their fear of the witch could overcome their desire to be led. Moving from place to place, the witch did her job. When the war broke out, this threatened to undo her previous efforts at keeping the peace and healing. She had to act now.

***

   Overlooking the flat plain on two sides, the low hills gave whoever held them command of the area. They were occupied by the stronger tribe called the White Spears. Their enemies were living uneasily side by side on the grasslands below, often fighting one another or attempting to take the high ground. Many warriors were killed in these forays. The coming battle would decide the issue of who kept the hills and also the low ground; there was a danger the two opposing tribes would be wiped out by the stronger enemy. Could Juniper stop this? She crept up the hill, keeping low to blend into the metre tall wild grass. Her bow and arrow were ready to be used in anger. With her senses keyed up, she was ready for anything; this was her time. Up ahead she saw camp fires and heard voices, several warriors were on guard and would be armed. She slowly advanced.

   In the White Spear camp a warrior named Nian held his spear to his chest. His weapon shone in the firelight. He hadn’t killed a man yet but he had been involved in several skirmishes with the tribes on the flatlands. It was a matter of time before he got his first kill and became a seasoned warrior veteran, one of the men. Then he could claim a wife and build his own dwelling for his family. He itched for war and to kill an enemy, he felt it in his veins; they ran hot with a lust for action that often overwhelmed him. Nian wanted to go down the hill alone and wipe his enemies out all by himself. His warrior elders warned him not to do this, he would be cast out of the tribe and be an enemy then. There were ways of doing things. Just then, he saw movement in the grass, past the flames of the dying fire. He instinctively knew something or someone was there. Maybe an enemy or a wild beast. He judged the distance and threw his white spear into the grass where he saw movement. His sleek two metre spear arced out and into the grass. A scream of pain was Nian’s reward. He got up and ran to the grass, shouting to his brethren to join him, that there was an enemy in their midst.

   Juniper had fucked up; she moved too close to the edge of the camp and was spotted. The spear caught her in her thigh. It was a bad wound and bled profusely. She knew she was beaten before her battle had begun and this changed everything. Suddenly there were figures standing before her, towering over the grass, shouting and pointing. Before she passed out, she felt them roughly lifting her and taking her to their camp. Mercifully she felt no more pain. Juniper never even got a single arrow off.

   Later Juniper awoke. It was dark. She was in a cave. They hadn’t covered her eyes but had gagged her and bound her hands behind her. Looking down she saw her thigh was roughly bandaged with dried leaves and animal fur to stop the blood. Moving her injured leg, she bit into her gag and fell back against the wall. It hurt like hell. Juniper was about to do a healing spell upon herself to take the pain away when she stopped. If I heal myself or stop the pain, they may know that I’m more than I seem, that I’m a witch, she thought. If they found out, she could be put to death and sacrificed. Or revered as a queen. One thing at once, thought Juniper, lying back and closing her eyes. The pain receded to a dull ache and she slept.

   Daylight shone in through the cave entrance, waking the witch. She groaned and sat upright. Her body ached due to the awkward position she was in. Her hands were numb and her wounded leg was sore. Suddenly the daylight was blocked out; there was someone there. A man, a warrior, stood by the entrance. He studied the witch and she did him. She recognised him as the spear thrower. He nodded and walked over to her. In his hand he held a white spear, stained black with blood. Her blood.

   “I see you’re awake,” commented the young warrior. Slowly he walked over and keeping his distance, he pulled down her gag with one hand.

   “Yes, I am,” confirmed the witch, when she could speak. She spat on the floor and took a deep breath.

   “How is your leg? Does it hurt?”

   “No, it doesn’t,” Juniper replied, looking down to her wound.

   “Really? You’re a bad liar. I spared your life so we could capture you. We know who you are and what your intentions are,” the man boasted, nodding. He had his own plans for her.

   “What do you mean? What is this you say? I was hungry and came up here looking for food. I was about to make myself known to you and ask for some food when you speared me.”

   “You want food? Here, have some of this.”

   “What is it?”

   “Cooked flesh from a prisoner we caught from the Red Stone tribe. He was a brave fighter, now he feeds our tribe. Eat.”

   The warrior placed his white spear carefully against the wall, out of reach of the witch, and knelt down. In his hand he held a piece of blackened meat, scorched by the fire. He broke some off and put it in the prisoner’s mouth.

   “Don’t bite me or I’ll knock your teeth out. You like it?”

   Juniper nodded compliance and chewed the tough flesh. It was muscle. Its owner must have been a fine warrior. Yes, its okay, thought the witch. She had to eat, she was famished and had to win her captors respect. Eating the flesh would achieve just that. She swallowed it.

   “That’s good. Thank you. May I have some more?”

   “Yes, you may.”

   Again the warrior gave his prisoner some meat. He noticed she liked it and he smiled his approval. He gave her the last bit and said he had to check her leg, to see if it was infected. Very carefully, he removed the dressing of leaves and skin.

   Juniper winced when the leaves were removed, some clotted blood was pulled free and it stung. A bit of blood bled from the edge of the wound. The rest was closed up. It wasn’t as bad as she had feared. She needed to kiss his arse; her plan had to work especially now she was hurt. It was a high price to pay.

   “You’re a fine spear thrower; you got me with a good throw. You could have killed me,” she said.

   “Yes, I’m the finest spear thrower of our tribe and I’ve killed many enemies of our tribe. I could have killed you from fifty paces. You’re very lucky,” the warrior replied. He sprinkled some herbs onto her wound and put a new dressing of dried leaves and animal skin in place.

   “I am lucky, you’re right. You could have. How is my wound? Is that Night Fire you’re putting on to stop the infection?” she wanted to show him respect and that she had a little knowledge of herbs, to show she understood him and his actions. She knew he was lying about killing anyone, it wasn’t in his eyes. He was the one for her. He was pure and untouched by the Devil. She could steer him away from war and death.

   “You’re wound will heal with no problem. The leg will be stiff for a few days while the skin joins together. Yes, the herb what you call Night Fire. We call it River Blood. It will stop any infection and dull the pain. Only a small amount is needed. How do you know about herbs?”

   “That’s good about my leg; I don’t want to be lame. I’d starve to death then. I wouldn’t be able to hunt with my bow and arrow. I’ve used some herbs for cooking and to heal minor cuts when I’ve been chasing animals to kill one.”

   “We don’t want you lame, there’s no danger of that. My spear throw was perfect. You can use your herbal skills when you’re well to heal our tribe and make our warriors stronger and better killers. As for your archery skills, I want to see them for myself.”

   “I will help you with my herbal skills. Looking at what you just did to my leg, I think you have much better knowledge than I do though. I agree to show you my bow skills when I can. I hope it’s not too long,” Juniper commented, knowing that the warrior now trusted her.

   “Good, I’m glad you agree. I won’t have to use any of my other skills on you then, to persuade you. You can stay here till you’re well. I’ll untie your hands and bring you some water. Your weapon is fine and in a safe place by the way,” the warrior replied. He motioned for the witch to lean forward so he could undo her bonds. He smelled her dirt and her essence, it turned him on and he wanted her. His cock twitched under his animal skin. Did she see it?

   “That’s very kind of you. I promise not to escape or be a burden to you. Thank you for tending my wound, for the food and keeping my weapon safe. When I’m well, you may have me and take me for your wife. If you want to,” she said. She knew she had him now; she held the power but did her best not to show it. She offered him everything.

   “Yes, when you’re well, I’ll take you and make you my wife. You can give me many strong sons to be future warriors for our tribe. What’s your name?”

   “I’m Juniper.”

   “Juniper... I’m Nian. It means Warrior of the Sky.”

   “Well Nian, I promise to be a good wife to you and I’ll give you many strong sons.”

   “Good Juniper. Now I’ll fetch you some water and let you rest.”

   “Thank you my warrior.” Juniper knew her mission was beginning, she was in the tribe!

***

   When Juniper had healed, she was allowed to walk about the tribe’s camp. She saw many brave warriors and many women with child, carrying the next generation of warriors. A limp still troubled her but she slowly made good progress and hobbled round best she could using a crude wooden crutch. Juniper sat on a wooden chair one of the tribal elders made for her to rest her leg. This allowed her to show the White Spear tribe her archery skills and how to make a strong but lightweight bow and equally reliable arrows. Only certain wood would do, some were too heavy or would snap under the strain. The witch fashioned six good bows and fifty arrows, each was functional and could fire an arrow accurately up to three times the range of a thrown spear. She showed the male warriors how to aim and hit targets. They struggled with the pull of the bow string; it took a certain skill to master. Juniper was a good teacher. A bow and arrow were superior weapon systems when compared to the other tribes on the plain. Secretly the witch enchanted the bows to only be used for hunting, not to kill other humans or wage war. No one was aware that Juniper did this. She was cunning and slowly changing the destiny of the tribe, away from the war with the low land tribes. It was all part of her job. After one week of tuition and two weeks of practise, two of the warriors were competent in archery. One of these men was Nian. He killed a huge wild bison with three arrows. In celebration of this stunning feat, a feast was planned.

   A strong sense of cohesion ran through the camp. It was brought about by Juniper’s presence and her teaching of a new set of skills, allowing the tribe to hunt big game safely and efficiently. Planning for the feast was rapid. Tribal women painted themselves with red ochre to represent their connection to the earth and their Mother Goddess. Juniper herself was part of this. Male warriors donned ceremonial head gear and masks to appear as creatures of the night, supernatural beings called Elementals. The tribal elders and witch doctors went into trances and talked to those who had passed to the spirit world. Juniper secretly cast spells to allow for a good feast day and she knew it would rain, to bring atmosphere and allow the nearby river to quench the tribe’s thirst.

   Soon feast day was here. Juniper was able to walk unaided now. She wore a ceremonial dress made of woven animal pelts. She appeared as a symbolic witch. Did the tribe know what she really was? They’d soon find out. Nian’s bison was roasted on a spit and the feast began.

   “I see you’re dressed as a witch Juniper. That’s a good omen for you and the rest of us, yes indeed,” commented Nian, looking the slim woman up and down.

   “Thank you my warrior. My skills are little when compared to your own, especially your spear throwing ability,” Juniper humbly replied, looking at Nian’s chest.

   “Come witch woman, you’re my equal. You can use a bow; you taught our tribe some of your skills. For that, you’re my equal. Maybe in time you’ll be my wife and teach me everything you know. Yes you bare the scar of my spear skills, for that I’m truly sorry,” whispered the warrior. He knelt down and placed his head upon Juniper’s slim toned belly. She touched his head and soothed him.

   “It’s true I bare your scar upon my skin that marks me as yours. Yes I will be your wife and teach you all my skills. I will help your tribe and be your humble wife and their wise woman. Thank you, it would be an honour to be by your side as your wife Nian.”

   Nian looked up and smiled. He stood up and nodded agreement. “Thank you Juniper. For everything. Let’s celebrate even more.”

   “For a better future,” the witch said, happy her plan was working. “I love you Nian.”

   “Yes, we’ll make things better. I love you Juniper,” Nian confirmed. Opening his arms and looking at the other tribe members who danced and smoked ceremonial pipes, Nian shouted: “Hear this. Hear this White Spear tribe. Juniper has agreed to be my wife and teach myself and the rest of you, everything she knows. This feast will be the first of three to celebrate our wedding.”

   A huge cheer went up and dozens of people shouted and screamed in happiness. Many came over to Nian and Juniper and lifted them up above their shoulders. Pieces of cooked meat were passed up to them, as was locally made wine. The duo took all that was offered and their bellies became full. On went the party, all through the night. Two more feasts would follow and a huge wedding ceremony would bring harmony to the White Spear tribe. Their aggressive acts against the two low land tribes would fizzle out, bringing peace and stability. With the main war faring tribe ceasing its attacks upon the two lesser tribes, battle would end and trading could begin, when the time was right. Juniper was on the way to be a good peacemaker. Would she be a good mother when Nian gave her many sons and maybe a daughter? Time would tell, before then it was party time!

***