 |
| |
ENTRY # : |
52 |
| |
TITLE : |
WINE, WOMEN AND WAR... |
| |
ARC : |
THE LOST VALLEY II |
| |
ENTERED BY : |
Templar |
| |
DATE RANGE : |
March 25th - 26th, 2001 |
| |
HEROES : |
|
| |
VILLAINS : |
|
| |
PEOPLE : |
Kulkan,
Rebecca McRae,
Shadowqueen
|
| |
OTHERS : |
Amazons,
Wraith's gun,
Valley of the Blessed
|
|
| |
ENTRY : |
[***SECURITY CLEARANCE GRANTED AS PER OPERATIVE DATED 30.03.01:
Members present during Jungle Incident Eyes Only***]
Log entry by Andrew Mathers [Templar], 30.03.01
Prior to the feast, there were ritual ablutions to remove the taint of blood. I'm not sure whether
it is a metaphysical taint, or the physical substance that we were to be cleansed of. This is an
interesting distinction from an anthropological standpoint that I was unable, given what came
afterwards, to properly investigate. As a member of the sacerdos caste in their eyes, I
was called upon to sacrifice a goat to "our gods". "When in Rome" I figured, to some
apparent disgust on the part of certain of my travelling companions. This has sound Biblical
precedent in any event, and I figured I could use all the help I could get. (As per the classic
tradition, the meat would not go to waste and would be used for the upcoming feast.)
[Cross-reference:
Bible -> Leviticus -> 23:19]
I was seated apart from my comrades during the feast, next to Antiope, and when culturally
permissible, I attempted to gain from her what information I could about this place. Her story was
that the Valley had been sealed off from the remainder of the earth by the "goddess" Artemis, and
that the Valley would remain Blessed so long as a sacred fire in her honour burned. There was
mention of the obligatory Guardian of this Flame and, more interestingly to me, of the presence of
an Oracle within the Valley.
Of interest to our current predicament was the knowledge that outsiders did slip through the wards
on occasion, according to the "will of the Goddess". One such example, was the person of
Rebecca McRae, a modern anthropologist with whom I had very little discussion (she being stationed
at the head table). Another example was the lone male we met (other than those within our own group),
an Inca or Toltec warrior named (phonetically) "Kulkan". Apparently rendered a eunuch (by the
Amazons?), he was kept around to translate with the outside world although his experience with it
did not seem more recent than the age of the Spanish Conquistadores.
This led to questions once again about the apparent longevity of the inhabitants of the Valley,
especially when Dr. McRae claimed Queen Hespera to be more than 300 years old. When I questioned
Antiope, she admitted to "120 seasons", which led to a vain attempt to understand the length of
their seasons. I can understand Dr. McRae's fascination with this place; it is an anthropological
treasure house.
During the course of the feast I was also given formal gifts of thanks (a small bronze dagger, a
leather satchel and a pair of sandals) from the three women I helped to heal within the arena.
Curious how the life-debt custom was expressed herein. It wasn't what I would have expected (in my
limited understanding) of a post-Hellenic culture, being closer to Phoenician cultural traditions.
While I was pursuing these academic investigations, my comrades were - so far as I could determine -
pursuing more earthly goals. My male companions were seated with the warrior faction, and were
being plied with the strong, turbid red wine the Amazons prepared (personally, I favoured the
chocolate-based beverage). I was amused at the sight that Mr. Robinson, in particular, seemed to
be getting particularly "loose" and friendly with the natives, though it was Hikaru who was led off
by a small group of them. I could have warned Sub-Zero that this culture, based in the worship
of Ares as well as Artemis, would value martial tradition above any 20th century "swinging"
attitudes.
Before it got too late, I retired to perform some investigations of my own, and was able to
determine that we were in a pocket dimension, close to the Lands of the Dead. There were paths
into an out of this place, but they were tenuous. I also began to wrestle with the thought that
I might be required to sever this place from the Flame which protects it. Although I admire the
Garden of Eden purity of the place, I could not forget the casual barbarism with which the Valley
was ruled, nor the metaphysical concerns inherent in its existence.
Come the morning, such philosophical concerns were rendered moot. Queen Hespera had been murdered,
and we were being set up to look like the guilty parties. I was able to use my "priestly" standing
to examine the body and to facilitate the investigations of Phoenix (whom the Amazons would not
permit to touch the corpse), but the superficial signs implicated Wraith and his gun. Phoenix was
able to determine a lot of forensic evidence to cast doubt on this (not least of which is that
no-one heard a shot, even though Cipher's room was directly opposite the murder scene), but this
had about the impact I expected.
If there is one thing that is hard to get across to the modern rational thinker, it is the classic
concept of the way the universe works. If the signs or omens seem to suggest that someone is
responsible for a crime, then that person was responsible. Evidence and facts are irrelevant,
and might be caused by inimical powers. Trying to use rational argument against such a mindset is
worse than fruitless, it is counter-productive. I eventually refused to translate Phoenix'
arguments, fearing that they would harm any hope we had of getting out of here intact.
Things only got worse from there. As a 'servitor of the gods', I was permitted to accompany the
funeral procession up the valley, where they put the body on a small skiff for the journey to the
"land of the dead". I also got to observe themselves into a regular frenzy, a lust for blood in
the fashion of the Maenads of Greek mythology. When we returned to the palace, I found my
male companions had all been gathered in the courtyard, surrounded by enraged Amazons. Calling
upon "blood for blood", Medea ordered the archers to take aim.
[Cross-reference:
Greek Mythology -> People ->
Maenads]
I tried calling out a protest, but my words and the angry protests of Phoenix were drowned out
by the cries for vengeance. As the bows were leveled, I could see any hope of a peaceful solution
flicker and die. In mere moments the bloodshed would have begun.
|
|
| |
WRAPUP : |
The Romans had a saying; "Gladiator in arena consilium capit," warning
against making your plans in the arena. This was, alas, the only recourse left to us. We had been
set up but good. The only question would be whether or not we would survive the trap set out for
us.
|
|
