Emerie Appreciation Week

“Ma, what is this?” Sumud paused folding the clothes as Emerie came into her periphery, her little hands clutching what appeared to be an old paper so tightly she feared she would rip it with just the slightest movement. Seizing the paper from her grasp, Sumud opened and took notice of the contents.

The paper seemed worn down, its edges frayed and ink fading in multiple places, practically falling apart with just a touch. Someone had read it a little too much. Sketches of women wearing armor she had never seen graced the front. Sections and sections about the said women were written below.

It wasn’t just a paper.

Sumud’s brows rose.

It was a pamphlet!

About female warriors.

About Valkyries. And their latest achievements in the war.

If anyone saw Emerie with it, there would be Hel to pay.

Crouching down, she ran a hand down her child’s hair and ruffled it a little. “Where did you get this, my brave little cub?” Emerie snickered at the nickname. She had always loved whatever Sumud came up with.

“I found it under Aunt Ailith’s bedroll. It was tucked in a corner.” Emerie’s words, when they came, were hushed so low Sumud had difficulty hearing them. She had been like that ever since she witnessed Sumud and her father’s latest interaction. Or, more precisely, her father’s actions. Only ten now, but she knew to guard her tone and words when they were inside the home.

Sumud withered a little inside. Her precious daughter, her gift from the gods, was turning out to be just like her. A child her age should be happy, open and trusting. Yet her baby was turning wary with every hit she witnessed.

Emerie’s gaze turned downwards. “What happened to your hand?” Her eyes snagged on Sumud’s exposed wrists. On the latest bruise that marred there thanks to him.

She was quick to pull down her sleeves of her dress, but the damage was done. She saw it in her eyes.

The understanding.

The pain.

The helplessness.

“I just fell down, sweetie.” She rushed to console her baby, who now looked as if someone had just thrown away her favorite book. The said baby didn’t look convinced — she was too perceptive, this spitfire of hers. “It’s just a minor bruise; it’ll fade.”

Emerie kept silent. It took a moment for her to speak.

“When are we leaving him, Ma?” The question didn’t surprise her — she knew Emerie had been eavesdropping on her conversation with Ailith.

What surprised her, though, was the desperation in her child’s voice.

The hope.

Hope that they will one day leave.

No child should be feeling this.

“Soon love. Really soon.” She held up the pamphlet. “For now, how about we talk about these ladies?”

Emerie’s eyes instantly brightened, the earlier shadows fading away for a spark of intrigue to enter that warm brown. She rushed to sit at their usual spot — a cozy chair near the windows covered by quilts Sumud had knitted in her spare time. Their safe heaven. Their spot.

“Valkyries,” she began, picking up the comb from the dresser and passing through her daughter’s tresses. “Those women you see on the cover? They were called Valkyries. They were this group of females who used to fight—”

“Females? Like us? They can fight?” Emerie all but shrieked.

Sumud laughed. “Some like us. Some not. Now hush, my child. We don’t want the whole neighbourhood hearing about them.”

Emerie twisted on her chair, gripping the rail with her little fingers, face so pleading Sumud would have given her the moon had she asked. “Tell me more, Ma.”

Sumud pushed her to sit back and started braiding the top part of Emerie’s hair. “Legend says that they were fiercer than the Illyrian warriors.” She was sure Emerie now had stars in her eyes. Females and warriors were her favorite things to listen. And to hear about someone better than Illyrians? She will be on the moon. “They conquered mountains, slayed beasts, and even fought and won in multiple battles. They rode on Pegasus,” she put a finger on her child’s lips as it automatically opened, likely to ask about the Pegasus. “Pegasus is a winged horse from a distant land. It is said that being a Valkyrie was the highest honour a person could receive. And when you achieve that honour, a Pegasus will choose you to bond with.”

“Now I want to be a Valkyrie!” Emerie exclaimed. Sumud tickled Em and delighted in the giggle that followed. “You’re just saying that so you can ride on a Pegasus,” Emerie shrieked with laughter. “Ma stop. How do I become one? Tell me,” the child began, tugging Sumud’s hands lightly, her small body still panting from the laughter.

“To become a Valkyrie, one needs to first slice a ribbon and then slay the Caph, a massive beast from the same place Pegasus hails from. Only then will they be titled a Valkyrie.”

Emerie was determined. “Then I’ll cut the ribbon and kill Caph.” And upon seeing Sumud’s amused face, harrumphed.

“Watch me, Ma. I will one day ride Pegasus. I will cut that ribbon and slay the beast. Besides, how hard would it be to cut a ribbon? They did it. Surely I can too.” She huffed.

Sumud tutted. “It might sound easy, but remember, love, what sounds easy might turn out to be the hardest thing you could ever do. Valkyries were hardheaded. More so than the Illyrians. Nothing they ever did was easy.”

Emerie had the good sense to look nervous.

“Many females practiced each year, but only a select few became Valkyries. You know why, Em?” Her child shook her head.

“It is because it takes more than simple strength to become a Valkyrie. You need wit, a sharp mind, and a capable body. You should be astute in your decisions, clear in your words, and precise with your sword. That’s what makes a Valkyrie. That’s what made them superior.”

Emerie nodded. “I understand, Ma. I will be everything you mentioned. I will try hard to earn the title and will be the first Valkyrie in our family.” Emerie looked so resolute that Sumud didn’t mention that Valkyries have all been eliminated. No need to wash away a child’s happiness. And she loved when Emerie was happy and hopeful. It fed her soul. Cauldron knows it's hard these times.

Emerie continued, oblivious to her mother’s thoughts. “You know, Ma, after we leave here, after I become a Valkyrie and make you proud, we will come back.” Sumud’s lips tipped at that. “We will come back and start our own. No mean people this time. Only you and I. We will stroll down those paths without a male with us, and when we tire we will go on a ride on Pegasus.”

Sumud’s heart clenched. Her entire being longed to feel the wind. Cupping her precious child’s face in her hands, she whispered. “I would love that, my sweet angel. I would love that very much.”

Emerie beamed, her slender hands coming around Sumud’s.

“Now stay still while I braid your hair. Valkyries don’t wiggle.” Emerie laughed.