The White Spear.
I.
The blades of the spears of the Okkocu were black once they were forged. But the great blade came from the furnace streaked and spotted with white.
It was these signs that told the elders of the tribe of its magical powers. It was fastened to the heft of the finest dark wood, and it was tempered and sharpened in the traditional way. Once the craftsmen had completed it, it was a beautiful weapon to behold. Its smooth blade was beautiful black, streaked and dotted with white markings, and it was terribly sharp. It was named the White Spear, and became the tribe Chieftain's sign of power, to be carried by him into battle. To be always at his side.
The first Chieftain to possess it was named Xabu, and he carried the White Spear into many valiant battles against their archenemies; the Hannu tribe. When Xabu was slain in battle, the White Spear fell to the next Chieftain; Rako. He carried the Spear forward in battle and slay many Hannu warriors with it.
And so the White Spear was carried forward into battle by generation after generation of Okkocu Chieftains. It became a symbol of their defiance of the Hannu. It was a unifying and inspirational symbol of their freedom. But the Okkocu were vastly outnumbered by the Hannu, and at one great battle between the two tribes the Okkocu forces were completely routed.
Their Chieftain, Xam, lay slain on the battlefield. The Hannu warriors took the White Spear from where it lay by his side. It was presented to the Hannu Chieftain as a symbol of their victory over the Okkocu.
II.
The White Spear remained in the possession of the Hannu Chieftains for many generations. They carried it proudly into battle against their enemies, most markedly, the Okkocu.
The Hannu Chieftains fought and won many glorious battles with the White Spear in their hands. It became a symbol of invincibility to however carried it in battle. It became renowned for its supernatural powers throughout that part of the world.
It was nearly taken back by the Okkocu during a daring raid on a Hannu Chieftain's camp. By a stroke of fortune, the camp cook took the Spear after the Chieftain had been slain, and stole away with it into the night.
After this incident the White Spear was kept for safe keeping in the Hannu Capitol, in the Temple. It was never again taken into battle, and was only used for ceremonial purposes.
III.
The women were preparing the virgin Mati for the sacrifice. It was the annual feast of the tribes' god; Gxoxo, and she was to be this year's ritual offering to him.
During the preparations she was calm and subdued as was expected of her, but underneath the tension was visible for all to see. The veil was placed over her face, and she was led away naked to the altar in the Temple.
She was strapped to the top of the altar in the dark torch lit Temple. The Chieftain approached her in ceremonial dress with the White Spear in his right hand. Its heft was dark and decorated with red and green lint. He lifted the spear above his head as the priests chanted their incantations. The light from the torches on the walls flickered off the blade. It shone black with white streaks, as it plummeted downwards to her chest.
The blade cut through her chest and abdomen, and she screamed as the blood burst forth.
The End.
JP Brown ' 10/03/2006.
