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Graylorne
Archmage
@Nimue: Based on your question I rewrote the part where Maud explains their sex-swap to Jurgis. Is this more acceptable?
Later in the book, after Wemawee managed to teleport herself away, her lover Wargall joins Maud and the others. He wants to clear the name of his clan, and prove himself as a warrior male. The queen, though doubtful, gives him permission. At first, Wargall is very unsure and emotional. Then he goes through a short stretch of puberty and slowly grows into a man. Jurgis aids and stimulates him, saying that while Wargall seems weak compared to the Kell women, he is a stout fellow compared to males of the other peoples. Jurgis wants to prove that Kell males by exercise can regain their strength. I googled this all, to see if it at least sounds biologically plausible and it seems it does... Anyhow, Wargall soon outfights Jurgis.
Finally, when he and Wemawee meet again, they team up again, but this time as equals like Maud and Jurgis.
Maud paused a moment to gather her thoughts. ‘Before the war we lived in Old Kell, on the continent. We were a land of clans, each one owner of estates that had been theirs for thousands of years. We were hunters, farmers and above all, warriors.’ Maud looked at Jurgis. ‘Our men were mighty in magic and battle, but quarrelsome. They were quick to anger and fought easily, over land, over mining rights, over things big and small. Little wars grew into big wars. Towns and cities were burned and too many people died.’ Maud shifted uncomfortably; the tale of ancient disgrace was still painful to tell.
‘Then, out of the blue, the Unwaari came. To our eternal shame, we, who prided ourselves on our fighting prowess, had to flee. That’s how we came to Malgarth. The high king gave us a wild and unused stretch of land, and we built Tar Kell.’ She didn’t speak of the contempt with which the Garthans received her people. The isolation, the humiliation of status lost and being unwanted refugees. Those tales were too painful.
‘With most of the clan kings dead, the wisewomen took charge. They knew things had to change, or we would cease to exist. The wisewomen pooled their knowledge and began what we now call the Turnaround. There is a power in every man and woman – you, me, in everyone. This power decides whether we are female or male, decides our strength, our aggression and our fertility. Men have more of this power than women, and Kell men had even more than others. Through spells and herbs, the wisewomen thought to reduce the power in the men and add a little into the women. But something went wrong and the women got too much, while the men were left with too little. By the time it became noticeable, the newborn boys turned into weakened, will-less males, small and soft. The baby girls grew into …’ Maud hesitated. ‘Me. Tall warrioresses who tend to be bossy and need to fight or to **** to get rid of our excess of power. As young girls, we need a longer time to find our natural balance. Into our twenties, mostly. That is why I had…’ she coughed, ‘Hala. To make sure I wouldn’t get into trouble.’
Jurgis frowned. ‘Can’t your wisewomen do something? Bring back the balance?’
‘The ones who knew about these things all died. The spells had sapped their energy and they withered away. They hadn’t foreseen that, either.’ ‘Maud shrugged. ‘So now we are stuck with males who are good for only the simplest of chores, and to relieve our needs.’
‘I am no Kell,’ Jurgis said, and his face was hard. ‘I’m not soft and meek, I can’t cook, and I refuse to be dominated. You and I, we can only be equals, like those elders of yours intended.’
Maud rocked back on her heels and stared at him. Equals with a male? True, he hasn’t disappointed me yet. He is small, but not a weakling. Perhaps Hala had it right, and the men of other nations are different. I ... What is he doing? He’s taking off his shirt. Gods, he does look tasty. No! He’s... ‘Stop that!’ she said hoarsely. ‘Keep your pants on.’
‘I’m not your passive male,’ Jurgis said in a steely voice, and he threw his clothing aside. ‘Come, I’ll show you the difference.’
Later in the book, after Wemawee managed to teleport herself away, her lover Wargall joins Maud and the others. He wants to clear the name of his clan, and prove himself as a warrior male. The queen, though doubtful, gives him permission. At first, Wargall is very unsure and emotional. Then he goes through a short stretch of puberty and slowly grows into a man. Jurgis aids and stimulates him, saying that while Wargall seems weak compared to the Kell women, he is a stout fellow compared to males of the other peoples. Jurgis wants to prove that Kell males by exercise can regain their strength. I googled this all, to see if it at least sounds biologically plausible and it seems it does... Anyhow, Wargall soon outfights Jurgis.
Finally, when he and Wemawee meet again, they team up again, but this time as equals like Maud and Jurgis.