A burn of humiliation heated my cheeks. “The Queen is still alive.”
Masseeia shook her head, smirking. “The Queen is not alive, child warrior.”
“Yes-”
“She is dead.”
“I watched them take her!” I spat out, angry. I didn’t understand why Masseeia was saying these things, or why she believed them, but I couldn’t let her convince the sisterhood. I couldn’t let anyone, not even the First Commander, allow the Queen to be enslaved. Murmurs brimmed the Hall, but this time with a spark of hope. Realizing this, I pleaded with them.
“We must go after her. So much time has wasted already."
"Silence!” The word sprung like a poisoned dart from the woman’s lips and the assembly went quite under her demand.
An ominous crack thundered in tandem with a flash of white light, flashing throughout the Hall, turning every head to the arched atrium. At once, a wall of rain appeared, blurring the village outside like a dream. A mid-season storm summoned, rushing a heady scent of morning rain throughout the place.
Masseeia turned her eyes back to me. “You are but a child. A virgin warrior but by a day. The trials of battle have confused you.”
“But I saw-”
“Deceiving you with false hopes.”
“No. I saw them take her.”
“You saw what you wanted to see.” The First Commander’s words iced, warning me.
“But-”
“Your mind still blurred with the herbs of ceremony. You saw what the herbs showed you.”
“No!” I looked out to the crowd, beseeching them, begging them to believe me. I knew now that they were my last hope. “Please believe me. I saw the soldiers take her. Queen Perseathea is still-”
“My sisters,” Masseeia cut me off, turning her attentions back to the assembly, “I was witness to our great Queen’s demise. I saw the soldiers put the blade to her on GarTaynia’s own alter.”
“But she did not die there!” I shot back.
Masseeia turned a calm gaze. "You are quite the innocent, Askca. What you saw was a warlord’s retreat with what he came for. Perseathea’s death would profit him much. The body of an Amazon Queen is worth much coin.”
“How can you do this?” I looked up at the First Commander. “She is your Queen as well. You would rather see her dead than seek her out? I saw the soldiers take her down the ridge.”
“I saw her killed and her dead body taken down the ridge.” She paused, daring me. Pushing me.
“Liar!” I shouted, face burning.
Masseeia bolted toward me, grabbing my arm, groping into my flesh. “You do not question me.” Her fingers dug deeper, bruising as she leaned in, whispering in my ear. “You will not question me again lest you lust after the bloody taste of your tongue cut out.”
She shoved loose, tossing me backward.
“Amazons, the great and skilled warrior of one battle.” Masseeia gestured to me. “She holds mighty knowledge far greater than the warriors of this assembly or myself. She dares question your First Commander though she was no more than a child but a day ago!"
My skin felt like it was crawling off of me. Why were they turning on me? Why didn’t they believe me?
"Experienced warrior, if you were witness to our Queen’s capture, then why did you not go after her?”
“I tried to but-”
“Why did you not attack the soldiers?”
“I did-”
“Then,” Masseeia paused, “why is she dead?”
Silence took the crowd. I stood in my own quite, uncertain of what to say to this most feared of women. The First Commander glowered down on me. Waiting. Glowing in her intimidating position over me.
“I’ll warn you not once more. Silence your tongue before I rule it cut out.”
Trembling, I stood before the crowd of eyes, alone. A shiver froze into me. I needed to speak, but was uncertain of what to say… of how to say it. But something had to be said. I couldn’t let this happen. For the sake of my Queen, I dared to speak what I knew would carry heavy consequence. Lifting my chin, I stared up into the First Commander’s dark eyes.
“You have no allegiance.”
A blaze lifted Masseeia’s eyes. A flash of black hit me, throwing me to the granite in a bruising thud. Stunned, I held my aching jaw, blood seeping from my gums. The First Commander stood over me, anger swirling on her face like a storm.
“You will never again question my allegiance.” She ground the words out like gravel.
Tasting the tang of hot blood in my mouth, I swallowed. I‘d come too far. Still dropped from my feet, I stared up her.
“I know what I saw.”
The Hall kept silent. No one could believe I had dared speak again. I couldn’t believe it. No one had ever questioned the First Commander, especially not a sixteen year old warrior the day after her first battle. Another crash of lightening boomed through the Hall rushing a bitter breeze over the mass.
Commander Laidea, silent until this point, took a step forward from the front row. “First Commander, may I speak?"
"Be heard, Commander." Masseeia stepped away, leaving me on the floor.
"The Queen is not dead." Laidea kept a calm tone as the assembly filled with questions yet again. The auburn haired woman ascended the first few steps, looking out to the people. “My warriors and I attempted to save Queen Perseathea on the alter. As did young Askca. We failed her…” her words paused, “but she is not dead.”
“Commander Laidea,” Masseeia began, “you are clearly blinded by your affections for the Queen. I am sorry for your loss. Still, this you must accept. Her death is done."
"No." Laidea replied. “Not until I see it with my own eyes."
Lifting to my feet, I expected Masseeia knew it would be unwise to quarrel with the Commander. Laidea was too well respected among the tribe. Opposing her was not the path to what she wanted.
"Will your warriors stand behind you?"
"Yes, First Commander." Laidea said coolly.
“Askca.”
I turned. “First Commander?”
“I appoint you to a quest. Bring the Queen’s body back to GarTaynia for proper funeral fire. But take none of the steed. You will go on foot and with your own provisions. This quest is your quest, not one of the Amazons. You have my will, but you have not the aid of GarTaynia. Take who you must. Those who see this through the same misguided eyes as you, have my permission to stumble off after you.”
I nodded, surprised and relieved. I tried to breathe. “Thank you, First Commander.”
Ignoring me, Masseeia addressed the crowd again. “Whoever seeks to aid this girl, step forth now, but know this. Those partaking in this quest search to validate an herb induced lie, and by so are also implying that I, Queen Perseathea’s own right hand, and by Amazon Law, your new Queen, is a liar. Any such traitors need not return to GarTaynia.”
Rain fragrant wind rushed the Assembly Hall, cooling the congregation as I stood atop the granite, alone and waiting, begging the crowd with a hopeful stare. Laidea broke the silence, ascending the last few steps to stand at my side. Her most loyal warriors stepped out as well. One by one, they lined the stage. From the front row, Saratiese stepped out alone, her blue eyes focused on me as she came. A few moments passed before two braves made their way up from the back of the Hall. Then, a handful more. After that, the mass went still. No more dared to stand against the First Commander.
“It is done.” Masseeia declared with no effort to hide her smirk. She eyed our meager company. “These are more than enough hands to bring back a dead body.”
“She will be coming back.” I warned.
"If you think you can bring a dead Queen back to life with a few warriors and a handful of children, then may the gods be with you, Askca."
"And if you think the Queen will spare the life of a traitor,” my jaw tensed, “may the gods be with you.”
Chapter 9
We headed out at dusk, deep into the shadows of
the sloping jungle. As I paced on in the warm breezes of twilight, I glanced over my company, a bite of dread gnawed on me. This isn’t what I had expected. I’d envisioned a company of thousands, led by the four Queens of the Nation, wealthy with its greatest warriors. Instead, we were but a handful.
Assembly had so consumed me, provoking me to prove myself and what I’d witnessed, that this kind of bleak reality had escaped my mind. Such small a number held little hope. We were tracking an army that had reached into a number of thousands at its onslaught. GarTaynia dwindled this number considerably in the battle, but at very least, it was now an army of hundreds. The sisterhood traveling the edges of GarTaynia this night held only eleven, and of these, only six were warriors. The last of us were braves. Young braves... children.
I took in a chest full of night air, refusing to dwell on such thoughts. This company was the Queen’s last hope. GarTaynia’s last hope, and in the circle of the sisterhood… the Amazon’s only hope. Queen Perseathea stood at the forefront of our Nation, a protector of our sacred freedom. Five Queens headed the five tribes of the Amazon Nation, and of these, Queen Perseathea stood as the most celebrated and legendary. She had led countless battles, saved many, and killed twice more of those who would threaten her people. Without her, the cornerstone to our Nation… I pushed the thought away. No matter the odds, destiny urged me on this night, and in my heart, I could feel the power of the Goddess leading me.
I settled my gaze on the tracks, my thoughts carrying me a great distance out of GarTaynia. Farther than I’d ever traveled before. The company now trekked through black and looming trees, cluttered so dense I could narrowly see a pace ahead. This deep into the night, weariness hung over our heads like a storm cloud. No one had known proper rest since before the battle.
I looked up through a web of tree branches and hissing leaves. The moon cast a faint but mystical glow over the night. A chorus of locusts buzzed, hidden by nightfall, but loud and overpowering. I dropped my eyes back to the path. And froze. I slipped my axe from its sheath, eying the darkness, creeping up to the brush where the twig snapped. My mouth went dry. The eerie brush washed in black like the holder of some unholy thing, thin branches protruding like black boned fingers.
And with a shake, the fingers moved. I glanced back to my company. Saratiese and Malaia instantly pulled in the two closest braves. Kelius grabbed her own young sister by the scruff, drawing the young girl in behind her. Another brave parted her lips to speak, but was silenced by a hand clamping over her mouth. Every warrior’s bow went up, pulling taunt. Laidea eyed her friend Hippolyta. The two warriors held solid gaze until Laidea motioned with her head. Hippolyta nodded, light stepping around me.
I approached the bush, staring without a blink. My breath sucked deep into my chest, holding there. Every bow behind me pulled tighter. I clenched my axe handle… taking a cautious step. And the brush jerked.
A dark figure sprung from the leaves, shoving into me. I tumbled onto my back in a breath crushing thump. Immersed in shadows, the small figure struggled on top of me, trying to pin me. I grabbed a head full of hair, pulling back to expose a neck. I angled my blade, ready to slice.
“Askca no!” Laidea shouted, pulling the figure off of me. Catching my breath, I looked up to see a child. The Commander dropped the girl to the dust, turning her around by her shoulders.
"Palius-”
“Palius?” I questioned from the dirt.
“What are you doing this far from GarTaynia?” Laidea clenched her palms around the girl’s diminutive shoulders, harder with every apprehensive word. “It’s too dangerous."
Now calm, the child answered the Commander with grave words, words holding a much older soul than that of a little girl.
"Queen Perseathea needs me."
I lifted to my feet, dusting off. “Then why not come forward at assembly?"
"I tried.” The child smeared a dot of blood from her neck with her wrist. “One of Masseeia’s warriors held me back. Said I was too young, not even a brave yet.”
“You are too young.” I shook my head.
It was bad enough that the company’s braves were already so young, but this girl, she was a baby. Taking her on the quest would serve more as babysitting.
Laidea sighed, lifting her face to the full moon. "It’s too late to take you back now.”
“Commander?” I questioned. “She is not even a brave, and we can‘t afford-"
“She has right.”
The woman cut me off. Surprising me. "But… she's a child."
“She has right to serve her Queen. She is still an Amazon.” Laidea raised an eyebrow, daring me. “It was not so long ago that you were a child, Askca."
"She’s what? Six, seven winters?” Anxiety tensed my chest. “She will only serve to slow us down."
The company gathered around us, gawking the confrontation in voyeuristic silence. Palius hovered close at Laidea‘s hip, shining her big eyes up at me.
“What if,” I lowered my voice, “what if she is killed?”
"We might all be killed.” Laidea’s words fell flat. “Palius, child or not, deserves to prove her allegiance to Perseathea."
"But she-"
"The child has purpose to be here." The Commander’s eyes narrowed, her tone now harsh, warning me to back off.
All the sisters looked to Laidea. It seemed as though the Commander knew something, but if she did, she kept it hidden to herself.
"Even if she didn't,” she went on, “the village is too far back and we’ve yet to rest since the night before the battle. If we waste our strength and time taking her back, we’ll have no strength against the enemy.”
I stepped back, remembering Laidea's authority. I looked to the woman with an apologetic glance.
“Yes Commander.”
“Now,” Laidea began, “let’s search a safe place to bed down. We’ve traveled well enough for this night. Tomorrow we will wake at sunrise and travel three fold the land we have covered tonight."
Within a short spell, we found fitting ground and bedded down, weapons in hand. Commander Laidea took first watch. She crept back into the winding vines, clawing her way up a tree, sitting wholly cloaked in darkness as she took watch over our small company.
The sounds of night enveloped me. A jungle night thrived with the growls of countless beasts. Hunting. Devouring. Reminding me of the blood thirsty battle the day before. I pondered this mysterious Amazon the men sought, and a wave of cold took my skin, clenching into my heart. There was something ominous plaguing me. Weighing down my thoughts. My heart. Whoever the soldiers sought, she had been important enough to wage war for. The feeling that this whole thing was bigger than me, bigger than the battle, and even bigger than Queen Perseathea, sunk into my chest. Thinking on this, I drifted in and out of dreams, blood staining the right side of my tunic. My ceremonial wound. The mark of my beginning. Holding my amulet tight in my hand, I drifted deeper.
Chapter 10
I awoke to the sweet smell of morning. Various shades of humid green glistened in the treetops, leaves sparkling with dew, as the morning grew golden with a brilliant sunrise. A sultry breeze soothed my body, tickling Saratiese's autumn locks across my shoulder. The strands danced over my skin, bringing a flush of warmth to my body. My lips curved with a smile and I warmed under the sensation… until I realized my deed. The moment I did, I cast down my smile, turning away from the girl. Things were complicated enough.
The morning breeze then found its way through my tunic, waking my chest with a sting. Where there had once been a young and supple breast, lay an empty, stained binding, dried with blood. I sat up to remove the wrap. My left breast bruised tender to the touch, the soreness of my wound crawling across my whole bosom. The wound cracked dry and tight as I plucked the stiff wrap slowly off the colony of scabs. The blisters ached, begging to be soothed in cool water. Rations would not allow use of the drinking water, so I set out for the closest stream. One would be close in this land of rivers.
>
I slipped my tunic down over my remaining breast, discontent to dress in my leathers simply to search out a stream. Lifting to my feet, I took in the breeze, smelling for water. But my gaze found Malaia, and my jaw dropped. The warrior nuzzled against a tree, sleeping.
Standing silent before the slumbering woman, I pondered what I should do. Without another moment’s thought, my anger surged, and I kicked Malaia square in the knee.
Malaia’s eyes flashed open as she gasped, pain apparently screaming through her leg. Before her next breath, Malaia swept her other foot under, dropping me like a rock. I scrambled back up, jumping into the woman, initiating what soon flared into a passionate brawl. The warrior caught me, tossing me back. I came back at her with another jump. Catching me by the shoulder, Malaia yanked me under her tight hold. I stood, clamped under the elbow, my face burning as I clawed her arm trying to get free.
"Askca." She warned through gritted teeth.
I strained with choke, my fingers digging deeper into the woman’s skin.
“Calm yourself.”
Embarrassed and angry, I responded with more struggle. “Calm yourself and I’ll let you go!”
After more moments than sensible, realizing that the stronger and more experienced warrior had the upper hand and was in no position to lose it, I finally stilled. Malaia let loose, pushing me away. I swung back around, cutting eyes at her.
"You slept your guard!" I exploded in a ragged burst, gasping to get my breath back.
The sisters, already awakened by the confrontation, stood staring us. I could see Laidea rubbing the tension from her forehead. Letting out a sigh, the Commander rose to her feet. One raised eyebrow dominated her expression as she approached.
Pointing an accusing finger before Laidea could misunderstand, I tried to explain. "I woke up and found her sleeping guard."
"You attacked me.” Malaia shouted back. “Do the herbs still cloud your head?"
Fuming, I jolted another kick into Malaia’s knee. The woman let out a raspy groan that sounded more like anger than pain. Eyes burning, she latched onto a handful of my hair, yanking me back into her before I had the time to counter.
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