Amazon Companion

by Roseau, Robin

  "Excellent suggestion."

  "Chief Loren," I said, "you would have been even more amused if you had seen me yesterday."

  "We could arrange a demonstration of your appearance, Maya."

  "I do not believe you brought the required items, Malora."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I believe I should take care of the horses."

  Malora and Loren laughed, then Loren said, "We have this hut for you." She gestured to one of the huts behind her. "It is simple but clean and dry."

  "Thank you," Malora said. "Please see to everything, Maya."

  Meena helped me unload the gear from the horses into the hut, and I got a good look around. There was a bed, smaller than Malora's, but room enough for both of us if we were cozy. I wondered if I would instead be sleeping on the floor. There were two chairs and a small table and little else.

  We settled the horses, catching up to Malora and Loren at Loren's garden. We received a tour of the extensive garden, larger than ours had been back home.

  "I understand it is the custom for the companions to tend to the garden," I said.

  "It is," Loren said. "Meena organizes their duties. We will leave you with her."

  Meena turned to me with a smile. "Do you mind fetching water?"

  I laughed. "Malora told me that is what you would ask. I can fetch water or pull weeds."

  She showed me the buckets, pointed to the barrels, and then said, "That path leads to the river. You won't fall in, will you?"

  "I think I'll manage," I said.

  I made four trips with the buckets, and Meena declared my obligation completed. It was time to serve for dinner.

  Dinner conversation was light. I sat next to Malora, and as we usually did, we shared a single plate. I saw that Meena brought separate plates for Loren, and Loren was far less affectionate with her than Malora was with me. But I detected no undue strain between them.

  As Loren indicated, there was a bonfire following dinner. Malora and I were given locations of privilege. Once the fire was well-lit and fresh drinks passed out, Loren stood up and welcomed "Queen Malora and her companion" to their village. She then spoke kindly about Malora before asking her if she wanted to say anything.

  Malora stood up. "Greetings, Amazons!" she yelled.

  "Greetings, Queen Malora!" they yelled back.

  She spent the next several minutes first praising Two Bends and the Amazons who lived here, then Amazons in general. She talked about the dangers we face and thanked everyone for her sacrifice. She talked about the greatest dangers facing the Amazons, but told them, "But we are Amazons. We will prevail!"

  That resulted in cheering, and I was one of the loudest. Malora beamed at me for that.

  She wrapped up by thanking Chief Loren for the warm greeting and hospitality, then resumed her seat.

  I thought perhaps I wouldn't be asked to tell the story of my hair, but my hope was quickly dashed.

  "You have a new companion," Loren indicated. "A very startling companion."

  "I find her so," Malora replied. "She was a schoolteacher and has such naïve notions about how the world works."

  "I find her physical appearance quite alarming," Loren explained. "Perhaps there is a reason for such a shocking color to bob its way through our forest."

  "Oh, there is," Malora agreed. "But you should ask her about it."

  She nudged me gently when she said it.

  "Well, Maya," Loren said. "Would you care to explain?"

  "Explain what?" I asked innocently, earning a few titters.

  "Can you explain the unusual style you present your hair?"

  I fingered my braid. "I was under the impression many companions wear their hair long and braided. I did not know it would be considered unusual."

  Loren grinned at me. She knew I was playing to the crowd. "I was, of course, referring to the startling color. I am concerned it is a beacon to the demons."

  "Oh, that," I said. "Demon repellent," I explained.

  "Demon repellent?" Loren echoed.

  "I can attest to its effectiveness. I have not encountered a single demon since my hair was dyed this color. Nor have I been troubled by giants, but I was attacked by a poor musician, so there are side effects."

  Loren chuckled. "Judging by your warrior's body language, I believe there is perhaps a more accurate story."

  "I suppose there is. Would you care to hear?"

  "We are all ears."

  I stood up, then walked back and forth for a moment so everyone could admire my hair and realize the eyebrows were the same color. "My warrior is fond of pink hair," I explained. "When I learned she was so fond of pink, I agreed to dye my hair this color. It was done entirely to please her. I believe she finds it quite fetching."

  While I was talking, I slowly unbraided my hair, allowing it to tumble about my shoulders when I was done. I knew it would be even more shocking when seen loose and untamed.

  "Maya," Malora said. "You have one more opportunity to present the accurate story, or you will be sporting a few additional adjustments to your appearance, adjustments you have well-learned." And I saw in her hand she held pink ribbons and a jar of the lip paint. She grinned when she caught me looking at them.

  I smiled at her then began collecting my hair on one side into a ponytail. I stepped to her. "I can't believe you brought these," I said, smiling. I pulled one of the ribbons from her hands and tied the ponytail off. I repeated it on the other side.

  "That is a terrible job," she said. "Kneel!" she pointed to the ground in front of her, and I knelt. "Tell the story while I fix this."

  I sighed dramatically but held still while Malora began to tie my hair properly, using all the ribbons at her disposal.

  "My warrior arranged for this hairstyle," I explained. "It is my reward for accomplishing one of her greatest goals for me."

  "Maya..." Malora said, menace in her voice. "Do you know what a tattoo is?"

  "Yes."

  "Do you believe you would like your lips tattooed this color?"

  The Amazons enjoyed the threat, laughing about it. By the time they calmed down, my hair was fully adjusted, and Malora was painting my lips. She did it carefully, then she looked into my eyes and nodded. I held her hand briefly as I stood up, and everyone got a good look at my full appearance, resulting in a great deal of laughter.

  "I am beginning to believe the explanation of demon repellent," one of the women said, shielding her eyes.

  "I believe Queen Malora simply wishes to make sure no one will cast a second look at her companion," said another.

  The suggestions flowed for a while, but at a lull, I sighed dramatically. "The truth of the story is simpler than that."

  I had their attention again.

  "I was caught training for too lengthy a period, and Malora wished to punish me for my transgression."

  "That's it!" Malora said, but she was grinning. "Someone get a tattoo needle!"

  "All right!" I said quickly. I told the story with only minor embellishments. "And thus, my punishment." I gestured to my face. I looked at Malora. "You aren't really going to tattoo my lips this color, are you?"

  "No, only because I couldn't stand looking at them all the time."

  "I will point out that my earlier explanation of training too long was accurate."

  "And entirely misleading," Malora added, shaking her head. "Sit."

  There was more laughter, and I took my seat.

  Loren arranged entertainment from some of the other Amazons, and during a lull, Malora asked me, "I take it this was not an effective punishment? You seem to enjoy it."

  "I think the color shocks you more than it does me. And I think the bright pink lips taunt you."

  She sighed. "They do."

  "Malora, I was a good schoolteacher, and sometimes playing the clown is a very effective way to teach. If you can make teaching fun, the children are more likely to listen. This is no different. I have done far more shocking things to my appearance, although
this is the first time my hair has been dyed."

  She shook her head. "You look positively ridiculous, and you're enjoying it more than anyone else."

  "I don't mind looking ridiculous. I mind being ridiculous."

  "That could never happen."

  I didn't respond to that.

  The story telling turned into singing, and then musical instruments began to appear, including a fiddle. The women entertained us for a while, and then Malora leaned over to Loren. A moment later, Loren asked the fiddle owner if she would allow me to borrow her fiddle.

  "Of course," the woman said, handing it to me. I was surprised, as many people find loaning an instrument to be very personal, but I thanked her, checked the tuning, then stood up.

  "Requests, Queen Malora?"

  "Something cheerful," she said. "Maybe something we can dance to."

  I played a series of jigs, and many of the women danced to the music, some of them with their companions. Then I slowed it down, playing a long, slow note. Then I played the start of a very sad song, one Malora had heard before, and I looked at her.

  "Amazons," she said. "You will want to sit for this next song."

  They took their seats, and I began to play the lament, milking it for all it was worth.

  I wasn't the best fiddle player from Gallen's Cove, but I was good, and I knew the songs I could play well. This was one of them.

  The women grew still. And then the final note came with a trembling quaver. I held it for a moment before holding the fiddle out to its owner.

  "Please keep playing," she said.

  "It has been a long day," Malora said. "Can you play a happy song to ease our hearts, and then something to ease us to bed?"

  I nodded and thought about it, then I asked, "Does anyone know the Ballad of Devlin Greene?"

  A woman stood up. "I do."

  "Will you sing?"

  She nodded. I began the introduction, and right on time, she came in, her voice high and reedy, but it fit the song. The song starts sad, but then Devlin meets her lover, and the song turns playful. Everyone cheered when it was over, and I immediately began playing a lullaby. They quieted down again, and this time when I held the fiddle to its owner, she took it from me.

  "Thank you for the loan of your instrument," I said.

  "You played it far better than I," she said.

  I smiled and thanked her. And then Malora collected me with an arm about my waist and led me to our bed.

  It was cozy, but warm, sleeping in her arms. I made a point of kissing her forehead when we climbed into bed, not telling her I was intentionally smudging my lips against her skin.

  In the morning, when we emerged for breakfast, everyone noticed the bright pink lip marks on her forehead. My hair was back in a braid and my face clean, but we hadn't a mirror, and I didn't tell her. The mark was imperfect, but obvious.

  There were a few titters, which puzzled Malora, but I didn't tell her.

  We were halfway through the meal when Loren said, "Well, I guess we know you aren't lovers yet."

  Malora raised an eyebrow.

  "I am sure if you were lovers," Loren said, "that mark-" and she pointed, "-would have companion marks elsewhere."

  Malora's eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed as she looked at me. "What did you do?"

  "Me? Why do you blame me?" I blew a kiss at her.

  "You kissed my forehead last night."

  "There might be evidence that is a true statement," I admitted. "Perhaps quite a lot of evidence." I reached forward and wiped some of the evidence off on my fingertips.

  Malora could choose one of two reactions. She could get angry, or she could laugh. She chose to laugh then allowed me to clean the paint away.

  "There must be punishment for that, Companion," she said fiercely, but she winked at me.

  "Oh?" I said. "Will you paint my lips pink again?"

  "No, I do not believe I shall," she said, and the listening women laughed.

  "Perhaps you will festoon my hair in pink ribbons."

  "Not that, either."

  "Well then," I asked. "What shall my punishment be for adorning you so endearingly?"

  "I believe I must take your horse from you, and you must instead ride with me. That shall be your punishment."

  And everyone grinned, for all knew that was no punishment at all, but instead, a reward.

  I caressed her face briefly then stole a piece of bacon from our shared plate.

  Loren gazed at us. "I believe your companion well suits you, Queen Malora. While you may not be lovers yet, it seems perhaps you will be very soon."

  "No," Malora replied. "She tells me I have a scrawny body."

  "All meat and bones," I said. "And I am accustomed only to a chest with hair, and she has none."

  Loren looked confused.

  "I have only ever been attracted to men," I said, "although they did not seem overly enamored of a bookish schoolteacher, soft and weak."

  "Some men like their women soft and weak," one of the Amazons declared.

  "True," I agreed, "but I did not believe I would enjoy the way such a man might treat me."

  "We may not be lovers," Malora said, "but as a companion, I can imagine no one who would suit me more closely than Maya does." She wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me tightly against her.

  "She seems impertinent," someone said. "Do you beat her often?"

  "She whips me," I declared, "but it does her no good. I fight with my words, and she is forced to gag me when she requires silence."

  The women laughed. Of course, Malora had never gagged me, although I knew I'd been very, very close yesterday.

  Soon, breakfast was done, and Malora told me, "Do you need help saddling the horses?"

  I glanced at Meena, and she smiled. "I'd be happy to help." She glanced at Loren, who nodded permission.

  Meena and I collected the packs from the hut Malora and I had used and headed to the stables. We collected our horses, and she helped me settle their tack in place and load the gear. She had to help me adjust some of it.

  "You haven't done this before?"

  "Actually, no," I said. "I appreciate your help."

  "You're very lucky," she said. "It is clear how much Queen Malora loves you."

  I glanced at her. "It's not like that," I said. I thought about what I was going to say. "I am a disappointment."

  "That's not true!"

  I gestured at my hair. "When we were tardy..." she nodded. "I hate training. I can't begin to tell you how much I hate it. I am terrible. Even though I am a full-grown adult and bigger than some of the companions, and much older than almost all of them, I haven't even come close to winning a single wrestling match. Nori has tried to teach me, and so have some of the others, but I am hopeless."

  Meena grabbed my arm and turned me to face her. "How old do you think I am?"

  "I don't know," I said. "Older than I am."

  "Yes. I am twenty-nine. I have been an Amazon since I was fourteen. I have heard the story about how you joined us. Is it true? You fought Riva and Nori?"

  "Yes, it's true."

  "You beat Riva. Untrained, and you beat her."

  "I was fighting for my sister's life, and I was very angry, but I was a joke to Nori, and it took her seconds to disarm me, pin me to the ground on my stomach, and bind my hands."

  "Nori is one of the best fighters I have seen, better than anyone in this village. Of course she beat you." She paused. "But I have a point. I have been an Amazon for fifteen years, and I am a companion. I am not and never will be a warrior. Loren loves me. She does not show it publicly, because that is not her nature, but she loves me, and she is perfectly happy that I will never be a warrior."

  "Does the thought of going onto the training ground make you sick to your stomach?"

  "No, and I'm glad that it does not. But Queen Malora loves you."

  "It's not like that. I vex her."

  "I bet you do," she said. "And I bet she loves it at the same
time." She paused. "Give it time. You'll settle in."

  I looked away. "I should not have discussed this with you."

  "Why not?"

  "Politics."

  "It will be our secret." I looked back at her. "Our secret," she promised.

  "Thank you, Meena," I said. "I am a fish out of water, so far from my ocean cove."

  "I do not know about oceans," she said, "but I know about fish."

  "How would you know about fish and not oceans?"

  "You haven't seen our river?"

  "There are fish in the river?"

  "Of course."

  "Do you catch them?"

  "I am the best fisherwoman in the village."

  We began leading the horses from the stable, but I began asking her questions. "What do you use for bait? Do you use a hook and a float? Where in the river do they hide? What time of day is best?"

  She laughed as I gave her no time to answer. "If you come back, I will show you. The fish like the quiet places and frequently hide under fallen trees. I cast my line and let the line sink, then bring it in slowly. I have never used a float, but I know the concept. It works on lakes, but not so well in the rivers."

  "And bait?"

  "I start with a hook and tie things to it so it looks like a fly. I watch what the fish eat, and I make different baits that look like different flies, and I pick the one that seems to work that day."

  We led the horses to the main square, Malora waiting, but Meena said, "Please, wait here." She handed me the reins to the packhorse and ran off towards one of the huts. She was back a moment later with a small roll of cloth. "A gift," she said, running up to me. She knelt down in front of me, and I knelt with her. She unrolled the cloth, and inside were flies with hooks in them.

  "You made these?" I asked, carefully picking one up.

  She grinned at me. "Yes."

  "Do you add anything to hide the hook?"

  "No. You use them just like this. You can use these, but you may want to save them and use them as models for your own. The fish are not smart, and yours do not need to look exactly like mine. It may take you some time to learn what works best."

  "I cannot take all your flies," I said.

  "They do not take me long now," she said, rolling the cloth and thrusting it into my hands. "I make them in the winter when I cannot fish, but I can dream of fishing."