by SJB Gilmour
‘She’s losing her appetite,’ Monika added. ‘And no matter how much she wears or how hot her rooms are, she shivers all the time.’
Sarah was surprised Angelina still had a rank within the Amazon hierarchy. Then she remembered her saying that it was she who had taught Melanie’s sister Sally how to use a bow. She realised she had many more questions to ask her teacher.
‘Penethelia’s not that old, is she?’ Angelina asked with surprise.
Monika frowned. ‘Not really,’ she replied. ‘She’s only a few hundred or so, but she took an arrow in the chest about seven years ago. She hasn’t been right since.’
Angelina frowned. ‘I hope you caught the archer responsible.’
Monika nodded. ‘We didn’t catch him, but we know who he is. Some bastard called Stepheno. We’ve got a warrant out for him of course, but he’s underground.’
Angelina explained to the three Amazons about what had brought them to their forest. They chatted for a little while longer while Hannah drove them through the narrow, winding streets. It took Sarah several minutes to get used to being a passenger in a vehicle driving on the right side of the road. In Australia, traffic drives on the left. Consequently, she was a little distracted and didn’t notice the conversation change to the subject of Medusa.
‘Sarah?’ Angelina nudged her gently.
Embarrassed, Sarah snapped back to attention. ‘What?’ she asked, flushing.
‘Medusa’s lair isn’t far,’ Monika repeated. ‘We can take you there as soon as you’ve seen Penny, if you like. How long will you need with her?’
Sarah wasn’t sure how to answer. She had restored Jasper to youth in a few moments, but that was with the aid of her own Golden Mane hairs. This night’s moon was scarcely a sliver. She wasn’t sure what she would be able to do.
‘The power to heal comes from within, Golden Mane,’ the voices of Wolfenvald whispered in her mind. Usually, the voices were dry and dispassionate. Now there was a faint tone of amusement. ‘Did not your discovery of the true nature of the gold within you reveal this? Gold is the power and it is yours to wield at will.’
You mean I don’t actually need the hairs? Sarah asked silently.
‘They are but focus points for your power, Golden Mane,’ the voices replied. ‘To use your power, others need the hairs. You do not need to use them yourself since the power you need is already at your disposal.’
The Amazons were all looking at her cautiously. After all, Sarah did have quite a surprised expression on her face. ‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. She tapped her temple. ‘Just getting some information.’
‘You hear voices?’ Stjarna asked nervously.
Sarah smiled. ‘I’m not mental or anything. Wolfenvald talks to me when I need to know something.’ She shook her head. ‘Don’t worry. If I can help your queen, it won’t take me long.’
‘We’re here,’ Hannah said as she pulled into the car park of a small village. Once she and her comrades got out of the van, their civilian clothes shimmered for a moment and they were once more garbed in their uniforms. Angelina did the same. Sarah again felt a little out of place, being dressed like a sloppy teenager. Hannah then led everyone into the nondescript building. Once inside, Sarah got quite a surprise. Just like James’ shed on Benjamin’s property, the inside of the building was much larger than the outside. They entered into an enormous hall about the size of a football field.
The scene inside first appeared to be quite chaotic. Dozens of troops of Amazons, all armed to the teeth, were coming and going from a long bank of enchanted elevators. Those going were obviously on their way to various military engagements. They sang and joked with each other with gung-ho camaraderie. Those arriving were not so cheerful. The arriving Amazons looked tired, dirty and quite relieved to be home. Many of them sported various wounds and injuries and quite a few were carried on stretchers. There was also the occasional fallen Amazon carried by her comrades in a sad funeral procession.
‘Welcome to Lentekhi,’ Angelina said to Sarah proudly. ‘We’re small by most merchant armies’ standards, but the Amazon Armed Forces are among the most deadly human militia of all time.’
Chapter Eleven
Many street-sized corridors branched out of the hall, leading deep down into long, dark tunnels. From them, a great number of Amazons were coming and going, some singly or in small groups, some in larger squads or platoons.
As well as the bustling troops, several hundred more Amazons were dutifully going about their business. Many were obviously support staff for the soldiers. Others were medics and were taking care of the variety of wounded soldiers who had arrived back from whatever deadly business they had been doing.
All the women inside were dressed in similar uniform. All the medics were armed and so too was the support staff. Even the young girls and teenagers were dressed in the same military garb of short leather skirts or shorts and tight-fitting leather vests with the right sides reinforced with extra armour. They also wore braces on their wrists and forearms. This was a society born and bred to be warriors.
Overhead, a PA system announced the arrivals and departures of the various squads or platoons of soldiers. Every arrival was greeted with cheers and a few stanzas of a proud military march. Every departure was sent off with more cheers and a soft, feminine yet motherly voice wishing them victory and a safe return.
When Sarah and Angelina walked in beside Monika, Hannah and Stjarna, every single Amazon in the hall stopped to stare at them. First, a few whispered Angela’s name. Then several more whispered ‘It’s the Angel of Death!’ and ‘Troy!’ Those several became hundreds. Within moments, the crowd was cheering and chanting ‘Troy! Troy!’
One matronly and very burly medic with short-cropped hair and an almost boyish face looked up from an injured soldier she was treating. As she strode through the crowd, Sarah could see the general’s insignia on her shoulder.
Angelina snapped to attention and saluted the general. Sarah was surprised. She had never seen Angelina defer to anyone except Benjamin before. The grim-faced officer returned the salute and Angelina stood at ease. For a long moment, neither woman smiled.
‘I always knew you’d come back one day,’ the general murmured. Then she broke into a broad grin and she embraced Angelina in a fierce hug. ‘Aunt Angel!’ she said warmly, kissing her on the cheek. The chanting died down and the crowd drew back respectfully.
Angelina kissed her back. ‘Hello Sally.’ She turned and gestured to Sarah. ‘This is Sarah.’
‘Ahh, my young sister’s partner in crime,’ Sally observed with a steely expression that was very much like Angelina’s own when she wasn’t happy about something. Sarah could tell that this woman was trying very hard to remain objective during what was obviously a very rough time for her. Sarah gave a start and then, when she saw Sally was grinning, she smiled.
Sally smiled back and held one finger up. ‘Just a moment,’ she said and turned to several Amazons who were milling about, all anxious to meet the visitors. She issued a few short commands in a tone that brooked no contradictions. The warrior women raced off in various directions to carry out their orders.
Sally turned back to Sarah. ‘Master healer, General Sally Troy,’ she said, holding out her hand.
‘Sarah Coppernick,’ Sarah replied, shaking that very strong hand. ‘Golden Mane,’ she added shyly.
Sally smiled briefly then became quite serious. ‘Good, now that that’s all out of the way, why don’t we go and see if you’re as good a healer as the legend says you are.’ She turned on her heel and marched away. Sarah and Angelina jogged alongside her easily. At least, Angelina jogged along easily. Sarah ran as a human for several metres then gave up with having only two feet, and went wolf.
‘Legend?’ she asked Mel’s older sister curiously. She was feeling just a little paranoid that people were talking about her.
‘Of course,’ Sally replied as she led them through the halls and corridors of the building. ‘We may be small,
but we still keep up with what’s going on out in the real world.’
Sarah sighed to herself. News of her exploits at Wolfenvald must have travelled very fast indeed. Sally took them up several flights of stairs until they reached a large, wide corridor. Like Benjamin’s office in Melbourne, this building was also very strange indeed. It was clearly much larger inside than out, and also was very heavily enchanted. This place was not for the uninvited. Several heavily-armed Amazons stood guard along the walls of the corridor, with four outside the only door at the end of it. Sally marched forward, allowing herself only the briefest of nods to the saluting guards.
‘How’s she been?’ she asked one of the guards at the door.
The Amazon frowned sadly. ‘Her Majesty is slipping, Ma’am,’ she said quite formally. ‘I fear it won’t be long now.’
‘Has she eaten anything?’
The soldier shook her head sadly.
Sally swore softly. She steeled herself and took a deep breath. ‘Well, we better get it over with.’
She led Sarah and Angelina through the doorway and into a large, sparsely-furnished bedroom. It was very warm inside and the heat washed over them like a wave. Lying in a large bed and covered with blankets, was a very thin, pale woman. She looked terribly old and frail, though Sarah could tell she was quite a bit younger than she looked. Her illness had robbed her of many years. Her breaths were coming in ragged gasps and she was shivering. Angelina rushed to the ill woman’s side.
‘Penethelia!’ she exclaimed. She had been quite calm until now. Sarah knew that had been a front. Inside, Angelina was a very emotional woman who cared deeply for her friends and family. Though Sarah wasn’t sure what the relationship between these two was, it was written all over her teacher’s face that she was very concerned for the dying Amazon queen.
Queen Penethelia struggled up onto her pillows and leaned on one elbow. ‘Angelina!’ she gasped. ‘What are you doing here?’ Her eyes were a milky grey and very bloodshot. ‘Come to give me more archery lessons? I think it’s a bit late for that.’
‘We’ve come to help,’ Angelina promised.
Penethelia blinked in surprise. ‘You can’t,’ she scoffed. She gestured at Sally weakly. ‘Even your mighty niece here has given up completely. I’m going to Hades’ realm and there’s bugger-all anyone can do about it,’ she panted. She lay back wheezing for several minutes. ‘I just wish it wouldn’t take so long,’ she whispered bitterly.
Having just come from there, Sarah wasn’t so sure this was a wise thing for anyone to be wishing. While the island of Erythea where Sarah had dined with Hades and Persephone was lovely, outside on The Plains of Asphodel, it was grim and stark.
‘I’ve brought someone who might be able to help, Your Majesty,’ Sally said pointedly.
‘Who?’ Penethelia demanded acidly. ‘Angelina? She can thread a sparrow from a thousand paces, but she couldn’t heal a fat lip.’ She looked around. Sarah was below the bed and since the ill woman could barely rise, she had not seen her yet. ‘Who are you talking about?’ Then her eyes narrowed shrewdly. ‘Or have you come to put me out of my misery, old friend?’ she asked Angelina. ‘If so, you took your bloody time. Can’t you necromancers stay on this plane for once?’
‘She meant me, Your Majesty!’ Sarah yipped brightly. She stood on her hind legs and put two great golden paws on the side of the bed. Two of the guards quickly raised their crossbows at Sarah’s presumption.
Ordinarily, having a wolf appear at your bedside would give most people quite a fright. Queen Penethelia wasn’t so easily startled. As soon as Sarah got close to her, she realised that in her youth, this woman had been a very hardy warrior indeed. Penethelia waved at the startled guards and they reluctantly lowered their bows.
‘Well bugger me,’ Penethelia wheezed. ‘If it isn’t the Golden Mane who’s caused such a ruckus.’ She turned slowly to nod at the window. ‘I’m afraid the moon out there isn’t full enough for you to help me, young wolf,’ she said weakly. She lay back and wheezed for a few more moments. When she opened her eyes again, she looked at Sarah seriously. ‘Did you really turn back the hourglass for that old rogue Jasper?’
‘Yes, Your Majesty.’
Penethelia was silent for a long moment. Sarah almost feared she had fallen asleep. While the queen was quiet, Sarah gently probed her body with her mind. She saw what was wrong very quickly. The arrow that had pierced her lung so long ago had left part of its tip deep within her. Unlike most arrowheads, this one was enchanted — and she recognised the author! The very same sorcerer who had created the spell that kept the dragon Siouxanne prisoner under Troll Mountain — indeed it was the same monstrous individual who was responsible for the kidnapping and death of her parents. It was Mautallius! The demonic sorcerer had created that arrow and cursed it so that it released a constant flow of poison into the body of its victim.
Sarah looked at Sally. ‘There’s a piece of the arrow in her chest. You probably can’t find it because it’s cursed. Mautallius made it.’
Sally swore, fuming. ‘Mautallius?’ She glanced at her queen for a moment, confusion showing on her angry face. ‘Mautallius didn’t shoot her, Stepheno did. Why?’
Angelina didn’t smile when she gave a wry chuckle. ‘Mautallius is a smart one, I’ll grant him that. If that arrow and its curse had gone wrong somehow, it could have recoiled back on the archer firing it. Remember how McConnell got cursed? Mautallius may have made the bolt, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to use it himself. Too dangerous.’
Sally swore again and glared at Angela. ‘One day,’ she grated, ‘I’m going to take a great deal of pleasure in removing his organs with a fork.’
Finally, Penethelia opened her eyes again. She lay staring at the ceiling, and appeared not to have heard the brief conversation between Angela and Sally. ‘I’d do anything to hunt with that old rascal Jasper again,’ she sighed, her voice scarcely above a whisper. She chuckled painfully. ‘He’s a crusty old boy, but he knows how to hunt. Last time I went into the wilds with him must have been seven or eight years ago.’ She paused and looked at Sarah sadly. ‘He and I got called in to try to recover a couple of taken Browns.’ She lay back, and closed her eyes. ‘Then I got shot. Haven’t been right since… Still, we were the lucky ones. Forty Amazons and whole packs of werewolves didn’t come back from that sortie,’ she muttered sourly. She glanced up at Angelina. ‘Could’ve done with your help on that one, Troy.’
Angelina frowned. ‘I was busy elsewhere,’ she replied. Her face was pained.
Sarah let her front paws fall back to the ground. The grief she had felt after the deaths of her parents came back for a few moments. She whined to herself then forced her troubles from her mind. She stepped back several steps and then nimbly leaped up onto the bed to stand beside the dying queen. Of course, this really bothered the guards. They rushed forward and aimed their crossbows at Sarah again.
Sarah turned and looked at them with an amused grin. ‘Why don’t you open that window,’ she told them calmly, her tongue lolling out and her tail wagging. ‘This is going to be hot work and it’s worse than a desert in here.’ She turned back to Penethelia, who was grinning at the Golden Mane’s presumption to set paw on her bed.
‘Oh, you’ll go places,’ Penethelia chuckled painfully. Her laughter was short-lived as she fell to coughing a wracking, tearing cough. Specks of blood flecked her lips and sprayed out onto the blankets.
Sarah sat next to the queen and turned to Sally. ‘I want you all to know that what I’m going to try here is not to win any sort of favour,’ she said seriously. Her werewolf sense of honour was speaking very loudly to her. ‘I’m here to help, that’s all.’
‘Never mind that,’ Sally told her brusquely. ‘If you can heal my queen where I have failed, Lentekhi will be at your side if ever you call.’
‘Careful, General. That day may come sooner than you think,’ Angelina advised Sally sagely. ‘Apart from healing, Sarah here also has quite a knack for ge
tting into trouble.’
Penethelia opened her eyes wider and grinned. ‘In that case, I might get to do more than go on one more hunt with a rascally old wolf!’ she said as brightly as she could manage. ‘It’d be good to face another battle again!’
Sarah decided not to waste any more time. She gently put one paw on the thin queen’s chest and concentrated. First, she located the poisoned enchanted arrow tip.
‘Ichtumblat,’ she growled. Penethelia gasped as the piece of the arrowhead suddenly disappeared out of her chest. The troublesome piece of enchanted shrapnel reappeared on the bedside table.
Sarah closed her golden eyes and concentrated again. The first step had been easy. The next problem was going to be removing the poison from her patient’s body. Since it was in her blood, every part of the queen’s body had been infected. It took a great deal of effort. Soon, Sarah’s coat was glowing like liquid fire and the room had become very, very bright as the power of Wolfenvald infused her body. Finally, she had managed to focus her mind on every fibre of Penethelia’s body. She concentrated not on the body itself, but the poison strangling the life out of every vein.
‘Annullarikus!’ she barked in a mighty voice and she released her pent-up power into that Magaeic command. Penethelia cried out and arched her body in a fierce convulsion. Then she collapsed back on the bed, unconscious. Sarah knew that somewhere else, probably thousands of kilometres away, Mautallius had suddenly come down with a splitting headache.
Sarah felt an amazing rush of energy flow through her. She finally understood that weird, light-headed feeling she got whenever she healed anyone. It was the sudden release of all the energy within her that made the blood rush from her head. She whined weakly and toppled over to lie beside the queen she had just healed.
The guards rushed towards her but Sally put up one hand. ‘Wait,’ she told them firmly. She bent down and touched her queen’s forehead. Her eyes widened and she turned to Angelina with an awed expression.