by Shawn Sodman
“What are white ones for?” Sven asks looking at Lyra's necklace.
“They are the tokens for common honor given to us by the elders for doing certain tasks,” Lyra explains. “They are also the ones we use to challenge each other with.”
“How do you mean, 'challenge'?” Sven asks.
“Think of it like betting your honor,” Gelana explains. “Each amazon puts one of her beads on the line. The winner keeps them. You can challenge someone to almost anything really. As long as they both agree to put their honor on the line.”
“Sven understands,” Sven says sounding intrigued, “and what about black ones?”
“Oh, these?” Lyra replies uncomfortably. She tucks her necklace back under her shirt.
“Those are dishonor,” Gelana says giving Lyra a grin. “You get those for disobeying,” She looks at Yentroc and adds, “and for getting denied a claim.”
Yentroc glares at Gelana and says, “Oh, be quiet.”
“For disobeying?” Sven asks.
Gelana laughs and says, “Lyra is always causing trouble and is a bad influence on us all.”
They all laugh except for Lyra who seems to be embarrassed. Sven looks a Lyra and smiles. “Sven, somehow doubts that this little one would be big problem,” he says.
“Alright, everyone, enough talk,” Evelena says interrupting the conversation. “Let's help these people first then we can worry about honor.”
The Amazons begin to help the injured the best they can. Yentroc is the only one with any healing spells. She tends to those with the worst injuries as the others help move the injured inside.
The innkeeper approaches Evelena and says, “Thank you so much for helping us. I don't think we could have done it without you.”
“You are welcome,” Evelena replies.
“They will sing songs of this battle someday,” Sven says. “The day that Amazons, and Sven of the North saved Copper Pass.”
This was the first of what would someday be many battles. This was the first blood for these seven Sisters of the Silver Moon.
Chapter 17
Revealed
A short time later as the girls gather themselves together, Evelena spots Chance with the hood of his cloak over his head. She watches him as he tends to one of the injured. He heals the man then moves quickly from one injured person to the next.
While healing one of the men Chance hears Kristieana as she whispers in his ear, “It looks like you have everything under control. I'll be waiting for you back in the room. I have some questions for you.”
Chance continues to heal the people while a few men finish patching the gate. Soon everyone is heading back into the inn. Chance decides that he has done as much as he can, and decides to go back to his room. He heads back to the inn as Evelena follows him closely. She now has some questions for Chance and she is determined to get straight answers.
The rest of the seven sisters are already inside the Pick Ax. They are at a table with Sven, and are listening to Lyra tell her story about what happened to her.
“The next thing I remember,” Lyra says to them, “you were telling me I was at a festival.”
They laugh as Chance enters the room. With the hood of his cloak over his head he starts to make his way pass the table and avoids eye contact. Evelena is still right behind him. As Chance passes right in front of the table, Yentroc asks, “So who cast that big fireball?”
“He did,” Evelena answers as she pulls the cloak from Chance's head. “Alright, Kyle,” she demands, “Who are you really?”
Chance looks away from the table and ducks his head. Evelena grabs his arm and turns him to face her. “Answer me!” Evelena demands again.
“Chance?” The loud voice of Sven calls out. “Chance Na'Moon! How are you, my old friend? Why did you not tell Sven you were here?”
Now everyone in the inn is watching and Chance knows that his cover is blown. He forces a smile and looks up to Sven and says, “I am well, my friend.”
“Did he say Chance Na'Moon?” Rehma asks Gelana. Rehma stands up and starts to walk over to Chance.
“Rehma, wait,” Gelana says as she also stands up.
Sven yells out to everyone in the tavern, “Everyone! The Orcnea Slayer, Chance Na'Moon, is here!”
The crowd lets out a cheer. Kristieana comes out from Chance's room to see what all the noise is about. She has her cloak over her head, but has not activated the invisibility spell.
Chance forces another smile as Sven announces, “Everyone gets round of drinks of Sven in honor of guest Chance!” The crowd cheers again.
Ja'noa whispers to Kel'ana, “That's Chance Na'Moon? I always thought he would be taller.”
Evelena looks at Chance. “Why?” she asks. “Why didn't you tell us?”
Chance stands there looking at her, unsure what to say. Just then Rehma reaches him and asks, “So you are Chance Na'Moon?”
“Yes,” Chance answers.
Gelana, who is trying to get to her sister, is caught up in the crowd. She calls out, “Rehma, stop!”
Yentroc looks at Gelana puzzled for a moment. Realizing that Gelana is trying to stop Rehma, she quickly stands up and also tries to make her way through the crowd.
Rehma smiles brightly and says, “I have always wanted to meet you.” She extends her hand to Chance.
Chance doesn't quite know what to make of this as he takes her hand and shakes it, “The pleasure is mine,” he says politely.
“Oh no,” Rehma replies, “the pleasure is definitely all mine.” She firmly clutches Chance's hand and pulls him towards her as she punches Chance in the face. The onlookers of the inn are stunned. Caught completely off guard, Chance falls to his knees and is now an easy target. Rehma, still grasping his right hand, lifts Chance's arm and kicks him in his side. Her foot catches him just behind his breastplate. Dazed and cringing in pain, Chance looks up at Rehma, who now sees blood dripping down from his nose and lip. Still refusing to release her grip, Rehma says, “I have waited a long time for this.” She pulls Chance towards her again. This time she drives her forearm and elbow across his face. Barely conscious, Chance is knocked onto his back.
“Rehma, what are you doing?” Evelena yells as she grabs her arm.
“Stop it, Rehma!” Gelana yells as she and Yentroc close in.
Rehma pays no attention to her sisters as she pulls free from Evelena. She kneels down on top of Chance, pinning him to the ground. She finally lets go of his hand only to grab a fist full of his hair. Still stunned from the first three hits, Chance is unable to defend himself as Rehma begins to land one fist after another into his now bloodied face. Blood splatters on her armor and now covers her right hand as she relentlessly continues to strike him.
Gelana and Yentroc finally reach Rehma and each grab one of her arms. They pull Rehma to her feet as she stomps on Chance's chest. She kicks him again in the side before they are able to get her away.
“No!” Rehma screams. “Let go of me. He's mine!”
Chance, lying in a small pool of his own blood, roles over to his hands and knees. His ears are ringing and his vision is hazy. He cannot remember the last time he was knocked down like that. He tries to stand but falls back to his hands and knees. He takes a deep breath as more blood falls to the floor. He looks up at Rehma who is kicking and screaming at her sisters.
“He killed my mother!” she screams. “He's the reason she's dead.”
Gelana and Yentroc hold their sister back, as Chance tires to clear his head. Anger gives way to grief and soon Rehma stops fighting and falls into Gelana's arms as she tries to comfort her.
“I am so sorry,” Evelena says as she checks on Chance, “are you alright?”
Chance looks at her and tries to focus. “I think so,” he answers.
“I am really sorry, sir,” Evelena says nervously. “Please, I am sure she doesn't mean it.”
Evelena helps Chance slowly get to his feet when he suddenly remembers. “Teresa?” Chance says softly t
o himself.
Rehma glares at Chance and again her face fills with rage. “Don't you dare say her name!” She screams as she tries to come at Chance once more. “I will kill you!” She yells as Gelana and Yentroc struggle to hold her back.
“Rehma,” Evelena yells, “that's enough!”
“What is going on?” Sven quietly asks Lyra.
Lyra answers, “Rehma's mother died in the Second Orcnea War while protecting Chance.”
“Oh,” Sven says. Then, as what he just heard sinks in, he repeats, “Oh!”
“It's his fault my mother is dead!” Rehma yells again.
The crowd that has been in total silence to witness these events now start to talk among themselves once more. Many go back their chairs while a few stay and continue to watch.
Yentroc has made her way back over to Chance she says, “Let me heal you.”
“Don't you dare heal him,” Rehma warns.
Yentroc looks at her and says, “Rehma, you can't be serious. He losing a lot of blood.”
Rehma looks coldly at Chance and replies, “Let him bleed.”
“It's alright,” Chance says to Yentroc. “Thank you.”
“I am so sorry about this,” Evelena says again.
“It's not your fault,” Chance replies. He looks around at the crowd who nervously look away. He glances up to the balcony and can see Kristieana looking down at him. She turns away and walks back into their room. Still feeling a little shaky, Chance slowly turns to Rehma who is still glaring at him. He slowly walks over to her as he wipes more blood from his face. Yentroc and Gelana hold Rehma a little tighter as Chance approaches. He stops and tries to look Rehma in the eyes, but can't. “Rehma,” Chance says looking down, “I am sorry for the loss of your mother.” He looks up at her and can see tears streaming down her face. “If I could have traded places with her...” Chance drops his eyes again. The silence feels like an eternity to Chance. He takes a deep breath and looks up again and says, “I am sorry.”
Rehma doesn't respond. She instead rests her head on her Gelana's shoulder as Yentroc puts her arm around her as well.
Chance turns to Sven and says, “My friend, I am sorry we could not meet again under better circumstances.”
“Sven is sorry too,” he replies. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I have felt better,” Chance says, “but I will be fine.”
Putting his hand on Chance's shoulder, Sven says, “Sven will be guiding girls tomorrow over mountains. It will take couple days, but if you wish to join us...”
“No,” Rehma interrupts. “If he goes, I will not.”
Chance, holding his right side, smiles at his friend and says, “Thanks, my friend, but I have other matters to address.”
With blood still covering his face Chance begins to speak loudly to the people in the inn. “Good people of Copper Pass. I come to you from Sheathelm to investigate the orcnea threat to this town.”
Despite his appearance, Chance's words seem to put the crowd more at ease. “The Orcnea Slayer will protect us.” Yells out one. The crowd responds with loud cheers.
“I have some bad news, however,” Chance continues, as a serving wench hands him a towel. The crowd quiets down as Chance says, “To the east the orcneas are on the move.” Now the crowd mumbles with concern.
“By tomorrow,” Chance says as he wipes blood from his face with the towel, “the city of Northwind will have fallen.”
The crowd erupts with loud conversation and Chance then tries to yell over them, “Tomorrow I am going over the mountains!” The crowd is too loud however and they do not hear him.
“People!” the loud voice of Sven booms over the inn.
The crowd quickly quiets. Chance glances over to his friend Sven who gives him a nod of support. Chance then turns back and continues, “Tomorrow I am going to fly over the mountains to find out if the west is in similar danger of invasion. If I find a serious threat from the orcneas, I'll be back to warn you. If I do not find orcneas in threatening numbers, I must return to the south where King Arioch is rallying the troops for war. Thank you.”
The crowd now seems more positive as they begin to talk amongst themselves again.
“Sven,” Chance says to his friend, “may I speak with you a moment please?”
“Of course,” Sven replies. They walk over to the bottom of the stairs as Chance receives a few pats on the back from the crowd while others thank him for being there.
Yentroc and Gelana finally release Rehma, and as they watch Chance talking with Sven, they see Sven looking over at them and nod his head. “What do you think they are talking about?” Yentroc asks Gelana.
“I don't know,” Gelana answers. “He is probably explaining why Rehma attacked him.” They continue to watch Sven and Chance talk, and soon Sven pats him on the shoulder and then walks back over as Chance heads up the stairs.
When Sven gets back to the group Gelana asks, “So what was that about?”
Sven answers, “Uh...it was nothing. Just two friends catching up.”
Chance finally reaches the top of the stairs and enters his room. Kristieana is already inside. “I knew I recognized you from somewhere,” Kristieana says.
Chance looks at her for a moment. He shakes his head and says, “I am sorry, I still don't remember you.”
“You wouldn't,” Kristieana replies, as Chance closes the door. “I was only a young girl at the time. You and King Arioch came to our village. I remember it because it was the first time I ever saw a male in our village. I hid behind a tree and watched as you told A'ranah that Sha'al was killed.”
“The start of the orcnea war,” Chance says looking down. “I remember that day.”
“Me too,” Kristieana says as she walks up to Chance and lifts his chin. “I remember thinking how handsome you were, but I also remember the sadness in your eyes. A sadness that I still see now.”
“Since the return of the orcneas,” Chance says as he walks over to the window and looks out at the gate, “I have been facing many memories.”
“So,” Kristieana says as she walks over to Chance, “What was it you said? You have been known to slay a few orcneas? I would call that an understatement.”
“That is why I stayed out of sight,” Chance explains. “I know these girls are trying to prove themselves and I doubt they would want any help from me. Especially Rehma.”
“You are probably right about that,” Kristieana replies. “I must say though that I can't help but find a little humor in the fact that the great Chance Na'Moon got beaten by a young Amazon on her Rite of Passage.”
Chance looks to her with a bloody smile and says, “It should be noted that she did so while my guard was down and she shook my hand.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me,” Kristieana says as she laughs. She then looks closely at Chances face that is now swelling and showing bruises. “She really hit you hard, didn't she?” she says, as she takes the towel from Chance's hand and wipes away some more blood.
“I don't remember the last time anyone hit me that hard,” Chances says. “Or for that matter, so many times.”
“I lost count of how many times she hit you, “Kristieana says. “Does it hurt?”
“Yes,” Chance answers, still holding his ribs. “It hurts to breathe.”
“It looks painful,” Kristieana continues to tease.
“Alright,” Chance says sounding a little more serious. “If you are going to just mock me—”
“Oh, listen to you,” Kristieana says still having fun, “All tough now are we? You might want to watch that tone or instead of healing you I may just hit you myself.”
Chance cannot help but laugh, and as he does more pain shoots through his side. “Alright, I am sorry. Now are you going to heal me, or are all those silver beads just for show?”
“Say please,” she teases.
“Please,” he says knowing that he is at her mercy.
“Since you asked nicely,” Kristieana says. “You said
it hurt to breathe, right?”
“Yes,” Chance answers. “It's like a dagger is in my side.”
“She probably broke a rib then,” Kristieana says as she gently lifts his right arm. She places her hand on his side and closes her eyes. The soft white glow of her hand soothes the pain as it heals Chance.
“Oh,” Chance says taking a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“Now hold still,” she says as she places her hands on Chances face. She straightens his nose with her thumbs. Chance winces a bit, and she says, “You know I have heard more than one telling of the story about how Rehma's mother died.”
“Please,” Chance interrupts. “I really would prefer not to discuss it.”
“If you wish,” Kristieana replies, “but just so you know, I don't believe it was your fault.”
“Thank you,” Chance says, “but I am not so certain.”
“Alright, I am almost done,” she says. Her hands glow white again for a moment, and when she removes them Chance's face is no longer swollen and the bleeding has stopped.
“Thank you,” Chance says.
“Feel better now?” Kristieana asks, as she takes the towel and wipes away the remaining blood.
“Yes,” Chance replies. “Much better.”
“Good,” Kristieana says with a smile. Then without warning she slaps Chance across the face. “Ow! What was that for?” Chance yells.
“That was for lying to me about who you were,” Kristieana snaps. Then leaning in she quickly kisses the cheek she had just slapped and adds, “and that is for saving Lyra.” She steps back and says, “Goodbye, Chance Na'Moon.”
“Wait,” Chance asks, “where are you going?”
“I know that there is no code that prevents me from being with you,” Kristieana says, “but you did take vows with someone from the house of Ree. Sha'al Ree was my great, great, aunt, and while I know that doesn't make us related, I still am not sure how I feel about that.”
“I understand,” Chance says. “You don't have to go though. I'll sleep over there,” he says as he points to a chair on the other side of the room.