by Shawn Sodman
Across the room, Yentroc says to Gelana, “I can't believe you didn't tell me all this when we were in the mountains.”
“I’m sorry,” Gelana says. “I wanted to, but Kristieana made Kel'ana and me promise not to say anything.”
Evelena says, “Gelana, you should probably go and make sure Kristieana doesn't come here and see this.”
Gelana turns to leave just as Kristieana walks in. “There you are,” Kristieana says. “I’ve been looking all over for you guys.” Kristieana spots Chance and Va'leen, and just as if someone pulled a lever releasing lions into an arena, Kristieana quickly becomes enraged. “What is she doing here?” she asks as she begins to walk straight towards Chance's table.
“Wait,” Gelana says, “don't.”
Kristieana ignores her friend and calls out to Va'leen, “Hey, stay away from him!”
Chance and Va'leen look up at Kristieana. Both are surprised by her sudden presence. Va'leen says to Chance, “Do you know her?”
Chance replies, “We met recently.”
Va'leen questions, “Did the two of you...?”
“No,” he answers.
Va'leen sits back in her chair with a smirk on her face. Kristieana says, “Chance, can I speak with you alone for a moment?”
“About what?” asks Chance.
“About her,” Kristieana answers, motioning to Va'leen.
“What about me?” asks Va'leen.
Kristieana doesn't answer her. She looks at Chance and says, “Please, can I talk with you alone for a moment?”
Chance looks at Va'leen who shrugs her shoulders with a puzzled look on her face. He looks back at Kristieana and says, “Whatever it is you need to say, just say it.”
“Very well,” says Kristieana, glaring at Va'leen. “I think you’re making a mistake with her.”
“How so?” asks Chance.
Kristieana breaks her gaze with Va'leen and looks at Chance. She says, “She’s not the kind of woman you need to be with right now.”
Offended, Va'leen stands up and asks, “And just what kind of woman is that?”
Before Kristieana can answer, Chance stands as well, and holds out his arm to keep Va'leen back. He says to Kristieana, “You don't know anything about my needs. Va'leen and I are just two friends having a conversation.”
Kristieana replies, “Va'leen does not know how to be just a friend with a man.”
By now all of the Amazons in the room have gathered around. Kristieana's slight draws a small reaction from the onlookers. Va'leen clenches her fists and tries to push her way past Chance's arm, but he moves himself between the two Amazons. He says to Kristieana, “What has gotten into you?”
Kristieana replies, “I’m sorry, Chance, but I’m doing this for you.” She says to Va'leen, “I challenge your claim.”
Va'leen, shaking her head, says, “I have made no claim, but if it’s a fight you want, I will be happy to oblige you.”
Chance says, “Would you both please just calm yourselves?”
Kristieana asks Chance, “So, she has not claimed you?”
“Of course not,” scoffs Chance.
Va'leen grins and says, “That's right. There is no claim here to challenge, so why don't you just leave Chance and me alone.”
Nicari enters the inn and, when she notices the gathering of people at the far end, makes her way through the crowd to see what everyone is watching. Kristieana says, “If Va'leen has not made a claim to you, Chance, then I claim you.”
This causes the Amazons watching the uneasy confrontation to cheer loudly, then quickly silence themselves in anticipation of Va'leen's response. But before she can challenge Kristieana, Chance says, “Kristieana, I deny your claim.”
Kristieana is stunned, as well as everyone watching. Va'leen holds back her smile as Kristieana says to Chance, “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” asks Chance. “What are you doing?”
As the women talk among themselves, Kristieana says quietly to Chance, “Please, Chance, I am trying to protect you.”
“No, you aren't,” replies Chance. “This isn't about me, this is about whatever is going on between you and Va'leen, and I want no part of it.”
“I promise you, it isn't about her and me,” says Kristieana. “I just don't want to see you get hurt.”
Now with the crowd making enough noise that they cannot hear Chance and Kristieana talking, Chance says, “Don't you think it's a little late for that?” Kristieana looks down as Chance continues, “Besides, you and Ariella seemed to think I need more experience with women.”
Kristieana glares at Chance and says, “Anyone but her.”
Chance shakes his head and says, “So it is about you and her after all.” He takes a step back and stands next to Va'leen. He says to everyone, “Now, if you will all please go back to whatever it was you were doing…”
As everyone starts to go back to their tables, Va'leen says, “Kristieana, you forgot something.”
Kristieana turns around and asks, “What?”
Va'leen grins, and says, “This.” She holds out her hand. Inside it is a black bead. “This is for your denied claim.”
Many of the Amazons stop and wait for Kristieana's reaction. Aware of how much Kristieana resents Va'leen, they know how insulting it must be for Kristieana to receive a black bead from her. She takes the bead from Va'leen's hand as she looks at Chance and says, “Don't say that I didn't try to warn you.”
As Kristieana begins to leave, Lyra says quietly to her, “You can invoke neita.”
“What?” Kristieana asks as she stops.
Lyra says again, “You can invoke neita.”
Va'leen looks at Lyra and says, “Stay out of this, you whelp.”
Chance asks Va'leen, “What is she talking about?”
“It's nothing,” Va'leen replies. “It’s an old code that hasn't been used in many years.”
The crowd begins to gather once again as Kristieana asks, “What does it mean?”
Lyra nervously explains to Kristieana, “It’s when one Amazon proclaims that a male is off limits to another Amazon even if the male has denied the first Amazon's claim.”
Kristieana smiles as she whispers to Lyra, “Thank you.” She then turns to Va'leen and proclaims, “I am invoking neita.”
Chance asks Va'leen, “Can she do that?”
“Yes,” Va'leen says, glaring at Lyra. Lyra looks down as Va'leen continues, “Don't worry, I can beat Kristieana and then the neita will be invalid.”
Kristieana begins to stretch her arms and shoulders in preparation for a fight. Gelana asks her, “Are you really going to fight her?”
“Of course I am,” replies Kristieana.
“What about Isen?” Gelana asks.
Kristieana sighs, “I have to do this for Chance. He has no idea the kind of woman Va'leen is.”
Chance takes Kristieana by the arm. “Stop this now.”
“It's too late for that,” Kristieana says.
Va'leen says, “Step out of the way, Chance, I promise this won't take long.”
Chance rushes over to Va'leen and takes her hands in his. He says, “Don't fight her.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” she replies. “I can beat her.”
“I am not worth fighting for,” he says.
“Yes,” Va'leen replies. “You are.”
Chance, desperately pleas with both women, “Stop this, both of you! I will not stand here as the two of you fight each other.”
Va'leen looks at him with saddened eyes and asks, “Why do you not wish me to fight? Does our friendship mean nothing to you?”
“Of course it does,” replies Chance. “I just don't want to see you getting hurt over me.”
Va'leen smiles and says, “You can always wait outside. Then you won't have to see any of it.”
Chance cannot help but laugh. He says, “That is not what I meant.”
“I know,” she replies. “You’re so sweet.”
Chance asks, “How long does this neita last?”
“Until the new moon,” replies Va'leen.
“That is just over two weeks,” Chance says. “Can't we just wait until then? If Kristieana invokes it again, I promise I'll let you fight then.”
Va'leen looks past Chance at Kristieana, who is standing ready to fight. She says, “Chance, we are at war. We may not have tomorrow, let alone next week.”
“Please,” Chance begs. “Promise me you won't fight her.”
After a brief silence, Va'leen sighs. “All right, I promise,” she relents.
Nicari approaches Va'leen and says, “Come on, let's go.”
Va'leen is walking with Nicari to the door when she bumps into Lyra. Va'leen whispers into her ear, “I’m going to make you pay for this, runt.”
Nicari leads Va'leen away as Lyra becomes visibly unnerved. Yentroc asks Lyra, “What did she say to you?”
“Nothing,” lies Lyra.
A short distance away Chance says to Kristieana, “I hope you’re happy now.”
“I know you don't believe me,” Kristieana says quietly to him. “But it’s better this way.”
Chance shakes his head as he walks away from Kristieana and approaches Lyra. He asks her, “Why did you help Kristieana keep Va'leen from me?”
Lyra, having just been threatened by Va'leen, is still shaken up. When she hesitates to answer, Yentroc says to Chance, “Why don't you tell us what you and Sven talked about last night?”
“Is that what this was about?” asks Chance. “Why are you asking me and not Sven?”
Yentroc, continuing to speak on her friend’s behalf, says, “Because we haven’t seen Sven since last night.”
“Well then, let me tell you what I told him,” Chance says, looking at Lyra. “He asked me my honest opinion about the two of you, and while I told him that I didn't think it was a good idea, I also said that the two of you didn't need my permission for anything. I certainly didn't tell him to stay away from you or invoke some old code that would have him fighting for you.”
Lyra manages to overcome her anxiety and says, “I’m sorry.”
Chance sighs, trying to keep himself from becoming angrier. Kristieana and the others listen as he finally says to Lyra, “Do you want to know what Va'leen and I were talking about?” Unaware that the others are now listening, he continues. “We were discussing my sister, Finna. She was killed a few days ago in Northwind, and she was one of the few friends that Va'leen had left. We both needed someone to talk to, and now we have been denied that thanks to your interference.”
Chance abruptly leaves, as Lyra bursts into tears. Yentroc consoles her and says, “Hey, it’s not your fault.”
Kristieana joins them and says, “She’s right, it’s my fault.”
Lyra wipes her cheek and says, “I need to go.”
“Wait,” Yentroc says, as Lyra walks to the door. “Where are you going?”
“I need to be alone right now,” she answers.
Lyra exits, and Isen walks in. He smiles and asks them, “Hey, what are you talking about?”
The remaining seven sisters look to Kristieana, who says shortly, “Nothing.” She then grabs his wrist and leads him out the door.
Once they are outside, Isen asks, “What’s going on?”
“Lyra just had an argument, and is upset,” She says as she looks around for Chance or Va'leen.
“Oh,” replies Isen. “I was just coming to make sure that you didn't forget about having dinner with me tonight.”
“No, I didn't,” Kristieana says, still distracted.
Isen asks, “Are you sure everything is all right?”
Kristieana, now focusing on Isen, smiles and answers, “Yes, everything is fine. I was just about to go get changed.”
“Good,” replies Isen. “Then I'll see you in the library in about an hour.”
“I'll see you then,” Kristieana says.
Chapter 38
Catching Up
Nicari and Va'leen are walking through the crowded streets of Sheathelm, where people have gathered their belongings and are preparing to make the long journey to Artos. After explaining her history with Kristieana, Va'leen concludes, “...and that’s why everyone looks at me with disdain.”
Nicari asks, “Why did you challenge Kristieana's first claim, anyway?”
“I don't know,” Va'leen sighs. “I guess I just felt that she was overconfident and I wanted to teach her respect.”
“It sounds like all you managed to do was create an enemy and turn everyone else against you,” Nicari says.
“Well, we all can't be loved by everyone, like you,” Va'leen says.
Nicari laughs. “I’m not loved by everyone.”
“Really?” Va'leen asks. “Name one Amazon that hates you.”
Nicari thinks for a bit. She says, “I think hate is a bit strong don't you? I don't think anyone hates you.”
“Oh, they do,” replies Va'leen. “Believe me, if Kristieana and I would have fought, no one would have wanted me to win.”
“Well, I don't hate you,” says Nicari.
“Thanks,” Va'leen says. “So, how has life outside of the sisterhood been?”
Nicari smiles and says, “It’s good. Belron and I have traveled all over Runefell.”
“So, you’ve gotten over your fear of flying?” asks Va'leen.
“Oh, no,” replies Nicari. “I hate to fly. I sometimes wonder how Belron and I ever ended up together.”
The women laugh, and Va'leen says, “I would have thought that, being the wife of a drake rider, you would have acquired a tolerance of flying by now.”
“Someday, perhaps,” Nicari says.
Va'leen stops and looks through the window of a bakery. She says, “I have often thought about leaving the sisterhood and living in a city like this.”
“Like Sheathelm?” Nicari asks.
“Yes,” replies Va'leen. “While I enjoy visiting Elonfar, there is something quaint about this city.”
“I agree,” Nicari says, looking around the cobblestone streets. “The humans have done well here. It’s better than Artos, and far better than Bastion. Still, I prefer the elegant spires of Elonfar to the rather short structures here.”
“I thought you didn't like heights,” said Va'leen.
“I don't,” Nicari laughs. “But I feel safer in a tower than I do on the back of a drake.” They both laugh and continue walking down the narrow street. Nicari says, “May I ask you something rather personal?”
Va'leen stops walking and replies, “Of course.”
After hesitating momentarily, Nicari asks, “Is there anything going on between you and Chance?”
“No,” Va'leen protests. She and Nicari begin to walk once more. “He’s just a pup.”
Nicari nods and replies, “I couldn't help but wonder after the way you looked when Chance said that he didn't want you to fight Kristieana.”
“What about it?” asks Va'leen.
“You looked more than just disappointed,” replies Nicari. “You looked heartbroken.”
Va'leen shakes her head and says, “That’s because Chance and I were talking about Finna. We both needed a friend, but then,” her tone becomes disgruntled, “that little runt interfered.”
“I heard about Finna,” says Nicari. “She and I weren't that close, but I know she was a good friend to you.”
“She was the best,” Va'leen replies. “I hope Eveoh is all right. Finna was her only sibling besides Chance.”
In the castle, Chance is back in the Atrium. The crowds have cleared away and he is standing between two columns as he overlooks the harbor. The sound of footsteps echo within the chamber and Chance turns to see his sister, Eveoh. They do not say a word, as none are needed to express their sorrow for the loss of their sister.
They embrace one another for a short while. Chance finally says, “I am glad you are here.”
“I’m sorry I could not get here sooner,” Eveoh replies.
“It has been rather eventful as of late,” she replies.
Chance says, “When the elven fleet first arrived, I went to the Silver Tide to help them in the battle. After the orcnea ships had left, I asked about you, but Captain Resif said that you were not aboard.”
“Yes,” she replies. “He said that you had been there. I was assisting the Red Dawn. How are you holding up?”
Chance sighs. “As well as I can.”
“I can't believe she’s gone,” Eveoh says.
“Me neither,” replies Chance.
Eveoh says, “I also can't believe how quickly the orcnea army has advanced.”
“I only hope that this ceasefire has given us enough time to prepare for them,” Chance says.
“Why did the orcneas agree to a ceasefire?” Eveoh asks.
Chance smiles and answers, “We have a clever young Amazon from the house of Ree to thank for that.”
Back in the King's Shield Inn, Evelena is still sitting at a table with Kel'ana and Ja'noa, as well as Yentroc, Rehma, and Gelana. The door opens and Adolayn enters. Evelena jumps to her feet, calling out, “Mother!”
They embrace, and Adolayn says, “I’m so glad to see that you’re all right.”
“We are fine,” confirms Evelena.
Adolayn says to Gelana, “Meadow wanted me to tell you hello and that she loves you. She and Miguella tried to sneak through the gate, along with Thalia.”
“Why did they do that?” asks Gelana.
“They said they wanted to help,” Adolayn replies. “Fortunately, A'ranah caught them and we sent them back.”
Evelena says, “Now I wish we had stayed longer.”
“So do I,” says Gelana.
Evelena pulls out her necklace. “Look what we all got, mother.” She points to the golden bead that is now part of her honor display.
“I am so proud of you,” Adolayn replies. “The word had traveled back to us in Elonfar about the ceasefire, and that you girls were responsible.”
“We just got lucky that the orcnea child delivered our message and they believed us,” Evelena says.
Gelana adds, “We’re also lucky that we were with Princess Kianna and her friends. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to escape.”