These words overwhelmed Evagoria. The moon could have fallen out of the sky and landed on her head, yet she would have only been half as stunned as she was now. She had no response; she had barely a thought. Only eyes swelling like waterlogged sponges and trembling hands. A moment ago, Evagoria had never felt more grown up. Now she suddenly felt as if a spellbound youngling.
AND SHE LOVED IT!
She flung herself into Diedrika’s arms once more and nestled into them. The daughter nearly as tall as her mother made this embrace awkward, but more special than anything Evagoria could remember. Their chariot now in its descent, she released from Diedrika’s loving grip and returned to her seat next to Penelope.
“Thank you for such kind words, my queen,” Evagoria said with a quiet reverence. “And thank you for being a far better teacher, leader, and mother than any Mermaid – Gift from Poseidon or not – could ever deserve.”
Same as with Harpastum the summer before, this would be Evagoria’s first time attending the Summer Games. A few turns of the clepsydra having passed since arriving in the shared city, Evagoria and the rest of those who would participate now lined up just outside the western gates of the arena. Each delegation broken up by event, the roving field archers made up the rear.
For the entire spring to no avail, she had peppered Penelope with questions of how the games worked and begged for a bit of history in regards to them and the heroes and heroines who had competed over the years. Ready with an excuse every time – always somewhere to go or something to do – entrapment came next. Evagoria’s mind now wandered as she recalled the day she had so cleverly set and sprung this trap.
*****
With a scrumptious lunch Evagoria prepared herself, it was time to lure Penelope in. And with an appetite that would make the plumpest Gryphon proud, she took the bait! Shrimp, scallops, clams, squid, and fruits washed down with Evagoria’s favorite berry juice – a begging stare came next and Penelope finally gave in.
“Three weeks before the Summer Games begin; I suppose the time has come to answer the many questions you have asked me about them.” Andromeda and Diedrika nodded and leaned in. “So, Princess, what would you like to know first?”
“How many of each kind can enter an event?” Evagoria asked eagerly.
“Events allow for up to five entrants of each kind,” Penelope answered, “but not every kind takes part in all events. Gryphons and Arachna cannot compete in archery, Mermaids do not race Centaurs, and only strapping Gryphons dare wrestle other strapping Gryphons.” Her cheery voice then turned gloomy. “Well, in regards to wrestling, it has been this way since the Sapien hero, Nicephorus, died.”
Penelope took in a deep breath, smiled, and her normal sweet voice returned.
“Since Harpastum favors older, more experienced beings, no one over twenty-one can compete in the Summer Games. For Sapiens, another hundred years is tacked onto this restriction. This applies to every event except the chariot races.” Penelope snorted and let out a laugh. “Any Mermaid or Sapien crazy enough is more than welcome to enter that one!”
“And that is why,” Andromeda howled, “Perseos and you have entered?”
“He made me!”
Diedrika and Evagoria now howled along as well. Penelope suddenly stopped laughing and appeared to be deep in thought.
“Oh, silly me, I almost forgot – and then there is dueling! Every nation aside for Gryphons hold their own dueling events inside the arena to kick off the games. Once each of these four determines a champion, they then face off against each other to determine the grand champion.”
“I don’t understand – every nation aside for Gryphons? I know we ride them when dueling, but why do they not duel on their own as well?” Wide grins puzzled Evagoria even more.
Diedrika let out a pompous laugh. “Because no Sapien, Arachna, or Centaur wants to be ripped to pieces by one!”
As she laughed along, Evagoria thought it interesting how her mother did not mention ‘Mermaids’ as well. After a few moments to digest what she had learned so far – along with another few bites, of course – it was time for another question.
“Tell me about winning!” Evagoria begged. “Do I know anyone who has won before?”
“As you wish, Princess. Winners receive neither gold nor jewels nor any other tangible valuable. Only something invaluable – fame.” Evagoria felt her birthmark turn warm. “And no one in recent years has won more than our own King Judiascar!”
Diedrika applauded as if the king was there to receive it.
Penelope suddenly rose and hovered over them; she spoke more quickly than usual. “For three straight games, he demolished ALL comers at wrestling. So amazing was Judiascar – then a prince – he even won the short race once! That a Centaur nearly always wins this and the other races make Judiascar’s victory even more remarkable.”
Evagoria had never thought of the brawny Gryphon king in this way. She had a hard time imagining him being so quick, but he obviously was. At least back then.
“Ahuram is racing this year,” Evagoria remembered. “Such an effortless runner – I think he just might win!” She liked Ahuram almost as much as she liked Zacharias. His brother, Ahriman – eh, not so much. Evagoria now turned to Diedrika. “And what about you, Mother? So strong and skilled with every weapon, what events did you participate in?”
So many adventures in regards to her Queen Mother others had already told her of, Evagoria sat perfectly still in eager anticipation of just one more. Diedrika let out a deep breath and doused Evagoria’s hopes quicker than water poured atop flame.
“I never participated in the games,” she said flatly. “There is nothing for me to prove. In a true battle with lives on the line, do you really think my arrow or battle-ax would miss its mark?”
Evagoria’s excitement suddenly drowning in embarrassment, she shook her head.
“In a duel to the death,” Diedrika continued, “do you really think it would be my life that would end and not the life of whoever I faced?”
Evagoria shook her head again.
Before her Queen Mother had even been crowned, she invented the compound bow used by most archers, tamed the Orcas they rode atop when patrolling the northern seas, and broke the spirit of a Gryphon – Judiascar – none before had ever seen own such size and strength. Diedrika was not just a legend, but a legend who made all other ‘legends’ wanna-be’s, has-been’s, and also-ran’s. In short, this was a guild of one and her mother was it.
Every Mermaid expecting Evagoria to exceed this legend – just how was she supposed to do this?
“I think we need a bit more to drink,” Evagoria said in a cracked voice as she lifted up an empty carafe. Her hands trembled and the carafe almost fell from her shaky grip, but the other hand saved it just in time. She then rose and clumsily made her way into the cookery.
A young Princess Diedrika might not have had anything to prove, but a young Princess Evagoria certainly did. And to no one more than herself. That she felt the need to participate in the games her mother never bothered to stunned her. Alone finally, this craved solitude lasted but a moment. Andromeda had followed her into the cookery and now slid up against her side.
“Every queen is different,” her grandmother began in barely more than a whisper, “but there is one absolute. Whether the beginning of your reign or the end, historians will scribe all and those who are interested in such things will read all.”
Andromeda ran a single finger of her left hand under Evagoria’s chin and their eyes met.
“With this in mind, always remember: Queenship is not a single adventure or even a few, but a grand series of them. Those who come after us will remember the total tally of these many adventures, not just the highs and lows of individual ones. It is this tally, Evagoria, which will determine the legacy you leave behind.”
Her grandmother kissed her cheek.
“Slow and steady, rarely hasty,” Andromeda’s voice and eyes now turned sad, “‘tis better to b
e the sun that rises each day barely noticed than the shooting star that enthralls all,” she turned to leave Evagoria alone once more, “but dies much too soon.”
*****
As these wise words bounced about Evagoria’s head, the hazy scene around her came into focus once more. Atop Zacharias – she would ride him when they competed – Evagoria now inspected those around her.
“I wish I were not the only Mermaid to compete in archery, Zacharias. It’s a privilege that I am, yet I feel like I am keeping others from entering.”
Zacharias shook his mane as if to brush off this comment. “You are by far the best young archer in Atagartis! What would be the point of any other Mermaid participating? These Centaurs here,” he pointed in the direction of the five of them, “they are just wasting their time!”
“Or maybe Mother and the other nobles just don’t want to see their Gift from Poseidon lose to another Mermaid.”
“No,” Zacharias said dryly, “that’s not it. I am right, you are wrong.”
He turned his head and Evagoria caught a slight grin from the side of his beak. She giggled and hugged him tight.
Many events would take place over the next three days, but Evagoria cared for just a handful of them. Wrestling because only Gryphons participated; chariot racing because Perseos and Penelope would be competing; ax throwing because of Persepolis; and, of course, the competition she looked forward to most: roving field archery. That Adamarcus would compete in this event as well only made it sweeter. Aside for the short race, Evagoria could not care less for the other running races because only Centaurs – including the Centauress she cared for least – had the speed and stamina to run in them.
Her eyes wandering about, Adamarcus gazed in her direction and waved. Evagoria winked back. She then directed Zacharias to pull up alongside him. As Gryphons high above began to raise the great bronze gates, she unhitched her bow and proudly showed it to Adamarcus.
“Look familiar?”
“Penelope’s bow,” Adamarcus answered with a smile that appeared more forced than not. Perhaps reliving the moment the Yeturi had slammed its claw into him, he rubbed his lower chest. “She is letting you borrow it?”
“Borrow it?” Evagoria gasped. She and Zacharias glanced at each other and shared a good chuckle. “Goodness no, Adamarcus! Mermaid princesses do not borrow from others. Because it means so much more to me than it ever will to her – Penelope gave it to me. And I have trained with it since.”
“I too have something that means a great deal to me!” Adamarcus said smugly. He pointed to her gift he now wore across his back. “And I have trained with these for a good while as well!”
“A pretty quiver filled with even prettier silver arrows,” Evagoria taunted playfully, “not even those will help you beat me.” She reached deep inside and found her mother’s voice she someday hoped to make her own. “Hear me now, Centaur – I will bury you!”
“HA!” Adamarcus crowed. “In a sea of roses that will rain down on me from above when I win!”
Evagoria pulled her head back and laughed at this. Next, she noticed another Aeropid watching them. The horrid image of this one’s father accidently killing Penelope’s brother, Eumelus, during Harpastum last year shook her for a moment, but she did her best to push this from her thoughts. A fourth-year student, Orion was a somewhat shy Centaur all in their world knew of for two reasons: Many considered him the best archer in Terra Australis and everyone thought he was the most handsome Centaur alive. Often teased during studies that he was ‘prettier’ than most Centauresses, from what Evagoria had seen, Orion took the jibes rather well.
But this princess was now quite the archer herself and she would soon show their world just how skilled she had become. The growls of the Yeturi still haunting her mind, she needed an escape. A bow and arrows – the weapon Adamarcus used to free her – did the trick and she had trained relentlessly since.
As the participants marched through the lifted gates, Evagoria thought back to last summer: She had come through these same gates. Zacharias even pranced in much the same way. Evagoria, however, felt much different than she did a year ago. This grand scene had left her dumbstruck then, but simply amused her now. With one hand on Zacharias’ saddle, she raised the other and waved to the cheering crowd. Her eyes were not wide with wonder, but focused and in command. Evagoria wore not the drooling, jaw dropped gape of the summer before, but a confident grin. Her head did not swivel wildly from side to side, but did so in a smooth, steady manner. In short, she had been here before and it was time she acted the part.
Tucked inside the arena, the delegations now presented themselves to the crowd. Great pride coursed through every part of Evagoria as cheers and chants rocked the stadium. A nice touch, soaring Gryphons dropped dried flowers from the sky. The morning in full swing and the brilliant sun watching as well, the regents of each nation made their way to the center of the stadium. With a wave from Queen Marseea, those who would take part in the first series of events – dueling – began to make their way toward the colorful oversized tents on the southern part of the pitch. Flags waving, horns blaring, drums banging ––
The Summer Games their world would see a new Evagoria through were about to begin.
Chapter Thirty-One
CHANCES ARE
I have never seen Fu Xi so nervous. Duels are dangerous, this is true, but he has already beaten two others to become the Centaur champion. One might suffer a good pummeling in a duel, but the wooden weapons and limited time to fight make the chance of death unlikely. But then I think of the one he will fight next. She is ancient, yet looks our age. Pale white as if a ghost, this one moves like one as well. Now that I think of it, maybe Fu Xi SHOULD be more nervous than he already is.
– Adamarcus, Aeropid Centaur
– Mid-Summer, Year 4,254 KT[37]
Adamarcus galloped to the goldenrod tent, swept away the hanging door, and stepped inside. Taharqa fetching food and drinks, he would soon join them.
“You have barely broken a sweat!” Adamarcus crowed the moment he laid eyes on Fu Xi, now kneeling on a handsome blanket.
In truth, Fu Xi looked just the opposite – a dunking in the sea could not have soaked him more. His mother, Nüwa, did what she could to wash away the sand from the dueling pit now stuck to every bead of sweat on his chest, arms, and face.
“You’re a terrible liar, Adamarcus,” Fu Xi drawled wearily. Luckily, he had a good full turn or so to rest before this afternoon’s final match to determine the dueling champion.
“It all would have been much easier,” Nüwa added, “if he listened to his mother.” To soothe the sting of this soft scolding, she kissed his grimy hair. “The first duel you did fine, but why you chose the twin swords again against that Arachna I have no idea. The staff, Fu Xi, the staff! That is what you fight battle axes with.” Nüwa easily the most skilled warrior of any Centauress, she knew well of what she spoke.
“I know, Mother, I know. I just don’t feel comfortable with the staff. Whether I use it or have to defend against it – I hate that thing.”
Adamarcus was going to say something more about the staff as a weapon, but kept his mouth shut.
Fu Xi would find out soon enough.
Perhaps the silence was too much, perhaps she realized they would not say another word with her present, Nüwa finished doting on her son and exited the tent. The two friends were now alone.
“Taharqa should be here soon with some ––”
“Have you seen my father?” Fu Xi blurted. His eyes appeared sadder than a Centaur champion deserved. “I have fought in and won both duels, yet have barely seen him. It’s not as if we hold these games all the time or I am embarrassing my family. Do you know where he is?”
“I saw Buzhou just before the first match,” Adamarcus began slowly. “Maybe he is busy gathering bets?”
Fu Xi snickered at this and rightly so. “Or busy gathering whatever gold he can to make them.”
Adamarcus had n
ot prepared himself for a discussion about the Huaxia treasurer. Fu Xi probably had not either, but for your own father not to be there the moment you become the Centaur dueling champion had to be unnerving at the least. A long silence passed.
“Melanippe … Melanippe … Melanippe,” Fu Xi whispered repeatedly, his eyes pointed to the ground. Finally, he looked up at Adamarcus. “Mother always brags about Melanippe when she trains her, but I have never seen her for more than a glance here and there. Is she really as good as they say?”
Adamarcus nodded his head. “She is, um, well – she is tough. No other Sapien even entered so she is the Sapien champion by default. I watched her victory over the Mermaid champion – some arrogant rube named Kurrerien. If he touched her once, I didn’t see it. She just makes it look so easy.” Adamarcus took in a deep breath. “I will tell you this, my friend: You are going to have to focus like never before to beat her.”
If only this was all Fu Xi would have to do!
Her younger twin the witch, Melanippe was the warrior. Having sparred with her once before and beaten like a fleshy drum, Adamarcus was well aware of Melanippe’s prowess. A prowess that at first glimpse seemed almost impossible. With dark hair, blue eyes, and a short, but muscular build, Penthesilea looked as though she should be the better warrior of the two.
Tall and lanky, Melanippe moved as elegantly as the wind, but with the speed of a striking snake. Flowing caramel hair, hazel eyes, and a sweet voice were the perfect cover for the bitter blades she wielded. That Melanippe favored two of the most frightening weapons Adamarcus had ever seen made her even more of an oddity. About to raise your sword for her throat, she would suddenly be behind you with a dagger laid across yours – she was that good.
The Gift From Poseidon: When Gods Walked Among Us (Volume 2) Page 33