by Robin Roseau
"I do," I said, "but I have something else to say."
In the dark, I could see the grin of her teeth. "Say it quick. I have a new submission hold I want to try."
I giggled. "I don't think it's that new a hold. I think you've been doing that hold on me for years."
"Maybe I have," she said. She reached for me, but I pushed her back to her own pillow, crawling partially on top of her then lying across her.
"Our life here is hard," I said.
"Life everywhere is hard," she countered.
"Yes," I agreed. "And I can't imagine a life to which I could be better suited than this one. I don't know if I would be saying that if I had been someone else's companion."
"I love you, too," she said. "Now-"
"Not yet," I said. "You caught my eye right at the beginning, when my sister introduced you and Vorine to the people of Gallen's Cove. You were so small, but there was something about the way you stood that I admired." I leaned up and brushed at her face. "You're so beautiful, Omie."
"I'm not," she said. "Only to you."
"I felt so gangly that day."
"You were gangly," she replied with a grin.
"I'm still gangly."
"You are tall and strong," she countered. "There is much of your sister in you."
"There is much of you in me, Omie." Then I lowered my lips to hers, my hair cascading around us. She rolled us over before the kiss was over.
Then she showed me her new submission hold. I was right. It wasn't new. But I enjoyed it immensely.
* * * *
We rose early. Omie went to check on our guests, and I found Serra.
"Omie and I have patrol," I told her. "Can you make sure someone takes care of our guests?"
"Certainly," she said.
"We should invite them to attend training, but it is not required, and we should go very, very easy on them. Omie will talk to Vorine when we cross paths. Rora has asked to be treated like honorary Amazons, and I have granted this subject to Malora's approval."
Serra grinned.
"What?"
"Nothing," she said. "We'll take care of them."
"Thank you, Serra. We'll be back in three days."
"Of course you will. Beria, now would be a bad time for you to become a warrior."
"I'm in no hurry," I said.
I grabbed breakfast for my warrior and myself and went in search of Omie. She was with Rora, giving her a second tour of the village now that we had the light of day. I handed Omie her walking breakfast.
"We're leaving very shortly," I said, "so we're eating a quick breakfast. Serra will help you and Narsana with a more leisurely meal."
"I thought I could get started on the huts," Rora said.
"We don't have materials."
"There is much preparation," she said. "We must clear the space, and we can dig holes for the footings."
"Will Malora be angry?" I asked Omie. "If we choose sites?"
"If we do not cut down any trees," Rora said, "everything I do can be undone. I would clear some underbrush, but it would grow back in just a season or two. If you are truly worried, all I will do is clear the brush and mark where we would dig, but wait for your queen's final approval."
"Then that much we can do," I said. I led them a short distance to stand before Malora and Maya's hut. "This hut belongs to the queen," I explained. "There is a large space here where a new hut could go. This would probably be the second hut we need."
Rora walked the space for a moment. "Yes," she said. "This is good." Then she pointed. "And the other one there?" She pointed to a place near the end of the other huts on the other side of the village.
"Yes," I said, "I think so. It is not too close to the stable but still offers a little privacy. If Maya is unable to obtain materials, can you build a hut from what you can find in our forest?"
"Yes," she said, "but it will be more work."
"If that happens, perhaps we will only build one. We would not want to keep you overlong from home."
"We shall see," Rora said. "If I will not overstay my welcome, perhaps I could remain long enough for the huts you require."
"We would not want to abuse your generous nature, Rora."
"Your queen and I will discuss this, I think, if necessary."
We talked for a few more minutes, then it was time to leave for patrol. Rora offered hugs, and then Narsana wanted a hug, too. Then we were on our way.
* * * *
Our patrol was uneventful, although wearying. We returned to Queen's Town three days later to many changes.
When we rode into the village, it appeared deserted. As we rode through the village towards the stables, we could see that Rora had been busy. She had cleared the underbrush, and I hoped she'd had volunteers to help her. And there were little stakes poking out of the ground, and I could almost see the shape of the huts. As we rode past the second hut, the one closer to the stables, I saw there were holes dug into the earth. I climbed from my mount and went to investigate.
"She's been busy," Omie said.
"Yes." I pulled my horse to the stable, and working together, Omie and I got our horses settled. She helped me carry our things to our hut.
"I suppose everyone is at training."
"I suppose they are," Omie agreed.
"I suppose we should show a good example and join them."
"You're the one who hurried us home," she replied. "It's not an accident we normally do not arrive until after morning training."
I laughed, and together we headed to the training grounds.
There, we saw more changes. Bea and Clara had returned, and with them were two new faces. Rora and Narsana were also practicing with them. Omie and I stopped and watched for a moment.
"They're so young," I said.
"You were younger," Omie replied. "You were so young, and so earnest."
I reached out and found her hand, kissing it. Then, together, we strode forth.
Vorine noticed us, of course, but the others did not, not until we were upon them. But as we grew close, she called out, "Hold."
Bea's new companion continued to attack with her staff, so Bea reached out and tapped her with her own staff. "That means Stop, Halla."
"I'm sorry, Bea," the girl said. "I forgot."
"And you have a fresh bruise to remind you," Bea said. Then she looked up. "Omie! Beria!" Dragging the girl with her, she ran the five steps to us, hugging first Omie then me.
"Halla," she said, "This warrior is Omie. Her sister is Vorine, and together they train the companions. If Omie tells you to do something, you will do it."
"Yes, Bea," the girl said, her eyes big and trusting.
"And this is Omie's companion, Beria," Bea said. "She is Maya's sister. While Maya is the senior companion, and of course, you must obey her, Beria assists her sister in her duties, and thus you will also do whatever Beria tells you."
"Yes, Bea," the girl said again.
"Omie, Beria," Bea said. "This is Halla. My companion. She is from Southmere."
"Ah," I said. "Do you like to fish, Halla?" Southmere was also on the coast. In spite of its name, it was some twenty miles north of Gallen's Cove. "The fish here are small but quite tasty."
"Do you go out in a boat?" Halla asked.
"We fish in the river," I explained, "while standing on the rocks. If you work hard at your duties, and with your warrior's permission, Maya and I can teach you to fish."
She turned to Bea. "May I?"
"If you keep up with your duties," Bea said, "then of course. But you must not pester Maya and Beria, as they are very busy. They will teach you when they have time."
Next, Clara introduced us to her companion, and seeing her closer, I realized she was closer to sixteen or seventeen than Halla's fourteen.
"This is Margie," Clara explained. "She is from Renton's Woods."
"I do not know where Renton's Woods is," I admitted.
"It is halfway between the plains and the coast," Margie sa
id. "It is small and there are no woods, so I cannot explain the name."
"Did you hear what Bea told Halla?" Clara asked her.
"Yes, Clara."
I looked at Clara. "And Nori?" Clara shook her head slightly. Nori still had no companion.
Omie caught my grin and gave me a questioning look, but I ignored her.
"All right," Vorine said. "Let's get back to it. Omie and Beria, can one of you partner with Rora, one with Narsana?"
"I've got the kid," Omie said with a grin.
"Stretch first," Vorine said.
Omie and I immediately dropped to the ground and did an abbreviated set of stretching. Then I ran to the shed for two more staffs, handing one to Omie.
"What do you think of the Amazon life?" I asked Rora.
"Everyone has been very welcoming," she said. "Narsana never wants to leave."
"She would change her mind if we weren't going easy on you," I said. I lifted my staff, and we began the exercise Vorine was leading.
Rora was actually doing well. While not up to Amazon standards, she was healthy and fit, with a full adult size and strength. It was unusual to face someone with her strength but lack of expertise. We traded strikes with the staff, all at half speed, while moving forward and backward, concentrating on our footwork.
"You move well," I told her.
"For a beginner?" she grinned, reaching out with her staff, then retreating from my counter swing. Two moments later, she fell off balance, and I gently tapped her ribs with my staff. "Thank you for sparing me from bruises," she said.
"I made my point, I believe," I said. "Stay centered."
Vorine wandered by, watching us for a bit. "We'll make an Amazon of you yet, Rora." Then she moved on. She spent more time with Narsana. I kept my eyes on the mother, but I could see the daughter out of the corner of my eye.
I smiled, and Rora smiled back.
"Like I said," Rora observed, "she never wants to leave."
"Eleven is too young to leave her mother," I replied. And the mother only smiled.
"Hold," Vorine called. Rora held back her strike, and I smiled and nodded. "Everyone gather around and take a seat." Vorine gestured, and so we all sat obediently. "You're all doing well, although you are seeing it at only half speed. And that is all you will do for a while. But I believe it is time for a demonstration at full speed. Omie and Beria, are you sufficiently stretched?"
I glanced at Omie. I had snuck in little stretches while working with Rora and felt great. She nodded, and we both stood up.
"Full speed," Vorine said. "Pull your strikes." She turned to the assembled companions. "That means when Beria hits my sister, while she will swing fast, she will be in complete control and not actually hit her warrior any harder than she intends to. Accidents still happen, but an Amazon is in control of herself and her weapon."
Omie and I squared off, grinning at each other.
"You're going down," I told her.
"Big talk for a companion," she said.
"You've taught me all your tricks," I told her. "And I've learned a few I haven't shared. And besides, you're getting old and slow."
"Age and wisdom beat youth and beauty," she said. "Fight!"
And she flew at me.
There was a gasp, I'm not sure from whom. We exchanged a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes, and I knew they were too fast for the new companions to follow. Finally I stepped inside Omie's lunge and whacked her, lightly, across the forehead. We separated, and she rubbed her head. But she grinned at me.
She got the next point, almost an exact copy of mine on her.
"Two can play at that game," she said.
In the end, it was five to three, the final point ending with Omie on the ground, my staff thumping into her stomach lightly. I helped my warrior to her feet, and we hugged.
"Good match," she said. "I am so proud of you, Beria."
"Staff isn't your best weapon," I replied. "And I've been taking lessons from Ralla when you weren't looking."
* * * *
Malora, Maya, Nori and Ralla returned two days later and not a day too soon. Omie and I were due to head out on patrol in the morning. It was late in the afternoon, long after training was over. I'd been fretting, wondering if I would need to leave a letter for Queen Malora and Maya explaining the decisions I had made while they were gone.
I couldn't have told you why everyone let me make those decisions, but no one had gainsaid a thing I had done.
I was giving myself some busy work, cleaning and mending stable equipment that needed little attention, the doors open to the fresh air, and to allow any noises to penetrate. And so I heard them approaching before anyone else, the carts they pulled making more noise than we usually made in the forest.
And such, when they hove into view, I was the first person they saw, even before any of the things I had done had become visible.
"It appears, my lovely companion," said Malora, "that at least one of our sisters has missed us. Beria, have you positioned yourself in that place for three weeks?"
"No, Queen Malora," I called out. "Only a few days."
She turned to Maya. "You have carried that expression a time or two in the past. Do you think she is waiting for us so she can admit to some misdeed and wishes her own telling to be the one we hear first? It has been some time since we have seen pink hair about the village."
"She looks guilty about something," Maya said, climbing from her horse.
"She looks," said Nori, "like the cat who has been at the canaries. I notice her warrior is not here to offer strength in numbers."
"I do not believe I have earned pink hair," I stated, one hand on my hip.
Maya took three steps to me and pulled me into a hug. "I have missed you, Beria."
We squeezed tightly, and then I took smaller hugs from Malora and Nori. Ralla was looking past us all, perhaps searching for a companion she would much rather hug.
"You got the materials," I said, looking at the wagons.
Malora grinned. "Enough for four huts. Your sister is a force."
"We sent the other materials by another route," Maya said. "Sister, will you help me attend to the horses?"
"No," I said. "Others will handle that." I raised my voice. "Amazons! Our leader has returned with her warrior."
Malora scoffed at that while Nori chuckled, offering Malora a quick hug in compensation for my joke.
A moment later, Jasmine appeared. She saw Ralla and began running, throwing herself into Ralla's arms. Omie and Aura stepped out of Nori's hut, and a moment later, Rora and Narsana.
"Rora?" Malora said. "Is that Rora from Howard's Den?"
I grinned. "Queen Malora, I took a few liberties. I found us a carpenter."
Aura and Omie hurried forward, Rora and Narsana rushing after them. Then Narsana ran by them all and to me, and I caught her up, swinging her about. "May we go swimming now, Beria?"
"Perhaps, but first you must greet your queen."
"Her queen?" Malora asked, an eyebrow raised.
"As I said, I have taken liberties. Queen Malora, this is Narsana, daughter of Rora. They have asked for the status of honorary Amazons during their stay, and I granted this request, subject to your approval."
"Liberties, indeed," she said, but she smiled at me. "I am pleased to meet you, Narsana."
The girl curtsied. It was poorly done but cute nevertheless. "I am pleased to meet you, Your Majesty," she said.
"Beria!" Malora said with a frown. "You have taught her poorly." She knelt in front of the girl. "You will call me Queen Malora," she said. "And we do not curtsey here."
"I'm sorry, Queen Malora," the girl said. "Did I get Beria into trouble?"
"Not yet," Malora said, grinning up at me. "But I believe she has more story yet untold. There is time."
Then she stood and greeted Rora warmly. "Queen Malora," Rora said. "I hope we are welcome."
"Of course you are," Queen Malora said. "I understand Beria has granted you the status of
Honorary Amazons."
"She has, but she said it was subject to your approval."
"They have been training with us," I said, "and taking duties. In fact, I believe Narsana is due in the kitchens in another minute or three."
"Well," said Malora, "it would not do to second guess the companion-" and she stressed that word "-we appear to have left in charge of the village. She has declared you Honorary Amazons, and Honorary Amazons you shall be, complete with all rights and responsibilities that title entails."
"I would like to hear more of this story," Nori said. "It did not escape me which hut they appear to be using."
"Aura, Jasmine, can you see to the horses?"
Jasmine unpeeled herself from Ralla's arms. "Yes, Beria," they agreed.
Aura and Jasmine collected the horses, and I said, "Perhaps we should complete the introductions." I introduced Maya first, then Ralla. Then I said, "Rora, this is Nori. She is, after my sister, perhaps, Queen Malora's right hand. She is lacking a companion, I am afraid. She is a fierce warrior, the training leader to whom Vorine and Omie report. She can appear quite forbidding, but underneath, she is kind and caring." I sort of pushed the two of them together. "Nori, this is Rora, a carpenter from Howard's Den. She is a widow with two grown children and one not so grown. She is strong and friendly. She offered first her home to Omie and me, and then her hands and her tools to assist us here in Queen's Town. She has had many questions about the life of an Amazon and has even been training with us, but now that you are here, perhaps you will be able to answer her questions better than I have been able."
The two women clasped hands and stared at each other. I caught Maya's incredulous grin.
And no one else even noticed my matchmaking. I thought it was incredibly obvious.
But then I saw Malora looking at the two women with speculation, and when she turned to me, she nodded fractionally, just once, and she made sure I was looking at her when she did it.
"All right," Malora said a moment later. "Is there even more story to tell?"
"Perhaps," I said. "Before we travel further into Queen's Town, I want to say that everything we have done can be undone."
"Oh, this should be good," Malora said. "Lead the way, Companion." She stressed the word again, but she grinned.