by Robin Roseau
"I am sorry," she said. "I have no deer skins."
"Then perhaps you can make a counter-proposal," Mar suggested.
From another table, Joelle stood up. I'd wondered where she had gotten off to. "Mama," she said, "You may have my rabbit skins."
Then her sister stood up. "And mine, Mama."
As always, the girls earned a collective, "aww".
Joelle was twelve now. The conversation Maya'd had with Lia had gone, "Lia?" "No." End of conversation. Annalise was ten and growing up fast. I loved them both to pieces.
I knew the reason Lia had said 'no'. There were no warriors in Lake Juna who needed a young companion, and I knew she wouldn't part with either daughter to another village. I also thought Maya understood the reasons, and hadn't pushed. I wasn't sure how it would go next year.
Mar looked at the girls. "You would wager on your village chief?" she asked the girls gently.
"We'll wager on our mother," Joelle said with a glance to her sister. They had both taken to calling me Mother. Lia remained Mama. It had started not long after the companion ceremony last year. Lia refused to answer any questions about it, but she knew it pleased me immensely.
Joelle earned another "aww".
"My daughters are too young to make such wagers," Lia said. "If you will accept rabbit skins for my share of a wager, then I will trade with them."
"Stable duty, Mama?" Joelle asked.
"Yes," Lia said, "but you will still tend to the needs of your own horse."
"Yes, Mama."
"How many rabbit skins do you have?" Mar asked.
"I have four!" said Annalise. "One has holes."
Mar smiled. "It is warming to know you are honest. And you, elder daughter? How many do you have?"
"My name is Joelle," she said. "This is Annalise. I have nine. Two are small. None have holes. Four are white, the rest are brown." White rabbits were from the winter.
Mar smiled at them then turned back to Lia. "While thirteen rabbit skins is a worthy wager, even if one has holes and two are small, I had hoped for a somewhat larger wager. I believe there are other chiefs here who would also wager more substantially."
"And I would not impoverish my daughter's of their skins," said Lia. "This is a long week, and they may find opportunities to trade their skins for things they covet. I would have traded for a skin or two from each, but I could not possibly take all their skins. I am sorry, Chief Mar. I have little else to offer." Then she turned to her daughters. "I do not want you wagering your skins unless you first seek permission from one of your mothers. If we are unavailable, then you may ask your aunt. Use them to trade for things you like, but then you will allow one of us to ensure you are being offered a fair trade."
"Yes, Mama," Joelle said.
"I am sorry, Chief Mar. I am accustomed to wagering with companion duty. I should not have stood. My apologies." Lia began to sit down, but then Meena, Chief Loren's companion stood.
"Lia," Meena said. "I have an offer.
Lia stood back up. "Yes, Meena?"
"The warrior of our head cook has asked to retire. She will be leaving after we return from the tournament. She has been an excellent cook but a fairly poor teacher of potential future cooks. Your village has developed a reputation in the short time you have been serving as the head cook of Lake Juna. And so I offer this. If you will travel to Two Bends and help to train some of our companions, I will offer you deer skins."
"I cannot be gone excessively long from my warrior."
"Perhaps you arrive a day or two ahead of one of her visits and remain a day or two after. You may bring your daughters."
Maya stood up. "Would you expect them to work in the garden?"
"Of course," Meena said.
"Then I require assurances you are not plotting something similar to the events the last time I stepped foot in that garden," Maya said.
"Maya, the salted fish you send every spring reminds us very clearly," Meena said. "This is an honest offer."
Maya nodded and returned to her seat.
"All this trouble for a simple wager," Mar said with a smile. "I would like a wager of five deer skins or the equivalent."
"For five skins," said Meena, "I would require you two weeks. We will have a hut for you."
Lia looked down at me.
"Your choice," I said.
"If my warrior wins, and I do not need the skins?"
"I am offering to sell skins," Meena said, "with the assurance you will train our cooks in their own kitchen."
Lia looked at me. I shrugged, leaving it to her choice.
"I will train your cooks," Lia said, "as best I am able. Two Bends will need to provide an escort, as I am not comfortable with the woods except those nearest Lake Juna and Queen's Town. I may suggest an advance trip to review your kitchen and see if there are needs that should be remedied before training begins. You will provide the escort for all travel unless I am with my warrior."
Meena smiled. "Excellent. I will deliver five skins after dinner and consider this an agreement."
Malora stood up. "I must interfere."
"Queen Malora?" Meena asked.
"I require the two of you to place a wager on this event."
"I didn't want an additional wager," Lia said.
"Lia is buying the skins for training, but the wager is over the location and timing of the training. If Lia's warrior wins, then she picks the location and timing, with timing subject to working well for Two Bends. If Lia's warrior does not win, then Meena specifies the location and timing, but timing to work with Lia's schedule."
Lia turned back to Meena. She looked carefully at Meena and then Chief Loren pulled her down and whispered in her ear. Meena straightened and said, "I was looking forward to a visit from Lia and her daughters. My village was hoping to spoil them terribly before returning them home."
There were chuckles.
Malora didn't respond but simply waited for Meena's answer.
"Of course, Queen Malora," Meena said. "I agree to this modification."
"As do I," Lia said.
Meena and Malora sat down leaving Lia and Mar on their feet. "It seems I have five skins," Lia said. "What wager do you propose, Chief Mar?"
"Five skins from everyone joining the wager," Mar suggested. "All on the winner. If there is no winner from the pool wagered upon, then the winnings go to the warrior who performs the best. If we have a significant number of others joining our wager, then perhaps we would divide the winnings amongst the top two or three performers, with the largest share to whomever wagered on the top performer."
"Agreed," Lia said. "You are wagering on a single competitor, not either competitor from your village."
"Of course. I am wagering on Yenditha."
"Yenditha is good," I whispered.
Lia bent down. "As good as you?"
I smiled at her.
Lia turned back to Chief Mar. "I also believe this wager should be confined to the chiefs or chief's companions who are here this week, and they should select one of their village's competitors. If a chief has little faith in her competitor, she should not wager."
"There are villages that have not sent a chief," Mar said.
"What do you propose?"
"The wager is between representatives of a village. You represent Lake Juna. I represent Northglen."
"I am placing a personal wager, not a village wager."
Mar nodded. "As am I. One wager per village, and a village may only wager on its own competitor. What do you propose for villages who wish to wager on both competitors?"
"I would allow them to place a second wager," Lia said. "I would not demand a village choose between them."
Joelle stood up. "Chief Mar, do you have any rabbit skins?"
Mar laughed. "I may find myself in possession of one or two."
"Then my sister and I wish to add one rabbit skin each to this wager."
"Not all the chiefs will have come with two rabbit skins, and I do not wish t
o exclude chiefs because they do not have a rabbit skin."
"My sister and I will sell rabbit skins for any price that is deemed fair," Joelle said.
"You may not have enough skins for sale," Mar said.
Maya stood up. "I believe that the companions of queen's town could fill this need." She looked around and saw a lot of nods. "I will assign a companion to serve as broker. She will ensure the quality of the skins and fairness of the trades."
"I'll do it," Jasmine said. "I don't have any duties this week." She turned to look at Joelle. "I will also select from the skins you each offer for this wager."
"This is Jasmine," Maya said to Joelle. "She became a companion the same day your Mother did. You can trust her."
Joelle nodded.
Mar smiled. "Then I happily offer two skins to this wager. Jasmine, will you oversee the entire wager?"
"If every chief comes to me with five deer skins and two rabbit skins, I do not know where I could keep them."
"We have a place," Maya said.
"Then I will oversee the wager," Jasmine said, "along with the trade of rabbit skins. If more than ten chiefs become involved in this wager, then I would like two deer skins and two rabbit skins in compensation."
There were chuckles.
"Agreed," Lia and Mar said together.
"Well then," said Mar, "this was perhaps more complicated than I expected, but I am pleased. Jasmine, I will bring my skins to you this evening."
Everyone sat down. From across the table, Malora was shaking her head.
"What?" Lia asked. "I was standing behind my warrior."
"And I am proud of you for it. Furthermore, I am pleased Meena found a solution to their problem. I wasn't looking forward to any further meals at Two Bends."
Maya smiled. "We did warn you about the garden, didn't we?"
Lia laughed. "They already got me twice. And Beria had warned me."
"What did they do to you?" Maya asked.
"The first time, they made me eat a meal consisting of nothing but salted fish."
Maya began laughing. "That fish is supposed to be consumed by Meena and Loren."
"The second time we were staying overnight, and Chief Loren made me wait on everyone during the bonfire."
"After the third time they got me," said Jasmine, "I refused to work in the garden again. I would haul water, but that was it. If they didn't like it, then Ralla and I wouldn't stay."
Malora frowned. "Loren is unwise to antagonize all of you. You have important jobs, and it is inappropriate for your warriors to adjust their schedules because of her and her damned garden. She paid a heavy enough price once. I don't know why she keeps this up."
"She doesn't get much amusement," I said. "Lia and I talked about it, and I offered to exclude her from the garden duty if she wanted."
"I don't mind," Lia said. "Meena thanked me for being gracious." She looked at Maya. "I think they're worried if they stop now, it will make the prank they played on you look even worse."
"Queen Malora," I said, "Loren is going to retire soon. Perhaps the village rules should change when she does. I give it another year or two at the most. The next likely chief is Zalen, who is pretty good." I leaned forward and lowered my voice. "But her companion has the brain power of a jellyfish."
Maya immediately laughed, but no one else had a clue what I had just implied.
"What's a jellyfish?" Lia asked.
"A mythical sea monster with stinging arms," Omie said.
"They aren't mythical," Maya said. "And they are tentacles, not arms. And they have no brain. Literally. It's not that they have a small brain. They don't have a brain at all."
"I've talked to Loren about that," Malora said. "It's a problem we'll address later. I will consider your suggestions, Beria."
* * * *
Dinner wrapped up. Lia and the girls disappeared to take care of their wager, and a short while later, the bonfire began. The village was quite crowded, as everyone was invited to the bonfire, and it wasn't really equipped for that many people.
Malora started the fire then paced back and forth, welcoming everyone. She talked about what Amazons did for Morehama and reminded us that at the end of the day, we were all on the same side. She talked about sportsmanship for a moment, then she paused, looking around.
"Tomorrow, on the tournament ground, please remember that the woman you face could be the woman at your side in the future. I know the competition will be fierce, but please do not let it become acrimonious. We are all Amazons."
She let that sink in then said, "I will now explain the rules. We will be using a double elimination system. That means you must lose twice to be eliminated. All bouts are to five points or submission. Scratches are not a point, and the referee is the sole judge. In the case of staffs, avoid crippling blows. If you cannot control your staff sufficiently to avoid breaking bones, then you have no business on my tournament field. Anyone severely damaging an opponent will be eliminated."
One warrior stood up, a woman from the south named Jalad. She was fond of the staff. I didn't care for her very much. She was far too quick to disparage my sister.
"Yes, Jalad?" Queen Malora asked.
"What constitutes damage?"
"Anything that requires more than a week to recover," Malora replied. "However, if I see anyone being particularly brutal, I will become vexed. I expect you to pull your blows. We're all Amazons; we can handle bruises."
"So those who prefer a staff are handicapped?" Jalad asked. "You do not offer the same requirement for those using a sword."
"If you lack sufficient control of your staff," Malora said firmly, "You do not belong on my tournament grounds. If you lack sufficient control of your staff, then your first decent opponent will be good enough to humiliate you. I will not have my Amazons carried off the field on stretchers because you cannot control your staff. I will not have the Amazons weakened in our war with the demons because you cannot control your staff. This is a tournament amongst allies, not amongst enemies."
The woman remained standing for a moment then said, "Thank you for the clarity, Queen Malora." She sat back down.
Malora discussed the rest of the rules. Results would be posted on a board attached to the side of the equipment shed on the training grounds. Once a round was completed, the matches for the next round would be posted as soon as they could be produced.
"My companion has organized a few other events," she added. "The schedule and rules will be posted in the same location. Others of you may organize your own events if you desire, but Maya and I reserve the right to oversee all events."
She looked around.
"I expect no fighting outside the competition. Events such as these can lead to heated emotions. You will each control yourselves. I have a variety of punishments planned for transgressions, and the punishments are not amongst my more playful choices. I have not used the post in the middle of my training ground in a great many years, but that doesn't mean I am unwilling."
She glared at everyone for a moment.
"A few last things. We have some fairly young companions in attendance. Only companions who have reached their fourteenth birthday may be drawn into any events or wagers without my express permission. Where are Joelle and Annalise?"
"Here, Queen Malora," Joelle said, standing up and dragging her sister with her.
"Did the two of you hear what I just said?"
"Yes, Queen Malora," they each said.
"Do you have questions?"
"No, Queen Malora."
"If you wish to participate in any events, you will seek permission from either of your mothers, Maya or me. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Queen Malora."
"Good." She looked around. "Do I make myself clear, Amazons?"
"Yes, Queen Malora," we thundered together.
"Girls," Malora said, "If you break this rule, you will not only suffer the punishment your mothers declare, but you will also suffer my punishment on top of theirs
. You will not like it. Sit down."
They both sat, and I was pretty sure they would behave as well as a ten- and twelve-year-old are able.
She looked around. "I do not know if there are other very young companions. All of you look so young." There was light laughter at that. "Your permission comes from your warriors."
"Next," she said, "there will be no pranks between villages this week. Queen's Town and Lake Juna have already declared a truce. I am now declaring a truce covering all of you. If there are pranks already in motion, you will report them quietly to Maya, and she will keep your anonymity when reporting it to the intended victim. If Maya is the victim, you may approach Chief Mar, and she will warn Maya. I cannot tell you how incensed I will be if this rule is violated." Then she looked directly at me. "Did you hear me, Chief Beria?"
I smiled. "Yes, Queen Malora."
"So whatever you've already done to your old warrior, you better go undo."
"I'm innocent for once," I said, "and my companion has warned me of the dire consequences I would face if I violate the truce."
"All right," Queen Malora said. "Last rules. Have a good time. Do your best, but in the end, we're all on the same side. Good luck, everyone."
After that, there were stories, and Maya played her fiddle. Lia and I danced. Then Aren and I danced. Then I turned to Omie. She nodded, and we danced, then we both wrapped up in our companions for a while.
It was a wonderful evening, but Malora sent everyone to bed early. "Tomorrow is a big day."
Tournament
The next day dawned clear and dry. The girls were up late the night before, and so they were not early risers, but I heard movement about the village long before I unwrapped my arms from around my companion. I slipped from our shared bed upon the floor about the same time Aren slipped from her bed with Omie. We smiled at each other and quietly collected our things. I ended up doing most of my dressing outside to avoid waking anyone else. Aren stepped out a moment later and helped me adjust my clothing and braid.
"Thank you."
"Nervous?"
"Oh yeah," I said.
"You know if you need soothing, you can turn to me."