by Robin Roseau
"But. I'm injured! I thought you would set a date."
"I did. You challenged. I accepted and set the date and time. The date is today. The time is now."
"Fine," she spat. She lifted her staff and charged.
She fought wildly for the first minute, but she actually calmed down. I thunked her three times, quite firmly, but not enough to leave more than bruises. After that, it was a more even match.
More or less.
She was putting everything she had into her swings, and she had a lot. I was deflecting her swings more than blocking them.
Then she tipped her head to my right, and I immediately stepped left and swung. She feinted at me then did a real strike where I had just been standing. My staff came down on her arm, striking firmly. I followed up and she backed away, barely defending, then stepped behind the whipping post.
She came back out the other side. We traded more blows, deflected or blocked.
I showed her an opening. She took it, and I barely blocked, backing away quickly.
I took a glancing strike off my arm. It hurt, but it wasn't bad. I gave her a solid strike to the chest, then I showed her my opening again. She took it, and I took her strike firmly against my ribs.
She'd already hit me there once this week, and it hurt, but she didn't crack my ribs.
Her eyes widened. "What?"
Then I was holding her in place, driving my knife deeper into her gut, searching for her heart. I thrust again, my hand now buried in her stomach, the knife finally reaching her heart.
I rotated us, still holding Jalad up. Her face went blank. I searched the Amazons behind her, finding Omie standing with Bea, Malora, Nori, and Ralla. Other Amazons I trusted surrounded all of them.
"Omie," I said. "Our families are safe." I let Jalad's body drop to the ground, releasing the knife still buried in her body. I knew my hand was bloody, and I let people wonder what I had done. With luck, they might think I had ripped her heart out with my bare hand.
We could retrieve Malora's knife later.
"Omie," I repeated. "Would you and Bea be so kind as to retrieve our families?"
I said it calmly, then stepped forward, over the corpse, ignoring it on the ground. I held out Maya's staff, not caring who took it. I looked out over the Amazons.
"I will lead you as well as I am able. I will need help from all of you. But I will never let someone like that!" and I pointed in the direction of the corpse, "lead us. And I hope none of you ever do, either."
I looked around. "Lunch may be delayed. The schedule this afternoon may be delayed. Queen Malora, Sister, what do you say?"
"All events delayed two hours," Maya announced. "We'll probably withdraw a few so dinner isn't too late."
I stepped closer and whispered to Malora. "Your knife is in her heart, but I don't want anyone to see it removed. I'm going to order Nori to take care of the body."
Malora nodded, and I stepped back.
"Nori, please see to it our training grounds are properly cleaned." I looked at the corpse. "I don't care what you do with that. Whatever you feel is appropriate is fine. But she was an Amazon, and so I do not want her body treated with disrespect. Use whatever help you require."
"Yes, Queen Beria."
I looked around. "Serra. Where are you?"
"Here, Queen Beria."
"Would it be an imposition to ask you to begin lunch preparations? Or should we wait for Aren and Lia?"
"I have been dying to visit my old kitchen, Queen Beria, but I will ask you to make it an order."
I laughed. "Serra, you were released from Amazon service. I cannot order you."
"I am and will always be an Amazon, Queen Beria, and I will always obey your orders. Or Queen Malora's, for like you, she will always be my queen as well."
"As long as Queen Beria's orders supersede mine," said Malora with a laugh.
"Serra, please see to lunch. Recruit what help you need. I presume most of those here will eat with their villages, but you will need to feed Lake Juna, Queen's Town, and a few of our closest allies."
"Queen Malora, I ask that you continue to serve as queen for a few more hours. I believe I would like to clean up. Maya are you needed here?"
"No, I am not."
"I'll handle everything, Queen Beria," Malora said.
"Thank you."
I let Maya lead me back to her hut.
Retirement
I held it together until Maya got me to safety in her hut, and then I began sobbing into her hair, holding my blood-drenched hand to the side. She held me while I trembled.
"I killed a woman, Maya. I killed a woman."
"I know you did, and I am so sorry it was necessary."
Nori, Ralla, Ping and Malora arrived a while later. I was still a mess. I stood there, holding my sister, while Nori and Ping cleaned me as best they could
"The tunic is ruined," Nori said. "We'll never get the blood out."
"My companion finds herself with a richness of skins. She'll take care of it."
"How are your ribs?"
"They hurt, but I can breathe fine," I said.
"I want to check. In fact, I really think we should go for a swim. I want to check everything, and you'll feel better in fresh clothing." She paused. "You're not quite clean. We need to bathe you."
I nodded. Malora had taken a seat. I looked at her. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, honey. Have I told you how proud I am?"
"Everything out there?"
"The first rule of being an effective queen: learn to delegate."
"Will I have nightmares?"
"The demons will try to feed them to you," she said. "But that's along with all the other horrors they offer. I have never killed anyone that didn't leave the world a better place for his passing. Do you regret killing her?"
"No."
"Then there is no need for guilt. You didn't make her into what she was."
I looked around. "Am I really queen?"
"Yes," she said with a laugh. "You are."
"So all of you have to do whatever I say?" I looked at Ralla and Ping. "Well, not you two."
"Yes," Ralla said, "Us to. Well, me at least."
"And me," Ping agreed. "I am retired from active duty, but I will always be an Amazon, and I will come if ever you call."
"Well then, I believe I will take Nori's advice, and for my first frivolous order, I command you all join me."
There was laughter, but then Malora said, "Ralla's been a little under the weather."
"Oh, Ralla, I'm sorry," I said. "I was being frivolous. I would enjoy company from anyone who would enjoy a swim."
"I think I'll take a short nap," Ralla said, "but I would appreciate it if someone would send my companion to me when she returns."
"Of course," I said. "Can someone spread the word we're going swimming? Spread it carefully?"
"I'll handle it," Ping said. "The people from Queen's Town that were here when you were here, plus everyone from Lake Juna?"
"Yes, thank you. Nori did you send all my newest allies with my family?"
"Yes."
I let them lead me to the pools. Nori was solicitous of me, which I thought was silly. I wondered if I was less steady than I thought I was. She and Maya stripped me, and I submitted for a complete inspection, including some poking and prodding.
"Amazingly whole," she declared. "You're going to hurt for a few days."
"Small price to pay," I said. "May I swim?"
"Go ahead," she said.
"I'll bathe you," Maya offered.
* * * *
The pools filled with most of my friends. I had aches on top of my pains and declined all forms of horseplay. Maya, Nori and Malora swam gently with me. The water felt good.
"Do I have anything to wear?" I asked. "Lia packed for me."
"Yalta said she was handling it," Maya said. "There's a stack of clothes waiting for you. I can't attest to fit."
"Yalta knows my size. She'll have found somethi
ng that works."
"Queen Beria," said Malora, "Lake Juna is without a chief."
"Glorana and Frida together," I said.
"You should talk to them this afternoon and announce it this evening. Will there be dissent?"
"There shouldn't be."
"No one who will feel slighted?"
"No, I don't believe so. No one has complained in the past." I wasn't really watching her, but then I turned to her. "You sly fox!"
She grinned. "What?"
"You had me pick the replacement chiefs for all the chiefs that are on the verge of retirement."
"You did a good job, too. I wouldn't have thought of some of your choices, and I might disagree here and there, but not enough to argue with you."
"A problem for another day," I said.
She didn't say anything.
"Is there anything else I need to address?"
"I'll handle the village, if you like, until all your guests are gone," Malora offered. "Maya will begin to transition her duties to Lia. You will need to decide what changes you will make. Just because the senior companion handled recruitment, for instance, doesn't mean Lia should."
I paused. "Maya will continue to handle recruitment," I said.
"We can discuss those details later," Malora said. "I was offering an example, that's all."
"Right."
"We'll move out of your hut this afternoon," Malora said.
"Excuse me?"
"It's yours now. It's the queen's hut."
I smiled. "Remember that entire Queen Beria thing?"
Malora grinned at me.
"You are not moving out of your hut. I will remain with Omie until the guests are gone, and then I will decide from there."
"Beria-"
"Now is when you say, 'Yes, Queen Beria'."
"Yes, Queen Beria," Malora said with a chuckle. She turned to Nori. "Power went to her head fast."
"It sure did," Nori agreed. "Next she's going to tell you that you aren't allowed to give her the clothes off your back, too. She made you keep your name. She made you keep your hut." Nori shook her head. "How positively dictatorial."
"I know you guys are teasing, but I presume if you're ever serious about that, you'll tell me."
"Of course we will," Maya promised.
I smiled. "You know, I have wondered about something for two years. I now find I am in a position to demand an answer. Malora, why did you make Rora give that saw back to the lumber mill?"
"I didn't want to be making changes to how Amazons did things shortly before handing leadership over to you. But I didn't want to give my hand away so early. Also, I worried about a few other things. I worried that there's something special about our forest that keeps the demons from entering it. They really don't seem to like it, and it's rare that they pass through it. Also, I worried that we would get in the habit of becoming trade crafters and such rather than focusing on being warriors."
I looked at her. "I do not believe you have given the entire answer."
She looked away. "Will you delay your questions for a day or two?"
"There's something you're not telling me."
"Yes," she said. "Later. Please."
"All right. Later."
"Thank you."
I floated in the water. "Speaking of Rora, why isn't she out here with us?"
"She's never become a comfortable swimmer," Nori said. "She stays to the shallows. She can swim, but deep water intimidates her."
"Oh, I'm sorry. We should move to where she's comfortable." And so we slowly moved to shallower water, and then Rora joined us, too.
We splashed around in the water for perhaps a half hour or so before I decided, "I want to be back in the village when my family returns. I think I should be covered up. I don't believe anyone needs to see my marks. Y'all can continue to swim or join me."
"We'll join you," Maya said. "We have to suck up to the power in the forest now."
I laughed at that.
* * * *
We retreated to Omie's hut so Ralla could sleep in peace. Serra sent a companion to let us know that lunch will be ready whenever we were ready to eat. We sent the companion back with knowledge we would eat when our families returned. I admitted to being awash and lost, not sure what I should be doing.
"Just let it settle in," Malora said. "Today take care of yourself and your family. If I may have a request."
"Yes?"
"There are a few fun activities you could try this afternoon. I wouldn't recommend anything strenuous."
"Do you need me to judge anything, Maya?"
"Only if you want to."
"I don't want to be idle, but maybe see how things go once Lia gets here. She may want to do nothing but hold me for a long time."
It was twenty minutes later when there was a clatter.
"I'll tell them where we are," Ping offered. "Otherwise they'll go wake up Ralla."
"Tell Jasmine I want to see her, but it is her choice when," I relayed. "I only need a few seconds with her."
"I will."
It was a minute later before the door burst open. Lia ran to me, then stopped. "Omie said you weren't too hurt. Where can I touch you?"
"Careful of this arm," I said. "Cuts from Malora."
"She has bruised ribs, her leg looks horrible, and she has a hard head," Nori said. "Otherwise, she's fine."
"You got hit in the head?"
"Not today. Nori's a smart ass."
Lia threw her arms around me, but she was gentle. I buried my head in her hair. "Someone pull this braid out," I asked. Joelle stepped up and plucked at her mother's hair, and as soon as it was free, I had my hands in it.
I breathed deeply, just holding her. Then I whispered, "I love you, senior companion."
She laughed.
I pulled the girls in for a hug, Nori cautioning them to be careful of me. And then everyone else was there.
"Queen Beria?" I heard Jasmine say.
"Jasmine," I said. I pulled away from Lia. "Please come here."
She stepped the rest of the way into the hut, stopping before me. "We have never had a hugging relationship, but just this once." And I opened my arms to her. She immediately stepped into them. "Thank you," I whispered to her. "That's all I wanted to say. Thank you."
"You're welcome," she replied. "It's nice to be home, you know." Then she stepped away. "May I go?"
"Of course. She said she wasn't feeling well and asked to lay down for a while."
Pain flicked across Jasmine's face, then she was gone.
I looked around, then grabbed Omie and hugged her, then Aren and Bea, then everyone all over again.
"Why is Mother crying, Mama?" Annalise asked.
"She's just happy we're all together and safe," Lia explained.
"Lunch should be ready, and I am starving," I said.
"Excuse me?" said Aren. "What is ready?"
I turned to her. "Um."
She began to grin. "I already know. I'm just upset because I didn't get to see the fabled Serra in action. Maybe we can get her to do another meal or two while she's here. I'd love to see what I can learn from her."
We started for the door, but then I said, "Everyone freeze."
They all stopped, and I turned to Malora. "Why did you add that little side wager to the cooking lessons agreement with Two Bends?"
"Because she can send her cooks here to learn. I didn't think the new queen would want to send her companion away for a few weeks. She will have duties here."
"Is there anything you didn't think of?"
She laughed. "Of course not."
* * * *
Malora tried to give me her place at the table. There wasn't anything special about that place, except it's where she always sat. I took the place on the other side instead. The table was pretty full with all of us there, and I wondered what I would do about that. But Lia wanted the girls close, at least for this meal, and I agreed.
I turned to Lia. "I have a question for you."
>
"Yes?"
"We now live in Queen's Town."
"Yes, we do."
I didn't say anything, but I turned to where Bea was sitting. Lia nodded. When Bea needed a new companion, if she still wanted Joelle, Lia would be ready.
I received a steady stream of people congratulating me. I thanked them and lost track of all of it.
We finished eating, and I stood up. "Attention for a minute." Everyone shut up and turned to me. "First, Omie, may my family continue to share your hut for a few more days?"
She glanced at Aren and then said, "Of course."
"Thank you."
I looked around and found Glorana and Frida sitting a few tables over. "I need to see the two of you sometime this afternoon."
"Yes, Queen Beria," Frida said. "We'll find you."
"I have placed myself at my sister's disposal, so she will know my schedule."
"Yes!" Maya said. "First I spent twenty years ordering one queen around, and now I have a new one to order around."
She earned some laughter.
"I've already done a lot of thanking," I said, "but I'm going to do it again. Thank you to all of you. We had a few hours of stress, but everyone did what was necessary. Thank you."
I considered things. "I want to remind you, there is a truce on pranks between Queen's Town and Lake Juna. That truce remains in effect for one additional week. After that, well, don't let me catch you."
There was laughter at that.
"My old job of patrol coordinator is now open. I suspect Queen Malora is going to have suggestions for that, but she hasn't shared them with me."
I heard noise behind me, and I saw Malora had her head buried. I stared at the top of her head and began laughing.
"There was something you didn't think of, Queen Malora?"
She nodded to much laughter.
"Well. What do you know? She can't think of everything." I turned back to face everyone else. "If you have suggestions for the position, please see me. If you want the job yourself, please see me. I do not know what I will do about it yet." I turned to Malora. "Is there anything you want to add to that?"
She looked up. "Do you mind?"
"No."
She stood up. "The position is more than just roaming from village to village. It means you're gone a lot. And it requires the ability to be subtle. You are also the queen's eyes."