by Croft, Sky
“No doubt the hunting party told their little tale about us, too,” Shale said. “I could kill you sometimes.”
Kale grinned. “You could try. We both know you’d never succeed.”
She knew Kale was right, they were too equally matched in skill and mind. “I’d make a damn good go of it,” Shale shot back.
“You’d better get in line, looks like half of the village wants to take me out.”
“Only half?” Shale joked. “And in case you didn’t notice, they’re glaring at me, too.”
“Oh, I noticed. But it’s only because they don’t know which of us insulted the queen,” Kale said dryly.
“It wouldn’t make a difference even if they did.”
“Mm,” Kale agreed. “Where do you think the queen is? Should I try that lodge we were in?”
“She could be in another meeting. The last thing you want is to interrupt and annoy her further.” Shale’s gaze fixed on a small robust woman who was heading toward them. “Where is the queen?”
If the woman was considering not answering, Kale didn’t give her much of a choice, stepping directly into her path and staying there. Kale towered over her, and Shale sighed internally. Intimidating people wouldn’t help either.
“Please, tell us where the queen is?” Shale asked.
“She’s at the main lodge,” the woman responded gruffly, indicating the same building that they’d been in yesterday.
“Thank you. Do you know if she’s busy?”
“The queen is always busy,” she replied awkwardly.
Shale set her jaw, trying to keep her temper. “I mean, is she in a meeting? Can she be disturbed?”
“That would be up to the queen.”
“Now, look—” Kale began moving forward threateningly.
Shale placed a firm hand on her shoulder, pulling her back. “Let’s go.”
Kale didn’t resist, and they walked toward the lodge. “Now what?”
“We look for the princess. She’ll give us an answer.” Shale’s eyes scanned the village, but didn’t see her.
“If there is a meeting, it’s likely she’ll be with the queen,” Kale said. She sat down on the steps that led up to the main lodge, and Shale joined her. “I’ll just sit and wait. It’s so friendly here.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.
Despite the situation, Shale laughed. “You can’t blame them, Kale. You know perfectly well you’d react the same if you were in their shoes.”
Kale grunted in acknowledgement.
“And you know what rumours are like,” Shale continued. “What they’ve heard is likely to be much worse than the actual event. You’re likely to be dragging the queen around by her hair at this point.”
A voice suddenly came from behind them. “I hope that’s not a plan of action, warrior?”
Startled, they both stood and turned around, finding Blake on the lodge steps.
“No, Princess,” Shale said, her embarrassment making her miss the gentle teasing in Blake’s eyes. “Not at all. I was, uh...” She couldn’t think of how to explain.
Mercifully, Kale spoke up. “I was waiting for the queen.” She met Blake’s eyes squarely. “To apologise for last night.”
Blake nodded. “My mother is inside. You can see her now, Kale.”
“Thank you, Princess.” Kale ascended the steps and knocked on the door. When called in, she entered, leaving Shale and Blake alone.
“I hope you’re feeling better today?” Blake asked kindly, as she reached Shale’s side.
“Yes, Prin...Blake. Thank you.” She still wasn’t used to calling Blake by her birth name. Shale wondered if she ever would be.
Blake smiled at her. “Will you walk with me, Shale? I’ll show you around our village.”
Shale was surprised that not only had Blake remembered their names, but she had used them correctly, not confused as to who they were. “I would be honored.”
Blake turned left, leading Shale past the healer’s lodge and toward the warriors’ training ground. “I heard about what happened between you two and the hunters.”
“I’m sorry for that also.” That was all she seemed to say lately.
“Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I assumed it was Kale who said those things, not you.”
“I take it the hunters didn’t know who said what?” Shale asked.
“No, they didn’t,” Blake replied. “Am I mistaken?”
“No,” Shale said quietly.
“Then please don’t feel as though you should apologise,” Blake said. “Kale’s rudeness aside, she had a point. If you heard them coming, an enemy would have, or the animal they were hunting. I told them they need to be more careful.”
Great. Not only had the hunters been insulted, they had been reprimanded by their princess over it. Shale knew that she and Kale would be blamed for all of it. She tried to ignore the looks of contempt she was getting from the women they passed.
As if noticing herself, Blake said, “I now understand what you meant the last time we talked. You’re being treated as though you disrespected their queen.”
“To them I did.” At Blake’s confused glance, Shale explained, “As twins, Kale and I are treated as one person. Until people get to know us better, anyway.” She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but wasn’t sure she succeeded. “Hence why I feel the need to apologise. Force of habit.”
Blake’s brow creased. “That’s one of the most unfair things I’ve ever heard, two people being treated as one. No wonder Kale has a temper. Though I must say under the circumstances, Shale, you have the most right to be angry. You haven’t done anything wrong, yet you’re sharing the blame.”
“That’s just how it is.”
“Not with me it isn’t,” Blake told her with certainty.
Shale was pleasantly surprised. “Our mother could tell us apart, but when Kale got herself into trouble, I was always told off for not keeping her out of it.” Shale shrugged. “I’m used to it.” She didn’t know why she was telling Blake all of this, and was surprised that she found the princess so easy to talk to.
Blake touched Shale’s forearm lightly. “Well you can just get unused to it with me. I won’t treat you like that.”
Shale smiled at her words, and Blake returned it, moments passing as they regarded each other. Blake was the first to break the gaze. “That’s where the warriors train and spar.” She pointed to a large arena-like space. “That’s where you’ll train.”
Shale nodded. It was quite a bit bigger than her old training ground, but this tribe was larger also. It was nice and flat, and the area had been cleared of trees and other obstacles. A tall stake was positioned at the far end, which was where unruly Amazons were disciplined.
Shale studied several pairs of women sparring with each other, noting amusedly that the ferocity and speed picked up when the fighters realised the princess was watching.
One of the nearest warriors was taken down with a direct blow to her face.
“Ouch,” Blake mumbled sympathetically.
Shale immediately saw the problem. The woman had dropped her guard a fraction too much, allowing the punch to get past her defences. She didn’t intend to say anything though, it wasn’t her place. She wasn’t in charge here.
The warrior was helped to her feet by her opponent, and they began sparring again. When she was felled a second time, Shale couldn’t remain quiet. Her eyes searched for Aris, but she was at the other end with Melaina, showing an adolescent warrior how to do a spinning kick.
Shale walked forward, wondering why she was bothering when she received nothing but cold stares from them.
“You’re dropping your arm too much,” Shale said to the young woman, who was wiping blood from her nose. She expected to hear that her help wasn’t needed, but the princess’s presence kept them both in line. “What’s your name?”
“Anikett.”
“All right, Anikett, get into your stance for me.”
She did as requested, an
d didn’t resist when Shale adjusted her position.
“Make sure you keep that arm up, it tends to lower and that’s why...” Shale looked to the other warrior expectantly.
“Hesius,” the woman said.
“And that’s why Hesius here keeps knocking you flat.” She gave Hesius an approving look. “Nice punch by the way.”
Hesius smiled, apparently forgetting to be angry with her. “Thanks.”
“Let’s try that,” Shale said, barely stepping out of their way. She wasn’t the slightest bit worried about getting hit herself.
The warriors went through the maneuver again, but this time Anikett blocked the strike.
Shale clapped Anikett on the back. “Well done.” She started to walk back to Blake.
“Hey, thanks,” Anikett called after her. “Me and my nose appreciate it.”
Chuckling, Shale glanced over her shoulder. “No worries.”
Blake looked impressed. “You’ve done that before,” she said knowingly.
Shale was still smiling. “Yeah, Kale and I led the warriors in our old tribe.”
“Really? The both of you?”
“We know each other inside out, it works well in battle.”
“I can see the advantages of that,” Blake said. “Having two leaders who think so alike, their strategies and techniques working together.” She paused a moment. “You must be an excellent fighter. Though I already knew that, you had to have been to survive the attack.”
“Kale and I didn’t fight, we weren’t at the village when it happened,” Shale said quietly. She kept her tone flat, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. “We were out searching for an herb that our healer wanted. That reminds me, Kale’s still got it, maybe your healer could use it?”
“I’m sure Appollonia would be grateful,” Blake replied, watching Shale closely.
“We didn’t even get a chance to fight. By the time we got back...” Shale faltered and took a breath. “There was nothing left. We should have been there to protect them.” She lowered her head.
“Shale,” Blake said softly. “You can’t blame yourself.”
“No?” Her gaze snapped up. “Who else is there?”
“The people who did this.” Blake answered firmly. “You couldn’t have known, Shale, no one could have.” At Shale’s disbelieving look, she said, “I’m sure you didn’t leave your tribe undefended? Your warriors were there and your second in command?”
Shale nodded. “Everyone but us.”
“Then your tribe was simply outnumbered. Do you really think two more would have changed the outcome? You would have died alongside them.”
“Maybe that would have been for the best,” Shale whispered.
Blake gripped both of Shale’s biceps. “Don’t ever think that, Shale. If it hadn’t been for you, we would be completely unaware of this threat. You’ve given us time to prepare. That in itself will save many lives.” Blake stared beseechingly at Shale, clearly trying to convince her.
Shale studied Blake, whose compassionate green eyes were pulling at her heart. She finally nodded.
“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through, Shale, but please know that you did nothing wrong. Nothing.” Blake spotted Kale coming toward them, and released Shale’s arms. “And if you ever need to talk, I’m a good listener.”
Shale idly wondered why her skin tingled where Blake had touched her. “Thank you, Blake. That means a lot to me.” And it did, she was truly grateful for Blake’s kind words.
“Anytime, Shale. I mean that.”
“WHAT WAS THAT about?” Kale asked, as soon as the princess left. She hadn’t failed to notice Blake’s grip on Shale. Or the more worrying fact that Shale hadn’t stepped away, as she usually did when others touched her. That in itself spoke volumes to Kale, and she decided to keep a close eye on the situation, not wanting it to get out of hand. She’d seen the way Shale looked at Blake, it was best that Shale stayed away from her.
“We were talking about our tribe,” Shale replied.
Kale was surprised, Shale only talked to her about personal matters. Though she didn’t hear what either said, she knew it had to have been personal from the way they had been standing. “The pyre’s going to be lit at midday.”
“How did it go with the queen?”
“Fine. She accepted my apology.” Kale indicated the training ground. “I don’t suppose we should join in just yet, not while they’re still angry at us?”
Shale’s eyebrows shot up. “By the gods, what did she say to you?”
Kale pushed her playfully. “Very funny.”
Shale grinned. “You’re right though, we should go back to camp. By tomorrow things might have calmed down a bit.” She’d barely taken a step, when someone called out.
“Hey!”
They turned toward the voice, assuming they were wanted. Melaina, the second in command, strode toward them, and she didn’t look pleased.
“I want you to stay away from my warriors. I teach them, not you. Don’t think you can just come in here and start giving orders.” She directed her hostility to them both.
Kale had no idea what Melaina was referring to.
“It was me,” Shale said. “Not Kale.”
Melaina’s dark eyes fixed onto Shale. “I don’t care who it was, I’m telling you both—I’m not as forgiving as the queen. Remember that.”
Kale stiffened at the threat.
“I was only showing Anikett the correct way,” Shale said. “You were busy at the time.”
Melaina came forward, getting into Shale’s space. “Showing off for the princess, were you?”
Kale noticed that all of the warriors were watching avidly. She knew what Melaina wanted, but also knew that Shale wouldn’t give it to her. A physical fight would end with her being disciplined, and would further harm their tenuous footing within this tribe.
Shale submitted to Melaina. “I’m sorry, second. It won’t happen again.”
Melaina’s surprise and disappointment showed, then she leaned closer still. “Make sure it doesn’t.” She smiled ruthlessly. “You’ve got more brains than I thought. But don’t worry, I haven’t even started with you two yet.” With that ominous warning, she stomped back to the training ground.
“You know,” Kale stared at Melaina’s retreating form, “I get the feeling she doesn’t like us.”
Shale didn’t smile, and Kale sensed that she was berating herself for stepping in earlier, as if Shale could have known it would get the leaders’ backs up. Kale did wonder why Aris herself hadn’t come over, and hoped it meant that Aris wasn’t upset with them. After all, Shale had only been trying to help. Kale would have appreciated someone assisting her own warriors, but clearly things worked differently here.
They would have to tread carefully. As warriors, Aris and Melaina were in charge of them, and could treat them as they saw fit. Unfortunately, it seemed as though Shale had just made a bad situation worse.
SILENCE REIGNED THROUGHOUT the village as the funeral pyre burned strongly. The heat from it, combined with that from the sun, made it unbearably hot, but the twins didn’t notice, the faces of their lost kin consuming them completely.
Though neither had known such pain, no tears fell. It would have been different if they were alone, they had shared many tears together. But since they felt, and were, under close scrutiny, the stoic masks stayed fixed in place.
Shale didn’t know how long she stood there, asking her tribe to forgive her for not being there when they needed her the most. The guilt only compounded her grief, but she did nothing to stop it, her thoughts spiralling further and further out of control.
Just when Shale was sure she couldn’t bear it for another instant, a warm hand rested on her lower back, drawing her out of her dark contemplation. She knew from the feel of the touch that it wasn’t Kale. And as Kale was on her right, she looked to her left. Blake gazed back at her, and the sympathy on her face broke Shale’s resolve for a moment. A single
tear escaped, and Shale quickly brushed it away, embarrassed.
As she glanced around, Shale realised the other Amazons had dispersed, though she had no recollection of them doing so. The pyre had also burnt down, and only a small fire remained.
“It’s all right to cry, Shale,” Blake said softly.
Another tear fell at her words, but again it was swiped away. Shale cleared her throat self-consciously. “We warriors hate to show emotion.”
Blake smiled gently. “I’ve noticed that.”
Shale wondered if Blake needed her for something. But when Blake faced the pyre, Shale recognised that she wasn’t here as princess—Blake wanted to be here to support her. She was profoundly touched by Blake’s kindness.
Shale took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. She made a fist with her right hand, pressed it to her chest, over her heart, and extended it toward the pyre, showing all the love and respect she had for her fallen tribe in that simple gesture.
“I LIKE TO know what all my warriors are capable of.” Aris looked at Kale first, then Shale. “But I realise you undertook a long and gruelling journey to get here, so I will understand if you don’t feel up to sparring yet.”
Shale was taken aback by the consideration. She’d expected Aris to treat them as Melaina had, with contempt.
“I’m fine,” Kale responded instantly.
“Be sure,” Aris said. “You won’t get a reprieve out there. You need to be focussed.”
“I am.”
“Very well. You may spar first.” Aris let out a short whistle, getting everyone’s attention. “Tryphosa, you’re up against Kale.”
As the two warriors warmed up, the rest formed a circle around them.
“I believe I owe you my thanks,” Aris said, smiling at Shale’s confused expression. “For helping Anikett.”
So it was only Melaina who had a problem with it. “I was glad to do it.”
“I have heard many things about you and Kale.”
Shale grimaced. “And I bet all were bad?”
Aris chuckled, low in her throat. “All but the one about Anikett.” She paused, and kept Shale waiting for a moment. “I don’t listen to gossip. I make up my own mind about people.”