Amazonia

by Croft, Sky

  “I drew the short straw.” Kale began to chuckle. “But actually I ended up better off, because the next thing I knew Shale was jumping into the river beside me. All the bees hadn’t left as we’d intended, and another swarm had chased her. We had to swim downstream quite a way before we could emerge.” Her chuckling increased. “Shale was covered in stings, all red and puffy.”

  “Did you at least get the honey?” Blake asked.

  “No. It was all for nothing,” Kale said, making them laugh. “We’ve stayed away from beehives ever since.”

  “That’s probably wise,” Blake said.

  “We were so embarrassed going back empty-handed. It wasn’t as if we could pretend it hadn’t happened, the evidence was all over us.” Kale grinned. “We wore a lot of long clothes that summer.”

  “I bet.” Amber was still laughing. “You should have...” She fell silent as Kale stopped dead in her tracks, her features suddenly serious.

  Blake watched Kale anxiously, growing even more so when Kale met her eyes. “It’s Shale, isn’t it?”

  Kale nodded and took off running.

  “I knew I shouldn’t have left her,” Blake said as she followed Kale. “She’s still unsteady on that knee.”

  “It’s not her knee.”

  SHALE DEFLECTED HIS sword, parrying the strike with her own blade. She backed up swiftly, having no choice but to go on the defensive. She blocked several more attacks, then launched her own.

  Theron was a skilled fighter, and matched Shale’s speed and stamina. He was stronger than her though, and as their swords locked, Theron pushed down, his upper body strength overpowering her. Shale’s weaker knee gave out, and she dropped onto it, but managed to keep her sword in place.

  “That’s not too painful, is it?” Theron taunted, grinning at her like some deranged animal.

  Shale knew she couldn’t hold against his superior strength much longer. She had to do something. With a surge of energy she managed to get to her feet, and pushed him back. She lashed out with her good leg, and it connected with the wound on his thigh. He stumbled backward.

  “Not as painful as that,” Shale said, her own smile becoming feral as they faced off against one another.

  Theron roared at her, his sword arcing high as he swung it toward Shale’s neck. The metal clashed loudly as the blades collided, and Shale hoped the sound of a fight would spur Kale on.

  They wrestled for control, and Shale shoved Theron away, swiping her sword across as he staggered back. A trickle of blood appeared from his torso, but Shale had barely nicked him.

  Both grew fatigued as the battle drew on, but neither slowed or lessened their pace.

  Shale knew Theron had the upper hand. Not because he was a better fighter—they were both equally matched in skill—but because all he had to do was wait, her knee wouldn’t hold out indefinitely.

  She was surprised that he hadn’t attempted to go for her weakness. Maybe Theron thought he was better than that? Shale hoped her knee would hold out until Kale arrived, but she doubted it, the limb was already beginning to buckle.

  His sword got past Shale, and it cut into her bicep. Theron took a step back, and used his forefinger to collect some of the blood from his blade. He brought the finger to his face, examined it intently, and then licked the crimson fluid away.

  Shale was disgusted, but her face remained impassive.

  “My blood,” he said, as if that explained everything.

  Theron thrust his sword toward her, and Shale deflected it, knocking it downward. She then rammed the hilt of her weapon directly into Theron’s face. He stumbled back, and Shale unleashed a diagonal slice that would tear him in two.

  Theron’s sword blocked at the last possible instant, and he lurched forward, his leg lashing out for her bandaged knee. Shale jumped, barely clearing the strike. When she landed, her leg gave way, and Theron pounced, taking her to the ground.

  Theron lost his sword in the tumble, and he wrenched Shale’s out of her grip, tossing it aside. He pinned Shale to the ground, and delivered several blows, battering Shale fiercely with his colossal fists.

  Shale raised her arms, protecting her head as best she could. She tensed her muscles as Theron punched her stomach, but the wind was still knocked out of her. She kneed him hard in the groin, and he relented briefly. It was all she needed, a sharp jab rocked him backward, and she wriggled free, releasing a savage kick to his face. Her boot connected, and a spray of blood erupted from his nose and mouth as he fell onto his back.

  Shale struggled to her feet, mortified when she immediately fell back down. She tried again, swaying wildly as her vision swam. And she thought Kale had a wicked punch.

  Shale descended on him, pounding Theron relentlessly. She yelled in pure rage, this man had annihilated her tribe. She’d seen his brutality firsthand in her, or rather, his dream. When Theron coughed up blood, Shale recognised that he was barely conscious— she had won.

  Shale stood, kicking him away from her. She teetered toward her sword, and was halfway there when it dawned on her that she could have just used the dagger in Theron’s boot to kill him. She shook her head, her mind was still hazy from the hits it had taken.

  She suddenly realised that she had kicked Theron right near where she had discarded the whip. Shale turned in horror, hearing the snap of the weapon too late. The whip curled around her stomach and waist, the barbs digging deeply into her flesh.

  Theron wiped blood out of his eyes, and despite a missing tooth, he was still grinning. “Got you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  DESPITE THEIR BEST efforts, Blake and Amber lost sight of Kale pretty quickly, she was much faster than they were. It didn’t matter though, they knew where she was headed.

  It was a hot day, without even the slightest breeze, but Blake felt a shiver run through her. Her stomach was in knots. Never in her life had she ran so fast. She was desperate to get to Shale. She prayed to all of the gods on Olympus, begged them, to keep Shale safe. She kept going over different scenarios in her head, each one more terrible than the last, wondering what had happened to Shale, what was happening to her that very moment.

  Not knowing was driving her slowly insane, and through sheer determination, Blake increased her speed.

  SHALE GRAPPLED WITH the whip, but the barbs sliced into her hands, making it difficult to get a good grip. She found the whip’s tail end, and started to unravel it from her waist, the embedded metal sliding free from her skin. It was excruciating, but she kept going.

  “Ah-ah,” Theron scolded, giving the whip a sharp tug to keep her still.

  Shale bit into her already split lip to keep from crying out. The barbs sank deeper into her flesh, firmly embedding themselves.

  “Keep fighting and I’ll yank it out of you,” Theron said. “I hope you’re not too fond of your skin?”

  Shale stopped struggling—he had her. She held her hands out, away from her body, cooperating with him. If Theron did as he said, and Shale had no doubt that he would, pulling the whip from her would rip out a good portion of her midriff. And even if she survived that, there would be no skin for Appollonia to stitch together, she would bleed to death.

  “Clever girl.” Theron walked toward her, reeling the whip in as he moved, keeping it taut. When he was in range, Theron punched her with all his might.

  Shale fell, hard. Blackness tried to engulf her, and she fought to stay conscious. Kale would be here soon, she had to stay awake.

  She heard Theron standing over her, laughing, but couldn’t see him. Her eyes wouldn’t open. The sound infuriated her, but even her anger wasn’t enough to rouse her. She slipped into unconsciousness.

  KALE SLOWED CONSIDERABLY as she neared the boulder, treading carefully so she didn’t disturb the marks in the soil. The bodies of five men were strewn around her, but she barely glimpsed their way. She followed the tracks of the fight, kneeling down where blood had been spilt.

  Though Shale had killed most of them, Kale could tell sh
e had been taken down by one man. That worried her. Shale had clearly fought back, but either the man was too good for her, which Kale doubted, or Shale had been hurt enough so that she couldn’t hold him back.

  The blood she found added proof to her second theory, and Kale’s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword.

  Amber and Blake emerged into the open meadow, both sprinting full out. They were soon by Kale’s side, and Kale filled them in while they caught their breath.

  “Six men attacked, looks like a scouting party. Shale killed five of them, but the sixth got her, put her on horseback, and he took her that way.” Kale pointed.

  “One man?” Amber asked dubiously.

  Kale shifted her position, and gravely indicated the red soil she was squatting next to. “She’s hurt.”

  “Oh, no,” Blake whispered, shaking her head. “You don’t know it’s Shale’s,” she said desperately.

  Amber draped a comforting arm over Blake’s shoulders. “Shale wouldn’t have been captured otherwise.”

  Blake nodded.

  Kale stood abruptly, and started for the trees she’d pointed toward.

  “Where are you going?” Blake moved swiftly to intercept her.

  “Where do you think? After Shale.”

  “We need to get Aris and the warriors,” Blake said. “It’s likely to be the same man who destroyed your tribe. We need backup, Kale. If he wanted Shale dead, he’d have killed her already. He’s setting a trap. Let’s make sure we’re prepared.”

  Amber nodded in agreement. “Blake’s right, Kale. We need to get reinforcements.”

  “You two go.” Kale stepped forward. “I’ll go on ahead.”

  Blake grabbed her arm. “No, you won’t. You said he was on horseback. Even you can’t catch up to a horse.”

  “I can try,” Kale said stubbornly, trying to wrench her arm free of Blake’s grasp.

  Blake held tight. “We need you with us, Kale. He’s on horseback, so he could be travelling for days. What if it rains? What if we lose his tracks? You can find Shale without them, we can’t.” A brief pause. “We need you,” Blake repeated.

  Kale, despite her unwillingness to head in the opposite direction to her twin, could see Blake’s logic. She hesitated, then tipped her head ever so slightly.

  Blake squeezed her arm before releasing it, and they took off toward the village.

  NOT ANOTHER WORD was spoken until they reached the village. Then they all began to talk at once.

  “I’ll find my mother,” Blake said.

  “I’ll get Aris,” Amber said.

  “Meet us in the center,” Blake told her.

  Amber nodded and darted away.

  “I’ll go and fetch some supplies,” Kale added, striding off.

  “Stop by Appollonia’s, too,” Blake called after her. “Get some bandages, and whatever treatments she’ll give you.”

  “Will do,” Kale said, impressed by Blake’s focussed determination. She hadn’t missed the torment in Blake’s eyes, but the princess didn’t falter, calmly organising the things they would need for the ordeal ahead.

  Kale stopped by her cabin to collect a travel bag, and scrunched a blanket inside, followed by some bread, biscuits, and fruit. She then went next door and did the same for Blake, shoving an extra blanket into her own bag for Shale. She repeated the process at Amber’s cabin, and then filled the three waterskins at the nearby stream.

  By the time Kale got back, the village center had filled with Amazons, and she had to work her way through them to reach the healer’s lodge. Kale could hear Blake’s voice clearly, but didn’t stop to listen to what was being said.

  She entered the lodge, nearly colliding with Appollonia, who was making her way outside, as if to see what all the commotion was about.

  “Kale, do you know what’s going on?”

  “Yes, that’s why I’m here. Shale’s been kidnapped.”

  “Oh my!”

  “She’s also hurt. Can you give me—” Kale broke off as Appollonia started to bustle around the room.

  “How is she hurt? It would help if I knew the injury.”

  Kale shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. I just saw blood.”

  Appollonia picked up several bandages from the shelf at the far end of the room, and tossed them onto the nearby bed, along with a bone needle and yarn. Kale opened Blake’s bag and wedged them inside, knowing that she herself might not have time to treat Shale if she was busy fighting. Kale was in no doubt that Blake would take care of her though.

  “This,” Appollonia held up a jar, “is to prevent infection. Sprinkle it over the wound before you wrap it.” She moved to the table, and transferred some of the contents into a smaller bottle so it would be easier to carry. She passed it to Kale, and selected another jar. “This will help with the pain. Mix it with a drink, preferably something warm. Two pinches if it’s mild, four if it’s serious, but no more than that.” Appollonia again poured it into a bottle. “Do not mix them up, the herbs for the infection are poisonous to drink.”

  Kale looked around. “Have you got a small knife?”

  Appollonia glanced up, and indicated the shelf behind her.

  Kale spotted it and retrieved the cutting tool. She etched an x onto the bottle she was holding.

  Appollonia gave her a look of approval, and handed Kale the other bottle and also a mug.

  Kale tucked both bottles carefully inside Blake’s blanket. She knew that out of the three, Blake would fight the least, so had the smallest chance of breaking them. The mug went in next, then Kale closed the bag and shouldered it once more.

  “And most importantly,” Appollonia added, “get Shale back to me as soon as you can.”

  ONCE ARIS, THE warriors, and the queen had gathered in the center of the village, Blake spoke up, “One of our sisters, Shale, has been kidnapped.” Gasps and mumbled conversation came forth, and Blake waited a moment for the crowd to quieten before continuing, “We suspect by the same man who wiped out the tribe south of here.”

  “We’re under attack?” one woman asked worriedly.

  “He has taken Shale to draw us to him,” Blake said. “But we had best prepare for an all out assault. We don’t know what he’s going to do.”

  “You cannot take all of the warriors, Blakaea,” Zayla said.

  Amber glanced to the queen in surprise. “But Shale...”

  “I know, Mother,” Blake said. She turned to Amber. “We must leave most of the warriors here. We can’t leave the village defenceless. That could be his plan. And when we leave, his army swoops in.”

  Aris nodded her agreement. “How many do you want?” She looked between Zayla and Blake.

  “Take six of the best,” Zayla instructed.

  Aris nodded again. “Anataeus, Demetria, Hellana, Arkayus, Charis,” she called out immediately. “I’ll go as well, my Queen. Lathana can stay and organise a defence here.”

  “Very well,” Zayla said.

  “Step forward,” Blake said. The chosen warriors came to the front of the crowd. “This is a very dangerous task you are about to undertake. Our main goal is to rescue our sister, but I will not lie to you, we could end up fighting an entire army. I am giving you the option, step back if you don’t want to go. You’ll be replaced. No one will think any less of you.” Blake paused for several moments, but as she suspected, none of them moved. She’d wanted to give them the choice though. “Then as princess, and on behalf of this tribe, I thank you all for your bravery.” Blake locked eyes with each warrior, and then nodded to Aris.

  “Pack light, we’ll be moving fast.” Aris dismissed those selected with a wave of her hand. “Be quick. We’ll be leaving shortly.” She faced Blake and Zayla, as if checking to see if she was wanted for anything else before she left to get ready herself. Neither spoke, so Aris departed.

  “Blakaea, a word.” Zayla placed a hand on Blake’s shoulder and moved her toward the queen’s cabin. Once inside, Zayla opened her mouth to speak, but Blake cut h
er off. That action in itself told of how uneasy she was.

  Blake was adamant. “I’m not staying, Mother. Don’t even ask me to.”

  “I wasn’t going to, Blakaea. I know you better than that.” Zayla stepped closer and embraced her. “But please be careful.”

  “What if Shale’s...” Blake couldn’t even bring herself to say the word. She clutched Zayla fiercely but didn’t cry, knowing that once she started she’d never stop.

  “Shale is strong, Blakaea,” Zayla said. “She’ll not leave you easily. She’ll fight till her last breath, for that is her nature.” She kissed the top of Blake’s head, and Blake nodded in response. “I have something to give you.”

  Zayla crossed to the corner of the room and picked up the sword there, offering it to Blake. “This sword has protected the royal line in many battles. I wish for you to carry it now.”

  Blake took it gratefully.

  “Turn around,” Zayla said. When Blake did so, she fastened the sheath onto her back, and Blake slid the sword into it. “Be safe, my daughter.”

  They hugged again, though it was all too brief. Then Blake was gone, striding swiftly toward the cluster of warriors.

  THE FIRST THOUGHT Shale had when she came to, was how uncomfortable she was. She knew she was draped ungraciously over a horse’s back, and from the wind buffeting her face they were travelling quite fast. She felt Theron’s hand gripping her top, keeping her in place, and had the sudden urge to break all of his fingers.

  To her dismay, she couldn’t even sense Kale. Theron must have got away before she arrived. Shale cursed herself for losing consciousness.

  She opened her eyes, but could see nothing except a close up view of horse’s hooves and the ground. She needed to look around, to get a sense of their direction and where they were heading, but she didn’t want Theron to know she was awake and alert.

  Shale stayed motionless, carefully assessing her injuries. Most places hurt, but she’d expected that. She knew she wasn’t in the best of shape, but neither was Theron, she’d got in some good hits. She realised in relief that the whip had been removed from her waist. Shale was surprised, she’d thought Theron was smarter than that.