Amazon Challenge (27 page)

"Of course, Malora," I said.

"I love you."

We slept.

* * * *

Things heated up for Malora.

It took the next several days, but Malora, working with the other warriors, began trouncing them again. She was amazing to watch, her swords always in motion, a blur, and she never held still. She took blows from the staff, a lot of blows, but none of them were fatal, and nearly all of the blows were done as a sacrifice to get her within killing range, a sword slicing across a neck or perhaps simply sliding along fingers.

Some nights, Malora accepted massages from me. Other nights, she put on a playful expression, and I found myself chased around the hut until she caught and subdued me, tying me until I was helpless, then spending hours making love to me.

All the warriors trained hard, and I realized they were preparing themselves in the case that Malora didn't beat Parlomith. The thought made me very sad.

Spirits remained high, although I know everyone was worried. We played more games, and the only reason we didn't have more bonfires is because everyone wanted to retire early every night.

Everyone was surprised when, a week before the challenge, at the beginning of a bonfire, Omie stood up and said in a firm voice, "Queen Malora, I challenge you for leadership of the Amazons. I wish my fight to begin immediately after your fight with Parlomith ends. I do not promise to kill her, but I'll hurt her."

We all grew quiet, and then Beria said, "No! Omie, you can't!" Her voice broke. "I need you." She began pulling on Omie's arm. "Take it back. You have to take it back!"

Malora stepped forward to face Omie. "Beria," she said quietly. "Go to your sister."

"No! Queen Malora, you can't let her do this."

"Beria," Omie said, "Go to Maya. Now."

"But-"

"Beria, come here," I ordered, and the third time did it. She came to me, reluctantly. I pulled her to the bench next to me and wrapped my arms around her.

Malora put an arm around Omie, turning her back to the Amazons, and said, "Omie, there's something else I need you to do instead." Then we watched while Malora led Omie way from the fire, talking quietly to her."

Beria turned to me, her face full of fear. "You can't let her, Maya. I need her."

"I know," I said quietly. "Malora is going to turn her down. Beria, she's going to tell Omie to take you away before the fight."

Beria turned to me. "No! I'm not going."

"You will do what your queen and your warrior order you to do. If
Parlomith wins, you are in grave danger. Malora is going to tell Omie to take you to safety, and after Malora wins, or someone else kills Parlomith, we'll send for you."

Beria looked into my face. "If I'm in danger, so are you!"

"I know," I said, "but Malora needs me. She needs her companion until she steps into the ring with Parlomith. I'm a much, much better companion than Spade is, and Malora will enter that fight with her soul calm, knowing how much I love her, and she will fight to live, knowing I'm the prize."

"But-"

"When Omie tells you to go, Beria, you will go. I don't want to worry about you. I need to worry only about my warrior that day."

I saw tears collect in her eyes. "Don't you dare send me home to mother and father to tell them you're dead!"

"I'm going to be fine, honey," I said. "Malora will make sure."

She thought about it. "Yes, you're right. Malora will make sure."

A few minutes later, Malora and Omie returned, and the Amazons grew quiet. Omie stepped away from Malora and said solemnly, "Queen Malora, with your permission, I withdraw my challenge."

"Of course, Omie." Malora hugged her. And then Beria sprang from her seat next to me and threw herself into Omie's arms. Omie pulled her away, talking quietly, and then the two of them took a bench, Beria curled into Omie's arms.

"Well," Malora said. "Maya, do you think we could have some happy music?"

"Always, Queen Malora."

* * * *

Two days before the challenge match, our allies began to arrive, setting up a tent city on the edges of the village. Chief Mar came with three warriors and their companions. Chief Loren and Chief Valen were both there, as were another half dozen chiefs, each with one or two warriors.

We held a bonfire, and everyone took turns telling stories about Malora. Malora assured me most of them were even true.

Loren and Meena approached me quietly during a lull and asked if they could speak to me. I hadn't forgiven them, but their prank seemed minor when compared to everything else that was going on. I let them draw me away.

"I'm sorry," Loren said. "I know you were angry."

"Was that supposed to be a prank on me, or healing for your village?"

"I remembered your pink hair. You made such a joke of it," Loren said. "I was trying to top Malora's stunt. I planned it for months. I'm sorry. I was so focused on beating Malora I didn't even think about your feelings. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am."

"Maya," Meena said, "everyone talked about your hair for months. You completely owned that. I would have stopped her, but I thought you'd take ownership the same way. I thought you'd joke about it more than we would."

"I wouldn't have whipped you, Maya," Loren said. "You had to know that. You had to know I was playing games."

"I knew you were playing games, but I couldn't figure out what they were, I didn't have any choice in the matter, and I couldn't figure out how to get out of them. And it's hard to go along with them when I don't know the rules. I thought you were intentionally humiliating me, and I couldn't understand why. I couldn't figure out why you wanted to hurt me so much."

"I'm so sorry," Loren said again.

I was still hurt by their prank, and I felt they had undone years of headway building respect
for me amongst the Amazons. But in comparison to everything else, staying angry wasn't going to do anyone any good.

"Loren, I need to think about this. I'm going to forgive you, but I need to think about it first."

"Please don't take too long," she said.

"I won't."

I stepped away, then lingered behind when they returned to the bonfire.

Malora found me a couple of minutes later. She pulled me into her arms. "Well?"

"She apologized."

"Did you accept?"

"No. I need to let it sink in first. I will though."

"If you can bring yourself to do so, I hope you can forgive her by the end of dinner tomorrow. I think everyone would sleep better."

"I'll try. If not, the following morning."

"Tomorrow evening is better," she said. "She'll sleep better. You know, in case."

"I'll try, Malora." I kissed her neck.

* * * *

Later, in bed, I eased her aches and made slow, gentle love to her. We lay together afterwards, whispering to each other.

"I'm sending Omie and Beria away tomorrow after dinner," she said.

"I know."

"Beria told you?" she sounded surprised.

"Inference," I explained. "You'd try to send me away if you could, but we both know I won't go."

"I know," she said, holding me tightly.

The day before the challenge, training was light. We stretched and we ran. Malora was in the best shape she could be, and we didn't want to risk an accident.

"What would we have done if she had gotten hurt yesterday?" I asked Nori.

"We would have moved my challenge match up by a day, a fight to first blow, and she would have let me readily win. Then she would have challenged me, and I would have accepted for tomorrow. If I lost against
Parlomith, Malora would be next." She paused. "If I wasn't absolutely sure she was ready, we'd still do it that way."

"But she's ready?"

"Yes, she's ready." She paused. "She needs your love and understanding tonight."

"I know. She'll have it. Nori, will there be speeches tomorrow?"

"Sometimes."

"This isn't just about leadership of the Amazons, it's about what the Amazons are going to be," I said. "Does
Parlomith have any supporters at all?"

"Yes, some.
Probably most of the warriors from her village. People with similar attitudes tend to congregate together. A few of the chiefs agree with Parlomith, more or less, as well."

"I want to speak," I said. "For the companions. Will I be allowed?"

She turned to face me more fully. "I don't know," she said finally. I thought she wanted to answer differently. "Were you going to prepare something to say?"

"Yes," I said.

"If you write it out and give it to me at dinner, I can read it, if you aren't allowed to speak. As her second in command, I would have a right to speak."

"But not her companion?"

"I don't know." She paused. "I don't think you should bring this up with Malora. She doesn't need to think about this right now."

"Well, maybe I'll just start talking. It will piss
Parlomith off, and you taught me fighting when you're angry is a bad idea."

"All right," Nori said. "But if you have anything you want me to say, in case Malora asks you to stop talking, you can leave it with me. Do it tonight before bed so I have a chance to look through it. If I have questions, I can ask them in the morning."

I nodded. "All right. I'll see."

In the end, I decided I didn't want anyone else saying my words for me. What needed to be said needed to come from a companion, and I didn't trust anyone else. Speaking in front of an audience isn't as easy as people think, and I wasn't sure anyone else would know how to project and how to judge the audience. I would speak my own words.

* * * *

Before dinner, everyone assembled at the dining area.
Serra announced dinner would be slightly late, as she wasn't accustomed to cooking for so many. Instead, we passed out drinks and sat to talk.

Malora asked me quietly, "Have you forgiven Loren?"

"I'll do it in the morning," I said.

"Please, for me, can you do it now?"

I sighed. "For you."

I stood up. "Chief Loren!"

My voice carried, about a third of the mass of Amazons turning towards me. "Chief Loren!" I said again, even louder. It took a little hushing but after a moment I had the attention of everyone assembled.

"Maya, Queen's Companion," Loren said, standing up. Meena stood up next to her. The
y were a table away. I walked around my table to stand facing them.

"A little over a month ago, I was a guest in your village."

"I remember it well," Loren replied.

There were a few snickers. Pretty much everyone here would remember it well.

"You played a prank on me," I said.

"I did," she agreed.

"It was a good prank."

She smiled. "I am pleased you think so."

"I am sure you will be equally pleased to see my response, now that I have given it all due consideration. The cooks have prepared a special meal for you and your companion tonight."

I gestured, and Beria came forth bearing two plates with nothing but salted fish on them. She set them down at
Loren's and Meena's places at the table.

The two of them stared at the meals.

"If you are ever tempted to engage in future pranks, I want you to remember who manages the distribution from the tithe. Remember this meal, and ask yourself this: how many months of salted fish do you think I can send you?"

Loren's expression of dismay was priceless. The laughter was not the same as I experienced at her hands, but there was, indeed, laughter.

"The companion has claws," I heard someone say. I wasn't sure who it was.

Loren stared at her plate, not responding, then lifted her face and spoke clearly. "I shall consider this meal better than the crow I thought I deserved."

I laughed at that.

"It was a good prank," I said again. "Don't do it again." I stepped forward and hugged them both before returning to
my seat beside Malora.

Serra immediately announced dinner was ready. Malora turned to me. "You planned that all along."

I grinned. "Not all along. Just earlier today. I decided I could forgive them if I had my own gesture in return. Good?"

"Good," she agreed.

I rose to my feet to fetch our dinner. I looked over, and Loren was eying her fish with a great deal of suspicion, and I just couldn't do it. I fetched a second plate of tonight's venison and set it between Loren and Meena. "You two may share, but don't waste the fish."

Loren looked at me with gratitude.

* * * *

After dinner, Malora stood and said a few words. There was to be no bonfire. "I wish to spend the evening with my companion," she said, "and I know I am not alone in that desire. I do want to thank everyone for coming
. Together, we will insure the future of the Amazons. Thank you."

No one talked about tomorrow. No one talked about what would happen if Malora lost. No one talked about how many
Parlomith might kill before someone finally killed her.

What an ugly thought, that tomorrow, people would die, and so needlessly. I silently vowed the Amazons would be changing their succession methods. This was barbaric.

We all stood and talked for a while. I found Omie. "Are you taking Beria away tonight?"

She glanced at me sharply. "Yes."

"Did you warn her?"

"Yes."

I pressed a note into Omie's hands. "For my parents. In case."

"Oh Maya." She tried to give it back, but I pushed it in her hands. "Don't tell Beria you have it. It will upset her. Keep her safe for me, Omie. I love you both."

"We'll all be safe," she said. "I'll give your note back to you in a few days."

"I hope so."

She stuffed it away, and I hugged her, then I went in search of my sister.

"Walk with me," I told her.

"Sure," she said.

I led her to the Lover's Tree. She laughed.

"Omie takes me here sometimes."

"Are you-"

"Lovers? No. But we sit and talk here. It's peaceful. I love her, Maya."

"I know."

"I know she's older, but I don't care. I'll be a warrior someday, so we don't have forever to be together. I don't want to waste any of that."

"I know, honey." I reached out and grabbed her hands. "Malora told me she's sending you and Omie away tonight."

Beria lowered her eyes. "Yes."

"Are you going to behave?"

"Yes." She looked up and her expression was fierce. "Yes."

"Good. I'd hate to have to worry about you."

"I know."

I hugged her and tried not to cry. I hoped this wasn't the last time I would see my sister.

"Let's go back before I cry," I said.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but we climbed to our feet and, our arms around each other, we returned to the village. I handed her off to Omie then went in search of Nori. I could see the strain in her back, and she visibly relaxed when I put my hand on her neck.

"You," she said without turning around.

"How are you doing?" I asked her.

"Do you have a little time for me?"

"Yes, a little."

That involved another walk to the Lover's Tree. I laughed. "I was just here with Beria."

"Ah." We settled down, and I let her hold me. I could feel as she calmed down.

"Take what you need," I said.

She didn't answer, but she stroked my hair and held me tightly to her.

"Maya," she said, "I want to tell you something."

"It better not be last words."

"It's not. Malora loves you very much."

"I know."

"Everyone here loves you. Everyone. You came here under such poor circumstances. I was so cruel, and even if you forgave me, I don't know if I ever can."

I rotated so I was lying across her lap, supported by her arms and looking up at her. I caressed her face. "Nori, I forgave you a long, long time ago."

"I know." She paused.

"Forgive yourself, then."

"You don't know why I did it."

"It doesn't matter," I said. "It hasn't mattered for three years. My only regret is that I haven't found a companion for you yet. You deserve one."

"How could I ever settle for less than what you have with Malora?" she asked.

"Do you think what Omie and Beria have, or will have, is less?"

"Yes," she said. "Your sister will be a warrior, a very, very good warrior. She has your fighting spirit, but she's not as gentle as you are. She throws herself into fighting, while you throw yourself into healing. And so, Omie and Beria know what they have will end some day, and not that many years from now."

"I could lose Malora tomorrow, or the next time some upstart thinks to challenge her, or the next time she faces a demon."

"Or the next time you do," Nori said. "Or you could miscalculate when you're swimming."

"Life is uncertain."

"Yes, but Omie and Beria have certainty. They will be friends forever, but they will be lovers for only a few short years. You and Maya could grow old together."

"I don't see any old Amazons, Nori."

"They retire. When Maya retires, she will have to leave, or she will always be queen, which will be too hard for the next queen."

"Will that be you?"

"Only if there isn't someone better. I have my ideas, but I'm not sharing them today. Maybe Loren, for a while, but there are others."

I caressed her cheek and sat up. Nori rose to her feet, pulling me with her.

"Thank you, Maya," she said, and together, we returned to the village. Before we arrived, she turned me to face her. "Tomorrow is going to be chaotic. Parlomith will arrive mid-morning. You should visit briefly with your friends tonight."

"Nori?"

"Just hug them goodnight," she said. "Maybe thank them for friendship. I think everyone could use a little comfort from you before bed."

I nodded. "All right."

She turned us and we finished the walk into the village. I took her advice, moving between the Amazons, speaking briefly with some. I hugged Neela and Aura each fiercely, telling them I was proud of them.

I found Vorine and pulled her aside.

"What number are you?" I asked her.

"Don't worry about that," she said.

"I used to be afraid of you," I told her.

"I know."

"I'm not anymore."

She smiled. "I know." She pulled me into a hug. "Oh, you feel good. Whatever you do as a companion, can you teach it to
Careen?"

I laughed in her ear. "I think it starts with defeating a demon."

"Nori says 'no'. She said she felt it from you when she took you from Gallen's Cove."

"I thought it required the companion being willing to soothe for it to work."

"It normally does, and what she got from you was about what she gets from any of the other companions, and that was when you were ready to kill her."

I kissed her cheek and pulled away. "Thank you for being such a good friend. Thank you for treating me so well, all these years."

"How could I not?" she said. She smiled, and I pulled away from her.

I talked
to Bea last, pulling her to the side. She was confused at first, but she went with. "Bea, thank you for being so amazing. I don't think I could have survived without you."

"Nonsense," she said.

"No, listen. I was ready to run. I was so ready to run. I hated it here. I can't begin to tell you how much I hated it. It was your joy that broke through to me."

She smiled. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"I'm sure Clara says nice things."

"Clara thanks me for being her companion, and she thanks me for the other things we do, but she doesn't love me, and I don't love her. Oh, I suppose a little. I like her, and what we do is fun, but. You know?"