Amazonia (2 page)

They re-entered Amazon
territory early that morning, knowing it to be so by the markings on the
trees. That was the first sign they’d had of another tribe.

It was nearly midday when
Kale, who was slightly ahead, suddenly whipped up her hand, giving Shale
the signal to halt.

Shale stopped instantly,
trusting her completely. The light breeze carried voices to her sensitive ears,
and she recognised them to be female. Shale silently moved forward until she
was side by side with Kale.

The voices were drawing
closer, heading straight for them. It would likely be a hunting party,
but until they were certain that the voices were indeed from Amazons,
they slipped behind the trees, the forest providing them with cover. It
was unlikely to be anyone else, but the twins erred on the side of
caution, staying perfectly still until the group passed by them. It was a
hunting party, consisting of five Amazons.

Shale watched them closely.
The group was alert, but the twins gave away nothing, their shallow
breathing going unheard. A few more steps, then Shale and Kale moved in
sync, emerging fully into the open. Kale let out a shrill whistle to get
their attention.

The hunting party whirled
around, swords instantly drawn or bows raised. The twins were careful to
keep their own hands away from their weapons.

“Easy,” Shale said. “We’re
Amazons, too,” she pointed out needlessly, they could tell that from her
clothes.

“We request to be taken to
your queen,” Kale said.

“What tribe are you from?”
a small and sturdy woman demanded.

“We have no tribe,” Kale
said. “They’re all dead.”

The hunters exchanged
distressed looks at the news.

“We really need to speak to
your queen. It’s very important,” Shale said diplomatically, noting that
now the shock of their sudden presence had worn off, the women were
curiously glancing back and forth between her and Kale.

“Well?” Kale said. “Are you
going to take us? Or are you just going to stand and look at us all day?”

The blunt statement was
uncalled for, though Shale understood exactly why Kale had made it. She
also didn’t like to be stared at, but unfortunately everyone responded to
their likeness in the same way. It was tiring. Normally Kale wouldn’t
have reacted like that, and it was clear to Shale that her sister was in
distress, but she could do nothing to ease her torment.

The hunters stiffened, and
the woman they had been talking to narrowed her eyes.

Shale tried to keep things
friendly, it wouldn’t help matters to get off on the wrong foot. “We’re
twins,” again said unnecessarily. “I’m Shale.” When Kale wasn’t
forthcoming with her own name, she added, “This is Kale.”

“Alke,” the woman replied,
much to Shale’s relief. “We will take you to our queen.”

“Thank you.” Shale smiled
at the rest of the women, but no one else introduced themselves. She
really didn’t need this. She rubbed her temple, which was beginning to
throb.

“This way,” Alke said, then
hesitated midstep. “Unless you need to rest first?”

Shale took that to mean
that she looked like she felt— exhausted. One glimpse of Kale confirmed
that she did. Still, Shale was pleased that Alke had at least asked.
“We’re fine, thanks.”

“I’m sure we can keep up,”
Kale said dryly. “If your pace is anything like your hunting skills, I’m
sure we’ll leave you far behind.”

“Kale!” Shale said in
disbelief.

“How dare you!” Alke
retorted angrily, as the hunters around her bristled at the insult.

“She didn’t mean that,
she’s tired.” Shale tried to smooth things over once more, but it was too
late, the damage had been done.

“We’ll take you.” Alke’s
tone was hard. “But I warn you our queen does not accept insolence. We
have manners in this tribe.”

Kale snorted, stepping
forward. “Taught those instead of hunting, were you? We heard you long
before you got here. You really made it quite easy for us.”

All but Alke raised their
weapons at the twins.

Shale held her hands out
pacifyingly. “We don’t want to fight.” She turned on Kale, lowering her
voice. “Stop trying to pick a fight. Your anger isn’t for them.” Seeing
that her words had little effect, she decided to take another approach.
“You’re delaying us.”

Kale stared at her for a
long moment, then relented and took a step back.

Shale faced the still
simmering hunters, focussing directly on Alke, who seemed to be in
charge. “Please, can we go?”

Alke tipped her head, and
the weapons were lowered. She took the lead, and the group followed. Alke
set a fast pace, and Shale rolled her eyes, her fatigued body protesting
every movement.

Well, Shale thought, this
is a great start.

NO ONE SPOKE for the entire
journey, and Shale was relieved when they finally reached the village.
Her body was near collapse, and her willpower alone kept her upright. She
knew Kale was in the same state, and hoped that the harsh trek had taught
Kale to keep her comments to herself. They had no tribe, and if they
wanted to join this one, things would go a lot smoother if they fitted
in.

Shale noticed several wood
cabins dotted amongst the trees to her left. On the right, an area of
land had been cleared of trees, and the ground had been cultivated for
growing crops. At the heart of the village lay a large circular clearing,
and in the center of it was a substantial fire. Cabins lined either side,
perfectly laid out in a row. Farther on and to the left, was what Shale
recognised to be the warriors’ training ground, and beyond that was a
large hut with bars on the door—the jail. Ahead and to the right were a
few more cabins, then the trees grew thick again, the surrounding forest
protecting the village well against attack.

Their presence was noticed
instantly, and the commotion brought more and more Amazons to them.
Someone must have informed the queen, for she was being escorted over by
several guards. The gathering crowd made way for her.

Though Shale had never met
the queen, she was in no doubt that this was her—a regal air encircled
her like a second skin. Shale stood transfixed, the woman was beautiful.
Long golden hair framed her face, and her features were delicate, soft.
She wore a rust colored bodice, and a dark brown skirt. She looked to be
around her age, maybe slightly younger.

The twins dropped to their
knees, bowing their heads respectfully.

“Rise,” she told them.

Shale, for a horrifying
instant, didn’t think she could, her weary legs not cooperating. She
thought about how embarrassing it would be to collapse in front of the
queen. It certainly wouldn’t do her reputation as a warrior any good. She
managed to stand though, and was rewarded with a stunning smile. A smile
that, like the woman’s green eyes, was filled with kindness and warmth.
It affected her deeply, though she suspected it was because she hadn’t
known much of either emotion lately.

“Welcome, sisters. I am
Princess Blakaea, but you may call me Blake.”

“Princess,” Kale started,
ignoring Blake’s words. “We must speak with the queen.”

Blake’s fair eyebrows rose
at Kale.

“Please,” Shale added
quickly, making it a plea rather than a demand. “It’s urgent.”

Blake now focussed on Shale
and nodded. “Very well. I will take you to her myself.”

BLAKE ENTERED THE main
lodge, knowing her mother was there. “My Queen,” she said, intentionally
using her rank to let Zayla know she wasn’t here on personal business.
She crossed to the table where her mother and two others were gathered.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have some guests who wish to see you
immediately.”

“Guests?” Zayla looked up
from the map she was studying.

“Fellow Amazons,” Blake
said.

“Bring them in.”

Blake retraced her steps,
opened the door, and gestured for them to come inside. She thought they
might need to pause for a moment, to allow their eyes to adjust to the
dimmer light, but neither woman faltered, following closely behind her.

Blake stopped beside her
mother, and both twins knelt as they had outside. Blake watched
humorously as Melaina blinked upon seeing them, presumably thinking for
an instant that she was seeing double.

“I am Queen Zayla. You may
stand.”

They got to their feet.
“I’m Shale. This is my sister, Kale.”

Zayla smiled. “Twins. How
extraordinary. Your mother has been doubly blessed.”

“My Queen,” Shale said.
“Our tribe was attacked five days ago, we have come to warn you of the
threat.”

“They weren’t just
attacked,” Kale said, taking a step forward. “They were slaughtered, no
one was spared.”

Blake inhaled sharply.
“Your entire tribe is dead?”

“We’re the only ones left,”
Shale replied flatly.

Kale’s gaze was fixed on the
queen. “We need reinforcements to fight back.”

“You shall have them,”
Zayla said.

Blake heard the exhalation
as Kale let out a breath, seeming to calm considerably now that help was
at hand.

“Which tribe are you from?”
a tall, powerfully built blonde inquired.

Zayla placed a hand on her
shoulder. “This is Aris, the leader of my warriors.” She tipped her head
to a short butch woman with closely cropped brown hair, whose physique
looked as solid as a rock. “Melaina is her second in command.”

Shale nodded to them, then
pointed to the map on the table. “May I?”

“Please.” Zayla moved aside
to make room for her.

Shale tapped a spot on the
map. “There. That’s where our tribe used to be.”

Zayla looked impressed.
“And it only took you five days to get here?”

“Four, my Queen,” Shale
said. “We spent the other trying to track down who did this.”

“And?” Melaina asked.

Shale drew a line with her
finger. “We followed the trail to this river.” When Zayla frowned, she
added, “We thought it best to consult you before going any farther.”

“And I thank you both for
your consideration. I realise it must have been difficult to restrain
yourselves under the circumstances, but by not acting rashly you have
shown good judgement, and not made the situation any worse.”

“Whoever did this to our
sisters knows about our feud with Kedross,” Blake said. “They’re smart.
They know we can’t follow there.”

“What do you mean?” Kale’s
brow creased. “We have to—”

“If an Amazon was even
spotted on that land it would be considered an act of war,” Blake said.
“Kedross wouldn’t hesitate to attack us.”

Aris nodded. “Blake’s
right. It would be a direct violation of our treaty.”

“How do you know it wasn’t
Kedross himself?” Kale asked defiantly, and louder than needed.

“This feud has gone on for
many winters,” Zayla said logically. “Why would he suddenly attack now?
Nothing has happened to provoke it.”

Blake was of the same mind
as her mother. “He knows our tracking skills. He wouldn’t be careless
enough to lead us straight back to him.”

Kale’s frown deepened.
“Unless he wants you to attack. He wouldn’t want to engage you on Amazon
soil, you have the advantage in the forest.”

“Precisely,” Zayla said.
“Kedross isn’t stupid, he would lose too many men to such an attack. Was
your village in a forest?”

“Yes,” Shale responded,
when Kale did not.

“Then it wasn’t Kedross. He
wouldn’t risk it,” Zayla said.

“You’re just assuming
that!” Kale shouted. “You don’t know what he’s capable of!”

Complete silence met Kale’s
outburst.

Zayla merely smiled, though
it didn’t reach her eyes. “As I said, Kedross has been an opponent of the
Amazon nation for many winters. I have studied both him, and his
techniques for quite some time. I assure you I know precisely what he’s
capable of.” Her tone hardened. “And I’m telling you, it wasn’t him.”

Kale had the sense to stay
quiet.

“Now,” Zayla continued. “It
is likely that Kedross knows who did this, but since he’ll never help us,
I’m afraid we’ve hit a dead end.”

“You’re giving up?” Kale
exploded. “Our sisters are dead!”

“Kale!” Shale scolded.

“I am well aware of that.”
Now Zayla’s voice was clipped. She stared directly at Kale. “What would
you have me do?”

“Go after him! Hunt him
down.”

“And risk my entire tribe?”
Zayla shook her head. “I don’t think so. The only option left to us is
patience. If this man is motivated enough to wipe out a tribe, he’ll be
back, and we will be ready for him.”

Kale turned and walked
briskly out of the lodge. Without being dismissed.

Shale received a
dagger-like glare from Melaina. “I must apologise for my sister. She is
upset and exhausted, though I realise that is no excuse.”

Zayla nodded, graciously
letting it go. “It is a difficult time for you both.” She dismissed
Shale.

SHALE SILENTLY LEFT the
lodge. No doubt everyone in the village would know about that little
altercation shortly. Arguing with the queen, that will help us to settle
in, she thought sarcastically. They were outsiders here, and Kale wasn’t
helping either of them by acting as she was. Kale always had been the
more hot-tempered, often not thinking about the consequences of her
actions. Shale had lost count of the times she’d had to step in to get
Kale out of a tricky situation.

As Shale reached the bottom
step, the lodge door opened behind her. She kept going, not wanting to
quarrel further, especially since emotions were running so high. She
couldn’t blame them for being angry, she would have been herself if
Amazons from a different tribe came in and started challenging her queen.

A memory of Marlaya, her
own queen, flashed through her mind, and a strong wave of grief hit her.

“Shale?” a soft, calm voice
called out to her.