Amazon Challenge (19 page)

"Quite," agreed Malora. She turned to face us. "The companions who can handle a fight will serve as reinforcements. I've seen enough."

* * * *

Amazons began arriving later that afternoon, arriving first from the closer villages. Clara and Bea rejoined us before dinner, their mounts spent and both of them dusty and weary.

Ralla organized patrols of our area, and no one got a good night's sleep. There was no activity reported by the demons. The scouts asked for permission to creep closer once dark arrived, but Malora overrode that idea.

"Our best information is they see well in the dark," she explained.

"They never attack in the dark."

"Maya's demon got to within a ten minute run of Queen's Town at night without being detected," Malora said.

"How do we know that was a real demon?" asked Irdia, one of the warriors from Green Arrow.

Malora turned on her with a scowl. "Whose word do you doubt?" she asked with a growl.

"No one's, Queen Malora," Irdia said. "But a companion killed it with nothing but a knife. It left a corpse behind. And the companion remained a companion afterwards. Maybe it wasn't a demon. Maybe it was something else."

"Like what?" Malora asked. "A pet dog?"

"I don't know," Irdia said. "But you don't either. How do you explain her remaining a companion afterwards?"

Balorie stepped into the conversation. "I know for a fact she took a voice earlier this summer, and she remained a companion after that as well."

"How do you know this?" Irdia asked.

"Because I took the voice first, but then I felt it leave when Maya got its attention. It was more interested in her than in me. I've never had that happen before."

"I have," Valen said. As the closest village north of Queen's Town, she had arrived with her warriors by the time our scouting party had returned from seeing the demons that afternoon. "Once. That's how I became a warrior. My warrior had already engaged, but I engaged, and the demon switched to me. My warrior was very upset afterwards."

"But you became a warrior," Malora said. "Maya did not. She said the demon was afraid of her and fled from her."

"The voice," Balorie said, "not the body. The body stood still while we killed it, but it wasn't still when it was tossing me about."

"So, regardless of the accuracy of Maya's information," Malora said, "it's the best we have. We're going to apply it cautiously. That means the scouts maintain a safe distance. We do not have the concentrated forces to engage their main force, and I will neither sacrifice scouts nor have the force lured to us. Nor do I wish to fight in the dark without ample evidence the demons are unable to do so."

"Perhaps it was the dark that allowed your companion to kill her demon without becoming a warrior," Irdia said.

"Perhaps it was," Malora said. "Are you suggesting we risk everyone assembled here on an untested theory?"

Irdia studied her for several heartbeats then lowered her eyes. "No, Queen Malora. Of course not."

"You raise good questions, Irdia," Malora said. "Keep asking them."

Irdia looked at her with what appeared to be surprise, but then nodded.

The plans wound down that night. We kept patrols out and tried to get
some sleep.

* * * *

By mid-afternoon on the second day, most of the Amazons arrived who were expected. We had seventy-five warriors and about a third that many companions. We'd get a few stragglers in over the next few hours, but we did our plans based on what we had. All told, there were about five hundred Amazons, a little under half of them companions. Of the warriors, some would be sick, some would be injured, some would be gone, visiting family, and of course, many lived to the far north and south and may not make it here in time for the fight.

"The main engagement isn't going to last long," Malora predicted. Most of the fighting will be over in the first few minutes. "What we're worried about is if there are more we don't know about. And we don't know if they're here to fight us or if this is a diversion, and as soon as we commit to fighting them, they'll circle around us to wreck havoc elsewhere.
This could turn devastating." She looked around. "If you do not like our plans, speak up."

The plans were actually pretty simple. We would collect on the
back side of the hill where we had observed them yesterday. Malora with a small contingent would climb to the top of the hill on foot, and then we would send a small group of Amazons around the side of the hill and begin advancing until the demons came after them. They would retreat around the hill and hope the demons followed. We'd be waiting for them.

If they didn't follow, we would be forced to advance on their position, but we felt they would likely engage with us.

We sorted our forces by village, so Northglen, for instance, held the northern flank. Queen's Town would form the center of the attack and would advance first. Malora didn't tell the villages the specifics of how to organize themselves but did make a few choices.

"Do not stand in a line to be easily destroyed by a charge of only two or three demons. Spread out. Inexperienced companions should either stay well back from the fight or back at our main base, depending upon how inexperienced. I want charges broken by the most experienced, fastest fighters. Plan accordingly."

After that, several of the chiefs spoke about fighting multiple demons, and as always, we warned about the tails. It was easy to forget the tails, but more Amazons have been hurt by the tails than the horns.

"You can get thrown a goodly distance," Balorie said. "Speaking from personal experience."

Amongst Queen's Town, Malora let the warriors decide for their companions. Jasmine and Gweneth remained at base camp. I expected Ping to leave Serra behind, but Serra gave her one look, and that said everything. Malora didn't say a word.

No one slept well that night.

* * * *

The day of
the battle dawned warm and humid. Amazons were a mix of excited and edgy. Omie and Vorine disappeared for a few minutes, and Malora pulled Ralla and me aside for a short conversation.

"If anything happens to me," she started to say.

"Shut up," Ralla told her.

"Take care of-"

"Shut up," I told her.

"Maya," she finished. "She may want to return to Gallen's Cove." She paused. "Tell her-"

"Malora," I said. "We'll take care of her."

"Tell her I said she should love again. Tell her I'm sorry, but I couldn't have her here."

I sighed. "If you think we're going to face her wrath, you are sadly mistaken. You're taking that yourself. See to it."

And I walked back to camp, Ralla quickly stepping up next to me. But when Malora caught up to us, I said quietly, "You know we'd take care of her."

"I know."

We ate a light breakfast, enough to give energy, not enough to make anyone feel sick later, although a few of the younger warriors and companions would give up her breakfast anyway.

Some of the Amazons appeared insanely confident, making wagers as to how many they were going to kill. Most of us were nervous. Whatever happened, there would be deaths today, and quite likely a few new warriors.

"The timing sucks," Malora muttered to me. "Five years from now and we'd be in much better shape."

"I know," I said, "but better now than five years ago."

"Quite," she agreed. Then she strode into the middle of the Amazons, milling about. "Sisters!"

It took only a moment for everyone to still.

"Today we fight."

There was a short cheer, quickly squelched.

"We fight for ourselves. We fight for our sisters. We fight for all of Morehama. We are the swords for Morehama, and today of all days, we earn our tithe."

She walked back and forth before us. "I don't want anyone overconfident. Some of us are going to die today. Look around. By tonight, we'll be missing a few faces. I already mourn the loss."

They grew quiet. She gave them a moment to absorb that.

"If there are disputes among you, please end them. Apologize. Tell your sisters you love them. The warrior you fought with last week may not be here to fight with tomorrow. No one is loved by everyone, but it is time we remember who the real enemy is, and that enemy is two hours ride east of here."

She looked around, and there were a few downcast eyes.
We all had disputes from time to time, after all.

"Today we will surely be tested," Malora went on. "Each of you will be called on to be fast and to be strong. We outnumber the demons, but they are big and they are strong, and we do not fully understand their motives. Do not underestimate the enemy. Do not take unnecessary risks. And remember, none of you are expendable. We need all of you!"

She walked back and forth, reaching out to hold a hand here and there.

"I am proud of you," she said. "I am proud of what you all represent. I am proud of how hard you train, how hard you fight. Looking at all of you, I am proud to call myself an Amazon."

At that, there was a cheer, and she let it go on, finally calling it quiet.

"Watch your flanks," she said. "Watch your backs. Do not celebrate your victories until the demons are all dead. Fight hard, Amazons, but more importantly, fight smart."

Then she looked at Chief Valan. "To the Amazons!" Valan yelled, and there was a cheer.

When that stilled, Chief Mar spoke out, "We fight for all of Morehama!"
And there were more cheers.

Malora let that last but finally raised a hand. "Fight smart," she said again. "We leave in ten minutes. Take care of things before we go. Dismissed."

Amazons broke up in groups. Some warriors turned to their companions, whispering quietly to them. Here and there, I saw one warrior approach another, and in a few cases, companions approaching each other. Words were exchanged, hands were clasped, and in a few, hugs.

Malora moved amongst
everyone, offering a touch here, a gentle word there.

I saw Ralla talking to Jasmine. Then they kissed; I wasn't sure if the relationship had turned that way, but now I was sure. Jasmine wiped at her cheeks.

I found our companions, the ones that would be moving forward with us. "Fight smart," I told them each again.

I looked at who was remaining behind from amongst the Queen's Town companions. I hesitated to interrupt, so I waited as long as I could, but finally I strode forth. "Ralla, I'm sorry. May I speak with your companion?"

"Of course," Ralla said. She turned away, not letting me see her face, and I thought perhaps she had shed a tear or two.

"I only need a moment," I told her. "Please stay." I turned to Jasmine and thrust a letter into her hands. "If anything happens to me, make sure Maya gets this."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Nori," Jasmine said.

"Battle is uncertain."

"I'll give it to her myself," Jasmine said.

"In my chest in my hut are letters."

"I'll deliver them," she promised.

"One is for Malora. One is for my family. That one is in an envelope, and there are directions for delivery with it."

"I'll take care of it," she said.

I had written the one to Malora a long time ago. It basically said I loved her and thanked her for years of friendship and guidance. The one to my family only reassured them I had never forgotten them, and asked them to honor my memory.

The note to Maya was simple. "Forgive Malora. She is going to need you more now than ever."

I thanked Jasmine and Ralla then turned around and left them for their last moment or two together.

Malora found me. "Jasmine has been entrusted with a lot of letters," she said.

"One from you?" I asked.

"Yes, and more in my chest."

"Me too."

We stood looking at each other for a minute, neither of us saying anything.

"Well," Malora finally said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

We turned to our horses. Before we mounted, but without looking at me, Malora said, "I love you, Nori."

"I know you do. I love you, too."

We didn't touch, but we climbed aboard our horses.

"Remember that time, when I was a new companion, and you dressed me down for poor footwork?"

"Which time?" she asked.

"The one that made me so angry."

"You cut your hair."

"That's the one." I paused. "I'm sorry about that. You were right."

She laughed. "That was sixteen years ago."

"Eighteen," I said. "I wanted to get that off my chest. It's been bothering me."

She laughed again. "Keeping you up at night?"

"Yeah. I have nightmares about it." I smiled. "I feel so much better now."

Malora and I weren't the only two that were kidding back and forth during the ride east. It sounded like most of the Amazons were doing the same, finding happy memories to share.

I also heard warriors offering instruction to their companions that could be summoned up simply: don't get killed. But I heard more than a few companions tell their warriors the same thing. I overheard Aura ask Gaylie if Gaylie's sword was sharp enough. Gaylie assured her it was fine and thanked her for seeing to her so well.

Neela rode with Lidi, Neela's horse pulled along behind. A few other companions rode with their warriors, but most did not. I didn't think Neela and Lidi had become lovers, but they were acting like it today.

Several miles before our final battleground, Malora spread the word to keep it down. "We don't know how well they hear." Amazons knew how to follow orders, and soon the only noises were
unavoidable. Even the horses understood how to be quiet.

We rode to the top of a shallow rise a mile from our final battleground. Malora signaled a halt, and we all dismounted as quietly as we could. We hobbled the horses, and several companions urged them back down the short rise, out of sight of the main battle. There was no reason to give the demons another target, but we didn't want to devote forces to managing the horses. Nor did we want them too far away in case we needed to pursue the demons.

Chief Mar had three of her companions devoted to carrying the word, if necessary. They were three very experienced horsewomen on fast, sturdy horses. If things went very badly, they would raise the cry and warn the remaining Amazons and, if necessary, all of Morehama.

We advanced on foot from there, moving steadily. The chiefs each led her v
illage, spreading out in a line a mile wide centered on the left side of the hill we'd used yesterday. Chief Valan and her warriors would serve as the bait to our trap, her companions taking position on our left flank.

Once the forces were ready, Malora, Ralla and I ascended the hill on foot. We stood prominently at the top, and to our east, we could see the assembled demons. There didn't appear to be any changes from yesterday, although they were in the lee of the mountains, and we had no idea what could be hiding in the deep shadows. We watched them for a few minutes, scanning the countryside north and south for signs of other demons.

"This just seems too easy," Malora said.

"Easy?" I asked.

"They're all just standing there," she said. "It feels like a diversion."

"There have been no more reports," Ralla said. "A few loose demons the first day, and nothing since. And before you ask, yes, all patrols are accounted for, at least as well as can be across the entire mountain range. There might be more hiding deep in the mountains, but even if there are, we need to deal with these."

"They've never been subtle, Malora," I pointed out. "Never."

"Maya's was subtle."

"Not hardly," I replied. "Have you talked to her about it?"

"She refuses to tell me anything beyond what she told all of us," Malora replied. "That woman is infuriating."

"She is that," I agreed. "I hope you're used to it."

"All right," Malora said after a moment. "We deal with the threat we see and remain prepared for the threat that is hidden. Signal Valan."

Ralla stepped down from the top of the hill; it wouldn't do for the demons to see our signals, after all, and waved at Valan.

"She's moving,"
Ralla said, returning to our side.

We didn't even turn to look. Valan would be moving around the hill on foot, off to our left. She and her warriors would move forward, doing their best to gain the demon's attention, then when pursuit set out, begin running for safety. We hoped the demons came out in a small group at first, six or eight, easily killed by the forces at our back, but we were prepared in case they came swarming down from the mountain.

"I see twenty-one," Ralla said.

"I get twenty-two," Malora replied. "There's one in the shadows to the north that's pretty hard to see."

"Oh, I see it," she said. "I'm not used to them standing still."

I saw movement in my peripheral vision, and I glanced to my left. Valan's force was coming over the side of our hill and should now be visible to the demons on the mountain. Nothing happened. Valan paused, watching the foe for several minutes before she began moving forward again.

They were a mile in front of us before the demons began to come to life. It was odd, watching a statue begin to move. As soon as there was movement, Valan stopped.

"That's too far in front," Malora said. "It's going to be close."

"She knows what she's doing," Ralla said.

Valan watched the demons. They weren't leaving their stronghold, but there was movement. We stood there for several minutes,
then Valan raised a horn to her lips and let forth a huge battle cry.

There was no reaction from the demons for a good twenty seconds, then several lifted their heads and appeared to bellow, but it was anther twenty seconds before the sound reached us, faint.

But by then, the demons were on the move.

Not all of
them, not even half, but far more than Valan and her forces could handle at once. Valan bellowed into the horn again then her forces turned tail and ran.

We watched, counting demons.

"Six," Malora said. "More would have been better."

"Six is good," Ralla said.

Malora judged the distance, watching the demons closing the distance on Valan.

"She's not going to make it. They're far too fast coming down hill. Signal our forces forward."

Ralla lifted a horn and signaled, "Amazons advance, double-time."

From behind us, our entire force began moving forward, a quarter mile run uphill. It would get their hearts moving.

The charging demons were clearly not well organized. We watched as one tripped another. The one that was tripped went down, then sprang up and chased after the offender, but that one pulled ahead, a demon on its tail. I hoped the one behind was faster.

Valen's warriors were running for all they were worth. Malora glanced back.

"Come on," she said. She turned left and set an intercept course for Valen. "Her six plus us make nine, and four of the best fighters amongst us. It will need to be enough."

We turned and began running down the hill towards the north, placing ourselves just uphill from Valen's line of retreat. "Ralla
, get their attention."

Ralla lifted her horn and blew into it, a loud challenge. The demons answered several seconds later, but they continued to pursue Valen.

As Valen drew to within a hundred yards, the demons were only a half-mile further. Malora yelled to them, "Valan, past us then turn and hold! Ralla, again! Nori, our reinforcements?"

Ralla blew into the horn again, and the leading demons stopped, spreading their arms wide and bellowing loudly. The ones behind caught up to the leaders and thundered
past, still focused on Valan. But the three leaders turned towards us.

"Reinforcements will be late," I said, looking backwards.

"Spread out," Malora ordered.

Ralla moved right, I moved left, and Malora stepped forward.

Pausing the leaders was just enough of a delay. The demons pursuing them were still two hundred yards away when Valan and her warriors ran past us then turned and spread out, taking a line. I heard her yelling orders.

"Get them split," Malora yelled. "Ralla, Valen, horns!"

Ralla and Valan both used their horns, Ralla louder than the mildly winded Valan. The three former leaders remained focused on us, the three newest leaders continued to chase down Valan's group.

I glanced behind. The Amazons behind us were running now, but they would be late to the initial fight.

"More coming," Malora said. "These should be dead before the new ones arrive."

The demons closed to within a hundred yards. We all knew what to do, and there was no need for discussion.

We yelled. The demons seemed to love a good challenge scream. They all came to a stop, bellowing at us.

Six demons bellowing from a hundred yards away are loud.

If these demons were organized, they would all pick one person, form a wedge around a leader, and charge right through us. They could easily kill one or two of us that way without taking more than a scratch. They weren't fast to react, but they ran fast and they were big, very big. Dashing out of the way of a single demon was easily done, but if they formed a wedge, that only meant you'd be running into the path of the demons behind the leader.

They weren't organized.

Malora took ten steps forward and screamed. "Hai, demons!"

Two turned to face her. The third remained focused on Ralla. All three be
llowed and began running forward.

I stepped left, coming even with Malora, paused only a half second, then yelled, "Hai, demon!" I waved my sword around, trying to draw as much attention to myself as I could. I hoped one would turn to me, leaving Malora with only one to fight.

I got my wish. One turned, and I felt the voice in my head.

"You are the one called Nori," the voice purred. "We will now battle."

"It will be a short fight!" I screamed.

"Oh no," the voice said. "This is a battle that will last your entire life." And then the demon charged.

We fought, the demon and I. I avoided her initial rush, diving left at the last moment. I missed my slash, and the demon ran forty paces past me before it turned to fight.

"Clever," the voice purred. "You hoped to lead us into a trap." He'd seen the advancing Amazons.

"No," the voice said. "She. I have chosen to be female."

"You have chosen to die!" I screamed.

The other demon voices within me rose, attempting to drown out the new demon I was fighting, but that demon bellowed in my mind. "Silence!" and my old voices quieted again, although not going silent. They were only silent when I spent time with Maya. "I want your undivided attention," the demon said after that.

She advanced on me, ducking her head to point her horns at me.
She advanced slowly, almost as I would, then at the last moment, she leapt.

I dashed aside. The leap was graceful, but her muscles had clearly coiled before leaping, and I could tell she expected me to dash right, so I tucked to the
left, sweeping my sword out, slicing deeply into a descending leg as she landed firmly.

"Oh, very good," she purred, and she spun. I ducked under the tail, rolled forward, and thrust with the sword. She turned the blade with one lower arm, but I made a long cut along her arm, then rolled backwards before she could pound the ground where I'd been standing.

"Your friends come," she said. "So many of you, but will it be enough? I regret I will not have eyes to watch the entire battle, but I shall watch it through your eyes."

"You will be dead!" I screamed. I ducked outside a swipe of her claws, scoring another slice across her arm.

And then there were two Amazons on my right flank and one on my left. I recognized Clara and Bea. Clara screamed and lunged, and over her head, Bea slashed with her sword. Clara's sword disappeared deep into the demon's flank, and Bea left a large slash across the shoulder.

"Oh, a companion," the demon said. "Should I make her a warrior today?"

"Hai, Demon!" I yelled, lunging, my sword sliding along a lower limb.

But it was one of Valan's warriors who stepped forward with the killing stroke, a solid upward thrust under the rib cage. She rattled the sword, thrusting deeply, severing everything she could.

The demon threw the warrior from her then, a moment later, billowed into dust.

"Well fought," said the voice in my head. "Enjoy the battle. I will be watching."

Breathing heavily, I looked around. Valan's warrior was climbing slowly to her feet, a companion rushing forward to help her.

"I'm fine," she said.

"Nice kill," I told her.

"You had it," she said, panting lightly. "I just helped."

"My thanks," I replied. I closed the distance and spoke more quietly. "The demon was about to turn her attention to the companion. Your help was timely." The warrior nodded to me.

I didn't see the last of the original six demons die. There was a moment's pause, then a brief, ragged cheer.

"Stifle that!" Malora yelled. "Prepare for more."

She pointed, and we all looked. The remaining demons had descended their mountain, and they would be here in moments.

"Firm up the line," Malora yelled. "Spread out."

The demons were in a clump, forming the very type of wedge we least wished to see, but then far off our left flank, a horn sounded, and to the right, more horns. The demons bellowed, some of them stopping to do so, and their wedge began to split apart as individual demons answered the individual challenges.

But the main force continued straight for us, and I knew Amazons were about to die.