Amazonia (4 page)

“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.”

Shale nodded in relief, her
estimation of her new leader rising considerably. Aris seemed fair, and
Shale idly wondered how she’d react if she knew about Melaina’s threats.
Not that Shale would ever tell her. Aris might be fully aware of Melaina’s
actions, though Shale doubted it. If Melaina was as devious as Shale
suspected, she would be quite dangerous. They needed to keep their
distance.

“Are you all right to spar
after Kale?” Aris asked, as the fight was about to begin.

“Yes,” Shale replied.

“Hi,” Anikett said, appearing
out of nowhere.

Shale smiled at the young
woman. “How’s your nose?”

Anikett giggled. “Much
better.”

It went quiet, then Tryphosa
threw the first punch, causing the circle of warriors to hoot and holler.
Shale knew that if Kale wanted to, she could’ve put Tryphosa down after
that first move, but she didn’t, seemingly remembering Shale’s earlier
words about trying to fit in. Kale let several more mistakes go by her
before nailing Tryphosa with a right hook to her jaw.

“She should’ve kept her arm
up,” Anikett mumbled, grinning when a humorous look crossed Shale’s face.

“All right, stop,” Aris
ordered, clearly recognising Kale was high above the standard level.
“Tryphosa, you’re out.” She searched the crowd for a moment. “Herona,
you’re in.”

While Herona made her way
forward, Aris focussed on Shale. “Who’s better, you or Kale?”

“We’re equal.”

The fight began, and Shale
noted that Herona was a lot closer in skill. Kale took a couple of blows,
one to the face, and another to her midsection, before she was able to put
Herona down with an elbow to the jaw.

“Nice,” Aris complimented
loudly, as Herona was pulled to her feet by Kale. “Well done.” She glanced
around. “Amber, you’re in.”

Shale heard the warriors
surrounding her murmur excitedly. “Is Amber your best fighter?”

“She’s one of them,” Aris
said.

“Who’s the best?” Shale
watched as a pretty red-head passed by her, her curly auburn hair bouncing
with each step.

“Melaina, why?”

Figures. Shale had to hold
back her frown. So much for keeping away from her. Melaina now had the
perfect opportunity to show them that she was in charge, and Shale
suspected she wouldn’t fight fair.

Aris smirked. “You think
you’re that good?”

“I guess we’ll soon find
out.” She could tell Kale was holding back, carefully controlled. “Do your
warriors fight without restraint?”

“When we spar in the ring,
yes. Was it different in your tribe?”

“It had to be stated in
ours.”

Aris spoke up quickly, “Kale,
no restraint.”

Shale immediately saw the
shift as Kale released herself, now able to fully let go.

Kale attacked in a flurry of
motion, and Amber, who was a brilliant fighter, had to back up swiftly to
avoid getting hit.

Most of the village was now
watching, it wasn’t just the warriors anymore. The event had drawn a large
crowd, and the circle surrounding the fighters grew, giving them more
space.

Shale was impressed by
Amber’s skill and technique, but she knew Kale had the upper hand. They
traded blows, kicks, and blocks for quite some time before Kale found the
opening she needed. Snapping her leg out, Kale connected solidly with the
side of Amber’s head, causing her to fall heavily. Kale waited, then
dropped down beside her.

From the sidelines, Shale
could hear their conversation. “Are you all right?” Kale asked.

Amber sat up, holding her
head on one side. “That’s quite a kick you’ve got there.” She opened her
jaw and closed it again. “Ow.”

“You gave me a good fight,”
Kale said. She offered her hand and helped Amber to her feet.

“Kale, you’re out too,” Aris
shouted to her.

“Thank the gods,” Kale
murmured. “I was about to collapse.”

Amber sniggered. “Tired you
out, did I?”

“You certainly did,” Kale
said. Amber was hesitant in letting go of Kale’s hand, seemingly still off
balance. “Do you want some help?”

Amber looked grateful.
“Please.”

“Do you want me to carry
you?”

“No!” She paused. “You can do
that?”

Kale shrugged. “Sure.” She
wound an arm around Amber’s waist to help steady her. As Amber was nearly
the same height, their eyes locked. “How’s this?”

Amber smiled impishly. “Don’t
go getting any ideas, I’m an injured woman.”

Kale laughed. “Don’t worry,
you’re safe with me.”

“Says the woman who just
kicked me in the head,” Amber said, gripping Kale’s shoulder as they
walked forward.

Kale was still laughing.
“Good point.” She nodded to Shale as she passed, it was her turn to fight.
“Who will Shale be up against?”

“If she’s anything like you,
the best.”

“She is.”

“It’ll be Melaina then,
though Aris will probably start her on Anataeus or Lathana first to make
sure she’s up to it.”

Aris spoke up as they neared.
“That was impressive.”

“Next time, Aris, please wait
till after my turn before telling her to use no restraint,” Amber joked
good-naturedly.

Aris grinned and clapped her
on the back. “Noted.” She pointed to another warrior, then gestured to the
ring.

“That was quite a show,”
Blake said, appearing from beside Aris. “Kale, you are skilled indeed.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“That was a nasty blow,
Amber,” Blake said. “Are you all right?”

Amber still leaned on Kale.
“I’m a bit unsteady, but it’ll wear off.”

“I’ll take you to your
cabin.” Blake stepped closer and took hold of Amber securely.

“All right, but not just yet,
Blake.” Amber looked eagerly back to the ring. “First, I’ve got to see
this fight.”

Blake shook her head in
disbelief. “Warriors.”

Now that Blake was supporting
Amber, Kale dropped her arm and moved away slightly, focussing once again
on Shale.

The crowd around them was
growing excited, the anticipation building to near breaking point.

“That’s Lathana,” Amber told
Kale, as a medium sized, well-muscled brunette entered the ring.

Kale nodded in response, but
didn’t take her eyes off Shale.

The fight began, and the
crowd stood transfixed. The swift and fierce movements were quite
beautiful, though it was a deadly dance.

Shale didn’t hesitate, she
couldn’t afford to draw this out, not if Melaina was going to be as
difficult as she expected her to be. Shale felt a couple of Lathana’s
blows hit home, but they didn’t slow her, she used the pain to drive her
on. Finally, a jab followed by a hook threw Lathana off balance, and a
well placed push-kick to her side sent her sprawling to the ground.

Shale could have made it a
lot worse, but gave Lathana the less painful option. When Lathana bounded
to her feet, Shale thought she was going to regret the mercy she had
shown, but Lathana merely laughed and held out her arm. “Thanks for not
busting my ribs.”

Shale clasped her arm, and
the women around them clapped their approval.

Lathana lowered her voice as
Melaina entered the circle. “Watch out for dirt,” she said.

Lathana had barely left the
ring when Melaina attacked. Shale wasn’t even given a chance to catch her
breath.

Shale had to use all of her
skills to keep Melaina at bay. Melaina connected first with a savage
uppercut that caused Shale’s head to snap back. She shook her head to try
and clear her swimming vision, feeling as though she’d just been struck
with a rock. Melaina certainly looked as solid as rock, but Shale hadn’t
actually expected her to feel like one.