Amazon Chief Read online

  Hadn't she come after all?

  I looked at the groups of women, but I couldn't see my sister. Standing near the stage, however, I saw a group of Amazons, including That One. The one who had been so rude to Juna, the mean one, the one who had taken my sister.

  I edged away from her.

  A few minutes later, Mother found me.

  "I can't find Maya," I said. "Mama, they didn't bring Maya."

  Mother looked at me carefully. "Yes, they did," she said. "But we have to sit. They're about to begin." She pulled me to some of the hay bales and set me down between her and Father, my two older brothers on the other side of Dad, my youngest on the other side of Mom.

  As I said, I didn't recognize my sister at first. From behind, I saw a woman with long, black hair pulled into a braid down her back. She was standing with the scary one. Then I saw her hug the Amazon next to her. When that woman turned around, I saw she was older than Maya, much older, although not quite as old as Mom. Then the woman with the long hair hugged the scary one before climbing onto the stage.

  Mom and Dad both sat up straight, and Mama whispered quietly, "Maya."

  I stared at my sister. She looked just like the other Amazons, wearing green leather clothing and carrying herself like I had never seen her before.

  She stepped to the front of the stage and looked out over all of us. She raised her hand. People continued talking, but then the scary Amazon took a whip from her belt and cracked it loudly twice.

  All the villagers jumped in surprise, but they immediately grew quiet.

  My sister smiled. "Thank you, Nori." Then she looked out over us again, and she used her teacher's voice, the one that could carry through any crowd. "It's good to be home."

  She got some cheering for that, but she held up her hand.

  "I know you're wondering what we're doing here," she said. "No, we aren't here to yank your daughters from your arms." She turned to the women at the side of the stage and glared at them. That earned some laughter, although it sounded like nervous laughter, as if people thought there might be a joke, but they weren't sure. "The Amazons do not do that anymore. Do they, Queen Malora?"

  "No, Maya," the older Amazon said, the one my sister had hugged. "They don't."

  My sister had hugged the Amazon queen. I didn't understand.

  "I have a story to tell," Maya said. She looked around. "Everyone here knows me." She paused, looking down at the elders seated in the front row. "I want to thank the village elders for allowing me to speak today, and I would like to ask them a question. Do you trust me?"

  Juna didn't wait. She rose to her feet and said, "Yes, Maya Softpeace. You have as much integrity as anyone here."

  "Thank you, Juna," Maya replied.

  Juna sat down, and Maya looked around again. "The story I am about to tell is not fit for the youngest of us. I don't see any of the younger children here, but please, can you all look around and make sure there is no one in attendance who shouldn't hear this story?"

  A couple of women stood up. Liara Netchaser was holding her baby, and Roreeva Blackbird had her hands on the shoulders of her eight-year-old boy, Ewan. Maya looked at both of them and frowned. "I would prefer both of you hear my story. Is there someone who can take your children?"

  "My grandmother can watch over Challa," Liara said. "And Ewan is a good boy. Perhaps he could read to Grandma." She turned to Roreeva, who knelt in front of Ewan and asked if he would read to Nana Netchaser. The boy nodded, and she sent him over to Liara. "I'll need a few minutes, Maya."

  "We'll begin, Liara," Maya said, "But it's a lengthy story, and I'll make sure we save the important parts for you."

  Liara nodded, talked to Ewan, and then the two of them, with baby Challa in Liara's hands, hurried from the square.

  Maya looked around. "Anyone else?" She paused, then said, "We'll begin."

  And then she began to tell her story.

  It seemed fantastical at first, this story of training to fight demons, and then the story of the demon itself. Maya spoke as she always did: carefully and clearly, walking back and forth on the stage slowly and looking out over us all.

  I wished she would come back and be our teacher. I wished she would come home and be my sister again. I missed her.

  But she looked amazing in her dark green leather clothing with a wooden staff slung across her back. She looked strong and confident, and I found myself staring at her.

  I wanted to be just like her.

  I listened carefully as Maya told her story. Then there was a gasp from the front row, and I heard Juna screech in surprise. Then all of us gasped as the scary one, the one Maya called "Nori", pulled the head of a horrible creature from a sack, holding it by its long horns for us all to see.

  Maya had killed that? By herself, with nothing but a knife?

  I had always idolized my sister, but one thing I knew about her: she wasn't a fighter. She had surprised me when she won the fight for my freedom, and it was very, very difficult to believe she could beat a creature as fearsome as the one Nori held aloft.

  I understood why she had sent the younger children away.

  Then Maya had explained what it was like to be an Amazon. She talked about training to fight, camping in the woods, and living roughly. She talked about how the companions brought comfort to their warriors, and how deeply valued they were for doing so.

  Nori put the head away, but then Maya called Nori to her, and it was clear there was fondness between them.

  Maya had become friends with the woman who had taken her from us, but from her story, it was clear a lot had happened in a year.

  Maya introduced several of the women. Nori scared me, as did Ralla, but then she introduced two women, younger than Maya, and said, "they are gentle and sweet. I hope their companions are here today."

  I looked at the clear affection my sister had for her friends. And I thought about Mrs. Wrenhouse.

  And I wondered.

  Maya finished her talk, and then she turned away. I looked to mother, who nodded once, and I got up and ran, dashing through the milling villagers until I threw myself into my sister's arms.

  "Maya!" I yelled.

  And then we were hugging each other, laughing and crying at the same time. She pushed me away to look at me, then pulled me back in for another hug. Then she pushed me away again.

  "You've grown," she said.

  "I didn't recognize you," I told her. "You look so different."

  "Different good or different bad?" she asked with a grin.

  "Different amazing," I answered.

  She pulled me into another hug. "I've missed you. How's the new teacher?"

  "Terrible," I whispered into her ear. "Please come home."

  She laughed. "I'm sorry." Then she pulled away from me. "Beria, I really want to talk to you, but I promised Queen Malora a ride in a skiff. But you'll be at the dance, and we can talk then all you want."

  "Come on," I said, grabbing her hand. "I've been using your skiff. I hope that's okay."

  * * * *

  Mama didn't want to let me go to the dance, but Father said, "Renee, don't you think our daughter will notice if her own sister isn't there? Besides, it's a dance. I want to dance with you. And both our daughters."

  And so, after dinner, Mama made me and my brothers dress in our nicest clothes. But then when it was time to go, she told Father, "Take the boys outside. I want to speak with Beria for a few minutes."

  I wondered if I was in trouble.

  From watching the parents of my friends, I knew that my parents held an unusual relationship. Father nearly always did what Mother told him, but whenever he put his foot down, he won. It didn't happen often, and so, having gotten his own way in getting us to go to the dance, he gave Mother what she wanted. He took my brothers outside to wait for us.

  As soon as the door closed, Mother turned to me, "Did you understand what Maya said today?"

  "Yes, Mama," I said. "They need more companions."

  "I forb
id you to go with them," Mama said.

  I cocked my head. "Maya said it was my decision."

  "You are thirteen, Beria," she said sternly, "and you will do as you are told."

  I looked at the floor. "Yes, Mama."

  She studied me for a moment then said more cheerfully, "Let us go see your sister."

  I looked up and smiled. "Yes, Mama."

  Gallen's Cove was not a big village, and so it was a short walk to Mardon's, our only pub, where the dance was to be held. In spite of our desire to see Maya, we were far from the first to arrive, and the pub was already quite busy as we stepped inside. The front of the pub held tables and a bar where you could order drinks, if you were old enough. And there was a large room on the side where the village held dances. Mama led us inside and then drew all of us to one of the few remaining tables, making all of us sit. She asked Father to retrieve drinks for us, and he recruited Dannick to help him.

  She never released my hand, keeping me beside her the entire time.

  From the next room, we could hear music: a fiddle, a guitar, and a drum, and from time to time, I caught a glimpse of people dancing, but only a glimpse.

  Father and Dannick returned with drinks: beer for himself, Dannick and Nathano, a glass of wine for mother, and warm cider for Chandor and me. Dannick drank down half his beer then asked if he could go dance.

  "After you've said 'hello' to your sister," Mother said. "For now, you will sit with us."

  "Yes, Mama," he replied, but then he turned around to watch over everyone.

  Dannick was friendly with Anna Brighteyes, although I wasn't sure how friendly. But I was surprised when I realized he was checking out the Amazons as they moved about the room. One of them noticed, and then the two of them flirted at each other.

  I rolled my eyes.

  "What have I told you about that?" Mother asked me.

  "I'm sorry, Mama," I replied. Yes, I was sorry I had gotten caught.

  It wasn't for another fifteen minutes before I saw mother stiffen. I turned to her and saw the way she was facing, then followed her gaze straight to my sister. She was approaching our table, holding hands with the Amazon queen but her arm around one of the women she had introduced as her friend.

  Mama almost didn't wait for Maya and was on her feet before she arrived at our table. She pulled my sister into what appeared to be a crushing hug. I didn't hear what they said to each other. Then Maya hugged Father, teased my brothers for a moment, then turned to me.

  I threw myself into her waiting arms. Yes, I'd seen her that afternoon, but we'd barely talked. She held me tightly for a minute before she said, "I want to introduce all of you to someone very important to me."

  She held out her hand, and the Amazon queen stepped forward. The woman stepped forward, and the look she gave Maya puzzled me. This old woman was looking at my sister the way Dannick looked at Anna Brighteyes.

  I didn't understand.

  Maya introduced Malora, who clasped hands with my father and brothers. Then she introduced the young Amazon. Maya's fondness for the diminutive warrior was obvious.

  "Omie," Maya said, "This is my sister, Beria. Beria, this is Omie, a kind, gentle warrior." Maya put her arm around Omie's shoulders.

  I had never seen my sister so comfortable with anyone before. She had always been physically standoffish. But she was trading lover's caresses with the queen and casually had her arm around Omie. Then I saw her hand shift position, and she laced her fingers into the back of Omie's neck.

  I looked between the three of them then stepped a single step closer. "Maya, I don't understand. Aren't you with her." I pointed to the queen.

  Maya looked at the queen for a moment, and the looks they shared left little question. "I am," Maya said. "Omie is nervous, so I am comforting her." Maya turned to our parents to explain further. I tried to pay attention, but I was a little overwhelmed by everything.

  This was my sister, but it wasn't. She'd only been gone a year. She looked... amazing. I couldn't get over how much she glowed; she positively glowed. And she was touching everyone. She'd always been comfortable with me and with our brothers. I guess that comes from helping to raise us. But she'd never been so casual with anyone else.

  "Is it magic?" I blurted.

  Omie smiled at me. "No, Beria. Only touch, and perhaps a desire to help me." She looked to Maya for a moment, who nodded to her. "Would you like to learn?"

  I paused. "Does it hurt?"

  "No, little sister," Maya said. Maya explained further, and I smiled.

  "Beria," said Omie, "Perhaps we could dance." She gestured to the other room.

  "Do you know the steps?" I asked.

  "We'll make our own," Omie replied. And I saw some of the other Amazons were also dancing with some of the local girls.

  I glanced at my sister, and she was smiling at me. Maya wouldn't let me do something wrong. So I turned to Omie, and when she held out a hand, I stepped forward and took it, letting her lead me to the dance floor.

  She drew me to a corner, but when I glanced over, I could still see my family. Mother was frowning, but Maya smiled again and nodded once to me. I decided it was all right. I'd spent years listening more to Maya than mother, anyway. This seemed no different. I turned to Omie.

  "I don't know what to do," I told her.

  "We can just dance," Omie said. But she said it hesitatingly.

  I cocked my head. "You don't sound like you want to dance."

  "I would like to show you how to be a companion. We can dance and talk at the same time." She looked at me kindly and spoke gently. "I promise it doesn't hurt. Maya wouldn't let me do anything bad to you, would she?"

  "No," I said firmly. "All right."

  "I will need to touch you. Do you mind if we hug?"

  "No," I said. I stepped marginally closer, and then she did. I realized I was taller than she was, even if she was six years older. I hadn't thought about it, but I realized I was taller than my sister now, too.

  Then Omie reached for me, wrapping her arms around me. I wrapped mine around her, and then our heads were over each other's shoulders. Omie had to stretch a little, then she turned her face so her forehead was against my cheek.

  She sighed.

  "Thank you," she whispered.

  No one had ever thanked me for hugging her before.

  "Is this all?" I asked.

  "Can you put one of your hands on the back of my neck?" she asked. And then I felt one of hers on my neck, under my hair. I did the same thing with her, and she held me tighter for a moment.

  "Hugs are nice," Omie said, "but skin to skin contact is the best."

  "You said we could dance," I reminded her.

  "And we can," she replied. She began moving, back and forth, and I moved with her. Then she said, "But I have my eyes closed, and even if I open them, all I will see is you. So you need to steer."

  I giggled. "All right." And so I took over, taking responsibility to move us about in slow time to the music. We didn't really go anywhere, but I made sure we didn't bump into any of the other dancers.

  "Can we talk while we dance?" I asked.

  "Of course. What would you care to talk about, Beria?"

  "Do you like being an Amazon?"

  "Very much," she said. "My sister, Vorine, and I come from a village in the plains not far from the forest where the Amazons live. In my village, we have always known the Amazons, and we revere them for what they do to protect us. Girls compete to become Amazons. My parents were very proud when Vorine was selected. I was so small, but I worked very, very hard, and so when it was my turn, I won the privilege as well."

  "Is it scary?"

  "Sometimes," she said. "But we train very hard. Even your sister trains with us, although she will never be a warrior."

  "I don't understand."

  "Maya is a very, very good companion," Omie said.

  "Maya is very good at everything she does," I said.

  "Maya is very good at almost everything she d
oes," Omie corrected. "She is a very poor fighter."

  "But she killed that demon by herself."

  "Yes, but she out-smarted it."

  I laughed lightly. "That sounds like Maya."

  "Maya is maybe one of the smartest Amazons," Omie said. "And she is a very good friend. She has been an especially good friend since I became a warrior. I wouldn't have made it without her." Omie tightened her hold around me for a moment and didn't speak.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yes, Beria," she said. "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "Letting me hold you."

  We danced for a minute. "I'm only thirteen," I said.

  "So Maya said."

  "But I'm not stupid."

  "I didn't imagine you were. Your sister is very, very proud of you."

  "She is?"

  "She talks about you. She misses your parents, and she misses being a teacher, but she misses you the most."

  I let that absorb but realized Omie had distracted me. "I'm not stupid."

  She chuckled. "No, you are not."

  "Maya is with the queen, isn't she?"

  "Yes. Maya is the queen's companion, although Maya is such a good companion, she also helps the rest of the warriors in Queen's Town who have no companions of their own."

  "Like you."

  "Yes. And now my sister. And Nori-"

  "That's the mean woman who stole her last year."

  Beria paused before responding. "Nori has apologized to Maya, and Maya has accepted. They have become good friends."

  The idea of Maya being good friends with anyone startled me. "That doesn't sound like my sister."

  "Forgiving someone who treated her badly?"

  "Well, that too," I said. "Maya doesn't have friends."

  "She does now. Everyone at Queen's Town loves and respects her." She paused. "Well, everyone who matters."