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Ollaea
As they quenched the fire and gathered their small
belongings, the image of a dragon flashed inside Thalia's head.
What does this mean? She asked herself as another dragon
appeared before her eyes. It remained in her mind longer this
time, blocking out her view of the forest and sky. She shook her
head to clear it and the clearing became visible again.
She glanced over at Seriana. Her friend was crouched over,
checking the laces on her boots. One of the woman’s hands slid
down and felt beneath the tip of her boot.
What has she got in there? Thalia wondered.
The dragon image flashed in front of her, a bright light
outlining it. Pained from the brightness of it, Thalia leaned
against a tree for support, clutching her head.
*****
Tern knelt by the edge of the Thermadon River, praying to
Artemis. A light piece of papyrus dropped down beside her.
Curious, she picked it up and glanced at the drawing.
She saw the imprint of a dragon, very similar to her own
dragon emblem. But it was not her dragon. In fact, it was in the
complete opposite position.
Pelee's emblem, she thought. She shrieked for Medea.
Tern
Medea appeared in a flash of light. "What, what is
it?" she demanded.
Tern pulled herself together. "Nothing. I-I thought I
saw something," Tern lied. Medea frowned at her. Tern
didn't lose her cool easily.
"I'm hungry," Medea announced. "Time for more
of that tasty little prisoner," the teenager wandered back
towards their hideout.
Tern stuffed the parchment into her magical cloak. Pelee
understood. That was a good thing. Because she would need her
sisters added strength to pull this off.
Artemis, walk with me, she thought to herself, careful to
shield her thoughts. It wouldn't do for the plan to come
unraveled now.
Thalia
The dragon burned Thalia's mind, pulsing and glowing. What
did it mean? Thalia leaned against a tree as the image shot
sharp pains through her temples.
Seriana looked over to see Thalia steadying herself heavily
against a tree. Her face was contorted, as if she were in pain.
"Are you all right?" Seriana stood up.
Thalia looked up quickly, as if startled by Seriana's voice.
"I... um, I'm- I'm fine."
Seriana frowned. Thalia was hiding something, but what?
"I-I'm okay," Thalia straightened up, wincing
slightly. What was going on? Why was this image burning in her
mind?
Seriana watched the Amazon gather her things. A moment
earlier she had considered finishing her task, but evil as the
Amazon was, Seriana was not one to attack when the enemy's
defenses were down. She could not bring herself to kill a
defenseless person.
She sighed. She would have to wait. The longer she waited,
however, the more nervous she became. What did Thalia have
planned for her? Would she try to kill her?
Probably something back at the village, Seriana decided. She
would have to make her move before the enemy surrounded her. She
didn't know how strong they were, and would not underestimate
them.
Feeling the tip of the dagger to make sure it was still
there, Seriana picked up her pack. Turning, she spied a flash of
black in black, a shadow moving in the darkness of the trees. A
rustling followed.
"Thalia?" she asked, moving nearer to the Amazon.
"There’s something out there."
The Biomorph pushed herself away from the tree, forcing the
dragon image from her mind. She focused her senses on the
forest.
The shadow moved and snorted.
Seriana got down into a crouch, her hand near the boot
dagger. Thalia sniffed the air, then giggled. "It’s
Deinus. He’s tracked you down."
"Deinus?" Seriana replied. "Friend or
foe?"
The shadow stepped into the clearing, large and threatening.
It came toward her and she heard the sound of four hooves.
Stopping when it stood over her head, it whinnied and nudged her
shoulder, toppling her over.
"Definitely friend," Thalia commented.
"A horse?"
"Your horse, Deinus. You don’t remember him
either?"
Seriana shook her head, righting herself and gaining her
feet. She put out a tentative hand and stroked the nose of the
large black war-horse. It moved closer to her and she felt a
bond between them.
Here at last was someone she could trust.
He was saddled and looked as if he’d traveled some way by
himself to find her. She wondered where she had left him, and
why. She bit her lip and looked at Thalia, who was whispering at
the animal. She wouldn’t ask. It was too . . . humiliating.
"Let’s go. Now that we have him, it won’t take long
to reach Themiscyra," the Amazon told her. "You
first," she indicated the empty saddle.
Still apprehensive, Seriana moved to the side of Deinus and
put her foot in the stirrup. With an ease that spoke of long
practice, she hauled herself up into the saddle. It fit her like
a glove, as if she’d sat in this place for many hours. She
extended her hand down to Thalia.
Ollaea
Her opportunity had presented itself.
She reached down to Thalia and pulled the woman into position
behind her. However, before the Amazon could grab her around the
waist, Seriana kneed Deinus, causing him to lift his forelegs in
the air. As the horse went up, the Amazon behind her went down,
hitting the ground hard.
Seriana pushed the horse down and dropped to the ground,
grabbing her dagger from it’s concealed place in her boot. She
advanced on Thalia.
The emblem of the dragon exploded into Thalia's mind with
surging power, blinding her.
Seriana moved to stand over the Amazon. She brought her arm
down in a sweeping motion, intending to stab Thalia in the
chest.
Her vision cleared just in time. Thalia rolled out of the way
before the dagger came down into her. Then she kicked Seriana's
legs from behind her, causing the dagger-wielding woman to fall.
She slammed her foot down on top of Seriana to hold her down so
she could not strike back.
*****
Medea slowly circled Xanthea. She smiled as she neared,
baring the ivory fangs. Lifting a finger, she extended a razor
sharp claw. She traced some symbol in the air while Xanthea
shook with fright.
Slowly, the demoness walked up to the prisoner. She picked
out the freshly scabs wounds on her prey’s throat and flicked
her claw across them. Blood trickled down the Amazon's fresh,
white skin.
A smile curled across Medea's lips as she bent over the
captive. She licked her lips in anticipation of the taste of the
woman’s blood. Xanthea trembled, weak from loss of blood and
constant fear.
"So luscious," the demoness whispered. Her tongue
flicked out and licked the trail of blood down Xanthea’s neck.
The Amazon shivered in revulsion and horror, closing her eyes
against the sight of the mad woman she had once called friend
feeding from her flesh.
She felt the teeth pierce her, felt her blood being drawn up
and away and into Medea.
"Medea!" Tern’s voice echoed off the temple
walls.
The demoness’ head snapped up from her victim, peering
around. "What is it, Tern? I’m busy right now."
"Medea!" Tern’s voice was demanding. "It’s
time!"
"At last," she breathed. Standing, she wiped the
blood from her mouth. Without a glance to Xanthea, she briskly
walked toward the location of Tern's voice.
As the demoness exited the ancient temple, an orange light
quivered before Xanthea, and Pelee appeared.
She waved her hand and the manacles binding Xanthea to the
wall released their tenacious grip. Xanthea fell forward, weak
from loss of blood.
"Come," Pelee said with a smile. She helped the
Amazon to her unsteady feet. The woman closed her eyes for a
long moment, then jerked herself awake. She was closer to death
than Pelee had anticipated.
I must get her out if Tern's plan is to work, she
thought. She’s too weak to go by herself. I’ll have to take
her. "Hold tight to me," Pelee cautioned her. Xanthea
increased the pressure of her grip on the other's arm. Both
faded out in a flare of bright orange light.
Thalia
Xanthea and Pelee materialized in the center square of
Themiscrya, near the large communal fire pit. Pelee unwound
Xanthea’s arm from hers and the Amazon collapsed to the
ground. Before anyone could stop her, the witch winked out
again.
"XANTHEA!"
Amazons came at her from every side, shouting her name. She
struggled into a sitting position, her back braced by the rock
wall that had been built to keep the fire safe. She looked into
several familiar faces, searching for one in particular.
Queen Celosia shoved the others aside as she came up to
Xanthea’s side. "Thank the Gods!"
It only took her a moment to spot the scabs on Xanthea’s
neck, the pallor of her skin, and the way the woman’s eyes
rolled across all of them, seeing none. She looked up at the
others. "Quickly! Get her to the med tent. I want those
wounds bandaged and I want her safe in a bed in the med tent.
NOW!"
Several Amazons moved forward and lifted Xanthea to her feet.
They supported her, allowing her feet to drag behind them. It
was only a short distance, but all were grateful to place the
healer in her cot.
Celosia ordered the bulk of the concerned Amazons out of the
tent. An apprentice to Xanthea remained, examining the wounds
before starting a pot of water and gathering herbs. The Queen
nudged a low stool over to the bedside and sat down.
"I know you need rest, Xanthea, but I must know what
happened. Did Medea do this to you? Where did she take you? Did
you see Thalia or Seriana? What has become of Medea and
Tern?" the Queen asked.
Xanthea opened her mouth to answer, but her eyes rolled back
in her head and she fainted.
*****
"What is going on?" Thalia demanded. Seriana was
pinned below her foot. What in Hades was Seriana doing?
Seriana's heart pounded desperately. What do I do now?
The question exploded in her mind. She had to act before Thalia
killed her. Surely she would now that Seriana had made the first
move. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a flash of light .
. . the dagger! Seriana lurched sideways and grabbed the
dagger before Thalia could react.
Thalia cried out as a burst of pain exploded in her head. She
fell to her knees as Seriana leaped to her feet. Seriana lunged
for her and Thalia managed to roll out of the way before the
dagger connected with her torso.
Thalia's head was clouded with the dragon. She could only
just see beyond the image whereas Seriana was full of
adrenaline. There was no way she could avoid her dagger-wielding
friend for long.
Oh Gods, somebody help me! Thalia thought. Seriana lunged
again, this time striking her in the shoulder before the
Biomorph could get out of the way.
Oh Gods, oh Gods, Thalia clutched her shoulder. She
didn't have the strength or concentration to morph and escape.
The dragon was coming in stronger, obliterating her attacker. At
the last second, she saw a blurry figure above her and felt a
stab of pain as the dagger glanced off her other arm.
The dragon roared and angry fire enveloped her vision,
burning one question into her mind.
Why?
Seriana
Thalia squeezed her eyes shut. The dragon’s fire faded from
her mind and the pain receded. Hesitant, she opened first one
eye, then the other.
Seriana had flung herself onto the ground a few feet away,
where she lay trembling and sobbing. "I can't! I
can't!"
"Seriana?" Thalia asked quietly, afraid that she'd
spark another attack.
"I can't, I can't," her friend sobbed. She looked
over at Thalia with large, wet eyes. "Kill me fast, please,
if that is your intention. But I just can't do it!"
"Seriana, it's all right," Thalia said. She got to
her feet, cradling her wounded arm. She crossed over to where
her friend sat. "I'm not going to kill you. I was only
defending myself. But I won't hurt you if you don't make
me."
"I'm such a coward . . . I'm so confused . . . I don't
know who to trust . . ."
"Hush. Are you all right now? Can you walk?" She
extended a hand.
Seriana nodded and took it, hauling herself up. After
everything she had done, the Amazon still wanted to help her.
"I’m sorry," she said.
Thalia ignored the apology. "Come with me back to the
village. We’ll find allies there who can help us. You must
trust me now," Thalia said.
Thalia
The pair made their way back to Deinus. Seriana waited for
Thalia to ask her about her motives for the attack, but the
Amazon merely motioned for Seriana to mount Deinus.
She let out her breath. The time for explanation would come
later.
She started to climb up on the animal’s back when she
noticed Thalia wincing. She saw that her shoulder wound was
bleeding freely, as was the stab wound in her arm. "Let me
help you with those," she said.
Tearing more strips off her already torn shirt, Seriana
wrapped the impromptu bandages around the fresh wounds. Thalia
looked as if she’d had the worst of all the fights that long
day, with three bandages decorating her. "That will have to
do until we get back to the village. Until then, don't use your
arm or you'll make it worse."
Thalia nodded and the two of them mounted Deinus and began to
make their way through the forest toward Themiscyra.
A figure standing in the bushes nearby cursed harshly, before
disappearing into the shadows.
Xanthea
Back at the village, Xanthea felt cool water being offered to
her. She struggled to move into a sitting position so she could
drink. Her head spun.
Gods, I’m dizzy. Why is that? She tried to
remember what had happened to her, but the memories eluded her.
"Where am I?" she murmured. Her voice was scratchy
and barely audible. "What happened? How did I get
here?"
Celosia placed a cool, wet rag on Xanthea's head and tried to
smile. For the tribal healer's sake, the Queen knew she needed
to see calm reassurance. "That's what we were hoping you
could tell us," she said.
Xanthea brushed back some of her chocolate brown hair. She
saw the strands against her white hand and they were streaked
with blood!
She panicked and pulled at her hair, intending to yank them
from her head. Celosia pressed against her hand, forcing her to
drop the hair.
"It’s all right," the Queen said softly.
Xanthea looked down at where her hair lay against the white
sheepskin blanket, glinting with red highlights. It’s not
blood, she thought. Just the color of my own hair in the
candlelight.
"What happened to you, Xanthea?"
The healer took a deep breath and another drink of water.
"I . . . I don't know," she finally said. "I
don't remember."
Swift Blazer
The red head looked at the village ahead of her. Women came
and went among the scattered tents and few wooden huts. She hadn’t
seen a man yet, so she was hopeful.
She had spent months wandering around the continent, trying
to find Themiscyra. Then, just as she’d finally begun to hear
stories of the Amazons, a slaver had caught her.
It had taken another couple of months to escape her captors,
after which, she’d headed in the wrong direction. Several
weeks ago, a "kindly" old man had sent her in yet
another wrong direction. Luckily, however, she had gotten lost
in this large which brought her to her present location. Now she’d
happened across this village of women.
She moved out into the cleared area, speaking to any deity
who might be listening to her. "Please, please, please
let this be Queen Celosia’s village! Please!"
Amazon guards surrounded Swift Blazer as soon as she stepped
out of the protection of the trees. Several pointed weapons were
aimed at her.
"State your business," one said.
"Hullo," she said. "I’d like to see Queen
Celosia, if I may."
There was a pause. The guards sized her up, judging her
ragged clothing and dirty hair. She wished she’d taken time to
wash in the river before entering the village. She wasn’t
making the right impression. "Please, she gave me
permission to live among her fine people . . . quite some time
ago. But I’ve been . . . lost a while, so I’m just
arriving."
The guards didn’t move or say anything. Maybe they don’t
understand me? She thought. No, they understand me fine.
"This is her village, isn’t it?"
Samsara
"Yes, this is her village," responded one.
She was 5'7" and carried a heavily carved staff in her
hand. She studied the redhead and was instantly struck by her. What
is it about this girl, she mused. She must be special in
some way. "What business have you here?"
The redhead looked at the speaker, assuming she was the
leader of the Guards surrounding her. "I need her
help."
The tall one looked at the redhead. "Come with me."
The other Guards were surprised and murmured protest.
Themiscyra had been under recent attack and the Amazons were
wary of any new visitors.
"Need I remind you of who I am?" the tall Amazon
demanded.
"No, High Princess Samsara," they responded.
Samsara, Princess-Heiress to the Teloq tribe and daughter of
Ares God of War and Callisto Warrior Queen, needed to remind
nobody of her rank and position. They were all aware of it, very
aware. However, she wasn’t afraid to use her name when
reproached by those in her command.
"What is your name?" Samsara asked of the redhead.
"Swift Blazer," she responded as they entered the
village. It was easy for Samsara to see that the girl was amazed
by her surroundings. Her eyes lingered on the archers and guards
strategically placed along the unfinished wood wall that would
protect the fledging village from unknown attack and wanderers.
Each Amazon they passed lowered their heads as Samsara went by,
expressing their silent respect for her.
"Swift Blazer?" the Princess-Heiress responded.
"Interesting name. What help do you desire?"
"If I could speak to Queen Celosia . . . you said this
is her tribe?"
"You shall see the Queen when she receives
visitors," Samsara responded. They walked into a newly
finished hut. The High Princess closed the door and lit the
candles, illuminating the room. The hut smelled of sandalwood
incense. The walls were bare, as was the floor. "Now,"
Samsara said after a long pause. "What is it that you
desire?"
Swift Blazer remained near the door. "I am here to warn
Celosia of impending danger. Traders are coming . . ."
"Traders?" she answered. "And why would this
be of importance to the Queen? This is a simple problem that I
alone can solve. There is no need to disturb Celosia."
"Slave traders, High Princess," Swift Blazer
stressed. "I was captured two weeks ago by them and they
talked about wanting to trade in Amazons. They talked about
killing Celosia and using the Themiscryans as a stepping stone
against Teloq."
Samsara stood rigid. "And why did these slavers talk of
their intentions while they had a live captive in their hands?
They may have assumed you would . . ."
Her sentence was cut short. She stood at attention, listening
intently. Swift Blazer was confused--she heard nothing. Samsara
flew to the door and pulled Swift Blazer into the hut as she
opened the door. "Stay here!" she commanded, slamming
the door shut and bolting it from the outside.
"Hey!" the redhead yelled. She banged on the door
from the inside. "What are you doing?"
Samsara paid no heed to the girl's screams as she sprinted to
the gates. She cried shrilly, ordering the attention of all the
Guards. The women jumped to their posts, knowing Samsara's cry
well. There was an approaching band of raiders, possibly the
slavers Swift Blazer had talked about. Samsara ran all the way
to the stable, to get her horse, Prince. The jet-black steed
neighed, knowing he was to ride into battle with his mistress...
Swift Blazer
Swift Blazer paced in front of the locked door. Well, this
is an interesting way to treat guests. I wonder where the queen
is.
She looked around the room, searching for another way out.
There was a shuttered window on two of the four walls, but they
were closed. She could sense they had been secured from the
outside and would be as great an obstacle as the door.
She sighed and moved instead to the bed. Drawing her sword,
she settled down on the bed, facing the door. She took a
sharpening stone from her pack and began to run it up the blade,
honing the weapon.
For now, she thought.
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