Amazonia: An Impossible Choice

by Sky Croft

  After a while, Blake drew back, noting that Shale looked somewhat drained. Shale’s earlier outpouring of grief had clearly taken a lot out of her. Blake watched Shale closely for her reaction as she spoke. “It’s been an emotional day. Why don’t we make camp here? We can relax for the rest of the afternoon, and start out fresh tomorrow.”

  Shale’s lips curled up at the corner. “You read me so well, Blake. As well as Kale. You always have.”

  Blake smiled, pleased by her words. “I have a vested interest.” She kissed Shale’s cheek. “And it’s not difficult to see that today was hard on you.”

  “It was harder than I thought,” Shale said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “The village especially.” She paused, visibly gathering herself. “But the other places evoked good memories, and I’m pleased I got to share them with you.”

  “Me, too.”

  Shale brushed her knuckles softly down Blake’s face, her blue eyes full of adoration.

  “You make me feel so special when you look at me like that, Shale.”

  “That’s because you are special.”

  Blake playfully rubbed their noses together. Their lips were so close that neither could help the inevitable kiss that followed. That kiss led to another, then another. Their kisses were slow, unhurried, each enjoying the simple pleasure. Every kiss was a declaration of their love, and of what they meant to one another.

  Chapter Ten

  “BLAKE. BLAKE, WAKE up,” Shale whispered, her tone urgent but hushed. As Blake stirred, she said, “Don’t move, Blake. Keep very still.”

  Blake blinked awake, staying perfectly still as instructed. “What is it?”

  “I need you to remember not to panic. Your first instinct will be to move, but you absolutely cannot do that, Blake.”

  “Shale, you’re panicking me right now.”

  Shale ever so fractionally squeezed the hand resting on Blake’s shoulder. They were both laying on their sides, and it was fortunate they were facing one another, so Shale could help to keep Blake calm.

  “A snake is coiled up behind your legs.” Shale’s grip tightened as Blake stiffened in reflex. “Stay still. I know you’re terrified of snakes, but moving will scare it and that’s when they bite.” It had been cold through the night, and Shale knew the snake had likely sidled up to Blake for her body warmth. It meant no harm, but it could indeed cause harm if it felt threatened.

  “I can feel it,” Blake’s breathing increased in fear. “Against the back of my legs.”

  “Blake, no, focus on me. I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere. It won’t hurt you if you just keep still.”

  Blake grimaced. “Is it poisonous?”

  “I can’t see a lot of it from here.”

  “I want it away from me,” Blake said, her rising panic clear. “I can’t...”

  “Blake, look at me.” Shale slowly slid her hand up to Blake’s face, partly covering her ear to help block out any sound that the snake might make. “Look at me, Blake.” Frightened green eyes locked onto hers, and Shale gave her best reassuring smile. “Shh. I’m right here.” She soothingly caressed Blake’s cheek with her thumb. “Shh. Kale’s already on her way. She won’t be long. I can get it away from you myself, if that’s what you want, but I’d have to move to do it, and I’m worried you’ll bolt once I move.”

  Blake gave her a look that confirmed her suspicions. “Don’t leave,” she all but pleaded.

  “Never. I won’t leave your side.”

  Kale appeared at the edge of the camp, slowing her hurried pace when Shale shook her head. Shale looked to the snake, then back to Kale, alerting her twin to the problem.

  Kale immediately began to search around the campsite. She picked up a long stick and continued closer.

  “All right, Blake. Kale’s going to try and get the snake to move away, so don’t be alarmed when it moves,” Shale said, since Blake was faced away from Kale, and could hardly turn around to see what was happening. She felt Blake’s jaw tense under her hand. “You’re doing great, love. Not much longer now.”

  Shale had wrangled a few snakes in her time. As had Kale. Shale watched as Kale tapped the stick along the ground as she advanced, creating vibrations so the snake could feel them. In most cases, Shale knew, this simple technique worked, many snakes slithering away from the reverberations to get away from the perceived threat.

  The brown-green snake slowly uncoiled itself, revealing it to be quite large in length, and eyed the stick with open hostility. It seemed annoyed that its sleep had been disturbed, and somewhat reluctant to leave its cozy position.

  “Shale, get yourself clear,” Kale said. “Damn snake’s not cooperating.” At Shale’s head shake, she added, “It’s poisonous.”

  “I’m staying put.” Shale looked back to Blake, who had clamped her eyes shut at that new bit of information. “It’s all right, Blake. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Kale didn’t argue, and got down to business. She hooked the stick under part of the tail, lifting the snake and dragging it sideways toward herself, but away from Blake’s legs. The snake’s beady black eyes locked onto its tormentor, and it coiled back on itself, hissing as it tried to strike.

  The snake’s attack was fast, but Kale was faster. Before its fangs got too close, Kale tossed the snake aside. Drawing her sword before it had a chance to react, she whipped her blade down and cleanly took off the snake’s head.

  “It’s finished now,” Shale said, cradling Blake to her chest. She felt Blake clinging to her tightly, as if her life depended on it.

  “You can get up now, it’s dead.” When neither woman moved from their bedroll, Kale strode swiftly to them. “Were you bit?”

  Shale shook her head. “No, we’re fine. Blake’s afraid of snakes.”

  “Really?” Kale asked in surprise. Her taunting smirk was wiped off her face by Shale’s stern look. Telling her now wasn’t the time to tease. “Well, don’t worry, Blake, I killed it. It’s dead.”

  Blake’s voice was muffled by Shale’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” Using her sword, Kale pushed the snake’s head out of the camp and into the bushes, as if realizing Blake wouldn’t want to see it again. She then picked up the snake’s lifeless body, holding it up like a prize. “Actually, it’s worked out rather well. Saves me from having to hunt for breakfast.”

  Blake made a disgusted sound.

  “It’s really quite nice,” Kale said. “You should try it, Blake.”

  “I think we’ll pass, Kale.” Shale injected a hint of warning into her tone.

  Kale shrugged. “More for me and Amber. Speaking of, I’d best get back and wake her. We’ve got a full day ahead.”

  Shale nodded, and gave Kale a smile of thanks for her help.

  Kale dipped her head, then hefted her soon-to-be breakfast. “Can’t leave you alone for a moment.” With a smirk, she sauntered away, soon disappearing from sight.

  Shale drew back slightly, so she could look at Blake. “Sweetheart? Are you all right?”

  “That’s put me off sleeping outside.”

  Shale released a small chuckle. “Kale nor I have ever had that happen to us. Not once in all the times we’ve done it.”

  “Lucky me,” Blake said dryly.

  “I mean that it’s a rare occurrence. It’s not likely to happen again.”

  “It definitely won’t if I sleep inside.”

  Shale chuckled again. “I can see I’ll have my work cut out convincing you otherwise.”

  “I think it would be easier to build another cabin, and we’ll leave the roof off.” Blake smiled as Shale began to laugh. “We’ll use that on nice nights.”

  “What about if I built you a bed? Then you could sleep off the ground.”

  Blake giggled. “I can just see me lugging that around.”

  Shale laughed with her, pleased to see Blake back in good spirits. “Ah, I’ve got it.” She pulled Blake on top of her. “There. You can lie on me.
Then if any more snakes come slithering along, they will cozy up to me instead of you.”

  Blake made a face. “I’m not sure if that’s better or worse. I don’t like the idea of snakes cozying up to my wife.” Blake brushed their lips together. “Though I appreciate the suggestion.”

  “I’ll keep thinking on it. I’m not giving up that easily.”

  “You have until the end of this trip to convince me. But I’m telling you now, it’ll have to be something amazing to make me forget that snake.”

  “Amazing, huh?” Shale bit her lip in concentration as she thought, running different scenarios in her head. “Leave it with me.”

  “NOW WHERE HAVE they got to?” Blake stopped and placed her hands on her hips, scanning the area around her. She glanced up into trees, not about to be fooled twice by the same trick.

  They’d drawn to a standstill next to a good-sized lake, which was nestled on the far side, at the foot of two cliffs—one of which had a waterfall cascading down it. Blake admired the scene for a moment, though her attention was caught by movement in the lake itself.

  A smirk crossed her face, and she tapped Amber’s arm to attract her gaze. With raised eyebrows, Blake tipped her head toward the placid water.

  “Oh, for the love of--” Amber raised her voice. “Kale, you’d better not be in there.”

  Two heads rose up out of the depths, revealing only their mischievous eyes.

  “Kale, get out of there at once,” Amber said, her frustration clear. “You’re supposed to be keeping your arm dry.”

  Shale emerged to her shoulders, giving Kale an I-told-you-so look. “I said she’d be angry.”

  “My arm’s feeling a lot better, Amber,” Kale said. “Besides, Shale and I want to show you something.”

  “Shale can show us. Come on out and dry off your arm.”

  “No way. I’m not letting Shale have all the fun. It’s wet now anyways, so where’s the harm?” Kale didn’t wait for a response. She dove under the water, swimming away like a fish.

  Shale smiled meekly at Amber and shrugged. “I tried to talk her out of it.”

  Amber let out an aggrieved breath. “It’s not your fault. I know how forward she can be.”

  Shale snickered. “That’s putting it nicely. I’ll see what I can do to hurry things along, get her out of the water quicker.”

  She took a deep breath and submerged.

  SHALE SWAM UNDERWATER, in a route she knew well—she and Kale had swum here often in their youth.

  She felt the thundering of water above as she swam beneath the waterfall, though off to one side so as not to get caught in the swirling current. She came up for air behind the tumult of falling water, into a small recess in the rock. The space had been hollowed out from the constant erosion of the falls. She looked up and saw that Kale was already three-quarter’s of the way up the cliff, the familiar hand and footholds, though slippery, were ingrained into both of their memories.

  Kale waited for her near the top, and they walked along the narrow trail that they themselves had made, emerging from behind the falls and out into the open. From below, Shale knew it looked like they were walking along the cliff face itself, a miraculous feat given its vertical angle and the sheer drop.

  When the path ended, they turned and waved to Blake and Amber, standing at the lake’s edge.

  “I’ll let you go first this time,” Kale said. “I went first with the tree.”

  “I’m going to climb back down, I don’t want to scare Blake again.”

  “Oh, come on, Shale, how often are we here?” Kale gave her back an encouraging pat. “For old times’ sake?”

  “That’s not fair. It’s not that I don’t want to, but...Kale!” The encouraging hand now became a shove, and Shale was suddenly off the ledge, her arms freewheeling as she fell. She fell feet first, her body straight, and she tucked her arms by her sides as she neared the fast approaching water, making herself as streamlined as possible. She held her breath as she collided with the water, shooting down into the depths with impressive speed. She felt Kale enter an instant later, and they both swam up in sync, side by side.

  Shale glared at Kale when they broke the surface.

  “Don’t pretend like you didn’t enjoy it,” Kale said knowingly.

  Shale couldn’t refrain from grinning. “I did.” She splashed Kale in the face. “But don’t do that again.”

  “I’m afraid I can promise no such thing,” Kale said, as bold as brass.

  Shale tossed her an amused look. “I wouldn’t believe you even if you did.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “HERE WE GO again,” Shale muttered under her breath to Kale. They were already getting curious looks, their likeness to one another causing many of the townsfolk to stare.

  It was a little after noon, and they’d just arrived at the town of Pyrrhos, hoping to buy the extra items they needed while also topping off their own supplies.

  The town was heaving with people, but Shale soon saw why—there was a market on. Traders were set up behind their stalls, selling their wares to whoever would purchase them. There was a good range of items to buy, from clothes, boots, and jewelry, right through to trinkets, and food and drink.

  “It’s busy,” Amber said, placing a guarding hand over her satchel. “Watch for thieves.”

  Blake drew her bag closer to herself. “Shale, can you see the blacksmiths?”

  Shale, a head taller than everyone around them, was able to see beyond the swarming crowd.

  Kale, who was equally tall, answered for her, “It’s at the far end of the market.”

  Blake sighed. “How typical, now we’ll have to trudge through the marketplace and all the bustle of people. It would be easier if we split up to collect what we need.”

  “I agree,” Shale said. “I suggest I go with Blake, and Kale with Amber. If Kale and I go together we’ll never get anywhere, people will be too busy gawking at us.”

  Kale nodded. “We’ll meet up with you at the tavern.” She pointed to a disheveled looking building off to their left. “We can get something to eat there. I’m famished.”

  Blake’s eyebrow rose in disbelief. “We’ve just had lunch.”

  Shale chuckled. “You’re underestimating how much Kale can eat.”

  “Actually, you’re underestimating how long it’ll take you to get through that lot.”

  Shale followed Kale’s gaze toward the throng of people, many of whom were wandering around stalls, while some simply stood gossiping. Shale frowned at several who were pointing indiscreetly at her and Kale. Some people milled around the customers and not the stalls, either begging or outright stealing what they could.

  Shale suddenly realized the intent behind Kale’s words. “I take it Blake and I are going to the blacksmith then?”

  Kale slapped her shoulder. “Thanks for volunteering.”

  Shale released a heavy breath. “You and Amber have to get everything else.”

  “Fair enough. See you at the tavern.”

  As Kale and Amber headed off in one direction, Blake and Shale took another.

  Shale latched onto Blake’s hand so neither of them got separated. Weaving through the horde of people was disorienting, but Shale’s height allowed her to stay fixed on their desired destination, and she pulled Blake through behind her. Sometimes a clearing appeared in front, and Shale amusedly noted that several townsfolk scurried to get out of her way, obviously determining from her clothes and musculature that she was a warrior. Shale smirked—the weapons didn’t hurt either.

  Shale abruptly whirled around and grabbed a hand that was sneaking toward Blake’s satchel. The potential thief yelped in alarm as Shale dragged him out of the crowd, and up close and personal with her. She bent his hand back sharply, causing him to squeal and drop to a knee.

  He whimpered pathetically. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

  “Ha,” said a nearby trader, leaning out from behind his stall. “Don’t believe that weasel, he’s
here every week.”

  There was a sudden lull in the conversation around them, and Shale realized all eyes were upon her, as if waiting to see what she would do.

  The trader winked subtly at Shale. “You know, in this town, you have the right to take off his hand.”

  Shale played along, intending to teach the thief a lesson. She really wanted to point out that he’d tried to rob an Amazon queen, and she could drag him back kicking and screaming to their tribe to await severe punishment, but it wasn’t wise to alert everyone to Blake’s high-ranking status. She’d be asking for trouble. Instead, she feigned simple interest, the threat of losing a hand would scare him enough.

  “Is that so? What do you think, Blake? It was you he was trying to rob.”

  Blake, it seemed, quickly caught on to the ruse. “Remove the hand he used.” She shrugged nonchalantly, her regal mask of indifference firmly in place. “He has another one.”

  Shale felt her eyes widen, and had to fight to keep her composure.

  “No. Please!” The thief began to struggle, trying to extricate himself from Shale’s grip.

  Shale put more pressure on his wrist, subduing him easily.

  “I’m sorry!” The thief began to cry, tears leaving clear tracks down his filthy cheeks. “Please, I beg you.”

  Shale withdrew the dagger on her hip, though she stopped at Blake’s touch to her forearm.

  “Sword would be best. The cut will be cleaner.” Blake’s lips twitched slightly, but nothing else gave her away. Shale herself only noticed because of their close proximity.

  The thief was blubbing now, sobbing hysterically.

  Shale hauled him up, back onto his feet. “Remember what could’ve happened here today. I’d strongly advise you find yourself some honest work.” She released the thief and he stumbled away, pushing through the murmuring crowd.

  The trader who had spoken applauded them from his stall. “If that doesn’t right him, nothing will.”

  Shale smiled at the bearded man, then followed Blake, who’d apparently seen something of interest on his market stand.