by John Grover
###
Lianna the Amazon Queen watched as her sisters danced, their bodies twisting and shaking vigorously, telling tales of honor and glory, of victories past.
The morning mist still hung in the air. It was quite early. Just the right time to prepare for attack. War drums beat softly, their rhythm humming in Lianna’s head. The faces of her warriors passed her in circles, their war paint thick and striking.
The queen prepared her sisters for weeks. Now it was time again to take up the sword, string the bows, and wield their lances in defense of the Amazon nation. She had consulted with the shamaness Juni and found this to be a good day. The Orum Gods would smile on them.
Just beyond the amazon village lay the beginning of the swamps. The first one, Eelberry, was massive and dark, overgrown and deadly. It harbored a lizard outpost, set up there to warn of any intruders. It had to be dealt with, or no amazonian would be able to cross between the lands.
The lizard people, a foul and ferocious race, clung to the swamps and marshes, while breeding in subterranean caverns. They fed off the flesh of others, sometimes making jewelry and weapons out of the bones of their fallen victims. Their green skin, adaptable to most climates and good armor against attack, made them a challenging enemy.
That didn’t matter to Lianna and her people. They were warriors, with brave hearts and strong discipline, and this was not the first time they had done battle with evil.
“The time is now, my queen,” Juni whispered to Lianna, animal skins wrapped tightly around her body, a ceremonial headdress perched proudly atop her head.
“Yes,” Lianna whispered. Raising her hands made the dancers halt in front of her. “My sisters. We are again called to defend our land and our people. Be brave and strong. Remember: unity! We will defeat this plague upon us. Now, my sisters, show no mercy to our enemies!”
A combination of joy and war cries rose, as they gathered up their weapons and dashed through the forest towards the swamps…
Shafts of sunlight barely squeaked through the lush trees of Eelberry swamp. In the shadows sat the lizard men---gnawing on breakfast. They fed on chunks of meat, shredding and ripping it from claw to tooth. Their weapons lay at their sides, food being more important than guard duty. The timing was perfect.
A spear sailed out of the trees, piercing the chest of one lizard. As he fell over in the mud, the others jumped to their feet, food forgotten.
War cries vibrated through the enclosed area of the swamp. Droves of warrior women came out of the trees, as ferocious as any lizard man. With the advantage of surprise the amazons charged, bringing a fury with them the likes of which the lizard men had never seen.
Lianna led the way, engaging the enemy without a second thought. Her sword met a lizard man’s club, while his razor sharp teeth snapped inches away from her throat.
The battle raged--arrows flying, spears launching, swords clashing. The amazons pressed their attack with back flips and acrobatic stunts, keeping their enemies off guard.
The lizard people were formidable however, and Lianna bore witness as her sisters fell. Arms were bitten clean off by jaws of death. Some amazons were outnumbered, while others were beaten to death by clubs, or gored by jagged spears and tridents. Sisters were forced into the swamp face first, air squeezed from their bodies, while their lungs filled with water. Using their claws, the lizard men tore and ripped at their attackers, fighting with utter cruelty, without remorse. Fighting to maim, cripple, and devour.
Down went another at Lianna’s feet, her sword coated in crimson, leather armor drenched in fetid swamp water. Scanning the battle, she searched for an open spot to attack, checking to see if one of her warriors needed help. But she found it was she who needed help.
A slash caught her sword arm, leaving a gouge. Searing pain wracked her as warm blood gushed. A lizard man stood behind her, licking the fresh blood off his claw. Lianna’s sword toppled into the swamp waters, leaving her unarmed.
Laughing maniacally, the lizard man kicked her, causing her to buckle and fall to her knees. She clasped her gut as all air left her body, and the lizard raised his sword above her.
Something whistled by her face. The lizard man froze, his eyes wide with shock. A dagger protruded from the center of his chest. He gasped then dropped to his knees. His intense glare burned through Lianna as she watched him fall.
Lianna took the outstretched hand before her and regained her footing and sword. “Thank you, my sister. I owe you my life,” she said, tending to her wounded arm.
“I live to serve you my queen.” Juni placed her boot on the lifeless body of the lizard man and yanked her dagger out.
“I believe the tide is turning.” Lianna watched their sisters drive the lizard men to a hasty retreat. Victory was theirs.
“For now, my queen,” Juni sounded cautious. “I have seen visions. The evil one is becoming stronger, and is draining the life from our world. Soon, she will need no army. She will be all powerful.”
“We must meet with the elfin tribes and the fairies. This vision must never become realized.”
“Yes, my queen.”
Juni and Lianna joined the celebrating women, their victory chants filling the foreboding swamp.
