by Robin Roseau
"Lia, when you wrote, you asked if you could come home with me," said Tamma. "We've come to take you, if that is still your wish."
Lia straightened. "When I wrote that letter, I was especially distraught."
"You are under no obligation to return with us," Queen Malora said. "We came to offer our respects and to ensure safe passage. And, of course, Maya wishes to browbeat the village for proper tithe."
Lia smiled hesitantly. "I am too old to become an Amazon," she said. "And my daughters are too young."
"All of which we have discussed," Queen Malora said. "I remember you well, and I remember my disappointment when you did not join us fifteen years ago. The offer we presented then remains open."
"Arden would never let me leave."
"You may tell him you are only coming for a visit," Malora replied. "Perhaps when you see our small huts, a visit is the most you will wish. Or you may tell him you are leaving with your daughters, and I do not believe he will stand against the Queen of the Amazons and eight of her greatest warriors. If these are excuses to remain behind, it is, as it was fifteen years ago, your choice. But if you only are mentioning obstacles to overcome, consider them overcome."
"I-" she paused. "I would choose a warrior?" She looked around. "The warriors here all have companions." Then she settled her eyes on me and smiled. "You did not bring a companion. I forget your name."
"I am Chief Beria," she said, "the chief of Lake Juna where your sister lives. You would be welcome in my village, but you would be required to follow Amazon law."
"You are under no obligation to become a companion," Malora said. "You would train, but it would be done somewhat more gently than we trained Tamma and would more closely resemble the lessons we provided when first we met all these years ago. Your daughters are also welcome, and they would also train, also gently for now. It would be their choice to become companions or not. Or perhaps you would only come for a day, or a month, or a season, and decide to return to White Pine."
"No!" she said. Then she softened her expression. "If I leave, and I am welcome, then I am leaving White Pine forever."
She stood up. "I should get you something to drink. Are you hungry as well?"
"We invited ourselves to dinner," Badra said. "We can, of course, help acquire provisions and assist in the kitchen. I wanted to wipe that condescending look off Zora. I do not like that woman."
"Neither do I," Lia said. She smiled. "I can imagine her expression when you invaded. Yes, and you shall invade again, just like you did the day we all met. But let me get you something to drink. What would you like?"
"If we are to beard the dragon," said Malora, "I would rather we kept our wits about us. Do you have cider? Even better, heated cider? Or what do you recommend?"
"We have warmed cider," Lia replied. "For everyone?"
We all nodded.
"I-" Lia paused, then hugged her sister. "Thank you for coming." She rose from the table and stepped into the back room, presumably the kitchen, to retrieve our drinks.
I was seated next to Nori. "We did the right thing."
"Yes," she said. "We did."
Lia took two trips to retrieve all our drinks. She checked on the old men, who had finally looked up from their game to stare at us for a moment, then went back to their game. The immediate needs handled, she sat back down between her sister and Jasmine on the other side of the table from Malora, Maya, Nori, Rora and me.
"You know," I said, "I have only been in the inn at Gallen's Cove, and that was so long ago. You serve food here as well?"
"Are you hungry?" Lia asked.
"Only for knowledge," I replied.
"We serve two meals a day, lunch and dinner, although others serve the dinner meal. I have other responsibilities. The owner's wife typically prepares a choice of two dishes. One is nearly always stew, and the other is whatever she chooses to make. We serve beer and wine, and there are four rooms upstairs that are available as guest rooms, although we rarely see visitors, so they typically sit empty. There is entertainment typically twice a week or so. Someone brings a fiddle or a harp and plays for whatever gifts people choose to give him. Those nights are the busiest, and after seeing to the needs of my family, I come back to help serve."
"You see, Maya," Nori said. "If you were not an Amazon and dissatisfied with your life as a teacher, you could play your fiddle for the money the drunk villagers throw at your feet."
"It sounds like a lovely life," Maya threw back at her.
"As attractive as you are, you shouldn't have to deal with more than a half dozen grabby hands clutching at you each night," Nori replied.
"Just think, Nori, you saved me from that, but if ever I find myself in need of spare change, you have even trained me what to do with grabby hands."
Nori guffawed. "I suppose I have, haven't I?"
"Does Nori have grabby hands?" Lia asked.
"No," said Maya. "But all Amazons learn from the very beginning how to defend ourselves."
"Oh," Lia said. "Of course. I remember the lessons you shared with me." She paused. "Sometimes, when I am alone, I practice them." She looked embarrassed about it.
"If you return with us," Malora said, "you won't be practicing alone, you understand."
"Oh, I am far too old to learn now."
"You would not learn to become a warrior," Malora said. "But everyone here practices every day we aren't on the trail. If I am not too old, you certainly are not."
Lia looked intently at Malora for a moment, then turned to her sister. "I'm so happy to see you," she said. "Are you happy?"
Tamma clasped Badra's hand and nodded. "Thank you for allowing me to go."
Lia looked across the table at Maya. "There are days I wish you hadn't given me a choice to remain behind."
"If I hadn't, you would not have your daughters," Maya pointed out.
"No, I suppose I wouldn't." She looked at her hands for a moment then looked up. "But now you tell me I may have my daughters and go away with you." She smiled for a moment. "Would I have duties?"
Eight pairs of Amazon eyes turned to me, and then Lia's eyes followed the rest.
I smiled. "Yes," I said. "You understand I am the chief of Lake Juna, where Badra and Tamma live."
"Yes," she said. She glanced at Tamma. "Why are you the chief if Badra is older?"
"Because Badra likes the duties she has," Badra said, "and would hate the duty a chief has."
There were snickers at that.
"Not everyone is a leader," Malora explained, "and even of those who are leaders, there are different types of leadership."
Lia nodded understanding, and I went on. "You would answer to me and to anyone else I may assign. Whether or not you become the companion of a warrior, you would have a companion's duties."
She turned to Malora. "You explained those, but I never understood. I remember that warrior, Gini. She hugged me."
Maya explained briefly, and Lia nodded. "Very strange," she said.
"A companion has other duties," I said. "Duties to the village."
"I told her you were a good cook," Tamma said. "The companions of Lake Juna share this duty, but you are a better cook than any of us."
"You would share the cooking duties," I said, "or you may volunteer to become our head cook, and then the companions would serve as your assistants for meal preparation."
"I would rule the kitchen?" She smiled.
"You could, yes," I said. "And even the warriors would answer to you, if they dared step foot within your domain."
"I make it a strict policy to never step into the kitchen in Queen's Town," Malora said. "Aren is even worse than Serra and delights in assigning tasks to me if I cross the threshold."
Nori chuckled. "I went in search of Queen Malora a few months ago. Someone said she'd gone to the kitchens to talk briefly with Aren. When I got there, Malora had her sleeves pushed up from her wrists and her hands in the dishwater. I got two steps into the kitchen and Aren ordered me to chop veg
etables."
"I bet it's the last time she does that," Rora added. "You cut the carrots too big and the potatoes too small."
"I cut myself, too," Nori said. "I hadn't had kitchen duty in a great many years, and trail cooking is different."
"I thought the stew tasted funny," Rora said. "Did you bleed into the stock?"
I let the chuckles fade then gave Lia an idea of what she would do as a companion without a warrior to tend.
"And, of course, you would manage your children, at least until they become the responsibility of a warrior."
"They are too young for that," Lia said.
"Yes, but they won't be forever."
"You are not making a permanent decision for your children," Malora said. "You may decide the life doesn't agree with you. And one or the other of your daughters may be ill suited for our life. We could discuss that in the future."
Lia smiled. "When do we leave?"
Every pair of eyes turned to Maya, who smiled. "Rora, will you help me browbeat a few people tomorrow?"
"I would love to, Queen's Companion," Rora said. "I presume the warriors will look properly fierce and protect our virtue."
"Damned right we'll protect your virtue," Nori said.
"Then we may leave tomorrow afternoon," Maya said, "or early the next day."
"Early the next day, then," Lia said. "I will tell people I am accepting your offer to visit for a few weeks with my sister." She smiled and leaned against Tamma.
Lia had final duties before she could leave for the day. She sat with us a few more minutes, then she refilled our cider before disappearing in back. When she reappeared, Malora asked her how much we owed for the cider.
"I told the owner we were not charging Amazons for cider. He was actually gracious about it. He asks you to wait a few minutes, as he wants to greet you himself." She checked on the old men one more time then sat with us.
"Lia, what is that game they are playing?" I asked.
"It is called chess," she said. "My daughters play, but I am hopeless."
"Perhaps they can teach us," I said.
"I believe they would enjoy that," Lia said. We talked for another minute, and then a swarthy man stepped out of the back room accompanied by a jovial-appearing woman.
"Amazons," the man said. "Lia only just told us you were here." He moved to the end of the table, and we were introduced to Benton and Grace.
"Lia talks about her sister from time to time," Grace said. "And I remember the times you have come to our village. I remember being afraid of you." She looked around. "Now I am grateful for you."
Maya took on a distant look, then she smiled. "Amongst the tithe from White Pine, every autumn we receive four cases of fruit preserves, and they carry titles such as Grace's Strawberry Delight. These are from you, aren't they?"
She smiled. "Yes. You should also received canned vegetables, but I do not label them quite so vainly."
"We receive a great deal of canned vegetables from White Pine," Maya said.
"You have not returned my jars from two years ago," Grace said.
"They're all from you?" Maya said. "Not the entire village. You?"
"From the inn," she said. "And my brother's farm. We spend several weeks canning. I want my jars back."
Maya laughed. "I will see to it on our return." She paused. "Other than the building materials, the entire tithe from White Pine comes from only two households?"
"To be fair, I have help," Grace said. "A half dozen village women and their daughters descend on the inn. Others help pay for some of the supplies. Even when you return jars, there is always breakage, and so more jars are purchased, and we must buy paraffin and sugar. Perhaps a third of the village helps in some way." She paused. "White Pine does not tithe as much as it should, but there are those of us who do what we are able."
"How long are you staying in White Pine?" Benton asked.
"Tonight and tomorrow," Malora said. "We leave early the following day."
"Then tomorrow, I hope you will be guests of the inn for dinner," said Grace. "I will prepare something special. We'll spread the word and be overflowing with guests hoping for something dramatic to occur. We'll need a few extra servers, Benton."
"We companions will help serve," Maya said immediately. "It is our duty."
"No," said Benton. "You will be honored guests and treated as such." He turned to Lia. "But if your brother comes, he can pay for his meal."
"Will you introduce us to the women who help with the canning?" Malora asked. "We would like to thank them personally."
"Who do you think we'll ask to help serve?" Grace said with a grin. "Oh, I wish we had more time. But we'll make do."
"We have ample cider and beer," Benton said. "But there are no local vineyards. Wine is dear to us."
"Then we shall be pleased with what is ample," Malora said, "and you shall have our thanks for what you do for us. You are very gracious."
"That's my wife," Benton said. "Her mother well named her. Without her influence, I could have been a greedy miser." He offered his wife a kiss on the cheek. "She wore down my defenses with her cooking."
"Perhaps I can play my fiddle," Maya said. "And perhaps there is someone here who can teach me a new song or two."
"We will be sure to invite another player or two," Benton assured her. He grinned to his wife. "We will feed the Amazons and make money doing so. Generosity is rewarded, just like you taught me so many years ago!"
"Well," Grace said after a moment, "Lia has children to retrieve from school, so we shall not keep you. If you are in need of a lunchtime meal tomorrow, we would be delighted to have you. I will make sure there is ample stew."
"Will anyone mind if we use the village green for training tomorrow?" Nori asked.
Benton smiled. "I do not believe you should let that stop you, and far more will be interested in watching than might wish to complain."
With that, we rose, thanking Benton and Grace for their hospitality. Lia collected her winter outerwear, and a few moments later found us on the street outside the inn.
"They are very outgoing," Ralla observed.
"You do not open a public house if you are not, I think," said Lia. "Can you imagine how miserable you would be if you did not care for people?"
"Of course," Ralla said.
"The school is this way," Lia said. "My daughters will be waiting."
It was a short walk. Lia and Tamma talked, Tamma asking about this person and that one. The companions held hands with their warriors, Nori and Rora talking quietly. And all the warriors were alert, constantly watching for trouble.
Which, thankfully, never came. How insane would someone be to attack a group of nine Amazons, after all?
* * * *
We collected the girls from school. The two girls were delighted to see their aunt and somewhat overwhelmed at the sight of eight more Amazons.
Lia provided greetings then said, "We will need more provisions for dinner and breakfast."
"You don't need to feed us," Malora said. "We can set up outside town as we have in the past."
"I won't hear of it. You have already overwhelmed Zora's defenses, and I am looking forward with great delight to her consternation when you invade the house. I believe you should also invite yourselves to spend the nights. It will do her good to face women who she cannot bully."
"I cannot understand why Arden married her," Tamma said. "She was a spoiled brat as a child, and she has only grown worse. He was actually a sweet boy until she got her hooks in them, father's influence or otherwise."
"He didn't stand a chance," Lia said. "She was ruthless, hungry for the power she expected to wield through the mayor's son. He was twelve when she began batting her eyelashes at him, and I didn't even notice or I would have done something about it. By the time I realized what was going on, she had him wrapped around her little finger."
I was surprised she would speak so openly in front of her daughters, but they didn't seem surprised by the co
nversation.
"We were discussing provisions," Maya said. "What do we need and where do we get it? If I may have a small escort, I can retrieve what we need."
"It is too late in the day for the market," Lia said. "We'll need to send someone out to one of the farms." She turned to her eldest daughter, Joelle. "You know where the Vardon farm is."
"Yes, Mama," the girl said. "But it is a long walk."
"You shall ride upon my horse with me," I said.
The girl looked at me, her eyes wide, then nodded.
Lia looked at Maya. "Four chickens, freshly butchered. Breakfast meats. And they will have potatoes and onions in storage. This is Grace's brother. He may offer to gift you what you request, I do not know."
"We will pay him," Maya said. "It sounds like he already tithes to us more than his share."
"If he offers a gift, you should accept," Lia said. "His wife's great-grandmother's sister was an Amazon, and they remember their duty, even if much of White Pine does not."
We returned to the house, the younger girl hiding underneath her mother's cloak for much of the walk, the elder daughter looking at us cautiously but saying little. Upon arriving, we emptied one of the packhorses of its load, and Malora said, "Badra, will you help serve as Maya's escort as well? The three of you should be fine."
I helped Joelle into place on my horse, climbing up behind her afterwards. She pointed the direction we were to go, and the four of us set off down the street.
"My name is Beria," I said. She'd been introduced once, but there had been a lot of names to remember. "You should call me Chief Beria."
"Yes, Chief Beria."
"You know Badra," I said, gesturing to her. "She is your aunt's warrior."
"We met once, I think," the girl said. "She taught me how to old a stick."
"We call them staffs," I explained. "And this is Maya. She is Queen Malora's companion and is very important to the Amazons."
We took turns talking to the girl, and she directed us now and then. We headed south from the village, passing several farms before the girl pointed to the right. "This one," she said. "This saddle is different from ours."
"We frequently ride double like this," I said. "And so our saddles are designed for it. I can remove the extra stirrups if I wish, but I have become so accustomed to riding like this. If we were the size of men, it would be a strain for the horses, but we are women. And girls, like you. We breed our horses to be somewhat small, but sturdy and well suited for our needs. They are perhaps not as fast as other horses, but they can walk or trot for a very long time while carrying two Amazons, and they do well during both summer and winter."
