by Robin Roseau
"Why did you tell them?"
"It slipped out," Aura said. "I didn't mean to tell. I'd gone home to visit."
Both Aura and I would probably always consider Queen's Town as "home". When I dreamed about being home, it was almost always Queen's Town, and occasionally Gallen's Cove. I never dreamed about Lake Juna.
"Keep going," I said.
"I let it slip I had a secret. It wasn't intentional; it just sort of slipped. No one said anything, and I forgot all about it. It was hours later, and we all went wrestling. Bea challenged me."
"Which isn't surprising." Bea loved to wrestle.
"And Maya suggested wagers. She said anyone who won a match could ask the loser any question she wanted, and the loser had to answer. Everyone had to wrestle everyone else once, and we'd do the questions at the end. I won most of my matches, but I lost to Bea, Omie and Vorine."
"That's predictable."
"They all gave Maya their questions for me."
"Ah ha. And you didn't claim privilege when she started asking?"
"I did."
I was actually a little surprised Maya would press for someone else's secrets.
"But you caved under my sister's intense questioning?"
"No," she said. "I caved under Queen Malora's orders."
"It does not sound like my sister to force you to give up someone else's secrets. Didn't you claim it was confidential?"
"The first question your sister asked me was whose secret was I holding."
I laughed. Of course she would want to know after that.
"That sounded harmless enough. I told her the truth. I tried to clam up after that, but they marched me to Queen Malora. Malora listened, then sent them all away and asked me gently if this were a secret you wouldn't want Maya to know. And I knew you were hoping she'd catch you, so I had to say 'no'. So she called Maya back and made me answer the other two questions. Then she ordered me not to tell you."
I waited, considering. "Thank you for finally sharing the truth, Aura," I said. "I believe the weather has grown nice enough we can have a bonfire tonight. I will pass sentence at that time."
"Yes, Chief Beria."
After that, the companions retrieved our dinners. I was going to get my own, but Lia told me to sit, and then she came back with two plates and sat next to me. She waited a few minutes then whispered to me, "What are you going to do to her?"
"A lot less than I had thought I would," I said. "I thought someone had intentionally betrayed my game. I can't fault her for answering when Queen Malora ordered her to."
"What would you have done?"
"Something amusing to all of us and deeply embarrassing to her. Plus let her know privately I was deeply disappointed and ask her if she wanted to move back to Queen's Town."
"That doesn't seem so bad."
"She would have been mortified. Village chiefs don't recommend their warriors go somewhere else unless they have lost faith in them."
"She tattled on you for a prank, a prank in which you intended to get caught."
"I thought her loyalties were divided. She should have loyalties to her friends at Queen's Town. I certainly do. But her first loyalty needs to be to the village where she lives. Even if it were only a prank she was exposing. It's a good thing she told me that Malora asked if I wouldn't want Maya to know. Both of them would have let her talk her way out of telling if not for that question, so if they made her tell anyway, it was because she didn't try very hard."
"Did you really confront your sister?"
"No. I decided it was more fun to solve it this way. I had almost forgotten about it. Aura must have decided she was safe after all this time to have brought it up and pushed me so hard for all the details."
Lia shook her head. "All of you are so bored you are constantly pulling pranks?"
"It seems like that, I suppose. We work hard, and what we do is stressful. It's important to let off steam, so we find harmless ways to do so. I don't engage in pranks with anyone living here, so my friends at Queen's Town are my only targets."
"Why don't you play with the people here?"
"Because it wouldn't be fair. If I catch them, I'm obligated to punish them, and I do, although they don't play pranks on me very often. But the only way they can get back if I do something to them is to pull a prank on me. And then when I catch them, I punish them. That's a bad cycle. I actually miss the teasing and bantering. You saw how Maya and I are when we're together. And Nori, too. When I was younger, I never would have teased her, but now we're on a more equal footing. She was so intimidating when I met her, but I have nothing but respect for her, and I love her to pieces."
"You miss that."
"Yeah. I visit as often as I can, but it's not the same as living there. I didn't want this job here. I would have stayed in Queen's Town my entire life if I could. But Malora asked me to take it, and I'd do anything she asked. Anything Nori or Maya asked, too. At least it's not as far as it could be, and I find some excuse or another to stop down often."
Lia smiled, but her eyes were shifting around when she did it.
"What would you do if one of my girls did something naughty?"
"It depends on how naughty and whether there was a habit. You and I would discuss it privately. That answer will change when they turn twelve. Twelve is the youngest we take girls as companions, and at that point, I will treat them like any other companion living here."
"So for now, you would leave me to handle it?"
"If it were an isolated incident, yes. If it becomes more often than isolated, or if it were something particularly dangerous, I'm not sure I'd leave it to you. If I felt you were condoning whatever they were doing, you might share their punishment."
She shook her head. "This concept of adults being punished puzzles me."
"We live too closely together to allow for discord, and we need to be able to trust each other. Young companions get into a lot of trouble, which tapers off when they realize the consequences can be significant. I haven't had any real discipline problems, so the most egregious I've had to deal with were a few companions slacking off on their duties. And, of course, pranks, but those are rare. I don't get involved if it's pranks between each other unless it starts to sow discord. I've stepped in a few times when a prank between warriors resulted in more work for the companions."
"What did you do?"
"Made the warriors involved take all the companions' duties for two weeks."
"Fitting. Chief Beria, I believe I need to know a little more about the rules of the village."
"I'm sure you know them."
"Well, I think I need to know what happens if you find yourself, oh, I don't know, perhaps discovering evidence of a prank. Perhaps you think you have a pretty good idea who did it, but you aren't sure."
I laughed. "Am I likely to find myself in that situation?"
"I couldn't say," she replied.
"Okay, so hypothetically speaking," I said. "Perhaps there is a surprise waiting in my bed tonight."
"An excellent example," she said.
"You and your daughters are the most likely culprits, but I wouldn't rule out anyone else living here. Some are more likely to be involved than others. It is unlikely to have been a companion unless her warrior is also involved."
"I am, more or less, a companion," she said.
"Ah, an unaligned companion. Special case."
"All right," she agreed.
"If I catch a companion, I punish both her and her warrior."
"Oh. I see."
"And then the warrior punishes the companion a second time."
She laughed. "I suppose she would."
"I cannot accuse you of this present in my bed," I said. "I only have suspicions. If it is a harmless present that caused no damage, then I will be alert for evidence, and I may leave the present on your doorstep to let you know I believe you left it there."
"I see."
"At times, when confronted with my suspicions, the person confron
ted may choose to deny involvement."
"I suppose she might."
"She had damned well better not be lying when she does it."
Lia grew silent, then nodded.
"Now, if the present were dangerous or caused damage, that is harder to let go. In that case, I would be more direct in my questions. And then the person involved should think long and hard whether the loss of trust is worth avoiding whatever punishment I might mete out."
"I don't believe anyone here would be malicious."
"Sometimes judgment can be clouded. Now, you realize that if there are any pranks waiting for me in my hut, you and your daughters are going to be my first suspects. I may not bother gathering evidence before deciding in my heart whom to blame."
She grinned at me.
"You may want to consider whether there is anything you wish to confess. Before I find out on my own."
"I have nothing I wish to confess, Chief Beria," she said.
"Also, please never lie to me. I won't lie to you unless it's required for my position. I might not volunteer the truth, and I may phrase my words very, very carefully, but I will not lie."
She nodded. "And neither will I."
"Good." I looked down at my plate, now empty. "This was very good. Thank you."
"Did you care for more?"
"No, but we'll want warmed cider for the bonfire tonight."
"Ah, of course. I have little treats that have proven popular as well. They're small, because I don't know when to expect more sugar."
"Probably not until after the worst of the spring mud dries," I said. "If you are going to change the usage habits of our village, you should warn Maya so she can anticipate."
"Do I just hop on a horse and go see her?"
"You tell me you need to see her, and we make arrangements. A year from now, that might mean you tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back, then hop on a horse and go see her. For now, it means you'd be giving me an excuse to go visit. We might have to stay the night and leave early in the morning."
Lia smiled. "I shall endeavor to give you opportunities to visit your sister."
"Maybe wait a few days," I said.
I looked around for a moment. I saw Joelle was sitting between Glorana and Frida. Annalise was at the end next to Lindara, Aura's companion.
"The village has adopted them," Lia explained. "Everyone has been exceedingly kind. The companions have been teaching me their duties, but they've also been teaching Joelle and Annalise."
"Glorana said they've been getting riding lessons. And you, have you also been getting riding lessons?"
"Not yet," she said. "Are you offering?"
"Perhaps I am." I paused. "None of you are in Amazon clothing."
"No one has said anything about that."
"Your village clothing is not the best for our forest, but typically a girl's first outfit comes from her warrior."
"Perhaps if I had materials and a pattern of some sort to follow, I could make us clothes."
"After the first, yes," I said. "I believe we'll discuss it around the bonfire, perhaps while we are preparing Aura's punishment."
"So you've decided?"
"Of course. I've had months to think about it."
"Is it going to be horrible?"
"It will perhaps be amusing. I'm glad she confessed, and I'm glad for the details."
* * * *
I lit the bonfire and allowed everyone to cluster together for the warmth for a few minutes, then we took chairs, everyone sitting closely enough to remain warm. I started with announcements, telling about how the trip had gone and giving them an idea of what to expect from me moving forward.
I then thanked everyone for making Lia and her daughters feel at home. "I know this is an unusual situation, and it occurred to me over dinner we are presented with a small problem to solve. We have three companions with no warrior and no induction ceremony. Which means they are still wearing these clothes," and I gestured. "I have ideas, but I would like to see if anyone else wishes to propose something."
Lia immediately offered to make what is needed but expressed unfamiliarity with the style and a lack of materials.
"She sounds like Maya," Aura said.
"So she does," I agreed.
"They are companions of the village," Glorana said, "and thus they are the responsibility of the village as well."
"Quite so," I agreed. "Is that the makings of a proposal?"
"Normally a companion's first outfit is provided by her warrior," Frida pointed out. "Sometimes it is assembled hastily with quite a bit of help from the warrior's village. As Lia, Joelle and Annalise are companions of the village, then the village together should assemble their outfits."
"If the warriors of Lake Juna would volunteer materials," Yalta said, "the companions will assemble the first outfits. In the future, at least until they have been taken into the home of a particular warrior, all the warriors could, from time to time, donate a skin or two. If every warrior in Lake Juna provided one deer hide a year, that would be more than ample."
"Very good," I said. "Is this acceptable to everyone?" It was. Yalta volunteered to coordinate and said she'd be visiting each of the warriors for their initial donations.
"Thank you, everyone," Lia said. "You have all been too kind."
"Well then. I believe we now must turn to a more serious issue. Aura, front and center."
Aura climbed to her feet and moved to stand before me.
"Lindara, tell me the truth. Did you know of Aura's offense?"
"Beria," Aura said very quietly, "it wasn't her fault." But I looked past Aura to see her companion with a very guilty expression.
"Answer me," I told her.
"Yes."
"All of it?"
"Yes."
"Get up here," I told her. She stood up and moved to stand next to Aura.
"Tell me the truth. Anyone else?" I asked.
"No one else," Aura said. "On my word."
I looked past her. "Anyone?"
They shook their heads.
"All right." I paced back and forth. Like most companions, Lin wore her hair long, and I knew Aura preferred it that way. Aura had long changed to wearing her hair short, as many warriors did, but Lin's was nearly as long as mine. Finally I came to a stop before them. "Aura, you made a slip of the tongue when you confessed to knowing a secret, and that led to the rest of your offense."
"Yes, Chief Beria. I am sorry."
"After that, I find you blameless in confessing the details to my sister."
The look that flashed across her face was evident.
"And so there would need to be only a very, very minor punishment for the initial slip."
"Thank you, Chief Beria," she said.
"However, you then told my sister where to find my snares. And you kept all this information from me for a very long time."
"I was under orders from Queen Malora!" she protested.
"Did she order you to never tell me? Is she now going to be upset that you finally did?"
She sighed. "She told me not to volunteer the information, but if you asked directly, I wasn't to lie or deceive. She didn't mention a time limit."
"Was this before or after Maya approached you about my snares?"
"Before, but I felt Queen Malora's orders covered that as well."
"All right," I said. "And tell me, did Queen Malora order you to tell Maya how to find my snares?"
"No," she said quietly.
"Well then, there is a slip of a tongue, and then this last offense of revealing the location of my snares to the enemy!" I made it sound very dramatic and received a few snickers.
"Yes, Chief Beria," she admitted. "I will point out my companion shared no secrets and should be considered as under the same orders of secrecy that I was." She lowered her voice. "Please don't punish her, Beria."
"When I came back with the words 'rabbit thief' written across my face, I demanded to know how it was done. And Maya told
me." I grinned. "Lin, warming on the edge of the stove in the kitchen is a small jar. Bring it here. Be careful not to burn your hands. And from the storerooms, bring a small paint brush."
The girl turned and ran.
"I'm sorry, Beria," Aura whispered.
"I know you are," I whispered back. "You know this won't be bad."
She nodded.
A moment or two later, Lin returned.
"I would not wish to burn Aura," I said. "Was the pot bubbling?"
"No," Lin said. "It is a little uncomfortably warm. I could pick it up, but I didn't want to hold it." She was using a rag as insulation for her fingers.
I took the paintbrush from her then dipped it into the dye. It was black. I pulled the brush out, held it in the air to cool for a moment, then dabbed a little on the back of my hand. It was warm, but didn't burn.
"Tip your head back, Aura," I ordered.
It took me a few minutes, but when I was done, I turned her to face the rest of the Amazons, who immediately began laughing.
"What does it say?" she asked.
"Lin?"
"On this side," Lin said, pointing, "it says 'blabber'. And on the other 'mouth'."
"You may let it sit for a few minutes then go wash your face. Lin, you will refresh this every day for a month, excepting when on patrol. I will allow it to fade after that."
"Yes, Chief Beria," she said.
"Lin, you may also add your own design elsewhere on her face or any portion of her skin you desire, but you may not disguise the words I have written. Aura, you will cooperate and also take no retribution if she chooses to do so."
"Yes, Chief Beria," Aura said.
"Lin," I added. "Be careful. You have to heat it, but you don't want to burn her."
"Yes, Chief Beria," Lin said.
"You two go sit down."
Amidst chuckles from the Amazons, the two of them sat down. I heard Aura talking quietly to Lin and Lin grinning. I wondered whether she would take up my offer to paint her warrior.
"All right. Who has a story to tell?"
* * * *
"Ah," I said. "I was hoping to see you again this evening." Lia was at my door. I invited her in. "I wanted to talk to you."
"I came to soothe you before bed," she said.
"Are you bribing your village chief?"
