by Moose Tyler
When Ophea and Jax had repeated all that they had heard, they bid Amaria and Penelope goodnight and headed north to their homes.
“I must check on Mother,” said Penelope. “I need to tell her the healers may want to move her soon.”
“I’ll pray you both have a restful night.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell her you said so. I’ll send a bird tomorrow,” Penelope said as she ran across the sand. “Great Mother be with you.” She hurried up the rocks and disappeared into the trees that lined Southern Bend.
Amaria headed down shore. She saw a few of the younger warriors lingering around their fire. Berry wrestled with another, and Tush sat on a log watching.
Berry stopped fighting when Amaria walked by. “What is the news, Sister?”
Amaria kept walking.
“Your boat did arrive yesterday,” she heard Tush say.
Amaria scanned the shoreline for her mother. The commotion around the warriors’ fire had gotten so thick that Amaria had lost sight of her at some point between Sakina volunteering and the celebration afterwards. She hoped she would be at home to discuss all that had happened.
The fires closer to the southern tip were still ablaze when she passed.
“There is no more space in the dorms,” a woman said. “Not even enough for one. The east is full.”
“So is the north,” another said. “We’ll have to double up families.”
“We’re already doubled up.”
Amaria picked up the pace. Housing for new arrivals was a puzzle she had no interest in solving. When she reached the main path, the traffic was flowing towards the citizen dorms and other places in the north and east. She ran the short distance to the curve in Southern Bend and was in her yard in a few heartbeats. The torches out front were dark. She ran to check the bird pen. She rounded the house and saw her two messenger birds sleeping side-by-side on the post. She cursed but checked their legs for parchment just to be sure before entering the house through the library, disappointed.
A few wicks burned in the front rooms, but there were no other signs of her mother. Amaria went to her room and put Little Blade on her table before taking off her sandals and putting them in line under the cabinet. She moseyed into the dining area and ate some fruit before returning to her room. She lit a wick and sat on her bed but decided to pace instead. She went to the dining area twice for food. The quiet of the house felt unsettling after an evening of nearly constant chatter. She took a band from the table beside her bed, tied back her braids, and sat on the ground to exercise.
First, she worked out her abs. Her heart pounded inside her chest. “Five hundred,” she said before rolling over on her stomach and working out her arms. “Five hundred,” she grunted on the last push-up.
She stood and started to do legs but heard someone enter the house, so she stopped and left her room to investigate.
She saw her mother in the dining area. “I need some tea,” she said, picking up the kettle and leaving through the back door.
Sakina sat by the hearth.
Amaria entered and sat across from her. “Good evening, Sister.”
“Good evening. Did you enjoy your first council meeting?”
“I don’t know why you say they’re boring.”
Sakina smiled her fake smile.
“You looked fierce in your armor,” said Amaria. “Everyone said so.”
Sakina’s fake smile widened.
Amaria stood up. “I’m trying to be nice, Sakina. I should kick your teeth out for what you did today.”
Sakina’s smile disappeared. “I’m sorry.”
“You sound sorry.”
“Sit down.”
Amaria remained standing.
“Fine. Stand. I am truly sorry, Sister. We had to. Lethivia, Roslyn, me. Helen did it for fun, but I didn’t have a choice. They do it to everyone. We all get put to the fire.”
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
“What was I supposed to say?”
Amaria sat down. “How about, don’t try to fight me because it’s a trick?”
“Yeah, and I get it ten-fold. They already think we get special treatment.”
“We don’t.”
“Well, I certainly don’t.”
“I don’t either. I have to deliver berries to the healers for seven moons and give away half of my weapons because of you.”
“Ooh, can I have your yellow bow?”
“I’m going to kick your teeth out, Sakina. Great Mother as my witness.”
She put up her hands. “I know we don’t get special treatment, but tell that to them. They want to knock all those crowns off your head, believe me. It was going to be Helen. She was quite eager to leave marks on you.”
Helen was a good fighter, but Amaria wasn’t scared of her. After she took the shield, she would be allowed to compete in the warrior division at the Games. She looked forward to possibly battling her. She had studied her moves. Helen’s weakness was her inability to control her aggressive strikes. It left her vulnerable to getting knocked off balance, which was how Olivia beat her every cycle.
“I volunteered to save you a beating,” said Sakina.
“Who’s to say I wouldn’t have been the one giving the beating?”
Sakina looked at Amaria. “I wasn’t even trying, and I gave you a beating. That surprised me, by the way.”
Sakina wasn’t a particularly strong fighter. She was scrappy and fast more than anything. Amaria tried to think of the reason she had performed so poorly in their battle. “The camouflage was distracting,” she said.
Sakina nodded. “Just issued. You know I could care less about uniforms, but the makers outdid themselves with the design.”
Amaria smiled. She knew the cloth was military-grade. Her smile disappeared. Ursula was sure to get the cane, if she was found out.
“Most are still waiting for theirs,” said Sakina. “A lot goes in to weaving the cloth, apparently.”
“So, why’d you get one so soon?”
“Great Mother’s will, I suppose.”
“Great Mother’s will?”
Sakina flashed a fake smile.
Amaria crossed her arms and looked at her for several heartbeats.
Sakina rolled her eyes before confessing. “Climbers got them first. You should see it in the trees, or not see it.” She laughed at her joke.
Amaria didn’t laugh. “Who’s making the cloth?”
“What’s with the interrogation?”
Amaria heard the door in the dining area open and close. In a heartbeat, their mother was in the room, dropping a bulk of wood next to the hearth. “The fire box is empty,” she said, “had to chop this myself. Almost forgot I was making tea.” She set the kettle on the table.
“Sorry, Mother,” said Amaria.
Mother sat in her chair. “I’m glad you’re both here. We might not have the chance to be together again before Sakina leaves.”
“They suspect after the half moon,” said Sakina.
“That doesn’t give us long. Would either of you like tea?”
Amaria declined, but Sakina accepted.
“Get the cups, Amaria.”
“But, I don’t even want tea,” she huffed.
“I’m too tired from chopping the wood to do it myself.”
Amaria went to the dining area. She grabbed two cups and hurried back to the conversation. She handed one to her mother.
“Thank you,” Mother said.
She tossed the other at Sakina. Her reaction was slow, and it whacked against her chest and fell into her lap. Amaria smiled.
“Amaria,” she heard Mother say.
“Sorry,” said Amaria. “Quick hands, Sakina.”
Sakina smirked, as Amaria sat down.
“Oh, and the herbs,” Mother sa
id.
Sakina’s smirk transformed into a genuine grin. Amaria rushed to the dining area and returned. She sat the box of herbs on the table next to the hearth and started to sit.
Mother cleared hear throat. “Start the fire.”
Sakina’s grin widened more as Amaria picked up the wood and stacked it in a pyramid.
Mother leaned back. “I spoke with Wanje after the meeting.”
Amaria stopped and listened.
“It’s likely Telsa has had her first vision.”
“When will the prophecy be announced?” asked Sakina.
“We don’t know if it is a prophecy.”
“How can they tell?” asked Amaria.
“I don’t know, but I do know that fire won’t light itself.”
Amaria shoved some brush under the pyramid and used the clicking rocks to ignite the blaze. She made a few alterations before hooking the kettle on the rod. “Anything else?”
“Not right now.”
Amaria returned to her chair.
“If Telsa has had her first vision,” said Sakina, “surely it will be announced before the half moon. How long does it take to confirm?”
“Wanje said she would explain tomorrow. I’m meeting her and Telsa at the sacred pools after morning dine. Hopefully I’ll learn more about when you’re to set sail, as well.”
“Did Wanje say anything about my next lesson?” asked Amaria.
“No, but the water is ready. Sakina, red or green?”
Sakina smiled. “I think I’ll have both. Thank you, Mother.”
She tossed a few pinches from the herb box into hers and Sakina’s cups. Amaria used the cloth to pull the kettle from the fire. She poured for Mother first before turning to Sakina. Sakina extended her cup. Amaria looked at her for a few heartbeats. For as long as she could remember, Sakina had cursed becoming a warrior and had moaned and groaned about the duties. Now, she was making camouflage jokes and volunteering for an unprecedented mission that more-decorated soldiers were too leery of. Something was off. Amaria tipped forcefully, and the water spilled out. Some hit the cup, but most splashed onto Sakina’s knee.
She gritted her teeth. “Thank you, Sister.”
Amaria smiled. “You’re welcome.” She turned and walked to the fire.
Sakina shifted her feet and tripped her. Amaria stumbled forward and crashed into the chair.
“Sakina,” snapped Mother.
“Sorry.” Sakina blew across the top of the cup and took a drink.
Amaria stood up and glared at her before returning the kettle to the rod and sitting down.
“I pray you two will learn to get along one day.”
“I’ve been trying to be nice,” Amaria protested.
Sakina snorted a laugh. “Oh yes, a lap of scalding water is real nice.”
Amaria smiled. “It was only a drop.”
“Great Mother! Enough, both of you!”
Amaria stopped smiling. Mother rarely cursed. “Sorry,” Amaria said softly.
Sakina took a drink of tea.
“I will relay the news to each of you as soon as I can.” Mother took a drink of tea and made a face. “This is bitter.” She stood up, took the cup to the dining area, and returned. “I’m going to bed.” She kissed Sakina’s cheek. “I’ll pray for you, my dearest.” She turned to Amaria. “You should go to sleep, too. You have an early delivery to make and still need to tend to the hearth.”
She left the room, and Amaria sank in the chair. For a heartbeat, she had forgotten about her punishment, and now she had to smother a fire she didn’t even want to make. She looked at Sakina.
Sakina downed the rest of her tea. “I’ve got a big day, as well.” She stood and put the cup on the table. “Take care of this for me, will you?”
Amaria forced a smile and stood up. “This heartbeat, Sister.”
Sakina walked to the entryway and out the door.
Amaria followed. “Sister?”
Sakina turned around. “Yes?”
“Why did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Volunteer. I know you got a taste for the leather today, but it’s a bit ambitious, isn’t it?”
Sakina looked offended. “I thought you’d be more approving.”
“I’m proud of you. Truly, but you haven’t always been the most—,” Amaria tried to think of a soft word, “—interested warrior.”
Sakina tilted her head. “Interested?”
“In training and council meetings. You don’t even like Genesis, at least not the Games.”
“You’ve pierced my heart, Amaria. I have no other purpose but to serve the queen and others. Why should I not jump at the chance for advancement, if I can prove myself valuable on this mission?”
“So, you’re seeking advancement? What position are you hoping for?”
“A better one.”
“Since when?”
“A few moons now. Did you not notice when we battled?”
Sakina had fought well. She usually wasn’t so aggressive. Amaria shrugged. “I guess I hadn’t.”
Sakina faked a smile and walked away.
“I pray the Great Mother blesses your advancement, Sister.”
Sakina stopped and turned around. “Me, too.” She shrugged. “Or not. Either way, I’ll finally get to see the dark waters beyond the Western Rim.” She faked another smile and ran out of the yard.
Amaria didn’t sleep much that night. She felt anxious, but not Genesis Eve anxious. This was more like how she felt when she hadn’t studied for an important scroll exam. When she woke, she dressed in the dark and tied the leather that Polly had given her around her neck. She strapped Little Blade to her calf and left her room.
She ate morning dine at the table with her mother in silence. After she had cleared her plate, she went outside, filled a water pouch, and returned.
“I’ll be away most of the day,” Mother said. “What are your plans for after you’ve delivered the berries?”
Amaria tied the water pouch to her kilt, ate a piece of fruit, and shrugged.
“The fire box needs to be stocked.”
“I’ll tend to it the heartbeat I’m done. Are you really seeing Telsa today?”
“Yes.”
“Send her my love.”
“I will, and I’ll send a bird once I have news.”
Now, Amaria had three birds to wait for. She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Will you be at group dine later?”
“Doubtful. The farmers and game tenders called for a camp council. I plan on attending after I’ve finished with Telsa.” She took a drink of tea. “After the fire box, Gypsus needs help with the bathing pool. You left quite the dirt ring.”
“You said don’t be pungent.”
“And I appreciate the effort. Still, you should have cleaned the mess last night so Gypsus didn’t struggle with it today.”
Amaria walked to the door. “Anything else?”
Her mother scanned the house. “I think that’s all.” She looked at Amaria. “Use the extra heartbeats to choose the weapons you’ll donate. That should take the rest of the day, don’t you think?”
Amaria cursed in her head as she opened the door.
“Great Mother be with you,” Mother said. “Send Gilda my best.”
Amaria walked out of the house and slammed the door behind her. The sky was black, and the torches lining the front had been lit. She ran across the yard, turned onto Southern Bend, and headed north. Traffic was sparse this early, so she sprinted around the curve and burst onto the main path. She navigated the common area without seeing a single citizen. Soon, she was racing through the Farmlands and had arrived at the healers’ camp in record heartbeats.
Torches were burning at Gilda’s, and a few citizens lingered outside the house. Amaria
didn’t see Bridget or Polly, but Marlee sat under the tree eating fruit and rubbing her eyes. She looked up when Amaria approached. “Gilda,” she yelled, “she’s here!”
In a few heartbeats, Gilda came out. She looked at Amaria before turning to Marlee. “Well, go get the berries.”
Marlee stood and shoved the fruit in her mouth. Bits flew out as she spoke. “Who should I take?”
“I don’t care. Get someone.”
Marlee skulked off, and Gilda looked at Amaria. “I hate to be rude, but it was a long night.”
Gilda wore the same clothes she had on at the council meeting, and her hair was matted. “I need sleep, but Marlee will be here when you return.” She hobbled to the house and went inside.
Amaria looked at the fields and saw two figures leading a horse and cart closer. When the figures approached, she didn’t recognize either citizen.
“Halt,” she heard Marlee shout.
The girls stopped the horse. Amaria walked around the cart and looked inside. Marlee had propped herself up against the sack of berries. She smiled at Amaria before barking orders at the others. “Unload it. Let’s go. Let’s go.”
The girls rushed past, and Marlee moved out of the way as they lugged the sack from the cart. She uncoiled the rope Amaria had used the day before and motioned for her to turn around. Amaria turned.
Marlee shouted at the girls. “Well, come on then!”
They heaved the berries onto Amaria’s back and made a few adjustments before latching the load in place. Amaria balanced under the weight. The heartbeat she was steady, she darted off for Mesha Cliff.
“I’ll be in the cart,” she heard Marlee say. “Wake me when she returns.”
Amaria spat. She should be getting ready for a lesson, but instead she was playing work horse to the healers. She ran as fast as she could. There were only a few citizens near the bathing pools. Amaria jogged to the backside of the Mesha Cliff. She grabbed the rope closest to her and repelled up the wall. At the top, she traversed left and saw a single torch burning in the distance. She hustled across the clearing. When she got closer, she saw Regina crouched on the ground. She was an island-born harvester as old as Amaria’s mother. She was short and round and had a single braid to the middle of her back.
