Becoming a Warrior

by Moose Tyler

  She stood and whistled as Amaria approached. “Drop them anywhere,” she said.

  Amaria untied the knot and shook the berries off her back.

  Regina gave Amaria a scroll. “Wanje said you could have this to read while you wait.”

  Amaria took it and unrolled it. It was the one she had fetched from Plush Ravine the day before, the one she had failed to return. She looked at Regina.

  Regina smiled. She had a wide gap between her front teeth. Amaria looked at the scroll again. The light from the torch’s flame next to Regina was dim, and Amaria couldn’t see the details of the picture the way she had when she had looked at it in sunlight. The water and boat were identifiable, but the shadows interfered with the details on her mother’s face and the mountain cats at the bottom. She heard a horse and cart approach in the distance. She rolled up the parchment and handed it back to Regina.

  Regina took it. “Wanje also asked me to remind you that she will send someone to your house to collect your weapons in two days.”

  The horse pulled alongside, and Amaria adjusted the leather piece on her neck. The citizens hoisted a sack out of the cart and onto her back, secured the load with the rope, and stepped away. Amaria balanced herself. Orange-ringed berries were heavier before they had been squeezed, she determined. She stabilized before turning to Regina for further instruction.

  “She also said to remind you to use the southern path to take those to the healers.”

  Amaria rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Citizens dragged the sack of squeezed berries that she had dropped off into the cart as Amaria walked away. “Take it to the dung piles, Claudette,” she heard Regina say.

  Amaria hurried to the southern ledge of Mesha Cliff and started the slow and painful climb to the shore. She wasn’t as awkward as she had been the day before, but today she hadn’t also blazed a trail through the Brush and the Briar, scrambled up a tree, and chased Sakina half way to the Reserve. Once Amaria got past the trickier parts, she settled into a more graceful descent.

  When she reached the sand, her arms felt on fire. At least you’re getting a workout. She took a drink from the pouch and scanned the shoreline as she walked. A few of the fires were still smoking, and she saw citizens sprinkled up and down the beach, sleeping on the sand. Empty glasses and pieces of cloth were scattered about. She jogged past them as quietly as she could. A few stirred, but most were deep in slumber. Amaria looked at the sky. It had turned dark grey.

  “Great Mother!”

  She sped down the shoreline and got on the main path. She jogged by a few citizens in route to the common area.

  “Who is that?” she heard one ask.

  “What? Who’s who?” another said, rubbing her eyes.

  Amaria willed herself to move faster. She trudged north, zigging around the citizens along the way. When she reached the common area, the light from the torches around the entrance gave faces to what was once dark shadows along the trail. She looked at the small group entering the archway and loitering outside and saw Lethivia, Roslyn, and Hester leaning against the wall. What in Great Mother’s name are they doing at the common area? Is it Genesis, she wondered.

  Roslyn nudged Lethivia before walking towards the path. “Well, look at this,” she shouted. She neighed like a horse. “Hi-yah, Suckling!”

  Hester and Lethivia tossed in a few jeers.

  Lethivia laughed. “Ah, someone is in trouble.”

  “Make way, she could topple any heartbeat.” Hester shouted.

  Amaria tried to go faster, but the citizens who had stopped to gawk at the scene blocked the way. Roslyn continued slinging jeers as Amaria hurried along. She looked to the left and saw Zora leaning against a tree, smirking at the scene, with Taryn beside her.

  “Don’t stop now, Suckling,” Amaria heard Hester shout.

  “You’ll never make it up the hill,” Lethivia added.

  Amaria’s heart clanked wildly in her chest and her vision blurred, but she kept moving. She bumped into someone, knocking them to the ground.

  “Ouch,” said the victim.

  “Oh!” Hester said. “Suckling, one; citizen, zero.”

  Amaria heard the trio laugh as she rushed towards the Farmlands. Once clear of the common area, the traffic didn’t lighten. More citizens cluttered the way as they trickled south to morning dine. Amaria tried to think of alternative paths for the future, but there weren’t any, not for the size of load she was carrying.

  The bird’s crow signaled that first light was approaching. Like the snaps of twenty tree branches directly overhead, the sound was intense and jarring so close to the pens.

  “Great Mother!”

  Her curse startled some of the citizens, and they cursed.

  Amaria reached Gilda’s and jogged towards the field just as first light broke. She could see field hands working in the distance. The cart was where she had left it, but the horse had been taken away. Marlee was still sleeping inside. Amaria untied the knot, and the berries dropped on the ground. Marlee changed positions but didn’t wake. Amaria kicked the cart, and she sat up with a jolt.

  “I wasn’t sleeping,” she said, rubbing her eyes and taking in the scene. She looked at Amaria.

  “Make sure Gilda knows I was here by first light.”

  Marlee got out of the cart and whistled to the field. She picked the rope off the ground.

  Amaria waited two heartbeats in case Wanje had sent a message, but Marlee just yawned, so she turned and walked away.

  “Get the horse,” Marlee shouted.

  Amaria was tired, frustrated, embarrassed, mad, and hungry, but she would rather starve than go to morning dine at the common area. Since it was too early to buy food from businesses, she used the hidden paths and went home to eat alone.

  On Southern Bend, she saw Ophea jogging towards her. Ophea looked up and slowed down.

  “You headed to group dine?” asked Amaria, meeting her in the middle of the path.

  “For a heartbeat. Headed to the Beltline after that.”

  “I thought your lesson was at the Eastern Rim.”

  “It was, but when Jax and I got to the docks, Euphora said we’re going to the Beltline. Supposed to report for duty at Midway Check.”

  “Report for duty?”

  Ophea shrugged. “That’s what Euphora said.”

  Amaria couldn’t believe her ears. “Under who?”

  “She didn’t say. I think it’s only light detail work, but enough to keep us busy until after Day of Praise.”

  Amaria was stunned. She felt numb as she extended her arm to Ophea. “Well, congratulations, Sister. Peace and blessings all around.”

  “It’s kind of beastly. Where you headed?”

  Amaria wanted to say that she too had been assigned duty, but all she had on her schedule until after Day of Praise was being a work horse for the healers and her mother.

  “I’m waiting to hear from Wanje. She’s sending a bird. It’s probably there now. I should go check. Great Mother be with you.”

  Ophea jogged on. “You, as well,” she called out.

  As soon as Amaria was in her yard, she checked the messenger birds, but there was no news from either Wanje, Penelope, or her mother, so she went inside. It was hard to determine if Gypsus and Fi had been there and gone out, or if they had yet to arrive. Amaria kicked off her sandals and put them in the entryway. She untied the water pouch, tossed it on the table, ate what was left in the fruit bowl, and went to her room.

  Polly’s leather neck had done a decent job of keeping the poison that seeped from the berries from touching Amaria’s skin. Only a few parts of her back itched, but there were no welts on her shoulders that she could see. She put it on the table, rubbed soothing cream on her back, and went to the dining area to see what else she could scroung
e up. There was a plate with a boiled egg and two slices of bread on the preparation table with a piece of parchment next to it. Amaria ate the egg and read the note.

  If you’re hungry. – Love, Mother

  Amaria picked up the second parchment and ate a slice of bread.

  I apologize for my tardiness. Fi is not feeling well and needs herbs. I will be there soon to finish my chores. – Gypsus

  She put the parchment down and ate the other slice of bread on her way to the library. She opened the weapon cabinet and looked at all the prized possessions inside. Silver Wing dangled from its hook. The blade was a gift from the Sacred Peacock on Amaria’s fourth Genesis. It had a green stone handle, and no other sword, not even the gold-tipped blade, felt more comfortable in her hands. It was what she had learned how to use a blade with, and it would not be part of the giveaway pile. She slammed the cabinet door closed and cursed before storming out of the house and into the yard.

  She paced from the fire pit to the bathing pool a few times before fetching the cleaning pail. She scrubbed the stones thoroughly, and when she finished, it sparkled like new. She washed out the cloth, draped it on the line, and returned the bucket to the barn and grabbed the axe.

  She put all her energy into cutting the wood for the fire box. With each thwack, she cursed. This is what I’ve been training for all my life? She split another log and set a new one on the stump. I get special treatment? She swung hard, and the axe sliced through the log and sank into the stump. She jerked it out and set another in place. She swung harder. The axe split the log and drove into the stump. She yanked it out again and reset. She yelled as she swung. “Ahhhhh!”

  She chopped enough wood to fill the fire box four times. When she returned the axe to the barn, she was out of breath, and her arms felt like wilted greens. As she walked to the house, she heard the midday horns blow. Though she was starving, she had no interest in group dine, but until Gypsus did chores, there was no more food at her house, unless Amaria wanted to dig in the garden.

  She ran to her room and opened the metal box beside her bed. She scooted the camouflage cloth aside and grabbed two arrowheads and stowed them in her kilt. She returned the box to the table drawer, went to the entryway, put on her sandals, and left the house.

  She took as many hidden paths as she could to the artists’ camp. When she reached Ursula’s, she checked the tree first, but the door was latched shut so she went to the house and knocked.

  “Enter, if you dare,” Pandora groaned.

  Amaria went inside and saw Pandora sitting at the table.

  She looked at Amaria. Her eyes were puffy, and she had paint smeared across her cheek. “Amaria, it’s early.”

  “It’s after midday.”

  Pandora touched her forehead. “Not so loud.”

  Amaria didn’t think she had spoken loud. “Are you okay,” she whispered.

  “Never have been, Dear.” She stood up and plopped face-first onto the bed. “Oh,” she groaned. “I have no bird legs, but take the sweet rolls. The thought of food makes me retch.”

  Amaria took several rolls from the tray.

  Pandora pointed to a stand that had hats, bands, and hair pieces hanging from it. “Bring me my eye cover, will you? The yellow one.”

  Amaria grabbed the yellow band. Behind it was a light blue one. “The blue one is nice,” she said, handing Pandora the cloth.

  Pandora put it over head and covered her eyes before lying back down. “Take it.”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Take it. Nothing has value anymore.”

  “Nonsense. What if you need it for A One-Woman Affair?”

  “Don’t make me beg, Amaria. Not in my condition.”

  “I didn’t come to pillage your things, Pandora. I came to see Ursula, but her tree’s closed.”

  “She’s gone.”

  Amaria ate a roll. “Where to?”

  “No idea. She had a satchel three times her size when last I saw her. Said she was off to solitude.”

  Sometimes Ursula would take nothing but a water pouch, some figs, parchment, and burnt sticks and disappear for days. Once, she went missing for two full moons. When she returned, she had created several interesting pieces, including the two Amaria had hanging in her room.

  “Did she say when she was coming back?”

  “No, but if you see her, tell her I want my thread back.”

  “Your thread?”

  Pandora pointed to the shelf. “She took all of it.”

  Amaria looked at the spools propping up trinkets and scrolls. “You have thread, Pandora.”

  “Do you see black, brown, and green?”

  The ones on Pandora’s shelf were bright colors like yellow, red, and orange. “No, but there’s blue.”

  Pandora moaned. She cringed, touched her forehead, and wept. “Blue is not the color of the trees or the leaves.”

  “Don’t cry, Pandora. Are you sure Ursula took it?”

  Pandora sat up wildly, yanked the cloth off her eyes, and looked at Amaria. “Either her or some rogue thread bandit lurking in the night.” She jerked the band back in place and flopped down on the bed.

  “I’m sure she only borrowed it,” said Amaria. “She’s quite popular these days. Just yesterday Jax asked her for some leather. She’ll replace it once she’s collected on the debt, or give you a few arrowheads for what she used.”

  Amaria looked at Pandora. Her face was buried in the pillow. “Pandora?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Pandora?”

  Amaria waited for a few heartbeats. A deep snore shattered the silence. Pandora made a gurgling noise before the snoring resumed. Amaria looked at the shelves with the missing thread and ate another roll. She dug the arrowheads out of her kilt and put them on the table before taking the blue band and tying her braids back with it. She pulled a blanket over Pandora and left, closing the door gently behind her.

  As soon as she returned home, Amaria checked the bird pen, but there was no news. She walked around the house and saw Gypsus tending the garden. Amaria waved and walked over.

  Gypsus stood and dusted off her hands. She had a white cloth wrapped around her head. The padding for her knees was thick with dirt. She wiped her brow. “There’s a reason gardening is an early chore,” she said, taking a drink from a water pouch. “Was it you or your mother who cleaned the pool?”

  “Me.”

  “Thank you. That was kind.”

  Amaria nodded. “Fi’s not feeling well?”

  Gypsus shook her head. “Her feet. Walking is taking its toll.”

  “I’ll pray she heals soon.”

  “She’ll be back tomorrow I believe. Just needs a day of rest.”

  Amaria could attest to that. She had barely done anything all day, yet she felt exhausted. She needed food. She looked at the pail behind Gypsus. “What are you digging up?”

  “Kalla mostly. I’ve also snipped a few greens.”

  Amaria was so hungry she would eat Kalla raw, though it was more tolerable after having been seasoned and sizzled over the fire. What she wanted was meat, a bird leg, fish, snake, wolf stew, anything she could sink her teeth into.

  Gypsus tossed the cutting sheers into the pail. “I brought a plate back from group dine, if you’re hungry.”

  Amaria smiled her first smile of the day. Bless Gypsus, Great Mother. Bless her every day. “You don’t mind?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  “Need anything? A refill on your pouch?”

  Gypsus smiled. “No, it’s full.”

  Amaria turned and walked to the house.

  “Oh, before I forget, two birds came.”

  She whirled around. “They did?”

  “I put the parchment beside your mother’s chair. The plate is on the table.”

  Amaria
ran into the house. She went to the hearth and tore open the first message. It was from Penelope.

  I’ve been given two days leave to move Mother. Reporting to the northern ridge for duty after that. I don’t know what I’ll be doing, but it will be until after Day of Praise. Can’t wait to hear about your lessons. – P

  She ripped open the second note.

  It’s been confirmed. Telsa has had a vision. I’m staying with her for a while. Still no word on Sakina’s departure. Help Gypsus with the house. Don’t forget to do your chores, and have you made your donation yet? – Mother

  Amaria flung the parchment on the table. Though she wasn’t happy with the news in either note, she was glad her mother and Penelope had sent birds. At least they hadn’t left her waiting for moons like Wanje had. She went into the dining area, picked up the plate, and pulled back the covering. There was yellow fish and two meat strips. She munched on a strip and carried the meal into the library. She sat on the bench and devoured the fish.

  When she had eaten everything, she put the plate on the table and opened the weapon cabinet. She immediately ruled out several options. Silver Wing was out of the question, and sheaths, quivers, and the like weren’t technically weapons so they were off limits, too. She looked at her bows. Each one had their purpose. The long black one was ideal for distance. The yellow was for climbing, and the red was the sturdiest. The green one had a pretty design etched in the wood, and those were just the ones hanging on the first hook. Amaria slammed the cabinet door closed and cursed.

  Gypsus entered and took off the head cloth. Her bald head glistened with sweat. “Trouble with the cabinet?”

  Amaria nodded. “I have to thin it out, and it’s making me sick.”

  Gypsus looked confused. “Are you making room for Genesis?”

  Amaria shook her head.

  “Getting a jump for when you move to the warriors’ camp? If you need help arranging buyers, let me know.”