Becoming a Warrior

by Moose Tyler

  Amaria shook her head. Another lesson postponed. Happy Genesis.

  “She also said the queen summoned you. You look dreadful. Is that what you wore?”

  Amaria looked at her kilt. Splatters of vomit soiled the cloth. She looked at her mother and spewed the details of her visit with the queen. She described the tea and wolves before sputtering through a few highlights of the Four Crowns game, dramatizing the grand reveal of Telsa’s prophecy, and finishing with the tale of her vomiting on the queen’s game board and well-polished table.

  Her mother sat still for a few heartbeats.

  “Did you hear what I said? Someone in our family will take the throne, and I vomited on her grace’s table.”

  “I heard.” Her mother pursed her lips before relaxing. “First, spewing up the queen’s tea is not your fault. It’s potent. She should not have given it to you.” She freshened her cup and handed it to Amaria. “This will help. Don’t gulp. Sip.”

  Amaria did as she was told. Her hand shook, and the cup was hard to steady. She cradled it with both hands and blew away the steam.

  “Second, it is unclear of the exact details of Telsa’s vision. She spoke of our family during the recounting, but Wanje is unclear if we are part of the prophecy, or if she is just struggling with the isolation from her family.”

  Amaria sipped. She felt the shakes in her stomach ease.

  “I worry for her,” Mother said. “She’s looks thin to me.”

  “She has a burn mark on her arm.”

  She nodded and exhaled slowly. “She showed me this afternoon.”

  Amaria rested the cup in her lap. “Are you okay?”

  Her mother looked surprised by the question. “Yes, my heart. I worry for all my daughters. You, Sakina, Telsa,” she looked at the hearth, “you have all been ripped from my arms more times than I care to count.” She looked at Amaria. “Telsa was just a baby, about six full moons, when they first took her from me. You were too young to remember.”

  “Where’d they take her?”

  “The sages’ temple. It was only for seven days, but for seven days I feared for her safety, just as I did for you and Sakina, just as I do for all of us now.”

  “What if we are part of the prophecy, Mother? The queen wasn’t pleased.”

  “We’ve already been named in the scrolls. All four sages predicted our arrival.” Her mother stood. “You need something to eat.” She went to the dining area and brought back a plate of venison.

  Amaria moved the cup to the hearth and took the plate. “Oh, Mother!” She put it in her lap and nibbled on the meat.

  Her mother filled a cup of tea for herself before sitting down. “The queen’s been watching our family closely since we arrived, but I have no idea why she would discuss a prophecy that’s yet to be recounted with you, a warrior who hasn’t even taken her shield.”

  Amaria stopped smacking on the venison. Her mother had a good point.

  “I’m not sure who else I can trust, but I know I trust Wanje.”

  Amaria licked her fingers and belched.

  “Manners.”

  “Excuse me.” She picked up another piece of venison and thought about the scroll from Wanje. “She gave me a picture she drew from a dream she had about us. It’s in my room, if you want to see. Your portrait is exact. I can’t believe she drew it before she saw you, us.”

  “I’ve seen the scroll. It was on her wall the first time I was called to her chamber.” She took a drink of tea. “The point is, Wanje is watching over and protecting you like you were her own daughter.”

  Amaria shrugged. “I haven’t seen her in moons. She hasn’t sent word. I was glad to see Telsa today, but I’ve only had two lessons in Quest Training, Mother. I feel so unprepared. I’ve practiced for the Games, but I’m not focused or motivated.”

  “And taking on a pet is helping?”

  “Wanje told me—”

  “—Told you to, yes, you’ve said.” Her mother set the teacup down. “I will allow this pet, but you need to trust Wanje as I do. She has done more for our family than you realize. She’s been protecting us since before we even stepped foot on Themiscian sand.”

  “I know.” Amaria looked at the plate in her lap. The meat was gone. She looked at her mother.

  “No, you don’t. You have no idea what she has done. I had nothing but the clothes on my back when Hera banished me. I walked for thirty-two moons before reaching the boat. I nearly died at sea.”

  Amaria didn’t blink. “How?”

  “Dehydration, starvation, desperation, guilt.”

  “Guilt?”

  Her mother nodded. “I had to eat more of what little food there was because I was with child.” She wiped away a tear. “I would have gladly gone without to give you and Sakina more. I think that’s why Sakina feels like she has never gotten her full share.”

  Amaria set the plate down. “So, how did you survive?”

  “Wanje sent the rain and the birds with figs and berries. She said she did it for everyone, but no one on board was as close to death as I was.”

  Amaria had never heard that story before. She was glad Wanje had protected her family. She didn’t remember the boat, but it pained her heart to think of her mother so close to death.

  “Right now, Wanje is focused on Telsa. She tells me she’s quite homesick, which is why she sent her to your lesson today. She needs to be with family. It did her spirits good to see you, and she also promised that Timber won’t be a problem.”

  “She won’t be.”

  “You and your sisters have a greater burden than I can imagine to protect the Great Mother and all Her creations, but I trust you will take the responsibility for this animal just as serious.”

  Amaria nodded and smiled.

  “She is not to come in this house under any circumstances,” Mother warned. “Do you hear me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You will feed and water her, not Gypsus.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “We’ll discuss later what’s to be done when you move to the warriors’ camp. Wanje might have some suggestions.” Her mother stood up. “I must sleep. I’m exhausted, but the Great Mother was generous. We’ve got a good start on the rations, and it’s going to be a bountiful Genesis. I can’t believe it’s only five moons away.”

  Amaria couldn’t believe it either. Where have the heartbeats gone?

  Her mother walked to her bedroom. “Tend to the hearth before going to bed, and I will see you in the morning.”

  “Can I do that later? I was going to go see Ursula. She’s been gone longer than you. I haven’t read the parchment, but if she’s sent a bird—”

  “—The one your pet killed?”

  Amaria scratched her neck. “I’ll get her and P birds for Genesis.”

  “That would be nice, and no, you can’t go. It’s late. Wanje says you’ve served your punishment, so I need help tomorrow.”

  “Doing what?”

  “To start, you’re getting in that barn and getting out the Genesis decorations. I’m not stepping foot in there with that cat. I’ve advised Gypsus to do the same. Plus, I haven’t seen you in moons. I’ve got a few other chores, but after that, you can visit your friends.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Her mother returned to hearth and pulled Amaria to her feet and hugged her. “I love you, my heart.”

  Amaria squeezed tight. “I love you, too, Mother. I’m glad you’re back safe.”

  Her mother let go and walked to her room. “Rest well, and I’ll see you in the morning. There will be more treats than just venison tomorrow.”

  Amaria smiled. “Divine dreams, Mother.”

  Her mother pulled the curtain closed, and Amaria went to the bowl by the hearth. One of the parchments was whole, but the other was half-chewed. She read the
whole one first.

  I’m sure you’ve been too busy to notice, but I’m back from solitude. I shall be at my tree until the showing. If you have a few heartbeats, I got you a Genesis gift. – Urs

  Amaria crumpled the parchment. “Oh, I’ve noticed,” she muttered. She unrolled the half-chewed one. The top part was missing, but the bottom was intact.

  —on leave until Genesis, so come visit me there, if you’re not too busy with lessons or duty. – P

  From what she could determine, Penelope had been sent on leave, but only she, the Great Mother, and Timber knew when that note had been sent. Amaria cursed. Bad cat.

  When she woke the next day, Amaria felt better physically. Her head didn’t throb, and the venison from the night before had done wonders on her stomach. She entered the main room and smelled meat. Her mother sat at the table reading Tribe Talk.

  Amaria walked over and sat down. “It smells delicious.” She looked at the spread before her. “Is that—”

  “Bear? Yes.”

  Amaria almost wept at the sight. Bear steak was her favorite.

  “I told you the hunt was successful.” She put Tribe Talk down and picked up her tea. “The Great Mother was generous.” She handed Amaria a carving knife and fork.

  Amaria took the utensils and sawed off a hunk of steak. The juices exploded on her tongue and she groaned. “Oh, this is good, and it’s not even Genesis.”

  “Don’t speak with a full mouth, Amaria.”

  “Sorry.” Amaria choked down the meat.

  “There’s a few scraps for Timber.”

  She looked at her mother, surprised.

  “Don’t get used to it,” Mother said. “It’s just a bit of fat and grizzle. You’ll still need to feed her. Gypsus said you have a standing order of meat sticks and have been giving it fish.”

  Amaria nodded, cramming more meat in her mouth.

  “After you help me with the decorations, you can go fishing before seeing your friends. I’ve got a few errands to run myself.”

  Amaria nodded. She had no intentions of fishing before seeing Ursula and Penelope. Timber would have to get by on meat sticks and bear fat until later. She set aside a few pieces of steak to add to the pail before finishing the rest. Next, she polished off three eggs, a heap of seasoned greens, two scoops of fruit, a pinch of venison, and a roll. With her belly full, she went to haul the decorations out of the barn.

  She dumped the scraps in Timber’s pail, but the cat stayed hidden in the loft. She tisked to get her attention, but she only growled in response. Amaria thought about her visit with the queen as she dragged out the crates. Feelings of panic about Telsa’s prophecy and embarrassment over vomiting on the table washed over her. She felt a vibration in her stomach as Timber’s growl intensified. After a few heartbeats the rumbling stopped, and Amaria stacked the boxes and carried them out of the barn. When she reached the house, she looked back, but Timber stayed in the loft. Telsa sure struck the fear of something into you.

  She lugged the decorations into the house, and her mother unpacked the figurines and set them around the hearth and main room. When Telsa was home, that had been her duty while Amaria and Sakina draped the branches over the ledge of the hearth and their mother played music on her reed. Now, as Amaria put the twigs in place, the crumpling of parchment was the only sound. She thought of Sakina and, again, about what the queen had said about Telsa’s prophecy. Sakina had volunteered for the mission because she wanted advancement, and now, if she came home successful and Telsa had named her, she could very well advance all the way to the throne. Amaria shook her head. It didn’t feel possible.

  She went outside to decorate the yard. When Sakina and Telsa were home, Sakina would fill the Sacred Peacock’s feed bowl outside the front door and hang the wreath while Telsa instructed Amaria on which branches to string the lanterns from. After they had finished, they would all go inside for sweet bread and sheep’s milk and talk about what they wanted the Sacred Peacock to bring.

  Amaria went inside after hanging the lanterns, and her mother had the treats ready on the table. Amaria smiled, sat down, and grabbed a roll.

  Her mother looked around the house. “Looks like Genesis to me. So, what are you hoping the Sacred Peacock brings this cycle?”

  Amaria rolled her eyes. “I’ll settle for three crowns for three events.”

  Her mother rolled her eyes in response. “The Sacred Peacock may pass us by with a wish like that.”

  Amaria shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it with everything that’s been going on. I guess I wouldn’t mind another Little Blade. I hope it’s serving Sakina well, but I do miss it in the crook of my back.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “And what do you want from the Sacred Peacock?”

  “Sakina’s safe return.”

  “Anything smaller?”

  Her mother laughed. “I have all I need.”

  Softening cream, it is. Amaria ate another roll, chugged a glass of sheep’s milk, and belched. “Excuse me,” she said, covering her mouth.

  Her mother exhaled loudly and handed Amaria a cloth.

  Amaria wiped her mouth and set it on the table. “Sorry.” She waited five heartbeats. “So? Can I go now? You said you had errands to run.”

  Her mother waited seven beats before nodding. “Fine, go, but take care of Timber first.”

  Amaria smiled. “Yes, Mother.”

  She kissed her mother’s cheek and darted to her room. She rushed to the metal box by her bed and took out the military cloth and unfolded it. She put twelve arrowheads in the middle, closed it like a purse, and tucked it in the pocket of her kilt before racing out the door. “Bye,” she shouted to her mother before slamming it shut.

  When she entered the artists’ camp, she was impressed with the progress they’d made in only a day. The colors were on fire for the festivities. Even the leaves had been covered. Music wafted across the path. The tune was upbeat and light, pausing only for a few heartbeats before beginning anew.

  Parchment shaped like fruit had been painted and dangled from the trees. The brighter ones lined the main path that led to the players’ stage, while the routes to less-attended activities were indicated by darker colors.

  Once Amaria reached the northern gallery, Ursula wasn’t too hard to find. Her tree was to the left of Florencia’s mural, Creation. Amaria wanted to rush over and interrogate her about the cloth, but she felt tongue-tied. She sauntered over, thinking of the best way to broach the subject.

  When she approached, Ursula looked up and smiled. “Great Mother, where have you been?”

  Amaria stopped. “Where have I been?”

  “Calandra said she sent my bird three days ago, and it has yet to return. I was getting worried you didn’t get my message.”

  “Three days ago? I went to your tree yesterday. Pandora said you hadn’t returned.”

  Ursula grimaced. “I’m avoiding her.”

  “Yes, she’s devastated about her spools.”

  She waved off the issue. “I’m going to replace them for Genesis. I just need to focus without her theatrics. What do you think?”

  Amaria looked at the tree. The portrait was spectacular. Ursula had painted a boat run ashore. The shadowing she had done and the proportions she used made it look like it was coming out of the bark. The bow was the prominent feature. She had colored the wood a burnt orange and added flecks of gold here and there. The sand and detail of the water were equally impressive, and there were a few fish figurines and broken shells along the bottom. The coloring and textures created an eerily real-looking mural, in Amaria’s opinion.

  “You’re not standing right.” Ursula positioned Amaria directly in front of the tree, about two full steps away, and gauged the view herself before walking away. “That’s how it’s meant to be viewed.”

  From the prope
r perspective, the boat looked like it was right on top of her, and the way Ursula had painted the sun’s reflection made Amaria squint.

  “I was going to fill this whole area with sand,” she said. “But, they said it would interfere with other artists’ work.”

  The tree was a masterpiece. Amaria looked around at the other murals. Most had cloth pulled closed, but among the ones she could see, they weren’t even close to be being as complete as Ursula’s and not nearly as divine.

  “I think you’ll take top showing, Urs.”

  She laughed and analyzed the mural again. “I wish I could’ve brought in sand.” She picked up a paint brush and added a streak of gold to the bow of the boat.

  Amaria got serious. “About Pandora’s thread, well, I know why you took it. I mean, I know what you’re doing. Well, not exactly, but I think I do, and you need to stop making, well, what you’re making.” She exhaled. She had said the words as best she could.

  Ursula looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

  Amaria took the cloth from her kilt pocket and handed it to Ursula. “Maybe you didn’t know it was military when you said you’d make those cloaks or whatever you’re making, because I know it’s not tunics.”

  Ursula took the pouch and examined it before giving it back to Amaria. “How do you know it’s not tunics?”

  “Because I saw the citizens by the Stalks, Urs. Only, just one had an actual cloak. The others were more like blankets.”

  Ursula smiled.

  “This isn’t funny. I don’t think you stole the cloth, but someone did, and now they’re stealing weapons from Wanje and practicing fighting in the fields.”

  Ursula raised her eyebrow. “They’re stealing weapons from Wanje?”

  Amaria shrugged. “One of them had my red spear, which I’d just given to her for my punishment.”

  “How do you know it was your spear?”

  “Because I etched a symbol in the handle. Regina took a dagger. Who knows what else was pillaged before the load got to Wanje.”

  “And you saw this symbol when you saw whomever it was in the Stalks?”

  “No, I saw the spear later when I pulled it from a cat’s head at the bottom of the Great Ravine. Any guesses as to who threw it?”