by Moose Tyler
“I know.” Amaria had eyes. Zora’s last two shots were not only accurate, but she had fired them with a swift and graceful motion she had never seen from Zora before, and if the competition were scored based on physical appearance alone, she would have won that round. As she took her lap, the fanfare around the arena was as if Zora were the Great Mother Herself.
“Now that’s a bit much,” said Ophea.
Elle and Penelope agreed.
Zora trotted the horse to the center of the arena, dismounted, and was swarmed by Lyla and a few of the other riders.
“Oh, you’re so fierce,” Penelope said softly, mocking the excessive reception. “Divine, truly divine.”
Amaria laughed but quieted down as the scores were announced.
Zora was inside the first ring on the first three targets but hit center on the last three. Although Amaria had been more accurate, Zora had been faster. She did it in eighty-eight heartbeats. In the end, though, by a narrow margin, Amaria was declared the victor of the preliminaries for her class. A ripple of applause spread through the arena as Amaria walked over to take a victory lap.
When she passed Zora, Amaria nodded. “Good shooting,” she muttered. She wasn’t happy about it, but she couldn’t deny that Zora was a skilled archer. Paying her the compliment was the right thing to do. It was, after all, Genesis.
She looked at Amaria, turned and, with Lyla in tow, walked to the competitors’ entrance.
“You, too,” Amaria said to herself as she mounted the horse.
The fanfare during her victory lap was adequate but not nearly as enthusiastic as it had been during Zora’s ride. Amaria waved and smiled, but she suspected that some thought she had won on a technicality rather than skill.
As she neared the queen’s seats, she saw her mother smiling and clapping. She had that giddy look on her face that told Amaria she had been drinking the special tea. She slowed the horse for a more proper greeting.
“Good job, Love,” Mother shouted.
“Thank you.” Amaria trotted the horse alongside the wall.
The queen came up behind her mother and leaned over. “Yes, well done, Amaria.”
“Thank you, your grace.” Amaria pulled the reins, and the horse stopped. “Happy Genesis.”
“Happy Genesis. It’s already been so fruitful.” The queen extended her hand out behind her. A warrior walked over, placed some arrowheads in her palm, and returned to her seat. “Good luck in the rest of the Games,” the queen said to Amaria, and she walked away and engaged in conversation with some warriors off to the left.
Her mother kissed Amaria’s cheek. “I’m proud of you, and I love you.”
She kicked the horse into motion. “I love you, too.”
Her pit stop had dampened the enthusiasm, and many were no longer interested in watching the victory lap. She rounded the last turn, sprinted the horse to the center of the arena, and dismounted.
“That was weak,” Ophea said flatly. “Is it just me or does Genesis feel off?”
Amaria thought about just how off this cycle felt. There had always been stress during the holiday, what with all the gift buying and social activities, but the celebration was, for the most part, an escape from everyday life in Themiscia. This cycle, it felt like a distraction.
“It’s off,” said Penelope. “Sorry you didn’t make it through, Camille.”
Camille shrugged. “Wasn’t expecting to.” She clasped Ophea and Amaria’s arms. “Congratulations.”
“Climbing is all you,” said Amaria. “You’re a beast.”
Camille smiled. “Thanks.”
Game assistants rushed out of the competitors’ entrance and started redesigning the course for the next class of warriors. Fresh horses were guided into the arena.
Jax led the way to the tunnel. “Want to go to grab something to eat?”
Penelope shook her head. “I’ve got to tell Mother the results.”
Amaria declined as well. “Got things to do at home.” Her primary concern was Timber and whether or not she had eaten more birds and had stayed in the barn.
“You going to the fires tonight?” asked Ophea.
“No. I need sleep,” said Amaria. “Tomorrow is going to be rough. Haven’t been on a sliver in moons.”
Penelope sighed. “Oh, to be competing.”
Elle patted her back. “You’ll be missed, Sister.”
“Yeah, I might have a shot this cycle,” said Jax.
Elle snorted. “Hardly.”
Penelope shrugged. “I’ve got a feeling it’s Amaria’s crown.”
Amaria clapped hands with Penelope. “Best First Hand in the Games.”
“Who do you have winning Disc Throwing?” Ophea asked.
Amaria looked at her. “Distance or accuracy?”
“Distance.”
“Nahalee,” everyone said in unison.
“Twenty arrowheads say she takes out the front row of the Rowdy Section on her first throw,” Elle joked.
“Thirty says she hits someone in the common area,” said Amaria.
They all laughed as they entered the tunnel. The gravel crunched beneath their feet at different beats, creating a harmonious rhythm.
“Want to race?” Penelope asked Amaria.
She smiled. “Let’s just enjoy the stroll.”
They walked casually for a few heartbeats, but Amaria couldn’t resist. She and Penelope broke into a sprint and pulled away from the pack.
From behind her, she heard Jax say, “I bet Amaria pulls ahead.”
Ophea replied. “Twenty heads say you’re right.”
“You’re on,” said Jax. “Wait, what?”
Ophea whistled loud and cheered. “Come on, Amaria!”
The second day of Genesis was dedicated to water events. Swimming and boat races had preliminary rounds, but Sliver Riding was a one-day contest where winners took all. When she woke, Amaria dressed in her water suit and went to the main room to find her mother sitting at the table clutching her teacup. She hadn’t seen her since Horse and Bows.
Amaria sat down. “Late night?”
Her mother’s eyes looked red. “Very,” she said.
“Did the queen say anything about the prophecy?”
“No.”
“What about news from the mission? It’s been fourteen moons.”
Her mother sipped her tea. “The queen talked mostly about the arts. Your friend, Ursula’s tree made quite an impression. Her grace said she might commission a piece.”
Having the queen’s commission was a big boost for an artist’s reputation. More requests would follow, and Ursula would be drowning in arrowheads. Amaria wondered if the Great Mother had heard her prayer and presented Ursula with another earning opportunity, or if the queen had ulterior motives behind her interest.
She adjusted her position on the bench. “Well, did you ask her why she told me about the prophecy?”
Her mother took another drink of tea. “It’s not my place to question the queen, Amaria. Nor is it yours. Just focus on the Games. This might be your cycle for Sliver.”
Amaria nodded before filling her plate and digging in. “Especially since P isn’t competing.”
“Yes, she needs to be with Niam. The Great Mother will take her soon. You really should visit her this Genesis.”
“P said she didn’t want visitors.”
“Send her a parchment then, and while you’re at it, feed Timber.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her mother got up and set her teacup on the prep table.
Amaria nibbled at the remains on her plate. “Will you be watching from the queen’s blanket today?”
Her mother shook her head. “I don’t think she’s attending.”
Relief washed over Amaria. “No? Why not?”
�
��Other matters, I suppose.” Her mother walked to the cabinet and pulled out a blanket. “Do you want to walk with me, or are you meeting your friends?”
“You go on. I’m going to take the coastline. I know you’re not a fan of the rocks.”
Her mother returned to the dining area. “Especially not today.” She stuffed fruit, figs and a large water pouch into a satchel. “We’ll be on the west ridge. Stop by and wish Olympia a happy Genesis. She has a gift for you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m excited to see Felicia. It’s been moons.”
“Did you get her a gift?”
Amaria cursed in her head. Felicia and Amaria were practically sisters. She was Olympia’s daughter. They were on the same boat. Felicia didn’t have divine blood, but she and Amaria were close in age. Now, she studied as a fisher and spent more moons on the water than she did on land, but when they were younger, they were together constantly. She was strong and competitive, and though Amaria always beat her in kicking and tossing games like Gourds and Baskets, Felicia was quite athletic and sometimes competed on teams in the Citizen Games.
Amaria grimaced at her mother. “I forgot.”
“Never forget your oldest friends, Amaria.”
“I didn’t forget her. I just didn’t get her a gift. I will. Genesis isn’t over.”
“See that you do.” Her mother looked at Amaria’s plate. “Is that all you’re eating?”
Amaria nodded. “I don’t want to feel too heavy on the water.”
“Give the steaks to Timber. They need to be eaten.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her mother draped the satchel over her shoulder and walked to the table. “Oh, I’m moving slow today.”
Amaria stood and hugged her. Her mother groaned. “Not too hard, Dear.”
She loosened her grip.
Her mother kissed her cheek. “Be patient out there. Listen to your heart to pick your wave, and you’re sure to win the crown.” She released Amaria.
Amaria smiled. “You put any arrowheads on it?”
She shook her head. “Just my prayers.” She walked to the door and opened it. She shielded her eyes from the light and turned around. “I need a hat.” She got one out of her room and put it on before opening the door again. “Try number two,” she said.
As she stepped out into the yard, she groaned. Amaria pitied her mother. She had felt similar after having too much of the queen’s tea herself only a few days ago.
After her mother had left, Amaria gathered the scraps for Timber’s pail and thought about what to get Felicia. Most businesses were closed during Genesis, so she’d have to find something around the house. She went to the barn, but Timber was not in the loft. She dumped the meal in the pail and whistled. She looked at the red spear in the barrel. She now used a hollow cane fastened with leather straps to tote the weapon and had tied one end of a rope to the shaft. The other end went around her ankle to keep from losing it in the water. It was a good weapon for a fisher like Felicia. Amaria grabbed the spear and strapped it on her back before whistling a few more times. Still, there was no sign of Timber.
Though she was worried, Amaria didn’t have the heartbeats to look for her. Sliver Riding started just after morning dine. She took the coastline to the eastern docks, and when she got there, she saw a few competitors milling about. Some were already in the water, but others were catching the sun and enjoying what was left of the morning. She navigated the rocky steps and walked towards Penelope, who was waiting at the edge of the dock. The sound of water lapping at the wood was peaceful in Amaria’s ears.
“I’m sorry you’re not competing,” she said.
Penelope turned around. “Me too.”
“Is your mother feeling better?”
Penelope shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She inhaled deeply. “Great Mother, the sea smells good.”
Amaria looked out across the water. Some of the fishers and naval students were testing the slivers. They sliced through the water skillfully, gliding rhythmically across the waves.
“I know these Games are silly,” said Penelope, “and there are much bigger things happening right now, but sometimes there’s nothing more important than riding a sliver.”
Amaria nodded.
“This other stuff makes me tired, not physically but mentally. There’s so much pressure right now my head hurts. It’s like the worst training session ever. Worse than the quest through the Valley of Sand.”
Amaria shrugged. “That was pretty bad.”
“Sure was. Only there’s no steam cave to go to after this.” Penelope looked out at the water again. “It’s like the sliver is my steam cave. Or maybe it’s the water cleansing me and not the sliver, but I feel better out there.”
“So why don’t you ride, P? Who cares if you’ve trained? You’ll probably beat us all anyway.”
“I can’t. I had to enter my name before last light.”
“Oh yeah.”
Penelope shrugged. “No reason not to get in a quick swim now.”
Amaria smiled. “Want to race?”
Penelope punched her arm, ran down the dock, and jumped off the side.
Amaria followed, hooting a war cry before plunging into the water. The coolness felt good on her skin, and as she swam farther away from the dock, the tension in her body eased. Her arms moved freely, and her legs kicked in a fluid motion until she was gliding through the small waves in the harbor. Penelope was a fast swimmer, but this wasn’t a competition, just two warriors enjoying a morning swim. She blazed the trail, and they circled out wide and, gaining more speed, looped around to the other side of the dock.
As Amaria brought up the rear, Penelope pulled herself out of the water. “That was fun,” she said, slightly out of breath.
Amaria reached the dock. “Nothing like a leisurely swim.” She pulled herself out of the water. She was more winded, so she held her hands above her head until her lungs filled up.
“Want to go again?” Penelope joked.
Amaria smiled. “That’s okay. I’m nice and warm now.”
“Good because the field is looking packed.”
Amaria scanned the cliffs around the docks. “Morning dine must be over.”
Penelope looked around. “Where’s Elle and Jax? They’re competing, aren’t they?”
“I thought so.”
“They won’t be your problem. It’ll be Venus.”
There was no denying that Venus was a good on the sliver. Amaria had competed against her many times. She usually managed to stay on the wood, even if she was off balance or the wave was about to get the better of her. At times, it was as if the Great Mother held her sliver upright, but there were other times when she would crash hard. That was the thing about Venus, she was gutsy. Her stunts didn’t always pay off, but when they did, she was a goddess on the water.
As Penelope and Amaria talked strategy, spectators filled up the field at the top of the ridge. In the arena, seating was compact and crammed with tiered wooden benches, but for water events it was more spread out. Spectators brought blankets, scrolls, and baskets for midday dine. In the arena, vendors provided the food, and everything was scheduled. Nothing could be controlled in the water. You were at the Great Mother’s mercy, and sometimes you just had to wait. In a way, the atmosphere at Sliver Riding was a far greater tribute to Her than the events in the arena could ever be. Maybe that was the reason Amaria liked it so much, despite never having won a crown.
She turned and looked at the other competitors congregating on the dock and saw Elle and Jax walking over, with Ophea and Camille behind them. “There they are,” she said.
Penelope waved. “There’s Felicia.”
Amaria looked past the entourage and saw Felicia. She had red hair like Penelope, only Felicia’s was a tad darker with more hints of brown. She was nearly as tal
l as Penelope but thinner. From a distance, at a glance, they looked similar.
Elle seemed upset as she approached. “Just won’t feel like winning without you, P.”
“Winning second she means,” Jax said.
“Who’s been on a sliver in the last full moon? Not you,” Elle said, and she and Camille clapped hands.
“You know it’s between Amaria and Venus,” said Penelope. “Maybe next cycle, Sisters.”
Felicia approached. Ophea, Jax, and Elle turned around. She nodded at them before looking at Amaria. “Happy Genesis.”
Amaria smiled. “Happy Genesis, Felicia. You look well.”
“As do you.” She addressed the others. “You ready for this?”
Jax nodded. “Woo yeah, we’re ready. Tell us, Felicia, what are our odds?”
She shrugged. “The new slivers are slick and light. You’ll go fast, but it’s easy to get swept off. Mind your balance, Warriors.” She bowed. “I’ll enjoy watching you ride.”
Felicia had taken the crown in Sliver Riding at the Citizen Games every cycle. It was like she was stuck to the wood no matter what the waves did. She was genuinely gifted. Truth be told, if she could compete in the Warrior in Training class, she’d give Penelope a run for the crown. Sliver Riding was one of the few events where physical strength didn’t matter.
Amaria excused herself from the group and walked with Felicia down the dock. “I wanted you to have this for Genesis.” She took the spear off her back. “It’s just a repurposed spear, but I thought it would be handy at sea.”
“Thank you, Amaria.” She took the gift. “Mother told me to get you something, but I haven’t had the heartbeats.”
Amaria smiled. She felt comfortable with Felicia no matter how many moons had passed since they last saw each other. “That’s okay,” she said. “It’s the thought that counts.”
Felicia smiled and uncoiled the rope. “How long is this?”
“About five legs long.”
“That’s divine.” She hugged Amaria. “Now I feel like a bad friend.”
“You shouldn’t. It’s just homemade.”
“Still.” Felicia thought for a few heartbeats. “You know you really have a chance this cycle?”
