Amazon Chief (83 page)

It stung a little to have been outfoxed, and I was
annoyed with the three of them for having done it and then telling me, in effect, I wasn't allowed to outfox them in return. I knew it was my competitive nature and my pride getting in the way, but I suddenly felt very petty. And that made me as annoyed with myself as I was with them.

I stood there for several seconds, looking back and forth between the three of them, unsure whether I was going to say something cutting and head for the exit or find a way to swallow my pride and let them win their game. The best choice was to be mature and gracious, but I was feeling very immature and childish.

The three of them waited, smiling, but there were also a few furrowed brows. None of them tried to rush me or pressure me, and slowly my maturity returned.

I smiled.
"I'll wash the dishes if you stop calling me Chief, Aren."

She laughed. "Thank you."

I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Lia stopped by with a few more dishes for me, setting them on the counter near the sink.

"Don't be angry."

I smiled at her. "I'm not. It's pretty funny, and you know I would have offered to help if you'd told me."

"But this was more fun. Omie doesn't pull one over on you very often, and you made her day."

"Is the truce real?"

"Yes, after
this little bit of fun. Anyone who violates it gets the other three on her."

"Do you need us here for every meal?"

"Any meals you can. I suspect you'll have to play politics from time to time as well."

It was actually nice to do something simple, like wash
ing dishes. Aren kept Omie busy, with Lia asking for her help from time to time as well.

I couldn't believe how many dirty dishes they produced. I decided they were doing it intentionally, but I didn't accuse them. Both companions were effusive with their thanks and their touches.

* * * *

There were surprises at dinner. When Aren and Lia finally released Omie and me, we stepped outside and looked around. The tables were nearly full with Amazons from Queen's Town and Lake Juna plus a few other village chiefs.

Sitting at the table with Maya and Malora were Ralla and Jasmine. And then I saw Ping and Serra as well.

"Ralla?"

"And Ping," Omie said. "Surprise."

We stepped forward, and Jasmine
noticed us first. "Beria!" she called. She climbed to her feet and rushed over to us, hugging me tightly.

"When did you get here?"

"A few days ago," she said. "Come on, we saved places for you and your companions." She pulled us towards the queen's table, but I peeled off to give greetings to Ping and Serra.

"No Balorie?"

"She wasn't up for the trip," Ping said.

The thought made me sad, but Serra added, "She fell out of a tree. She'll be fine in a few more months."

"She fell out of a tree?"

"Collecting oranges for Gweneth."

I had to smile at the image. "It's good to see you both."

"We're looking forward to the event," Serra replied. "Ping is one of the judges. And I am on vacation. I offered to help in the kitchen, but Aren chased me out."

"Aren asked me if you wanted to help or were offering to help," Ping explained. "I told her you were offering. If I was mistaken, I am sorry."

"No, it's her kitchen now, and I don't think I would take orders very well, but I don't want to take over." She shuddered.

"Don't let her fool you. She runs the kitchens at home," Ping explained.

"Like we'd let you do it," she replied. "It's good to see everyone though."

Omie pulled me away, and we sat down. Malora was smiling at me, but her eyes were red. I wondered if she'd been crying, perhaps overcome by seeing some of her old, dear friends.

"Hello, Ralla," I said. "How are things on the coast?"

"Good," she said. "The inn is quiet, just the way we like it. Your brothers have been a great deal of help."

I hadn't known that. I thought it was sweet of them. We'd visited with them last summer. They had an inn overlooking the ocean about eight miles south of
Gallen's Cove. It was just off the main road, and the view was outstanding, although I worried about the winter storms. It was well above the water on a tall cliff, a safe distance from the edge, and the storms can be fierce. I asked about that.

"We had a little storm damage," Jasmine said, "but nothing significant. Chandor and Naren come to visit every couple of weeks, and the new baby is adorable. I've been trading baby sitting duties for sailing lessons."

I laughed.

"Jasmine likes children so much," Ralla said. "We actually talked about adopting a few orphans, but we decided the inn was enough responsibility."

Malora looked at them sadly for a moment, and I wondered what was going unsaid.

"Adopting orphans," said Maya. "I never thought of that." She looked around. "Of course, we're constantly adopting girls around here, I guess."

"You should talk to Ping and Serra," Ralla said. "Their group down there is practically running an orphanage." She raised her voice. "Ping, how many kids now?"

"Twelve," she called back.

"Thirteen," corrected Serra.

"Twelve," Ping argued with her.

"You're not counting Balorie. She's been a complete baby since she broke her leg."

Everyone laughed.

"Four boys," Serra continued. "Maya, we will be sending two girls to you next year. I expect you to hand pick their warriors."

"They already know how to fight," Ping added. "Nori, you will need to assess, and of course, they have some bad habits I've been trying to break, but I was never very good at that. I didn't get much practice.
They each have several years of training, but only once a day."

"They're running a recruitment orphanage?" I asked quietly.

"No, but it is nearly impossible for an Amazon to adopt children and not instill an Amazon's perspective," explained Malora. "I am sure the girls have been pestering them for years."

"They ride well," Serra said. "We do not know if they will come with their own horses. We're trying to discourage it. They would not be good war mounts. They were selected for five-year-old girls, not warriors."

"We'll convince them to gift the horses to a couple of the younger kids," Ping said. "I'll take them on a simulated demon hunt if I have to. They'll see."

"Thank you, Ping," said Maya. "Will you be bringing them yourselves?"

"Travel in the spring? I don't think so. Maya, will you be able to keep them together?"

"I'm sure we'll do our best," Maya said. "I can't imagine breaking up sisters." She reached across the table and clasped my hand."

"Are they sisters, Ping?" I asked.

"They've been raised together since they were five," Serra replied. "They see each other as sisters and are as tight as you and Maya."

"Then if there is no room at Queen's Town, we will find room at Lake Juna," I offered. "Somewhere."

There were chuckles, and then two other chiefs made similar offers.

From the entrance to the kitchen, Aren spoke. She must have been waiting for a pause. "We need all the companions. We have platters to set upon the tables, as it would be chaotic to serve in our usual fashion."

"The companions from Queen's Town will serve the platters from the kitchen. They are waiting for you," said Lia. "The companions from Lake Juna will pass out plates and
silverware. The companions from Queen's Town will take drink orders, although we have pitchers of some drinks to set out as well as pots of tea."

I smiled at my companion. It was such a simple thing what she was doing, but she stepped up to every task offered to her and just handled it. I felt a fresh surge of love. She caught my smile and nodded to me.

A few minutes later, she and Aren joined us. Our table was full, but there was room. Lia made a plate for us to share and then offered me a mug of cider. Once she was settled, I laid my head on her shoulder then turned so I could whisper into her ear.

"I love you so much," I told her.

She caressed my cheek. "You say the sweetest things," she replied.

The meal progressed, and near the end, Chief Mar, sitting at a nearby table, stood. "Queen Malora!"

"Yes, Chief Mar?" Malora asked.

"As long as we're all friends here," and she gestured around, "I was wondering if you were open to a wager?"

"I do not often wager with the village chiefs," she said. "But what did you have in mind?"

"I do not fail to notice the one village chief sitting at your own table," Mar said. "While the rest of us are relegated to other, lesser tables."

"We are all Amazon sisters," Malora said. "All tables are equal, are they not? Rora, are some of the tables deficient?"

"I personally checked every structure in Queen's Town, including the tables, benches and chairs, Queen Malora," Rora said. "If there is a deficiency, it either is new or escaped my inspection."

There were chuckles at that.

"Queen Malora," said Mar, "you offer misdirection? The young chief from Lake Juna sits opposite the queen of the Amazons."

"Technically," said Malora, "the deeply respected chief from Lake Juna sits opposite her sister and beside the warrior who most recently held another job the chief now carries. I believe they have been using this rare opportunity to compare notes. The chief's companion sits opposite the queen. Furthermore, while the chief dines at my table, it is you who will share a roof with me this week. Perhaps the chief of Lake Juna has cause to complain."

Mar huffed. "I did not come to bicker over seating arrangements nor sleeping arrangements. I simply pointed out the seating arrangements as prelude to the offer of a wager."

"Oh, of course," Malora said. "Please go on."

"To say it plainly: will you be wagering on Chief Beria?"

"Of course not," Malora said. "It would be terribly inappropriate for me to wager on the winner of this event. No one from Queen's Town will be placing wagers on the main tournament. I may, however, choose to place very small wagers on some of the lesser events. Or I may not. I have not yet decided."

Mar huffed again. "Then who will wager on Chief Beria?"

Lia immediately jumped to her feet. "I am not of Queen's Town. I will wager on my warrior," she said firmly, "But I will wager no more than I can afford to lose, and I am a companion of only two years. What do you propose?"

I tried to tug her back to her seat, but under the table, Maya kicked my legs. When I looked at her, she shook her head very slightly.

Mar looked around then settled her gaze back on Malora. "Will you allow the chiefs to wager on their competitors?"

"Yes, but I will not allow anyone to be pressured into excessively large wagers."

"Well then, Lia," Mar said. "The standard wager amongst Amazons is a deer skin. As this is a significant event, it may be a larger wager is more appropriate."

"I am sorry,"
she said. "I have no deer skins."

"Then perhaps you can make a counter-proposal," Mar suggested.

From another table, Joelle stood up. I'd wondered where she had gotten off to. "Mama," she said, "You may have my rabbit skins."

Then her sister stood up. "And mine, Mama."

As always, the girls earned a collective, "aww".

Joelle was twelve now. The conversation Maya'd had with Lia had gone, "Lia?" "No." End of conversation. Annalise was ten and growing up fast. I loved them both to pieces.

I knew the reason Lia had said 'no'. There were no warriors in Lake Juna who needed a young companion, and I knew she wouldn't part with either daughter to another village. I also thought Maya understood the reasons, and hadn't pushed. I wasn't sure how it would go next year.

Mar looked at the girls. "You would wager on your village chief?" she asked the girls gently.

"We'll wager on our mother," Joelle said with a glance to her sister. They had both taken to calling me Mother. Lia remained Mama. It had started not long after the companion ceremony last year. Lia refused to answer any questions about it, but she knew it pleased me immensely.

Joelle earned another "aww".

"My daughters are too young to make such wagers," Lia said. "If you will accept rabbit skins for my share of a wager, then I will trade with them."

"Stable duty, Mama?" Joelle asked.

"Yes," Lia said, "but you will still tend to the needs of your own horse."

"Yes, Mama."

"How many rabbit skins do you have?" Mar asked.

"I have four!" said Annalise. "One has holes."

Mar smiled. "It is warming to know you are honest. And you, elder daughter? How many do you have?"

"My name is Joelle," she said. "This is Annalise. I have nine. Two are small. None have holes. Four are white, the rest are brown." White rabbits were from the winter.