Amazon Companion (44 page)

"Usually the voices come sooner," she said, "for your first kill. We make sure."

"We were surprised," Omie said. "There wasn't time."

"That happens," Malora said. "You would have been fine. You won't freeze again."

"Again?"

"
Omie, it gets easier. Once there are two or three voices, they tend to fight amongst themselves, almost. They never cooperate. It gets better, I promise."

"All right," she said.

"You're going to need a companion though, and sooner rather than later, but the soonest we can get you one, unless a warrior dies and frees a companion, is next spring."

"There are warriors who have gone a long time without a companion,"
Omie said, "but I can't go more than a few hours. Vorine has been great, and the other companions, too, but their warriors need them, and Vorine deserves to go on patrol. She deserves her chance."

"About that," Malora said. "You know why
Parlomith is here."

"Yes," Vorine said. "Nori was very angry."

"If I had accepted Parlomith's offer without discussing it with Nori, then Nori would have a right to be angry," Malora said. "I did not accept her offer, and I am not going to. We will not discuss the entire reason tonight, but once she is gone, you may ask Maya for all the details."

They both nodded.

"Maya has offered another proposal. Vorine, your sister needs you."

"I know," she said. "Ree has said I can stay here with her, or she can go on patrol with us, and I can serve as her companion as well as Ree's. But if I go on patrol..."

"You might become a warrior," Malora said.

"So," Vorine said. "No patrols until
Omie has a companion," Vorine said. "I understand. She's my sister. I can wait."

"That's not fair to you,"
Omie said.

"You're my sister, and I love you,
Omie. You need me, and I will be here for you. Forever, if that's what it takes."

"It won't be forever, Vorine," Malora said. "But you deserve your own recognition. And so does
Omie. You have both earned it. Maya, it was your idea. Do you want to tell them?"

"It should come from the queen," I replied.

"All right," she said. "But understand that Maya made this proposal, and I think you will both immediately understand why. Vorine, Omie, would you like to share the position Parlomith covets?"

"The companion trainer?"
Omie asked.

"Yes."

"We're not good enough," Omie said. "I mean, we could teach wrestling, but not the rest."

"I disagree, at least for the beginning companions," Malora said. "The advanced companions would train with the warriors, just like the two of you
have been doing. And you will find that teaching the skills makes you stronger in them yourselves. And you won't be alone. Nori and I will both help you."

"Neither of us is good with a whip," Vorine said.

I rubbed my backside.

"Find another incentive," Malora said, "or ask Nori or I to help. You won't be on your own.
But you could set your own program. You would need to discuss it with Nori and me, but we would care about results, not tradition."

They turned to me. "We will drive you hard,"
Omie explained.

"I expect nothing else."

"It won't be all wrestling and tickle fights," Vorine said.

"But there will be wrestling and tickle fights?"

Everyone laughed. "Yes."

"I'll do it," said Vorine.

"And me," said Omie.

"On one condition," they said together after a shared glance.

"Oh?" Malora said, her eyebrow raised.

"Yes. Maya is the water wrestling instructor."

Malora laughed. "Unofficially. She has official duties for me that take precedence. Water wrestling is not a priority. It is recreation."

"And a chance to win wagers with other villages,"
Omie said.

"And that," Malora agreed.

"I want odds," I said. "Big experienced warriors against one incompetent companion. I should get odds."

They laughed. "That might work for a while," Malora said, "until your reputation gets around."

"With Parlomith spreading my reputation, I should get an entire cow against a dirty rabbit skin."

Malora's expression changed. "
Parlomith is wrong."

Omie
said, "People were beginning to believe her, but after she just touched me, Parlomith couldn't be more wrong."

"No," Malora said, "they couldn't." She smiled. "And you haven't heard why she's being 'punished'."

"I like my pink hair!" I said. "Are you going to do the ribbons, too?"

"Do you want me to?"

"They're silly," I said, "so it's up to you what you want. But thank you for the pink hair. It amuses me."

"I thought it might. It amuses me, too."

"She's not being punished?" Omie asked.

"The official story is punishment," Malora said, "and that is the only story that leaves this hut. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Malora," Omie said with a grin. "I'm glad you're back."

"
Omie, this is going to seem counter-intuitive, but we need to get you in another demon fight. Soon." She paused. "Perhaps this fall. I need my companion ready to patrol with us. I require you to make her ready." She turned to me. "You will cooperate with them, or I will find real punishments for you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Malora."

"Good. All right. We'll announce this when I turn Parlomith down. Do not breathe a word of it to anyone. I should have asked Ree's permission, Vorine, but she'll understand."

"She's been a kind warrior and gentle lover," Vorine said. "I'm going to miss that."

"I already miss that with Benala," Omie said.

"Do all companions become love
rs with their warriors?" I asked.

"You haven't,"
Omie said.

"Varda isn't," Vorine said. "Can you imagine her spreading her legs for anyone?"

"Bea hasn't yet," Omie said, "but I think she's curious about it. She's been hinting with questions."

"She's only sixteen," I said.

"An adult in Amazon eyes," Malora pointed out. "If you're old enough to be a warrior, you're old enough to be considered an adult." She paused. "Unless there are questions, we should get to the fire."

"When do we start?"
Omie asked.

"Tomorrow," Malora said. "We'll announce tonight, and beginning tomorrow the two of you have responsibilities for all the companions in Queen's Town."

"Does that include Spade?" Spade was Parlomith's companion.

"If she's still here by training tomorrow, yes. Do not abuse her."

"Why would you say that?" Vorine asked.

"
Never mind," Malora said. She sighed. "Ask Maya about it after they're gone."

"It's possible we'll be swimming tomorrow," I pointed out.

"We'll adjust accordingly," Vorine replied.

"All right," Malora said, getting up and leading the way to the bonfire.

Everyone else was milling around. Parlomith was talking to Balorie, who looked relieved to see us emerge from our hut.

"All right," Malora said. "Do we have a fire ready?"

"We do," Nori said. "We were waiting for you."

"Then let us get started.
Omie, would you light the fire for us?"

Omie
smiled, pulling away from Vorine, then spent a minute lighting the fire, fanning it into the bonfire.

"Thank you,
Omie," Malora said. She had the rest of us take our seats, but she kept Omie with her.

"Your warrior should be here for this," Malora said, "and if she likes, we can do this again, but I do not care to wait."

Malora walked back and forth in front of us, talking about the things we all knew, how important a job the Amazons held. She talked about duty, and she talked about sisterhood. Finally she turned to Omie and said, "Omie, I have been so proud of you since the day you arrived. I have watched both you and your sister grow as Amazons, and it was only a matter of time before you both were to become two of our best warriors."

"And luck which one was first!" Vorine shouted out.

"Quite," Malora agreed. Malora pulled Omie into a hug for a moment, then said, "Now you are a warrior, with all the rights and responsibilities implied to be called an Amazon warrior." Malora looked out at us. "An Amazon warrior fights for her sisters. An Amazon warrior fights for all of Morehama. An Amazon warrior fights to keep the demons at bay. And I know you will do all these with distinction and honor."

Omie
was smiling, and when I glanced at Vorine, she was beaming at her sister.

"An Amazon warrior has a right to a companion, to ease your soul and to help serve your needs," Malora said. "I do not have a companion to give you this day, but I vow you will have one. In the meantime, who will help to ease our sister's soul?"

Vorine stood up and immediately said, "I am her sister, and my warrior has offered my assistance. I will ease my sister's soul."

I stood up. "I am the queen's companion, and I ease the soul of many here, and my arms are open to my sister,
Omie."

Bea stood up. "
Omie is my friend, and I will help to ease my sister's soul."

Neela and Aura stood up. "We are still learning to become companions," Aura said, "but we will ease our sister's soul."

Malora beamed at all of us. "I have asked that question before. I have never had this response. I am proud of all of you. Omie, these woman standing are a testament of our love for you."

"I know," said
Omie. "Thank you, all of you."

Malora gestured, and we sat.

"Omie, an Amazon warrior is entitled to choose her village, at least amongst the villages that would welcome her. An Amazon warrior is entitled to move from a village, if she feels another would fit better, provided she has the approval of both village chiefs. Omie, you are welcome in Queen's Town. If ever you decide to leave, you will have my permission, but I hope you never ask."

"Queen's Town is full,"
Omie said, "and my sister Vorine will be a warrior soon."

"That is a problem needing a solution on another day," Malora replied. "Will you stay in Queen's Town,
Omie?"

"I will, as long as I am welcome. If Vorine some day chooses to leave, then I may ask to leave with her."

"We stay together," Vorine said, "with your permission, Queen Malora."

"I would not think to separate the two of you," Malora replied. "When you become a warrior, Vorine, you will be welcome here."

"Thank you, Queen Malora," she replied.

"
Omie, there is one more choice you must make tonight. You are now a warrior and no longer a companion. Many warriors choose to cut their hair. Many warriors ask their companions to wear their hair long, as yours has done. Have you decided what you will do?"

"Yes, Queen Malora. I will keep my hair."

"Well then, Omie, Amazon warrior. I thank you for your duty and sacrifice." And then Malora surprised me. She knelt to Omie, and soon every woman present knelt to the new warrior. There was a pause, then Malora stood, gesturing for the rest of us to do so.

Then someone began a warbling cheer, quickly added by all the other women, and Malora shouted over the cheer, "Come greet our newest warrior."

Vorine was first, flying into her sister's arms, hugging her deeply. And then the rest of us were there, some reaching past the others to touch her for a moment, some of us taking more hugs. She saw me and pulled me to her.

Malora let this go on for a while then chased us all back to our seats.

"Not you, queen's companion," she said to me, snagging my arm. "There is a punishment to deliver."

I sighed dramatically.

"I require a table. Serra, I require a bucket of dye."

"It is ready,"
Serra said.

Nori and
Ralla were waiting with the table, quickly delivering it.

"You know what to do, Maya," Malora said, pointing at the table. I sighed again and climbed onto the table, lying down with my head pointing to the other Amazons.

"We will apply the punishment, then we will all see why my companion is being subjected yet again to this reminder to obey orders."

Serra
stepped forward with her bucket, and Malora took it. She looked into it. "As I recall, applying this last time left several companions with pink hands for a few days. I do not wish my hands to be pink, and I do not believe Maya can do this without assistance. Do we have a volunteer?"

Ralla
immediately stood up. "I will dye Maya's hair. I know why she is being punished."