Chapter Two
Arriving in Greece brought on new forms of excitement for Nyssa. The village warmed her with thoughts of home, as all Amazon villages resembled one another, for the most part. Queen Mirren enticed her people to celebrate her home coming, and for it the intoxicating aromas of fresh breads and perfumed oils being forged for tonight's festival permeated the air. Overstimulation served to work against the southern General, as she prided herself on a readiness for battle, however she faced an onslaught of intrigued glances from beauties even less clad than the girls in Corinth. Danger was sure to follow, where young ladies' chastities were concerned. Giving a subtle wink now and again served to do little for Mirren's view of Nyssa. The Queen witnesses the younglings' reactions to the General she would have closer to her daughter than she'd like. For it, she looks down from atop her horse and clears her throat. The weapons master then stills herself and walks on valiantly, trying desperately to hide her embarrassment. Seeing the humiliation on the Warrior's face stirred a protectiveness in Eliniir that she quickly chose to ignore. She eyed her mother before turning in her saddle to look at the blonde.
"So tell me Nyssa, what exactly do you intend to teach my...intended?" She grimaced slightly at the last word, ignoring Tara's hurt expression. Nyssa knew she mustn't show her disapproval of how the Princess had wounded the northerner, and succeeded in showing no distaste for the diplomatic heartlessness she once thought Eliniir incapable of. Allowing herself to calm, the weapon's master continued to stare on towards their path's end.
"I intend to teach her how to wield her sword with passion, my Lady. How to breathe in fear and bring forth fury to the enemy. When I'm finished with her she will be a soldier deserving of the highest honor. She will protect your kingdom well." With this the General set her eyes onto the Gem of the Realm to show she would not fear the beast that would surely have her at her will if she so allowed. Eliniir smirked.
"I wish you luck, good warrior. My kingdom and the tribes I will rule will need a strong and fearless consort, equal to none but myself." She turned her gaze to Nyssa, meeting it head on, white fire sparking as she spoke. "My people deserve the finest defense we can give them, and Caesar has made it clear that Greece will be his prize, laying claim to all who call it home. I will die before I let that happen, so I'm relying on you to do your very best. Am I clear, General?" The two had stopped, the others in their party to carry on to the Queens hut. The fire in her eyes was not lost on the southerner, excitement racing through her.
"Clear that I need not make the girl too strong. I would not want her to be taken as the finest defense at your disposal." At this Nyssa bowed deeply, extending her arm in courtesy so that the Princess would continue down to where her mother awaited them. Eliniir calmed. Seeing Tara far ahead with her mother, she felt free to speak her true thoughts as they continued.
"I see your anger, Nyssa. I still know you well from when we were kids. We spent many moons together. I'm not happy with my mother's choice, you see, but I would hope you know it's not for my own vanity or pride, but for the good of my people. That is why I stress to you how important your strange, but necessary, mission has become." She stopped and turned, realizing for the first time how much taller Nyssa was than she remembered. "She doesn't realize what is at stake here. You do. So I'm asking you, as a friend and as future queen, make this girl ready."
"As you wish, your majesty." Nyssa allowed sincerity to flow through her gaze as she looked upon her nearly forgotten friend. This seemed to please the Princess as she continued to ride towards the Queens tent. They kept even strides, arriving at the entrance equipped with two guards complete with war staffs. The General extended a hand to help Eliniir down from her mare, which she accepted gracefully. The same engulfing scent she'd experienced at the ceremony invaded Nyssa's senses again. The heat she felt off her body as she slid down into her arms, though only mere seconds, did little else to help her still her rapid beating heart. Eliniir stimulated her, that was no surprise, but the warmth she saw in her eyes, and the gentle smile, was enough to melt anyone's heart. Ceasing the embrace quickly so as to not overstep her boundaries, Nyssa went to the flaps of the Queen's tent and pulled one back for her Princess to enter. They bowed their heads to each other as she passed, finding the Queen and her Regent discussing recent news with vigor. Whatever information reached Mirren upon her return made the air around them tense. Eliniir feared the worse.
"What is it, mother?"
"Those accursed Romans! They must be responsible for this." Pacing back and forth, Queen Mirren made it difficult for the Princess to get her attention. Taking her hand, Eliniir managed to calm her mother long enough for her to express their troubles, "Amazons are disappearing more frequently now, and our best trackers can't determine where they're managing to smuggle the girls out." Eliniir wasn't sure how to react at first. Emotions battled within her heart for a few moments as she felt her company's eyes staring through her. Finally anger born from fear won out,
"Mother... Allow me to take my scouting party. We can get them back." She closed her eyes, trying to stay calm at the look of doubt evident on Mirren's face. Stepping closer, "I promise I can get them." Her mother paused for a moment, leaning over an updated map of the their boarders, figures representing the Romans littering its edges.
"Your group is the only one that came back in one piece. But I'm not taking chances. You can take your Amazons, but Nyssa goes with you as your personal guard." Eliniir turned to Nyssa, starting to argue before her mother cut her off. "Don't argue, daughter! You're lucky I'm letting you leave the compound, let alone my sight! You take a personal guard or you will not accompany your team. In the mean time, I will start Tara's training; show her around, get her settled, and show her what this kingdom will be expecting of her. Your only mission is to find the Amazons. You will not, under any circumstances, engage in battle." Relief washed over the General, that she wouldn't yet have to take on the burden of training Tara. She yearned to get out into the field again, though she did feel Eliniir's understandable hesitation to have her watch her every move.
"I assure you Princess, I will not interfere and aid only when necessary." This satisfied Eliniir, but the Queen eyed the warrior before sitting down and looking to her daughter.
"Assemble the amazons you wish to go with you and bring them to me. I'm going to need new reports of the troops and their supplies, and I'll need to brief them on staying out of combat. This is rescue only..." She sighed and waved her hand in a dismissal, as Eliniir ran out of the tent. As she passed Tara waiting outside, the northerner started to run after her betrothed. Nyssa darted a warning glare that kept the youngling put. She tracked Eliniir's steps to the outer rim of the encampment only to find them disappear mid stride. Assuming the Princess leapt into the trees' cover, the General allowed her charge to remain unfound for the moment. She made her way to the center pyre meant for tonight's festivities. At the center of the excitement, she took the time to indulge in the sights of Telaquire Amazons running wild trying to put together decorations and set the Queen's table. Finding a young brunette blushing her way, Nyssa took it upon herself to join in the preparation, and cure any distress this young Amazon may find herself under…
Eliniir relished in the moments she finally had to herself. She knew they wouldn't be able to leave before the celebration, so she chose this time to prepare herself, and those that would go with her. While she had no one to say her goodbyes to, her warriors did, and she wouldn't dare rob them of the chance to be with their consorts before a potential battle. Pacing herself steadily through the trees, the raven-haired Princess heard the snapping of a nearby branch. Stilling herself, she maintained the stance of obliviousness, so as to seize the element of surprise for herself. A short war cry rained from the brush above Eliniir, but the skilled royal reacted too quickly for her foe. Leaping from the branch on which the Princess perched, she left the amazon to catch only the trees. As her lead scout dangled, Eliniir knew better than to believe the mock distress the capable warrior played.
"Hello, Tirana."
"Your skills are not lost on your subjects, my liege. But one will never cease the need to experience opportunities to ready themselves for the unexpected." With this the younger woman went to grab at her Princess' ankle. Anticipating as much, she merely needed to jump out of reach, and when she came back down her weight vibrated the branch Tirana now only had one hand with which to hold. The naïve amazon came crashing down to the earth below, thankfully into the pointy ends of bushes rather that the cold, unforgiving ground. Eliniir knew she had not hurt her ward, but the pain of her pride was a different matter. Tirana took the Princess' offered hand graciously, with a smirk on her face that showed all was forgiven.
"You nearly had me that time, my friend."
"Oh, you're just trying to ease the humiliation." They laughed together as long time friends did under such circumstances. "I've heard word that we're to be heading out soon."
"Your ears are quite perceptive to hear such fresh news." Eliniir wasn't surprised that Tirana had already come to know what she meant to tell the whole party. "Yes, our mission will come to bring our loved ones home. Regrettably, my mother has also made it clear that we are not to engage in combat."
"Where's the fun in that?" Her smirk served to erect more laughter from the royal, something she had been lacking as of late. Patting her on the back, Eliniir lead her friend by the shoulders towards the festival that would soon begin.
"What my mother won't know, won't hurt her… Come lets give the others an opportunity to say goodbye before we depart. Be prepared to leave at first light."
"Gratitude, Princess Eliniir, I know the scouts could use it." As the celebration neared, they made her way back to the center of the compound to see to final preparations.
All efforts paid off. A fire burning high in the heart of the village lit one's way around all the pleasures the Telaquire had to offer. Dancers allowed the flames to warm their bare bodies, war paint serving as the only barrier between lustful eyes and the Amazons' most enticing features. Guards stood at the ready, spears in hand and unwavering in their purpose, adjacent to the Queens table, topped with all manner of indulgences itself. Tonight was surely one to sate oneself with wine, partake in the sweetest of fruits, and find passion with so alluring a beauty a warrior could do little else but praise so gracious a goddess as Artemis. Nyssa had yet to sate herself, though she enjoyed her fortuitous encounter from earlier that afternoon. She definitely looked forward to such a fresh environment, with none of the drama from home to interfere with her rampant seductions. Drums beat with the tribe's frivolous dances, but none dared get so close to the dancers as the southerner. Her movements were seamlessly adaptive, as the steps were at first lost on the General. The surrounding energy kept its members entranced, each feeding off the other under the light of the moon. Queen Mirren and Princes Eliniir took to their thrones, but many failed to notice. The General's uninhibited nature could be admired under the right light, but as the Telaquire ruler witnessed what her daughter would be exposed to, she started to second guess her decision to have the weapons master alone with Eliniir. Her trust in her daughter's virtue remains the only reassurance.
"Amazons! Your attention…" The drums ceased at once, as her subjects go to their knees before the Queen, and Nyssa herself bows at the hip, as her rearing forced the southerner's second nature to subconsciously display her imperial rank. "Let us remember our purpose for this night. The Fates will come to be honored soon as they unite the Telaquire nation with Macedonia. Long live Princess Tara and my daughter Eliniir!" Those devoted to the strengthening of the tribe bellow zealous war cry across the village. But not all were so thrilled with blessing what had yet come to pass.
As the festivities continued, Eliniir sat quietly on her throne, her guards devotedly standing between herself and her mother, making it easy to ignore her. She observes as Nyssa joins the dancing, noticing quickly how the younger, yet newly independent, amazons trailed behind. Kira in particular attempted to stay close, and then in dawned on Eliniir why Nyssa had been so willing to leave her alone earlier. Anger surged through her entire being. Nearly losing the fight to calm herself, she managed to ignore the sliver of jealousy that once again surfaced at the thought of Nyssa. Eliniir arose and made her way toward the General, determining the present as no greater an opportunity to best the womanizer at her own game.
Just as the vision seen through the pyre flames at Mt Olympus, the dark hair beauty came down a straight path towards a dazed Nyssa. Her one fault laid in the ability to get lost in her love of women, as she did on nights like these when the taste of so many kept her inebriated. Eliniir allowed her sensuality to flow freely, dancing through movements inspired. The warrior took behind her seemingly willing partner, soon to be her greatest conquest yet. The heat off the Telaquire's body teased her target for the philanderer's desire to have that burning passion beneath her. Nyssa came close enough to have the Princess feel a ragged breath upon her neck. Eliniir allowed her prey's palms to hover over the Greek's flawless bronze skin, but could sense the hesitation brought on by that last ounce of respect for royals the General held. Eliniir had her. She continued the dance, knowing she had Nyssa vulnerable enough to have her every word heeded.
"Kira's quite beautiful, isn't she?" Eliniir smirked at Nyssa's confused yet embarrassed expression, though neither of them missed a beat in the passionate dance they shared with the other warriors. Eliniir continued, "I've never seen her quite so enamored before..." She stole Nyssa away, backing into the cover of darkness surrounding them, the warrior in her grasp. Her grip tightened as she slammed her captive into a nearby post, disgust for the Southerner evident across her face. White fire sparked in her eyes before she continued. "Maybe you can explain to me why the youngling follows you like a stray after its hopeful master? Most of them do, and I have a strong feeling you've encouraged it!" Capable of turning the tables on the Princess, Nyssa thought better of it at the power darkening in her eyes.
"I did nothing to Kira that she didn't want. You leave many of your younglings curious about their passions… It's quite a shame." The General made an indulgent sweep of Eliniir's body, mapping out every curve of the woman holding her down. Her grip on the warrior tightened, threatening to cut off the southerner's breathing as she lifted her from the ground.
"How dare you appraise me in such a way! You know NOTHING of our customs and beliefs, yet you stand before me in your ignorance, disregarding my people!" She squeezed harder, though it seemed to make no difference to the warrior. She finally allowed Nyssa's feet to touch down, keeping her grip firm. "Our tribe takes physical acts very seriously. Amazons join under Artemis before sharing themselves here. Though the occasional pair chooses not to wait, it is extremely frowned upon for a woman not to marry before bedding another. To that girl you're her hope and future, and you're ripping it from her before she can begin to comprehend you insincerity. She's lucky she shows promise as a soldier, otherwise she'd be worthless thanks to you." She let go of Nyssa, turning away for a moment to calm herself. "If you are to be my personal guard, then take your duties seriously and leave my wards alone." Panicked in her disgrace, the weapons master quickly sobered up. The shame as she realized she'd tainted Telaquire tradition was too much, causing the warrior to desire nothing more than her escape. Eliniir forced the General to stare back into her eyes, merciless as a tear came down the southerner's face.
"I didn't...I didn't realize…" Escape an impossibility, Nyssa let her nervousness carry away her ramblings, "In Corinth we are raised to be blessed by Artemis's pleasures. We explore each other freely, and the word for Love lacks necessity… I have no apology sufficient enough…by Artemis above…I am so ashamed." Eliniir softened her gaze.
"You might need to explain this to her when next she calls for you." She motioned towards the celebration, realizing she'd taken too long and they were probably missed. "In the mean time, I have a toast to give and amazons to dismiss. Would you accompany me, General?" Nyssa could do no more than shake her head in agreement as she then followed close behind her friend towards the royal family table. As Eliniir approached her throne, the amazons cheered. She couldn't help but grin. Their happiness became infectious quickly. "Amazons!" Another cheer, quickly quieting down to hear their Princess' words. "As most of you know, I will lead our Elite on a mission tomorrow to recover those lost to us." She paused, looking at those who were missing loved ones, glad that they had the support of their tribe as surrogates embraced them, surrounding them with love. "I ask you now to honor them. Elite! Step forward please." Her team of six stepped forward, consorts at their sides. The amazons bowed their heads and recited the traditional prayer to Artemis. The goddess heard those so loyal to her and answered them by sparking the flames. "Our goddess empowers me to reward her best warriors. I call upon the Nýchta Páthous!" The Amazons cheered once again as Eliniir dismissed the Elite and their consorts. Nyssa did not dare question tradition again, though she admitted to herself that the title brought on confusion. The strongest of the Telaquire filed out, each holding the hand of whom the southerner suspected to be their lovers. She had witnessed the practice of taking only one partner before, for the sake of cleanliness, but after her altercation with the Greek Princess she thought better that to simplify any acts of love. Eliniir took to her seat, trying to ignore the calculating grin on her mother's face. As she took a sip of wine from her gilded cup, Mirren mentioned Tara,
"You have a right to Nýchta Páthous as well, daughter." The dark hair beauty nearly sprayed her drink over the table, but instead gulped back the wine hard to keep from further embarrassment.
"It's hardly appropriate, mother." Before she could get any further protest out, Mirren had arose for an announcement of her own.
"The Princess will take the honor of Nýchta Páthous." Nyssa looked on at the triumphant gaze Mirren now showed her. Tara's frightened expression did little to ease the guise the Princess used to hold back her disgust. The General noted the controversy playing out before her. There stood Amazons cheering at the news, pole bearers bringing forth a makeshift throne for the soon to be married. However, there were just as many opposed to the idea of such relations before being joined by Artemis. But none caught the southerner's attention like the woman now approaching the dais. A lust for blood Nyssa familiarized herself with by the gazes of her enemies was now all too prominent in the Amazon. She followed her stealthily through the crowd, noting her average build and the marks of war etched into her face. Nyssa saw the dagger as the Amazon pulled it from her belt, screaming as she started to charge for the royals. The warrior managed to leap to a corner of the table and use the momentum to spring her towards Eliniir. Her adversary acted too quick for the blade's purpose to be fulfilled. Nyssa flipped above the assailant, kicking her in the back and landing her face first on the table. She soon bound the the Amazon's hands behind her, using pressure points to force her to drop the blade. Her captive screamed and writhed underneath.
"Be still, you vile snake, before you force me to take your head!" Eliniir stood only slightly more amazed at the rage in Nyssa's voice than shocked at the identity of her assassin.
"Varia?!"
