"Velasca's not the only danger, eh? Wonder what she meant by that," the Destroyer mused.
"I like her. She's nice. When's she coming back?" Mendi asked his mistress.
"Shit if I know. What's wrong with you, brother? I've never seen you act that way around a stranger. That was an Olympian right there. The last time you met an Olympian he locked you up in a cage and nearly drove you mad."
"I can't explain it. She made me feel so peaceful, so safe," Mendi replied. "You didn't feel that way?"
The Destroyer guffawed. "No. She's a goddess. I'm her enemy. Only now I'm not. Were you payin' the least bit of attention earlier?"
"Nope. Why?"
"I just agreed to something you're not gonna like. We have to stay with humans for awhile, and I have to do something dangerous."
"Really? Did she ask you to do that?"
"Yeah. She fixed my knife up, too. Can't say it wasn't needed."
"If she asked you, it'll be all right. I don't mind staying with the humans."
"What has gotten INTO you, Mendi?" The Destroyer could not keep the slight edge from her tone. Mendi's MY brother, MY companion. Why's he so trusting of Artemis? She must have some kind of thrall over animals. It happened to the dogs too. Ah well. He's still my Mendi first. I shouldn't get all bent out of shape. "Anyway, I guess we have to go find these – y'know what, nevermind. I think they just found us."
"I hear them too. I can smell them. Are you going to tell me what an Amazon is now?" Mendi asked.
"You'll see soon enough."
"Hey, you! Don't move!" Within moments of their detection by the Destroyer and her cat, a squad of armed Amazons came into sight. They wore masks and carried a variety of weapons including crossbows, staves, and polearms. The young woman realized that the group on the ground was not their only company – there were other Amazons hidden in the trees around their position. "Put the weapon down," the Amazon who seemed to be the leader barked. In response, the Destroyer nonchalantly sheathed her blade, remarking to herself how much sturdier it felt in her grasp than before. "That's not what I meant!" the squad leader shouted, approaching the Destroyer alone. "I want you to throw all your weapons on the ground, get that cat on the ground, and put your hands behind your head. You're trespassing on Amazon hunting grounds. You should be thankful you're not full of arrows already."
"You can't hit me, and if you hit my brother I'm gonna be quite pissed at you. Anyhow, isn't your goddess going to be more than a little disappointed if you off the champion she went and found for you?"
The Amazon ripped off her mask, narrowed her eyes, and stood directly over the Destroyer. She was a hard, imposing warrior, with dark brown hair and eyes. "What did you say?"
"Yeah, that little Velasca problem you've been having. I'm supposed to fix that. If you try to shoot me up I might change my mind."
The other Amazons in the squad gasped. Several murmurs of surprise and alarm became audible. "What is she talking about? Velasca's returned? How could this be? I bet that bitch Iphianassa's to blame. It could be this stranger's fault, for all we know!"
"How do you know about that?" the squad leader hissed, getting directly the Destroyer's face.
"First of all, ya need t' back up RIGHT now, because yer in my space," the brown-haired girl growled. "And second, I just had a little chat with Artemis. You got a goddess problem. I'm th' solution." The squad leader appeared nonplussed. "Dincha hear me? Back off, Amazon. This relationship ain't gonna start well if I have to whip your ass."
"You back off, then," the warrior sneered.
"I don't do that."
Something in the Destroyer's eyes warned the Amazon not to push the young woman. She moved back under the guise of sizing her adversary up. "Who are you?"
"You can call me Tira Darkheart."
"Your name is Tira?"
"No, no, no, dammit. It's a title. You say the whole thing every time. Tira Darkheart. It's not my name. You ain't earned my name yet, Amazon. How 'bout you? Who do I have the dubious pleasure of addressing?"
"I'm Solari, Chief Strategist and First Officer of the Queen Regent. As the Chief Strategist, it's my business to find out how a stranger knows information that was supposed to be restricted to the War Council."
"I told ya, Solari. Artemis just filled me in. You mean to say that your patron goddess asks me for help, then doesn't even bother to mention it to you guys? Damn. I got some strong words for her next time I see her."
Solari's face contorted, and she shook noticeably with the effort of controlling herself. Gripping her spear tightly she leaned over and whispered fiercely in the Destroyer's ear, "Shut your mouth, you damned, stupid kid. I know about asking the goddess for help, but they don't. I know about Velasca, but they don't. Have you never heard of information control? Now, I admit that I'm supposed to be watching out for a Champion sent to us by Artemis, but that doesn't mean you're it and I'm getting less inclined to believe you with every word. Keep your fool mouth shut and follow my lead or this is going to get very ugly, and fast."
"I'll follow you wherever ya like on one condition. You and your squad don't so much as brush me or my cat, not even by accident. If you lay hands on me I'm liable to chew up a few of your warriors and I'm not even kidding. Cut me a little slack here. I did agree to kill a goddess for you."
Solari's eyes narrowed, and she grit her teeth, but she nodded. "You stay right next to me, Tira Darkheart. Understood?"
"Yep. Take it easy, arright? We're supposed to be on the same side here."
Solari put her mask back on and turned to her squad. "Everybody listen up. We're going to take the intruder prisoner as a precautionary measure. I personally will be responsible for her until I deliver her to the Queen Regent. This young woman may be an ally so I don't want anyone making any stupid moves, understand? She is a prisoner at present but she may be an honored guest tomorrow for all I know. I expect EVERYONE to conduct themselves with discipline, understand?"
"Yes, First Officer!" the other Amazons replied in unison. With that, the Destroyer and Mendi fell into step behind Solari, followed closely by the other warriors.
"Where we goin'?" she asked the Chief Strategist.
"I'm taking you straight to the Queen Regent, in our main village. It's not far. Stay quiet. We'll talk soon enough, but not here."
"Fine. I never did care much for talkin'."
"And the animal, is he under control? I assume he's yours."
"Mendi's mellow. As long as no one bothers him, he won't bother you."
"Fair enough." The pair walked in uncomfortable silence, trailed by the small contingent of Amazons and flanked by others that kept to the trees. Solari took the opportunity to assess her surly companion. The wild woman was about the same height as the typical Amazon warrior, and every bit as muscular, if not more so. Her medium-brown hair was decidedly unkempt, frizzed as it was into a manic-looking mane. Solari noted with disdain that the young woman was dirty and had not bathed in some time. She observed the battered state of the furs and skins the stranger wore. They had been repaired several times over. What disturbed Solari the most were the girl's eyes, especially when they were on her. Something in that gaze was unsettling.
They traveled at a quick pace until they reached the village at last. Amazons of all ages and trades peered curiously at the newcomer who flanked the well-known Solari, and small girls looked upon the oversized cat with fascination. "Leave us," Solari commanded in her clipped, imposing tone once she reached the officials' hut.
"First Officer, are you sure we should not restrain the intruder before she enters the Queen Regent's chamber?" a stocky blonde with short hair asked Solari.
"I gave you an order. Follow it," the Chief Strategist snapped in reply. More calmly she added, "She's just one girl. I can take care of any problems."
None dared defy Solari's authority, so the Amazon warriors quickly dispersed. When they had gone Solari bent to whisper in the Destroyer's ear once again. "I still don't really know who you are or if you are truly the goddess's champion. All I know is, if you make any kind of move to threaten the Queen Regent, I will slit your throat in the blink of an eye, even if you are just a youth."
The Destroyer smirked and turned to the imposing Amazon. "Listen, Solari. I don't like you. But I might, eventually. Since I'd like you to survive to that possible future time where I no longer dislike you, I'm going to tell you that I fought the Warrior Princess to a draw and beat the God of War in single combat. Don't fuck with me."
"Don't make me laugh. You're green. I knew it as soon as I saw you. You don't have a scratch on you, not on your arms and legs anyhow. You're no fighter. You might be a gifted athlete, I grant you that. And you clearly have a special bond with that big cat, since he follows you so closely. But do not stand there and try to tell me you're a bad girl. Now when we go in to see the Queen Regent, I hope for your sake you have some better manners than the ones you've shown so far. If she wants to, she can make you very, very sorry."
Oooh, it would be so easy to flash the teeth right now. So tempting…no. Stop it, dumbass. You're here to help the Amazons, not get in a pissing contest with their commanders. Would you believe it in her place? Of course not. You were patient with Xena. Be patient with Solari. Man – these humans are too much work! "Right, right, play nice with the Queen Regent. Sure. Can Mendi stay out here? He doesn't like going inside buildings if he can help it, but I don't want him bothered."
"He'll be fine by the door." What is going on between her and the cat? She treats him like a person. I'll have to find out later. "Come on. She's waiting for us and her time is far too valuable to waste. Remember what I said before."
Before she disappeared inside the hut, the Destroyer shot Mendi a 'don't-come-off-as-anything-but-a-regular-cat' look, receiving perked and attentive feline ears in reply. She followed Solari through an anterior hallway before arriving at a heavy wooden door flanked by twin torches. Before the First Officer could knock, a call of "Come in, Solari!" came from behind the door. Solari entered with the Destroyer and nodded her head solemnly at her close friend. "Leave us," the Queen Regent said quietly.
"My Queen – " Solari began to protest before being cut off mid-sentence.
"It's not an insult, Solari. It's not a lack of trust, it's an abundance of it. I need you outside keeping watch. I don't care if you overhear us. I just have to make sure no one else does."
"But your safety is my first priority."
The Queen Regent set a large, loaded crossbow down heavily on the table in front of her throne. "Satisfied? Please, I need to talk to her alone."
With extreme reluctance, Solari left the room, shutting the large door behind her. The Destroyer stood motionless in front of the Amazon leader, waiting.
"Hello, Tira Darkheart."
"Hello, Ephiny."
