Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 24
"I can stay by myself if nobody has room for me!" Daphne huffed and crossed her arms across her chest as the conversation went on around her. The sudden quiet in the room along with all eyes suddenly on her made Daphne shift a bit in her seat. "Well it's true. I'm fourteen there's no reason I can't live alone."
"You are fourteen," Xena addressed the teen. "You will be living with us or a member of our family. This is not a debate, you do not get a say in it, Daphne. You are a child and your father entrusted us to look after you. That is what we are going to do."
"You said yourself that you don't have enough room," Daphne protested. "And that those two," she pointed to Ephiny and Eponin, "are packed in their hut as well. What would you have me do? Sleep under somebody's bed?"
"I have a spare room," Cyrene's voice came from the door of the queen's hut and all eyes turned to her.
"Mother what are you doing here?"
"I brought food." The woman placed the tray on the table in the middle of the hut. "I thought you all might be hungry since you've been in here over a candle mark with no signs of coming out or releasing Daphne to the outside world."
"Why would you want me to stay with you?" Daphne asked with a pout.
"Why not?" Cyrene moved to the chair that held the girl and looked at her raising an eyebrow. "I do have that extra room and it might be nice for you not to be thrown into a house so many siblings."
"Are you sure, Mother?"
"Of course, Xena." Cyrene raised her eyebrow at her daughter. "I raised you, after all. How much harder could this girl be?"
"You'd be surprised," Daphne smirked.
"And you, dear, would do well, to remember that I raised three children without benefit of a father. I am more than capable of keeping one teenage girl in line." Turning back to the still quiet hut Cyrene smiled. "I expect all of you at the family table in the dining hall tonight. Spaghetti is on the menu and I think it will be a great way for Daphne to meet all of her new family."
Moving to the door the former innkeeper turned once more, "Come along, Daphne. I'll show you where you'll be living and then you can help me in the kitchen until dinner."
"I don't want to cook," Daphne frowned.
"I'm sure I can find something for you to do to make yourself useful," Cyrene replied with a smile. "Let's go."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Daphne whined.
"No," Cyrene crossed her arms over her chest. "Right now, Daphne. I haven't got all day and you need to get settled."
Seeing the debate in the girl, Xena shook her head, "Go on, kid. We'll see you at dinner. It's best not to keep Mom waiting too long. She has a lot of wooden spoons in the kitchen."
Seeing the raised eyebrow and the nods from every Amazon in the hut Daphne finally got to her feet and followed Cyrene from the hut as slowly as possible.
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"This is your room, Daphne." Cyrene opened the door of her rarely used second bedroom and allowed the blonde to enter first. "I know it's a little drab right now, but we'll work on getting you a colorful quilt and a rug for the floor. I'm sure it will seem like home in no time."
Dropping her bag on the floor Daphne merely shrugged, "Now what?"
"Now you open that bag, put your clothing and other items away and then come out to the main room so we can go to the kitchen."
"I don't want to go to the kitchen, Cyrene."
"This is not a debate, Daphne." Cyrene moved closer and put her finger and thumb on the girl's chin causing forcing her to make eye contact. "You are going to do what I tell you to do, right now. I would hate for your first day with me to be one of consequences rather than getting to know each other. Do you understand me, young lady?"
"Yes ma'am." Daphne lowered her head when her chin was released. "It won't take me long, I don't have too much."
"That's okay, sweetie. I'm sure we'll be able to supplement what you do have soon."
Picking up her bag as Cyrene left the bedroom Daphne slowly opened it and smiled at the only item to make the travel from every village she'd ever lived in with her father. A faded and worn yellow blanket that was just the size to wrap around an infant. Her mother had made it when she was pregnant with Daphne and the girl had had the item as long as she could remember. Folding it she placed the blanket under her pillow before quickly unpacking the rest of her belongings and going to find Cyrene in the other room.
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"Sam, Sam!" Sighing heavily I looked at my friends and shook my head.
"They told me I didn't have to be back until dusk."
"Sounds like plans have changed," Rory teased. "We're by the pond, Aunt Xena. But then you knew that already!"
Shoving Rory's shoulder I laughed, "She was giving us fair warning that she was coming."
"I know, but since you and Daria weren't alone, there was no need." Rory teased this time getting shoved by Daria.
"Alright girls," Mama's deep timber interrupted our teasing as she came into view. "There's been a change of plans."
"Come on, Mama. You and Mom…"
"I know, but your yaya wants her entire family at the table in the dining hall tonight."
"Why?" I asked standing up as my friends did the same.
"To make sure that Daphne meets her new family on relatively safe territory." Mama grinned. "Mother has decided Daphne is going to live with her and I think she wants to make sure everyone gets used to the new situation sooner rather than later."
"Oh, well at least I don't have to share my room." I shrugged at Mama. "What? Like you really needed another teenage girl in our house? Don't we have enough female hormones for you?" I teased.
"Sam," her tone had just enough of a warning in it that I knew she was serious.
"Fine," I let out a deep breath but stood my ground. "I'll welcome her, but if she decides to act the way she did on the way here…"
"You will allow one of the adults to handle it," Mama informed me and then turned to look at all of my friends. "The same goes for all of you. You may not all be sitting at our table tonight, but if you are, I expect you to give Daphne a chance."
"Does this apply only to dinner, or at other times as well, Xena?" Daria asked with a smirk.
"Try me and find out, young one." Mama winked at Daria before moving towards the trees again. "I expect all of you to follow me in no more than five candle drips. Get washed up and be on time for dinner. Mom has spaghetti on the menu."
"Alright Yaya!" I grinned and just shrugged at my friends. "What, you all know it's my favorite."
"We do," Zivah nodded. "Though most of us don't do a happy dance over it."
Sticking my tongue out at Zivah, we all followed Mama's trail back to the village and our imposed family dinner. I began to wonder how long it would be before Daphne felt Yaya's wooden spoon of displeasure. Feeling a bit better at the thought, I linked hands with Daria and lightened my step.
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Yaya had given us a larger family table and I slid into my usual seat next to Mama and Eve quietly. Ephiny and her family were already in their usual spots and I grinned at Rory and Zivah who sat across from Eve and me. Looking at the table I couldn't wait to dig into the spaghetti and garlic bread. Hearing footsteps I turned and watched as Yaya came from the kitchen followed by Daphne. Daphne held the large bowl of salad while Yaya carried another pitcher of juice to add to the one already on the table.
Sitting in her spot at the head of the table Yaya pointed Daphne to sit in the empty chair next to her. "Just put the bowl down there, dear and have a seat. Then we can fill our plates and get to know each other."
"Sure Cyrene." I watched as Daphne sat down quietly and wondered what this dinner would bring.
"Yaya can we eat now?" Eve demanded. "I'm starving."
"Yes Eve, we can eat now." Yaya began by passing the salad and I held my tongue as Daphne took a small bit of salad when Yaya raised an eyebrow. As the spaghetti bowl was passed everyone took a healthy portion until the dish reached Daphne.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Sketti," Emily replied her face already covered in the sauce.
"Yeah, it's really good," Eve added. "Right guys?"
Getting nods all around from the table Daphne put the bowl back on the table. "I'll just have bread and some of these vegetables."
"You will try the spaghetti, Daphne." Yaya placed a serving of the dish on Daphne's plate and our table was suddenly deadly quiet. Even the little girls were watching to see what Daphne would do.
"What's in this?" Daphne asked snidely as she pulled up a noodle with her fork and merely smelled it.
"Noodles, sauce, and meat," I replied.
"Taste it," Yaya directed.
"No." Putting her fork down Daphne shoved a large piece of bread into her mouth and then grimaced. "What is this? What did you do to the bread?"
"It's garlic bread," Yaya replied. "It goes well with the sauce for the spaghetti."
"I'm going to starve here," Daphne crossed her arms and glowered at her meal.
"Just taste it," Eve rolled her eyes as she grabbed another piece of bread. "It's the best and you're acting like a little kid."
Biting a piece of bread myself to keep from laughing I grinned at my sister. "So Daphne, what are these skills that my mama supposedly left in your body?" I asked.
Daphne brightened and smiled at everyone. "Well I can do flips, kicks, and I can fish better than anyone. I'm also great at swimming and the few times I managed to get my hands on some type of weapon it came naturally to me. Oh and I can also ride better than almost anyone I've met."
"I guess she didn't get your modesty," I quipped only to feel a swat to my thigh as Mama reached over Eve to warn me.
"Nobody is better than Mama and Mommy," Eve stood on her chair just to be pulled down by Mama. "And there's no way you're better at any of that than Sam. She's the best after them."
"Thank you, little bit."
"You're welcome."
"So tell us why you had to move so many times," Ephiny asked quietly.
"Some people in our home village didn't like that I noticed when things were wrong and bashed heads when I needed to bash heads." Daphne finally took a bite of spaghetti and slowly began to eat.
"Bashing heads?" Mom asked. "You were nine when we left your village you shouldn't have been trying to fight anyone."
Daphne shrugged, "I did what I felt was right."
"And what happened?" Mama asked quietly helping Emily with her food.
"We were run out of our village when I got a little overzealous and tried to tie up a visiting leader from another village when I thought he was a thief."
"And the village after that?" Eponin asked.
"A little misunderstanding with the magistrate's wife and a ring."
"And your last village, before you came here?" Yaya asked.
"My father overreacted when I went after a group of slavers in our area," Daphne huffed.
"You were captured by the slavers, Daphne," Mama cut in. "Your father did not overreact and if you learn only one thing from us it's that everything comes down to the biggest rule we have."
"Oh, what's that? Don't get captured?" Daphne asked rolling her eyes.
"No." Mama's voice was even. "Kids tell Daphne the most important rule for survival."
"It's wisdom before weapons," came the chant in unison.
"Yeah, peace before fighting," Eve smiled around her sauce laden face. "But if using your brains doesn't work then you need to know how to kick their butts!" she added as we all laughed, save Daphne.
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Cyrene watched the girl staring at the fire with a concerned expression. Daphne had been quiet since the evening meal and she had only answered questions with one word answers when possible. Deciding that it was late enough Cyrene cleared her throat. "Daphne, it's time for you to go to bed."
"It's too early and I'm not tired." Blue met Cyrene's face with a glare.
"It's time for bed, Daphne." Cyrene took a deep breath. "We get up early around here and I want to make sure you've had enough rest before tomorrow."
"My father never made me go to bed at a certain time," Daphne protested.
"That may be, but you now have a bed time." Standing Cyrene crossed the short distance to where Daphne was sitting on the rug in front of the fire. "Come sit with me, Daphne." Cyrene directed patting the spot next to her on the short couch.
Huffing the teen did what was asked flopping back onto the couch. "What?"
"I think we need to go over some ground rules," Cyrene turned and held Daphne's hands in hers. "First thing, you have a bedtime. This is not going to change, you will have one unless there's a special occasion."
"What else?"
"This attitude of yours needs to stop, little girl." Cyrene held Daphne's gaze. "You are only fourteen, Daphne. You are not a grown warrior yet, and you are now living with me. I have taken responsibility for you which means that you will follow my rules or suffer the consequences."
"Fine."
Cyrene took a deep breath at the clipped response. "Tell me why you're so upset right now."
"What do you care?" Daphne tried to rise but was pulled back to her seat by the older woman.
"I care because you now belong to me, Daphne. You are part of Xena and Gabrielle's house, and now part of our family. In this family we take care of each other. And part of the greater family is this village. If you truly want to become an Amazon then you will be cared for by all of your sisters."
"Really?"
"Really," Cyrene smiled gently. "However, along with that family comes certain rules. You not only have to follow my rules, but the rules of the village. There are rules that govern the way a girl is to be raised here. School, warrior training, how you act around others."
"School? I have to go to school?"
"You do," Cyrene shook her head. "You also have to follow any rules I set out for you. I do not expect every day to be a battle, Daphne. You are the child, I am your guardian, and that's the way it's going to be."
"But I've been doing just fine," Daphne protested. "My dad was always busy working and I've been fending for myself alright."
"Even Xena didn't raise herself, Daphne. You are not going to continue that way, young lady. You are with me now and I am going to take care of you, give you boundaries, and love you. You are now being raised, Daphne. So, go get ready for bed and I'll be in shortly to check on you."
"But…"
Daphne's protest was cut off by a shake of Cyrene's head. Standing she pulled the teen to her feet and pointed her to the bedroom. Giving Daphne's bottom a firm tap to encourage her Cyrene spoke once more, "Go on."
"I'm not happy about this, Cyrene."
"I know. Now scoot."
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Slipping into my chair for breakfast I gave a big yawn before helping myself to some porridge and bacon. Eve sat down next to me and gave a big sigh. "I want to sleep, Sam."
"So do I, but we have school." Helping Eve with her breakfast I yawned once more and merely waved to Rory as she sat down. "Where's the rest of your family?"
"Zivah and the moms are having an issue about respect, and Addy is on the way. Apparently she's picking up Mavis to join us. I didn't ask." Rory dished out her own breakfast and began to eat quietly.
"Good morning, girls." Yaya chuckled at our half-hearted waves. "Sam, I need for you and Rory to take Daphne to school today. Laurel is expecting her."
"Sure Yaya," I waved through another yawn and shook my head as Eve pushed her bowl away and laid her head on the table.
"Rough night?" Yaya asked making sure Daphne was helping herself to breakfast.
I nodded. "The twins decided they didn't want to sleep, Nasa decided to help them stay awake, Mama had heartburn half the night…" I trailed off as Eve sat up once more.
"And Mama kept muttering about the baby and her bladder. She got up about a thousand times last night!"
"Not that many," I muttered.
"It was close, Sam," Eve said seriously. "I am so glad we have story time with Auntie and Aunt Hestia today."
"Why is that?" Rory asked.
"I can take a nap and they won't care," Eve grinned and then put her head back on the table with a loud groan. "I hope this baby is quieter than the twins were. I can't go on so little sleep, I'm a growing kid."
"Daphne you need to eat," Yaya directed.
"Can't I just have juice and bread?"
"No."
"But I don't want this," Daphne protested playing with her porridge.
"Daphne you need to try it," Yaya encouraged. "There is no reason for you to not try things."
"My dad never made me try stuff."
Yaya's eyebrow raised and Eve shook her head. "Just try it," she directed. "You're pickier than anybody I know."
"I just don't like a lot of things," Daphne snapped.
"Because you won't try anything," Eve bantered. "Sheesh."
"Eve," Yaya's warning made my sister duck her head and focus on her own breakfast.
"Morning everybody," Mavis greeted as she and Addy finally joined us. "Ready for story time today?"
Eve nodded, "Yes."
Addy giggled, "Me too. I asked Auntie if we could have a really good story today and she said she'd see if she could bring props with her."
Shaking my head I closed my eyes and wished for the best outcome of Auntie bringing story props. "I hope you three have a great day."
"We will," Mavis assured me.
Waiting quietly while everyone finished their food I noticed that Daphne had grudgingly eaten a little porridge and a piece of bacon along with her bread. "Everyone ready?" I finally asked.
Getting nods from everyone except Daphne I stood. "Alright then let's go. Daphne are you coming? I don't want to be late for school."
"I'm not going," she announced sitting back in her chair.
"Yes you are," Yaya's tone reminded me of Mama's and I smirked. "Move it, young lady."
"Come on, Daphne," Rory spoke this time. "We aren't going to be late because you're being stubborn."
Moving from the table we were at the door before she finally caught up with us stomping and huffing as we made our way through the door and outside.
We had dropped the little girls off and made our way to our school all the while listening to Daphne mumble under her breath. Finally reaching the school I walked Daphne inside the building while Rory merely shrugged at me and met a group of our friends under the large tree outside.
"Laurel?"
Looking up from the scrolls on her desk she smiled at me and nodded, "What can I do for you, Sam?"
"Yaya asked me to introduce you to Daphne."
Laurel smiled at the blonde and held out her arm for a warrior's greeting. "Hello Daphne."
"Hello," Daphne gave a small wave.
Dropping her arm Laurel waved her in and then nodded to me, "You can go outside, Sam. Tell the others we'll start a little later this morning. I'd like to speak with Daphne."
"Sure thing, Laurel." Leaving the school I happily made my way outside to convey the good news of our late start.
"Please sit down, Daphne." Laurel directed pointing to the empty chair next to her desk. "I have a few questions for you, alright?"
"Yeah sure." Daphne shrugged.
"First of all have you ever gone to school on a regular basis before?"
"Define regular."
"Every day when it was in session."
"No," Daphne looked at her hands.
"Daphne how often have you been in school?" Laurel asked gently.
"Not a whole lot," the girl admitted. "One of the villages we lived in didn't have a school and the other two villages had schools, but I didn't go a lot. My mother tried to teach me to read but I'm not very good at it."
Laurel gave Daphne a warm smile, "That's okay. I'm sure you'll do just fine, Daphne. You just follow along the best you can and I'll go from there. You can stay after class today and I'll administer the proper test then."
"What's the point of a test? I probably won't know anything on it." Daphne protested.
"The point is I asked you to take it. You need to do this so I can see what you'll need extra help on. It's important information for me and for those who will help you learning what's needed."
"And who's going to help me?" Daphne demanded.
"I thought you were now in Cyrene's care?"
"Yeah so?"
"That means she is responsible for you, Daphne. You are part of her family and she will help you or find someone that can if she is not able. It is the Amazon way."
Rolling her eyes Daphne said nothing. "So I'm stuck staying at school late to take some dumb test that I already know I'll fail. I can't wait."
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Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.
Now, for a shameless plug: I have just published my first solo novel, Broadway Baby, under the pen name of Alexandra James. It is available at Stormy Nights, Amazon, and will be up on most major e-book places very soon.
Please check it out and if you like it leave a review for me.
Thanks!