Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 25
"Cyrene?" Turning towards the door of the kitchen Cyrene smiled and brushed her hands on her apron.
"Laurel, how nice to see you. What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if I could speak with you about Daphne."
"Of course, just give me a minute to tell the ladies what to do and we can go someplace a little quieter to talk." Removing her apron Cyrene gave last minute directions to Shay and the other women in the kitchen before heading out the door with Laurel.
"How about we head to my place?" Cyrene suggested. "Or did you want to speak at the school?"
"Your place is fine, Cyrene," the teacher replied and they walked in silence covering the short distance to Cyrene's hut.
"Please, come in," Cyrene welcomed. "I'd say let's sit out front, but I'd like this conversation to be a little more private."
"I agree." Taking a seat on the small couch as Cyrene sat in her usual chair Laurel took a deep breath.
Holding up her hand, Cyrene moved to Daphne's room and peeked inside. "Sorry, I was just checking. I didn't want Daphne to overhear anything we're not ready for her to hear yet."
Laurel nodded, "I understand. Though I believe Daphne was going to hang out with some of the other girls this afternoon."
"Oh?" Cyrene settled once more in her chair.
"Yes, Rory came and got her from the school after she had finished testing. Then they headed off towards the far practice field."
Sighing heavily, Cyrene rubbed her hand down her face. "Will you excuse me for just another moment, Laurel?" Not waiting for a reply Cyrene rose once again and opened the door to her hut. Stopping a passing girl she asked the girl to direct Xena or Gabrielle to the far practice field. Letting the girl go she stopped her once more and told her she could also give Eponin or Ephiny the message if she couldn't find Gabrielle or Xena.
Sitting again, Cyrene looked at the teacher and smiled gently at the woman's confusion, "I am sorry, Laurel. I just needed to do a bit of a pre-emptive strike. Now, what did you want to speak with me about?"
"I wanted you to know that I gave Daphne some basic tests after class today," Laurel began. "The results weren't awful, but they weren't great either. Even Sam's results were better and we all know how difficult her transition was when she first moved here."
Cyrene nodded, "I was afraid of that. Daphne told me that her educational background was spotty. Is she far behind the others?"
"Yes and no. What I mean is that she obviously is behind others her age on Amazon history, culture, and philosophy. However, she has basic arithmetic skills and her reading skills are there but they are not where an Amazon child her age would be. I'm going to recommend that she spend once a week with me after school to help her in certain areas."
"Is there anything else I can do to help?" Cyrene asked.
"She's going to need your support at home, Cyrene. Assignments aren't going to come easy for her and I will probably assign other girls to help Daphne with her lessons as well. She is too close to an age of majority and there are certain areas where truly needs to catch up. It's not going to be easy for her, but I know she will be able to succeed with the right support."
Cyrene took a deep breath and nodded, "I understand, Laurel. Daphne may not understand however." Giving the teacher a wry smile Cyrene chuckled a bit, "Let me know if she gives you too much trouble or tries to skip out on classes."
"Oh, I will, Cyrene. You can be sure of that." Laurel then stood and nodded to the older woman. "Thank you for your time."
"Thank you for talking to me so quickly," Cyrene walked the teacher to the door. "Have a nice evening."
Cyrene waited until Laurel had walked halfway to her own hut before finally turning and heading back inside. Moving to the kitchen area she grabbed a wooden spoon and then left her hut once again, striding purposefully towards the practice field.
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The four women approached the practice field with a set determination. A young Amazon had told them that Cyrene thought they should head this way and all of them wondered what was going on. Hearing shouts Xena stopped and looked at the other three, "I have a feeling we aren't going to like what we find."
"Of course not," Eponin shrugged. "If it's about our kids we'll probably want to beat our heads against an anvil." Shrugging her shoulders at the looks she smirked, "What? Just because you don't say it doesn't mean you don't agree."
"She has a point," Gabrielle quipped as Xena began to run. "Damn it, I hate when she does that." Gabrielle followed her wife at a fast pace knowing that Ephiny and Eponin were right behind her.
"Oh the gods," Xena looked at the other women, speechless. "Are they?"
"Naked? Yes," Ephiny replied. "Have they?"
"Covered Daphne in mud? Yup," Eponin added. "And are they?"
"Taking her on all once? Yes." Gabrielle finished watching as her middle daughter and her best friends went after Daphne with their staves as the teen managed to hold them off despite her obvious discomfort. "Enough!" Gabrielle's voice rang over the practice field and all activity stopped. "What in the Tartarus is going on here?"
"We're getting Daphne warmed up for Sam," Eve called from her spot near Daphne.
"Yeah, we don't want Sam to kick her ass if she hasn't had a chance to warm up," Addy added.
"She's losing," Mavis chortled. "She walked right into the mud hole without us having to do much at all."
Xena took a deep breath and nodded to Ephiny, "Please disperse the crowd, Regent. We don't need witnesses."
"Everyone who is not in our house, go home!" Ephiny shouted. "And be glad that we're not planning an early morning training run for all of you knuckleheads. Move!" She grinned seeing the girls almost stumble over themselves in their haste to leave the field.
I groaned as our mothers approached us. They were taking in everything and I knew from the expressions on their faces as well as experience that they were not impressed. Zivah, Rory, Daria, and I were near a large tree, and had been watching the little girls go after Daphne. Eve, Mavis, and Addy also had mud on their bodies and were, once more, naked. Each held her staff proudly and Eve kept giving Daphne sideways glances as if she was going to attack the teen at any moment. Daphne, for her part, was beyond fuming and looked as if she wanted to take on all the girls in front of her, little and big.
"Who wants the streakers?" Mom finally spoke and a loud sigh was heard.
"I'll get them bathed and we'll wait for you in the queen's hut. I'll send for Edison as well," Eponin shook her head. "Why are they always naked? You would think they'd outgrow this," she muttered to herself before motioning for the three youngest girls to follow her.
"Girls, you are to get cleaned up and wait in the official hut without causing any more problems." Mom's voice was firm and she seemed satisfied with the triple nods.
"Thanks Eponin," Mom held her smile as Aunt Ep merely grunted and pointed towards the village making sure the three girls were ahead of her as she marched them back for the dreaded clean up.
Mom then focused on us once more, "Daria?"
"Yes my queen?" Daria ducked her head quickly before once more looking into Mom's angry face.
"Didn't Ephiny say anyone not in our house could leave?"
"She's good," I heard Ephiny whisper as Mama nodded.
"Yup."
"Yes," Daria gulped. "But I figured I was, well, that is…" she stumbled over the right words before I finally took pity on my girlfriend.
"Oh for the gods' sake," I huffed. "You know as well as I do that you're an unofficial member of our house already and it's only time before you'll be one of us officially. Just suck it up and take your punishment." I finished only to gulp when my blonde mother's gaze focused on me.
"Samina."
"For what it's worth, I have yet to touch Daphne. That was all Eve, Addy, and Mavis."
"And who put them up to it?" Mama demanded.
"Since when does anybody have to put Trouble up to anything?" Rory asked rolling her eyes, and gulping herself when her mother's glare caught her eye. "Never mind."
"Good save, Rory," Ephiny deadpanned. "I think we all want to know what's going on here."
"The little girls wanted to spar with me," Daphne spoke up. "I decided to try it after Sam showed me the basic way to hold a staff. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I just didn't know they worked that well as a group."
Xena bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling, "What do you mean, Daphne?"
"They basically herded me to the mud hole after distracting me by taking off their clothes. They then proceeded to attack me in tandem while yelling is some weird language."
"I see," Xena shook her head. "And what were the four of you doing while the Troubling Trio was beating up on Daphne?"
"Watching," Zivah answered quietly. "We asked if she wanted help and she said no. So we decided to let things pan out for themselves."
"And if we hadn't stopped matters?" Gabrielle asked.
"Then Daphne and I would have been in the next go round," I replied. "We'd already decided no weapons since she hasn't been trained in them yet."
"And why the sudden need to spar?" Gabrielle continued.
"It's our way to welcome Daphne into the family and the village," Rory answered. "After all, she needs to know what it means to be an Amazon and we figured she might as well get used to our little sisters sooner rather than later."
"They have a point," Ephiny raised her hands in surrender at Gabrielle's look. "At least they left the goat out of it this time." She tried.
"Not helping, Xena." Mom whirled on Mama as she began to laugh at the goat comment.
"She has a point, Gabrielle. It could have been worse with those three involved." Mama's laughter suddenly dried up when Yaya landed a swat to her thigh. I'm sure she had heard Yaya coming up to us but hadn't anticipated that Yaya would be armed.
"What the hell?" Turning Mama said nothing else as Yaya's eyes met hers in an even glare.
"Are you finding something funny, little one?" Yaya asked.
"No Mom," Mama stepped back and next to Mom slowly. "Nothing funny here."
"In the words of Eve, damn," Daria mumbled as Yaya moved her attention from Mama to us.
"All of you come here," she demanded. "Now." Her command made the four of us scramble. Almost killing each other in our haste to obey her. Daphne however was moving at a snail's pace and I wondered how long Yaya would allow the disrespect to continue.
"I'm coming, no need to get your feathers in a twist," Daphne replied.
"That's gonna hurt," Mama muttered.
"What is?" Aunt Ephiny asked only to be answered as Yaya intercepted Daphne and landed a half dozen hard swats to the girl's bottom.
"That," Mama stepped back once more. "Never mouth off to my mother when she's holding a wooden spoon."
"I thought you were never supposed to mouth off to Cyrene no matter what," Mom whispered. "It's safer that way."
Mama nodded, "True, but not always possible if your brain decides not to cooperate."
Yaya suddenly turned and glared at the women behind her, "What the three were of you planning to do about this and why isn't Eponin here?"
"She had to take our younger daughters to get cleaned up," Mom offered.
"What are you talking about?"
"They were naked and covered in mud," Aunt Ephiny added. "But there was no goat this time," she added quickly.
Yaya shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Thank the gods. I don't think the goat could handle anything else from those three." Taking a deep breath she turned to Mama once more. "You go and help Eponin with the other miscreants. I'm sure she's going to need it. The three of us will handle things here."
"But mom," Mama tried only to stop talking at the raised eyebrow she encountered. "Alright, no need to shout." Mama sighed heavily and began walking towards the village at a slow pace.
"Mama!" I yelled only to be met with silence. "Coward," I whispered as Daria elbowed me.
"Knock it off, what if Cyrene has bionic hearing too?"
"She doesn't," I grumbled. "I can't believe she left us with the wooden spoon."
"I can," Zivah whispered. "Doesn't want her ass on the line."
Before I could respond Mom and Yaya were in front of us once more. "Alright you lot. We are heading back to the village where we are going to talk about what happened here. Then we will decide if this is going to be handled by official punishments…" Mom stated
"And unofficial punishments," Yaya continued
"We understand," I answered for all of us. "But before you decide anything, just remember, we were only being Amazons."
"Hey! Watch the ear!" I rubbed my ear after Mom let it go. "That does hurt you know."
"And that line is the biggest bunch of garbage I have heard in a while," she pointed towards the village. "All of you get going and don't stop until you're in the official queen's hut."
"What a way to spend the afternoon," Rory grumbled only to yelp as Yaya's spoon met her backside as she passed her.
"Way to talk without thinking, Rory," Zivah muttered.
"Shut up, squirt," Rory responded only to yelp again when her mother's hand met her bottom.
"Don't call your sister names, Rory."
"Damn," Rory finally whispered only to yelp once more when Mom's hand had its turn.
"Rory," I turned and shook my head. "I think it might be safer if you just kept your mouth shut."
"No kidding," she replied rubbing her bottom as we trudged back to the village and our dooms.
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The seven of us were lined up in the queen's hut waiting for the adults to decide if we were going to be punished officially, unofficially, or with a combination of the two.
"What is taking so long?" Eve finally groused before sitting down on the ground and crossing her legs.
"They're trying to decide what to do with us," I replied joining her on the ground. Everyone soon followed our example except for Daphne, and we watched our parents a few moments longer.
"Why are we even in trouble?" Daphne finally sat down with us. "I mean we were just sparring, which from what I've seen around here is a normal occurrence."
"Yeah, you'd think they'd be used to it by now," Daria agreed. "I mean they've only been living here for five years. Not to mention the short blonde one is our queen."
Mama slowly turned her head towards us and raised a lone eyebrow at Daria. Ducking her head Daria finally shrugged and gave a half grin to Mama. "Sheesh, bionic hearing sucks. How do you do it, Sam?"
"Lots of practice," I quipped.
"Come on, you use the twins as a distraction as much as I do," Eve butted in. "And Nasa. Nothing better than getting him to bark at just the right moment."
Lunging towards Eve, I covered her mouth with my hand and then screamed, "Ewww, did you just lick me?"
"Made you let go, didn't it?"
"Enough!" Mom's voice made us all look at the adults again. "You need to sit quietly and allow us to talk."
"Come on, Mom." I stood up and sighed. "So little bit and her friends had some fun with Daphne. Daphne didn't come out any worse for wear and we would have been fine as well. We just wanted to show each other our skills. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal is that you decided to do it without an adult present." Mom's green eyes flashed.
"So what?"
"Samina watch your tone," Mama stepped forward and I rolled my eyes.
"Seriously, the two of you act as if friendly sparring never goes on among the Amazon juniors ever. We weren't out to hurt each other. It wasn't a challenge. We just wanted to spar."
"Then save it for class," Ephiny stepped forward. "You know the rules and the laws better than most your age, Samina. What you did wasn't acceptable and there must be consequences for it."
"Fine. Then punish me." I stepped forward again. "It was my idea, and I take full responsibility."
"You know it doesn't work like that, Samina," Mom spoke again.
"Why not? I'm the princess, let me be held accountable."
"I'm the princess too," Eve stood up and put her hand in mine. "I'm responsible too. I kicked Daphne's butt and I'd do it again."
Mama sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of her nose. "All of you stand up, please."
As everyone stood up we linked hands and I held in my smirk as the adults lined up to look at us. Passing looks among each other they finally looked back to us. "This is what's going to happen," Mom finally spoke again. "We are handling this as your mothers today. We know that nothing go out of hand, but it easily could have. No more secret sparring."
"Then how are Daphne and I going to compare skills?" I asked.
"By sparring with us there to watch and supervise," Mama stepped up to me and put her fingers under my chin tilting it just a bit. "You will be allowed to compare skills, Samina. But you will do it under my terms."
"I understand," I dropped my gaze to my boots when she let go of my chin and sighed heavily. So much for beating Daphne's cocky ass.
"What about me, Mama?"
Mama kneeled in front of Eve and held her gaze, "You had your fun, Eve. There will be no more sparring with Daphne for you unless your mom or I okay it. Do you understand?"
Eve sighed, "Yeah. You're no fun anymore." She pouted causing Mama's face to fall briefly before standing upright again.
"Alright ladies," Ephiny addressed us this time. "My girls, come with me, we're going to finish this at home."
Addy, Zivah, and Rory all sighed and moved towards the entrance of the hut. "Go on," Eponin encouraged taking Addy's hand and beginning their forced march to their family hut.
"Daria, let's go." Daria's mother shook her head as Daria gave me a quick kiss before leaving the tent.
"Daphne, we will discuss this at home." Yaya pointed with the spoon and Daphne shook her head looking confused.
"I still don't see why you're so upset," she muttered.
"We will talk at home," Yaya repeated taking her by the arm and leading Daphne from the hut.
Mavis looked at her mother and sighed heavily, "I guess it's my turn now, huh?"
Edison nodded, "Yep. Let's go, little girl."
"See ya, Eve."
"Bye Mavis." Eve watched as Mavis dragged her feet out of the hut.
"As for you two," Mama began once we were alone.
"Yeah we know," Eve huffed. "Wait for you at home."
"Hey Trouble," Mama's voice was soft. "What's the problem?"
"I told you, you're no fun anymore." Eve turned away from Mama and took my hand once more. "Come on, Sam, let's go home."
Seeing the look on Mama's face I wished that Eve could understand a bit more. "Okay, little bit. Let's talk while we walk, okay?"
Eve nodded, "Yeah. If they'll let us." She glared at our mothers and then tucked into my side. "Can you carry me?" she whispered.
Bending down, I picked her up and groaned. "I think I can manage if you ride on my back."
"Don't wanna," Eve sniffed and put her head on my shoulder with her fingers in her mouth. Having not seen that behavior in ages I shifted her a bit and sighed.
"Okay little bit," I kissed her temple. "I'll get you home."
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I managed to carry Eve back to our hut and into my room. Sitting her on my bed I tugged off her boots before pulling mine off as well. Crawling onto the bed with her I wasn't surprised when she sat in my lap. Her fingers returned to her mouth and I sighed softly.
"What's with the fingers, little bit?"
"Why isn't Mama fun anymore, Sam?"
"What do you mean?"
"She's just different." Eve sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. "I miss having fun with her, Sam. I was just having fun with Daphne, why am I in trouble?"
"Because we didn't go about it the right way, little bit."
"But Mama usually isn't too upset when I spar with others. She thinks it's cute," Eve protested. "And she didn't even want to help clean us up until Yaya made her."
"How do you know that?"
"We heard Mama and Aunt Eponin talking." Eve sighed again. "I thought she'd tell me I did a good job taking Daphne out like that, but she didn't. She always tells me when I do a good job." Eve's fingers went back into her mouth and she sighed deeply. "I want my scarf, Sam."
"I'll be right back," sliding Eve from my lap I headed to her room and found her scarf in its usual place under her pillow. Entering my room again I sat down and allowed Eve to climb onto my lap once more. Handing her the scarf I smiled as she tucked it under her chin like she did all those years ago when she first cried for it.
"Sam tell me again how you got me my scarf," Eve yawned around her fingers and I nodded.
"It all began when we were trying to find out a way to get the gods to leave us alone….."
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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, B & N, and should be up at Blushing Books and other e-retailers soon.
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