Author's Note:
This fanfic is set in the distant past, Tortall. Some content belongs to Tamora Pierce, and other content I have taken liberties with. If you are concerned with what belongs to me and what belongs to Tamora Pierce, please email me at cyclepinsetter@yahoo.com
Yoric's Tale: The Gathering
Six
one, two, kick! That's right, keep it
up! Ellie's voice bit through the chilly spring
air. She stood on a fallen log, feet gripping for balance. You are all doing exceptionally well. She
looked out across her class of two hundred girls. I
have a reward for you. She grinned. The
rest of the day off.
A murmur of
excitement rumbled through the class. Ellie stepped down
from the log.
I know
its spring, so I wanted you all to enjoy the nice weather. She walked up to her oldest class of girls to greet them happily.
You
know what they say about the spring, instructor Conte? Ellie's best student, Kira, a slim red headed girl, inquired
with a glint in her eye.
Ellie furrowed her brow in mock
concentration. That girls should be at home cleaning
house in the spring with their mothers?
I think she means spring
romance, instructor Conte. Misha, a girl with short
brown hair and a sneaky smile piped in.
Yeah, what about it? Ellie challenged. She considered these girls more than
students; they were her friends. She had taught them the
fighting arts, and Ellie gained the acceptance of a group of
females for the first time in her life.
Oh, we've seen you
positively swooning over Cela's brother. Kira
grinned.
Cela laughed. Yeah, at
home Connor never can stop talking about you. Every day its
Ellsyn this, and Ellsyn that. He just repeats your name
over, and over
That's enough.
You girls are telling tales. Ellie interrupted
blushing. She knew Connor would never do such a thing, even
if he did like her.
You're blushing,
Misha pointed out. You wouldn't be blushing if
what we were saying was entirely false.
Its warm out here. Ellie quickly covered. Now you girls go get ready for
the dance tonight, you don't want to be unprepared.
The girls all nodded in mock
obedience and headed back to the village, dissolved in giggles.
The forest was alive with new sounds
of spring. The wet grass felt divine between her toes. Her mood was sheer happiness. The girls were progressing
faster than she had ever expected. They were ready for
battle. In a few weeks the spring rains would cease and she
would be able to return to tribe conte. She crossed the
soft grass to stand on the bank of the Great Northern Lake. She looked across the calm expanse of water
She heard a
familiar voice in her ear. She turned around quickly.
Don't tell me I scared
you Ellie. Connor grinned.
You? Scary? Not
likely. I was merely startled by your appearance, that's
all.
Oh? I met my sister and
her friends coming down the path. They were giggling about
something again. It's a relief you don't make
those noises. Were they making fun of your accent again?
Ellie blushed violently. No,
not this time.
What was it?
Oh, nothing.
Come on, it obviously bothered
you.
Not much. Its nothing
really. She fiddled with the edge of her tunic.
What do I have to do to get
you to talk to me?
An evil look appeared in Ellie's eye. A minute later
Connor found himself in the lake.
You could start by swimming. She giggled.
Oh no. You're making those noises. He
thrashed around and finally reached the shore. The
least you could do is give me a hand. Have some pity on the
poor cripple.
Ellie snorted. I suppose I could let you up. She knelt down and held out her hand. Connor reached up and
took a firm hold. Before Ellie could establish firm
footing, he pulled her down into the water with him.
After a second she came up sputtering. Ok, we're
even now. Deal?
He splashed her with water. I don't think so.
Ellie lunged to dunk him underwater.
A hundred torches lit Naxen's town square with luminous firelight. The atmosphere was brimming with excitement. Groups of people stood chatting happily, smiles upon their faces. Musicians produced merry tunes for the young people dancing. Tables were heaped with food from the spring hunts.
Kira called out from a cluster of girls
near the refreshment table. Cela, dressed in her new spring
dress, hurried to greet her friends.
Where's your brother? We were planning on making
him dance with Instructor Conte. She grinned
mischievously.
I haven't seen him in hours.
Well, we're gonna have to hunt him down. Instructor
Conte too. I heard she's going back to her clan soon. She shouldn't miss this occasion. Kira pointed. But meanwhile, lets take advantage of the food! We'll
need energy to persuade those two. The other girls
agreed.
Sounds of laughter were heard in the trees as Ellie and Conner
made their way down the path towards town.
Slow down, Ellie, I can't keep up. Ellie
paused for a moment to let him catch up to her. They
approached the square.
Umm, shouldn't we arrive separately? She
asked sheepishly.
I don't see why that's necessary. Connor
continued to walk down the path.
But they'll be assuming,
Conn. We don't want them to assume.
He halted. Maybe you're
right, we don't want their false accusations. Come
here. He motioned to her.
Ellie obeyed. He put an arm on
her shoulder. Hold still, I think I hear something.
What? What is it? Ellie shifted impatiently. He took one step closer to her
and placed his lips on hers, kissing her gently. He drew
away after a moment. Now the accusations won't
be false. He turned around and hobbled down the path. She stood there for a moment, in slight shock before running back
to her hut to change for the dance.
Instructor—I mean Ellie! She heard her name being called as she entered the square. Soon
her students, chattering and laughing, surrounded her.
Why are you late? Kira
inquired. We thought you'd be early like always.
Ellie's blush gave her away. I just had some extra work to do.
Sure, right girls? Kira laughed.
But then again, courting my
brother could be considered work, Cela added. The
group of girls snickered.
I was not courting him! Ellie muttered.
We're just teasing you
Ellie. We'll stop if you ask us to. Misha
said softly.
No, its ok. I guess I
deserve it. Ellie shook her head. Now why
aren't you girls dancing?
No boys this year, Instructor. Misha answered.
Right. That could pose a
problem. But not to worry. Ellie glanced
towards the center of the square. Oh, look, the
Headsman is about to speak. I am needed. Listen
closely girls. She tread softly to where Gaither was
standing. Connor was with him; she avoided his gaze.
Attention clansmen! May
I have everyone's attention please?
The clansmen began to gather around
the Headsman, each lifting their expecting eyes to Gaither with a
warm trust. Gaither cleared his throat.
I will get straight to the
point. Ellsyn of Tribe Conte has trained your daughters and
we have all learned to trust her as a clansman. She plans
to take them to fight in the great battle to unite the lands. But you must choose to let them go, or I fear they will leave
without our blessing. What will it be?
She heard murmuring from the crowd. Her mind was racing with thoughts of home. Home. She
had to get home. She felt a sudden overwhelming urge to
run, but her feet held her in place. Her ears were filled
with white noise, breath labored.
She heard
Connor's voice.
She realized she was squeezing her
eyes shut. She relaxed and opened them.
Isn't it great! The
Clan has agreed let the girls go.
She sighed with relief. The
clansmen were scattering and returning to their socializing. That's the best news I've heard all day. She looked around to see the girls gathering again, all talking
at once.
Well, girls, we need a name. Ellie addressed them.
Ellie's Avengers
Connor suggested.
Ellie's Executioners
one of the girls shouted.
Ellsyn sighed. How about
a name that describes us all? LikeWarrior Maidens?
Kira
stated.