Maeve recalled her story of Axion to Ademia as she stared at the jeweled sword. She slowly turned it over in her hands eyeing each gem. Maeve looked up at the older woman. Ademia's face was chiseled and defined. Her cheekbone was sharp and angular. But she was still quite pretty. A translucent green emanated from her eyes. They didn't glisten the way they should though, Maeve thought to herself. There was inherent sadness shining through. Ademia's auburn hair was tightly coiled in a bun. When Maeve had finished her story, Ademia smiled slightly. She liked this young one. She had spirit and courage. She liked the fire this woman contained deep beneath the surface. Ademia offered an exchange.
Ademia offered her provisions, board and training if she would give up Axion's sword. Ademia so desperately wanted it so that she may wear it claiming herself as the top thief here in Greece. Maeve, knowing she was in need of food and a room accepted. She needed to collect herself before she found a sorcerer. Maeve also secretly wanted a friend she could trust.
Dermott was much more than pleased. He wanted Maeve to settle down for a while. He was tired of traveling. He just wished his sister would quit blaming herself. The three forged an bond that was unbreakable.
Ademia wanted to train the girl. She had potential. Maeve had the temperament of a spitfire. Feisty, like her.
The two got closer every day they spent together. Maeve talked and talked with Ademia like no one ever before even her brother. Maeve did however leave out all the parts including her brother Dermott, her almost marriage and her voyage here. She was enthralled with Ademia's stories.
"Where are you from?" Maeve inquired, interested to know where this warrior woman was from.
"I'm an ex-Amazon warrior," She stated bleakly.
Maeve furrowed her brows slightly, "Ex?"
"I was banished for killing two of my sisters," Maeve's face gaped at her, "Not my real sisters of course but they were my tribe sisters." That was all she would say. Maeve was intrigued by the ex-Amazon's secrecy.
"Where do you hail from young one?" It was Ademia's turn to ask.
"I come from Galway, Ireland."
"Ah, Ireland is beautiful I hear. Someday I will visit there." Her eyes gazed up at the sky.
"If you do, visit Galway. It's quite lovely there." Maeve insisted.
"I shall, young one."
Ademia took Maeve out for a new outfit, one that was more free, as she put it. Maeve agreed knowing she had no more dresses with her.
"Open your eyes, young one," Maeve opened them staring at the stranger who stared back. She was now wearing a brown leather over tunic with a white cotton under tunic layered underneath. Another brown leather belt laced around her waist. She stared down at the leather boots she wore. When she brought her head up she laid her eyes upon the blue shawl draped over her shoulder. She smiled as she noticed that Ademia had clasped her Celtic brooches to the shawl and to her over tunic. Maeve stared at the woman in the mirror. This woman was fierce and strong. Maeve wasn't sure that was her at all. But Ademia assured her that this fit her nicely.
"You'll need a sword," Ademia stated quickly as they walked through the streets towards the blacksmith. Maeve started to protest, saying she didn't need one but felt that there was no need since Ademia had already made up her mind. Ademia went to speak with the blacksmith alone. Maeve wasn't sure why but stayed behind. Ademia came back and they went off. She told Maeve that her sword would be ready in a week.
Ademia started Maeve's training that night teaching her everything she needed to know about self-defense. The two trained in the light of the fire while Dermott slept in the dark nights. A few nights later Maeve was learning a new move when Ademia said something to her that would change their whole relationship.
"Kick me harder, Maeve!" Maeve tried to kick her harder but Ademia was able to block each one, "Come on, young one! Kick me like I am someone who hurt you! Just do it!"
Maeve envisioned Eric. Just the thought alone made her blood boil. She let all her repressed anger and spurn let go. Ademia felt the blow throw her back a bit as she hit the ground hard. She was more than impressed with Maeve's strength. Maeve flew to her side as soon as she realized what she had done.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..."
Ademia put a hand up to stop Maeve, "It's...okay..." She coughed, "I see ....you have...wounds that reach deep too." She smiled, "We are the same you and I." Maeve smiled and held her hand out for the woman.
"So why are you a thief? You are an Amazon, surely you have many skills." Maeve was intent on learning more about her friend.
"I was an Amazon a long time ago. Thieving is all I know now. It is how I survive." Ademia gazed up at the stars somewhat embarrassed to be speaking on this matter.
Maeve furrowed her eyebrows, "I don't understand. You take much more than you ever use. I watch you. Your saving it. For what, may I ask?"
Ademia slightly smiled at her young apprentice. She knew it was time for the truth. Sighing heavily, she was ready, "Maeve, I lied to you before. I was not banished from the tribe because I killed my sisters although I did kill them. As you know, Amazon's aren't too fond of men, my blood mother included. However, in order for us to survive we need them for one thing from them. Twice a year our tribe would go out on horseback to the nearest village and steal the men for ourselves for one night. Some men were even killed after."
Maeve cringed at the thought.
"Brutal, I know, but as my mother put it, kill them or be killed. So one this one particular raid I found the man that changed my life. I fell in love with him after only minutes of kidnapping him. I secretly let him go after out encounter assuring him that we see each other again. I still to this day can't believe that he wasn't afraid I was going to kill him. I bore his child months later. The whole time we met in secret. Then when I became pregnant with his second child my mother found out. Being the Amazon leader of our tribe she was enraged that the princess of the tribe would fall tainted to some man. I knew she was wrong so I escaped after killing to of my sisters. My love and myself escaped into the night. We married soon after. When my second child was born we were in bliss. Until the night my mother found us. She tried to take my children from us saying they belonged to the tribe. I tried to stop her allowing enough time for my husband and my daughters to escape quickly. She was too strong for me so I fled into the night searching for my love."
A tear slipped down Ademia's strong cheekbone, "When we caught up with each other, I decided it was best if I live alone to make sure the Amazon's didn't follow him and my girls. That was when I became a thief, I sent most of the money to them discreetly through messengers. That is until I was arrested. When I left the prison I went looking and I found no one. I still don't know where they went. I miss them terribly."
Ademia broke into a sob. Maeve moved beside her to hug her, "I'm so sorry for your loss. You will find them. No! We'll find them, together. Everything will be all right. I promise."
