Chapter VI

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After the numerous pleasures of teatime, however, the situation seemed to take a sudden turn for the worse. Rehearsal was hurried and the dancers, 20 in number, appeared dazzling to any onlookers but to Twanky's professional eye, there was something missing. "NO! No, no, no, no!" she criticized, clapping her hands or whacking her palm on whatever surface was handy.

After the third 'misstart,' she exclaimed in frustration. "My precious young sunbeams, whatever is troubling you? Where is the passion, the fire, the dazzling tails of comets flung by the Muses of Dance diffusing the light of your talents to the world?" She twirled around as she spoke, spreading her arms dramatically. "'Tis true," she reflected, pacing in circles, "the Muses grant us inspiration but can also remove it just like that," snapping her fingers.

Aware of the murmurings among her dancers but momentarily turning her thoughts inward, she paced in a wider circle that took her to a tall window overlooking the rolling grounds beyond the castle. From it she could see the smaller albeit quite beautiful Amazon Castle about a half mile away, just beyond the town limits, situated above the treetops on its hillside, where the windows glittered in the yellow evening sunlight breaking through the blanket of clouds.

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Having satisfied one hunger, Kull and Zara were actively engaged in making short work of the food tray and the remaining wine. Neither really wanted to return to 'royal duties,' and both were postponing the moment as long as possible.

Kull had only needed minimal encouragement to relate his version of the day's events. Zara groaned in dismay, as Kull described his angry outburst at "finding that herbalist of yours. Madam, you DO NOT keep a KING waiting!", and patted his arm in sympathy as he related his frustration at, again, "having to dispense 'kingly wisdom and justice' while not knowing the people or the history of the complaints."

"Fortunately, I had Liza 'attending me.'" Seeing Zara's consternation, Kull went on, "I needed some excuse to keep her close to me, and she's pretty bright. By watching her face, and manner, I had some hints as to who was not being truthful, and …"

Zara interrupted. "Yes, Liza has a keen understanding of people. I'm glad she was helpful to you even if she does constantly try to make us wear dresses, and frilly ones at that."

Kull raised a curious eyebrow, but said nothing.

Zara explained, "My sisters and I are Amazons first and foremost. Liza has a little trouble with the concept. Our idea of a proper dress, and her idea, they are not really in sync."

Kull nodded in sympathy. "I had a similar problem with the concept of 'a weapon fit for a king to wield.' In the beginning no one liked my axe, they kept insisting I needed a sword."

"And…" Zara prompted, already knowing the answer, but wanting to see Kull grin again.

He grinned, on cue. "No one argues now." Kull dangled the last morsel of meat before Zara. "You sure you don't want the last of this?" he asked lazily. "Or are you finally satisfied."

"No, I'm completely satisfied," Zara assured him, "in every way. Thanks to you."

Kull laughed, and finished the platter. "I'm glad to hear that..." He rinsed his hands in the water, and then made a face. "Water's ice cold, candles are sputtering. I suppose that's a sign we need to go. Too bad, I was enjoying the company."

Zara nodded as she pulled herself out of the water, "As was I, but we are getting wrinkled. And I will have to resume normal birthday duties; since, my sisters will be here soon for my birthday." She began surveying the room. "At least you have proper clothes; they were just in need of a little cleaning. Liza took mine to be repaired…and usually there is at least one robe in my bath… Oh, there you are, Liza, did you find something suitable?"

Liza, whose years of experience with her mistress had given her impeccable timing, chose that moment to enter the bath. Liza carried two packages, and while pointedly ignoring Kull, who had now exited the water, handled the still-naked Zara a package. "I think this will do for today, mistress." She smiled, and keeping her eyes fixed on her mistress' face, handed Kull a towel and the second package. "It's not your normal garb, Ma'am, but it IS from King Iphicles with his compliments. I thought the lavender would suit you."

Liza added, "King Iphicles' other servants are waiting in the hall. Do you or His Majesty require help dressing?"

"A ball gown," Zara stated, and as Liza nodded, continued. "With lots of stays and ruffles, no doubt."

"No, ma'am, and it's uncomplicated," Liza countered. "And, it was hard to find something to which you would not object too strenuously."

Zara cocked her head, and inquired resignedly, "Did you LOOK for anything leather?" Liza's answer was a stony silence. Zara shook her head. "No, I will be fine dressing myself and I'm sure His Majesty Kull will be the same."

Kull, enjoying Zara's obvious discomfort, commented, "Yes, HIS MAJESTY Kull can dress himself. It is only UNDRESSING I require help with, and I have very specific requirements on who I allow to do that, and what is expected of them after I allow it."

He winked at Liza, who was having trouble not ogling Kull. She did gasp audibly, as she beheld the evidence on his back and shoulders that Kull was not 'born royal.' Liza immediately covered her mouth, hoping the king had not heard her.

"As those scars are not recent," Kull said levelly, as he regarded her, "They no longer bother me." He immediately began unwrapping his package and slipped his tunic over his back.

Zara, who had already unwrapped hers, sighed in frustration. For, in it was a knee-length lavender linen gown trimmed with cap sleeves and embroidered lace on the bodice. Matching shoes, hose and undergarments were included as well.

As Liza left, Kull murmured quietly, "Well, I only see one stay and no ruffles, consider it a challenge."

Zara dressed quickly, all the while muttering oaths. 'Not one proper place to put a dagger,' she thought irritably. 'Can't wait to get home and find some proper clothes, but thank all the gods, Liza brought one I can at least move in.'

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The problem wasn't the dancers, but it lay with Twanky, who was vexed over the Amazons being late and spoiling her scheme. "Late, late, late, LATE," she grumbled testily, watching as the sun's gleam faded on the neighboring castle's windows till it was only bathed in soft orange and pink tones which were dwindling to browns and blues. "What IS keeping them? We will never be ready in time," Twanky fretted as she absently watched without really seeing the servants tending the torches, candelabras and oil lamps. She mentally reviewed the arrangements of the evening's events.

"If Discord had her way, we would not be here at all," a tenor voice answered. "We are all fortunate; the hay wagon driver arrived at our castle in time, with a note written in Zara's hand. We were certainly in no mood to receive anyone from King Iphicles' castle, not after a report of Zara's death at his hands."

Standing in the rehearsal hall, in full war regalia, complete with paint and ceremonial animal and bird masks, were two dozen Amazon warriors. They varied in stature, from Twanky's short height to about six feet. They varied in size, almost as much, from rather small-boned to extremely muscular. Aeolusia--a medium-build brunette Amazon, less muscular and slightly shorter than Zara but about one hand's-breadth taller than Twanky--had spoken from under a deer mask. She continued, "If it were not for the favors the Amazon Nation owes to both King Iphicles and to his brother Hercules, we would not have considered your 'request.' And," the formal set of the lips beneath her mask melted into a friendly smile, "as we were planned that Zara's birthday celebration occur at 'OUR' castle, it took a while to properly pack the items you requested onto our horses. That was one of the reasons we were late, Ma'am, the drum is quite large and rather difficult to transport." She did not miss the skeptical glances shared amongst her sisters, who were thinking of the earlier grim discussion over at the Amazon castle about a possible war. Divining their secret thoughts, LuLu let the smile on her own lips fade. "Do you know the whereabouts of our sister, Zara? We would see her to be sure she is unharmed."

A shocked Twanky stared at the speaker--how had the Amazons gotten into the castle in full war dress?--and began slowly, "Zara is fine, and quite unharmed, I assure you." Then she spoke more rapidly with renewed vexation. "And that evil witch Discord, oh, she ain't been 'alf causing her share o' trouble today. Why, she even tried to get King Iphicles to kill Zara, by tricking her into becoming a cricket. What did the little trollop do now?" Twanky finished expectantly.

"Zara is a cricket?" Aeolusia (fondly nicknamed Lulu) exclaimed. "I thought you said she was fine. Did Iphicles step on her?"

Twanky shook her head emphatically. "No, she WAS a cricket, and at the time HE was a frog."

"Discord changed King Iphicles into a frog?" Lulu asked incredulously.

"No, that was Aphrodite's doing."

Lulu held up a hand. "This is becoming confusing. Start at the beginning, and tell me what has happened. Then I will tell you what we know."

Twanky quickly related the day's events. Lulu nodded, and then began to laugh, until Twanky reached the part where she described Zara's condition when she and Cupid arrived, at last, at Iphicles' castle. Then the hazel eyes peering through the deer mask narrowed.

"The cart was so badly damaged by their fall, that Zara purchased both the contents AND the cart. That, we were informed, was why it took so long for the driver to reach our castle, and inform us of what had happened. By that time, an 'eye witness' had already told the tale of Zara's death at Iphicles' hand." She added, thoughtfully, "A 'witness' who conveniently disappeared, when the wagon driver presented Zara's note authorizing payment from her personal accounts."

"Yes, Discord has a habit of doing that," Cupid interjected. He had been listening to the tale, hoping he would not have to intercede again on Twanky's behalf. "That's how she sent Zara out, by masquerading as Liza."

Lulu nodded, and turned again to Twanky. "It was only then that we allowed YOUR messenger in. We needed to learn the truth, so we are here. Shauna, please come forward."

A teenage Amazon, with short auburn hair, came over to Lulu. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Go and find Zara, and return to tell us of her condition," Lulu directed, placing a hand on the girl's right shoulder. "We will work with Twanky; it seems she also needs our help."

Shauna cast one admiring glance at the famous Widow, then looked at the floor in disappointment. "Yes, my sister."

As the teen Amazon left, Lulu noticed similar expressions on the faces of Shauna's young peers. Her eyebrows raised, but then, observing hints in their body language, she nodded almost imperceptibly with a slight smile. She had seen that look before on the youngsters when their war blood was up and for any reason a battle was averted through negotiations.

She again gave her attention to Twanky, "So, tell us what YOU need."

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Scowling, Zara turned to Kull, "Okay, I'm as ready as I will ever be, let's go find my sisters. Who, no doubt, will have a few words to say about this outfit."

Kull, who was just fastening his boots, nodded. "It is a good color on you, and you needn't scowl, I've seen worse." He pointed to her feet, "No high heels. In Valusia, I've seen women wear four-inch-tall heels." He enfolded Zara's left hand and forearm in his right, as both strolled towards the outer hall of the bath chamber.

"For what crime is that the punishment?" Zara inquired. "I want to make sure I avoid committing it."

Kull shook his head, "No punishment, it's voluntary."

As her eyes narrowed at the idea of voluntarily subjecting her feet to such torture, Zara asked, "I can't see fighting in any footwear like that. Can they even walk?"

"Not very well, I'm afraid," Kull replied. "Although if you use one to hit someone at just the right angle, they could be a dangerous weapon. I don't know if you could balance on the other one while doing it, so--"

A familiar youthful voice interrupted. "Zara, Sister, you're okay! Artemis's boots, what ARE you wearing?" A young girl in her teens, with flame-colored hair and dressed in leather gear, rushed up and stopped in front of the couple, staring quizzically.

Zara gave Kull an 'I told you so' look, and released his arm. "It's called a formal dress, and the choice was it or nakedness; as my other clothes are being repaired."

She hugged the young Amazon. "Shauna, my little sister, you must have just arrived. And of course, I'm all right, I sent a note. It has been quite a birthday so far."

Kull looked at Zara, expectantly, and received a nod.

"Oh, Kull, King of Valusia, meet one of my younger Amazon sisters, Shauna."

She surveyed the hall. "You could not have come alone. Where are my other sisters?"

Shauna's disappointment at the prevention of a "rumble" was overshadowed by her joy at seeing her sister well and unharmed. All her words ran together in excitement. "Aeolusia and most of our sisters are here. She sent me to find out what happened to you. First, you were dead, and then you were a cricket. We were going to war, now we're not, and I have to go back. Bye."

"Are ALL of your younger Amazon sisters so--" Kull hesitated. He had spent a lot of time getting Zara into a good mood. She was already irritated by the dress; no point in provoking her further and losing more ground. "--quick?"

Zara shook her head in disbelief. She had not expected Shauna to turn and run, after breathlessly delivering the rest of her message. Even as Kull had asked his question, Shauna had raced halfway back down the corridor, then turned to shout "Happy Birthday, sister. See you soon, Lulu and the others need me back," before whirling and speeding out of sight, ignoring Zara's "Shauna, wait!"

"It's been a really odd day. I better go look for the rest of my sisters." Zara squared her shoulders with a grim set to her jaw. "Shauna said, 'We were going to war, now we're not.' I don't like the sound of that."

"Well, your birthday is almost over. A joke, perhaps," Kull offered possibilities, "or youthful misunderstanding."

Zara sighed. This was not one of her better birthdays, although she was sure she wouldn't be forgetting it for a long while. "Actually, I was born after dinner, so technically, it has only been my birthday for about an hour. When my mom was alive, she wouldn't let me celebrate it until then, but as a result my birthday celebration lasted until dinner of the following day." Her final remark was muttered to herself, "I think I will be reviving that custom this year."

Kull, who had overheard the muttering, commented, "Oh, good, then I didn't miss much of your 'official' birthday. Let's go see what the problem is now. Which way did your sister go?"

Zara dropped his arm, and shook her dark head emphatically. "Oh,no. If my Amazon sisters are planning war, the last thing they will want to see is..." Zara trailed off.

Kull folded his arms and glared at her. "'Now, we're not,' that's what your little sister...errh…" He paused, searching for the name, "Shauna said. And if they are planning an attack, the LAST thing you need to be doing, BEING AN AMAZON, is wandering the castle unescorted. Good way to get captured as a spy, or killed."

"And, being a foreign monarch, you are in no better position," Zara reminded him.

"So, for my sake, stay with me, and let's both find King Iphicles," Kull suggested. "I haven't been such bad company, have I," he jested, trying to break the tension, hoping to bring back her smile.

"No, you've been great," Zara affirmed. "But keep your eyes open. We should at least find something to defend ourselves with."

"I am never leaving home without the axe again!" Kull glowered.

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Meanwhile, the Widow was explaining her plan to involve the Amazons in the evening's performance, as an integral part of the program. She gave them her thoughts on what had already been rehearsed and how best to blend the themes.

The Amazons agreed that her ideas were splendid. They put their heads together and discussed Twanky's suggestions, and decided on dancing their special four-seasons dance, since they were already in full traditional costume and also had their big drum and smaller drums, tambourine, small cymbals, large flute, whistle and lyre. Now that the tribe could rejoice that Zara was alive, well, and safe, and it WAS her birthday, the instruments would be implemented in a celebration, Twanky's original intention, rather than a pre-war dance. And the costumes would make the performance even more spectacular.

Any of the Amazons that could sing were invited by Twanky to sing the most stirring "traditional" songs they knew for special numbers, while the other Amazons were dancing.

Immediately the Amazons nearest LuLu pushed her forward, urging her to sing a few lines of something. LuLu shrugged, but took off her mask. This action plainly revealed that she was wearing a white manaia of the exact same shape and design as Iolaus's dark green jade one. LuLu's manaia had obviously seen a great deal of wear and handling, for it now bore various warm tones of light brown. Yet it gleamed as it caught the light of a moving beam from a stage light being adjusted by one of the behind-the-scenes workers. Its owner warbled a hauntingly beautiful melody in a high tenor that turned all heads nearby. She stopped, nodded, lightly tossed her dark mass of curls back over one thin shoulder, and waited with a small dignified "what do you think of that?" smile as the Widow effused over her 'incredible' voice and resumed her description of the program. But first, they must rehearse, which would be time-consuming, but necessary. And what was more, the sisters knew that the Junior Amazons would need extra coaching, since they were not as skilled at the Milestone Day dance as their elders.

"Oh, but that's all right!" Twanky sang out. She was nearly in a transport; this evening was going to hold much more than she had dreamed of. Her heart raced and she clasped and unclasped her hands with frequent "Ooh's" and "Aaah's" as the Amazons went on to outline their ideas to her in more detail.

"And," one of the Amazons added, "we would also like to perform a formal dance in honor of our beloved Artemis."

"Of course," Twanky replied, "and all our dancers can participate in that one. I hear it's just marvelous."

Lulu, not wanting to be rude, as the Widow was obviously trying to be as helpful as possible, added quietly, "No, that dance takes a lot of skill and is very complex. Most Amazons spend a lot of time learning that one; only our oldest and most knowledgeable dancers can perform it successfully."

"I assure you, my dancers are well versed in all aspects…" Twanky began loftily, and then paused as Lulu outlined EXACTLY what the dance entailed. The Widow blanched and then grew thoughtful. "You know, we DO have two dancers who should be able to perform that special dance successfully. I am one of them; the other is Cleodora. It would be an honor to participate in that dance this evening. Is there any part of the dance, the--err," Twanky hesitated, then plunged on, "--less knowledgeable dancers can participate in?"

Now, it was Lulu's turn to be surprised. "Actually, they do have a role to play in the--yes, Shauna?"

"Aeolusia, Ma'am," Shauna had returned from her errand, red- faced and excited. "Zara is fine, but she's in a frilly dress." Shauna blushed. "And I don't think it was her idea."

Lulu suppressed a chuckle, smiled at her young sister and winked at Twanky. "So, other than the dress, she is uninjured."

Shauna nodded.

"Then let us prepare for her birthday performance. We have a lot of work ahead of us."