Chapter VIII
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Cleodora, an Amazon in her fifties with medium-length silver hair and matching eyes, was engaged in animated but whispered conversation with Aeolusia as the rest of the tribe rehearsed their portion of the dance.
Cleodora (Cleo as she was known) was more than a little upset, but had been admonished by the Amazon Queen, Kirios by name, to be as cooperative as possible. Now she needed to tell someone her concerns.
"Are you going to tell her, Lulu, or shall I?" Cleodora asked curtly. "I don't want any mistakes, this part of the ceremony is too important to be--" She looked up to see the subject of the discussion approaching. "Oh, hello, Twanky, ready to rehearse again?"
Twanky nodded, "Yes, I was just getting meself ready. Wouldn't be good to make a botch of this, now would it?"
"No...and to that end, as I will also be dancing at the same time--" Cleo began, and then added under her breath, "and not by my choice." She favored the compact little woman before her with another of those "sizing up" looks.
"Er, what did you say?" Twanky asked, then told herself, 'She's been behaving strangely ever since the Queen introduced us, maybe she's getting cold feet. The gods know mine are frozen. Maybe we shouldn't do this...'
Cleo shook her head, resignedly. "Never mind. Let's get this over with."
"You know, if you aren't comfortable with the idea of doing the dance..." Twanky offered the other dancer a 'face saving' chance to decline. "I can do it alone, I'm perfectly--"
Cleo, who prided herself on being the usual dance teacher to the younger Amazons including both Zara and Lulu, bristled at the thought. She spoke through her clenched teeth. "If anyone will be dancing alone, it will be I, as at least I am properly qualified and have been performing it far longer than you." She added a reluctant confession, "Although I have seen you dance; you are a fine dancer. And with the proper practice, I'm sure you could master this dance."
"'With the proper practice'?" Twanky echoed, her voice raising a whole octave as she bristled like an angry cat. "I will need NO practice, thank you all the same. I do a dance very similar. And who are you to say I'm not qualified?"
"Similar?" Cleo's voice screeched. "There are NO dances similar. And for your information, I have seen plenty of Amazons who thought they were qualified, but failed the first test. And you have not even taken that yet."
Twanky was furious. She exploded, "Then give me the test, I assure you I will--"
"ENOUGH!" The Queen shouted. "What is the meaning of this disturbance?"
Startled by the outburst behind her, Cleo immediately bowed her head. Twanky, who was still seething, informed the Queen, "There seems to be an argument about whether or not one of us is qualified to do this dance of yours." She muttered to Cleo, "And, to think I was trying to give you a way out."
"I don't need one," Cleo snarled, eyes snapping in the light of the nearby blazing fire. "Perhaps YOU should think of one for yourself."
"I SAID ENOUGH!" the Queen commanded severely. "Since you both have doubts of the other's ability, I will resolve the matter in the traditional manner."
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Rehearsals continued for as long as necessary albeit everyone knew that the sands were flowing swiftly and the hour was growing late. As there was no moon tonight, it was not as easy to tell exactly what time it was. But the Amazons had their ways of calculating time even without sun or moon. At a quiet interval, just when it was decided that the Juniors finally had their routines 'down pat,' Queen Kirios and her two closest "elders" stood in silence for a few moments, simply listening, feeling, smelling, observing and interpreting as only they knew how. LuLu watched them, her light-colored eyes dark in the gloom, realizing that she had yet much to learn in the years ahead.
Finally Kirios nodded. "It is time! We should go now and have a word with those inside, so that everyone knows exactly what will happen and when." Rhea followed, beckoning to the others to douse the fire, finish with any bits of food they had purloined from the castle kitchen, then wait and follow when instructed. Moving the large drum inside would take at least two people. When the Elders were out of earshot, there arose a few very low murmurs and mutterings from the Juniors about "that awful stone floor."
As the Queen and the two elder Amazons entered the spacious auditorium where the program would be held, the orchestra was still preparing but getting settled, and Iphicles' stage hands were making final adjustments to the lighting (ingeniously contrived with torches, candles, oil lamps, mirrors and colored glass) and seating arrangements. Word had it that most of the people inhabiting Corinth would be attending. They were even now arriving and finding their seats while setting the hall abuzz with their bright and excited voices. Royal servants aided them or bustled back and forth attending to other details and duties. A "Guest of Honor" was often mentioned with a sense of awe, and a 'front and center' seat was provided for this important personage.
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The trio, (plus entourage) had arrived at the kitchen, and Iphicles graciously allowed Kull and Zara to return their 'borrowed' knives. After politely inquiring but being refused his offer of further sustenance, Iphicles got his own platter and additional plates for the guards who had not eaten. The guards, however, observing protocol, elected to dine at an adjoining table. Iphicles proceeded to dine with gusto. Between mouthfuls, he related the tale Twanky had told him. Zara shook her head, and Kull just folded his arms without comment.
"So, you see," Iphicles said, as he pushed aside his now-finished platter, "Discord has been doing her best to stir up 'hate and discontent.' And, I'm sure she's not finished yet." He inquired, "You sure you don't even want some water? I haven't exactly been a proper host, and…"
"Yes, water will be fine, thank you," Kull acknowledged, and Zara nodded as well.
"We didn't burn up that much energy running down the hall, and you need to keep us here, until everyone is ready...or me at least," Zara observed.
Iphicles groaned in dismay. "I was that obvious; they are going to kill me." Noticing the guards had now jumped up in alarm, he added in a loud voice, "Twanky and your sisters are going to be so angry that I've ruined your surprise!"
As the guards reseated themselves, muttering, Iphicles added sotto voce, "I'm not going to be able to get them to leave me alone, so remind me to watch what I say. That drum is really making them nervous."
"That's what it is designed to do, Your Majesty," Zara added gently, patting his arm in sympathy. "That's why it's so effective, both to motivate us and to demoralize the enemy."
"If it's all the same, could you address me as Iphicles?" he asked gently. "I'd prefer to be informal, for your birthday anyway." Iphicles surveyed Kull. "And, since we are all allies, you should probably do the same."
They both nodded in agreement, and Kull offered, "And you may address me as Kull, if you like." He sipped his goblet of water, expectantly regarding Zara.
"Zara," she provided, and also swallowed a refreshing mouthful from her goblet.
Iphicles laughed easily, to break the tension.
"Now, I need some advice and counsel from Kull," Iphicles stated, as Kull watched him. The taller king raised an eyebrow as he waited.
"What did you and Liza do to Bombastium? He met me in the main hall as I was on the way to--" Iphicles looked at Zara apologetically--"check on your surprise. He was beginning to tell me his grievance, when Liza came up behind him and started-- counting."
Kull, whose eyes had narrowed at the report that Bombastium was reopening an issue HE had settled, now suddenly roared in laughter, spilling water on both Zara and Iphicles. Iphicles wiped up the water with a napkin and continued, as if nothing was amiss. "And she STARTED at 1,015; 1,016; 1,017…"
"Did Bombastium keep talking?" Zara asked, laughing, for she already knew what had happened. Kull wiped his eyes, and chuckled to himself.
"NOT after she started counting," Iphicles responded cheerfully. "Well," he amended, "that's not entirely true." He was enjoying the joke, although he was still in the dark as to EXACTLY what was so funny. "In fact, he muttered, 'Never mind, Sire, it's been resolved'...six more words which Liza counted by the way," he added, conspiratorially. "Then he turned and ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction." He folded his arms. "I can't get the guy to be quiet, so, as a favor to an ally, WHAT DID YOU DO!"
Still chuckling, the King of Valusia related EXACTLY what he had done, and the punishment for exceeding "how many words you WILL be allowed to speak on this matter, before I render my FINAL DECISION on it."
"So, he is now six words over MY LIMIT, so…" Kull trailed off, sipping his refilled water goblet. "It is YOUR decision, what action to take on the matter." He shrugged, as it was a delicate matter, advising another ruler how to run HIS realm.
"As long as the matter REMAINS resolved, I think I will waive the necessary punishment," Iphicles stated flatly. Indeed he did not care for being told now to run his realm, but sensed Kull--though obviously indignant that his decision had been questioned--had indeed resolved the matter as Iphicles would have. "Your decisions, for the most part, have been exactly the same as mine would be."
Iphicles leaned forward, being careful to keep enough distance between the two monarchs as NOT to cause the guards to become alarmed and take unnecessary and easily misinterpreted actions. "Tell me about Meltillis. He's never gotten a fair trial from any of our magistrates, and I WAS his last hope. He gushed over how fair and just YOU were." He hesitated. "At least, that's what I think he said. He's SO hard to understand when he talks, it's painful to hear."
Kull smiled, "The secret is to NOT let him talk."
Seeing Iphicles' blank look of 'what did he say?' at Zara, Kull continued. "Let him sing." He looked smug. "I got that tip from Liza; when he sings he's clear as a bell, and…yes Liza, we were just speaking of you."
Liza had reappeared. She had been sent by the Amazons and Twanky to "Get them all back now."
"Uhm, your Majesties and Your Highness, could you come with me please. Your presence is required elsewhere."
Zara smiled, "Are you all finally ready?"
"Yes ma'am." Liza smiled, "Enjoy your birthday celebration!"
Linking arms, the trio left the kitchen. Iphicles looked back at his guards, who were confused as to what they were now supposed to be doing. "Come on then, let's not keep everyone waiting."
It was a short walk back to the auditorium and as Iphicles had his own viewing area, Zara had an unobstructed view of all proceedings. She was seated between Kull and Iphicles on a well-cushioned bench. To Twanky and the Amazons' credit, word of the performance had spread through Corinth. And, since it WAS Grievance Day, many people from the surrounding villages had not as yet left the city. So by this time the arena was full, and there were even people standing in the aisles.
"Impressive turnout!" marveled Iphicles. "Can you both see all right?" He had just returned from a "Last-minute backstage meeting...I forgot, sorry" was the excuse he had given Zara and Kull. Actually, wanting to forestall trouble, he had been backstage, being briefed on EXACTLY what was going to happen. Both Twanky and the Amazon group had been reluctant to reveal ALL the details. Cleodora, from the Widow's troupe, was especially vocal on this point. But the king would brook no argument. "I want NO more surprises," he had firmly made it known. "Discord has used them to stir up trouble, and nerves are already stretched to their breaking point. DO NOT give me a reason to cancel this performance, for we all have been through enough today."
Iphicles reseated himself. "Good thing, the king has his own assigned seat."
"Should we save a space for…" Kull hesitated and leaned over to whisper to Zara, "What's the winged guy's name again?"
"Cupid," Zara replied, "and I don't … oh wait; there he is, over by Twanky."
Zara was about to shout her question to Cupid, when Iphicles' arm covered hers.
"He might be okay where he is. He and Twanky got kind of..." Iphicles paused, but smiled and went on, "friendly in the bath."
Zara raised her scarred eyebrow crookedly, making it look more than ever like a check-mark. "Oh really! Good for her!"
"Well, that's what I've been overhearing as gossip from my staff. They were pretty--noisy. And from what I understand, they weren't the only ones."
Zara and Kull both smiled, though neither made a comment. Zara's face felt burning hot.