Chapter IX
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Despite any earlier nitpickiness by the Widow, her dancers--aided by a superb orchestral score--had never performed so well or with such dynamism, united by a piercing focus, spinning and leaping into the air like water from a fountain, possessed of a lyrical grace, pliant backs and floating arms in conjunction with almost incredibly deft, snappy footwork and subtly undulating torsos. Each would offer spectacular feats (a leg held high behind the head during a turn, astonishing backbends) and silky, seamless motion that often made them look like ice skaters. Every song and accompanying dance number was appealing and memorable, colorful and containing the kind of sparkle that served to delight and sweep the onlookers away on clouds of imagination.
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Meanwhile, behind another curtain, the Amazon tribe's tallest and strongest members, with the help of stage pulleys and levers, brought in a wooden pillar carved to represent Artemis, as the central point of the dance honoring her. The statue had been dragged on a litter behind the Amazon horses, the other reason for their tardiness in arriving. After the noisy bustle and chatter of intermission, Twanky, flushed with her triumph, hurried back to join the Amazons, but one or two had gone out on stage to paint some lines on the floor, necessary for the Amazon dance.
After a short conference with Cleo, Aeolusia lent the Widow her own costume, as she would be providing the vocal music instead of dancing. She now wore an attractive figure-enhancing evening dress provided by the castle servants--bone white in color, she had insisted upon, to match the Manaia that she wore with pride.
"Oh, but you are so slim, my dear, so lithe and so--'willowy,' as we say in my country," the Widow protested. "I shall never be able to wear these!" eyeing the items of clothing dubiously that LuLu handed to her.
"Now, now," smiled the Amazon, "I'm not THAT much taller than you, Ma'am, not like some people I can think of," and she glanced archly at Rhea, one of the muscular six-foot women who had just put the statue in its place. That particular Amazon shot an equally arch look back at her smaller sister, as if they shared a particular secret joke. "And, see here, the darts are constructed in just such a clever way so that the material is...forgiving."
"Besides," the tall Amazon supplied, "leather stretches." She surveyed the article in question. "This might actually look better on you--" meaning Twanky--"than it does on 'certain people I can think of,'" elbowing LuLu, who grinned and nudged back.
"Oh, by the way," asked LuLu, "what has been decided about the drum? Are we bringing it inside or leaving it out--?"
"Zeus, no!" Rhea answered in her abrupt manner, "you know very well if it were brought inside, the sound would be deafening and enough to raise the rooftops."
LuLu nodded with a chuckle. "And knowing Iphicles, having his castle roof displaced would NOT please him."
Rhea laid a friendly hand on the Widow's shoulder. "The applause for your dance troupe's performance was enough to at least rattle the rafters, doesn't everyone agree?" This elicited a bright grin from the Widow and a cheerful buzz of affirmative remarks around her.
Queen Kirios looked away as the two absent Amazons reappeared, joining them. She now clapped her hands for attention, and the hum of voices instantly fell to silence. "Now, let's talk over our routines just once more, since immediately after intermission, we are ON!"
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The curtain finally parted to reveal a pile of fighting staffs in the center of the stage. The overhead lighting underwent subtle changes. Although Iphicles' orchestra had left the orchestra pit, the Amazon musicians, now unmasked, preferred to adhere as closely to tradition as possible and play while situated close to their sisters onstage.
The flutist began a low, feral-sounding tune, soft and lonely. More musical layers were added by the lyre and small drums, and then a startling clashing of cymbals and other sounds as masked, feathered Amazons swung down to the stage on ropes. In time to the music, they snatched up the staffs and performed a fancy twirling routine to front, side and overhead in unison. As the music increased in volume and speed, the Amazons proceeded to gyrate, jump, spin, twirl, leap, and wriggle to the wild instrumentation and heavy drumbeats, all of which intensified to a fevered pitch. Many dance movements were in flowing unison while others were meant to be spontaneous. In the midst of the action, pretend fighting moves were executed among several of the sisters using the staffs. Frequent yells and shrieks were heard; chanting and singing in the native language was supplied by LuLu and two others providing harmony.
When this number ended and the crowd was still roaring its approval, Kirios the Queen, resplendent in her eagle mask and a multicolored headdress made of grasses and feathers, came forward while the other Amazons, ribs rising and falling as they regained their breath, all prostrated themselves to her in a circle. They remained kneeling as she raised her mask and then spoke, explaining that the dance just seen was a typical Amazon dance of fun and frolic, as well as a representation of the spirit and identity of the tribe. She went on to outline the nature of the dances which would follow...
Again the lighting changed to include hints of soft pastel shades. The dancers moved in intricate circles and spiral patterns, imitating the path of the Sun and Moon in the sky and the continuing cycles of the seasons. The spring segment was performed by the youngest girls, who wore flowers (provided by Iphicles' staff) and sprang and jumped lightly and merrily, obviously suggesting new life and growth. Aeolusia sang a lilting, joyous song reminiscent of birds wheeling through a sunny blue sky. The dancers of Twanky's troupe, standing on the lines painted earlier on the floor, formed a labyrinth pattern which symbolized travelling inward toward beginnings (seasonal as well as origins within the human spiritual and physical being) and outward again in the "original heroic journey." The Amazon girls danced through the pattern.
The labyrinth shifted, opening a center space. Now came the 'first summer harvesting' dance, under a bright light edged with a creamy gold, which focused on one sister who represented Rhea Kronia and held a sickle that looked like a silver crescent moon. The dancers most active were still the young girls, although a number of slightly older ones were joining in a dance depicting the richness and growth of the summer season. The music, underscored by LuLu's bracing vocals, was lush and exhilarating. Shadows were sharply drawn, completing the summerlike aspect.
The autumnal dance still involved Rhea Kronia. Now the illumination was more subdued, suggesting blurred shadows and cloudy skies. The most active performers in this were the mature adult women, portraying the "ageing and decay of the year." Twanky, now painted and feathered till she blended in surprisingly well, was a part of this dance.
Finally came the winter dance, involving the eldest of the dancers. Its pace was more sedate, gradually slowing as the lighting grayed and dimmed, convincingly suggesting the shortening days of The Dark Time of the Year. At its somber conclusion, as a mournful tune was sung and played, all the dancers lay down on the floor in a weary attitude as though spent and now welcoming death. As the music gently continued, the lights gradually dimmed toward darkness...
Throughout the performances, the audience's excitement had risen to an almost unbearable level. It was blended with a particular edginess in the atmosphere, like an almost palpable tang, something akin to fear borne not only of rumors of aggressive and merciless warriors but simply out of the true earthy origins of the Amazons, a people so different in background from either Iphicles' royal household or the townspeople both rich and poor. These Amazons were near neighbors to the king; yet their lives, traditions and instincts continued to be closely tied to not only Artemis, but Gaia, Demeter and Persephone. And although they did live in a nearby castle (won from an evil warlord during a past war), duties were rotated--half the fairly large tribe residing in the castle for a specified time, to protect their interests there, while the rest shifted to a village in the forest during that interval so as not to let themselves "get too comfortable" and lose their edge in skills and training. They were on friendly terms with the King and the city of Corinth--Iphicles made it plain that he trusted them, and the people he ruled took their cues from him--and yet the Amazons were a unique people whose ways were strange and, granted, a bit unsettling to the views of ordinary folk. Nonetheless, human nature being what it is, every member of the audience was admittedly curious, which lured even a few more prejudiced locals who might otherwise choose to ignore the strange race of feral women who lived apart from men...
The audience's general emotional tension had been subtly augmented till now the Amazons had them in the palms of their hands. Many hearts were racing and there were cheers, "Huzzah's!" and spontaneous applause even during the dances. By the time the last dancer, a white-haired woman of 65 but hearty and agile for her years, had sunk to the floor of the darkening stage to sprawl in an attitude of resignation to a quiet demise, a few faint sobs could be heard as two or three women near the front actually wept. But hearts quickly felt lighter at the sight of the youngest Amazons reappearing out of the gloom to tiptoe warily about amid their elders, suggesting spring's faithful promise to return and renew the eternal cycle.
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Concealed by the second curtain, some four or five yards behind the first, the tall wooden statue of Artemis stood. Kirios waited backstage till the applause and cheering of the audience died down, then excused herself from the remaining few people milling around and chatting quietly, so that she could walk out and make her introduction prior to the finale.
"We are Amazons, worshipers of Artemis. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo. She is the lady of the wild things. She is the huntsman of the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo she hunts with silver arrows. She became associated with the moon and with Hecate. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of chastity. She is also defender and guardian of women in childbirth and of wildlife in general. All wild animals are sacred to her, especially the bear and the deer."
Zara, who had been entranced by the program, felt jolted back to earth by her Queen's introduction. She gasped in shock. "She can't be serious!"
Kull murmured, "Well, I wouldn't tell my leader that, but.."
Zara interrupted, "She just gave the traditional introduction for one of our most sacred and difficult dances," Zara shook her head in wonder, "a dance I have yet to master." She smiled, in understanding. "OH, Cleo's here! She must be feeling better. But with everything that has happened today..."
Iphicles lost the battle to keep from smiling. "You needn't worry; I'm not."
Zara turned and studied him for a moment. "This was your 'emergency backstage meeting,' wasn't it?"
Iphicles shrugged.
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Meanwhile the two dancers who would perform the tribute to Artemis, namely Twanky and Cleo, were busy in the background. They were arranging the swords into the necessary five-pointed star configuration when something strange happened. Someone of unusual awkwardness managed to stumble against, and singlehandedly topple, the huge wooden statue it had taken four exceptionally strong Amazons to get on stage and into position. A frightened outcry was heard from that direction, undoubtedly uttered by the unfortunate one who had upset the statue. Nobody else had time to wonder over how this could possibly happen to a statue that must weigh at least four hundred pounds. Screams rose from the audience as the curtains billowed and parted.
"I think you spoke too soon," Kull stated in warning, as all three saw the curtains swaying. "Something is definitely amiss."
"I told them NO more surprises," Iphicles growled. "Zara, come back here!"
Ignoring his command, Zara continued her flight towards backstage.
"Can nothing go as planned today?" Iphicles snarled as both he and Kull gave chase.
"No," Kull answered. "Apparently not."
A few seconds had passed since the statue had teetered crazily, then begun its descent. It was headed directly toward The Widow and Cleo, who were occupied and unaware of anything amiss until a dark shadow obliterated the gleam of the swords...
Only the lightning-swift actions of Cupid saved them from being crushed; the young god flew up from backstage at the speed of sound to catch the statue only milliseconds before it struck the two women. When they realized who their savior was, Twanky was the first to rush to him for a tender embrace. Cleo, suddenly uncharacteristically shy, hung back a little, awed by the shimmering god before her, but when she found her voice she thanked him profusely for saving their lives.
"And now," affirmed Twanky indignantly, when she had collected herself and adjusted the costume which was annoyingly tight in some areas, "I need to have a word with that clumsiest of so-called 'dancers'!" She growled and stamped away. "SOMEONE is about to get an earful!"
Cleo, angry fire gleaming in her eyes, followed, "Wait for me, and it better not have been one of mine!"
Another strange sight met their eyes--an unfamiliar young woman apparently pinned to the floor by her sandal, which was, amazingly enough, impaled by a SILVER arrow. Said arrow was now plunged halfway into the stone floor.
Twanky stood looking on in shock and was about to speak up sharply with a 'Who's that? Not one of mine,' when she heard a distinctively other-worldly female voice say, "That arrow was forged for 'someone special' by someone who is not only an excellent shot, but very PISSED OFF!"
On the last words, Artemis made her hoped-for appearance to the collective gasps of all present. Beautiful and vigorous and scantily-dressed as ever, she carried her bow and wore the lunar crescent on her forehead. Cleo immediately dropped to one knee in wonder.
Twanky stared up at her. "Forged BY someone special!" she breathed.
The "clumsy dancer," still struggling to free herself, howled in rage, drawing the attention of every dancer and every guest in the arena. Everyone but the Amazons--who had all dropped to one knee, including the Queen--puzzled over the mystery of the speaker until they heard Artemis' next words.
"Discord, I put up with you, trying to kill one of my warriors twice, and almost causing the rest of them to start an unnecessary war. But if you think I'm going to let you interfere with a dance MY warriors do to honor me, GUESS AGAIN!"
"Artemis, THAT'S Artemis," Shauna nudged Litha, "no wonder Rhea made us kneel."
Aphrodite's voice was now heard, "Not to mention trying to hurt my CUPY," as she sizzled into sight. And when she "sizzled" into view, it was a sure sign that she was in a rage.
"Fine, 'Dite, she's all yours." Artemis gestured towards Discord, who had changed into her 'true form.' "Do your worst, and kick her butt!"
Discord, who was still howling, began to change grotesquely. In her place, a goat appeared. It bleated angrily, as 'Dite slipped a rope around its neck.
"Finally," Iphicles commended as the trio arrived backstage in time to witness Discord's transformation. "Something that fits her personality."
Zara who, like the other Amazons, was on one knee as soon as she recognized Artemis, giggled and then winced. "Discord will probably get even with all of us for making fun of her," she muttered. "But, I agree with Iphicles."
Kull was standing quietly by. "I'm not FROM Greece," he declared cautiously, pointing towards the goat. "Is that Discord?" he asked.
Everyone nodded.
Kull just smiled, and though he didn't want to, knelt next to Zara. "VALUSIA," he whispered quietly into her ear, while keeping a wary eye on all goddesses, "next year, definitely. Nothing like this happens there." He thought ruefully, 'Kicking and screaming if necessary, but you ARE going. I'm so glad I don't live in Greece.'
Aphrodite collected her new 'pet,' giggling. "See you." They disappeared in a pink shimmer.
Cupid was still holding the statue up in his arms and looking put-upon. "Aunt Arte, this is getting heavy, and I'm not Uncle Herk; can I set it back in place now?"
"Why does he have to put it back at all?" whispered Litha. "It's supposed to be her. And besides, she's already standing there."
As Artemis assisted Cupid in restoring the statue back to its intended spot, she answered Litha's question. "LITHA, you all brought the statue because none of you were certain that I would make it tonight. AND--now that I'm here, I have an assigned seat with a better view of the proceeding. That is why I'm helping my nephew put the statue back in place."
Litha's jaw dropped in horror, and she cringed. "Forgive me, Artemis, Ma'am--er, Your Highness, you weren't supposed to hear that." She looked pleadingly up at her goddess. "Are you going to punish me?"
Artemis shook her head. "No, child, I want to see you dance with the rest of the tribe." She added with a touch of firmness, "But, in the future, be more careful when you ask questions. I will not be so forgiving, next time."
Zara, who had been holding her breath, exhaled. She looked up to see her goddess regarding her fixedly. Artemis motioned for her to stand. Kull moved aside.
"I would stay as you are, whoever you are," Artemis warned. "For it is she that I wish to speak with."
"Kull, of Valusia," he replied evenly, being careful to keep the annoyance out of his voice. "I meant no offense."
Artemis started. "Really? Then you may stand." She added for Zara's benefit, "He impressed Athena, with his rulings today. A difficult feat for a mortal. Iphicles."
Kull now rose as instructed. Iphicles nodded when addressed, raising his eyes but frozen in position. "Yes, O Goddess." As the gods were technically his brother Hercules' relatives, and as his pride was still smarting from being a frog most of the day, and he really did not want to repeat the experience...or have something even worse happen, Iphicles was being extremely tactful. "How may I assist you?"
"Follow Kull's advice, on Meltillis." Artemis responded. "And, Zara, obviously I have seen everything that happened today on your birthday."
"Yes, Ma'am." Zara added, quickly taking a mental review of anything that might have offended Artemis, and, remembering that the goddess disliked men because of their powers over women, squared her shoulders prepared for the worst. "It's been an odd day."
Artemis' stern demeanor relaxed and she laughed aloud. "You have a talent for understatement." She studied Zara. "Because of everything that has happened AND your conduct in resolving volatile situations, your birthday, for this year only, MAY last an additional 24 hours. However, I expect a return to NORMAL AMAZON behavior after that." She eyed the two kings who were obviously very special friends to Zara, then winked at her. "And, the king may make a request, and you have my permission to grant it, but don't make it a habit." She dismissed Kull, Iphicles and Zara with a wave. "You'd better hurry if you expect to make it back to your seats, before the dance begins again."
She looked at the rest of her kneeling warriors. "Will no one be brave enough to escort me to my seat?" she asked with a laugh.
"I will," came the quiet voice of Aeolusia, who stepped forward with a smile. She curtseyed before the goddess. "May I take this moment to express my gratitude to you for being my patroness."
"A glorious voice," Artemis approved. "You have used my gift well; I am most pleased."
Aeolusia blushed red, felt tongue-tied but her soft eyes conveyed her thanks. "Follow me," she managed to say, and led Artemis to the seat designated to The Guest of Honor.