Chapter III
“What did you find out?” Hans asked the tall man as he stepped into the room. Shep just cast him a look and took a seat, waiting for the other leaders of the rebellion to file in behind him. Hans had literally accosted him as soon as he and Mitch had returned from up north. It had been bad enough that he and Jen had been separated for the better part of a month while they were being utilized in different areas of the rebellion. But to come home and find that Chase had disappeared... so much depended on her. She was a pain in the ass, but she was *their* pain in the ass. Not only was she a capable leader and an excellent pilot, she also had a knack for bringing people together and a way of making things seem possible. Of course, sometimes that had as much to do with her ability to kick ass and take names as it did with anything else. God knew they’d all gone the rounds with her on more than one occasion. Better than that – she kept Hans from driving the rest of the crew nuts.
So Shep was already in a sour mood, and Hans’ nervous energy wasn’t helping matters at all. Fortunately, the other rebel leaders were only a pace or two behind him. Ty patted his shoulder as she passed behind him, knowing the scientist tended to rub Shep the wrong way. Jen nudged Ty out of the way with a smile and the two women teasingly elbowed each other like kids for a minute before taking their seats. Mitch and Hans slid into their seats and waited for Shep to speak.
“The news isn’t good. She made it to the southern base and picked up the packet. From there things seemed to go downhill.”
“What happened?!?” Hans demanded impatiently. Shep glared at him, and Hans folded his on the table and sat back. “Sorry,” he muttered.
Shep nodded and cleared his throat. He knew the German man was simply concerned – they all were. But his impatience wasn’t going to help what appeared to be a complete calamity.
“It appears she ran into trouble once she took off. Apparently there was an ambush waiting for her. Now,” he held up his hands when the mutterings started.
“Damn it, Shep! That means we’ve got bigger problems than Chase missing.”
“I know,” the man said quietly. “But can I finish this first?”
Mitch nodded.
“Thank you. Now, as I was saying, we don’t know what happened from there – except that all five planes disappeared over the Devil’s Triangle.” Gasps around the table. “I know, but there is a possibility that Chase is alive.”
“So what do we do? Surely we can’t just leave her there,” from Hans.
“The southern base has a patrol out looking for survivors – Chase or the Nazis. My odds are on Chase having shot them all down and then being drawn into the Triangle.” The gasps turned to grins and nods of affirmation. “For now, though, we’ve got work to do. Not having the packet changes things, so we’re gonna have to implement some alternative plans and methods of attack.”
They opened their planning books and pulled pencils from the cup at the center of the table. Jen chuckled as she flipped to an empty page and all eyes turned to her.
She returned their gazes evenly, the mirth twinkling out of her brown eyes. “I was just thinking – I know that this is serious, but I’m glad I wasn’t the one to bring Chase down in the triangle, and I’m real glad I won’t be the one finding her. You *know* she is gonna be spitting mad, especially if she is stuck riding in a life boat out in the Triangle.”
Laughter went round the table for a minute, each of them well able to picture the blonde fury tearing through the Nazis and then the Devil’s Triangle trying to find a way out.
“So, you think she’s alive?”
Jen reached out a hand and patted Hans’ arm. “Not only do I think she’s alive. I’d put good money on her getting out of the Triangle by herself and coming home to kick our collective asses for leaving her there to find her own way out.”
“Guess we’d better get to work then. I don’t want to be accused of slacking off when she gets back.”
Five sets of eyes widened at Hans’ words, then they turned their attention to their planning.
When Chase opened her eyes the next time, the curtains had been opened allowing a minimal amount of light in the room through the slatted shutters. It bothered her eyes though, so she squinted as she looked around the room again. Nothing had changed – it still reminded her of a hospital though there were several pieces of equipment she didn’t recognize.
The pilot sat up, wincing as she pulled against the injuries in belly, shoulder and thigh. Chase cursed the aggravation they caused her, but was happy to note her head was much better though it did spin when she changed directions. She looked down, glad to see that this institution didn’t have the standard, ass-baring hospital gown.
It was actually... well, she wasn’t sure exactly what it was. It would have been a toga in Roman times, she suspected, though the material was silk, not linen. Chase rubbed its softness between her fingers and thumb. It reminded her greatly of the silk scarf passed down from her great-grandfather. It was the last reminder she had of the man who had been a hero to many, but whose efforts had in the end ultimately come up short.
Chase spared a wistful thought for it now, wondering where her clothes were and if the packet was safe. She assumed that whoever now had it in hand had opened it and read it. So her first order of business was going to be to get out of here and find her clothing and the packet. Then she’d need to find a way to escape.
She stood slowly, breathing deliberately to move past the pain and holding onto the rail when the world started to spin unmercifully. Chase bit her lip until it bled and closed her eyes, willing her body to co-operate. She took a step and would have hit the ground had it not been for the warm hands of her arms keeping her upright.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed yet,” Rina chided. “Come, let me help you back to bed, and I’ll get Drea.”
“Nono... I need....”
“You need to get back in bed,” the healer asserted firmly. “Please, you’re bleeding.”
Chase allowed the young woman to help her back to bed, moaning when she banged her leg into the rail. “I’m going to get Drea,” Rina said, pointing a finger at Chase. “You stay put.” She grabbed a glass and pitcher that were sitting on the bedside table and filled the glass nearly to the brim. “Here. Drink this slowly. I’ll be right back.”
Chase closed her eyes and concentrated on not throwing up.
“Are you sure about this, Paula?” Hippolyta was
looking through the reports the scientist had just handed her passing them on
to Drea and
“Yes, my queen. I have run the information three times. It comes up the same every time.”
“This makes no sense. Granted, humanity doesn’t have
the same level of genius available to us here on
“Thank you, my queen,” the scientist responded to the subtle compliment though they all knew who was responsible for most of the innovative progress the Amazons enjoyed, including the sleek, slim-line computers and holography technology apparent even here in the queen’s private rooms.
“So in a hundred years, there has been no significant
evolution in mankind’s development? No scientific advancement – not in
medicine or mechanics or technology?”
Paula shook her head. “Not in anything, it seems. Their music, clothing, way of life remains the same. Even their standard of living hasn’t altered significantly.”
“But why?” Drea asked. “It makes no sense. Surely there should be some sort of progress somewhere.”
Paula shrugged and scrubbed her hands through her hair, making it stand up on end more than it usually did. “I don’t have any answers for you. Every time I start looking for answers, I find something new that just makes more questions.”
“So do we know more about our guest? And what about Orana?”
“I am still working on getting things into place to find the facts we need about Orana. I can’t believe I missed this... that I let this get by me so easily.”
“Paula, don’t do this to yourself. We had no reason to suspect....”
“Yes, we did, my queen,” the scientist cut in unexpectedly. “You know we did – Diana warned us....”
“Paula!! You overstep your bounds!”
“Not this time,
“Let her be,
“What of our guest?” Drea asked, breaking a silence that was becoming unbearable in its strain.
“That was much easier,” Paula replied, switching to another screen. “She hasn’t gone to the trouble of trying to hide from us, and breaking into that primitive system was child’s play.”
“Annabelle Chaser – age....” Drea turned her head towards Paula. “Is that accurate? I would have guessed at least five years older given her maturity and bearing.”
“Well, that is the age she claims to be, at any rate,” causing a small smile to ripple among the immortals. They had long since given up being precise about their ages. No woman wanted to admit to being millennia old, even if she perpetually looked like she was in her mid-twenties. “But her birth date does confirm that to be an accurate number, yes.”
“Hmm,” Drea mused. “Height, weight, schooling... wow.” She turned brown eyes back to Paula who smiled and nodded.
“Yes, she is something of a genius herself.”
“Religious affiliation, family backgr....” She closed her eyes. “Oh, please tell me I am reading this wrong.”
“What??”
“Oh, dear... this complicates things immeasurably. Thoughts on how to proceed?”
“I think we need to let her reveal what she is comfortable revealing in her own time at this point. She’s already very wary of us and if she discovers we know all about her, she’d going to trust us even less.”
“And how are we going to get her home? Judging from that packet she was carrying, she’s pretty important to the rebellion. She’s going to want to go back as soon as she’s able.”
Silence fell – everyone knowing the answer but no one
wanting to be the one to say it aloud. Finally
“We all know what... or rather *who* the best solution is going to be in this situation.”
All eyes turned to the queen. “Now all I have to do is convince a daughter who no longer has any respect for me that she has to be something I denied her a hundred years ago.”
The hush that fell the second time was broken when Drea pushed back her chair and stood. “I suppose I’d better....” Her words were cut off when Rina knocked then entered the room without waiting for an invitation.
“Apologies, my queen,” she said with a nominal bow in Hippolyta’s direction. “I am sorry for intruding, but Drea is needed back at the infirmary immediately.”
“Chase?”
Rina nodded. “She woke up, then decided to get up without help. She tore the stitches in her leg.”
“Did you...?”
“No, you told me to let you know as soon as she was awake. Besides, I think she trusts you more. It took all she could do to let me help her back to bed.”
The two started walking at a hurried pace towards the door. “By your leave, my queen.” Drea said as they reached it. Hippolyta gave them a wave of the hand, effectively dismissing them. They were gone before her hand dropped back into her lap.
“You let her get away with too much, my queen,”
“She has always shown me respect,
“She only asked for your leave when she was gone, majesty. Surely you deserve more consideration....”
“
“Come,” moving away from the conference table and into the comfortable chairs at the fireplace. “Let’s talk. Maybe we can figure things out together.”
Hippolyta nodded her head at Paula who motioned to the door. Then Hippolyta sat down to help her friend work things out, the scientist’s departure unnoticed by both women who were totally engrossed in their conversation.
“Was it worth it?” the soft voice caused Chase to crack her eyes open to see Drea standing beside her bed. She turned back to her assistant. “Rina, I need....”
“I’m on it,” the Amazon said on her way out the door.
Drea shook her head and turned back to Chase with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. “I’m not sure how I ever got along without her. She’s always right on top of things.” Chase didn’t comment and Drea became the consummate professional in the blink of an eye.
“Now, let me take a look,” noting the blood now staining Chase’s gown. Her hands were sure and impersonal, and the pilot eventually relaxed into the touch. It wasn’t something she was used to – the rebellion’s doctors were good at what they did, but they were rough, almost callous. This was something beyond that; it felt comforting without being invasive.
“Rina, we’re going to need a new gown also please,” Drea said when the assistant healer returned with a tray full of instruments and supplies. “Thank you,” she added when Rina set the tray down and nodded her acquiescence to Drea’s request.
“Please,” Chase broke in quietly. “Do you suppose I could have a shower first? I feel... grungy.”
Drea looked at her seriously for a long moment. “Let me get you re-stitched and then we’ll see. I imagine we could manage to arrange something for you.”
“Thank you,” Chase replied.
“So,” Drea resumed speaking when the silence began to drag on uncomfortably. “Why did you get up? Surely you knew it was too soon.” She didn’t mention the few scars the younger woman’s body bore as a testament to her fighting, but it was obvious to Drea that Chase had been in this type of situation before. Besides, she endured the repair process stoically and unflinchingly, only her eyes bearing witness to the pain it cost her.
“I needed... I... look, I appreciate the hospitality and the help. I mean, ya’ll have been very kind, and I’ll never be able to repay you. But I’ve got responsibilities I’ve got to get back to.”
Drew nodded. “I can understand that. I have responsibilities of my own, and I take them very seriously. But Chase, you have to show a little sense here. If you’re not well, can you really fulfill those responsibilities? You’ve only been here a couple days. Give yourself a little more time to heal before you start running races, all right? Trust me to let you know as soon as you are able to get around safely?”
Chase gazed into gentle brown eyes for a timeless moment. She was inclined to trust this woman instinctively though her rational mind told her that sort of trust was stupid. Those gut instincts had never let her down, but....
“Why?”
Drea nodded to herself as though she expected the question. “I am a healer. I have sworn an oath to do no harm. That includes allowing you or others to harm you. I don’t want to spend my time making you well only to have you hurt yourself because of your impatience. You will get better; it’s just going to take a little time.” Drea waited until she saw acceptance in those green eyes. “Now, come. We’ll get you into the shower and then arrange for you to have some food.” She scooped Chase up negligently in her arms, not missing the startled look that crossed the pilot’s face.
Chase automatically put her arms around the healer’s neck in reflexive response. “You’re not an Amazon, are you?”
Drea noticed the dark expression settle on Chase’s face, clouding her normally brilliant eyes. She decided discretion was the order of the day. “Why would you ask that? Aren’t they a myth?”
Now the eyes grew cold in memory. “No,” starkly. “They are very real and brutally evil. They are also incredibly, deceptively strong.” Chase bit her lip. “On second thought, I’m sorry. You may be strong, but you don’t strike me as evil.”
They crossed the threshold into the bathing room and Drea deposited Chase on a seat in a large tiled enclosure. She turned her attention to adjusting the water temperature to the proper setting while the blonde woman struggled to undress. When she was satisfied, she moved back to help Chase disrobe. Her touch was impersonal and detached, and it was that attitude that permitted Chase to allow the healer to help her.
Drea noted almost clinically that Annabelle Chaser was a beautiful young woman - more sculpted than most of the Amazons who resided here, though there was plenty of feminine softness and curves. It was a tribute to the fact that she physically worked her body hard and not simply exercised it. There was only one here who rivaled her musculature, yet Diana’s did not show the abuse that Chase had obviously suffered in her fight for freedom. That thought brought the pilot’s previous comment back to mind.
“Have you seen enough evil to be able to recognize it?”
Now Chase looked her directly in the eyes, and what Drea saw there scared her. “Oh yes,” she said flatly. “I have seen evil face to face and lived to tell the tale.”
The healer swallowed hard and nodded. “Perhaps you will share the tale?” She handed Chase the soap and moved around the wall to give the young woman a bit of privacy without having to leave the room.
“No,” Chase answered vehemently. “It’s not something that should ever see the light of day.”
Drea nodded again, sensing that pushing Chase would be the wrong thing to do at this point. She had a gut instinct telling her that the pilot held information that they needed, and there was no reason to anger her – it would make Chase clam up and then they’d get nothing. Instead, she’d work on the trust angle, and hopefully the Amazons would gain allies and the rebels would as well. It had been a long time since the Amazon warriors had seen a good fight.
Chapter IV
The sun was setting. Diana languidly stretched from her place in the tree, having reached a level of meditation where she was comfortable in her body and in her mind. Diana was still uncertain about the stranger among them though she believed she should know... something. However, now she simply wanted to be left alone to enjoy the beauty of the colors as the golden light of day became crimson, then violet and finally black. She realized that wish was not to be granted her when she heard the footsteps of the priestess approaching.
Mala didn’t say anything for a while, content to sit beneath the tree and take pleasure in the display laid out so grandly before them. Usually she was in prayer at this time of day, as this was the time when the goddesses tended to commune; so sunsets had been a rare treat for her. Even when it seemed like the goddesses had abandoned them to their fate, Mala continued to fast and pray, hoping something would change – hoping they would speak to her again and offer some sort of guidance.
Today, however, she felt the need to watch the sunset, and seeing the form of the princess in the tree soaking in the sunshine and fresh air gave her reason to suspect divine machinations behind her own desire.
Diana noted the priestess’ presence but decided to ignore her. It wasn’t any different from her normal behavior towards Mala or anyone else, and though there were any number of other places the priestess could have gone to watch the sun set, Diana was content to share as long as no socialization was required on her part.
Slowly the sun slipped beneath the horizon and the colors Apollo left in his wake were truly spectacular. Diana sighed, knowing the storm that would follow such a breathtaking display would be equally phenomenal. She had long lost her fascination with storms, knowing they kept everyone inside, and that tended to work her nerves as it was usually when her mother made some inane attempt to communicate with her. Right now, though, she had to deal with a priestess who seemed to have made herself comfortable for the duration. And despite Diana’s disdain for everything around her, she hesitated to completely disrespect the priestess.
Mala had counted on that facet of Diana’s personality to work in her favor. Though the princess rarely gave any indication of attention or response, she was also unfailingly polite to the priestess in that she would not simply walk away from her. Diana didn’t show much tolerance for any other Amazon, but Mala had been her mentor and one of only two that had stood up to Hippolyta for Diana when the princess had competed for the honor of becoming Wonder Woman. So Diana settled back down for the duration and kept her eyes on the horizon, knowing Mala had something to say. She wasn’t disappointed.
“You did a good thing yesterday, Diana. It was nice to see the princess I remember again.” Mala felt Diana stiffen at the implication, but more importantly, she caught the look of confusion that flickered across the princess’ face at her initial words. Interesting, was her thought, though those weren’t the words she spoke aloud.
“The young woman you rescued – her name is Chase. Annabelle Chaser actually, but she has asked to be called Chase. Very nice girl. Extremely bright and from all we have been able to find out about her, she is both strong and stubborn. Though given the world she lives in, I suppose all those qualities are necessary for survival.”
Mala paused, allowing the words to sink in. Diana might not speak, but Mala could almost hear the thoughts that were being processed. Obviously, from the bewildered expression that the mention of Chase had caused, Diana had no recollection of her actions. The question was... why? Why would she forget something like that? Mala decided that would need further investigation, but for now....
"Man's world is still at war with itself, and Chase seems to be at the heart of the rebellion. We're going to have to get her home, though gods know she would make an exceptional Amazon."
Diana didn't answer verbally, but for the first time she turned her face and met Mala's eyes directly. The priestess held herself tightly, unwilling to let Diana see her flinch at the pain and lost look those blue eyes held. Mala rose and extended a hand towards the princess, hoping she wouldn't be rebuffed. Diana didn't withdraw or stop the touch, but she twisted her head back to the horizon, unwilling to refuse the comfort and unable to accept it as well.
Mala could feel the tension in the muscles beneath her hand, but she left it, knowing she was being permitted a greater liberty than Diana had allowed in more than a century.
"When you are ready to hear the whole story, come see me, my friend. I have missed you, and I think the time has come for you to return to us. You are meant for more than what you have become, princess."
Mala left her hand in place for several heartbeats longer before patting the strong back and walking back towards the temple. She felt sure that she would be having a visitor sooner rather than later, and she wanted to be ready. With any luck at all, she would be entertaining more than one, and though she relished the idea of the goddesses returning to them, more than anything she looked forward to the return of the princess and friend she had known from her conception.
Diana sat still and unmoving as twilight turned to total darkness. The peace she had achieved only an hour earlier had evaporated, leaving nothing but confusion and disarray in its wake. She thought she was content with what had become her lot in life and yet the priestess’s words had sparked... something in her soul – something she had not allowed herself to feel in a very long time.
Several somethings, in point of fact, and her curiosity was at the forefront of the burning urge that would ultimately push her forward into the world of men.
Chase was much happier after her shower though the effort it took to bathe herself was more draining than she’d imagined it could possibly be. With very little fanfare, Drea helped her dry off and dress before negligently swinging the pilot back into her arms and carrying her back to her bed.
“Let me check your stitches once more,” the healer said as she moved to do just that. “Then Rina can bring your breakfast. Then if you’re feeling up to it after a bit of a nap, we can get you up and around a little bit,” Drea looked directly at Chase and pinned her in place. “But with a little *help* this time.”
Chase bit her lip, trying to stop the blush she felt crawling up her skin at the evident scolding. Then she frowned. “Whaddya mean, a nap?? I gave those up when I was two.”
Drea eased Chase back onto the bed, fluffing her pillows and tucking her in before motioning to Rina. “Perhaps, but I doubt you were recovering from bullet wounds and surgery when you were two,” not missing the shadow that crossed the pilot’s face. But Drea continued without missing a beat. “And as your healer, I am authorizing a nap to stimulate your healing. After and only after you rest again will we go out for a while.”
Drea motioned to Rina who came in with a loaded tray. “You remind me....” the thought trailed off. Chase took a good look at the tray which contained delicacies she had read about but hadn’t seen before. “Where did you get this stuff? I’ve never seen food that looked or smelled so good. And I’m not sure I know what half of it is.”
“Trust me when I tell you that not only is it all good, it is all good for you. Now, eat up. Your body has a lot of rebuilding to do. I want to see your plate clean when I come back in to check on you.” The healer turned and took two steps towards the door when Chase spoke again softly.
“Do you treat all prisoners of war so well?” needing to know where she stood with the people who now held her life completely in their hands.
Drea stopped and walked back to Chase’s bedside, covering the pilot’s capable, well-worked hands with her own softer ones. “Chase, you are not a prisoner here. You are our honored guest. And when you are ready to go home, we will do our best to get you there. I am hoping you will learn to trust us and share what is going on in the world outside, but even if you never reach that stage, we will still do everything in our power to insure you make it back to your world.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Drea smiled and patted the hands she held before she stood up. “I know, but you will eventually. Now, eat before it gets cold. I’ll be back shortly.”
Chase picked up her fork and gingerly took a bite, letting the flavors burst across her tongue before scooping up more and chewing enthusiastically. Drea moved the hair back out of Chase’s eyes and the younger woman smiled as the motion evoked yet another memory of her mother.
The healer smiled in sympathy then left the room and Chase turned her full attention to cleaning her plate.
"Diana! DIANA!!" Hippolyta wasn't fond of yelling to be heard, but her daughter made any other choice impossible. Unfortunately, it drew everyone else's attention as well.
Diana conveniently ignored her mother, just as she had every other time the woman had spoken to her since.... Her mind turned away from the time of her disgrace and humiliation. Instead, she continued on to her rooms, ever mindful of the guards that stood outside her door.
Hippolyta reached out a hand and grabbed Diana by the arm, flinching when the princess whirled on her but unwilling to give up the tenuous hold she had on Diana's attention. Then flinching for an entirely different reason.
Blue eyes blazed with anger, hatred and resentment and burned into eyes equally blue, but filled with regret, despair and pain.
Without a word, Diana lifted her mother's hand from her arm, squeezing until tears ran from Hippolyta's eyes. The guards approached, but were stopped by a hand signal from the queen. Diana threw Hippolyta away from her – not hard enough to make her fall, but with force enough to make her stumble backwards several steps. Diana gave her a look of complete loathing and turned and entered her room.
Now the guards moved forward, and Hippolyta again waved them away, cradling her damaged hand tenderly before rising on unsteady legs and making her way out of the palace.
Hippolyta was on her knees at the altar when Mala returned
to the temple. The priestess hesitated, not wanting to interfere if the
queen was in prayer. When Diana had returned to the Amazons changed,
Hippolyta had come to the temple to pray for her daughter’s soul only to learn
that the goddesses were furious with her. Because of that fury, they no
longer deigned to appear bodily to any Amazon, though they still extended their
protection over all who lived on both Paradise and
Now the queen lay prostrate before the altar, hard sobs convulsing her body as she cried out her rage, frustration and sorrow. Finally she had been beaten and broken, accepting responsibility for a great many things that until that moment in time she had not acknowledged her role in.
Mala covered the queen in a soft, thick blanket, and brought water for her to wash in and water to drink. Then she moved to an alcove to wait for things to unfold. She could feel the change in the air, and wanted to be witness to what was happening.
Eventually, Hippolyta ran out of tears and she sat up, noting for the first time the items that had been placed out for her needs. The washing water was still warm, and she gently cleaned her face, wincing when it stung and burned. Then she poured a glass of cool water and drank it swiftly, nearly choking in her haste. But it was soothing and she poured a second glass, sipping this one and appreciating the feel of it on her raw throat.
Hippolyta wrapped the blanket more tightly around her, feeling the chill after the rush of emotion just passed. She removed the tiara from her head and studied it intently before she placed it on the altar. Then she stood as though she bore the weight of the world itself on her shoulders and shuffled listlessly towards the backside of the altar.
Mala rose from her spot in the alcove, moving to intercept the queen when she realized her intention, only to be stopped by two invisible hands on her shoulders.
"Let us handle this," Hera said. "We have let this go on too long, and it's time to resolve this and bring unity back to the Nation and peace back to our chosen."
"Diana?"
"Yes," replied Demeter. "She has suffered much for too long, and the time has come to make amends."
"And the queen?"
"Watch," Hestia answered, and turned the priestess back towards the altar... offering her a front row seat for the drama that was being revealed.
Hippolyta leaned on the top of the altar and closed her
eyes. Then she reached for the hidden drawer - known only to the queen,
the priestess and artisan who had crafted the altar itself. Hippolyta
opened her eyes and gazed at the ceremonial knives that were housed in the
hidden compartment, letting her mind drift back millennia to the time when the
Amazons had originally left
They had been scrambling for days trying to crate as many artifacts and as much of their history as they could find. When the goddesses had come to them, offering to move them to a safe place, free of war and disease and men, Hippolyta had been more than slightly skeptical. After all, for years the deities had been silent while not only the Amazon Nation, but women in general suffered cruel and unspeakable fates. It was quite a stretch for them to accept such sudden interest in their well-being.
However, the Amazons had not survived wars, pestilence,
hatred and discrimination without learning a few things. One of those
things was when to go with the flow – and they had decided by popular vote that
this was one of those times. Even if the goddesses did not come through,
it was time for the Amazons to leave
Personal belongings and medical supplies had been packed first so everyone could help with the things that belonged to them as a people. So now they were packing up the temple and the library. There were scrolls numbering in the thousands – scrolls that told their history and folklore; scrolls that gave instruction; scrolls that remembered their greatest warriors and heroes. One entire section of scrolls was dedicated to the writings of one of their most treasured queens – a young bard who had stumbled into the Nation by her willingness to sacrifice herself for a stranger princess. A young woman who with her champion befriended the Amazons and helped them to survive until they could rebuild. The writings of this bardic queen were favorites of everyone, and they were now carefully packed and stored for the move.
While many in the Nation carefully handled the history, Mala pulled Hippolyta aside to deal with something a little more dangerous.
The priestess and the queen walked back to the alcove where their sacred items of worship were secreted when not in use. Mala touched a spot in the wall and a hidden panel slid sideways to reveal a concealed cache of ceremonial weapons, including some rare pieces that had come into the Nation's possession.
Hippolyta's eyebrows rose. Even as queen, she had been unaware of this collection of arms. She turned questioning eyes to Mala, waiting for an explanation. The expression on her face was clearly indicative that she was completely in the dark about the accumulation of weaponry before her.
"We were asked... we were instructed to keep these things here. They each hold special significance to our history in some way or another."
Hippolyta nodded, recognized a few of the pieces from her studies. "And the dryad bone daggers?"
"They were crafted and hidden here after two feuding, newly-minted goddesses nearly destroyed the village. It was decided it was necessary to defend against gods and goddesses as well as humanity, and our queen's champion went out and got the necessary parts and actually created the knives that were left in the hands of the high priestess."
"Why did they become a well-kept secret?"
Mala shrugged. "I don't know," she answered honestly. "The secret was always passed from high priestess to high priestess. I had assumed it also went from queen to queen until I observed your face when you saw them."
Hippolyta reached out a hand towards them but hesitated before she actually reached the smooth, sharp blades. “And they kill gods?”
Mala nodded. “And immortals. It was documented.”
Hippolyta nodded. “Very well. Pack them with the other sacred items... things you alone handle. We will build a new hiding place for them when we reach our new home.”
And they had. The goddesses had kept their promises
and whisked them to an island of safety Hippolyta had named
Now Hippolyta opened the drawer and removed the dryad bone daggers from their hiding place. Even after millennia of residing in the hidden niche, they remained as razor-sharp as they had been the day they had been crafted. The queen admired them for a long moment before lifting the blade to her eye level. Mala jumped forward, only to be stopped again by the hands on her shoulders. She glared at her captors, only to have her face turned back towards the altar.
Hippolyta had collapsed again, the knife lying clean and untarnished on the floor beside her. She didn’t even flinch when she felt gentle hands stroking her loosened hair.
“Why?” Hippolyta whispered. “I am no longer worthy to be queen and I am obviously totally unfit to be a mother.” She looked up into compassionate blue eyes. “Especially Diana’s mother. She hates me.”
"And giving up will help you how?" Hippolyta moved her attention from Aphrodite to Artemis. "Hippolyta, the fight for Diana's soul has just begun."
The queen jerked away from the love goddess' touch and glared in the hunt goddess' direction. "JUST BEGUN?!? We have been fighting for well over a century." She stood up and moved away from the altar where three goddesses now sat in repose. "I realize on the immortal scale that is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things. But living it day to day, watching her hate me more and more, seeing her close herself off to everyone and everything and grow distant from the world, the last hundred years has been an eternity."
Athena rose from her spot and moved behind Hippolyta, placing her hands on the queen's shoulders and kneading gently. Hippolyta flinched but Athena held on and gradually the queen began to relax. "It does seem like an eternity, Hippolyta, but things are just now falling into place to make things right again. And it may take a while from a human perspective for balance to be restored, but it will happen."
The queen stood still and unmoving in thought. Finally she pulled away from the goddess' hands and turned to face the three of them. "Why? Why did you let this happen? What is the point of everything that has happened... to us," motioning between herself and them. "To Diana... to man's world? Why didn't you do something to stop it?"
There was no anger, no accusation in her voice; only a world-weariness and soreness of heart that could not be hidden. All six goddesses came forward now and Mala followed, not wanting to miss the story she felt sure was coming.