THE ZENA SCROLLS: CHAPTER III

[Phalon]

Zena 1
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(8/2/03 6:12 pm)
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Casting About
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The bell jingled and slapped against the door frame. A shoulder hit the heavy wooden door and a male voice mumbled “By the beard of Zeus!” Kaisa clapped her hands over the ears of the nearest child and the sound of four blades leaving their sheaths split the tense atmosphere. Zena looked back and winked at Phalon when they both observed Kaisa gathering the children around her like the mother hen that she was. Here was a woman who held home sacred and no one in this community had probably ever dared to set a sandal on her doorstep without permission, except perhaps until this night of the wandering Amazons!

The crash and tinkle of broken glass caused the crouching Zena to take a breath and raise her sword in defense, tightly gripping the handle. The intruder cast a shadow on the curtain that divided the shop and the home and when the fabric was pulled back Phalon surprised them all by winding up in his arms. The school of children swept forward to greet them and Zena relaxed. Little Apollo grabbed her fingers and pulling her along asked permission to keep her like his pet turtle. He would never understand what it would cost just to feed Zena, let alone a pen strong enough to hold her. She smiled at him and placidly let him drag her to his father, sheathing her sword as they advanced.

Gelasuis and Demaris turned from their conversation with Kaisa and Phalon began the introductions. Red grumbled something like “I nae touch the animal” when she heard the description the villagers had given of Kaisa’s guests, but Gelasuis taking in the vision of her muscular body, spiky red hair and blazing green eyes thought he just might check around for bones later. He offered his hand to Zena and as they clasped forearms she thought how much he looked like Phalon; but even more how much his spirit was like her and she wondered if he too “saw” things.

With the children shepherded back to final bedtime chores and the wounded again drowsily contemplating the fire, Zena suggested that they bring the goods in from the street and settle all the horses. She stepped past the big wooden door she had barred earlier and onto the silent stone street with Puella. The street was empty for tonight but tomorrow would bring the curious crowd back again. The barrels and crates on the wagon smelled of spices and wet wood and the light of the full moon helped them to find the handholds. Spools of rope and twine were stacked to the side with a small fishing net.
“You know Puella, I would really like to spend a day fishing..alone.” Zena ran a finger over the net and then grabbed a handle on a box.
Puella grunted as they lifted a heavy crate to the ground. “Fishing? By yourself? Why now?”
“Oh, I just wondered what the port is like. And maybe catch dinner for Kaisa as a way of repaying her.”
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the Roman ship would it?"
Zena smiled. “Always best to know what the enemy is planning. And if you can fish a little besides..life is good.”

Inside, Demaris whispered to Kaisa while they were alone, the village gossip: “We brought Vassaly back with us.” Kaisa looked surprised, “She came back? I thought she was gone to see the world with that Roman woman. What was her name?” Demaris removed her wrap and laid it on the counter as she cleared space for the new merchandise. She continued in a low voice. “Leara. She called herself Leara of Rome.”

Puella and Zena hauled the crate in and lifted it to the counter. “Can I have a bit of this twine Kaisa?” Zena asked.
“Oh certainly Zena. Are you thinking of stringing up a line to wash clothes?” Kaisa smiled knowing that that was not the purpose for the twine.
“I might string up something.” Zena chuckled and turned toward the door to continue unloading.

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

gabbyfan4ever
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(8/2/03 8:06 pm)
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Gabby hoped they would get to the village soon. She had caught a hint of worry in Phalon's eye when she was asked how she was feeling. Not to betray any worry of her own, Gabby assured Phalon she was feeling fine. The pain was completely gone. Though just the thought of what it felt like before made Gabby feel sick. However, she could see and feel that her legs weren't healed. They felt heavy, like lead weights were hanging off of them. She prayed they wouldn't get infected. It would be just one more thing Gabby would worry the group with. Zena also seemed to be acting strange. Lines of concern furrowed the girls brow as she thought of all this.

Along the way Gabby was contented listening to Kaia between her light dozing. It felt good having someone close to her own age to talk to. It reminded her of the carefree banter she used to have with the girls in her village. It seemed ironic to Gabby that the banter was essentially the same, despite all the hardships Kaia and Gabby had been through. It is one of those things that has to stay the same, a small joy that must be kept or the good times will seem too far away.

Later, when Gabby awoke from a doze, the group was in front of a building inside the village they had been heading for. Kaia told her this was Phalon's village, and they were outside her home. A large and somewhat noisy crowd was beginning to form around the group of women. She heard one villager yell that the "wild women" had captured a girl. Just before Gabby could open her mouth to deny that she was captive she was scooped up by Zena, and they were all ushered inside.

Inside Gabby saw a short, yet commanding, woman that must have been Phalon's mother. It seemed to Gabby that all mothers had the inherit ability to take on this loving yet unshakable appearance. She smiled when the woman, Kaisa, gently took Zena's elbow to lead Gabby to a bed, but made no attempts to take the child from her mother.

Inside the living quarters Gabby lay on a bed while her legs were treated. An otherwise peaceful evening was later interrupted when Gabby was startled awake at the sound of Phalon yelling for Zena. A moment later Zena reappeared dragging in a wounded Blackwolf, followed by Phalon and a woman like none Gabby had ever seen before. Gabby stared somewhat in awe wondering where the obviously foriegn woman was from. She would have to wait to get her answers until another time, as the woman never left Blackwolf's side.

It seemed like she had only fallen back asleep when yet another sound startled her awake. Slight amusement tickled the back of Gabby's mind when she thought what excitement they had brought for poor Kaisa. The amusement faded fast when she saw and heard weapons being drawn. Gabby was not afraid. She knew whoever was trying to get into this house would go through Hades and back before these women let anything happen to the wounded and the children. She only wished she could help defend rather than be protected.

A moment of tense silence took over when a dark shadow appeared in front of the curtain separating the room they were in from the front of the store. It was followed by a moment of silent surprise when Phalon ran to embrace the intruder. The resemblance immediately confirmed the stranger was actually Phalon's brother. Gabby gave an inward sigh of relief, and she imagined everyone gave a collective sigh of their own. The girl smirked as her mother was dragged away by a child less than a third her height. If the child had its way Zena would be his personal pet, much like Little Dog was Evergreen's.

Now almost everyone was back together again with Blackwolf's return. Everyone plus an entire family extra. All that was missing now was Evergreen. Gabby wondered idley when Evergreen would finally come back to them.

Edited by: gabbyfan4ever at: 8/2/03 8:08 pm

[Phalon]

Zena 1
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(8/3/03 1:51 pm)
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Re: Sudden awakenings Part II
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“Zeeeeee! I’m stuck! Get me out! Help!"
It was early morning and Apollo in his five year old wisdom had decided that he would help lay out the fishing net that Zena intended to pack in her carrying basket. He was completely entwined with only little fingers and a nose protruding from the cords that formed the net. She laughed and pulled him to where she sat, carefully freeing him from his prison. Her laughter woke Gabby who saw the packing taking place and propped herself up on one elbow while rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Mom? Are we leaving already?” Looking around the room she saw that everyone else was still snoring and curled up in their beds and the truth that Zena was going somewhere alone hit her like a stone.
“Are you l..l..leaving m..m..me?” She stuttered and started to cry, covering her face with her hands. Zena sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped her arms around Gabby. “Shh. Shh. I was just going for a few days of fishing while you are resting here.” A now freed Apollo tried to climb on the bed too and Gabby pushed him back so that he tumbled on to the floor and bumped his head on the chair beside the bed.
His wails woke Demaris who collected him without asking why their were so many tears in so many places.
“Gabby!” Zena was startled that Gabby was acting so petulantly. “He’s just a little boy.”
“I don’t care. Oh please don’t leave me like Evergreen did, like my parents did."
Zena rocked Gabby. “No, no! I was only going fishing. It’s all right. I won’t go. I never meant to leave you!”
“Really?”
“Really. Amazon Scout’s honor!"
Gabby smiled and her sobs settled into hiccups. Zena covered her again with the blanket and fluffed her pillow. She sat looking at her, brushing the wet strands of hair from her face; in the shock of her injury the young woman had become like a child again. Zena had forgotten that this was not the regular life of an Amazon. In an Amazon village woman came and went and everyone helped to raise a child whose mother was out hunting, fishing or at battle. From the first moment they had met on the road Gabby was anchored to only Zena and that made life different.

“So this is motherhood,” Zena mused as Gabby dozed again. “Every hour, every day, of every month for many years. It takes some getting used to. Well, there was a creek nearby. Perhaps a pond. Maybe I can steal a few hours alone later in the day.” Nearby Apollo had cuddled to his mother and both were asleep again. Zena sighed and put the basket on a shelf then slouched back on the chair beside her daughter’s bed to dream of the young Roman on the steps of the temple of Mars.
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

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phalon1
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(8/3/03 11:12 pm)
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Crimson and Clover
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Phalon woke to the soft sounds of a child whimpering. Struggling to bring herself out of a sound sleep and back to the world of the conscious, she was surprised when she opened her eyes and saw not the first rays of the morning sun breaking through the darkness and lightening the sky above, but an actual roof over her head. Ah, yes. She was home.

She looked about, and seeing all were asleep, decided the whimpering must have come from a fitful dream of one of the sleeping youngsters. Hoping the bad dream was discarded for one more pleasant, she quietly rose and tiptoed across bodies and out the back door into the courtyard beyond.

Much time was spent here in her youth. Here is where mother grew herbs for cooking and drying to sell in the store. This is where, on pleasant days, the family sometimes took their meals. And this is where she and her brother used to play when small as their parents worked up front in the store.

Glancing about, Phalon saw that not much had changed. Clay pots and troughs of all sizes lined the courtyard. Oregano, chives, and rosemary. She ran her hand over a pot trailing with thyme, slightly crushing the leaves as she did so, and brought her fingertips up to her nose. What a wonderful, sweet fragrance! In this corner was a small vegetable garden, filled with neat rows of onions, lentils, and greens. Peas grew in the back against the wall, climbing up stick trellises and reaching for the sun.

The table had grown bigger over the years. When Phalon was a child, there was just she, her brother, mother and father. Though Dad was gone now, the family had tripled its size. Now her mother had a daughter-in-law, nine grandchildren and another on the way. She knew Kaisa was in all her glory, surrounded by the horde, and tended to them like a mother hen guarding her chicks.

Phalon sat down on one of the long benches flanking either side of the roughly hewn planked table. She picked up a clay top left on the table and gave it a whirl, watching it spin until it toppled over, its balancing act interrupted as the tip butted up against a necklace made of clover. The children’s things, discarded as they ran off to find other amusements to fill their day.

The clover necklace simple, but at the same time quite intricate and still beautiful, even in its wilted state. She slipped it over her head and heard the far off tinkling of children’s laughter. She smiled. Louder and louder the sound grew, ringing in her ears, deafening as the laughter turned to hysterical shrieks of frightened girls. Shrieks that were drown out by the sea crashing against a cliff of red rock.

“Phalon!” Kaisa was calling her daughter in to help with the morning meal. Clover from a shredded necklace fell to the ground and was crushed by her bare feet as she ran towards the door.

[Phalon]

the chaotrix
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(8/3/03 11:15 pm)
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Goddess or Sister
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Everything was becoming hazy around the edges. One moment blurred into the next.

She had been guided into the deeper part of the house, and found an unobtrusive place to stand not far from Oukami. Someone handed her a wet towel. She washed her hands and arms to remove Oukami’s blood. No sooner had the towel been taken away when someone else, a child, put a cup of water into her hands. She watched intently as they tended Oukami’s wound.

Her only distraction were the quiet questions from the one the called Zena. Sumire tried to answer as soon as she could put the words together. “..Sumire” “..yes, I was in that caravan..” “A bandit threw a knife at me. Oukami– Lady Blakwoof jumped in front..” She heard her voice tremble at the last answer. Her own voice sounded strange to her; rough and unsteady. Zena who had been watching her carefully nodded and left. She returned shortly with a chair and gently pushed her into it.

“Here. Rest. I’ve just met you and already you talk too much.” Sumire blinked up at this woman who seemed to have some brand of authority here. Zena just smiled and moved off to tend to other things.

The one she called Grandmother came over and looked her up and down. She had a few questions of her own.

“Here, let me look at you. This,” the older woman gingerly pulled at the blood soaked cloth at her shoulder “Are you hurt?”

Sumire tiredly shook her head “No, Grandmother, it is Oukami’s”

“Ohkahmee?” questioned the matriarch. Sumire sighed and lifted a hand to indicate the unconscious woman “Lady Blakwoof”

“Hmm. Alright.. Now lets see. What about you, hmm?”

“I am well, Grandmother. Please don’t trouble yourself..”

“Shh. Be still.” Grandmother took her chin moved her head about with a gentle but firm pressure. Sumire felt a detached amusement at being handled like a child.

“Ah.. And this cut over your eye? Does your head hurt?”

“It is nothing.”

“Mm-hmm.” said Kaisa in the tone of someone who doesn’t believe what she’s just been told. She took a cloth that had been soaked in cold water and pressed it to the cut, and lifted Sumire’s hand to hold it there. “If it is nothing, then you shouldn’t feel a thing right?”

“Yes, Grandmother. Thank you.” She smiled through the pounding headache that was now worse because of the added pressure. As soon as Grandmother moved away to tend to someone else, Sumire lowered the cloth into her lap.

She noticed the cup of water in her hand and couldn’t remember where or when it she had come to have it. Suddenly thirsty, she drained it quickly, only to have the cup replaced by a plate of food. She weakly tried to refuse it but the young host that offered it to her was insistent.

It took only a couple bites of soaked bread and then her stomach began to turn. The barely noticed current of nausea that pulsed in time with her throbbing head for hours now decided to take up residence as a chief discomfort. And then there was that all-pervading smell. Onion? She brought out her fan and tried to clear her head. She refused to become sick in front of her hosts.

When she could, her attention was focused on Oukami, but she was not entirely oblivious to the others. She was aware that there were others who were also recovering from injury. A few of the women had been burned. Grandmother made her rounds to each one in turn. Every now and then she would tell one of the older children to bring more onions or replace this towel or bring that blanket.

When Grandmother came around to see to Oukami again, her daughter joined her. Sitting in her corner across Oukami’s bed from them, Sumire sat still and held her breath as she watched the older healer deftly tend Oukami. They spoke of the daughter’s unexpected absence and return home. Apparently this had been a homecoming, except there wasn’t much of the carefree joy one would expect.

When they spoke of Oukami’s injuries and how grave they were Sumire’s heart plummeted. She knew that it was not good, but hearing such a pronouncement from such an experienced healer made her heart clench into a knot. By her reaction she had drawn attention to herself, and Grandmother amended her diagnosis. Sumire couldn’t be sure if it was for her benefit or not, but she would cling to that bit of hope none the less.

It seemed like that was all that she could do until the bells at the door rang.

They rang again and then glass broke. Those who were able readied themselves for intruders. Sumire stood and positioned herself so that she was at Oukami’s side but in between whoever was gaining entrance into the front room. Swords hissed from sheaths. Several of the women had drawn blades that were slung from their hips. It struck Sumire as a completely surreal moment: women with swords, drawing them to fight. How completely... vulgar. And yet, at this moment, among these people, it was right.

A general wave of relief followed once the intruders were revealed to be family members. Some joined in the conversation, while others went back to dozing by the hearth fire. To Sumire, the dissolving of the tension brought on the weight of the endless time since the caravan attack. She slowly sank to sit upon her knees on the floor at the foot of Oukami’s bed. Everything else diminished to a murmuring fog of sound and dim light.

She reached out to lightly touch Oukami’s arm; so cold. She watched her chest with each breath; too labored. She studied her face; much too pale. This was not the image of a kami. It was true that kami would take on the image of a person, but certainly if that form presented danger to the kami they would abandon it and resume their true form...right? Why was Oukami still here? She should have flown away on the wind or faded with the day’s dying light.

It was then that Sumire recalled what Grandmother had said: “...a very strong woman...” A woman. Just a woman.
Sumire lay her arm upon the bed, and then rested her head upon it. She watched the rise and fall of Oukami’s breathing.

Nothing was ‘just’ anything. Such selfless sacrifice was not the work of ‘just a woman’. Whatever Lady Blakwoof was, they shared a kinship of sorts. Closing her eyes she wondered if in the morning she would find a goddess or a sister. After that she thought no more. Having been shunned so long, sleep greedily devoured her consciousness.

[Phalon]

the chaotrix
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(8/5/03 2:21 am)
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Re: A Cat's Tale
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It was a long battle to fight through the mire of sleep to the light of consciousness. As sleep faded it brought only confusion. Nothing was familiar. The sound, the air, the light. She could not understand where or why she was. She hurt all over. Opening her eyes, her brows furrowed immediately.

She was not in Jappa.

With a piercing ache, she remembered why not. Memories stumbled upon themselves until she came to the image of Oukami. Clarity and pain. She was awake now.

Sitting upright she immediately looked for Blackwolf. Her feet touched the cool stone once she swung them over the side of the cot. Cot? Sometime during her sleep she had been moved from the floor to a cot placed next to Blackwolf’s bed.

The house was relatively quiet compared to last night. There were sounds from the front room and some people outside, but at this time there didn’t seem to be anyone in the room except herself, Blackwolf and the young girl with burned legs, who seemed to be napping at this point.

Sumire lean forward and looked at Blackwolf closely. It seemed impossible to tell in the late afternoon light, but Sumire thought her color looked better. Her breathing certainly seemed steadier, deeper than the night before. Setting her finger tips upon Blackwolf’s arm her brow furrowed; still too cool, but this time where was at least a trace of some warmth. The wound looked recently wrapped.

Sumire sat back and considered all of this. Not free from danger yet, but at least better than the night before. If there was anything she could do, she would do it, but she wasn’t sure what she could do. She still didn’t feel fully awake yet. She might as well be sleep walking for the cottony feeling behind her eyes. Perhaps if she rested some more...

*...thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thip*

*...thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thap*

The rhythmic sound eventually penetrated her mental haze. She turned to see a child sitting next to her playing with her fan, slowly opening it and then closing it. He was obviously fascinated but the sound and feel of the pleats first snapping out and then collapsing against each other. She fought her instinct to snatch it out of his hand. Instead she waited until he closed it again before she reached out slowly closed her fingers over the compressed fan.

*...thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thp-thip---*

“This, is not a toy.” she stated calmly and then smiled to keep him at ease “May I please have it back?” It was really not a question as she was gradually removing it from his grasp when she asked. She nodded graciously to him even still. “Thank you,.. Eh. What is your name?”

“I’m Apollo.”

“Ah. A good name. Thank you, Apollo.”

“What’s your name?”

“I am Sumire.”

“Soo..mee..?”

“Mmn. ” She chuckled. It was close enough for a child of his age. “ Yes. That will do.”

“I have a new pet!” Apollo cheerfully volunteered.

“Really?” Sumire began to run her hand through her hair to smooth it as best she could while she spoke to the boy. She wondered briefly where her bundle of belongings could be found.

“Yup. Her name is Zee.”

“That is a nice name for a pet. What kind of pet is she?”

The boy frowned and pulled at his lower lip. “I don’t know yet. I’ll have to ask her.”

She rubbed her eyes. The grogginess was not quite evaporating the way she wished it would. Perhaps she was not ready to be up and having conversation with children. No matter how cute they were.

Apollo looked at her for a long moment.
“Sumi, what’s wrong with your eyes?”

“My eyes?” she raised a hand to the cut over her eye, thinking perhaps in rubbing her eyes she had caused her injury to start bleeding. “Nothing. A small cut, that is all.”

“No. Your eyes.” his eyebrows scruched togehter in a frown as he looked up at her intently “Why are they like that?”

“Like...?”

“Like this.” he reached up and pulled at the corners of his eyes “Why are they like this?”

She covered her mouth to hide her smile and bit her lip to keep from laughing. She had become used to the stares since she had come west. But never had she been asked directly about her features. Leave it to children to be so direct. She thought moment before she answered.

“Ah... My eyes. Well nothing is wrong really. These eyes are all that is left from the time when I was a cat.”

“You were a cat?!” Apollo sat up straight, even more interested now.

The impromptu story came quickly. Most of her work was trying to translate it into Greek as she went along.

“Yes. You see, when I was young, like your age, I did not listen to my mother. I strayed far from home. Night fell and I became lost and a family of cats found me. They lived in a cave and they took me there. They made me hunt mice for them and made me clean their cave while they took endless naps. Soon I was working so hard for the cats, I became one.”

“But why didn’t you stay a cat?”

“Because my father loved me very much and rescued me before I could forget who my real family was.” Sumire smirked inwardly at parts of the story. Her craft was music, not story-telling. Even so, she thought she did a fair job with the elements of metaphor and irony. Every good tale had at least grains of truth in between the luxurious folds of a lie. She watched Apollo to see if he would pull his own truth from it.

Apollo nodded as he thought about the tale. He knew without a doubt. “My dad would rescue me if lazy cats tried to make me work too much”

“Apollo! Come here. Let that poor woman rest!” Phalon stood at the curtained doorway to the storefront.

“She’s not just a woman, auntie. She’s a cat too!”

“Is that right? Don’t even think about making her your pet too.” Phalon arched an eyebrow as Apollo came up to her. “Your mother is calling you. To the kitchen, little one. Go on.”

Apollo ran off and Phalon came forward. She nodded at Sumire who stood, before looking down at Blackwolf. Sighing a bit of relief she returned her gaze to Sumire. “Well.. She’s got more color. That’s a good sign.”

“Hai. It is. Yes.” Agreed Sumire, glad that someone could confirm it.

“And how are you feeling?” Phalon thought the woman looked rested.

“I am a little... I am better. Thank you for your kindness.” Sumire didn’t feel at all rested enough.

“I’m sorry about my nephew”

“He was no bother, my Lady” Sumire made an easy dismissive gesture with a hand.

“Good. I’m glad. I would hate that you would find him a nuisance.”

Sumire couldn’t be sure but it seemed this woman’s words were more than just mere politeness. Meeting Phalon’s eyes for a moment she smiled and lowered her eyes in a nod, giving a sincere gesture of deferment. “Not at all.”

Phalon had been watching Sumire carefully as she spoke to her. After a pause she looked down and nudged something placed under Sumire’s cot with her foot. “I believe you dropped this last night. I put it here so you could find it.” Sumire bent and pulled her parasol from under the bed. She also saw that her bundle that had been tied to the horse was under the cot as well.

“Ah.. Thank you!... anou..” Sumire bowed twice, trying to remember this woman’s name.

Phalon smiled, recognizing that pause in any language; “I’m Phalon, by the way”

“I am Sumire. It is good to meet you, Falon-san” When she straightened from her bow she saw Phalon’s arm extended toward her.

Sumire blinked. She had seen men greet each other this way, but no one had ever extended their hand to her like this. She recalled what she had seen of the salutation and reached out carefully. Phalon completed the arm clasp. Seeing the slightest shift in Phalon’s expression Sumire feared she had offended her and so released her hand immediately.

Phalon looked like she was about to say something when a voice from the storefront called out. “Phalon? Could you give us a hand, dear?”

“Excuse me,” Phalon said a bit breathlessly and turned away.

Sumire watched Phalon leave and then sank slowly to sit upon the cot again. Noticing the higasa was in her lap, she ran her fingertips over the oiled paper of the sunshade while she thought. Something had just transpired, she was sure of it. It had to be some sort of test of a guest’s poise and grace. Perhaps she was supposed to politely refuse the offered hand. Perhaps she should not have let go. Perhaps she should have kept sleeping.

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
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Posts: 309
(8/5/03 5:43 pm)
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As in My Heart...So is the Deed
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There many things you can run away from…where you live, a life no longer wanted, a crime of the heart. What you cannot take flight from is who you are.

There is no hiding from that...no well deep enough,no crevice so secluded,no meadow head high with grass,no forest so dense that will shelter you from the sight in your own mind's eye. You can clothe yourself in fine silk in place of muslin, but underneath, below the dressing, below the precise point of surface tension, is still just you.

~



Vassaly


I cannot worry it away…cannot close my eyes to hide in Morpheus’ den and make it disappear from my sight for it haunts my dreams and follows me into the daylight. I toss and turn, walk the cool tile floors out into the gardens, bath in the warm, sandalwood scented baths, but cannot wash or walk it away. To do nothing, to say nothing, to remain in my safe place is no different than I draw the blade and take the life.


~


We make our own choices. We pay our own prices. Sin by omission is still the misdeed played out in the heart. She knew what she must do…must say…must act upon. It would not be easy to betray someone so dear in exchange for strangers. But in saving them…she would perhaps save the other.


~



Appolinarius


He watched her. All the time he watched and learned. How she moved, the number of steps she took when approaching, where they stopped, how far a blade’s reach to deliver a last breath. All of it… while silently mapping out her vulnerability to ascertain the precise moment that a quick unsuspecting blow would succeed.

There was no doubt he feared her…admired her…wanted what she had…wealth and power over destinies. She was a fool to have trusted him. He knew the secret…he had the key and he would use it to unlock all that he from the very first breath and cry into the world was fated to be.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/5/03 6:06 pm

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Zena 1
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(8/6/03 7:08 pm)
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What's My Line?
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With the household of Kaisa safe and under her skillful control, the prospect of stealing a few hours away from everyone began to look promising and possible to Zena. It was amusing to her that since her return Phalon had once again become more of the dutiful daughter and less of the seer and warrior. ‘Phalon help me with breakfast, Phalon where are the twins?, Phalon we need fresh bandages’. Phalon seemed eager to please her mother, perhaps to assuage her guilt at her absence from the homestead. As guest, Zena felt she was free to come and go and if Gabby was asleep..well..

In the back of the house were some tall sycamore trees and she cut a branch and began to trim the leaves from the sides. It was a slender pole and with a flick of her wrist she could snap a line with bait out a good distance. She practiced for a bit and with a few large beetles wrapped in a piece of muslin, a length of twine and a bent piece of wire she made ready to escape. There was an alley from the back of the house that led to the street and ran along the outside wall of the dwelling. A window in that wall looked into the room where the injured were resting and Zena crouched below it, sliding slowly up the wall to peek inside. If anyone looked up they would have seen the top of her curly head and her hazel eyes over the sill. Good. Gabby was still sleeping soundly after lunch, and everyone else who could stand had gone off to look over the town. In the corner by Blackwolf’s bed the foreign woman was talking to someone and, praise the gods, she was entertaining Apollo! The energetic little boy was cute but a lot like the gnats that stick to a sweaty forehead; ever present and hard to shake off.

Zena slid back down onto the sandy soil and heard Phalon and Puella working at something in the kitchen. She crept around the building on all fours and ran straight into Kaisa’s feet.
“Why Zena, whatever are you doing out here in the alley?” Kaisa observed the branch and the twine in Zena’s hand.
“Umm. Ummm I was..”
“Going fishing.”
“No. Yes. Maybe just for a little while.” Zena stood up sheepishly, brushed her tunic and looked down at the small matriarch.
Kaisa looked steadily up into Zena’s eyes and a small smile lurked at the corners of her mouth. “That’s all right dear, I could do with a fresh fish dinner. That’s very thoughtful of you. I’ll be sure to tell Gabby you will be right back if she should wake."
Zena sighed and her shoulders relaxed. “Oh thank you. I just need a few hours to myself.”
“I understand perfectly. Go along now and enjoy yourself.”

There was a bounce in Zena’s step that had been absent of late and when she retrieved Ergo from the nearby stable the mare caught her mood at once. The stable hand had treated the horse well but stayed behind a supporting beam when Zena came in to the barn, peeking out to assess her. She heard him give a low whistle of appreciation as she vaulted onto Ergo’s back and turned her head to grin at him. He grinned too and waved with a wiggle of a few fingers.

The pond was only a short distance away and she could have walked, but it was good to be out by herself with a four-footed friend. Zena turned Ergo loose knowing that she would stay near and chose a spot for herself on the grassy bank. She baited the wire and snapped her wrist to send the twine snaking out over the pond. No onions, no children, no worries. The sounds of the day were insects humming dreamily and an occasional splash in the water. A sky so clear and blue hung overhead with a beauty so pure that a tender soul could be brought to tears under it. Zena fished the afternoon away.

plink.....Ripples moved out from when the line dropped. “Perfect cast. I wish Evergreen had seen that. Evergreen. I can’t remember how long she’s been away, all the days have run together. So much has happened. I want to tell her about everything, hear her wisdom” plink...The line drifted on the still water. “What if she never comes back. Where do we go? We should begin again, establish territory, build a hut, a village. Am I supposed to lead? I’m not the Queen.” plink....A fish browsed around the bait. “C’mon fishy fishy. They swim so smoothly, like Gabs. Oooh. Gabs. What if she never swims again. Or walks? I can’t drag her up and down Greece forever. We have to settle.” plink...There was a pull on the line. “Gotcha! I gotcha!” Zena played with the line encouraging the fish to bite down. She was so intent on the task that she did not hear the slap of little bare feet or the small wooden wheels of a miniature wagon.

“Zee!!” She jumped and the fish left. Slowly she turned her head to look down on little Apollo who stood now at her side with arms akimbo and a frown on his face.
“Hello Apollo.”
“Zee! You should not leave Gramma’s house without me.”
“Oh?” She pulled the line in to try again. plink... “And why not?”
“You could be captured.”
“Captured? By who?”
“Something REALLY scary. Like a family of lazy cats."
Zena shook her head. “Nah. Nobody will hold me long Apollo. The best have tried.” She thought for a second and glanced at him again, raising an eyebrow.
“Lazy cats??? What made you think of that?”
“Someone told me a story, and it was TRUE! Zee?”
“Yes, Apollo.”
“I have a new cat.”
“Cat? I didn’t see a cat at your Gramma’s house. What color is it?"
Apollo pondered his answer while Zena cast out the line again, moving a little into the shade of a big tree.
“Mostly yellow with black hair.”
“Fur, Apollo. The word for that is fur.” She noticed the little wagon for the first time.
“Nice wagon Apollo, your Dad make it?” plink..
“Yup. My Dad can make anything. He calls it a Hermes Flyer."
In the back was a crate from the unpacked goods at the store. From the closed crate came squeaking and scratching sounds. Zena tilted her head toward the crate.
“Whatcha got?”
“Mice. Lots of ‘em. I catched ‘em in the field.”
“For what?” plink..The fish was interested again.
“For my cat.”
“Oh.” Zena’s focus on Apollo’s world was fading as the fish poked away at the beetle impaled on the wire. “You should get back soon. Tell Auntie Phalon I’m bringing a nice big fish.” She turned her full attention to the glassy pond.
“Ok Zee. I give you ‘mission to stay for one more hour. Then you come home. ‘Kay?”
“Ok. Ahhhhhhh. This time I really GOTCHA!” She struggled to pull the big fish to shore and her ‘master’ with his burden of dinner mice for Sumi the cat trudged on home.
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Phalon]

EvergreenLMRegistered Member
Posts: 313
(8/8/03 10:05 am)
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A FOOL AND HIS MONEY WILL....SOON DEPART
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The door slammed shut reverberating throughout the small house. He stood against the closed door for a moment breathing heavily. He was not used to running that fast and the realization of what he had just done added to his already accelerated heartbeat.

“What’s wrong with you?”

She saw him bend at the knees trying to catch his breath, face red and beading with perspiration. She wiped her hands on her apron as she clasped his shoulders raising him to face her.

He turned away from her and slid the heavy oak beam across the door…an action she knew was done only after sunset and as a protection from intruders in the night time while they slept. Once done, he fished into the pockets of his baggy pants pulling out handfuls of silver coins that spilled out clinking onto the stone floor. He continued to fish out coins and placed them on the thick timbered table.

“By the gods husband, where did you get all of this?” She picked up a few coins and rattled them in her rough, pudgy hand.

He looked around the room…looking for something…something…ah! that’ll do!

Grabbing the small grain sack, he dumped its contents out onto the floor creating a shower of brown rainfall.

“Quick! Help me!” He gathered up the coins…one here… two there…in the sack they went. Once done, he opened her hand placing several of the coins in her calloused palm.

“Here, this will provide for you until I can return.”

“Return? Return from where? Why…”

“I have no time to explain. I am going a way for awhile…to my brother Morose…in the mountains. I will send for you later if it is still not safe for...”

Without finishing his thought,he crossed the room, gathered up a larger open weave feed sack hastily stuffing it with a change of clothing, some fruit, a chunk of cheese and a small loaf of bread for his expedient journey away from the village…away from the Roman commander and her troops that he had just sent off on a march to nowhere.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/8/03 7:32 pm

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gabbin
Registered Member
Posts: 509
(8/10/03 9:25 pm)
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Frieda VI
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Metussa was helping to fold the flannel and her hands brushed the soft surface smoothing the wrinkles. It was so soothing to her. She glanced at Frieda, working the yarns into the patterns well ingrained by her Scottish family. The small scar imprint, on Frieda's forehead from where Frieda had been kicked by a horse when putting a wool blanket on a it for a customer, was bright red as she worked. Everyone had thought Frieda dead when the horse kicked her that day, Frieda had been unconsious for a month. When she did finally open her eyes she found not only had she no memory of the event but, she had no sight, either. After that it had been a frustrating year for Frieda and Metussa. But, slowly, Frieda had become to go through her daily routine with ease, and, even was know about town for her amazing ability to identify scents and sounds from far and around. It even scared some folks.

Kacking, kaching, Frieda could sense Metussa thinking about her, it was strange how in tune she was to her emotions. Frieda remembered always being sensitive to her twin sister Fia's emotions, as well. Fia had been deaf from birth. Her deafness had sometimes been difficult, sometimes She smiled as she recalled the time she automatically yelled a warning
to Fia but not be able to hear Frieda, she continued to back up and fell over the log onto a porcupine-it had been a week before Fia could sit down. Oh, and the time that Frieda yelled a warning about the broken beer vat ladder, but, too late, in went Fia, she had to be scrubbed down to get the beer smell off. Frieda snickered as her fingers flashed across the loom. Frieda had treated her much like anyone with hearing, and Fia did well at reading lips and had learned to write as well, quite an unusual thing, indeed. Frieda had learned, too.

Frieda missed her sister.

Edited by: gabbin at: 8/10/03 9:26 pm

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 316
(8/12/03 6:57 am)
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To Each Their Own
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His arms were as thick and rippled with muscles as gnarled tree branches, but encircled her with such sweet and gentle tenderness. She remembered his scent…the smell of leather, sweat from hard work, and clothing clinging to the smell of smoke acquired from roasting the meat over pinewood fires that would be the mainstay of meals to be served at the Inn. Gelasuius had been their helper for as long as she could remember and was as dear to her as her own brother.

The little boy she hid, protected and raised within the midst of strangers, had grown with Gelasuius into manhood, and became his best friend He was well respected, and populated the village with prolific consistency. And as she could see, his wife, Damarius, was again swollen with another of his seed. As children, how fortunate she and her own brother had been to be taken in by his mother. She, like the man, was kind and had provided them with a home and a family that loved and nurtured them as is they were born from blood.

He was a good husband, provider, and friend. Once there had been talk the two would marry, but that was not to be. She often wondered how different her life circumstances would have been if she had done so, but stood firm on her belief that the choice would not have been one of her heart. So through the years, she lovingly greeted him as brother, and he to her as sister. She loved him in her own way, and to be in his arms was bittersweet.


Just by the fate of the gods had she seen the two loading goods into the wagon in the port town in the predawn light that greeted the sleeping village. She was, as always, amazed that Damarius still worked by his side until the very moment her water spilled to the ground and another child pushed and squirmed its way into the world. Unlike some men of the village, he expressed public affection towards his wife, and always welcomed the next newborn with such joy as if it were the first child.

“Welcome home sister…he pushed her out of his warm embrace holding her out at arms length. She shivered in the predawn cold. Damarius came up from behind and wrapped a wool blanket around her as she kissed her on the cheek. “Vassaly…sister…welcome back.”

The tears began to flow and she again found herself cradled in his arms with his hand cupping her head. She buried her self under his chin and sobbed. It was all just too much. He rocked her and whispered, “where is your friend…the one you left with…is she with you?”

She could only nod that she was not and he asked no other explanation. The man and the woman who had accompanied her from the ship stood quietly to the side looking down in respect for the intimacy of the reunion. They knew the source of the tears.

The man finally spoke softly…”Mistress Vassaly…what shall you have me do with the horse…it is being brought down from the ship as we speak?”

She broke from the embrace wiping her tears on the course material of the blanket. Had it always felt that way…so common… as she never knew until Rome, until her, that other cloths could be so soothing next to her body?

“Yes, Septius…I hear you. Please go…lead it to me and I shall decide what I should do. Her ship is not far behind. Brother, have you a small parchment and could you dear sister write the words as I say?”

Gelasuius reached into the cart, rummaged through a large leather satchel as he retrieved a small off white scroll and a charcoal stick. “What ship…whose ship…? he asked as he handed the scroll and charcoal to Damarius.

A man who had been listening in the shadows stepped forward. “A Roman vessel I have been told…with a small contingent of troops and a commander with a dispatch from Mother Rome herself. I have heard…at the Inn…the whole lot has been sent to track and destroy a group of women…Amazons I’ve been told…they eat dogs you know and wear the bones around their necks…and…”

“Who are you sir and why do you listen to conversations that you have not been invited into?” Gelasuius’ large and calloused hand tightly gripped the stranger’s shoulder as he squirmed, dipping his way out of the pressure being applied to his body.

“Excuse me…your…your…” what did he call someone of such presence who possessed servants, was clothed in fine fabric and adornments that silently spoke this was a woman of wealth? Had she, though, not referred to the commoner as “brother”? Very confusing it was, but he sensed there was a coin or two perhaps to be made here to resolve the issue of the horse and what to do with it.

“Kind madam…I could but not overhear that you have a …horse…to sell? ...to shoe?...to stable?” He wrung his hands nervously as if he could already feel the Roman silver weighing down his pockets. He could not help but notice the eyes…soft gray…gentle, but filled with deep sadness. Such a disposition was vulnerable, and perhaps too, she would be generous for his offer.

She turned her head from the rotund stranger to look at the man she called brother. “Her ship…the Romans…her Roman army…what he said is true…” as she turned nodding at the fidgeting man.

Hoof beats clacked on the wooden planks and the horse could be heard snorting in the crisp,pungent air as it bobbed its magnificent head gently jerking on the reins held tightly by the servant.

Such a fine animal could bring several dinars in the village market…the pudgy hands rubbed back and forth but not from the need for warmth, but with anticipated greed.

She had no time to discern trust. There was no choice. Vassaly asked the woman servant to hand over a burgundy bag trimmed with gold edging held closed by a corded blood red drawstring. She reached inside bringing out a bundle that sagged with the weight of Roman silver.

Reaching inside, she brought out a large handful of silver coins. The stranger’s hands had formed a waiting scoop as the silver rain poured down into them. He quickly stuffed his pockets and formed his fingers for more.

Gelasuius tried to stay her hand, but she shook her head, no. “Wait here” was spoken to the stranger as a command and not as a polite request. She gave her brother an unspoken signal to make sure the man did not leave with the silver before her transaction was complete as she moved to where her self appointed sister-in-law had cleared a small place on the bed of the wagon to write.

She began to speak with the words out of the range of hearing by Gelasuius and the stranger who stood uneasily eyeing one another. The horse stamped and blew continuing to bob its head and shake it from side to side in anticipation as it sensed something in its favor was about to transpire with the arrival of the next ship.

Brother occasionally turned to see his wife nodding as his Vassaly spoke and wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. Soon, they finished with the parchment wrapped into a small scroll tried with a ribbon from the spoken author’s hair.

“When the ship arrives…give this…and the horse…over to the one they call Commander…to Leara…and only to her. She will know the horse…and will want to know where the one is that gave it to you. Hand her the scroll, and under no circumstance, tell her the direction we will travel” she said looking over at Gelasuius and the rosy cheeked woman in bloom with child.

“If I should find that you have not done as we agreed, or kept the horse for your own gain, I, dear stranger, shall hunt you down myself and be at your side when you die… There will be no place in the known world that you can hide that I should not find you.”

The stranger nodded a nervous affirmative as he took the reins into his hands. “By and by kind madam…I have also heard that perhaps the Amazons the Romans seek had arrived at a village… to the west of here…in that direction…there…down that road.” The stranger pointed away from the rising sun and to wagon ruts that had lead Gelasuius and his wife into the seaport to purchase goods.

“They eat dogs you know…did I say that to you…?”
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/12/03 8:11 pm

[Phalon]

1itt1e dog
Registered Member
Posts: 15
(8/12/03 7:36 pm)
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Doggy Knows Best
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Some dogs are bred for the sea, to stand at the helm or in the bow and let the cold spray beat upon a thick coat. Some dogs like the feel of the rolling deck, the wet wood and the smell of the sea. This little dog was not, did not and would not.

(w..h..i..n..e..moving floor..moving walls..very sick..not hungry..not thirsty..stay here, close to her..STAY!)

They tried to pull him up on deck but he would allow only time to relieve his needs and then he would scuttle back down the wooden stairs to her cabin, dashing under her berth. He moaned with the rocking of the vessal and she began to feel something tug in her heart, perhaps it was a fragment of compassion. At last she called to him and crept out on shakey legs. “Canem! Advenio!”

(her voice...come?..slowly..no hurt!..her hands!!! Oh good, good, good dog!)
She lifted him to her lap and wrapped his shivering body in a blanket speaking in the strange Latin tongue but speaking in her familiar voice. And so he slept away the final days of the voyage, at last content.

At the port he bolted gratefully down the gangplank to the land. When her horse was returned to the Consul he greeted it as an old friend and the horse returned the compliment. The soldiers laughed as the dog jumped in front of the nose and ran around the legs of the horse, thinking that he would soon be kicked for his antics. The horse however bowed her graceful head and nuzzled the dog gently.

(yip...yip...my horse..my horse!!! Good horse..Sniff...sniff..sniff...smell it..SMELL IT! Our land!! Home..HOME!!..others?..rest of our pack?..go see them now??!!)

When they mounted up and the Consul gave the command to ride to the east he dug his paws into the dirt and would not move.

(NO! NO!..not that way..smell them!..can’t you smell them?? our pack!! OUR PACK! yip..yip..yip..OUR HOME! Not that way! This way!)

Her new found affection for the dog was fading with his stubborn refusal to move and his hysterical barking. “Appolinarius!” He ran forward and saluted with a fist across his chest, “Consul!” “Secure the dog, and move out.”

(oooooooooooohhhhhhhh....no! No! NO! yip..yi.)

He tossed the struggling dog into a crate with holes drilled in it for ropes to pass through and slammed the lid shut. Now his barks were muffled by the wood and the sound of a legion on the march.
Cave Canem

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phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1422
(8/21/03 10:46 pm)
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Halfway In Between
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From the moment Kaisa called Phalon in from the courtyard, she was kept busy throughout the day. No time to think about red cliffs, wailing cries of children, gnarled hands with twisted silver rings, or the faces in her dreams. She welcomed the distraction. Even relished it.

After helping clean up after the morning meal, which was quite the feat, considering all the mouths that were fed, she set about helping her mother unpack the crates that Gelasuis and Damaris brought back from port. It reminded her of her childhood, when she and Gelasuis would eagerly await the arrival of her father coming home from getting supplies, his cart laden with crates upon crates, each containing a surprise better than the last.

Her mother and she worked side by side, unpacking the crates. The small banter between them was as comfortable as any mother and daughter typical everyday conversation would be, and someone listening in would have a hard time believing that twenty years had passed with only two visits from the wayward daughter, and the daughter, upon returning home this second time, had brought in tow nine seemingly odd and out-of-place women to stay in the mother’s house.

They each sat on a crate, and took out bundles of dried herbs – fennel, bay, anise and germander – to hang on the racks her father had long ago built suspended from the ceiling. Herbs and spices from more exotic far-away lands in the east – cloves, ginger, cinnamon – went in glass jars on the shelves next to dried fruits in bowls, oils for cooking in intricately blown glass bottles, and peppers and garlic strung together and hung on tiny brass hooks above the shelves.

The next crate contained the silks, and was always Phalon’s favorite. The smooth, cool fabric slipped through her fingers as she ran her hands over the lustrous cloth. She preferred the bright colors to the muted, and toyed with one scarf in particular, a crimson colored one, with periwinkle and golden colored leaves twining around the border on an emerald vine. Her mother watched her and took the scarf from Phalon’s hands, and walking behind her, wrapped the scarf around Phalon’s head and tied it securely on top in a big wide bow. “Oh, Mom. You’ve done so much already. I couldn’t take it. Really”, imagining how ridiculous a woman of her age would look with a big bow on top of her head.

“Phalon, for twenty years I’ve been denied watching my only daughter grow into a woman. You were such a young girl when you left. I missed out on so much. Please allow me to give you gifts for no other reason, then because I want to, and to see the joy in your eyes.” Kaisa rolled her last statement, knowing the bow was not going to stay put.

Phalon smiled and twisted the scarf around so that the bow was at the nape of her neck, hidden under her long hair. “Ok, Mom. Anything to make you happy.”

“Your friends too. Anything they need, if we have it, it is theirs”, Kaisa said as she twisted the bow back up to its intended spot at the crown of Phalon’s head. “And we really must get you to see that girl about some fabric to make you something more suitab…uhm, comfortable to wear.”

Phalon rolled her eyes, twisting the scarf again, sure that her hair was a tangled mass of knots by now. “Sure, Mom. Some fabric. Maybe some riding britches and a tunic. And a sash for my waist and large pouch to hang from it, that will hold herbs and trinkets and such.”

“Britches! You want britches! I was thinking more along the lines of a nice blouse and skirt. A matching shawl maybe.”

“Britches. Yes, I want britches”, Phalon replied, thinking of the cumbersome blue robe she’d worn for so long that was forever getting in the way.

A compromise then. You shall have your britches”, Kaisa said, seeming to read Phalon’s mind, “but a robe to go over top. Like the one you were wearing last time I saw you.”

“A short robe. Down to right above my knee and no farther.”

“Argh. Children! Hrumph. Okay, deal then”, replied Kaisa, giving in, and twisting the ever-rotating bow to the side of Phalon’s head, right behind her ear, halfway between each woman’s preferred location. “Compromise is good. You shall meet Frieda Rose tomorrow. Uhm…maybe some of your friends would like to go with you?”

“I’ll ask Zena. I know she’s looking for a tunic or two. She owes someone. Something more suitab…er, comfortable, with a pine bough on the front.” “Hhmmm…”, Phalon wondered, “Where is Zena? I haven’t seen her all day.”

“Oh, she left early this morning. Gone fishing. She’ll be back soon, I imagine.”

Gone fishing, eh, Phalon mused. For information, or for fish? She hoped it was the latter, as it was getting late and she was hungry. A nice fish dinner would be good. As long as she didn’t have to cook. Kaisa should know better - the kitchen was not Phalon’s place, and never had been. Sometimes you just have to stand your ground, and forget compromise.

[Phalon]

BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 317
(8/22/03 1:51 am)
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ezSupporter

Lessons in Strength
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Bhen Rudha spent the day forcing herself awake, to escape the keen that scored her elusive dreams. Only to be thrown back into that haunted oblivion by the mortal exhaustion of her body. It was not until she heard the ringing of the horses’ iron shoes against stone that she pulled herself fully awake.

It took several moments for her eyes to adjust to the twilight, but there was no mistaking the happiness that lit Phalon’s face as she guided the party through the narrow streets. She knew that it was the seeress’ hometown they had found, and could almost believe that the Lady had led them here.

Almost . . .

Pain flared brightly, suddenly, pushing a soft groan from her as she struggled to regain control. But it was a willful thing, scorching through her body like fire, resisting her efforts. Lost in a daze, she missed the moments when the right storefront was found, and a dog was sent away cowering in fear by her own snarl. Blood pounded in her ears, making Greek unintelligible, so she hoped that whatever she replied to Zena’s whisper made some sense.

As her concentration tightened, Puella appeared at her knee, saying something she did not understand. The Amazon looked at her with concern, gently took the reigns from her slack fingers, then pulled on her arm. Seeming to understand, the Red Woman swung her leg over Ergo’s withers and slid to the ground, nearly stumbling when her foot did not want to come free of the stirrup.

Strong hands caught her then led her inside, where she was placed in a chair. Some unknown time later a plate of bread and cheese was thrust into her hands along with a mug of wine. She ate and drank mechanically, her mind still focused in the task of containing the pain. Exhaustion played a large part in the difficulty she was having, she simply had no energy to spare. So after the plate fell from her strengthless fingers, she sagged in her chair and fell back to sleep.


* * *

It took several hours for her nightmares to drive her back to wakefulness. As the keening left her ears, Bhen Rudha tucked the pain she carried into its place beneath her heart. Pleased that she had been able to do so, she turned her attention to her surroundings, realizing first that someone had placed her on a cot. It felt soft and fine after laying out on the plain ground.

Sitting up gingerly, she rubbed her eyes and looked around. In the faint firelight, she saw the beds filled with sleeping women, and identified which one held Gabby. The young Amazon was resting peacefully, and that made the Red Woman glad. Turning her head, she noticed someone a couple beds away that had not been with the party when they entered town.

Once out of bed, she made her slow way over to the other cot, noticing with some concern that someone’s breathing was shallow and labored. As she got close enough, she leaned over and blinked the crimson veil over her eyes to pierce the darkness. She hissed when she realized who she was looking at.

“Duibhfaolchú,” she murmured.

Looking closer, Bhen Rudha noticed the lines of pain that were etched around the warrior’s eyes, and discovered the knife wound soon enough. The bandages were tight and neatly done, and she could smell faintly herbs that were used in the compress, but Blackwolf’s strength was still draining.

The Lady gives us the strength to carry all the pain we find. Sorcha’s words echoed suddenly in the Red Woman’s mind. She licked her lips as a flush swept through her body. Sweat broke out on her brow and she wondered if she would indeed be able to carry any more.

She turned to watch Gabby for a long moment, noting how easily the young Amazon breathed, how smooth her face was. The burns on her legs would heal faster now that her body did not have to contend with the pain. Her gaze came back to Blackwolf, who started to turn over, then hissed lightly in her sleep. Even unconscious the pain reached her.

The Lady gives us the strength . . . she wanted to believe, but she felt so empty. Blackwolf’s breath hitched at that moment, and she closed her eyes, decision made. She was foolish to think there had even been a choice.

Kneeling, she placed her lips close to the warrior’s ear and whispered in Gaeilge, “My friend, I do not know how you came to be injured, and I cannot heal you as you have done me. But I can do something that will help your body heal itself. Sleep easy, and know you are safe.”

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm and center herself. Then she placed trembling hands over Blackwolf’s heart, whispering, “Do croí. Mo croí . . . “


* * *

Bhen Rudha managed to crawl out the back and away from the house before she retched, knocked to her hands and knees by the spasms that wracked her body. After her stomach was empty she managed to crawl a couple paces away, then fell onto her side, tucked into a ball. Fire engulfed her shoulder and she was too dizzy to get it under control. All she could do was weep . . . because the pain . . . because there was a hollow in her soul where once there had been love . . .

The Lady gives . . . she wept because the Lady had abandoned her . . .

“Here now, what’s all the noise about, Fechine?” The sweet voice of her teacher Luighseach surprised her so much, that for a moment she forgot even about the pain.

Struggling to gain a kneeling position, she forced her breath to calm enough to speak. “Oide, I have been stabbed in the shoulder.” Just like her conversation with Sorcha, the reason did not seem to fit the actual memory.

“Is that really why you are crying?”

Bhen Rudha finally looked up to see her teacher of spiritual matters, blonde and sweet, with grass green eyes that turned murky grey when the Amharc gripped her strongly. She wore buff colored robes, with a sword in a baldric on her back. She was more mystic than warrior, just as the Red Woman’s mother had been.

Part of her wondered how her teacher had come all the way to this foreign place to help her. Another part whispered that she was going mad. Ignoring the jumble in her mind as best she could, she answered, “I think it is, Oide.”

Lifting the hem of her buff colored robe, Luighseach knelt and clasped her hands together, a posture deceptively patient. “If you insist on telling me something false, I shall have to ask again. Why are you crying?”

She could feel her cheeks flush with embarrassment, and she stammered for another answer. “Because, Oide, I cannot manage to bring the pain under . . .”

“Fechine.”

“Why does She not listen to me? Have I not done everything She has asked?” Bhen Rudha sobbed, discarding pretense and throwing herself forward into her teacher’s lap.

Gentle hands smoothed her hair while Luighseach murmured soft bits of comfort and love. When the tide of grief began to go out, the priestess said, “Come my sister, who are the three kinds of women the Morrigu calls to Herself?”

The question did not seem to fit the situation, though that was not surprising, Luighseach had a rare way of leading someone to a truth. Instead of puzzling over it, she simply answered, “Oide, there are the mystics, bonded closest to Morgan, the first Sister. They have the gift of Amharc, of true dreaming, and knowing the truth of a man’s heart.” When her teacher nodded, she continued, “Next are the warriors, bonded closest to Macha, the second Sister. They have the gifts of battle, the madness, the joy of the dance and the strength of bone and muscle.” Her teacher nodded a second time, smiling lightly, so she finished, “And last, are the healers, those rare women bonded to Bobd, the third Sister. They have gifts that come from the Cauldron of Death and Rebirth, to heal the body or the mind of another.”

“It is so, Fechine, just as you say. Now, of those, who are the most common among our sisters?”

“They are the warriors, as I am, Oide. In my class of novices, there were two mystics to the six warriors. And there is only one healer that I know of in two generations, and that is Priestess who calls herself only Old Raven.”

Luighseach wiped the last tears from Bhen Rudha’s face, then asked, “And why is that so?”

Shaking her head, she replied, “I do not know.”

“It is because the warriors are the closest to the Lady.”

She shook her head, confused, “How can that be Oide?”

(continued following post...)

[Phalon]

BhenRudha
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Posts: 317
(8/22/03 1:51 am)
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Lessons in Strength (continued)

“When you dance, truly dance for the Morrigu, and the blood thunder sounds, and the madness arrives, then are you closest to the Lady. And while I have known the glory of such a fight, it is not the same for me. My madness is a gift I received when my mark was fresh made. Your madness is a gift you were born with. Which means that the Lady is always with you . . . because, Fechine, you are of Her favorite.” Luighseach smiled, with no trace of jealousy, the expression sparkling in her grass green eyes. “Your mark remains, does it not?”

Bhen Rudha nodded, and frowned thinking over her teacher’s words. Finally she took a breath and said, “You mean to say that my mark remains as a sign that the Lady loves me still. And yet I cannot feel Her . . . so perhaps instead of asking why She does not listen . . .”

“You should ask a different question. Just so, Bhen Rudha, just so,” Luighseach said, standing. She smiled, bright and pleased, then vanished into the deep shadows of the night.

She was now emotionally drained, yet somehow felt stronger than before, and gave thanks to the vast wisdom of her teachers. Her shoulder flared back to life, so she concentrated on the pain of the dagger wound, adding it to knot that rested beneath her heart. It was an effort, but one she could now make and not buckle under. Once she was certain the knot would stay for the while at least, she gained her feet and made her way back inside. She slipped into bed, curled onto her side and fell into true and restful sleep.

Edited by: BhenRudha at: 8/29/03 12:02 am

[Phalon]

1 Xwpfan
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(8/23/03 7:34 pm)
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Distractions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabby’s pain had subsided but the pain from the burns on Xendra’s shoulders were becoming increasingly unbearable.Despite her own mounting pain, Xendra’s only concern still was that of Gabby’s health and welfare.So Xendra said not a word of her pain to anyone, for she did not want nor felt she deserved any sympathy,

Everytime her horse Solaria slowed it’s pace Xendra would try to focus her eyes on Gabby, seeking signs of any discomfort or dismay, there were none.

After several successful checks, Xendra felt relieved and finally free to concentrate on her own pain.

Xendra,when no one was watching would just simply ever so slightly arch her back or raise her right arm about ¾ the ways back and then rotate her shoulder slightly till it popped or just slouched forward over Solaria’s neck but no matter what she did it seemed to offer little or no relief.

In desperation,Xendra decided it would be best to try to distract herself from the pain, so she mindlessly started counting the saddle bags on each horse.

However, their meager belongings didn't offer much of a distraction so Xendra tried remembering how many branches were on the infamous pine branch tunic but even such mental excercises offered little or no physical relief.

As they approached the little town Phalon had talked about,Xendra took notice of people milling about on the outskirts of the town,yet they would scurry about when their little band drew closer.

Xendra looked about at their little traveling band and thought"We are a motley sight, durely we must appear to be more than a little odd to theses towns people."

Xendra got lost in her own thoughts as she pondered on the differences between their garb and the ladies peering out there windows at them.

Xendra cast her eyes at the dissappearing towns people and then back at her own group. Xendra was strangely becoming aware that their little group were dressed more like Greek men, rather than Greek women.

Clothing faux paus were not normally of any concern to Xendra, but this time it was just the mental distraction Xendra needed to forget about her pain.

Xendra furrowed her brow a bit in thought, "Hmmm,we do look somewhat odd, in fact we look somewhat like the men, except their tunics are made of wool and they walk around all day bared legged!

Xendra was becoming increasingly grateful for the comfort of her linen tunic and leather pants.
For Xendra was,far more comfortable in the groups garb of choice a linen tunic, and soft leather pants,then the traditional garb being represented by either sex.

Xendra though,"Thank the gods we dont have bare our legs...It 's not necessary or practical to walk around with bare legs, too many cuts scrapes and bites ew..I guess it could be worse we could have to wear the outfits these women wear!"

Xendra continued to ponder on the traditional garb the towns women seemed to be wearing,“How can those women wear that?” shaking her head she thought, “All it is just one large piece of wool or linen, wrapped around them ! One good tug and it would come off”

Xendra’s mind then filled with memories of when she had once long ago tried wearing traditional garb . Xendra grimaced as she remembered how limiting it felt and how just getting into it proved to be both a nuisance and an inconvience.

Xendra had found it annoying . It didnt stay put, it always had to be pinned to make it stay on. Pinning took so much precious time and besides how many various ways could you pin it to make it stay?

No, it just wasn’t paractical to have to fold the cloth in half, and then put it so that the fold in the cloth came under the right armpit and down the right side. You still had to pull it up on the front and then reposition the back of the cloth so it met over the right shoulder and then tie or fasten the front and the back together and of course pull more of the front up over your left shoulder, and pin it to the back in the same way.

Xendra found that even after all that work it still left her dress open all along her left side so she would also have to tie a belt or rope around it all at the waist to keep her dress closed.

No, it just wasn’t practical for hunting fishing or fighting and for Xendra it just wasn’t as comfortable as it looked.

Xendra was aroused from her wandering thoughts by the slightly quickened paced of Phalon. Phalon's face was aglow and it was obvious to Xendra that she was restraining herself from breaking out the pack and rushing forward.

Phalon’s countance confirmed for Xendra that they were indeed entering the town,with that knowledge,Xendra allowed herself to sigh a heavy sigh of relief.

Phalon once again took lead of the small band of women and quickly but gingerly led them down a sandy path, and then down the narrow stone streets of the village.

Phalon navigated about the town til they came to a sudden stop. They were in front of a shop but the storefront was dark. Phalon not to be thwarted, for she noticed the windows towards the rear of the building had a bright glow about them....like a light was glowing inside.

Phalon swung open the door like she owned the place and stepped inside.

After a few moments a figure emerged from behind the curtain saying “Pardon me, Miss, but we are closed for the day. You will have to…”

It took the woman but a second then she gleefully exclaimed “Phalon!?” The woman rushed towards Phalon and engulfed her in a all encompassing hug.

For a moment or two it seemed like the old woman may never let Phalon out of her grasp, finally she loosened her grip on Phalon and stepped back to look at her..

Xendra was outside the door and heard the woman exclaim,"Phalon, please don’t tell me you’ve been riding around the countryside, only the gods know where, looking like that?! Where’s that lovely blue robe you were wearing the last time you visited.”

Xendra couldn’t help but laugh a little laugh as she thought “Wait until she sees what the rest of us look like.!”

After a few more minutes Phalon annouced the rest of the group. Instantly, Zena stepped into the doorway holding
Gabby in her arms, Solemnly the rest of the group trailed in behind them.

The older woman gently pushed Phalon aside, and all the children dispersed to let the woman through. Phalon’s mother grabbed Zena’s elbow and gently but quickly led her through the store and into the living area.

“Here, get that poor girl on the bed.” Zena placed Gabby on the bed, and the old woman gently undid the bandages. Seeing how badly the skin had burned and blistered she looked up at all of them and asked “How come this child feels no pain?”

No one offered an answer for how could they ever hope to explain what had transpired?!

Fortunately, the woman continued. “What is that smell? Ohh Onions. Good. That’s an old trick my old Aunt Eurayle used to use as a remedy for burns.”

Shortly after Little Gabby was laid prone on the bed Phalon’s mother began giving orders, and the children were quick to please and obey.

The children set a large kettle upon the hearth, fresh bandages were quickly retrieved, and all kinds of sounds arose from the kitchen area...Xendra hoped it meant food was being prepared.

Xendra tried not to be noticed, she stood to the back and said not a word but somehow the little woman took notice of her and Red .

Soon Phalon’s mom was ordering them to remove their tunics and to lay down. Xendra looked pleadingly at Phalon hoping for some support or protest but instead Phalon just shrugged her shoulders. Xendra guiltly complied with the woman’s orders.

The next thing Xendra knew, she and Red were laying prone with poultices and onions on their burns. Xendra secretly reveled in the cooling relief that rested upon her shoulders and soon found comfort in the softness of a bed.

As Xendra’s eyes closed in slumber, she thought, “When was the last time I was laid in a bed ? Ahh yes with Puella ...and I nearly died…” zzzzzzzz.


Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 8/24/03 6:51 am

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 323
(8/23/03 8:32 pm)
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In That Place...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
… between what you say and what I hear lays the truth. The distance between those two revelations of words and their meaning can be a chasm of an irreconcilable expanse.

We have marched for days routing every small village from the port westward. Villagers pour out of their homes at the command of Roman blades. We are not well liked in this land and scars of our kind dot the jagged memories of the people and the landscape. Some villages despise our small contingency with as much hatred as parceled out to the legendary Xena when she, in her time, swarmed down upon them with an all devouring vengeance.

Nor as did a warrior’s true heart, formed from reciprocated love ,courage, and good deeds paid in retribution for past sins, make any insurmountable difference to the people as they also stood in silent judgment of me.

That my soldiers did not kill, did not rape, or steal temper feelings that ran deep in those who would not, could not, forget the dark days when another took away the sun. We were representatives of Rome, and to the people strewn across the Grecian countryside, we were Rome. For us, and as the traveling Bard’s scrolls tell of Xena, existed no redemption from within or from without.


At the break of dawn on the third day of our march, I met an old woman who smiled as I approached and showed none of the common fear my banner, my clothing and sword commonly elicits. Seemingly puzzled and confused, the bent figure dressed in sackcloth, looked up and down my frame as if to recognize me, but stopped short of greeting me, frowning as if incongruous thoughts could not be reconciled with her vision

“Why do you stare at me so old woman? Do I appear somehow amusing to you?”

“No…no your Consul…it’s just…just that you remind me of someone I met in the valley many seasons ago. A younger version of yourself with none such silver as now adorns your dark hair. A soft spoken young woman this was…an Amazon. She was traveling with another of her tribe…taller, with curly hair.”

The old woman plodded a short distance with her walking stick that was as gnarled and bent as she until reaching a fallen tree held up by a large stone. She sat down and continued without taking her eyes from my face searching for validation of her recognition.

“I remembered their rapport and the kindness freely given as they hunted, provided food for my table when my husband fell ill from a fever. By the gods we would have died from starvation that winter if not for those two.”

“The dark, shorter one, if I recall, wore a torn tunic with pine bough stitched into the upper corner near the shoulder…” the old woman drew a half circle above her left breast… “I remembered the two bantering over replacing it once they journeyed to a seaport on the Aegean. The snipping went on the whole time they stayed with us.”

The old woman laughed from a toothless mouth with deep crinkles forming at the edges of her milky eyes as if she were again seeing and hearing such moments.

“An Amazon you say old woman?” My interest was peeked at the mention of two Amazons who long traveled in the company of the other.

“You know, you look like her. Older, with a face worn with the strife life brings as our days trade places with the rising and setting of the sun…yes you do…striking…most striking.” She looked down as she began tracing lazy circles in the dirt with the tip of the bent stick.

“And the names old mother…their names…do you remember?” Could it be that this stranger held a link to complete the chain binding my quest?

“We search for what lies in front of us, for that we could reach out and touch, but do not see nor feel in our heart.”

“Old mother I have no time for your riddles and drawings on the earth. Their names…tell me…do you remember?”

Slowly standing upright, the weathered face once again turned to focus on the Roman standing in front of her with dark eyes blazing with many questions…both known and unknown to the inquisitor.

“Evergreen…Evergreen was the short one, and Zena the taller companion. I have heard that the one called Zena is staying with a few of her kind in the village to the east of the seaport from which you came.”

I watched as she lifted her walking stick pointing it back down the road, back to the direction where our boot prints give memory to the indisputable fact that we were there. And in my mind, in that place between where words sound upon the wind and what is heard, I knew that the old mother spoke the truth…about directions and a certain light inside of me that refuses to be extinguished.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/24/03 7:13 am

[Joxcenia]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 320
(8/17/03 10:12 pm)

Storm on the Horizon
------------------------------------------------------------------------

She saw her sitting on the edge of the bank bathing in the sunlight as she lazily tossed the line into the water. Ker-plop. The circles of the water shimmered as they expanded. She hated to disturb the obvious reverie of the strange looking woman who had moved from the bed of flowers and now sat atop the rock.

This must be the one, she thought, the Amazon…the one called Zena…the one the Villagers had spoken of as they leader of the oddly dressed band of women. She wondered if the one called Evergreen might be nearby as it was said one woman did not travel far from the other.

None of the women of whom Damaris spoke matched the old mother’s description of the object of the hunt. None other that was, oddly, than Leara herself. But the mother was old, and her mind passed in and out of what was present and what was past. Why did you have to listen to her…why did it have to come to this…why?

How odd she noted as she drew closer, that the clothing was much alike the bloodied shirt and pants she removed from Leara following the attack on her that day at the Inn. And had not the old man referred to her as Amazon as he babbled as he ran next to the wagon the morning they left the village together? It seemed as only yesterday, but now was a lifetime spent in her memories.

She decided to speak from afar rather than startling the woman…after all, she heard they ate dogs and could imagine what one might do if surprised by a perceived intruder.

“Hello there…you… on the rock.”

The lanky Amazon pulled in her line from the water and as if time slowed frame by frame, she turned and met the eyes of the voice that had called out to her. For a brief moment, Evergreen stood behind the woman grinning mischievously as if to say something that would give Zena reason to retort with something as equally a playful prod. And then the vision was gone.

She stood tall and jumped down from the rock, turned, placing the string of her catch back into the cool water. Once done, she pivoted to face the woman in a simple blue dress calling from the small rise in the hill next to the pond. She studied the face and the eyes in an attempt to discern the connection. It was there, she felt it, but what?

She approached the woman with the soft gray eyes as she extended her forearm inviting a greeting.

As with Leara this was, and as with Leara, the woman in blue accepted the grip.

“I am called Vassaly. I have a message…for one of your kind…the one called Evergreen. Do you know of this one...can you take me to her?”

The greeting was released with the Amazon furrowing her brow line as she cocked her head to the side studying the one asking for Evergreen and wondering how it came to be she knew of her.

She finally spoke and the gentleness of her voice came as a surprise to Vassaly.

“Yes, I know of her…very well…very well…why do you ask?”

“Great harm is to come to her…a great Roman storm is on the horizon and I fear I cannot stop it, and if I do, I will lose someone whom I value as my own life. Can you help…please…take me to the one called Evergreen.”

“Walk along side of me back to the village…”

And with one fluid swoop the Amazon had mounted the horse that had wandered to her side with the business of nudging her forward.

The Amazon slowly walked the horse through the quite streets. Not a word was exchanged as they journeyed to the village as each fell into the silence of their own thoughts about the other.

When they reached the stable, Demitirus stepped out of the shadows of his spying place behind the livery post. He silently wondered if Vassaly too had been made a capture of the Amazons.

Stoking what little courage for these sort of things, he did not flee when confronted by the Amazon. He eyed the fish hanging from the pelt lined saddle and was impressed with her skill at catching so many. He remembered his empty table and his family that would be grateful, and full, from just one…just one. Vassaly being a captive took a lesser priority than the hunger in his belly… and then the Amazon spoke.

"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/17/03 11:03 pm

[Joxcenia]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 750
(8/16/03 8:26 pm)

Day Is Done
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the scroll of our memories we hold perfect days. These are the days of serenity; exquisite moments of peace when all things have fallen into their proper place, all beings are in harmony and life is a cup filled to overflowing with the richest of wines. In difficult times we open the memory scroll and relive a perfect day, hoping to ease the sting of the day currently lived.
Zena placed this day away from everyone, in her scroll of memories.

She lay in the soft grass on her back, arms and legs stretched lazily along the cushioning ground. Her fingers played in the small yellow flowers that grew close to the ground. In the course of her fishing she had caught seven good sized fish and she was enjoying the feeling of a battle won. Ergo came to nuzzle her side and she sat up slowly, unwilling to let go of the perfect day, but already feeling the pull of responsibilities set aside and re-emerging. The horse pushed at her back and she stood up reluctantly, stretched and raised her arms to the sinking sun. She squinted at the pink clouds and sighed, leaning her head against Ergo’s neck.
“All right girl, you know it’s time we left. Let’s go back with dinner.”

Still, she made no haste, climbing back up to the top of a large rock to wet her line in the water just one last time. She was deep within herself when she heard the soft voice call, “Hello there…you… on the rock.” The woman seemed no threat, although Zena was not fully attuned for she was lost in thoughts of her missing sister and the longing for her playful humor that would have been the setting for this jewel of a day.

It seemed an omen that having thought of Evergreen, this thought should quickly be followed by an inquiry about her whereabouts. Now Zena was fully awake and probed the situation for signs of danger. She determined that she should show little interest and draw the woman out with a relaxed demeanor. Lazily she reached into the water for the catch and with the string of fish slung over Ergo’s back, they ambled in silent company back to the village. Ergo’s hooves echoed on the stone street in the twilight and Zena leaned against her strong side as they entered the stable. Again the stable hand hid but waved from behind the post as Zena entered with Vassaly. She glanced his way and caught him raising an eyebrow as she pulled down the string of fish. It would be a good moment to make an allie in the town.
“Would you like a fish? We have plenty."
He was still afraid of the wild Amazon woman, even though she had a nice smile and if she was kind to her horse she couldn’t be as bad as his wife said. Then he saw Vassaly whom he knew from the inn and his courage swelled a bit. He came out from behind the post and nodded his willingness to accept the gift. As she unfastened the biggest of the catch she smiled and carefully chose her words and tone.
“This one should feed a small family. Do you have children..I’m sorry I don’t know your name. I am called Zena.”
“I am Demetrius. Y..yes, I have two fine sons and a beautiful daughter.” He smiled shyly and offered a hand which Zena clasped firmly.
“Well Demetrius, I have a daughter too. She likes fish for dinner, what about your children?"
She held out the prize and he took it gratefully, knowing that it would be good to have a full stomach that night. He was surprised to hear that she had a daughter.
“The girl with your band..is..your..daughter?"
Zena patted Ergo and slid the fish over her shoulder. “Yes, why?”
“My neighbor, he’s kind of crazy anyway, he said you had taken her from the next village for ransom, and you were keeping her tied up so she couldn’t run away."
Zena laughed and shook her head. “No Demetrius. She is with us by her choice and she can’t walk because she was burned in camp. We came here for healing."
He became suddenly very solemn and looked directly into her eyes, “I hope you find it.” Something in his tone had changed and it puzzled her but she brushed the thought away and nodded a thank you.
He turned then to Vassaly and murmed a greeting, “So, Vassaly, you are back! Is the Roman woman with you?” Zena stiffened imperceptibly and Vassaly felt the change rather than actually saw it with her eyes. Perhaps Vassaly was a spy for Roman authorities for surely by now word of the Senator’s death had reached Rome. Only Zena and Evergreen knew who had sent him to Hades before his time, and Zena would sooner die than reveal what she knew. Demetrius knew he should have kept silent. She gave over Ergo’s reigns and strolled back into the street with careful control, Vassaly anxiously following. Wrapped in her musings she did not immediately hear the screams coming from Kaisa’s store. When she did, she reached back for her sword to the empty place above her right shoulder and then to her waist for the missing chakram. In her haste to get away that morning she had taken only a small knife and had left the weapons of war behind. From the string of fish she chose a good sized carp, tossed the rest to a startled Vassaly, and swinging the fish like a club sprinted up the street to Kaisa’s store.

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

Edited by: Zena 1 at: 8/29/03 7:32 pm

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 45
(8/26/03 3:03 am)
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Simple Things
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It could be a simple life.

Once Sumire finally counted herself awake, the first thing she noticed was how horribly filthy she was. Certain that she’d never been this dirty, she cringed inwardly at how she must seem to the others. She sniffed surreptitiously and couldn’t smell anything. The very thought of being in such a condition mortified her. Surely, Oukami would not hold it against her if she left her side to make herself more presentable. Unsure of where to go, she still made her way from the room in search of a bathing room or the like.

Keeping a hand on the wall for support she moved slowly through the passageways of the house. She wished that once she found a place to bathe, she could wash away the pain along with the grime.

Kaisa found her wandering about and helped her along. “Ah.. So you are alive again. Good.. Come, I’ve been expecting you might want to rid yourself those days behind you. I’ve had Timeus fetch and heat some fresh water for those of you still recovering.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

“It’s nothing at all, dear. It’s in here. Yes.. There you go. Oils and a cake of soap are here. I will bring you a towel. And give me those clothes. I’ll have Nessia wash them. And I’ll have something for you to wear in the mean time. ”

“I will not trouble you with it, Grandmother. I can wash them..”

“Nonsense. Take them off, I’ll give them to Nessia right now.”

“I..” seeing that Kaisa was not leaving Sumire simply nodded and began removing her clothes. Up until this moment she had been longing to do just that. Yet, now someone was waiting and watching.

Sumire moved as quickly as she dared, suddenly wanting to be alone. Glancing at her hostess, she saw Kaisa’s eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing the signs of rough handling that marked her body. Ignoring the reaction, she folded Daisuke’s borrowed clothes and held them out. “Thank you, Grandmother..”

Kaisa took the clothes but did not leave. Her expression had hardened but Sumire could feel it was not directed at her. Unwilling to let her hostess become upset she tried to minimize it by appearing to go about the business of preparing for a bath. While putting her hair up and fastening it with pins she spoke. “I am well, Grandmother. This.. This is nothing. It is simply... unfortunate to be a woman traveling these days..” she said with a casual sigh as one might comment on getting caught in an anticipated rainstorm without an umbrella.

Seeing Kaisa had not moved or commented she let the explanation drop and glanced aside. Never before had she ever felt ashamed of her body. Kneeling beside the tub she felt at a loss and waited for Kaisa to leave.

Sumire’s gaze was drawn back to her hostess by a gentle touch on her shoulder. “Dear girl, know that you are safe and have a home here as long as you need it. No one will harm you here. This is my house.”

Sumire gave a small smile and nodded up at Kaisa, slowly speaking the words through a tightened throat. “You are kind, Grandmother... All I have is my gratitude..”

“Hush, now. All’s well here. This is what I do.” Kaisa set down the clothes and stepped past Sumire. “Hmm, let me see, ” The matron took a small clay bowl from the inset alcoves in the walls near the bath and then sifted the crystalline powder into the bath. Frowning at the now empty bowl she muttered something to herself about replenishing the bathing room from the newest shipment. Taking a small bottle from inset shelves, she poured a bit of it into the water, followed by only a couple of drops from another vial. Giving the bath water a stir with her hand she nodded in satisfaction.

Shaking her hand of the water she nodded to Sumire, “There now. Just give that another stir before you step in and it should do you good.” She stepped away from the tub and gathered the clothes in her arms. “You have you a good soak now. I’m sure I can find something of Phalon’s or Vassaly’s tucked away somewhere that you can wear while you wait for these to be cleaned. I have some tea I’m going to make you, it will be bitter but it will make you feel better. I expect you to have an appetite after. Zena left to go fishing. I’m sure she’ll bring back something tasty for dinner.” Sumire nodded at the woman and tried to think of something suitable to say. Again, such kindness from strangers. While she tried to form the words she noticed Kaisa looked at her and chuckled.

“There, there. You don’t have to worry so much; I told you, It is what I do, child.” She waved a dismissive hand and moved off.

Once Kaisa left Sumire looked around the area surrounding the tub. She had been used to the generous bathing room Falkhan had arranged for her at his home. All that extravagance for only one or two people. She thought about how many people shared this house at once, to have only this small wooden tub and no washing area to speak of. Considering the difference between the memory of cold echos on imported tiles and muffled laughter she heard from the kitchen, she smiled. It was the difference between living in luxury and simply living.

It was the custom in Jappa to wash before entering the tub. She knew it wasn’t a common custom here, but she noticed that even if there wasn’t a place for bathing, the stone floor had the slightest bit of grade and a small gutter drew water out through the furthest wall towards the back of the house. Spilling a bit of water on this floor didn’t seem to be a concern.

Kneeling in the corner between the tub and the wall she bathed. She used the bowl that used to have the powder in it to dip into the tub pour the hot water over her. After she was done washing her hair and cleansing her body she stepped into the tub to finally soak and relax. It was a perfect moment to consider her situation.

So, Another day alive in a strange land, where the strangers gave her more favor than she was due. Her Lord was dead and still she chose to bear the disgrace of living with that. It was her desperate desire to salvage something from such a dismal failure.

She had decided to take on what Daisuke could not finish..by whatever means she could. Yet, she had nothing; barely a change of clothes, and absolutely no money to speak of. At the very least, she found herself a place to start. These were the women Daisuke was looking for. One of them was even named Xena. However, she didn’t travel alone and didn’t seem to match Daisuke’s description of her for that matter. Perhaps the discrepancies were a simple distortion of rumor.

And what of Oukami? Confusion still pushed her perceptions around. She wanted to believe that the reason she still lived was because the Forest god’s messenger had guided her. But now, after some sleep, the realization that her path had been influenced by an all too mortal sister was starting to take purchase. She didn’t know how to relate to this woman who defended her as if she were the royalty.

Likewise, she did not know how to react to this band of women she was suddenly in the midst of. These women were bonded to each other strongly; this she could sense even as an outsider. And just as easily as she could feel the bond the women shared, she could also see how beleaguered they were. The chaos of the night before had settled and even though the exhaustion was palpable, there seemed to be a slowly awakening relief. It seemed the same sensation she felt, was present in most of the other travelers. The weight and hardship of what had plagued them before was now lifting like a dense fog suddenly lifts to reveal pleasant traveling ahead; surely a welcome sight, but still not trusted for the memory of drowning in fog still persists.

Even though she was counted among the visitors, it was her relationship to Grandmother that seemed to put her at ease the most. As uncomfortable as she was with her appearance, and at a loss for such generosity, she at least appreciated the role being a guest at this woman’s house.

In many ways this crowded house filled with warmth and kinship, reminded her of the Ochaya. The Teahouse was the central point for the women who lived exclusively in the service of the royal house of Kageyama. When they weren’t entertaining the geisha were training or honing their craft in one way or another. There was hardly room to breathe in their itineraries, but when they had those rare moments to be free of the constant work, they enjoyed the simplest of things. A stroll through the gardens, a picnic, shopping, gossiping. Those unencumbered moments were the richest.

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 45
(8/26/03 3:03 am)

Simple Things (Continued)

While the memories of her life at the Ochaya were bittersweet, she hoped that, even if her stay here was short, that she would be able to know at least a few moments peace. Even in thinking it, the thought seemed foolish; she doubted she would ever be that comfortable here. There were so many of them, and whether they were knit by blood or by battle, she had no place among them. Still, she had to try. She needed to stay among them and learn what she could. It would be easier if she could just fade into the background like an accent piece in the room’s decor. It wouldn’t be so different than quietly playing the koto in the corner of a room while Lords bragged to each other of their conquests, or serving tea while the Ladies smiled at each other as their catty tongues slashed and parried. Then again, fading here would probably prove to be more difficult: At the palace she could become as transparent as they needed her to be. Here, she was not only a newcomer, but a cat-eyed foreigner. And perhaps that was the most difficult obstacle.

Nothing was simple.

Edited by: the chaotrix at: 8/31/03 8:08 pm


phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1438
(8/27/03 3:43 pm)
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Of Mice and Women
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The last bit of merchandise unpacked and placed on the shelves, Phalon left Kaisa and went to check on Gabby and Blackwolf. Gabby was sleeping peacefully, no trace of pain on her young face. Blackwolf slept also, as she had since nearly the moment she arrived, unconscious from agony and large quantity of lost blood. Amazingly now, Phalon found her face smooth and tranquil, her brow devoid of the furrows of suffering and mouth relaxed and without grimace. Hhhmm, thought Phalon, I wonder how Bhen Rhuda feels now. She hoped the warrior did not take on a heavier weight than she could bear.

Checking Blackwolf’s wound, she nodded to the woman standing at her side. Before turning to speak to the young stranger from the east, Phalon leaned in close to Blackwolf’s ear and whispered, “I’d wake up soon, Blackwolf, if I were you. Mom has an entire crate of silk scarves she seems itching to give away and seems to have taken to hairdressing since I’ve been away.” She smiled, remembering when, not so long ago, she’d used one of her more colorful scarves as a make-shift bandage for Blackwolf’s head, and how the younger woman had hated it.

She sighed and turned to Sumire. “Well, she’s got more color. That’s a good sign.”

“Hai. It is. Yes.” Sumire agreed.

“And how are you feeling?” Phalon said, gazing at the woman and remembering her feelings last night that all was not quite right here. That there was something dark under the surface.

“I am a little... I am better. Thank you for your kindness.”

“I’m sorry about my nephew”, Phalon apologized, nodding towards the door from which Apollo had moments before burst out of, nearly plowing into Phalon as she entered.

“He was no bother, my Lady” Sumire made an easy dismissive gesture with a hand.

“Good. I’m glad. I would hate that you would find him a nuisance.”

“I believe you dropped this last night. I put it here so you could find it”, Phalon said, nudging the parasol that lay under the cot. Phalon studied the woman as she bent to retrieve the item.

“Ah.. Thank you!... anou..”

Sensing Sumire did not remember her name, Phalon offered an introduction and extended arm. “I’m Phalon, by the way.” After a pause, Sumire accepted the invitation, and the two clasped arms. Phalon’s brow furrowed and the other woman immediately withdrew her hand.

A voice calling from another part of the house interrupted her thoughts. “Phalon? Could you give us a hand, dear?”

“Excuse me, That’d be Mom,” Phalon said. Mumbling as she turned, “Probably wants me to help in the kitchen.” She sighed and left the room.

A moment later and she was back, sticking her head through the door as if she’d forgotten something, to find a somewhat startled Sumire look up from the parasol she was caressing. “Sumire…I hope you’ll feel up to joining us all for the evening meal. You can refresh yourself in the room down the hall for that purpose. I’ll have Mom see that you have what you need.”

“Thank you, Lady Falon-son”, Sumire bowed her head.

Again, Phalon turned to leave, but paused once more. “Oh, and Sumire….You can leave your weap….uhm…your fan and parasol here during the meal. It’s not all that hot in here, and I don’t think it looks like rain.” She winked and was quickly gone, lest she keep her mother waiting a moment longer.

Phalon was right and found her mother in the kitchen. She had already enlisted Red, Puella and Xendra’s help in preparing the meal. Puella was stirring something simmering on the hearth in a large black kettle, and Xendra was receiving a block of instruction on how to properly spice apples to Kaisa’s satisfaction. Xendra’s face held an intent look of concentration, and noticing Phalon come into the room, Xendra changed the look to one of pleading. Phalon shrugged her shoulders and laughed. Kaisa heard her and immediately a bowl of peas to shell was thrust into Phalon’s arms. Red was led to a table with a mound of vegetables freshly picked and washed. “Here, Bhen Rudha…did I say that right?” Without waiting for an answer, Kaisa handed Red a large knife. “You look as if you’d be pretty good at handling a knife. Cut the vegetables, please. About this big”, she said, indicting the size with the space between her raised thumb and index finger.

Phalon interrupted any further instructions. “Mom, I think the girl who came in with Blackwolf last night might need your help with a bath.”

Kaisa bustled off, glad to have so many to care for and Phalon sighed. As much as she loved her mother, helping in the kitchen, in Kaisa’s kitchen with Kaisa, was not a chore she relished. Usually her mother ended up doing everything anyway, and Phalon had to admit, no one did things quite the way Kaisa would, or could, for that matter.

They all worked in silence for a while, each engulfed in their own thoughts. She watched Bhen Rudha chop the vegetables and tried to detect anything in her face that might give away what she was feeling. She could not. “How are you feeling today, Red?” Phalon asked.

“I be feelin’ fine, Phalon.”

“Blackwolf seems to be doing a bit better”, Phalon offered, thinking she might have glimpsed just the slightest tightening around Bhen Rudha's jawline, but she could not be quite sure.

“Aye”, Red replied.

Phalon continued, “Her pain seems to have subsided….” At that moment the knife Red was using to chop the vegetables whizzed past Phalon, narrowly missing her head.

“Red!” Phalon was astonished such a small probe for answers could provoke such a violent retaliation.

“Mouse. I dinnae be feelin’ a keen fondness towards da mice, Phalon”, Red explained, the smallest smirk playing around the corners of her mouth..

Phalon turned and looked at the direction the knife had been sent through the air. There, on the wall, a poor hapless mouse was pinned by the tail with the butcher knife.

“Oh damn, “ Phalon said. “Mom will have a fit if she finds a mouse in the house.”

Xendra extracted the knife from the wall, and holding the mouse by what was left of its tail, let it loose out the open window. The sqeaking creature dropped out of sight and Red retrieved the knife.


Shrieks of fright came from the next room and the women, forgetting their chores, rushed towards the doorway. Phalon’s youngest nieces were screaming, mice were crawling over everything, and poor Sumire, bathed, dressed, but barely dry was being urgently pulled by the arm by a very distraught Apollo. “Come on, Sumi. Help me catch these mouses. You are the mouse catcher, no? Hurry Sumi, before Grandmother finds out.”

Phalon stopped Red at the door, and grabbing her arm, pried the knife out of her hand. Raising her eyebrows and gesturing with her head towards the younger children, she said under her breath, “Big eyes. We’re going to have to do this the hard way.”

“I really hate mice, Phalon”, she said as they burst into the room, ready to do battle.


Edited by: phalon1 at: 8/27/03 3:52 pm

[Joxcenia]

1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 977
(8/28/03 1:10 pm)
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Time for chores ....and to stop snoring
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Xendra 's body went limp as she surrendered to the coolness of the sheets and the softness of the bed. All conciousness slipped away and she fell into a sound and motionless sleep.

Xendra slept peacefully until a bell jingling against the door awoke her from her sleep.Xendra turned her head towards the noise to begrudingly acknowledge it.Half awake and wanting to simply return to sleep Xendra pried just one eye open to look about.

Out of the corner of her eye Xendra spied Lil Gabby resting peacefully, then she cast her eye about a little more and to her surprise she saw Blackwolf unconcious in a nearby bed and a stranger keeping intent watch over her.

Xendra was about to reshut her eyes when she heard a slapping sound against the door, it sounded an intruder was trying to gain entrance.

Instinctively, Xendra reached for her sword.No one was getting in to hurt anyone in this house if she could help it, but much to Xendra's surprise her sword was not within her reach.

Xendra quickly looked about and saw her sword across the room laying on top of her neatly folded tunic. Xendra quizically looked down at herself and saw that because of the burns and the onions other than the light sheet that had covered her, she was naked.

Quickly, Xendra grabbed up the sheeet and wrapped it around her and tied it off. Xendra found it amusing that she looked very much like a Greek housewife at the moment she was in her most Amazon state,intending to protect those she loved from a would be intruder!

Xendra's amusement was short lived, for she became gravely concerned as the sound of the bolted door being rattled stopped and was replaced by quickened footsteps along side the building.

A strange silence filed the air and then was broken by the crashing sounds of bottles and vials of oils and herbs that were knocked down by the alledged intruders as they entered through the window.

Xendra centered herself as she heard other swords unsheath in unison and as a gruff male voice cursed “By the beard of Zeus!” Xendra braced herself for battle.

Xendra expected a fight so she was shocked to see Phalon flying into the stranger's arms and greeting him as brother!

The weary group realizing it was ok,quickly withdrew their weapons and sighed a collective sigh of relief.

Not a word had to be spoken,it only took seconds for the children to realize it was family and not an intruder or attacker.

Chaos erupted.

Children of all ages emerged and came rushing forward towards the entering figures, each wanting undivided attention, each wanting to tell the exciting news about the wild Amazon ladies that had come to visit.

There was no room for anyone else to gather round as the chidren circled about, with their little voices shrieking with excitement.

Of course, kids being kids did not give them even a moment to assimilate or even find what the situation in the house was. The kids surged forth bombarding them with questions and comments.

Bewildered, they tried to look at each young face as he or she spoke,but it was becoming increasingly difficult for each child was speaking over the other.

“Mommy, Mommy, did you see what Auntie Phalon brought home?
Can we keep them, pleeeease?”

“Can I have a sword too? Can, I?”

"oh man Dad, you should have seen it all.There was Blood, blood everywhere.”

"Hey Dad, a couple of em got burned one of them real bad , but she seems ok."

“Eeeww. They stink, Mom. Smells like rotten onions in here.”

"Mom, where I am I susposed to sleep, one of them is in my bed!"

"Hey! Do you know they eat dogs?"

Kaisa sensed their parents were being overwhelmed and took matters into her own hands.
“Sshhh!” Kaisa clapped. “Children,let your parents get in first before you bombard them with so many questions. And rude ones too. Where are your manners? You know better!

Now scoot! Finish your chores for the evening, and then there’ll be plenty of time to talk – as long as it’s pleasant. I will not hear anymore tonight of blood, and swords- none. Do you understand?!"

The gathering of children nodded in unison and then scurried off to quickly finish their chores in hopes of having more time to spy on the strange women who had come to visit with aunt Phalon.

Xendra sensing everything was ok withdrew and quietly slipped the tunic over her and went back to bed. The days events had left her weary and exhausted. All she wanted to do is sleep.

Once again Xendra, gave herself over to sleep, and had she been able to remember the nights dreams she would have realized that she had been in a dreamstate like none other before.

Mornings first light began to break and Xendra felt a slight tug on her tunic, she tried to shoo it away with her and , but the tugging persisted. Reluctantly Xendra opened her eyes to see what or whom could possibly be trying to wake her up so early.

There stood a wide eyed little girl that would back away after each tug of the tunic. Xendra was feeling rested and a little playful so Xendra tried to sound mean and gruff as she said" What do you want?"

The little girl shyly said, "It's time to do chores,wanna help me?"

Xendra sat up and despite her curosity about the town,Xendra decided to play along. Xendra pretended to look about and then bent down close to the little girl's ear and whispered, "I dont know how to do chores, I think you'll have to teach me. "

The little girl nodded solemnly ..like she had thought as much. The little girl cocked her head and stared at Xendra for a second like she was seizing her up and then sweetly offered Xendra her hand.

Xendra wrapped her fingers arounfd the little girls hand and allowed the little girl to lead her about. The little girl beamed she proudly as she led Xendra in tow around the house.

During their tour of the house Xendra heard one of the older girls exclaim to one of her older brothers "See I told you she could get that Amazon to stop snoring!"

Xendra bit her lip to prevent her from saying something back to the children, her little tour guide heistated and then stopped and asked if there was something wrong.

Xendra answered,"No,I think I am just a little hungry."

The little girl smiled a toothless smile back at Xendra and said , "Good,now you can help me with my chores in the kitchen."

Just before Xendra and the little girl reached the entrance to the kitchen,the little girl squeezed Xendra's hand and said "Dont be afraid, we're going into the kitchen now."

Xendra laughed until she saw that Kaisa and Phalon were already hard at work.


Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 8/29/03 3:33 pm


gabbin
Registered Member
Posts: 548
(8/28/03 9:54 pm)
Reply
Re: Simple Things
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Frieda smiled in her sleep, her eyes moved as she watched her dreamscape unfold before her. Her twin sister was sitting beside her on the top of grantite wall-warmed by the rays of the sun that day. They were watching

the sun set over the silvery water of the bay. Fia was saying how she had a crush on a boy whom she saw that day in the market. "Bwon haiw am boi eyes" she slowly pronounced and she told of his brown hair and blue eyes. Very few understood Fia because of her speech but, Fia almost always figured it out. Fia was madly gesturing as she said it, her writing board for conversations was left behind in her room. "He nam uwaaa Tinactuuus". Fia had apparently found out that his name was Tinatcus from someone. Frieda thought she might know of the boy......

Frieda turned her head a bit and a frown creased her forhead as her dreamscape turned toward dark memories...

Her sister Frieda was slipping from the wall and she reached but could not grasp her-spiraling down, Frieda slipped too, and started to fall.....Suddenly Frieda jerked awake, breathing hoarsely with a tear forming. She reached to feel for her glass of water by the bed and drank as if trying to wash away the pain and longing of her sister's memory.

[Joxcenia]

QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 1006
(8/30/03 2:13 pm)

A kettle to boil
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Walking along the path from the house in which Phalon was raised, Puella could not help but long for a place she could call home. The aura emitted by this family and this house were full of such powerful love that it made me wonder why Phalon would have ever left such a calming and caring existence. Though I know there are always reasons for those who move on.

My mind wandered to the memories in which I had always managed to hold onto from my time as a child…

A toy or a playmate for the Roman families children…Diana and Gregory, and their never ending needs. I welcomed the extra chores for the mother and father, for it gave me a well-needed rest from the spoiled children.

“Let’s play Princess and her lady in waiting…You do everything I command…Now get me my dress…no not that one…the one with the beads!”
How is this any different from any other day was my reaction as I went through the closets full of beautiful dresses full of color and details…looking for the exact dress she wanted…

Then there was the boy…”Let’s play gladiator and the evil Cyclops…You can be blindfolded and tethered at the feet and I will slay you with my authentic sword given to me by a gladiator at the Colosseum…Oops…no worries that wound will heal quickly…

My hand rubbed the small scar on my left elbow as I shake my head…Childhood can be either an obstacle to overcome as you gain the an inner strength to move on…or a supportive time where you are taught self worth and strike out into the world to carry that knowledge to others in your life…

Just then three children run from around the house and circle me…”Really she said she was a CAT…chasing mice and everything…I’m not fibbing!” The two chasing him aggravated by the story…”She’s just a girl!” I giggle as they disappear around the house as quickly as they came. These children are obviously taught the latter way…You can tell by their unspoiled innocence…Phalon is very blessed to have such a family.

I continue to walk closer to the house when I stop to watch two other youngsters fill a kettle with water and talking amongst themselves…
”No way”…
“I can so”…
”Nu uh…I dare Ya”.
“You got yourself a bet”

The older of the two called out to me. “What’s your name?” “Puella,” I responded. “That means girl doesn’t it?” I nodded, “Yes it does…I am Puella Virium, which means girl of strength.” “Oh really,” says the girl, “So you would have no trouble carrying this kettle into the kitchen for me?” “Sure, I would be happy to help,” walking over to the kettle I notice it is over half filled with fresh water. “Why not fill it once it is on the hearth? It will be much easier.” The girl piped up quickly, “So you can’t do it?” The tone was that of disappointment.

Oh so you need me to prove my strength, do you? With a grin I bend my knees…grab the handle and began to lift…All my muscles tensed and I let out a small grunt, as I lifted it up off the ground and take a step…*Swish* the contents almost spilt over the rim as I take the next few steps…Whew, I slowly teeter back and forth as I carry it in the house and place it on the hearth.

“See I told you I could get it in the house,” she teases her brother.
“No Fair, you said you would do it!” He piped up
“I never said I was going to carry it, only that I would get it into the house…YOU my brother have to do all my chores for the rest of the day!"
Stomping his foot on the ground, “Oh Man!” He walks into the kitchen with a pout.

I turn to Phalon’s mother and she hands me a wooden scoop to stir the contents of the kettle. “I see my grandchildren have enlisted your help in the kitchen duties this meal.” As I stir I grin as it hits something solid. Relieved, I thought, I knew there was more then just water in this kettle. I giggle as I realize I was conned by the wee ones…They are definitely related to Phalon with such quick thinking…

The kitchen becomes astir with all the preparations for the meal…Suddenly I hear a shreaking and watch as Red runs into the room armed for a battle..."Mice"...

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 47
(8/30/03 2:54 pm)

nezumi to onnano hito, dainika. (Of Mice and Women, Part 2)
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Apollo proudly parked his wagon at the back entrance of the house and hefted the small crate. Hopefully no one would notice he rushed through or even skipped the extra chores he was tricked into. He had more important things to do. As he moved into the house he bumped into his sister Alida.

Putting her hands on her hips she frowned down at him. “Watch out! I’m on important errans Apollo!”

“Me too,” said the boy as he tried to move past her with his crate.

Upon hearing the squeaking and scratching from inside his older sister questioned him. “What’s that?!”

“Mouses. I’m going to feed my cat.”

“Ewww-“ Alida at first recoiled but then what he’d said registered “Cat? We don’t have a cat.”

“You don’t. I have a cat. Her name is Sumi.”

“Sumi? Mom let you have a cat?” Forgetting her errand Alida walked up alongside Apollo as he moved through the house toward the room where the women stayed. “I wanna see.”

“You can see her when I feed her,” said Apollo authoritatively.

“But.. I wanna feed her too.” Alida grabbed for the box.

“Alida letgo! She’s my cat!”

“I’m telling mom you won’t let me help!”

* * *

Sumire heard the voices of children arguing somewhere in the house and sighed. So this was what it was like to live in a house with children... a real home.

She paused a moment in the mending of her kimono to check the progress. She was almost done and the slashes in the garment were clean enough that her seams were fairly straight. The coloring of the pattern helped obscure the mend as well. It was a relief to know that she would probably be able to wear one of her favorite kimono’s again. A dry smile pulled at her lips as she corrected herself: it was her only kimono.

While her other clothes dried Kaisa had given her a simple dress to wear. It was light and perhaps it would have been comfortable if it didn’t have that slit on the side that kept falling open to reveal her leg to mid thigh. She wondered if she was wearing it correctly. Her hand was constantly adjusting the fall of the soft fabric to keep it from showing so much. She also missed the weight of sleeves. Her arms felt as exposed as her legs did. Apparently such exposure in public was not a concern for these people. They seemed at ease with it.

* * *

“Hey! What’s going on, you two?” queried Lyndara who was older than both of them by a couple of years.

“Apollo won’t let me feed our cat!”

“Noo! They’re mine! Sumi is my cat! You can’t have them!!”

“Shhh! You’re gonna wake our guests!” the older sister’s eyes bugged out when she actually registered the words, “Cat?? Are those mice!? You can’t have mice in the house! Gramma will kill us!!” she hissed at them. “Take them outside!”

“No, Sumi will go hungry! She’s far from home cuz she’s a furry-ner!” pouted Apollo as he continued to keep his arms around the box still pressing down the hallway towards the room.

“I wanna see Sumi!” chipped in Alida as she ‘helped’ Apollo with the box o’ mice.

“Stoppit, you two. You can’t go in there with those!” hissed Lyndara. Being the oldest of them, she knew she had to bring the situation under control. “Come back here!” Her mother had told her that she needed to keep the young ones out of the room where the guests were recovering. She started after them, and they started running. Alida because she thought it was funny to run from Lyndara when she was playing ‘The Boss’ and Apollo to get away from his stupid sisters.

Sumire who sat at the foot of Oukami’s bed while she mended her kimono, lifted her head upon hearing Apollo’s name for her. She couldn’t make out what the voices were saying but it was becoming heated. It was a children’s argument and she knew it would be nothing to worry about, but it was becoming loud enough that it might wake the others. She stood right as the three children burst into the room screaming and fighting over a box.

“Aaaah! Lyndara the bossy can’t have the kitty dinner! Hahahaha!” came the cackle from Alida.

“Gimme that! It belongs OUTSIDE!!” shouted the eldest as she reached over to yank the box from the younger ones who were squirming away from her. With a heave Lyndara brought up the box top instead of the whole box, right at the moment Apollo twisted away from his two sisters.

“These are for SUMI!!!” he protested vehemently.

As if on cue, mice dove for freedom. The hardiest, known among their den-mates for their agility, dove for a fountain of cloth that lay before them; a much nicer landing than where the giants would trample them. Little did they know, the cloth belonged to a once-cat.

“NOOOOOO!” cried Apollo as he tried to keep all of the mice from fleeing the crate. “LYNDARAAAAA!!!”

In a nightmarish unfolding of events Sumire saw some mice explode from the crate and fly onto the kimono she held as if they knew of her aversion. She heard herself give a sharp hiss, and couldn’t make herself drop the kimono fast enough. She felt her skin jump before she did. In a heartbeat she had her back against the wall and was watching the mice scurry with unnatural speed. It did not occur to her that she had just cleared Oukami’s bed in a single leap backwards. All she knew was that the wall was keeping her from fleeing further from the disgusting vermin.

The thundering of her heart hurt her chest and her breath, when it came, was in shallow gasps. She nearly jumped again when a siren's wail pierced through her whispered stutter of “Ne-ne-ne-nezumi! Ne-nezumi!-“

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!” One of the girls had mice crawling up her dress and she danced about swatting at them ineffectively.

Looking around frantically for her best means of escape, Sumire turned to see the other two young women, who had been chatting quietly before, now staring at the insanity taking place before them in the middle of the room. The girl with the bandaged legs squirmed in the bed and hastily drew a blanket up. The one who had been sitting on the edge of her bed simply lifted her feet off the ground and drew her legs up, while she watched the girls screaming. Of all the people in the room, (except for Blackwolf) this girl seemed completely unruffled by everything happening. She even turned to her friend and whispered something, indicating the screaming girls, then with a nod she smirked at Sumire. Little Gabby laughed nervously, but was put at ease by Kaia’s humorous point of view of the whole matter.

Kaisa, going through supply bins in the furthest room, heard the children arguing but ignored them. They knew better than to get any louder than that in the house with guests who were resting. She imagined their argument would be over as soon as it started, as was usually the case. But when she heard the screaming, she jumped and dropped the basket she had in her arms. Spools of thread and cloth spilled out and she growled under her breath. Turning towards the hallway she yelled, “That racket will cease or I will have some very sorry children waiting at Charon’s dock with a sack of coins!” The screaming seemed to ebb for only a moment and then started up again and even louder. Knowing that Phalon and Damaris were probably closer, Kaisa went about gathering the items from the spilled basket. She would know soon enough what in Hades was going on.

Feeling her knees trembling, Sumire was glad for the solidity of the wall behind her, holding her up. The girls screaming seemed to spiral louder and louder in her head, further fraying her nerves. She could not move or think with such shrieks paralyzing her. Pressing palms over her ears she closed her eye s and willed them to quiet down. ‘Urusai... urusai... urusai...” she grounded out in between her panting. 'Too loud...be quiet...shut up' Just as she was about to scream what she had been whispering her breath froze in her lungs. A gnawing feeling made her open her eyes and glance about. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a grey-brown streak find the same wall she was pressed against. The mouse then chose to run along the wall in her direction in its flight.

Her flight began again. She slid along the wall away from the intruder until she came to a chair which she scrambled over without losing any ground to the little demon pursuing her. She came to a bed and scrambled over that too. The mouse came on, relentless. Her flight would have continued speedily had her shoulders not thudded against the other wall that marked the corner of the room. The mouse was going to catch her and gnaw it's way into her soul. She was going to loose her mind she was certain of it. She wished she could scream, but could not.

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 47
(8/30/03 2:54 pm)

nezumi to onnano hito, dainika. (Of Mice and Women, Part 2) (Continued)


It was only a few paces from her when Apollo rushed up and captured it. A trembling hand came to her mouth. She wanted to weep. He had saved her.

Apollo looked up and Sumire and with just a flick of an annoyed glance at his squallering sisters he lifted the mice by its tail and walked over to her.

“Look, Sumi. I got you some mices to eat!”

Sumire gasped and lunged along the other wall away from him. She shook a hand at him to ward him away and shook her head. “Ii-Iie! Na-no, no no! Iyaa!” He tilted his head at her and frowned as he continued to walk after her.

“It’s okay Sumi I gots a lot of ‘em!”

She came into contact with another obstacle and started to climb over it without taking her eyes off the boy.

“Whoa.. Whoa.. Wait, wait!” cautioned Gabby as she tried to squirm out of Sumire’s way at the same time she tried to hold out an arm to hold her off.

Realizing she could go no further, Sumire stopped, half sitting on the edge of Little Gabby’s bed. Still the boy continued toward her with the mouse.

“Matte! Matte! Su-Stop!! YAMERO!” She waved her arms wildly at him, while pressing her back against the wall.

Apollo stopped and frowned. Looking at the mouse a second he lowered it to his side. “What’s wrong Sumi? Don’t you want it? ”

All she could do was just swallow and shake her head vigorously. She could not supply any words in any language. She could barely even breathe.

“But you’re a cat. And a cat eats mouses. That’s why I got ‘em. Zee’s bringing dinner for us and I brought dinner for you,” Apollo said confident with his argument. Surely his cat would understand she couldn’t eat at the table with them.

“I don’t think she wants the mouse” offered little Gabby. Sumire nodded at Gabby and then looked at Apollo and shook her head. “No!.. No want!” Sumire pointed at the crate “ Hakoni ireru! Hayaku!Ike! Ike!” she stammered on the edge of hysterics. She was completely unaware that when she said 'Go put it in the box! Hurry! Go!' she was not speaking Greek.

“That is it! Enough screaming! Phalon!? Damaris!?” It was grandmother’s voice from deeper in the house, and it was more than annoyed.

The tone meant more than business, it meant trouble. It galvanized all in the room (except Blackwolf) into action.

Sumire saw the look on Apollo’s face change to fear. He grabbed her arm and started tugging at her, his voice which was only moments before solicitous was now small and frightened. Still he maintained control enough to demand his pet do her job. “Come on, Sumi. Help me catch these mouses. You are the mouse catcher, no? Hurry Sumi, before Grandmother finds out.”

Hearing grandmother’s voice shook her from her own panic into a different sort of anguish. Which was worse: Dealing with your fear of mice or watching your hostess, who had been overwhelmingly kind, be disgraced by such a thing as a house overrun by the creatures? There was a part of her that shut down in order to work through her fear and help in some way. She tried to follow Apollo toward the spilled crate of mice but her legs involuntary balked, causing the poor boy to tug her arm while he pleaded with her.

Just then Phalon and the other’s burst through the door way from the kitchens. Taking an eye-full the other women set to work as if they were of one mind. Some shoo’ed the mice toward the door in the room that led towards the back and the others were able to collect them bare handed. The mice were being quickly gathered, all worked with the frenetic pace, trying to get it done before Kaisa could see the mess.

It seemed everyone assumed a different role and a process seemed to develop. The older screaming girl saw her aunt enter and ran to her. Phalon caught her and comforted her while stealthily trying to brush the mice off. Xendra used the flat of her sword, not unlike a broom to sweep and gently bat at mice trying to get past the door way that led to the shop. She would bat them so that they tumbled right to Kaia.

Kaia was kneeling on the floor in the thickest concentration of mice along with Apollo. Together they were grabbing and tossing them back in the box. Apollo was doing a fair job of opening the box just long enough to get a few more inside without letting others escape. Puella started herding mice at the perimeter of the room. Where she could she’d send them out the back door, others she directed towards Apollo and Kaia. Apollo kept glancing toward the door as he imagined his grandmother would burst into his room at any moment. Kaia kept drawing his attention back to the capturing of mice. In the middle of all the chaos she was talking to him quietly “It’s only a few more, Apollo. Get those right there. Right. Almost done. There’s another by your foot. Got it? Good.” Gabby who sat in bed had twirled up a towel and was snapping it an any mice who tried to escape to her corner of the room.

Red sought out the younger girl who was screaming, and tried to get her to stop screaming. “Och, dinnae be swingin’ yer arms . . . I cannae be gettin’ tha mouse . . . be stoppin’ yer screamin’ . . . be holdin’ . . . Bandia!” she finally swore. Frustrated that she was not being heard, she simply grabbed an arm and dragged the girl toward her. The child looked in the stern face of the Red Woman and started howling in fear, not noticing that the offending rodents were carefully plucked from her dress.

Sumire took mincing steps to keep out of the path of mice, while she tried to think of something to do that didn’t make her want to run out of the room. She had to do something to help resolve this terrible situation. Taking a breath she steeled herself and approached the youngest girl that was crying in Red’s grasp. She had seen Red’s countenance and knew exactly what lay underneath. If this woman who had an extreme dislike for the rodents could reach out and pluck them with her bare hand, then so could she... almost.

Having remembered her fan was close by she grabbed it and knelt next to the girl. Red had managed getting most of the mice, but there were two or three on Sumire’s side. She spoke the girl softly in her own language as she slowly opened the fan with trembling hands. She paused in her comforting words to brush at the closest mouse. It had a firm purchase and would not go free at her shy attempt. With an inward curse she tapped it and then finally gave it a good ‘bapping’. The mice fell and once on the floor she quickly swept it as she had seen Xendra doing. It rolled within Kaia’s reach and the girl simply picked it up without barely even looking at it. The next mice was a little bit easier. And so was the next. At some point she became comfortable enough she was batting stray mice here and there with some bit of accuracy. Kaia calmly caught them all and plopped them into the box.

In between using her fan to flick away mice that ventured too close, Sumire continued to talk soothingly to the girl “Maa, maa. Shizuka ni shinasai.. Daijobu.. Nakanaide.. nakanaide..ne?” There, there. Queit down.. You’re alright. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.. She wasn’t sure if she was speaking more for her own benefit or the girl’s. In either case, it seemed to be working for her if not for the girl. When the last of the mice were off the girl, the Red Woman let her go. Now terrified for her life, the girl spun and made a bee-line for her aunt, who now her hands full of two hysterical children.

Soon enough, it appeared the mice were either caught or chased off. Kaia latched the lid and and Apollo grabbed the crate and ran off out the back door the same moment Kaisa barged into the room from the shop side.

"WHAT IN HADES IS GOING ON!?" Kaisa looked around the room and found it oddly quiet and still for all the noise that was coming from here only moments before.

The girls had queited down with Phalon's coaxing, but they became quieter still when their grandmother came into the room, but only for a moment. After that pause they went to Kaisa both started yammering at once.

"It's not my fault!" *sob* "Apollo brought in the--"*shiver* "And we were supposed to feed the cat but--" *sniffle* "I tried to stop them!" *whimper* "Lyndara was chasing us!--" *whine*

Kaisa nodded impatiently and then looked up at Phalon who shrugged and started to say something. The other women began to volunteer bits of the story too. Kaisa's brows slowly knit together, and the matron seemed even more confused or perhaps suspicious.

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 47
(8/30/03 2:54 pm)

nezumi to onnano hito, dainika. (Of Mice and Women, Part 2) (Continued)


Sumire could almost follow while several spoke over eachother in order to explain about the madness that just occurred. Every piece was trivializing it and was essentially blame free. And none of it sounded at all like what actually happened. Any of it would have been exactly what she would have said.. except for the fact that she had forgotten how to speak Greek with all the drama.

"Oh..Is that so.. ." Kaisa said blandly to no one person in particular. She bent down to look at Blackwolf, who seemed to have slept quite peacefully through it all.

Seeing Kaisa momentarily tend Oukami brought a flush of shame to Sumire's face. In all this mess she had completely forgotten about Blakwoof. Her inatentiveness and thinking only of herself was completely unacceptable. She lowered her head and sighed, and then caught Kaia's minute gesturing.

Sliding her eyes over to where Kaia was intently looking, Sumire saw the mouse that was climbling up the side of her dress toward her hip. Gritting her teeth to keep from vocalizing and bringing attention to herself, she flicked the fan and bounced the mouse up into the air in front of her. With a wicked down-slicing backhand, she swatted the mouse out the door where Apollo had just left.

The sound of rustling cloth and a *bap*-"meep!" sound brought Kaisa's attention up from Blackwolf to see Sumire who with a sickly smile, nodded at her while she fanned herself furriously.

***

Zena had taken off at such a pace that Vassaly was struggling to keep up, and with all the other fish in tow. She noticed Zena skid to a halt as she nearly collided with Apollo who was pulling his Herme's flyer behind him at a wreckless pace.

"Apollo!? What is it? What's wrong!?" asked Zena anxiously, trying to stop the boy from his headlong flight.
"It’s Gramma!!! " Apollo wailed as he skidded around Zena and continued down the alley way.

Zena let the boy go and ran full tilt to where the boy come from. As she neared she heard someone crying and wondered if she was too late. Zena burst into the room, carp drawn and at the ready, only to be hit in the face by a mouse cartwheeling through the air. It bounced off her forhead and caught her tunic to cling at her chest.

"My...But it is hot in here.. is it not?" Finally Sumire had remembered some Greek. Forcing a small nervous laugh, she fanned herself. Kaisa wanted to say it had been one of their milder days, but noticed Sumire seemed to be sweating.

Kaisa looked all around at the women and just shook her head. Whatever it was they were hiding she opted not to know. If they had decided to cover for the children then it was on them. They were all grown women, whatever it was they would handle it. They had better.

Seeing Zena had arrived with the dinner Kaisa just walked up and took the carp from Zena’s hand. “Ah.. finally.” She turned to leave but then nodded over her shoulder at Zena. “Oh, Zena. Please. No mice in my house. Thank you, dear."

On her way out the matron gave the children and women alike a 'shoo' ing motion "Well now.. lets go. Dinner’s not finished. Wash your hands and back into the kitchen.”

Edited by: the chaotrix at: 8/31/03 8:27 pm


Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 767
(8/30/03 6:22 pm)
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Small Tails To Tell
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It was clear that some violent invaders were threatening the Amazons and Zena acted quickly. Vassaly caught the string of fish but the filmy material of her Roman finery immediately became entangled in the scales and fins. The fish slipped and slid, leaving a smelly trail of slime on the beautiful fabric. “Well, it’s just great to be home again”, she thought with more than a little sarcasm. The rough and tumble life of work at the inn had come back to her with little preparation. As she fumbled with the creatures, Zena sprinted in between the houses, up the little alley, so that she would have the element of surprise by coming in the back way working for her assault. The light was failing since it was well past sunset and it was very dark in the shadows. Vassaly struggled to keep Zena’s pace but the fish were heavy and slippery. Midway up the alley Zena slammed into Apollo and his Hermes Flyer and shot headlong over the wagon and sprawled on to the stone walkway. Her grip on the carpclub was loosened and it shot out ahead of her like a stone from a catapault.
“Damn it to Tartarus!! Apollo!? What is it? What's wrong!?" asked Zena anxiously, trying to stop the boy from his headlong flight by holding on to the back of the wagon. "It’s Gramma!!! " Apollo wailed as he skidded around Zena and continued down the alley way.” She scrambled to regain her feet and the fish as she tore around the corner and into the room they had been using for sleeping quarters. Someone was attacking Kaisa! In the doorway she was smacked between the eyes by an unfortunate mouse who fell onto her tunic and lay against her chest like an ornate piece of jewlery. The sudden silence in the room was deafening.
Looking around for an answer to what had caused Apollo’s flight Zena suddenly realized that the fish in her hand was of little use as a weapon. Panting from the run, Vassaly appeared in the doorway behind her and stood expectantly with the fish as a shawl. Kaisa had now appeared in the archway from the kitchen and all eyes turned to her. Seeing Zena had arrived with the dinner Kaisa just walked up and took the carp from Zena’s hand. “Ah.. finally.” She turned to leave but then nodded over her shoulder at Zena. “Oh, Zena. Please. No mice in my house. Thank you, dear." On her way out the matron gave the children and women alike a 'shoo' ing motion "Well now.. lets go. Dinner’s not finished. Wash your hands and back into the kitchen."
The entourage left with Kaisa in the lead, fortunately too far away to see one last pair of mice who were sitting quietly on the table watching the show. Immediately Red went into action and so did the mice. She twirled and lept until she had them both captured and had dropped them out of the window. When she turned back to the room Zena said, “Hey! Dances with mice! What happened here?” “Twas the wee lad let the nasty beasties in! He nae can be trusted!” At the back door the wee lad, who had come back in quietly, said very softly in a forlorn voice, “I tol’ you somethin bad would happen if you left the house without me, Zee.”

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Joxcenia]

1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 984
(8/31/03 9:14 am)
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Are you a boy or a girl?
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Xendra had spent most of her life hunting and fishing and cooking over an open fire,searching for berries and wild mushrooms.Rooting around for vegetables and following a recipe was something Xendra had no recollection of doing.

Xendra was not sure she could be of any assistance in the kitchen but she had told the little girl that that she would help and that she could teach her.

Xendra intended to keep her word, so as the little girl swung open the kitchen door Xendra took a deep breath and thought“I can do this, I can do this for this little girl and for this family ..I can atleast try….”

The little girl never looked back she just kept moving forward as she swung open the door and proudly announced, ”We’re here to help! What can we do?”

Kaisa wiped her hands and looked up and said ”Ooh and what fine help you brought us little one, with this much help we might even be able to have a special treat with dinner tonight.”

The little girl nodded in happy agreement, while Xendra was beginning to wondering if and how she could get out of her volunteer kitchen duty.

Xendra however, did not want to disappoint her young teacher so settled herself and then she bent down about half way and said “What chores are yours?”

The little girl stood tall and grinned as she said” I get to help with everything! Don’t I Kaisa?”

The old woman chuckled kindly and said “Yes my dear you do.”

Xendra stood there just staring at Kaisa and Phalon.and wondered to herself ”Everything? What does that mean everything?Am I going to have to cook and clean?”

Finally, Kaisa said to the little girl, “Why don’t you two gather some vegetables from our kitchen garden ?”

The little girl nodded excitedly and placed a basket in Xendra’s arms, ”There’s lots for us to pick from, Our garden, has carrots, onions, garlic, lentils, herbs lettuce, endive, cabbage, chervil and beans.

Once more the little girl had Xendra in tow, and as they approached the garden, the little girl spread out her arms and proudly said “Here it is!”

Xendra nodded and said,” Ohh this is a very nice garden, did you help grow it?”

The little girl nodded emphatically.

Xendra smiled and said, “Now what do we do?”

The little girl looked incredously at Xendra and asked,” You don’t know how to gather vegetables from a garden?!”

Xendra bit her lip from laughing and playfully said,” I told you, You were going to have to teach me."

The little girl acknowledged that she remembered and then bent over and pulled a carrot out of the ground.

Xendra feigned amazement. ”Wow! You pulled that big carrot out of the ground ?!You must be really strong!”

The little girl looked at her and said, “That was nothing watch this!" And the little girl tugged and tugged until she extracted a giant carrot from the ground, as she shook off the dirt she said excitedly, ”Now, It’s your turn!!”

Xendra bent over mistakenly grabbed the leafy top and began to pull suddenly the greens let go and Xendra was left holding a handful of greenery.

The little girl cried out in dismay, “You did it all wrong!” The little girl bent over grabbed the green stalk and pulled out a carrot..”See that’s how you do it!”

Xendra nodded and said, “Maybe, I’d do better with something I can use my knife on.”

The little girl looked cautiously at Xendra and said,” Do you always you carry a knife?”

Xendra nodded, “Yes, little one I do. Sometimes I use it to do things like this and sometimes I use it to protect people.”

Xendra could see that the little girl was pondering but didn’t say much more to Xendra except,” You should probably stay away from me if you have a knife..Here you go cut some cabbage and some lettuce while I gather some beans."

Xendra smiled as she watched her little teacher walk to the corner of the garden, once she was sure the little girl was was busy Xendra put her hands into the earth and cut the cabbage and the lettuce heads from their plots in the garden.

A few moments later the little girl came back and said “Now we take these to Kaisa and she’ll tell us what we can cook!”

Xendra said, “Wow, you can sure do a lot for someone so little!”

As they reached where Kaisa was standng, the little girl looked up at Xendra and asked,
"Do you know how to make Meli-tza nees fournoul feta?” (eggplant with feta)

Kaisa looked at the expression on Xendra’s face and sensed that the answer was No, so she whispered to the girl, “We are out of eggplant today, try something else."

“How about you-var-lak- yia ?(stuffed grape leaves)We could use the cabbage leaves you picked instead of grape leaves!” the young girl exclaimed.

Kaisa once again saw that Xendra’s face was turning shades of pink and red and rescued Xendra from embarassment yet again this time by kindly scolding the little one by saying “You know we are saving the meat for the evening meal.”

Kaisa then took pity on the little one and said” How bout just for today I give you and your friend a very special job to do?.”

The little girl squealed with delight and then spun towards Xendra and said, “Can you make maza with opson? It’s my favoritist thing to make in the whole world! Right Kaisa?!

Kaisa laughed and said, “Yes my dear, it is.”

Xendra scrunched nose and slowly repeated the words maza with opson?..

The little girl looked at Xendra with all seriousness and asked,

” Are you a boy or a girl?"

Xendra laughed and Phalon and Red joined in but Kaisa gasped with horror and quickly said,”Of course she’s a girl why would you ask such a thing?That was very rude of you!"

The little girl looked up and said,"But Kaisa her clothes don’t look like a girl’s ,her hair is short like a boy's, she has muscles like a boy, she carries a knife, and she doesn’t know how to cook ...so how can she be a girl?”


Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 8/31/03 11:10 am

[Joxcenia]

1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 985
(8/31/03 9:27 am)
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Are you a boy or a girl?Continued
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Xendra's eyes danced with amusement and she pursed her lips to keep from laughing as she thought of what to say.

Finally Xendra said,“It’s ok little one. I can understand how you could be confused. I do look a little different from the people you know.. we all do, don’t we Red”

“Aye but we aren’t all as funny looking as you!“ Red retorted.

Xendra shot her a look that said, “You’re not helping!”

Xendra picked up the little girl and placed and her on the edge of the table. “What’s your name by the way little one?

The little girl looked directly in to Xendra’s eyes for the first time and said," My name is Vania, Kaisa says it means butterfly."

“Well, thats a beautiful name for a very beautiful little girl. It’s nice to finally meet you Vania, my name is Xendra. I unfortunately, don’t have someone to tell me what my name means. I grew up a little different from you Vania. I didn’t have a nice home and garden like you have here. I grew up in the forest where I learned to hunt and fish and make fires but I am still a girl.

In fact a long long time ago, before you were even born I took care of three little girls who were close to your age and were even a little bit like you.”

Vania’s eyes grew wide in disbelief, “Really? What were their names?

Xendra swallowed a bit hard and answered” Solaria, Vasca and Hippolyte …”

Phalon sensing Xendra’s discomfort piped in "So Vania, are you still going to teach Xendra how to make maza with opson?

Vania nodded a big yes and Xendra laughed and said, “Well I think I’m very lucky that you still want to teach me. Is it hard to make?”

“Vania laughed and said “No silly, it’s easy to make and it’s sooo good!”

Vania excitedly began putting ingredients and tools in front of Xendra while she started giving instructions:

“You take these two flours and you mix these flours together. See just like this.

Now you put half of the flour in this bowl, add the a little bit of salt, make a well in the center and pour in just a little yeast.

Oh yeah and just a bit of warm water . Now you add in just little olive oil and then some more water but not too much warm water!!”

Ok now is the fun part we get to play with the dough! Kaisa calls it kneading but I just think it’s fun! You have to do this until you work in all the flour and its firm but yet can still stretch… see!!

Then we have to let it rest for awhile, we cover the bowl with a piece of fabric and leave in a warm place until the dough gets really big like twice its size!!

Then when it’s done resting we get to add olives and rosemary into the dough, and we get to play in the dough again but just for a for a little while.

Then we have to separate the dough into two loaves but they have to be round and flat okay? We brush oils on to the platter and then set them here on the platter, and we cover them, with fabric again .

We have to leave them in a warm place for awhile then take them down to the town oven and but just before we put them in the oven we brush the dough with olive oil and bake until it is golden like the sun and it will even sound hollow when you tap it.

But you know what we do? We add to the top feta cheese onions olives garlic and fruit, vegetables, fish and on sometimes on a special or rare occasion, meat..before we put it in the oven and we serve it warm with spinach and chickpea soup and some olive oil for dipping.It's soo good!""

Kaisa stood amused but still not sure of what Xendra’s actual skills in the kitchen were said to "Vania why don’t we make a special desert maza for just you and Xendra to share. You can put apples cinnamon and some other spices on one just for the two of you.”

As Vania danced around the kitchen saying in a sing song voice “We get our own!We get our own! “ Xendra meanwhile was listening very carefully to the instructions on how to properly spice apples to Kaisa’s and Vania’s satisfaction.


Xendra lost in thoughtalmost failed to notice Phalon again,but when she did,Xendra gave Phalon a pleading look but it was to no avail Phalon just shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

Kaisa heard Phalon’s laugh and hurriedly thrust a bowl of peas to shell into Phalon’s arms.

Red too was thrust into service and was seated at the table with the pile of the freshly picked vegetables that had just been picked by Xendra and Vania.

Kaisa motioned ot her and then said. “Here, Bhen Rudha…did I say that right?”

Without waiting for an answer, Kaisa handed Red a large knife. “You look as if you’d be pretty good at handling a knife. Cut these vegetables, please. About this big”, she said, indicting the size with the space between her raised thumb and index finger.

Xendra teased, “Hey Red, be careful with those vegetables Vania and I worked hard to pick those, so I want them cut right!”

Phalon sensing Red may throw something or that Kaisa may have further instructions for all of them said “Mom, I think the girl who came in with Blackwolf last night might need your help with a bath.”

Kaisa went off to attend to the stranger.

With Kaisa gone silence filled the room for a while, each was lost in their own thoughts.

Xendra noticed that Phalon kept stealing looks at Bhen Rudha as she chopped the vegetables. Xendra wondered what if anything she was trying to to detect.

Finally, Phalon broke the silence and asked . “How are you feeling today, Red?”

“I be feelin’ fine, Phalon.”

Phalon offered back “Blackwolf seems to be doing a bit better today, don’t you think?”.

“Aye”, Red replied stocially.

Xendra remembered how Red had taken on Gabby’s pain and wondered if she had done the same for Blackwolf. Xendra did not get to hold that train of thought for long however…


Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 8/31/03 9:41 am

[Joxcenia]

gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 108
(9/5/03 4:58 pm)
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Gabby spent all of her days in Phalon’s home lying in bed, either talking with Kaia or watching the antics of the young children. She longed to get up and do anything besides just lying there; even taking the kitchen duty everyone wanted to avoid would be better that nothing. When Zena tried to leave on a fishing trip Gabby was just as surprised at her own reaction as her mother was.
After Evergreen left, Gabby was holding onto everything she loved with a death grip, and the prospect of Zena leaving, even for few days, terrified Gabby. She knew if anyone decided to leave she would not be able to follow on her own. This was perhaps her biggest spur in focusing all her attention on making her legs work again. Her worry made the fact that her sisters would never leave her disappear from her mind.

All day long Gabby silently tried to move her legs even an inch under the covers of her bed. However, her relentless attempts at movement were to no avail. The invisible lead weights attached to her injured legs seemed to remain securely in place.

This monotony was interrupted one day by something no one in the house expected. Gabby was talking with Kaia, and continuing her attempts at mobility when an argument between the children started. Not paying a lot of attention to the almost every day occurrence, the young girl didn’t even pause in her conversation. It was only after the argument escalated into a screaming match that Gabby started to pay closer attention. What she had not expected to see next was dozens of mice suddenly swarm all throughout the room. Just barely stifling a scream of disgust, Gabby searched for something to shoo the mice away from her bed, since she was not able to physically get away from them. The next ten minutes seemed to last forever as all mayhem broke loose in the small living area. The adults showed up swinging swords and other weapons at the tiny creatures, and Gabby was almost sat on by Sumire in the woman’s attempt to fend off the mice. The many children that occupy the house were either screaming or crying in panic as the mice scuttled by their feet. All Kaia and Gabby could do was laugh nervously to hide their own disgust of the rodents running everywhere. When the ordeal was over, and all of the mice were finally captured everyone waited for Kaisa to enter and ask what was going on, and no one wanted to be the one to explain. As if on cue the matriarch of the family entered the room looking none to happy, but left with no more information than before, as no one would offer any. A collective sigh of relief was breathed when it seemed the subject would just be left unspoken of and unexplained.

After the excitement had died down, Gabby was left once again to contemplate her basic uselessness to her sisters in her present condition. Once the young girl was sure Zena had left the room to show Kaisa the fish she had caught on her expedition, Gabby called over Kaia.

She whispered, “Hey Kaia, I’m going to try and walk okay? My legs don’t hurt, and its been a few days so I will be fine.” When Gabby say the look of uncertainty on her friends face she reassured her by telling her all she needed her to do was be there in case she needed extra support.

“Don’t worry Kaia. And besides I’m going to do it regardless, so you might as well be there in case I fall down or something..... which I won’t.”, Gabby added as an afterthought to mostly reassure herself instead of Kaia.

With this said, and without another word Gabby threw off her blanket and used her arms to swing her legs over the side of the bed. With a steadying breath to brace herself she stood up to put her full body weight on her legs, which were still nowhere near there normal condition. It took less than two seconds for Gabby to realize she was not ready to support her weight, and she found herself collapsing on top of her useless legs. It wasn’t exactly pain Gabby felt at that moment, it was more like the temperature of her legs was raised a few degrees. The girl didn’t want to see what her legs looked like right then. Kaia tried to hold Gabby up, but not being any larger than her friend she was struggling to stay upright herself. Luckily for both of the girls Puella walked into the room and immediately scooped Gabby up into her arms. Before she had a chance to ask what was going on Zena came in and did it for her. Puella transferred Gabby into her mothers arms and simply shrugged. Grabbing Kaia by the sleeve she left Gabby and Zena alone.

After seeing Gabby wasn’t in pain Zena immediately started in on what happened. “What happened Gabby!? Did you fall out of bed? If you didn’t somehow fall out of that bed, then you must have been doing something you know isn’t very smart. Because we both know, your legs are no where near strong enough to support your little amazon self. So tell me what happened.” Zena asked, without putting Gabby down.

“Mom.....mom.... mom.... mother.... Zena!” Gabby tried to interject during her mothers speech. When Zena finally got out everything she had to say Gabby continued, “I know I shouldn’t have tried getting out of bed. But it’s just that..... well I’m pretty useless right now... and it’s been so long, and my legs don’t hurt at all... and what if we want to leave before I can move... and I just wanna walk again!... soon.... Mom, I will walk again soon, won’t I?”


EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 326
(9/5/03 10:41 pm)
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KINSHIP
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Vassaly


She stood watching the entire event transpire before her as she tried to pluck the reminders of the carp from her hair. Her present surroundings was not the ostentatious beauty of a Roman Villa where she had spent cool evenings walking in the gardens with Leara, but it was home.

Home…if she were here, it would be complete she thought as mice chased by children, and Amazons chasing both children and mice, provided more entertainment than the traveling Bards that came through the village two seasons ago. This indeed was Kaisa’s home, and in all the years of children and grandchildren, she remained the port in the chaotic harbor.

She watched the Amazons and the kinship that easily flowed among them. No two were alike in looks or personality, nor were the additional women they absorbed as their own along the way. An odd lot they were, but what was clear, and palatable, was the deep and abiding sense of kinship…of belonging one to the other. How could it be that the old mother in Rome could capriciously order the destruction of these women who would not harm another save to protect their own?

There was no choice but to warn them. A great sacrifice was in the balance, but she knew the right thing she must do, and the price it would exact. The decision was done and there would be no going back.

Perhaps the one they call Zena, the one who was obviously the leader of this stray pack of warrior women, could provide a saving grace, could take her to Evergreen. She had listened carefully and heard them all called by name. But the the one she sought appeared not to be among them.

Zena would have the answer, and hopefully a way to salvage the band of women as well as the one she knew her heart must betray. And for the latter act, there would be no redemption- for the price was beyond measure.

"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 9/7/03 6:46 am

[Joxcenia]

BhenRudha
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(9/7/03 3:03 am)
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Hospitality
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She had forgotten the pleasure of sleep, and so reveled a long moment in the heavy contentment of her body. Yawning hugely, she rolled over, pleased that the knot of pain had remained where she had placed it. The light she could see was white and clean, telling her that it was barely past dawn. She could probably use more rest, but it had been many years since she had been able to sleep through a night, her body had gotten used to it.

She felt better than she had since waking up in the forest after the battle with Kedos. The scar on her chest pulsed as she thought the name, but even this she could handle with grace this morning.

With a stretch, she sat up. Her legs twinged, and she grinned, pleased again that she had stayed in Ergo’s saddle well enough to be sore. She found her boots, belt and baldric settled neatly by the side of her cot, and her practice stick set up against the wall as if it were a real sword. It was just a cudgel if anything, but the fact that she was allowed a weapon of her own was a great comfort.

It was about that time that Kaisa walked through with an armload of towels. The matron of the house saw Bhen Rudha awake, and motioned with her head to follow. Doing as she was told, she slipped out of bed and moved quietly in Kaisa’s wake. In short order she was helping to stack towels in the bath chamber.

“Hey, you’re tall enough, reach me that jar up on the shelf, would you dear?” Kaisa asked, pointing to the desired object.

“Aye Seanmháthair, bein’ jest a moment,” the Red Woman answered, folding the last towel in her hands and setting it down. She turned and stretched to reach the required jar, asking, “Bein’ this one, aye?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Hand it here, please.”

“O’ course. Bein’ anathin’ else ye be needin’ Seanmháthair?” She stood at ease, pleased to be of use.

“No, no . . . this will do,” Kaisa said, uncorking the jar and taking a sniff. “This is the stuff all right.” She offered the jar back to the Red Woman, saying, “This salve should help bring that bruise down. Quite the shiner you’ve got there. How about the other guy?”

Taking the jar with a grin, she replied, “I dinnae be thinkin’ he be hittin’ a woman ana time soon, aye?”

“Good for you! So, now I’ll leave you to the bath I’m sure you’re wanting. If you give me your clothes, I’ll see them washed and mended, okay?”

“Aye Seanmháthair, I be most wantin’ a wash. Though ye dinnae be needin’ ta be worryin’ abou’ me clothes. I be handy enough with a needle an’ thread.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about it. It’s the least I can do for one of my Phalon’s friends,” Kaisa replied, motioning for the other woman to proceed.

“Go raibh maith, agat, Seanmháthair. Be thankin’ ye,” Bhen Rudha said with a small bow. She quickly took off her tunic and trews, handing them over to the older woman. “I dinnae be thinkin’ they be sae dirty as o’ tha’. Bu’ I be thinkin’ ta be ha’en’ clothes washed proper bein’ a good thin’ aye?”

“That’s the spirit,” Kaisa said, smiling.

The Red Woman saw the older woman’s eyes tracking over her body, taking in the slice on her side and scar on her chest. She stood the scrutiny calmly, waiting till Kaisa said something.

Finally the matron gusted a sigh and shook her head, saying, “I don’t know what you have been doing out there in the wild. And I don’t think I want to know. But I will say this, to you and all the others . . . you’re safe here. Stay as long as you like. This is my house, and no guest of mine will come to any harm.”

“Yer hospitality be more than generous, I dinnae thin’ I cen be repayin’ ye proper. Bu’ I be tryin’ aye?”

Kaisa waved a hand, “Don’t worry yourself dear, I am only too happy to help out.”

Bhen Rudha frowned a little, determined not to simply drop the rules of hospitality. “Seanmháthair, I be nae after bein’ a bard, ta be tellin’ news or singin’ tales fer me supper. I be strong o’ arm an’ back, howe’er, an’ I cen be puttin’ in some work fer ye, aye?”

“Well, enjoy your bath, and then we’ll see what we can do, hmm?” Kasia said with a smile.

“Aye, I be glad fer it.”

“Go ahead and get into the bath, and I’ll be back with some clothes for you to wear. You might have to borrow something of Gelasuis’ . . . you’re too tall to fit anyone else’s things,” Kaisa said, patting the Red Woman on the arm before heading out.

Small wisps of steam floated on the water, and so she wasted no time slipping into the tub. The heat immediately went to her bones, and she nearly groaned in pleasure. She slipped beneath the surface, running her fingers through her hair, before settling in for a short soak.

A timid knock at the door brought her back from the doze she had slipped into. “Aye, be comin’ in,” she said, sitting up in the tub.

Wide hazel eyes peeked around the door, blinking owlishly at the Red Woman. “Gramma sez to give you these clothes. Are you really so big that you have to wear something of Dad’s?” said the little girl who remained mostly out of sight.

Bhen Rudha could not help but chuckle, “Och . . . I dinnae thin’ I be sae large as yer Athair, though, I am after bein’ mighty tall.”

“Oh, okay then.” Reassured, the girl came into the room, her arms full of a tunic and pair of pants. “I’ll just set them here for you, okay?”

“Aye, tha’ be fine. Go raibh maith, agat . . .”

“Ohh, Auntie Phalon sez that means thank you! She said that if you said that, I should bob a curtsey,” the girl pulled out the hem of her tunic and dropped a short curtsey before continuing, “and then I have’ta say . . . ta fall cha row it . . . is that right?”

“Aye! Bein’ verra good ta be hearin’ me own language!” the Red Woman exclaimed with unfeigned delight.

The girl beamed, her eyes sparkling with success. She bit her lip for a moment, then asked, “Can you teach me something else?”

Tapping her lip, the woman nodded, “Aye. Ye be wantin’ ta be greatin’ people good mornin’?”

“Yeah!”

“Then be sayin’ maidin maith. Cen ye be sayin’ tha’?”

“Mah jin my?”

“Tha verra same. Be tryin’ tha’ on yer Aintín Phalon, aye?” she said with a smile. The girl smiled back, repeated her new greeting a couple times more to make sure she had it right, then scampered off.

Chuckling still from the encounter, Bhen Rudha quickly washed and rinsed, enjoying being clean immensely. The clothes laid out for her were overlarge, but she rolled the sleeves and hems and cinched the waistband tight. They were clean and warm, and felt so soft against her skin she had no reason to complain.

She ran her hands through her close cropped hair, smoothing it down as best she might, knowing that it would stand up in spikes and short curls once it dried. It was certainly easier to brush this way . . . and a welcome reminder that she was no longer in servitude.

Feeling better than she had in a very long time, she left the bathing room and made her way to the kitchen, where the sounds of some sort of work already echoed. As she entered, Kasia, Phalon, and the girl who had delivered her clothes chorused, “Maidin maith!”

Laughing, Bhen Rudha bowed a little and said, “Aye, maidin maith, an’ Bandiá daoibh ta ye all.”

“What does ban gee uh geeve, mean?” the girl asked.

“Bein’ a wish tha’ tha Goddess be with ye all. If’n yer after wishin’ one person, ye be sayin’ Bandiá duit.”

“Ban gee uh getch? Are you sure?”

Unable to keep from laughing more, she nodded, “Aye! I be thinkin’ I be knowin’ tha language o’ me homeland, aye?”

Still uncertain, the girl looked to her Aunt Phalon, who nodded sagely, and said, “Just like you know the language of your homeland, right Alida? Which is?”

“I know Greek, cuz I live in Greece? And cuz my family speaks Greek?” When Phalon nodded, Alida turned back to Bhen Rudha and asked, “Does your family speak your language? Do you look like your mother? Gramma says I look like my mom a little.”

Her smile turned bittersweet, and she crossed to the girl and knelt, explaining, “Me Máthair be singin’ me cradle song an’ such in Gaeilge, sae I be speakin’ it like me whole country, aye? An’ I dinnae be thinkin’ I be lookin’ sae much like her. She be nae sae tall, an’ bein’ much more graceful than me. An’ her eye be green with gold, tha mirror o’ mine, which be gold with green, aye? She be full o’ tha Bandiá, an’ it be makin’ her sae beautiful.”

“Sounds like you miss her.”

“Och . . . I be missin’ her verra much.”

“Then why don’t you go see her?”

“I be nae seein’ her again this side o’ tha Summerland,” she said, pushing the words through a thickening throat. She had never actually said the words before . . . she had thought them, surely, but never put them into the air, where they were real. Her eyes suddenly felt tight and her breath hitched.

[Joxcenia]

BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 329
(9/7/03 3:03 am)

Hospitality (Continued)

“Alida, why don’t we let our guest have some breakfast, and go see if the supplies are here?” Kaisa broke in before the girl could ask another question, a sympathetic smile on her lips.

“Okay Gramma!” With a typical child’s attention span, she turned away and skipped out of the kitchen.

Kaisa sighed, watching the child leave, the turned to the Red Woman, saying, “I’m sorry about that. Kids . . .”

Rising to her feet, she lifted a hand to forestall the explanation. “I be knowin’ Seanmháthair, an’ I dinnae be mindin’ sae.”

The matriarch smiled and nodded. “Well, you missed most of breakfast while you were in the bath, but I did save you some bread, cheese, and fruit. You’re welcome to help yourself at the table. When Phalon and I are done, you can help us start dinner.”

“I be glad ta.”

“Good, now that wagon’s not going to unload itself, so I had better see to it. Enjoy your breakfast. Come on Phalon . . .” And Kaisa bustled out of the kitchen with wayward daughter in tow, leaving the Red Woman shaking her head.

In the sudden quiet of the kitchen, she found a place to sit, and began breaking her fast.


Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 773
(9/7/03 6:32 pm)
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Bonds
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We were never meant to be singular. Our completion comes only in conjunction with another. The bonding has a label, we call it family or friend or even pet. We must achieve the joining that repeats back to us what we are fearful to tell ourselves: “You belong. You are wanted. You are needed.” And so within us is a longing for that bond that is so fierce that we will search all our lives for it, bring it to existence in a hundred different forms and in the end suffer and die for it, exulting in the supreme joy of having had the experience of it.

Zena heard the small voice at her side sadly proclaim the disaster. She looked down at the little face turned up toward hers and with a gentle hand wiped back the tears on Apollo’s cheek. The corners of her mouth turned up just slightly and she nodded in acknowledgement of his embarrassment and air of failure.
“Apollo, you are a man of action. You see a need and act upon it. You are my kind of man.” His eyebrows shot up and he dared a small grin.
“I thought she was hungry Zee, so I...”
“I know, I know. You did what you thought was right.” He looked small and sad.
“I’m going to run away. No one will ever find me. I’ll be a soldier."
She knelt beside him so that they were eye to eye and she could see that he appreciated the gesture that they were on equal footing.
“Apollo, I will tell you a thing I learned from my wise friend Evergreen. Would you like to hear it?” He nodded for her to go ahead.
“The important thing is not that we make mistakes, it is something we all do. It’s what we do afterwards that is important. What do you think about that wisdom?"
Apollo looked at his dirty bare toes and frowned. He shuffled a bit and then his face lit up and he turned his shining eyes to Zena.
“I think I should tell Sumi I am sorry and help Gramma make dinner for everyone.”
“Good man. Come help me with the fish.”
“Can you still be my pet?”
“Can I be your partner instead?”
“’Kay. We’ll be partners."
She rose and took the string of fish from Vassaly who had stood quietly watching them, surprised at the gentleness of the “wild” Amazon woman. Zena gave one to Apollo to carry and the they went into the kitchen where dinner was being prepared, Vassaly trailing behind them.

The catch was accepted by Kaisa who admired the fish and Zena’s skill as provider of the feast. The matron patted Zena’s cheek and she felt an unexpected tightening in throat as she received the compliments. How good it would have been to have a mother like this! Still, she had Evergreen...the thought of her missing sister brought sudden tears and she slipped out while Kaisa was explaining the glory of oregano on fish to a rather disinterested Xendra. Vassaly watched her go and pondered how she would ever catch her alone in this swirling mass of people. The house lacked the orderliness of the inn and the discipline of the Roman house but it was wonderful to be a part of it.

Zena brushed the tears back quickly with the back of her hand and returned to the sleeping quarters just in time to see Gabby scooped up from the support of Kaia by Puella. She took a stride forward and Puella transferred Gabby into her mother’s arms simply shrugging as she slipped her strong arm out from under the girl’s back. Kaia and Puella disappeared through the arch to the kitchen.
“What happened Gabby!?”
“Mom..”
“Did you fall out of bed?”
“.....mom”
“If you didn’t somehow fall out of that bed, then you must have been doing something you know isn’t very smart.”
“.... mom”
“Because we both know, your legs are no where near strong enough to support your little Amazon self.”
.... mother.... Zena!"
Zena finally stopped talking and quietly asked, “So tell me what happened.” She gave her daughter one good hug, tucking the young woman’s head under her chin briefly so she could kiss the top of her head, and lowered her gently to the bed adjusting her pillows and smoothing the rough cotton blankets. Gabby grabbed her hands in her own to stop her from fussing with the cloth. She looked directly into Zena’s eyes just as Apollo had done a few moments before.
“I know I shouldn’t have tried getting out of bed. But it’s just that..... well I’m pretty useless right now... and it’s been so long, and my legs don’t hurt at all... and what if we want to leave before I can move... and I just wanna walk again!... soon.... Mom, I will walk again soon, won’t I?” The honest pleading made Zena catch her breath. From the depths of her heart she gave her own honest answer. She shifted the position of her work roughened hands so that she now held Gabby’s smooth ones in a firm grip. The look she returned to Gabby was of unrelenting love and hope.
“You WILL walk. Soon. Red took your pain and I am grateful but pain is the body’s warning. If you had pain you would know that it isn’t time yet. Be patient. Heal. We are welcome here until we are ready to leave, and that will be when you are ready to walk."
Gabby pulled free and wrapped her arms about her mother’s neck. Safe in the warmth of the embrace they did not hear the pounding on the shop door.

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Joxcenia]

gabbin
Registered Member
Posts: 563
(9/9/03 12:05 pm)
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Frieda friezes
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The gossip was running rampant-whispers were hissed in out-of-the way places and guffaws burst out of tavern doors. Frieda had heard them, how could she not, they came drifting in on the tips of the customers tongues barely held in by their buzzing lips. Some came in pieces and some in long stories, stories of all kinds. "Did you hear about the murdering gang of tramp women who are in town?" ...."One of them says she is related and they believe her"...."The long lost runaway tramp, look what has become of her, ha!" ......"They are evil and desperate, they are a motley crew, beware." Frieda tried to ignore the stories and, also, her own growing awareness of her curiosity in meeting this scary band of mauraders-so it came as no surprise the day that a young girl showed up at her door asking for her to come by the general store and show some of her wares-that Frieda's heart skipped a beat and, she decided to do the unusual and go along with her sewing friend Metussa, who would normally do the marketing for her-to satiate her curiosity. Leaning ut the window, Frieda thought; I am just a tad interested in them, not much, just a little bit, I like meeting people and they are just regular visitors and all...just for a sales anyway, I will not talk just listen, just for a few minutes, perhaps, nothing to cause gossip about myself.

The next day, Metussa and Frieda sauntered off to the store and knocked on the door with great trepidation, shuffling of feet and licking of lips-they were scared. Damaris, the shopkeeper opened the door and asked them in. The two bungled their way in, Frieda knocking over some object which broke on the floor-the scent of olive oil arose from it-Metussa apologized profusely for not keeping Frieda clear of it, and, Frieda apologized for hitting it-that always frustrated her-and offered a few dinars to replace it. Suddenly Frieda smelled the aroma, Ooooo, what was that? She had a strong urge to flee the store, remembering why she rarely went out showing her wares, but suddenly realized what the smell was-death, filth, stench of horses and sweat-Frieda covered her mouth. She heard the sounds of voices in the back-women's voices, all kinds, and children's voices....now she could here their conversations and laughter, the sounds utensils, shuffling boots, creaking of beds, the flow of sound assaulting her ears. She was very excited and scared now, her hands nervously running back and forth over her soft flannel and cotton wares-trying to soothe herself. She was only half listening to Damaris's words-her body tense as she was on alert and her senses at their most attune to the dangerous feeling of this group of women strangers.

Damaris took her arm and felt the resistance while leading Frieda to the backroom. She was breathing hard now as the inevitable meeting of people she could not see, she had no idea what they looked like or would think of her-would they be cruel? Think her useless? Come by and steal her shop, money, wares? "Everyone? This is Mrs. McFlannel and Metussa, the seamstress." Damaris was saying...silence...Frieda could only hear the various different types of breathing-helping her to assess heights of some of them-and movements-which gave her some idea of their builds. The scent practically made her faint, she did not feel good. "She has brought Cotton and wool blankets, dresses, some pants, coats and such, so, please sit down and put away the weapons and such."-grumbling and a few grunts were heard. Weapons? Did she say weapons? Frieda felt for a chair, someone handed one to her and she collapsed down in it, hugging her woolys-allowing Metussa to take over-she was too frozen to move, afraid of what they might do if they didn't like the wares, or if they like them-did they even have money? Would they kill her and take them?

Edited by: gabbin at: 9/9/03 8:23 pm

phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1476
(9/14/03 12:02 am)
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Bringing to Bay
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Kaisa lead the way back to the kitchen, and Phalon, slightly amused after the mouse fiasco, followed with the others, tails tucked like puppy dogs caught doing something wrong. She knew her mother had a good idea of what went on in the other room, though lacking any details. Kaisa always knew. Even as kids, she and Gelasuis could not slip anything by her. Phalon’s father said her mother had eyes in the back of her head, and Phalon as a child always tried to sneak a peek, hoping to glimpse those all-seeing eyes under the large knot of braided hair that Kaisa wore at the at the back of her head. Though now she certainly knew better, she couldn’t help but wonder, exactly what would she find under that now silver braided knot?

Oh Apollo! The poor, sweet boy, always trying to help, but usually ending up caught in one kind of predicament or another. She would have to track him down after kitchen duty and have a talk with him. Tell him a story to make him feel better – perhaps the story of when she and Gelasuis decided a good pet to have would be a pig. Where they were going to get this pig was of no matter to them. They only knew a pig needed mud to play in. Wanting their yet-to-be-found pet to be happy upon arrival into its new home, they filled the courtyard, Kaisa’s courtyard, with mud. Whoo-boy, was there Tartarus to pay after that one. Hhmm…on second thought, maybe this was not such a good story to tell to Apollo. No sense in putting more ideas into his imaginative head.

Back in the kitchen, Kaisa took a string of fish from a woman who wore them like a shawl about her neck. Phalon took little notice, if any, of the woman until this moment, having been caught up in the rodent chaos in the other room. Who was she and when did she arrive? Kaisa seemed to know her quite well. Phalon judged her to be about her own age, and was dressed in what she imagined was once Roman finery, but now was covered in fish filth. How odd. She looked familiar, but Phalon was having trouble placing her. She felt she should know her, but yet…

Rappa, tap, tap. Someone was knocking at the door.

Damaris answered, and ushered into the room two young women, one carrying an armload of materials and clothing, the other led in on Damaris’ arm. It was the latter of the two, the small, frightened looking one that held Phalon’s attention. The flaming curls about her face, the nervous shaking hands, but mostly those eyes. So green, so clear, so still, so fam…

“Phalon,” A hand on her shoulder, and her mother’s voice whispering in her ear. “It’s a good thing Frieda can’t see your jaw scraping the floor. Close your mouth, dear. The resemblance in striking, isn’t it? I suppose I should have warned you.”

Phalon shut her mouth, but continued to stare at the girl, who was obviously uncomfortable being here. Scared even. Xendra scooted a chair towards her and the girl sat down readily, perhaps relieved to have something steady her.

“Hello, Frieda Rose.” The other stranger, the one with the fish necklace offered her greeting.

“Vassaly?! Back from Rome? What brings you here?”

Vassaly. Of course. Phalon was ashamed she did not recognize a childhood friend. They had played together often as children, and when the Romans came and swept through town, destroying buildings and families and lives, killing without reason and at random, Vassaly’s parents and Phalon’s beau only a few of the many casualties, Kaisa welcomed Vassaly and her brother into her home. That was so long ago, and Phalon had left so quickly afterwards, that Phalon supposed it was not unforgivable that she did not recognize her. She wondered if it was a mutual unrecognition. She had changed so in the years that followed.

“I could ask you the same question, Frieda.” Vassaly remember clearly the ugly gossip and far fetched rumors that surrounded the inn when Leara lay upstairs, recovering from the wound to her head, townsfolk, who had no reason to come to the inn other than to try to glimpse the curiosity, to say they had seen and spoke with the wild woman before her death. But Leara had recovered, and Vassaly could only imagine the gossip that followed when they left together.

Frieda fidgeted uncomfortably in the chair. “But in answer to your question, Freida, Leara of Rome brings me here.”

Phalon, holding bay leaves meant to be added to the kettle of soup on the hearth, instead threw the leaves into the fire, hoping to hear the wonderful crackling of the burning leaves, signifying the promise of good omens, but instead the leaves were silent, giving an ominous warning that care must be taken within the near future.


Edited by: phalon1 at: 9/14/03 12:10 am

[Joxcenia]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 330
(9/14/03 9:14 pm)
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Re: Whispers in the Dark
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The wind whistled through the canopy of trees overhead causing the branches to sway and sing in the moonlight. Stars danced in and out of openings as the pine needles parted to allow the light to seep through to the forest floor. The troops found it strange that she shunned the tent and softness of the feather filled mattress choosing instead a solitary blanket upon the open ground. To her it was comforting. She half expected to be called by name in the night as the last of the logs in the fire crackled and fell. But what name? And who was the voice she listened for in the dark?

These things puzzled her. Shadows danced on the ground and in her mind. She did not sleep well, although weary from traveling in and out of one common village or another. Always searching…always looking for the one…the one who has become a ghost that has been seen, but vanishes in the mist just out of reach.

And when she did sleep she dreamed. Such dreams she thought perhaps could best be deciphered by a haruspex, that is, if she truly believed in omens and the reading of entrails. Perhaps it could explain the night visitors. They came as two women who stood peering over her, softly speaking words that her ears could not hear. Two names were called and she could feel warm, familiar, hands pulling her as the women whispered in the dark.

And each morning with the dawn she kneeled by the edge of some stream or small creek trying to wash away with the cold water the cobwebs entangled in her mind by the night.
Soon they would arrive at the village given over for a few silver coins by a traveling bard.

Perhaps it was just another story woven from the imagination or perhaps if it be the truth, the journey would be finally at its end. She could dispatch with her obligation and return to…return to where? Return to what? The soft gray eyes had left taking with her the only home she knew. How could anyone be so lost in the midst of knowing exactly where they are?

Tomorrow. Tomorrow they would march once again, but for now, she turned on her side, pulled the blanket around her arms, closed her eyes and slept as the wind whispered her name. Evergreen.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 784
(9/15/03 7:44 pm)
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Re: Whispers in the Kitchen
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Zena gave her daughter one last hug, a pat on the cheek and slipped away from her bed. “I think I’ll go see what’s happening to our fish dinner.” Gabby sighed and lay back again, temporarily comforted. Her mother wandered back through the stone arch and found that visitors had been welcomed into Kaisa’s kitchen. The two women had a stack of fabrics spread out on the rough wooden table as if they had come to trade or sell but they looked ill at ease. One looked about with the empty gaze of one who cannot see with her eyes, but searches for vision with the heart. She shifted in her chair and held the hand of her companion. Perhaps they were not used to women who moved about them with such strength and confidence. Indeed, everyone stood very close to them, admiring their finely woven cloth. Zena noticed that their swords and daggers were piled in one corner and she guessed that Kaisa had ordered it done.

“But in answer to your question, Freida, Leara of Rome brings me here.” Zena came into the room behind Vassaly just as she spoke and startled her by speaking in a low and measured tone over Vassaly’s left shoulder. “We know Leara. What news do you bring of her?”

Clearly Vassaly was surprised that the Zena and the Amazons would have met Leara. Vassaly’s head turned in Zena’s direction.
“You mean you know of her,” she corrected.
“No. We KNOW her. She has travelled and fought with us.”
“That can’t be so. She knew nothing of your...group. Only the stories that her mother told her and of what the one called Evergreen had done."
Zena stiffened at the sound of Evergreen’s name and she raised one eyebrow.
“And what did this Leara you supposedly knew, say that Evergreen has done?” Vassaly turned her whole body slowly to face Zena and look into her eyes.
The tension between them was like the taut ropes on the sails of the vessal that had brought Vassaly home. If the pull was too strong, the rope would break. She felt the protectiveness in Zena’s voice and wondered how the elusive Evergreen was connected to Zena. Before she could respond however, Kaisa broke in, to keep the peace and spirit of hospitality alive in her small home.
“Now Vassaly, Zena, this heavy talk can wait until later. Frieda and Metussa are here to show us their cloth after we all have a good meal together.” She bustled in between them moving fish, fabric and people to their proper places. Phalon had frozen in her place near the hearth and came alive then, tossing some bay leaves into the fire. Although they made no sound as they burned, they filled the room with a pleasant and soothing aroma. The feeling of relaxation was gone however, and even good food and wine could not bring it back.

Zena watched Vassaly through the meal, evaluating her and speaking quietly only to Xendra or Puella about the generous selection of foods Kaisa had prepared. She left the room briefly to bring a dish to Gabby and returned as they cleared the table to spread out the fabrics. As the stack of cloth came to the table her mind wandered back to a small shop in Aegina by the Sea and a promise she had made long ago. She held a soft, cream colored fabric gently in her fingers and inquired of Metussa, “Can you embroider on a garment?”

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Joxcenia]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 334
(9/15/03 11:37 pm)
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A House Divided
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The tension between them was like the taut ropes on the sails of the vessel that had brought Vassaly home. If the pull was too strong, the rope would break. She felt the protectiveness in Zena’s voice and wondered how the elusive Evergreen was connected to Zena.

She quietly sat down at the large table, passing platters of food to her left then right, listening to the women as they talked about nothing in particular. She was grateful for Kaisa’s interruption. The look in the eyes of the one called Zena held a story that she perhaps would not want the disclosure of an implied disconcerting conclusion. Odd. She felt some bond with this tall dark haired woman, and yet, felt afraid. There was something just beyond the reach of the tongue, connected but separate.

She tugged at the loaf of fresh bread handed from across the table by the one called Red who appeared to be able to see directly into her thoughts. “Thank you” she said as she quickly averted fiery eyes. She dipped a small portion of the hard crust into her wine and was startled at the bitterness of the crimson liquid. Did everything have to remind her of Rome, even the sweetness of wine poured from a different cask?

She studied Zena and wondered what message she had for her in exchange for the one she must deliver to the laughing women sharing a communal meal. Perhaps she should approach Phalon as they at least were connected by the bonds of family although long ago separated by time. How could it be that Phalon found herself among the women who reminded her so much of Leara by dress and manner of speech? Surely she could shed some ray of understanding on why Zena should say that Leara had been among them…fought with them…knew them.

Apollo climbed up beside her and in his child like way, sensed that such a sadness was a part of her like a song that could not be forgotten and was sung over and over in the heart. Standing up on the long trestle bench he reached for her face, cupping it in his small hands.

“It’s okay… Ze won’t be mad at ya…she didn’t get mad at me when I turned lose all my mouses.”

Vassaly looked into the small caring face wondering how it was that he knew of her inner conversations. By her choice in life, she had never wanted children. And although she raised her dear brother, she entertained thoughts what it would be like to see her own gray eyes peering back at her from the face of a child.

The interlude was quickly dismissed with the gratitude that she at least had a place among all of Kaisa’s clan. How could she be responsible for a child when she herself was so lost? Kissing Apollo on the cheek amid a children’s chorus of muted giggles, Vassaly thanked him for him telling her about Ze.

She turned her attention to the two cautious women who had brought cloth and felt no animosity towards them. She fully understood the whispers, the side glances, and talk of the villagers. She was never one to bow to decorum and would apologize to no one for how she felt about Leara or leaving with her to journey to Rome.

At the conclusion of the meal, Zena held a soft, cream colored fabric gently in her fingers and inquired of Metussa, “Can you embroider on a garment?” Her words were more than a simple request. The tone of the question took on an element of desperate reverence. Vassaly looked to Phalon who silently mouthed the word Evergreen as she pointed to Zena offering up the fabric to the seamstress.

She nodded her head indicating an understanding to her sister while still curious at this questioning of the woman about placing a design on a tunic for a person who obviously was not there. And, if she was not among them, then where might she be? It all was quiet strange…quiet strange indeed.

"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 9/15/03 11:52 pm

[Joxcenia]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 58
(9/16/03 2:30 am)
Reply
A Song Played, a Decision Made.
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As the room went from mulling about to being directed to the kitchens by Kaisa, Sumire went to her bundle of items on her cot. Withdrawing something, she quickly made her way outside. She whispered an apology as she rushed past Zena and the Red woman who were talking about what had just happened.

It took a few turns past this building and that before she slowed. Finding herself in an alleyway she stopped. Once completely alone her body convulsed in shiver after shiver and each breath tripped over the next as she thought of mice crawling over her body. Swiping at nonexistent rodents, she made noises of disgust.

She was deeply bothered to hear herself sound so inarticulate so she tried to let loose with all the worst phrases she could think of. It was actually difficult to find suitable phrases to match her disgust. That is, until she remembered a couple of things she had heard retainers and soldiers say. She tried them out and they seemed vulgar enough for the occasion...but still, hearing those words from her mouth made her nervous. She looked around a few times to make sure no one had heard her say such obscenities. Soon she was blushing with embarrassment and even let go a shaky giggle. The horrid words seemed to at least have helped with the after thought of mice.

One last full body shiver and she drew the object she had brought with her from its cloth sheath. Taking the flute in still trembling fingers she brought it to her mouth. Her first tentative breath was too weak and ill placed. The rasp was guide enough. Adjusting the angle, she let a sigh turn into a tentative coaxing. Another sound came, closer but still thin and feeble as her breath.

Her breathing was still hitched, still too fast, and her heart thudded. She felt a cold trickle of sweat draw a path down her back. In order to honor the instrument she needed to control her breathing. It was an exercise she was used to .

Countering the fluttering of her lungs with her will, she drew a deep breath, held it a moment, thought of Jappa and then let flow a silent memory that the flute understood and lent its honeyed voice too. It spoke of an autumn’s afternoon light in the gardens of the Teahouse.

Who would deserve to return to Jappa with such behavior?

The melody faltered and she started again, ignoring thoughts that interrupted the communion she shared with the flute. The song lifted again, telling of the pond with koi at the edge of the gardens on the path to the palace.

How could you be so stupid? What where you thinking? Mice?? Of all things MICE!!

She trembled, and the melody did as well, failing to soar past the more recent memory of rodents. Forcing through the fading vision of being chased about the room, she tried to catch a more distant memory. The voice of the flute began again. The path to the palace from the Teahouse ended in a steep set of steps, sometimes with a drifting carpet of cherry blossom.

“I am from Jappa. All people from Jappa look like I do; have these eyes.” Was that so hard a thing to say? Why did you have to complicate matters? Now the poor child is in trouble because of your lies! You have shamed your hostess! What where you thinking?? She knows exactly what happened. Who do you think you were fooling?

Eyebrows knit together as she held on to the verse till it finished. Her memory cast out to reach for a stronger image to distract from her own stinging words. The voice of the flute brought a melody of the sound of cicadas that suffused the summer with their trilling.

And then you abandoned Oukami like a silly child fretting over creatures! How can you face any of them? Weeping in front of strangers like some child?

Another sound of the summer was the birds that quarreled in the trees outside of the palace. Loud and cheerful, full of the summer’s light.

Letting your body be used by foreign men? What happened to the icon that was Lady Sumire?

She shivered again but it was no longer a matter of mice. This was a battle she seemed to be fighting every day of late. And every day it was more and more bleak as the truth refused to be left behind.

And of course, who failed the house by failing to throw herself before the arrows that slew a Lord of Kageyama? You have become a shameful representation of Kageyama. How can you live in such disgrace?

The voice of the flute fluttered to the ground like a brittle autumn leaf as her hard fought breath withered to a tired sigh. Memory of birdsong could not compete with such an undeniable wall of granite. She lowered the flute and gazed into the blankness of the alley walls.

Flute song usually calmed her, but it was no longer working. Was this just another thing that was falling away from her? The thought of losing her gift was impossible to bear. It seemed like it was the only thing she had left.

A mixture of despair and anger ran through her in waves. Head lowered and hands fisted at her side, she glared at the cobble stones at her bare feet.

“What has become of me?”

After the sudden stillness, the whispered words were so loud they echoed in her head. She had to glance aside to see if anyone would see her standing and shivering in the dark.

Indeed. How could she continue living when this had become her life? This wretchedness was now what she could look forward to and worse. There was more punishment to come, to be sure.

It had been the wrong decision, and now it was directing her to an inevitable truth:

She should not have lived.

It seemed so long ago that she had twisted her fate. But destiny was not such a thing to be so easily denied. With every day the reminder became worse. With each failure the weight of it smothered her:

She should not have lived.

But still she persisted. Like some bug who'd been trodden upon but still crawled on, dragging it's entrails behind it. So. This is what she had become.

Enough. She would end it then. She had no place here and Kageyama did not need some worthless memory of a servant.

She would end her visit gracefully, bid her thanks and take her leave of the family and women that had shown her their brand of kindness. And then she would go.

With the weighty decision settled, a deep breath drew in the cool evening air. Breathing seemed easy now.

Lifting the flute, she coaxed it to speak again. Together they sung of a quiet place where water flowing over rocks would be the last thing she heard.