The Alyta Trilogy: Handmaids, Heroes, and Hierarchy.

�Why?  Mommy dearest, look at this armband.  Do you see something wrong with it?  Well, I do.  It�s silver.  I�m the daughter of an Amazon Queen wearing silver armband.  This is incorrect.  You see, I deserve,� she says as she throws another dagger, �more.  Gold ones perhaps.  Yes, I think gold would do quite nicely.  And I know a pair that�s going to be freed up momentarily.�

�Alyta.  No!�  Sytifa says, lunging at Kirya.  A dagger is held out calmly and noiselessly enters Sytifa�s flesh.  She grabs the hilt and jerks it out of her before falling on the floor.

�Now that�s closer to fainting.  Good.  Serves you right for caring so much about someone who isn�t your daughter and so little for the one that is.�

�Kirya?� Sytifa asks dryly, clutching her wound.

Kirya flinches.  �You know my name?  How?�

�How do I now your name child?  I named you myself.�

�No.  No.  That�s wrong.  Jukuos named me.  He told me that he found me abandoned by you and gave me the name that means unwanted.  He is the only one who ever wanted me.  You left me.  You wanted me dead.�

�My love, is that the story Racial tells also?�

�My foster mother?  No, she says nothing.  What is your point old woman?�

�She is my sister, Kirya.  I left you with their family because they could love you more than I.�

�Stop it.  I won�t have your lies.  You will be silenced soon enough.  Now to find my birthright armbands and dispose of the worthless flesh they encircle.�

She leaves, and in her place a figure appears.  Ares looks with fake concern at the dying woman, who spits at him.  �No, we definitely can�t have anyone saving you,� he concedes.  She closes her eyes and when she opens them she is not in the palace room but in a saturated swamp, left alone to die.

                                                                        *~*~*

Jason is pointing out the constellations above: Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Draco� when a something black tarnishes the view. 

�Ah, the spoiled brat looks deeply into the eyes of the fraud.  The perfect couple.�  Jason and Alyta shuffle to their feet.  �I trust you got my message, deary?  Good.  Then we can begin.� 

Jason protests, �Alyta?  What is this about?  Do you know this girl?�  As he gets into a fighting stance. 

�No, but I have a feeling she knows me.�

�Yes, the fraud gets something right.  Ah.  I see the look of confusion in those dull eyes of yours, boyfriend.  She�s a fraud.  See those nice gold things on her arms?  Well, they belong to me.  The true daughter of the Amazon Queen, not the convenient prissy princess.  Still don�t get it?  Hmm, not too bright, are we?  Let�s see if you understand it this way, lover boy!�  She yells and kicks him.  He loses control and falls.