The Alyta Trilogy: Handmaids, Heroes, and Hierarchy.

Kirya looks over her shoulder, but sees the same sight: emptiness.  There is no one there.  A pool of blood is in one corner, but it does not lead anywhere, which would have been a sign that someone had walked away.  The blood is just there, calm and fresh.  But what of the body?  No evidence remains of castle guards coming to pick her up, and no god would want the body.  The only thing out of place is a scroll hastily written on.  Jason walks over to it and picks it up.  In a scrawl, it says, �Alyta, take Kirya as your sister.�  He hands it to Alyta, and she looks at it.  She closes her eyes and asks monotonously, �Your name is� Kirya?� 

Kirya nods her head solemnly, thinking about the note and what it would mean in her life.  Alyta has some different thoughts.  She swallows and then begins, �Sytifa has been my handmaid as long as I can remember.  When I was younger, she told me stories so I could fall asleep.  They were about Amazons and Kings and awoke my warrior spirit.  But the one she told most often was about a girl named Kirya.  She would always start out, �In a faraway forest, where the trees grow thick and flowers grow all year round, a baby was born.  This baby�s name was Kirya.  Do you know what the name Kirya means, Alyta?� and over the years, I�d know what to say -- �

�No good story can come from asking what the name Kirya means.  No one wants to hear that a baby was named �unloved and unwanted.��

�Well, in that case, it was a good story, because that�s not what the name Kirya means.  It means �infinite beauty and hope,� Kirya.�

�What?  My entire life I was told that my mother never wanted me.  I took this to mean that I was worthless.  After all, that�s what my uncle always told me my name meant: worthless and unwanted,� she bit her lip in shame, �my whole life has been a lie.�

�I thought it was all a myth to put me to sleep when I was younger.  She loved you Kirya, and missed you very much.  And now she wants us to be sisters.�

                                                                      *~*~*

Jason puts his hand up in the air.  Alyta raises hers, fingers outstretched, and their hands meet.  Standing there for a full minute, no words need to be spoken.  Alyta breaks off the touch, her eyes pleading for him not to break down as she laughs. 

�It�s not like I�m never coming back, Jase.  I couldn�t stay forever, you know.  I do have a life in Atlantis.  I just thought� well, a couple of weeks ago I thought that I�d be glad to go back home.  Now� I�m not so happy to go,� she straightens and sighs, �You, young man, have a kingdom to run, and can�t have any distractions.  These people,� she theatrically waves her arm towards the horizon, �need you.  Do not disappoint them.�

Jason smiles at her efforts to dissuade him.  They hug, and he whispers, �Not goodbye, love.  Never goodbye.  Just farewell.�

                                                                       *~*~*

By the third day of trekking through the woods to Atlantis, Kirya and Alyta have become close friends. 
�Was that a wolf?  Did you hear a wolf, �lyta?�
�Aw� come on, don�t tell me a little puppy scares an Amazon.�
�I just don�t like wolves, okay?  Sheesh, remind me not to help next time a god of war comes along.�
�If I remember correctly, you were on his side for a large part of that fight--� Alyta stops. 
�What, what is it?  What do you hear?� Kirya asks, her defenses up.  Another twig snaps in the distance.
�We�ve got company.� Kirya says, and reaches for the dagger in her boot.
                                                                       *~*~*