See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers
Chapter Ten
Atalla wasn't entirely sure what to expect as she, Tao, and Dar reached the Varoni land with the baby. Despite her repeated invitations, Aveta remained cuddled in the arms of the BeastMaster (lucky baby, Atalla thought). However, that also gave her the opportunity to look around. Tao said softly, "The queen calls this the Silver Forest."
Atalla almost asked why, but Dar explained, "in the early morning, during the winter, the grass looks almost silver. My sister saw this forest for the first time in the winter, her first winter among the Varoni." Atalla realized with a start that he meant frost, then she smiled. She decided she might like the sister of the BeastMaster.
"It's beautiful. Should we worry about those men?" Atalla asked as several men approached them. She glanced at Dar, prepared to take the little girl from his arms, then looked back. And saw, for the first time, that one 'man' was actually a woman. A very pretty woman, with long blonde hair. She seemed to be around the same age as Dar and Tao.
And Atalla's two companions recognized her, for the young girl saw both smile as the woman broke away from the group. She grinned broadly herself, saying, "The sentries told me that you approached, BeastMaster. Welcome back to our lands! And you as well, scholar."
Atalla glanced over at Tao, and saw the young man turn a lovely shade of pink. She giggled, drawing the attention of the woman for the first time. As her cheeks burned with embarrassment, Atalla wondered if her blush matched Tao's yet. At the same time, Aveta gurgled, and the woman looked at the babe. She drawled, "Well. What is this?"
"It's good to see you as well, Marinde. The young lady is Atalla, and the little one is Aveta, the child of a Terron slave. Her mother died birthing her. Sharak led us to her, and now we bring her back to the Varoni lands. We hoped Mira would be able to find a home for her," Dar explained, fully drawing the woman's attention back to himself.
The woman named 'Marinde' frowned, saying, "Aveta? Wasn't that the name of your aunt? The aunt who birthed both you and Ca . . . I mean, Mira?" Now it was Tao's turn to look puzzled, and Marinde explained, "The queen has chosen to take back her Sula name. I'll explain on the way. My apologies, Atalla, it wasn't my intention to ignore you."
Atalla began blushing all over again, and Dar interposed, explaining, "Atalla is one of the last survivors of another tribe destroyed by the Terrons. She asked to join us. We should return to the village, in case the Lothians are lurking about." Marinde nodded and the four began walking from the forest, surrounded by the men who had come with Marinde. Dar asked, "What of Mira?"
"Well, that's a long story, BeastMaster. I'm sure she'll want to tell you everything herself, but I do know that she has been struggling with a decision. That seems to be made, for she told Gereon and me that she wishes to be known as 'Mira' now," Marinde answered.
Dar stopped and stared at the female warrior, who added, "I'll tell you on the way. The Lothians have been quiet lately, but I don't expect that to stay true for long. Come. I will tell you everything I know."
~*~*~*~
During the last few hours, the Sorceress had switched her attention from one thing to another in her scrying bowl. She had watched as the three siblings went to the aid of the BeastMaster during the Terron attack. And she had watched the goddess of mothers appear after the fight was over.
The Sorceress had known of the mother goddess for several thousand years . . . the Ancient One had little use for his older sister. And yet, the mother goddess commanded more respect than he did. Something the Sorceress found very strange indeed.
And then she looked at the Terron lying on the ground. He was no ordinary Terron . . . he had pleaded with the BeastMaster to rescue his beloved. Not to spare his life, but to save the man's mate. The Sorceress found herself oddly touched by this plea, even though she knew he was trying to save the life of his unborn child. Still . . . she was no fool. She knew what would happen to him, once Zad and his men reached them.
I cannot allow that to happen, the Sorceress thought, I cannot allow Zad to kill this man. Perhaps he can help me to understand love. She gave a quick, determined bob of her blonde head, then dematerialized from the Aerie. She rematerialized in the forest. The Terron, Stavros by name, had lost consciousness.
The Sorceress knelt by his side, melting his bonds with a single touch, then pulled him into her arms. She could hear the other Terrons coming closer, and the Sorceress realized for the first time that this man actually bathed. She smiled impishly to herself . . . yes, this one was definitely worth saving! With just a thought, she disappeared from the forest, with the unconscious Terron in her arms. . . only seconds before the others arrived.
~*~*~*~
Maya had no doubt that her grandfather and uncle would chastise her thoroughly for interfering. But someone had to tell Queen Mira that the choice had been made long ago. It was pure cruelty to make her suffer like that . . . and Maya had little patience with cruelty. It had been the source of some arguments between her and her sister Curupira in the past, even though Curi was the gentler twin.
"You are in so much trouble, little girl," a familiar voice said as Maya materialized in Gynt. It wasn't actually Gynt, per se, which was the domain of her aunt Ylara. It was a realm which bordered Gynt, and her grandfather's home. It was where she often found her cousin Sula, who now leaned against a nearby wall. He grinned impishly, adding, "But I have no doubt you'll wiggle your way out of it."
"Would you have done any differently, cousin? She is of your blood, Sula! Just as my father was . . . how could I let her continue as she was, when she really never had a choice to make? That would have been too cruel, and I prefer to leave that sort of cruelty to my uncle. He's much better at it," Maya answered.
Sula pushed off the wall, wrapping his arm around Maya's shoulders in a companionable way. He said, "I know, little cousin, I was merely teasing you. The truth is, Grandfather has already realized that you did the right thing, and has found a way to defend your actions to Math. But what kind of a cousin would I be if I did not tease you?" Maya laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist in response.
"A most unwelcome kind, cousin dear. Tell me truly, Sula . . . would you have done things any differently? Would you have allowed someone of your blood to suffer so, when there was no reason for it, when you could do something about it?" Maya asked.
Sula turned to look at her, saying softly, "I could not, little Maya, and you know that. Or perhaps you do not, since it was before you were born. Many years before you were born, and I do not believe your mother or eldest sister ever spoke of it to you." Maya frowned. What did her sister Esmere have to do with this?
However, before she could ask the question, Sula told her in that same soft voice, "I could not, little one, and forgive me for teasing you about this. When I lived among the mortals, when I walked among my people, I took far more drastic measures to alleviate the suffering of someone I loved. And I asked the aid of your sister Esmere. Aid which she gave me, willingly."
No, this was one story she had never heard before, and Sula continued, "But we will speak of that another time. There is something I wish you to see, little cousin, and perhaps you can advise me." Maya blinked . . . she could advise him? When he was so much older than she? Still, she would not argue. She was the guardian of children, and the other gods and demigods viewed her as a child herself. Which wasn't a bad thing, but it was rare indeed when someone asked her advice. She resolved not to let him down.
~*~*~*~
Dar, Tao, Atalla, and Aveta were welcomed warmly once they reached the village. Dar was relieved to see his older sister among the welcoming committee, her dark hair loose and falling softly to her slender shoulders. On the way to the village, Marinda had told them about her and Gereon finding Mira unconscious in her room.
Dar had been worried for his sister, but some of that concern was now disappearing as she smiled at him. Dar placed Aveta in Atalla's arms, and moved forward to embrace his older sister. Mira returned the embrace tightly, murmuring, "Welcome back, my darling brother. I have missed you." Dar's only response was to further tighten his arms about her waist. Until this moment, until he had seen Mira, he hadn't realized how much he missed her as well.
"I have missed you as well, sister. There is much we should discuss. For now, I have two young ladies for you to meet. Mira, this is Atalla . . . and Aveta," Dar said. He kept his arm around his sister's waist as he introduced the young girl, and the infant in her arms. As he had expected, his sister's eyes lit up when she saw the baby.
However, she addressed herself to Atalla, saying, "Welcome to Varono, my dear. Is this your little sister?" Atalla shook her head, her face turning bright red as she struggled to speak. Mira continued, "I am Mira, queen of the Varoni, and Dar's sister."
"I greet you, great queen. I am Atalla, the last survivor of a Terron raid. One of the last, at least. My two brothers are journeying into Terron land, to rescue a woman held there. It is a quest given to them by the mother goddess, Eladne . . . I mean, Pelagia," Atalla said, bowing with the child still in her arms.
Mira gently stroked Atalla's cheek, saying, "None of that, child, I am a queen, not a goddess." Atalla blushed, and Mira tactfully chose to turn her attention to Tao, adding, "And I am glad to see you again, scholar. Thank you for taking such good care of my little brother."
Tao grinned and replied, "No thanks necessary, my queen, it was my pleasure." The scholar glanced at Dar, his smile turning positively mischievous as he added, "Besides, he needs someone other than the animals to keep him out of trouble." Dar rolled his eyes, and Mira laughed.
"I have no doubt of that. Come. Tell me of your journey, and how you all came to meet. Might I carry the little one? You must be very tired after your journey, Atalla, and I must confess, I miss holding babies," his sister said. Atalla carefully placed her precious burden into the arms of the queen, who continued, "You can begin, dear brother, by telling me how you found this precious little one . . ."
~*~*~*~
Things were falling into place quite nicely. Tao and Dar had reached the Varoni lands safely, with both Aveta and Atalla. And true to form, Mira had already begun 'adopting' the newborn girl. Pelagia was rather proud of her . . . well, even more proud of her, she should say.
The boys . . . Atalla's two brothers Daneurth and Ryf . . . were on their way to the Terron camp to rescue Gosia. The Sorceress rescuing Stavros had been a surprise, but Pelagia was pleased by this particular surprise. That would leave her more time to see to . . . other things.
She knew, once Math realized that Maya had told the Varoni queen everything, that she could expect a visit from her younger brother. Pelagia was more than prepared for him. Technically, she and her father should have both chastised the girl, since technically, it was something Mira had to work out on her own.
But technicalities had never interested Pelagia. She left those to her brother. Yes, she honored the rules. But she also knew the importance of bending the rules, or finding ways around them. Her mother had taught her that much, and Pelagia smiled sadly at the thought of her own lost mother.
She didn't know what happened after a god or goddess died. Not even her father knew that, and the Presence which sometimes whispered counsel to her would never answer her questions about the afterlife. In that, Pelagia envied Mira and Dar . . . they could both look forward to spending eternity in Gynt with their parents. Pelagia . . . had no idea where her mother's soul was.
She shook herself, sighing, and returned her attention to her children. She was still worried about Curupira, due to her feelings for Dar. Pelagia had an uneasy sensation that things would get worse before they got better. And she hoped that Curupira would keep her grumbling about 'stupid humans' for Pelagia's ears only . . . Pelagia knew what would happen if her father heard her daughter say such things.
But that was another worry, for another day. For now, she watched as the Varoni welcomed the travellers back into their midst with a celebration dinner. And afterwards, as Marinda and Ari cared for little Aveta, while Tao told Gereon of the ambushes, it was time for Dar and Mira to talk.
(Continued)
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