Chapter 8 - The Day After

When the sun reached the mid-morning point, the horn was blown. Some people were already outside, talking among themselves. Others were still sleeping inside. Slowly, couples emerged, held together and came into the centre of the village.

Ephiny searched the crowd looking for Jonus. She didn't find her. "Solari? You seen Jonus around?"

Solari broke the conversation she was having with Tiberius. "No." She went back to the man. "I don't want to leave, but we have things to do at home."

He nodded his head. "I know. But you'll tell me, won't you, if anything..."

Solari smiled and nodded. "Of course I will. And I will return soon." She pulled him closer and they kissed.

Ephiny walked around, asking various women if they'd seen Jonus. None had. She was now starting to get worried. Jonus had been nervous about this from the start and if anything terrible happened, Ephiny would never forgive herself. She tried to shake away horrible images the replayed themselves in her mind, but it wasn't working. "Jonus!" she called. "Jonus, come on. It's time to leave."

"Huh? What in Tartarus..." the young man cursed. "What's that noise? Jonus? Hey, wake up." He gently nudged the sleeping form next to him.

"Wha..." She sat bolt upright when she woke up enough to recognise the horn. "I've got to go. That's the horn telling us to leave." She fell out of the bed with a thud, grabbed her boots and tried putting them on, but her fingers still weren't co-ordinated enough.

"Here. Let me help you." The young man sat in front of her and laced up a boot, while Jonus did the other. "I'm sorry you have to go."

"Yeah, me too." She looked into his eyes, then stood up. "I, uh, had a good time last night."

"So did I." The young man smiled. They began to walk towards the door. "Oh, here. Don't forget this." He grabbed the box lying on the floor.

"Thanks." Jonus took the gift. "Wish I had something for you."

"But you did give me something. Last night."

Jonus looked at the gift, then back at him. Quickly, she hugged him. "Thanks for everything."

"You, too."

Jonus pulled away from the embrace. "I have to go."

"Sure." He nodded and released his hold. Jonus opened the door and winced slightly at the bright light. "Good bye, Jonus."

She turned. "Good bye, Polydamas." With a step, she was gone.

"Jonus! There you are." Ephiny came up to her. "I was worried. You okay?"

"Sure. Sorry about that."

"That's all right." The two friends walked up to the horses. "Everything go well?"

Jonus smiled. "Yeah. It did." She waved to Danthea and Selena. "Ephiny?" She stopped and faced the leader.

"Yes."

"I'm glad I came here. I learned a lot of things."

The Amazon smiled and put her arm around Jonus's shoulder. "I'm happy to hear that. And who knows? If the gods are willing, you may learn even more in less than a year's time."

The comment was not lost on Jonus, but she didn't say anything. Ephiny didn't need to know that Jonus couldn't have children. Yet, she was sure that Ephiny would still be right. There were other women there last night who may need a babysitter in the near future.

"I'm telling you, Jonus, it was the best night...ever!" Solari smiled and rolled back onto Jonus's bed. "He was just so, so right last night. Everything worked." A goofy grin spread across her face. "I think I love him," she sighed.

Jonus raised an eyebrow as she pulled off her induction outfit and pulled on her usual clothes. "Love, eh?" She glanced a skeptical eye at her friend as she did up her forearm leather. "That's pretty strong."

"Yeah, but I think it's true." She rolled onto her side and watched Jonus finish dressing. "He's just so good to me, you know? He found my most favourite flowers..."

"Flowers? You're in love with a man because of the flowers he gave you?" Jonus played with her friend. "Solari, that's not like you at all." She cast a disapproving finger.

"No, but Tiberius makes me feel different, in a good way. Haven't you ever felt that?"

Jonus stopped, holding the lace on her belt. She thought back to a time that seemed like an eternity ago, before she came here. Back when she was with Joxer... She swallowed hard and resumed her lacing. "No."

Solari narrowed her eyes, but didn't push the issue. She knew Jonus was lying, but figured she had her reasons for doing so. "Anyway," she switched over to her stomach, "Tiberius really likes me. He's a good man and has some land just outside the village. Ha! Can you imagine that! Me, a farmer's wife?!" She began to laugh.

Even Jonus had to smile. "Yeah, I can see it now. You standing on the porch with your ten little children hanging off your skirts as you kiss your hubby good bye and wish him luck with the lame horse and beat up old plow. Yeah, that's you all right." She laughed.

"Well, maybe not ten. How about two?"

The friends laughed with eachother. They were quiet for a moment, then Solari spoke. "So what happened with you last night? I didn't get to see who you were with."

"Oh, well, nothing too exciting, I don't think." She joined her friend on the bed. "We were both very nervous..."

"His first time, too?" Solari asked increduously.

Jonus nodded. "Hmm-hmm. Neither one of us really knew what to do, so we talked. A lot! We must have talked about everything we knew of."

"Short conversation for you, then?" Solari nudged her friend.

"Ha, ha." She pushed her friend back. "No, I was able to talk about a lot. Even mentioned a little bit about Artemis and the forest. He seemed fascinated by it." She paused, remembering the evening before.

"I'm sure he was. Then what?"

"Oh, uh, well, we you know, we started doing things..." Jonus began to turn red.

"Uh-huh. Like what?"

"Solari!" She glared over. "I really don't think that's any of your business."

"Oh come on, Jonus, this is me you're talking to." She sat up on her knees. "I've done things that you haven't even thought up yet. Nothing's going to surprise me."

"Yeah, well how about this? We didn't make love."

"Nope, not surprised at all." She smiled. "Sorry to disappoint you. Seriously, though, why not? Was there a...problem?"

Jonus stared down at her boots. Maybe it's time for a new pair. These ones seem to be getting worn out. She swung them out in front of her. Yep, time for a new pair. She could see the seam starting to unravel.

"Jonus, quit staring at your boots and tell me."

"There wasn't a problem. I just didn't want to, that's all." Then she added quietly. "Not with him, anyway."

Solari raised her eyebrows. "Oh, I understand." She then got off the bed and headed for the door.

"Understand what? Solari!" Jonus stood up.

Solari opened the door. "You want to love the man you're going to be with. I understand."

"So? There's nothing wrong with that," Jonus defended herself.

"No, of course there isn't. Problem is though, Joxer's too far away right now." She laughed and raced out the door.

"Joxer? Solari..." Jonus growled and leaped after her friend. That was crazy! How could I be in love with Joxer when I haven't seen him for... Jonus stopped dead in her tracks about two feet from her hut, her eyes wide and mouth open. She blinked, then swallowed, about ready to faint.

To be continued...

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