Possession

Seri made a detour on her way to the medical hut to her own hut. She had a project hidden in the bottom of her oak chest she wanted to recover. That’s where she had always kept her embroidery. She hadn’t liked to work on it in the presence of the other Amazons, for fear that it would be considered too ‘feminine’ for any proper Amazon to do, but these days she was by no means a proper Amazon and decided that being condemned for sewing was the least of her worries. Sewing was something she could still do.

Before she’d run off so long ago, she’d been starting a project. She’d carefully mapped out the design on various bits of parchment, acquired a good-sized piece of cloth and a few good colors of thread. It was a design of black horses, Themiscyra’s black warhorses, charging from the woods to battle. It would probably take years to complete, but she had imagined the picture and couldn’t rid herself of it.

The whole project was folded up together among some shirts. She took it out and cradled it in her arm as she closed the chest and left her hut for the hut of the healers. Her catch was still there, sleeping like the dead, poor thing. Evidently, Cassia and most of her healers were elsewhere, and the place was dark and quiet.

Seri found a stool and pulled it up next to the stranger’s bed. It was her job to secure her, make sure she wasn’t a soldier or spy, and since she obviously couldn’t leave her bed then the Watchmistress had to stay there with her. She had every intention of staying there all night: she hadn’t felt the need for food or sleep in days. She just set a candle on the table next to her and unfolded the embroidery.

It was very peaceful there, no sound except breathing, no sensation except the comforting cloth and thread, weaving together in hypnotic repetition. After her hours of effort to concentrate on getting her powers back, finding the tongues of the barbaros, it was nice to have something it was easy to concentrate on. Embroidery was a concentration tool like no other, as stitch by invisible stitch the picture would grow.

"I should have been a housewife," she said to herself, smiling. "Can’t read, can’t fight, can’t speak Amazon, but I can cook and sew and dig in the dirt well enough." She tapped the canvas with her needle and addressed the unconscious young woman. "This horse will be yours, I think. This here is Samsara’s, only I’ll have to leave off his wings so he blends in, but the ruby eye can be part of his bridle. And my Deinus is right here, off to the side. I haven’t decided yet if they’ll have their riders on them. Plenty of time for that. I’m only working on the grass now."

She cut the thread with her teeth and began another. "Boy, I hope you speak Greek. I don’t think I could pull that translating stunt again. It wore me out so much I won’t sleep tonight. Convenient, though. I won’t have to get up to meet the night watch."

With this pleasant thought in mind, she kept on sewing, the trespasser kept on sleeping, and the night slunk along through the village.

As Latrina and Kardia searched in silence, they could hear the village buzzing with the morning light through the doorway. Latrina was searching with such intent for the dagger, trying to keep her mind off Selena; she didn’t notice the bird swoop in the doorway.

"DALI!" Kardia exclaimed. This outburst shook Latrina from her work. As Latrina looked up she saw a beautiful white owl land on the table in the shop. "What is wrong with it? Owls don’t just fly in to civilization," Kardia said with a puzzled look on her face.

Latrina studied the animal. For some reason, it looked familiar.

Then it hit her. The owl looked like her mother’s owl, Calypso. But this one had emerald green eyes instead of Calypso’s blue.

"Every female in our family has an owl, Latrina. Yours will find you and when she does it means you have finally come into your gift. It is a blessing. Your owl, like mine, will be able to talk to you. It will be your familiar." Her mother’s voice drifted into her head.

"Kardia, that owl is my familiar," Latrina said with excitement in her voice.

"Your what?" Kardia could not believe what she was hearing.

"My familiar. Everyone in my family gets one when we come into our gift and accept it. That must mean that premonition was real, not just some test. But no one will believe me; they will all think I am the cause of Selena’s problems. I know I will be banished for sure now."

"Wait a minute, what problems? What are you talking about, Latrina? Just slow down and explain for a second," Kardia said, annoyance trimming her voice. The girl was talking nonsense.

Latrina took a deep breath and then let it out. She started to explain the events that had happened the night of the dance class. She ran on and told her of Selena’s condition and so forth, and how she had left the hut before Samsara could question her further.

"That is what happened. So you see, my premonition was a real one and not just a test. To prove that, my familiar has come. This owl will guide me and help me. Plus, I remember my mother telling me I could communicate with her," Latrina said with a sigh of relief.

Kardia studied the situation and suddenly understood what was troubling her apprentice. "You know, no one blames you for Selena’s problems. Samsara would understand, you know. You should talk to her about it. I suggest you do that soon. By the way, what is the bird’s name?"

"I don’t know her name. I guess I should ask, shouldn’t I?" Latrina said with glee. A smile flashed on Latrina’s face and Kardia couldn’t help but smile back with relief that the sick look was washing out of her apprentice’s face.

"What is your name?" Latrina flashed the words in her head, remembering that was how her mother talked with Calypso.

"My name is Circe. Nice to finally meet you, Latrina," The owl gave a small hoot.

"Her name is Circe," Latrina stated to Kardia.

"Well that is a nice name. Now, as my apprentice, I want you to go talk to Samsara. I have to take care of some business and wish to do it alone. Come back in a little while. Oh, and take Circe with you. I don’t want Sobryn to get jealous," Kardia said with a smile.

Latrina turned to leave with Circe on her arm. She stopped in the doorway and turned to Kardia. "Thank you for understanding," Latrina said with a nod.

You’re welcome, Latrina," Kardia called behind her.

Off Latrina went through the village with people turning to stare at the girl and her Snowy Owl.

"Roloi Archila Seriana! Roloi Archila! Are you in here?" shouted Stesha as she burst into the med hut letting in the bright sunlight.

Seriana turned toward the door and put her finger to her lips. "Hush Stesha! Cassia’s patients are still sleeping."

Now with a loud whisper, Stesha said, "I’m sorry, but it’s important."

The Watchmistress rose from the chair next to the young woman that she stayed watch over during the night. "What is it?" She walked over to the door and took her guardswoman with her outside. "Well, what is it?"

"There’s a thief in the Village!" said the nervous Amazon. "We have been getting reports of stealing."

Seriana’s eyes widened as she ordered, "Tell me what you know."

"More and more of our tribeswomen are reporting money, jewelry, and other things being stolen," replied Stesha. "At this time, nobody has a clue who’s doing it."

A smirk came across the Roloi Archila’s face as she said out loud, but speaking to herself, "If I didn’t know any better, I would say Autolycus was in Themiscyra."

Stesha looked puzzled and asked, "Who’s Autolycus?"

"He’s ... Ah, never mind; just let me know if you discover any clues about the thief."

"Nai, Watchmistress," answered the young woman before she turned and ran off nearly knocking Latrina over.

"Hey! Watch where you’re going!" yelled Latrina as she tried to calm her startled white owl.

Seriana watched from a distance and thought to herself, "Well, I know that I’m not the thief, so I wonder if Toria and Andria have begun their stealing again. I had better inform the Latra."

It had been days since the former Latra had gone. Venlusia seemed to be back to her normal self, although Morigan could feel that she was hiding her true feelings from her and the other athelfi. I hope she’s okay, Morigan thought to her self.

She still couldn’t believe that Jadea had left but Morigan new that there was a very good reason; she could see it in her eyes.

Morigan stretched her arms wide up to the heavens reaching out as much as she could. Everything will be ok. I know it. She couldn’t bear it if Venlusia left; she couldn’t bear losing her only sister. Morigan shrugged the thought off her and headed for her stables. She could always relax when she was with her animals; they connected her to the earth, to her soul. Her troubles would melt away in that instant and the memories of her beloved Eire, that she missed so much, would disappear.

She arrived at her stables and opened the doors wide open to let some air in.

"I think we can take you outside for some training." Morigan looked at the horses then sighed with happiness. "Yes that exactly what we are going to do." She looked around hoping to find Faela but then she remembered what had happened to her and Deirdre yesterday. I really need more assistants! I’ll have to talk to the Lyna about this.

Morigan scratched her head for a brief second. Venny is out doing her duties, Faela is.... I have no idea. She tried to think of someone that could help her but she had no idea who.

"I have a lot to do today." She began to take the horses out side towards the training grounds one by one. This was not going to be easy. Morigan knew that the horses needed the fresh air and the training; she couldn’t keep them inside all day.

"I have to make the most of what I’ve got and that right now is me." Morigan touched her pendant.

It was the pendant that her mother gave her so long ago, the pendant that her mother said was a light, the light of Eire. She smiled as she remembered her mother’s story of how she was the keeper of the light and to never part with the pendant. It was something that all the women of her family had to bear, and that included Venlusia, but Morigan knew that at this time and at Venlusia’s present state it would be too much for her to take in. No she will have to wait for me to tell her about our family. Morigan had decided that and she wasn’t going to change her mind. Besides even she right know didn’t know how to use it, or what it was.

Morigan began to train the horses, obviously one by one for lack of assistants. Morigan had to laugh.

* * *

Venlusia attended to her duties, she couldn’t help but feel that her sister knew that something was bothering her. She tried to shrug it of but the sense that Radicus could be lurking around the corner made her uneasy. It wasn’t her fault that she was his daughter. Why did he have to take her from her mother? She could have had a wonderful life filled with love and a family that loved her. Her anger towards her father grew inside her stronger with every thought.

Maybe I could have helped. If I were there in Eire with Mori, maybe she could have helped fighting against the Romans. Venlusia threw a small pebble violently against the gates of the village.

It was no use thinking of that know. Now she would have to concentrate on her duties. At least for now…

Venlusia walked to the training grounds to find a good number of Amazons sparring. She decided to have a short sparring class.

"Ok, athelfi! Today we will have sai sparring for a half hour. Whoever wants to join this session, line up into rows of four Amazons. Make sure you are far enough from your surrounding sisters so you won’t whack them and give Cassia more patients."

As Venlusia spoke, ten or so Amazons started to line up into three separate rows.

The Amazons were good. Venlusia sparred with all her might and still one or two Amazons managed to pass a good whack or two at her.

"Ok, sisters! You all did well. I will try to make it here tomorrow for another session. Thank you all for participating!"

The Amazons put up their weapons and walked away to the mess hut. Venlusia walked from the training ground to the gates of Themiscyra. She didn’t know why she was there, she just was. She nodded at the guards and they opened the gates. Venlusia started to stroll down a path in the woods nearby the entrance to Themiscyra. She didn’t plan to go far, just to walk long enough to clear her head.

Just then she heard a snap of a twig.

"Who was that? Stop, who goes there?" Venlusia shouted, waiting for the intruder to show his face.

"Damn, I left my cloak inside my hut!" Venlusia whispered to herself.

After a few minutes and no site of the intruder, Venlusia turned around to go back to the village.

"The best thing to do is to report this to the Queen."

"VENLUSIA!"

Venlusia jumped. Someone was calling her. Venlusia turned in all directions to see who was calling for her but saw nothing. Venlusia picked up her hands and put them on her on the side of her head.

"What is it? Why won’t they leave me alone," Venlusia mumbled, not even understanding what she was saying.

* * *

A few yards away from where Venlusia was standing...

"Yes, that’s it, daughter. Let down those shields," Radicus hissed as he tried to enter his daughter’s mind. "That pathetic excuse for a sister of hers is getting to her. She must be dealt with soon."

Radicus smiled as he finally gained entrance into Venlusia’s mind. His diabolical smile grew as Venlusia’s eyes began to glow a dark red then go dim. Radicus could now see red sparkles in her eyes.

"Finally, you’re mine again. Like you said yourself, you’re too weak to fight off my power this time, daughter," Radicus spat as he saw Venlusia smile evilly and walk back to the village. "Yes, I have a present for you dear. Just after you play my puppet and do what you know how to do, act!" He laughed, knowing that the chance of Venlusia breaking his hold now was very slim.

Radicus picked up something metal and shining. It was a sword. It was beautifully hand crafted and the handle appeared to have designs on it, like it represented something.

"Oh, yes, Venlusia, don’t I have a gift for you."

Meanwhile, in Parthos...

"What’s going on? What’s happened? How did I get here?" Deirdre exclaimed.

"Calm down, honey. You’re home now. It’s okay," said Queen Protha, Deirdre’s mother.

"What do you mean calm down?" Deirdre said getting up from the bed she had been laying on.

"Relax, sweetheart. Have a seat a take a few breaths. Relax! Please."

"How can I possibly relax hen I was just sucked through a black vortex?" Deirdre said grabbing for her mothers arms.

Deirdre’s arms went thru her.

"BY THE GODS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?" Deirdre yelled at her mother.

"Calm down, sweetheart"

"How can I calm down? I’M NOT TANGIBLE!"

"Sit down!" Deirdre’s mother exclaimed, losing patience with her daughter. She was not used to being talked to in such a manner.

Deirdre sat, a little taken back by her mother’s outburst.

"Ever since you were kidnapped, all we could think about was getting you back safe and sound"

"We’ve taken all the possible measurements to get you back, honey. We finally enlisted the help of the goddess Discord. We called up a favor that was owed to us. She could only transport your essence for now. We figured that would be enough. You would fill in the blanks when you were here so we could rescue you"

"Hold up, Latr-mom, I wasn’t kidnapped. I ran away. I wasn’t going to get married. I was not going to throw my life away," Deirdre said

"What?" Queen Protha said, not comprehending what her daughter just said.

"Mom, I’m an Amazon now. A Themiscyran Amazon, and I’m happy there. Send me back. I have responsibilities. Besides don’t put on this front. All you and dad are worried about is an heir and I’m not about to comply."

"Oh you’ll comply all right, whether you like it or not. What tribe did you say you were part of? Themiscyra was it?"

Deirdre nervously waited for what her mother would say next. "Why are you doing this? Deirdre asked.

"Well... you were right. We do need an heir. Marcus was the favorite but since he’s out of the picture you’ll have to do. Don’t worry, sweetie. None of your ‘sisters’ will get hurt if they give your body up peacefully. If they don’t then that’s another story. Make yourself comfortable. And ahhh... you can’t leave this room so don’t try. See you later honey" Queen Protha said leaving the room with her attendants.

"Gods, What am I gonna do now" Deirdre thought aloud to an empty room.

"There you are, Cild Koritsi. I was just coming to see you," said Latra Valkyra as she spotted Venlusia walking through gates. She observed that Venlusia had a strange look in her eyes. "Are you feeling all right?"

Venlusia saluted the Queen and said, "Yes, Weapons Master, I am fine."

Valkyra had her doubts, but she let it go for now until she had further evidence. "Now that you are recovered enough to work again, you can begin running the trainees through their weapons drills each morning. They will see you after they have their calisthenics from Nora. She will teach only calisthenics from now on. I have dismissed her from instructing all weapons drills."

With a look of surprise on her face, Venlusia said, "You have?"

"Nai, I have observed that she was treating Chrysippe harshly and I will not have Amazons treated badly for doing nothing wrong," continued Valkyra.

"I understand, Latra."

She added, "So, you will run the trainees through their basic drills and I will continue to teach them how to use weapons properly."

"Yes, Cild Archila!"

The Latra paused for a moment and then she said, "That is beautiful sword that you are carrying. Where did you get it?"

Venlusia looked at the sword that she carried and said, "I found it in the forest. Someone must have lost it."

This made Valkyra wonder to herself, Someone just doesn’t lose a blade that easily, especially one that looks that good. We may have another stranger or intruder on Themiscyran lands. I shall notify the Roloi Archila to increase the forest watch. She then said to Venlusia, "You can go now, but remember; someone may come to claim their lost sword. So, do not get too attached to it."

The Queen looked at the sun, saw that it was nearly straight overhead, and left to go attend to other Tribal business leaving Venlusia, still with red sparkles in her eyes, looking at the strange sword.

The sun had come up hours before, but Faela still sat on her veranda, head in her hands. The pup was sitting at the doorway barking and whimpering. "All right, I get the point," Faela said, standing up and walking inside.

A couple of the Healer’s apprentices stood talking quietly in a corner of the hut, throwing glances at the sleeping Amazon. They hushed when they saw Faela enter.

"What’s wrong with our athelfi?" Faela asked, her voice it’s usual strong tone.

They exchanged a glance. "Something has taken possession of her soul, her spirit."

"What kind of thing?" Faela demanded.

"We’re not sure yet. Cassia and Domaris were both struck down and are in the med hut. We’re trying to revive the Chief Healer. We just don’t have the experience to know what the trouble is with Deirdre," the girl sounded frustrated and upset. Her voice was cool and relayed the facts, but the situation obviously had her upset.

"Well, Deirdre won’t give up without a fight and neither will I!" Faela stormed into her room and walked over to the edge of the bed. Deirdre was laying perfectly still, her breathing soft. Her face expressed emotions, confusion, anger and despair, loud enough for Faela to read them.

"Don’t leave us Deirdre. Come back, please. We need you," Faela said, sitting on the edge of the bed. She wondered if Deirdre could hear her. "You are an Amazon, Deirdre. Maybe not by birth, but in spirit you belong here with us. Whatever this is, we can fight it together. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise," Faela said, once again breaking down into tears.

Meanwhile…

"Stupid Amazon," Venlusia chuckled as Latra Valkyra left.

She looked down at her sword. Her sword. Oh yes, her father was good to her. How could she betray him for so long? Let goodness enter her heart and tear her away from her only true parent. Venlusia shook her head again and for only a second thought of how wrong it was to have said those things. Shrugging her shoulders, Venlusia set off towards the stables.

"I must talk to my dear sister," She said, that evil smile returning to her face.

Inside the stables, Morigan was just finishing with one of the horses and re-stabling it. She walked away from the horse and turned to see Venlusia walk through the stable doors.

"Hey Ven…" Morigan trailed off. Was that red she saw in her sisters eyes? And the look on her face was the same the last time her sister was under her biological father’s control.

Oh no. Not again. Oh Venny! Morigan thought as Venlusia walked further into the stable. I will just have to play along until I can do something about it.

"Hello, Mori!" Venlusia said, trying to sound cheerful. "Having fun smelling horse poop?" she said again with a chuckle.

"Uh, yep, Venny. Ya know me! I’m a horse poop smelling kind of girl," Morigan commented. She then noticed the sword her sister had with her. "Venny, where did you get that sword?" she commented, recognizing the designs on the handle.

Sword of Darkness, Morigan thought as she stared at the sword. Radicus must have given it to her. I should have known. The moment her soul turned evil he would give her something to enhance it. We must break her hold from him and then the sword will turn back to normal. It’s already starting to glow.

Venlusia looked down at her sword. "Um, I found it in the woods. Someone must have dropped it." Venlusia responded knowing Morigan would catch on to the lie.

"Oh. Don’t get too attached to it. The person that lost it might come back to get it," Mori said, putting on a fake smile.

Bloody Amazons, what are they, mind readers? "Yes Mori, same thing Valkyra told me." Venlusia chuckled.

I must deal with Morigan now, Venlusia thought. "Hey, Mori, how about we go take a walk to the Thermadon? I need to talk to you about Radicus."

Oh, dear, Morigan thought. "Um, ok Venny. Let me grab my sais and we can go."

Morigan walked to where she laid her sais down, picked them up, and loaded them into their hip sheathes. She had a feeling she may need them. She could only hope she wouldn’t have to use them to hurt her sister.

Father, we are coming! Venlusia thought, knowing Radicus would pick up on her message.

The two sisters walked out of the stables heading towards the village gates when Faela walked out the med hut. She still had traces of tears in her eyes from crying and thought that a trip to the see the horses would calm her. She picked her head up to see Venlusia and Morigan walking toward the village gates. Morigan looked at Faela, as if trying to tell her something. After the brief glances between the two Amazons, Venlusia and Morigan walked through the gates and Faela continued on her way towards the stables.

"Morigan looked desperate," Faela said to herself. "I hope nothing’s wrong."

Selena awoke slowly. She found herself on her bed. Nobody was about and she wondered if what happened was real. She shuddered to think, What if it hadn’t been real? Even worse, what if it had been real and Samsara hadn’t seen it, couldn’t see anything, and thought she was crazy?

Leaning over the side of her small bed she picked up her brown leather boots. Slipping them over her feet, she gave one more look to make sure that nothing was going to jump out at her.

She rose from putting her boots on and exited her bedroom. Latrina and Samara weren’t around. She wasn’t sure where they were and was rather shocked. Maybe it was her imagination, maybe nothing had happened.

She didn’t like being alone anymore, it gave her a sense of dread, as if every time she moved, breathe, or did anything that something bad was going to happen. But surely, if something were going to happen, she’d know, she would know whether it would happen at all.

She took a deep breath as she opened her hut door.

Her breaths deepened as she kept her head down, looking at the ground in front of her.

She made out like it was ordinary day. She made her way to the training grounds; people would think it odd if she didn’t keep up appearances, wouldn’t they?

Lifting her head slowly, her eyes widened.

All around her were monstrosities of human beings. Selena couldn’t or didn’t see that, to her these figures may have been fiendish and grotesque versions of humans, but they were really her athelfi.

Screaming in rage she ran at the nearest beast and greeted it with a turning kick to the head. She grabbed their head and rammed her knee into its face several times. Another one ran at her, so she quickly kicked out with a sidekick and knocked it over.

She threw the monstrosity in her arms back into another creature with a force and turned to the oncoming beasts.

She sneered slightly whilst she spoke.

"Come on. I’m not scared of you any more. Time to put you out of my misery! And my dreams!"

Another beast grabbed her by her arm, she swung them forward and did a roundhouse kick to their stomach and straight to their head, with such force that it sent it flying.

Another beast stepped out slowly, a small distance from in front of her. It didn’t do anything, just stood there. It’s mouth moved but she didn’t understand what it was saying.

Shaking her head she screamed in anger and rage again and attacked it. She went to punch it but it grabbed her fist, she feigned hitting out with her left hand but kicked out with her left leg and head-butted the beast…

"Come on, Cassia." Toria muttered under her breath as she tried to feed the Keturah Archila another mix of pungent herbs. The problem wasn’t that Cassia wasn’t taking the remedies that the thief was spooning into her. The mix just wasn’t taking.

"Can’t you make it any stronger?" ‘Dria pleaded. Both sisters loved Cassia and the thought that she was unconscious only added to the twins’ frustration at being unable to help Domaris either.

"No," Toria shook her head, "Only at tiny bit more. It’s already starting to get dangerous. If I’m not very careful, I’ll kill her." Toria stood from the chair by the pallet and crossed to the one of many rough work tables, where a mortar and pestle could barely be seen in amongst jar and canisters, fresh herbs and dried, roots, leaves, stalks, mushrooms, seed pods, and a few objects only Toria could with any certainty identify. She tore of a few leaves the smell of which made ‘Dria want to gag.

‘Dria replaced her sister in the seat by Cassia’s side, looking down into the Chief Healers face, for once calm and relaxed. Then suddenly, Cassia’s eyes snapped open, ‘Dria leapt up with a cry.

"Good, gods!" Toria dropped her pestle, smashing it on the floor as she ran to the pallet. She went down on her knees and slid a cubit or two. She snatched up Cassia’s hand patting it, trying to get her attention.

Cassia’s mouth opened to speak…

Cassia’s mouth opened to speak, and her voice cracked. "Sam-Samsara."

Toria raised an eyebrow. "Samsara? What about her, Cassia?"

"Get. Her. Get Samsara."

Toria waved at her sister. "Get her. I get along better with Cassia than with her hutmate." ‘Dria dashed out of the hut. Toria squeezed the Keturah Archila’s hand. "Hang on, Cassia. Hang on."

* * *

‘Dria almost went to the Teloan Queen’s hut when she saw Samsara headed in her direction. She ran to her, momentarily forgetting protocol, and took her hand. "Come on! Come on!"

"What, what is it?" Sami resisted.

"It’s Cassia!"

* * *

Brenna was pouting.

This wasn’t overly surprising. Anatolia had made her do her job when she’d wanted to take more of an… interest in the soldier who’d met them at the gate. But, she’d been there for a reason, and Ana hadn’t hesitated to remind her of that. She needed to remember to put her sisters before her biological needs. She could always come back later for that purpose. Ana did catch it when she’d muttered something along the lines of jundee kortisi as Ana went into the privacy tent with Doron. Since whatever Brenna was thinking of was not the primary reason for the visit, she ignored the comment.

She gave Doron his daughter, and he immediately cuddled her to him, as if he were afraid she would disappear if he let her go for just a moment. Several beats passed, then he let up on her and both adults took a seat. Ana proceeded to tell him what was going on with Iona and urged him to not tell the other men. He deserved to know now, she thought, because he’d been the one to report the abuse.

He stayed quiet, and then he asked if she was well. She said she’d been in the med hut since her sickness was first reported, but that she was getting better. He seemed to accept this, then Miday called to them that Doron was needed for training. So Ana took Naiya back and left with her guards.

Brenna pouted, Miday talked of her son (who was three) and Ana reflected on her visit as they entered the village once more, and caught up on all the news.

* * *

Samsara, after verifying that the twin pulling on her was ‘Dria and not Toria, pulled her hand away and motioned for her to lead on. She followed the young healer into the med hut, where she stopped short upon seeing her hutmate lying down on one of the cots. "By Olympus…" She hurried to her side.

No wonder she hadn’t come to find her herself. She had been incapacitated. "Cassia, what happened?" First Selena, now this.

"Deirdre... Deirdre is in trouble."

"How? What happened?"

She looked at the twins. Then looked at Samsara, and then the twins. Samsara understood. "Why don’t you two go look after the other patients?"

"But-"

"Now!" It wasn’t the best tactic, but it got the point across. They went. She turned to Cassia. "Now tell me."

Samsara made herself comfortable on the chair and looked toward Cassia, urging her to speak. The Keturah Archila was physically weak. Athanase hadn’t seen her like this before. And Athanase didn’t like it.

"Deirdre... there was something wrong with her. I rushed to her hut with two assistants, but there was this force... a dark force. I was flung back. Here I am." She swallowed hard, every part of her body still aching from the collision. She felt a throbbing pain in the back of her neck.

"There’s more," the other pressed, anger boiling in her blood. She may not have spent too much time with Cassia and there were times when one could say that Samsara was downright rude to her hutmate, but no one – no one – was allowed to touch her like that. "What did it feel like?"

She moved to shrug, but Sami stopped her.

"You know. What did you sense from it?" You see, the Teloan was working on what she gleaned from Domaris’ conversation. Her words bothered her when Jadea stepped down.

Domaris dropped a dollop of honey into her second cup of tea. She offered Samsara some, but the Goddess refused.

"Too sweet for me," she said curtly, taking another sip. "So what have you to say to me?"

"Many things. But I’m not sure if your feeble mind will understand any I have to say until it’s too late."

Samsara avoided the bait and put down her teacup. She pushed her hair back and relaxed her body. She had to find a way to handle Deoris’ sister without causing a world war. "Tell me and I’ll figure out a way."

"Tepae. You’re in for some challenges this year, Samsara Athanase." She paused and cleared her throat. "There will be a lot of things that will get in your way. It’s how you handle them that will define you."

Before Sami could interrupt with a biting comment on how the Protectoress was wasting her time, she jumped ahead. "Your Latra needs to leave."

The Teloan laughed. "Right. I’ll indulge you."

"Your child has an ability that she will soon come to realize. She is the key to keeping the Amazon Nation together, you understand." She crossed her legs. "And you must send her away if the Latra declares that she will step down. There is something here that Karma cannot be exposed to. She’ll take a princess of good nature. I don’t want her to be your daughter."

"So I am to thank you?"

"I never said that. I’m only giving you news. Discord is on a vendetta. I want you to understand that."

"Uh...." Cassia groaned, bringing Sami back to the present. "I don’t know what you mean–"

"Did it have any... feelings? This force – if you had to describe its demeanor and personality, what would you call it?"

The Keturah almost laughed, but thinking better of how that would make her jaw feel, she stifled the chuckle. "Overtly feminine, but with talons," she described, bringing up her fingers to illustrate. "It – she – whatever – was... She had a feminine feel to her, but I wouldn’t wish her to be my mother."

Samsara sat back suddenly and brought her chin up at that revelation. She knew who had thrown Cassia, but she wanted to confirm it. "Rest up, Cassia. Efharitso tu." She stood up and walked straight out of the hut. Mariko waited for her outside.

"Is it as I suspected?" the Eastern Woman queried calmly.

"Domaris is also in there," the other said, in a way responding to the question. "She’s injured somehow and the same thing had something to do with that as well."

"So it as I suspect."

"I’m not sure, Mariko. We should go to Deirdre’s hut. I didn’t see her at the Med Hut, so she has to be there."

And yet another beast stepped out to attack Selena. But, just as Selena was about to kick that one in the head, the monstrosity retreated and magical words were heard aloud for all to hear. "Plie sepon tu – I banish you!," cried out Marpesia, the young sorceress who had been the apprentice of the Sorceress Empress. "Oh, evil spirit! I command you to be gone from our athelfi!" Marpesia then blew a handful of red power into the air toward Selena causing the hallucinating Amazon to collapse onto the ground.

"That was very well done, Marpesia," said Latra Valkyra as she walked upon the incident. "Will she be all right?"

"I believe that she’ll be tepae for now. How long I can’t say." She looked at her unconscious athelfi and added, "After I rid her of the evil, I was only able to cast a temporary protection spell on her. Whatever or whoever it was that possessed her shall most likely return."

The Latra ordered some of the crowding Tribeswomen, "Take all of the injured to the Med Hut for treatment." She then directed two guards, "Take Selena to the Prison hut and lock her up. One of you must stay inside the hut to watch her through the jail bars in case she gets violent again. We don’t want her hurting herself."

Valkyra watched as Amazons carried away the injured and Selena. She said to Marpesia, "The Sorceress Empress would be proud of you. I would say that your apprenticeship is over. Have you done any work with Domaris yet? I wager that you two could make a powerful team."

"Efharisto tu, Latra, for your confidence. I was going to speak to Domaris soon. I don’t know where she is."

"The last I that I saw her was last night when she was going to help Cassia with Deirdre, but now Cassia is out of commission in her own Med Hut. I don’t know what happened to Domaris. See if you can find her."

"Nai, my Queen, I’ll go look," replied the young sorceress.

Valkyra thought, I must go speak to the Lyna. There is too much evil plaguing our Village. We have to come up with some sort of way to fight it if possible. As she thought, she observed Samsara and Mariko heading toward Deirdre’s hut.

After seeing Morigan and Venlusia, Faela headed to the stables to saddle up Darkfire again, but something brought her back to her hut. She entered and sat on the edge of the bed, humming to Deirdre. She didn’t know if it did any good, or if Deirdre could hear her. The important thing was to be there for her.

"You know, my mother told me when I was little that everyone has a best friend, some one who is so different and yet so similar to you that no matter what happens in your lives, you’ll always be best friends. And we may be different Deirdre, but you’ll always be my best friend," Faela said through her tears.

She heard the door being pushed open and figured it was just another apprentice healer.

"Maybe you should go tend to your duties Alogosida Koritsi, I believe Morigan could use your help," the strong voice of Samsara said behind her.

Faela leapt to her feet and bowed her head, but unlike many of her sisters, Faela looked Samsara straight in the eye.

"Morigan and her sister have gone down to the Thermadon," Faela said calmly.

"Then perhaps you should round up your hunters." Samsara clearly didn’t want Faela there.

"Very well," Faela bowed her head and left, her new pup following at her heels.

"Ohi, you have to stay here, I’m going hunting alone, I’m going to see if anything in those woods can outrun Darkfire." Faela patted the pup and walked off to the stables again...

The prison cell was cold but even in that, it was fairly comfortable. There was a slight stale smell that was in the air, giving Selena even more of a headache than what she already had.

She sat up slowly whilst rubbing her sore head, she could remember the appearance and the attack of the beasts and the way she had fended them off. She knew that was real, but how did she get here? She could just recall the voice of one of her Amazon athelfi, the tone of it was threatening as she shouted at Selena through one of the beasts.

The realization hit her. They weren’t beasts she was attacking - they were her sisters.

Selena noticed the guard that was stood in the corner. The guard held a spear in one hand. She didn’t make eye contact with her athelfi, but asked if she was okay.

Selena began to speak; her throat was dry as she started to form words, there was a small stammering as Selena managed to get the words out.

"I’m... I’m tepae. What... are my athelfi tepae?"

The guard snorted, moving her hand to scratch her head. Her dark brown hair was tied back keeping the hair out of her face and making it easier for her to keep an eye on prisoners.

"Are they tepae? You hurt them real bad, Selena. We had no idea you could fight like that. Only after Marpesia dealt with you was you able to stop. If she wasn’t there I don’t know what would have happened."

Selena dropped one of her knees to the floor, her heart pounding every moment. She could have severely hurt her sisters; she remembered going on them pretty hard and she regretted it. "Selena, don’t beat yourself up about it. You were possessed it wasn’t your fault."

Without stopping to think about what she was saying, she shouted out at the other Amazon. "Yes it is!"

The guard’s eyebrows knitted together in downright confusion, her piercing brown eyes questioning as they cast over her.

"Explain yourself, Selena."

"I could have stopped myself, I didn’t. I should have known that I was in Themiscyra that none of it was real, but I didn’t. I didn’t stop to think, I did what my heart told me to."

The guard smiled slightly as she began to speak. Her voice was deep and gave off a feeling of empathy.

"Selena, many Amazons resort to violence. What you saw isn’t any different. That rage inside of you is what you have to use to your advantage. Control it, contain it, and release it when you need it the most."

Selena watched the guard with interest as she spoke up, her voice was hoarse as she stated in a simple tone of voice: "Rather zealous, don’t you think? Using your anger as a means of weapon?"

The guard laughed, shortly before answering her.

"You surprise me, Selena. It seems like you have a lot of anger you wish to hide. Why hide it when you could use it in times of battle?"

Selena was the one to laugh this time; this laugh was different though it didn’t seem to have any sort of emotion running through it. It wasn’t bitter or jolly, not even a scared laugh.

"You don’t know me though. My name yes, but you know nothing of my past. You don’t know what makes me hurt, what makes me laugh, what makes me angry. In fact – what, we’re not even having this conversation!"

"I do know, you appear angry with me for saying that Selena. It’s almost as if talking about it makes you angry. Use it Selena. I’ve seen you at the training grounds with Latra Valkyra; you’re a fast learner because rage runs through your blood. I can tell. I was exactly like you."

The redhead gave a curt laugh before turning away.

Anger was taking over her but why, she didn’t know. She heard a small cough as she shifted her eye direction back to the guard. Her eyes appeared to widen as a small flickering took place. A small blonde stood at the crook of the door, before flickering back to the brunette.

"Your mother would want you to!"

Selena got up and ran at the bars and pulled at them, thumped at them, and screamed through the pieces of metal.

"Stop it! Stop it! You don’t know my mother!"

A brief moment passed before Selena stopped screaming and pulling at the bars, she then realized the guard was blonde and that the person she was talking to was a hallucination.

The guard called for some assistance as Selena lowered herself to the solid ground once more. Shock more than anything showed on her face. Why was she behaving like this? What was happening to her?

Latrina came running in the jail door, she saw Selena on the floor.

"What happened?" Latrina said panting slightly from the run.

"Something is wrong with her; she was talking normal as could be, then started ranting and ran for the bars," said the guard.

"Let me in," Latrina said aggressively.

The guard looked at Latrina, a little taken aback, but then let her in the cell. As Latrina stepped in the cell there was a soft swoop of wings as Circe came in the jail.

Latrina formed the words in her head "Go find Samsara tell her it is an emergency."

The owl took off and went to look for the goddess.

"Have some someone fetch a cool towel and some water," Latrina said.

The guard did as she was told, not really enjoying getting bossed around by a newer member of the tribe but knew her sister was in need.

"Selena can you hear me are you in there, sister?"

"Latrina" Selena said pulling away from her, "Get away from me I don’t want to hurt you." Selena said.

"Selena, look, Samsara is coming and I can defend myself. You have shown me great kindness in welcoming me to the tribe; let me help you in return."

She stepped closer just to give Selena a quick hug, then stepped back from her.

Meanwhile back over in Deirdre’s hut, Samsara was watching the young one attentively. Then she heard a swoop of wings as a great white owl came in the hut. "What the Hades–" Samsara exclaimed, waving her arms at the bird.

When the bird didn’t flinch Samsara knew it was there for a reason.

The owl started to hoot, and move its head in the direction of the door.

Samsara said to herself, "That thing wants me to follow it. Unbelievable, an owl wants me to follow it." She moved to the door, grabbed an apprentice and told her to stay with Deirdre.

The goddess headed out the door following the white owl through the village.

Mariko walked with Samsara as the Teloan followed the snowy white owl.

"This is graver than I thought," the Eastern Woman said. "I don’t think I need to talk to Domaris. We both know it’s Discord."

Athanase never took her eyes off of the owl. "How do you know? How would you know?" Mariko worked in mysterious ways. There were very few times when Samsara first met her that the Eastern Woman would reveal her designs. Even now, she still acted that way.

"When I was Eire with Abnoba, I warned her of her impending defeat. She simply laughed and told me that my logic meant nothing to her. When she finally released me - before it was all over - she warned me that Discord was coming again. That when you were to fight Kaia that one last time, Discord would seek her revenge."

"What are you talking about?" Samsara said, stopping. The owl perched on a rooftop and waited for the Goddess to get her mind centered. "Discord would get her revenge?"

"You killed Kakistos for the final time. Dahak couldn’t destroy you either. Discord has one last card she wants to deal. She wants to destroy the Amazon Nation."

"Is that why Deirdre’s the way she is?" Things were beginning to click.

"Her body is vacant of her spirit. She is almost in the state you were in, Waka-musabi. She’s no longer tangible and she’s afraid."

The owl hooted, hoping the two would follow. The Teloan looked up and nodded once at the creature, who took off and led them toward the prison.

"Don’t you think the way Selena’s been acting, what she’s seen this passed week is also odd?" Sami said.

Before Mariko could respond, one of the little athelfi tugged on Samsara’s skirt. It was Laodake, accompanied by her friend Kyodamia.

"We heard there was something wrong with Selena," Kyodamia said, tears welling in her eyes.

Athanase looked up at Mariko, unsure of what to say. The truth was that not only was there something gravely wrong with the Weyal Archila, there was evil in the village.

"Samsara, why is she in the prison?" Laodake queried, hugging her friend.

"She was so scared!" said another Koritsi. It was Nina’s babe, Suna. Nina was close behind, watching the little ones.

The Teloan Latra knelt down to try and answer the girls. Her black eyes softened as she struggled for an answer. She had no idea that Selena was in the jail. She opened her mouth to make up something, and then noticed that Suna had a cut across her cheek.

"What’s that?" she queried, instantly worried. Athanase would never admit it, but being the age of a child, she related to children much better than others, and sometimes preferred being around children. They were carefree most of the time and led good lives in the care of Selena and Nina. She could understand their apprehension at the news better than everyone else. Samsara touched the cut on Suna’s cheek and instantly was brought back to what had happened.

She could see Selena fighting and screaming. She never knew that the Cumae Paros had such strength – or rage! – in her. In the melee Suna stepped back and fell, scratching her cheek. She was fine, but bled a little.

"Some-Sometimes we do bad things," Samsara explained, caressing Suna’s cheek. "Good athelfi do bad things. We don’t wish to. And sometimes we have to punish those athelfi, even if it hurts." She paused, knowing that the explanation wasn’t enough. "I know what Selena did might scare you, but please, don’t fear her. Something might have happened and she might have gotten scared. And we fight when we’re scared, but she isn’t a bad person, know that."

"But I heard she hurt our sisters," Laodake said.

"I remember once when you were fighting with Kyodamia for – what was it – a doll?" Samsara smiled as she stood. "You were very mean to her, but you are a good person. Isn’t that right?"

Laodake nodded.

"I’m going to go see her. I’ll find out what happened."

Nina took the children toward the mess hut for a snack as Samsara and Mariko made their way into the jail.

There were several guards standing at either end of the cell Selena was in. The redhead had her knees up to her chest and her eyes were cast down. She said nothing, even when she recognized the sandals that belonged to Athanase. She was scared, embarrassed… ashamed.

Mariko’s eyes darted left and right.

"I hear it too," Sami said, noticing her observation. A distinct, but near silent, yowling.

"I’m surprised you didn’t feel her presence in your own hut. You’ll need to recenter yourself before you face her again. I’m afraid Discord has grown much stronger. I’m sure the Protectoress has told you."

"Aye," Sami responded. "Aye."

Elsewhere…

They had walked for hours, Morigan prayed that Faela understood her expression of help but she knew that was a far cry from reality. Venlusia was leading her to a trap and she couldn’t risk fighting her now. Venlusia could run away to her father. No she needed a plan and she needed to get a message through to one of her sisters. But who? Who else can I call? Morigan smiled at Venlusia as she turned to look at Morigan for any sign of suspicion.

"So, Venny, what about Radicus? What did you need to tell me?" Venlusia smiled careful to hide her intension from her sister.

She knew that Morigan was a powerful witch and that somehow that had formed a bond. Morigan always knew when Venlusia was upset or in trouble. That’s why Father wants me to sacrifice you to Chaos. I will gain your powers, Venlusia thought with satisfaction. With this new sword her father gave her she was sure to win. Magic was powerless against it.

They continued to walk across the forest, heading for the Thermadon River. Silence filled the walk; not even the animals in the forest made a sound. Morigan thought of her sisters at the village: Selena, Deirdre both possessed by evil forces. She could feel them even at this distance and she wondered if she would ever see them again. She didn’t know if she would be able to fight against her sister in this state; the last time Venlusia went through something like this she almost lost.

Funny, I can’t help but wonder who would look after the stables. I’m sure Faela would be promoted, she thought with a small smile then she shook herself out of the thought. I am not going to die, not like this. Not by Venny.

Venlusia started to get inpatient about the whole situation. She wanted to get it over and done with and get ride of this so-called sister of hers. She kept touching the handle of her new sword, itching to use it, itching to use it on her "sister."

A slight breeze had picked up as they came close to the Thermadon. Venlusia could hear something in the air but it seemed distant. She thought that maybe it was her father but the voice grew louder and seemed to be feminine.

"Venlusia!" the breeze called out to her, Venlusia shook her head thinking that maybe Morigan was playing tricks on her.

"Venlusia... Stop... Listen to me.... Listen to your Mother... Don’t kill Morigan..." The voice seemed to get fainter as they almost reached the river. The desperate cries of the woman fell on deaf ears as Venlusia started to walk slower behind Morigan, readying her Sword of Darkness for the kill.

Morigan could feel Venlusia behind her as she could hear the cries of her Mother pleading with her sister to stop.

"Morigan... Run..." Mavican said finally as she realized that there was no way to reach her daughter.

Morigan waited until she felt Venlusia pulling out her sword. She reached slowly towards her sais, she had kept them on her hip today, just a feeling she had that morning.

Suddenly Morigan spun around into a defensive position. Her Pendant of Light began to glow brighter.

"Venny, don’t do this. Please."

Venlusia smiled evilly at her twin. You may be the protector of the light, Morigan but that useless pendant you have is no match for my sword."

Morigan looked at her sister in amazement...

"But how did..."

"How did I know? You’re the witch, you tell me sis..." Venlusia cut in sharply.

"Radicus told you didn’t he?"

She laughed out loudly at Morigan’s response. "Ohi, you jundee athelfi, Chaos told me." She lifted her arms as if showing Morigan where Chaos was and it seemed that he was all around them.

"Oh, and what else did he tell you, sis? Did he tell you that you would rule the world as his queen? That will never happen, Venny, not as long as Samsara or Marpesia or any other man or women with enough power lives. You’re not Samsara, Venny. You will never have the powers that she has."

Venlusia looked at her sister, as Morigan seemed to be concentrated on her.

"That’s where you’re wrong, sis. You will help me reach that level of power. And Chaos, older and more powerful then the Olympians, has given me and promised me." With that Venlusia headed for her sister.

The first blow was powerful enough, knocking Morigan to the ground but before Venlusia could strike, Morigan jumped to her feet and somersaulted backward to regain her balance. She could hear the river raging behind her and she could also feel Radicus and his men, watching, laying in wait for Morigan to die.

"Venny, stop fighting me... I’m your sister, your blood...."

Venlusia’s face sneered in disgust.

"You are weak and unworthy of being my sister. You will do more for me in death than you ever could in life!"

Venlusia swung her sword around hitting Morigan’s sais and then kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying near the edge of the raging river.

"Aww, sis, is this all you have or are you going easy on me cause I’m your sister?" Morigan wiped the blood from her mouth and looked at Venlusia mocking her.

She ran towards the Cild Koritsi letting her anger and despair rule her judgment. This was her sister, the only family that she had left thanks to the Romans and Radicus. She cursed the day he captured her. If I were a better Amazon this would not have happened, she kept thinking. Venlusia had tried to warn her that Radicus was getting to her but she chose to ignore the feelings she was getting and ignore the possibility that Venlusia was right.

She ran up to Venlusia and flipped over her ready to strike her in the back but Venlusia knew Morigan well and spun around in time to catch the sais on the edge of her sword and then block Morigan with the other hand. Venlusia grabbed Morigan by the wrist and twisted her arm around, but Morigan managed to use what she had learned in Chin from her mentor Kao H’sin and twist her self out of Venlusia’s grip.

As Morigan managed to get back into a stance Venlusia front flipped and landed behind Morigan and she grabbed her by her hair attempting to slit her throat with her sword. Morigan saw the sword heading for her and with all her strength she managed to miss the sword cutting her long blonde hair.

Venlusia looked at her handful of blonde hair and stamped her foot in anger.

"Venny this isn’t you, it’s Radicus, snap out of it... I know you can do it."

Venlusia giggled, enjoying her battle with Morigan and headed straight for her, ramming her down to the ground and hitting her face with the beautifully decorated handle of her sword. Morigan, using Venlusia’s weight for leverage pushed her forward then jumped up to her feet. I can’t stop her right now like this. Please, Venny fight, fight back! Feeling herself weakened by the hit she received to the face, Morigan forced her self to stay awake and concentrate. She couldn’t let Venlusia win. Not now, not this time. She gathered all her strength and ran towards an already running Venlusia. As Venlusia ducked Morigan’s advance she swept her of her feet causing Morigan to fall into the Thermadon River. In a rage Venlusia tried to get Morigan out of the river, but the force of the river was to strong. Venlusia hit the ground with her fist several times.

"No, no, NO. I need her blood!" Venlusia watched as Morigan’s hand was the last thing she saw…

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