By LoreliLee
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The characters of Ares and Artemis belong to Greek Mythology and also apparently to Universal Studios and Pacific Renaissance and this story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved in the making of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or Xena: Warrior Princess.
Author's Note: While this story is not a true sequel to Kalea, Dawn of the Dead, or Ransoming the Stone, it is a continuation of the story of the Amazons of Parnasis. You do not have to have read the other stories to enjoy this one. But you should read Chapter One before reading this. <g>
Ileana awoke slowly from a very strange dream. All she remembered clearly was a beautiful sword calling her name. Still, the dream left her shaking and filled with uneasiness.
She turned over on her cot to find Antiope staring at her intently. Her sister’s dark eyes seemed full of some strong emotion, but what it was she couldn’t name. She only knew it scared her. "Good morning," Ileana greeted her sister as she rose from the cot.
"I’m leaving today," Antiope stated.
Ileana’s brow wrinkled with puzzlement. "Leaving? To go where?" she prompted.
"I’m going to my father’s temple in Thrace," Antiope announced. "He likes me better than you," she added spitefully.
"But that’s so far," Ileana protested, ignoring the spite as she usually did. "I’ll never see you."
"I know," Antiope confirmed with a smirk. "Isn’t that wonderful?"
"I'll miss you," Ileana replied, knowing it was true. There had been a time, when Antiope was younger, when she hadn't been so hateful. A time when the two had been like sisters. Ileana never knew or understood what caused the change in Antiope’s behavior. One day Antiope was devotedly following her and the next she actively hated her. Ileana clung to the memory of the sweet child she once knew not the willful child her sister had become.
"Well I won’t miss you," Antiope retorted. "After Father trains me, you won’t be better than me. You won’t be a chosen one!"
Ileana was shocked. ‘Lord Ares is going to train Antiope? Well, she is his daughter,’ she reminded herself. Then it dawned on her what else Antiope had said. ‘Why she hates me! No, that can’t be possible, what have I ever done? She’s just unhappy. But she should be pleased.’ Ileana pushed the unpleasant thoughts out of her mind. She needed to get ready for the hunt.
Antiope watched Ileana dress. Her dark eyes were glowing with expectation and anticipation.
"What happened to my new bow?" Ileana queried. The bowstring was gone.
"I don’t know," Antiope replied with feigned innocence. She knew perfectly well. She had taken the bowstring herself.
"Well, my old bow has always served me well," Ileana commented with a shrug. "It should do fine today."
‘Doesn't anything ever get to her?’ Antiope wondered. ‘Just once, I'd like to see her broken.’
"Antiope," Ileana reflected after she finished getting ready, "I'll miss you. Still, now I’m of age to travel, maybe I’ll come visit you in Thrace."
Antiope studied her through thick black eyelashes. "You don’t have to. I'll be so busy with Father and training I probably won’t have any time to see you."
Ileana shrugged. "Have a safe trip. May Artemis bless you."
Antiope’s dark eyes flashed as she spit, "Forget Artemis. I only care about Ares."
"You're still half Amazon," Ileana advised her. "And half mortal. You shouldn’t forget that side of yourself."
"Just go to your hunt!" Antiope shouted. She didn’t need to be reminded who she was. She knew perfectly well.
Ileana stopped to kiss her mother who was packing Antiope’s things. "Mother, are you sure about this?"
Cyan looked up from her packing, "Yes, I’m sure. It’s for the best."
Ileana nodded and left the hut to join her hunting party. There were five teams with six Amazons in each party three first-timers like her, and three experienced hunters. The tribe had a report of deer in a nearby forest. When each team was ready and equipped with their bow and arrows, they set out in different directions. After two hours walk, Ileana’s group reached a sunny glade with a small stream running through it. Ileana was the first to spot the deer. She motioned to Kori, who though not nearly as skilled at hunting as at battle, had asked to come.
Kori moved silently to Ileana’s side. She motioned the others to stay still and silent. First sighting, first shot was the rule. Ileana crept closer to the deer that drank from the stream. She was sure the sound of her beating heart was echoing through the glade. The deer lifted its head as if it heard her, then went back to drinking.
As quietly as she could, Ileana fitted her bow with arrow, whispered a prayer to Artemis, and let fly. Her shot was true; it struck the deer in its chest. Ileana watched in horror as a spreading red stain appeared on the deer’s flank and it fell to the ground. ‘I’ve killed it,’ she thought.
Her stricken face worried Kori. If this happened when she killed for food, what would happen in battle? "Ileana, look at me," Kori commanded. Slowly, reluctantly, Ileana took her eyes off the dying animal and attempted to focus on her teacher. "It's our job to hunt. All creatures great and small have a purpose. The deer to graze in the fields and to feed and clothe us. We don't kill for sport; we kill only out of need. That deer will feed the tribe and provide clothing. That is its purpose. Do you understand?"
Ileana’s face was a study in pain. "But it was alive a moment ago. It didn’t do anything to us. And I killed it!"
Kori nodded. "Yes, you did. But think for a moment, why did we come on the hunt?"
"Food," she recited. "To get food."
Again, Kori nodded. "Exactly. How did you think we would achieve this?"
"I guess I didn’t really think about it." Ileana now looked as if she would be ill.
"Listen to me," Kori instructed sternly. "Killing animals for sport is wrong. Artemis gave us the skills to hunt so we could provide for ourselves. We only kill animals we can eat. None of the deer will be wasted, all of it will provide. Necessity is often a harsh mistress, but one which will keep you alive. Without that deer, many would go hungry. Would that be better?"
Ileana shook her head. "No, but I’ve never killed before."
Kori went to the girl and put her arms around her. Ileana began to sob. The other Amazons went to the deer and made sure it was dead. Then they began to prepare it for transport. Kori motioned the others to go back to the village without them.
When Ileana finished crying, Kori led her to a fallen log. They sat down and Kori explained, "I know the first kill is difficult. But Ileana, if you are to be a warrior, as you say you want to, then you must learn how to deal with it. The deer is a natural prey, not just for us, but for other creatures. The gods gave us bounty so we all could flourish and prosper."
Ileana looked at Kori with wide, horror stricken blue eyes as she protested, "But it was so beautiful and defenseless."
"Child," Kori conceded, "that deer might have been beautiful, but hardly defenseless. It can run faster than you or I and if you had only wounded it, it could have killed any one of us with its hooves. Do not mistake appearance for reality."
Ileana thought for a moment. The horror in her eyes eased as she suggested, "If I had made more noise, the deer would have run?" Kori nodded. "If I had hit it in a leg, it would only have been wounded and one of my sisters might have been hurt?" Again, Kori nodded. "So my killing it outright was best, a blessing of bounty?"
Kori nodded. "Yes, it’s a blessing to kill the deer, because now there will be food and clothing."
"Well," Ileana mused thoughtfully, "than even though I didn't enjoy what I did, it was right?"
Kori smiled sadly. "As right as can be. Ileana, one should never enjoy killing. One can enjoy the thrill of the hunt. But you should always be cognizant of the life, even of an animal, which you take. Killing is only something one should do out of necessity for either food as today or in battle to save a life."
"Like you do?" Ileana asked. Although Kori talked much about war and how to fight it, she rarely spoke of her experiences and Ileana always wondered.
"I have killed in battle," Kori declared. She sighed to herself. She had known she would have to have this conversation. Ares had warned her not to frighten Ileana with stories. Still, the girl was so young and she had so much promise. She deserved to hear the truth, as Kori saw it. "Many times in the service of Lord Ares and for many reasons. When a cause was just and battle could not be avoided, then yes, I have killed."
Ileana studied Kori thoughtfully as she inquired, "How do you know when a cause is just?"
This was the crux of the matter where she and Ares disagreed. "Sometimes you don’t," she disclosed cautiously. "That's why Galea always says to use your mind before your sword."
"Yes, I know," Ileana reiterated impatiently. "But how do you know what to fight for?"
"You should ask yourself if you would be willing to die for it," Kori asserted.
Ileana’s eyes narrowed and her mouth pursed in thought, "You're saying I should only fight for a cause I'm willing to die for like protecting the village or my Amazon sisters?"
Kori knew she needed to tread carefully here. What she said next would have a great impact and Ares had made it very clear how he wanted Ileana to think. Still in the three years she'd known the girl, she had come to know joy again and she owed Ileana something for that. "What do you believe in?" she prompted quietly.
"What do I? Why?" Ileana inquired, clearly puzzled.
Kori's gray eyes seemed to go far away as she implored the girl, "You should fight for what you believe in. Fight for causes you believe in. Just because someone says a cause is just doesn’t make it so. What matters is what you believe to be just. What you believe in so much, you would die for it."
Ileana declared softly, "Well I believe in the tribe and our right to live as we do. I believe in protecting my family. I would die for both those things."
"That’s a good start," Kori instructed her prudently. "As you get older and see more of the world, you'll probably find more things to believe in. The most important thing to remember is you should never fight for something without being willing to die for it."
"Words to live by," whispered a voice in Kori’s ear. "Get rid of her. I'm bound by my promise to Artemis and I want to talk to you."
"Ileana," Kori urged, "why don’t you start back to the village. I’ll be right along."
Ileana nodded and began to walk away.
When Ileana was out of eye and ear shot, Ares materialized. He was clearly angry with Kori. "Why do you continue to disobey me?" he thundered.
Kori stood her ground. She had served him well and he knew it. But this . . . she refused to lead that lamb to slaughter without a fight. "I did not disobey you," she refuted mildly.
His dark eyes flashed with barely restrained rage when he roared, "You did not tell her that any cause I say is just, is just!"
"Because it so often isn’t," she demurred softly. Before he could thunder at her again she added, "You asked me to make her a warrior. How long would she last on any battlefield if she can’t kill? She was devastated after killing the deer. If I hadn’t calmed her down, all her training, all my training would have been for naught."
"I grant you that," he conceded grudgingly. "But all that talk about being willing to die for what she believes in." He pointed his finger at Kori and proclaimed, "What she believes in is irrelevant. What I want is what matters."
"Ares," Kori explained patiently, "you asked me to teach her to think. This was bound to come up eventually. She is too smart to follow me or anyone else blindly. Even you will have to explain things to her. She would never just kill because you told her to."
He thought about that. He knew Kori was right. The girl didn't have enough hate in her; in fact, she seemed to have no hate at all. He couldn’t see her killing in a blind rage either. She would have to be nurtured carefully if he wanted her to follow his path. "Very well, Kori. But remember your place. Your job is to teach her to be my warrior. To follow me. You don't want to cross me, I make a very bad enemy."
Kori feigned fear. After all her years of service to him, she would welcome death if she displeased him. Better for now to try to help Ileana. "Yes, Ares, I know. I will attempt to mold her as you requested. But the girl has a mind of her own. She might surprise you."
He studied her face carefully and ordered harshly, "It's your job to see that she doesn’t. Remember Kori you stay here on my sufferance. Displease me and . . ."
"Yes, I know, you can kill me with a thought. Really, Ares, after all this time?" She shook her head and gave him a sideways glance. "So how is Antiope? Why aren’t you in Thrace?"
"Was that today?" he muttered innocently. "I suppose I should at least greet the brat when she arrives. But Kori, remember what I’ve said, Ileana vowed herself to me and I want her."
Kori nodded, wishing he would just leave. She didn’t
particularly want Ileana walking all the way back to the village alone. Ares
gave Kori a last searching glance and vanished.
Kori found Ileana about a half mile away, sitting in the crook of a tree looking pleased. On the ground at her feet lay a young man, bound and gagged. "What happened?" Kori inquired.
Ileana jumped down from the tree in one fluid motion. "That child there," she pointed at the groaning youth, "tried to take my bow."
Kori had to work very hard to hide her amusement, "And for this you bound and gagged him?"
Ileana shrugged. "I bound him to keep him from running away and I gagged him because his complaining about being bound was going to drive me crazy."
Kori bent down to examine the young man. His brown eyes pleaded with her to release him. He did look young, although he was clearly not a child. The muscles in his arms and legs were apparent even through his thin clothes. "If I remove your gag, will you promise not to complain?" she asked. "Ileana doesn't like complainers and neither do I."
He nodded his assent. Kori gently removed the piece of fabric from his mouth. "Thank you so much," the youth grumbled. "Now if you would be so kind as to untie me, I'll be on my way."
Ileana was staring at him. Laughter danced in her blue eyes. "You tried to take my bow. In my tribe that's cause for death."
‘She likes him,’ Kori thought. She smiled at the other Amazon and suggested, "Ileana, maybe he didn't realize that to an Amazon their bow is the same as their life."
"You’re Amazons?" he repeated incredulously. "I don’t believe it. Real Amazons? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble. I wasn’t really trying to steal her bow. I only wanted to borrow it for a while. I saw a rabbit and I was hungry."
"Hungry? Ileana echoed playfully. "Why didn’t you just ask me for some food?"
His brown eyes appeared apologetic as he confessed, "I didn’t think of it. Please let me go, I’m sorry."
Kori and Ileana shared an amused smile. Kori said to him, "If you're hungry, you can come with us."
Ileana nodded and bent down to untie him. When he was free, he queried, "If I get up, you won’t hit me again, will you?"
"If you don't try to steal," Ileana retorted.
"I won’t," he acknowledged as he stood. "I'm Tobias."
Kori studied him intently as she introduced herself. "I’m Kori and you’ve already met Ileana."
He rubbed his wrists. "I sure did." He studied Ileana’s smiling face. "Are you always so mean?"
"Mean?" Ileana couldn't believe her ears. "You tried to steal my bow. That’s about as low as you can get."
Tobias grinned at her. She was gorgeous when she was angry. Suddenly he wasn’t hungry anymore. "Are you really Amazons or did you just say that to scare me?"
"We’re really Amazons," Kori explained. "Would you like Ileana to demonstrate her skill with a sword?"
Before Kori even finished speaking Ileana’s sword was in her hand.
"That’s okay," he muttered with a gulp. "I believe you. But why am I still alive?"
Kori and Ileana exchanged a look. ‘So there are stories about us,’ Ileana thought.
Kori actually grinned as she clarified, "Despite what you may have heard, most of us don’t hate men. Speaking for myself, I’m actually quite fond of your gender. Ileana, on the other hand . . ."
Ileana nonchalantly waved her sword at him. He jumped back a foot. She spoiled the effect by giggling. "Come on, Tobias," she urged. "If you’re really hungry I know where there’s lots of good food." She sheathed her sword and offered him her hand.
"You won’t try any tricks, will you?" he teased.
Ileana shook her head. "Not if you don’t. I killed a deer and there’s going to be a feast tonight."
He raised his eyebrows at Kori, who nodded her head in assent. "You're welcome to come to our village," she invited. "We'll feed you and find you a bed for the night." She noticed the speculation in his eyes as he looked at Ileana. "Alone," she added pointedly. "Then tomorrow, one of our warriors will escort you to the nearest town."
"What are you doing traveling alone?" Ileana queried. ‘He really is cute,’ she thought. He smiled at her and she felt her heart melt. "I’m sorry if I hurt you. But you shouldn’t ever attack a woman and stealing is wrong."
"You attacked me," he countered. ‘How could any girl this attractive be so skilled at fighting? She’s an Amazon, you idiot,’ he reminded himself. ‘She’s probably been training since she was big enough to hold a weapon.’
Ileana stood in front of him, her hands on her hips. "I only attacked you because you tried to steal my bow and I’m getting tired of repeating that!"
"Feisty, aren’t you?" he commented with another grin. "Okay, you win, I’m a horrible little thief. But if you promise to teach me how you threw me over your shoulder, then I’ll teach you something too."
"What could you possibly teach me?" Ileana asked curiously.
The two were now separated from Kori. "Come here," he requested. Ileana walked over to stand close to him. He was slightly taller than she was and she had to tilt her face to make eye contact. In an innocent and unconsciously flirtatious gesture, she licked her lips.
He caught his breath and motioned his hand towards her head. "I found this in your ear." He held up a coin.
"That wasn't in my ear!" she pouted.
‘I wonder if she’d kill me if I kissed her?’ he asked himself. ‘Better not try, that dragon lady of hers will be along any minute.’ "You’re right," he confirmed. He touched her hair. It was so soft it felt like silk. Her creamy skin glowed with health. He wondered what it would be like to touch her. "It was in your hair. Look, here’s another and another." Suddenly there were ten coins in his hand.
Her eyes opened even wider in astonishment. "How did you do that?" she exclaimed.
He grinned. His brown eyes lit with interest and then turned speculative. "I’ll teach you, but only if you teach me that throw."
"Agreed," she assented with a nod of her head. "Do you want to try now?"
Tobias took a few steps closer to her. Now they were inches apart. Ileana's face was flushed and her blue eyes danced with amusement. As their gazes met something magical happened. Tobias felt as if all the breath had been sucked out of him. As he was about to reach out and cup her face, in preparation to kiss her, he heard Kori's voice.
"Ileana," Kori called sternly, "we need to get back to the village before dark. No more dallying." She paused and then added the concern and annoyance clear in her tone of voice, "Come on, Tobias, time to go."
The three walked the final mile back to the village companionably. Ileana chattered like a magpie to Tobias all the way. Asking him questions, barely waiting for the answer, before she asked him another. ‘He is charming,’ Kori thought. ‘I wonder . . . No, Ares wouldn’t risk Artemis’ wrath that way.’
Tobias was made welcome when they reached the village. Although he hadn’t imagined what an Amazon village would look like, he hadn’t thought it would be this. ‘Why it looks like any village,’ he thought. There were twenty huts arranged around a big open square. In the middle of the square sat a long table with chairs for communal eating. ‘I could be anywhere,’ he thought. Except here, while he spotted several little children, male and female, he was the only adult male.
When they arrived he could smell roasting meat and see the village was preparing for a feast. Several women were cooking venison over an open-air pit. Another was taking what looked to be fresh bread from a clay oven. Still another was pouring liquid into mugs at the table. The Amazons looked happy and healthy and didn't seem put off by his being there. Some of the younger ones looked at him shyly, while some of the older ones eyed him speculatively.
Ileana announced she and Kori had found him in the woods in need of food and shelter for the night. The Queen was gracious and even she seemed charmed by the brown-eyed young man.
The next morning when it was time for Tobias to leave, he asked to see Ileana. He was informed she was training, so he asked to see the queen.
"Thank you for your hospitality," he stated gratefully. "I'll make sure to tell all I meet, the stories we have heard are wrong."
"We're a peaceful group,’ Galea acknowledged. "But do not mistake hospitality for stupidity. I know from Kori exactly how it was you came to us. There are many among us with Ileana’s skills. A ferocious reputation is a useful thing; it keeps away the bullies and makes others think twice. Do you understand?"
"I wasn’t here," he murmured thoughtfully. "No one shall know of your kindness."
"Thank you." The Queen inclined her head in dismissal.
"If I were to come back," he inquired, "would I be welcome? Could I see Ileana again?"
So he was taken with the child. "You will always be welcome among our tribe. As for Ileana, she is free to choose her own friends. It would be best however if you not try to enter our Village unannounced. If you wish to visit us or see Ileana, you may send a message. Some of our Amazons go to town every Saturday for market."
"Ileana?" he asked eagerly.
She shook her head. "Not yet, she is still too young. Maybe next year."
"Thank you Queen Galea," he observed earnestly. "If ever I can perform some service, please don't hesitate to call on me."
She studied his serious young face as she informed him, "That is a very rash promise, young man, to make to a queen."
He bowed to her and reiterated, "I mean every word of it."
‘Yes, young man,’ Galea thought, ‘I believe you do.’
After the hunt, everything about Ileana’s life changed. She was now considered an adult by the rest of the tribe for having made her first kill. Her schooling changed; there was less about nature, more about the gods and a life of service to them and the tribe. And there was Tobias, and with him, news of the world outside her village.
After their first meeting, it was a full moon-cycle before she heard from him again. One Saturday the Amazons who went to market brought back a message for her. Tobias was in town and wanted her to meet him at the stream in the glade the next day.
Ileana was eager to see her new friend. She had thought of him often, his laughing brown eyes, his crooked smile. She got to the stream before him and was dangling her feet in the water when she heard noises behind her. "That better be Tobias," she remarked.
"Hello, Ileana," he confirmed.
She turned and smiled. He thought his heart would explode from the joy of seeing her. He had dreamed of little else since the last time.
"Tobias, come sit beside me and tell me of your travels," she invited him warmly.
Tobias joined her at the stream. He took off his boots to cool his feet. "That feels good," he murmured as the water washed the dirt and grime away.
"Where have you been?" she inquired.
"I went to Thrace to look for work," he claimed.
"Work?" she repeated with a laugh. "You mean you decided you weren’t a very good thief, if a girl like me could catch you. You must have found some if you came by that new bow of yours honestly."
"Trust an Amazon to notice a weapon first," he scoffed. "I’ve got new clothes too."
Ileana studied his leather jerkin and pants. Her blue eyes twinkled when she asked, "Are you sure you didn’t steal them?"
"I did not!" he retorted indignantly. Then he laughed, "I probably deserved that. Meeting you has changed my life. From now on, I earn my keep honestly. No more stealing, just hard work."
She looked at him thoughtfully, a small smile playing around her lips. "What kind of work?"
"I’m very good with my hands," he commented.
"Are you?" she retorted flirtatiously. She looked at his hands; he had long gently tapered fingers. She wondered what it would feel like if they touched her and was surprised at the thought. She swallowed hard and then asked softly, "What are you doing exactly with your hands?"
He noticed her glance. His fingers itched to touch her. "A little carpentry, a little hunting. Enough to get by."
She dropped her eyes as a flush crawled up her face. "And what’s the news in Thrace? Did you stop by Ares’ temple? My sister, Antiope is there. Have you any news of her?"
"Slow down," he urged. "I can only answer one question at a time. The news in Thrace isn't good. There are warlords gathering. Rumor has it there will be a war. I don't go to temples and certainly not one of Ares. And I have heard that a girl is living in the temple, but I didn't see her."
"Why don’t you like Lord Ares?" she inquired.
"The God of War?" He shook his head. "Ileana, how can you even ask? I should think you of all people would know how horrible war is."
She raised her eyes. They were wide with confusion. "How could I know that? We're peaceful. There hasn’t been any trouble around here for a long time. The gods protect us."
"Which gods?" he asked with concern.
"Artemis and Ares," she explained softly. "Ares has a temple in town and we have a shrine to Artemis in the village."
"Ares," he spit the name. "The God of War is despicable. He uses mortals as tools simply to achieve some end of his own. He never fights on the battlefield, only his warriors fight. Maybe if he were to try it sometime he might not think it so much fun."
"Tobias!" Ileana was mortified. "Not so loud. Lord Ares has been known to frequent this glade. He would be angry if he heard how you spoke."
Tobias refuted bitterly, "Let him be angry. I speak the truth. Ileana, Ares is vengeful and cruel and the warlords who kill in his name are just as bad."
She queried tentatively, "But how do you know this? What proof have you he’s like that?"
"What proof do you have he isn't?" Tobias spit the question.
"He's always been kind to me," she countered softly.
This surprised him. He asked with something like fear in his voice, "You've met him?"
"Twice," she confirmed. She wouldn't meet his eyes. "Once when I was eight and once recently, on my sixteenth birthday. He gave me the armband I wear. I am vowed to serve him when I am old enough."
This was too much for Tobias. He exploded. "You are vowed to that . . . that . . . pig?"
Ileana was shocked. She knew some people feared and disliked the God of War, but she had never heard any speak with this much anger and hatred. "Tobias! I will not allow you to speak of him like that. Why do you hate him so?"
"My father and older brother were killed in one of your god’s little wars. And for no more reason than they were in the way." He jumped up from the water and began to pull on his boots. "Maybe I’d better go. I have no quarrel with you and I don't wish one with the God of War."
"Don’t go," she entreated softly. She reached out a hand to him. "Tobias, please, sit down and tell me what happened to your family."
Tobias studied her beautiful young face as he took her hand and sat back down. He hinted softly, "You won't like this story, Ileana. It doesn't make your god a hero."
She prompted earnestly, "I want only the truth, Tobias. If I am to serve him, I must know what that will entail."
He nodded. "Very well. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’s not a pretty story."
"I understand. Now tell me," she implored urgently. Suddenly it was very important for her to know, and not just because it involved Tobias.
His brown eyes grew dark as he began the tale. "I was ten when it happened. My family and I lived in a little village near Corinth. It was a quiet place, not too many people, nothing of value nearby. Just a few small houses and farms. But your god wanted to conquer Corinth. So he had a warlord gather an army. It was decided our village would be the perfect gathering spot. When we didn’t want to move, they burned the houses. When my brother and father tried to resist, they killed them. My mother took me and ran. And your god, Ares, he let it happen."
Ileana’s heart went out to him. She asked gently, "How could you know that? Was he there? Did you see him? Hear him tell the warlord to do this?"
‘How could such a smart girl be so . . .’ He blurted out, "Ileana, don’t be naïve. Just because the God of War doesn't appear over a warlord’s shoulder whispering in his ear what to do, doesn't mean he doesn’t want it done. The warlord was acting on his orders. And what the God of War wants, his warlords will do anything to get."
"But you can’t know he condoned the killing of innocent people," she protested.
"The warlord did it. And he marched on Corinth with Ares’ blessing. Ileana," he added gently, "even if he didn’t order it, he did nothing to stop it."
"Maybe he didn’t know," she whispered. She wanted desperately to believe the God of War played fair, but something inside her knew Tobias was right. She had heard stories like this before, with each new cruelty she was becoming more afraid for her future.
After that day, Ileana and Tobias would meet once a moon cycle near the stream. They would talk of his travels, her schooling, of things the two of them learned in daily life. They never discussed the future, never again discussed the God of War, or her possible service to him. They each had not yet found their clear path, they didn't know whether their paths would entwine or separate.
Tobias, older than Ileana by three years, was afraid to scare her with his feelings. He knew, without being told, she must choose for herself what her life was to be and he could not, should not, push her. He ached always with such longing for her, but he tried hard never to let it show.
Ileana, so innocent in some ways, so old in others, was unsure of her feelings. She knew, in the way women do, that Tobias wanted her. She was thankful he never looked at her the way the men in the town did. Ileana was aware of the leers and the whispering that went on behind her back as she and her Amazon sisters strolled through Parnasis on their way to market.
The first time she went to market was right after her seventeenth birthday. She was amazed at all the wonders of the town. To her untutored eyes, Parnasis seemed huge, there were real houses made of stone, brick and wood, there were stables and taverns; there was even an Inn. On market day, the town came alive. People from all over the region came to buy and sell. There were peddlers with pots and pans, brightly colored cloth, and jewelry. There were magicians who breathed fire, storytellers who for a coin would tell a great tale, and even soothsayers who swore they knew the future.
In the actual market, in addition to the peddlers with their specialized wares, there were fishmongers, fruit sellers, grain merchants, and flower merchants. It was filled with bright colors and voices raised in a variety of dialects; an assault on all the senses and Ileana loved it.
There were also men. Lots of them. Once long ago, some drunken soldiers had made the mistake of trying to take an Amazon by force. The men were discovered, chopped up in little pieces at the edge of town. No one had tried it since. The men of Parnasis were afraid to risk the wrath of Queen Galea. The legends about the tribe were many; Artemis protected them with special charms, Ares trained them himself, they were powerful killers, they ate their male young. So the men watched, whispered, and had many lascivious thoughts, but no one, no matter how much ale they drank in the tavern, went after them.
Until one day, a warlord, new to the town and region, came to Ares’ temple. Josiah was big and cruel and had proven his value to the God of War on the battlefield of Hesperious. He was a gifted warrior, proud to be one of Ares’ chosen. He had a vicious streak the God of War liked. Josiah saw the trio of Amazons at the Saturday market and was particularly taken with the blond. After several mugs of strong ale, he and some of his men decided to follow them out of town and have some fun.
About half a mile from the town and an equal distance from the Amazon village, Josiah appeared in front of the women.
Ileana, Tyr and Kori had heard someone following them, fumbling through the underbrush. It had sounded like more than one man, but they were unsure how many.
"What do you want?" Kori asked of the large ugly man in front of them.
"The blond," Josiah declared smacking his lips and brandishing his sword.
Ileana’s sword was in her hand before he even finished speaking. "We don't want any trouble," she remarked. "Please leave us in peace."
"Oh, little girl," he leered as he took a step toward her, "you won’t be any trouble. I’ll enjoy you completely."
"We are protected," Tyr insisted her ax at the ready. "Artemis will be angry if you harm us."
"What care I for Artemis?" he retorted nastily. "I'm a favorite of Ares."
"Lord Ares will be even angrier should any harm come to us," Kori explained. "Do you not see the child’s armband?"
Josiah saw the mark of favor on the blond, but was so overcome with drink and desire he didn’t care. "If you give me the blond," he ordered, "I'll let you two go in peace."
"No," refused Kori, her sword at the ready. "You'll have to kill all of us before we let you touch any of us."
"As you wish," Josiah stated. He whistled and from the trees sprang another four men. Now it was five against three. The men surrounded the three Amazons. Two men were armed with axes, one had a knife and the other two, including Josiah had swords.
Although they were out-numbered, Ileana felt confident. She knew she and Tyr, with Kori at their side would prevail. The women waited for the men to make the first move.
Josiah moved first. His mistake was going after Kori and not Ileana. Before he could even get close to the older woman, Ileana had knocked the sword out of his hand. He turned to go after Ileana with his fists, but she was ahead of him. She kicked him in the groin with her powerful legs and he was on the ground moaning.
One of his men had gotten the drop on Tyr, her ax had fallen, and she was squirming in his arms. Kori turned on him with her sword, "If you don't put her down I'll cut off your head."
The man laughed and squeezed Tyr tighter. "Tyr, now!" shouted Kori. Tyr ducked her head and in one fluid motion, Kori sliced the man’s neck with her sharp edge. Tyr slid out of his grip and picked up her ax.
The third and fourth man looked at each other and ran as fast as their feet could carry them. The fifth man was now engaged in a sword fight with Ileana. He seemed to be able to parry her every thrust. Josiah had gotten up from the ground and was picking up his sword.
Kori was moving toward Ileana, so she didn’t see Josiah come up behind her. The cowardly warlord hit her from behind, knocking her out. Tyr threw her ax at him, but she missed. Ileana finally got the edge on the soldier she was fighting. She kicked him in the groin and knocked his sword away. She turned to face Josiah and saw Kori on the ground.
"What did you do to her?" she shouted.
"Nothing yet," Josiah sneered. "But I bet she’ll make a tasty dessert after you're my main course."
"I don't think so," Ileana refuted. "I'd rather not hurt you, but if you force me to, I'll kill you. Why don’t you just leave?"
Josiah laughed and came at her with his sword. While he might have been a giant on the battlefield, his swordmanship left a lot to be desired. Ileana had his sword out of his hands in seconds. Still he kept coming. She kicked at him hitting his shins and his arms. He protected his groin. Kori still hadn’t stirred on the ground and Tyr was trying to get her to wake. Ileana struck his arm with her sword, cutting it. This only seemed to inflame him further. Instead of slowing him down, he kept coming closer. She struck out at him, trying to knock him out.
Finally, he managed to get under her guard and get his arms around her. Her sword dropped out of her hand. He turned her as if he was going to kiss her. She reached into her breastplate and pulled out a knife. She stabbed him in his stomach and twisted the knife. She would have stabbed him again, but he staggered back, away from her, falling to the ground, a surprised look on his face.
Ileana looked at him with disgust. She went to Kori who was finally beginning to stir and asked, "Are you all right?"
Kori nodded. "Yes, I think so. And you?"
Ileana nodded. "Fine. We need to get out of here."
"Yes, but first I want to know who this fool is." Kori went to the big man, bleeding on the forest ground, kicked him, and inquired, "Who are you?"
The big man tried to bluster. "I am Josiah of Glendive. A chosen of Ares."
"I don’t think so," Kori argued. "I don’t think Lord Ares will be pleased with you at all. He has a fondness for the blond. I tried to warn you." Then she turned away from him, and whispered into the wind, "Lord Ares, I have need of you. Now."
"I can't," he murmured in Kori’s ear. "The vow to Artemis forbids it."
Kori shook her head. She averred firmly, "Under the circumstances I'm sure she'll allow it. Do you know what this idiot of yours tried to do to us?"
Ares materialized in an instant. He quickly glanced at the women and thundered, "Josiah, did you try to touch these Amazons?"
Josiah, seeing the look of anger on the God of War’s face nodded his head. He was only wounded but suddenly wished he were dead. "My Lord Ares, they never told me they were under your protection! The blond is a witch. She charmed me into it."
"Ileana," Ares prompted, knowing Josiah was lying, "what should I do to him and his friends?"
"Castrate him," she recommended instantaneously. "That way he can never rape another woman. Killing would be too easy. As for his friends they didn’t put up much of fight and I doubt they'd even have been here if he hadn’t convinced them to come."
"Very well," Ares agreed, gratified the little Amazon did have some bloodthirstiness after all. "Consider it done." He waved his hand and Josiah shrieked in pain.
Ileana looked pleased. ‘That pig will never hurt anyone again,’ she thought. ‘If we hadn’t been so skilled, if we had just been maidens from the village he would have hurt us. He deserved what he got.’ She tilted her face to the God of War's and acknowledged, "Thank you, Lord Ares."
He smiled with exultation. He could see the blood lust in her almost outshining her beauty. She had handled his little test brilliantly. He would have preferred it if she had killed at least one of the men; still, she had bested his warrior. He was sorry to lose Josiah, but cruel men with swords to serve him were still easier to find than talented Amazons. She had been magnificent. Never giving an inch, always in control, even when Josiah thought he had her under control. And her choice of punishment! Delicious. Yes, this little one was coming along nicely. "You’re welcome, Ileana. I'm only sorry it happened. I'll tell the priests to remind all who pass through my temple your tribe is protected."
Ileana curtseyed to him. "You might remind them all women should be protected. Not only Amazons. It is no more right to rape an innocent village woman than it is to rape us. Do you encourage your warriors to do that?"
Kori was aghast. This child talked to the God of War as if he were mortal and bound by the same rules as others.
Ares was amused. Ileana certainly wasn’t afraid of him. "I don't encourage my warriors to take advantage of women," he demurred. "However, sometimes between drink and bloodlust they lose control. Surely you can understand that."
She shook her head and admonished him sternly, "I don't accept it. Grown men should control their impulses better than that!"
"You are very young," he remarked with amusement. "One day you'll understand better."
Again, she shook her head. Her eyes blazed when she insisted, "I will never understand, condone, or accept cruelty in any form for anyone!"
Ares exchanged a look with Kori. "I must leave. I promise no more trouble will follow you. In the future, I'll make sure these woods are secure."
"I'll make an offering at your temple next time I'm in town," Ileana pledged. "Thank you again, Lord Ares."
He bowed to her and with an enigmatic smile, vanished.
So it was two weeks later, before joining her sisters at market, Ileana stopped at the God of War’s temple. She had promised an offering and it was a promise she intended to keep. She had a small animal she made carved from the horn of a stag she killed. This she would give to the priest to thank the god for helping them.
As she entered the temple for the first time, she was struck with a sudden chill. It was as if a ghostly presence had walked over her skin. The temple wasn’t large; merely one long room with a throne set at the far end and a little altar next to it. On the altar were some candles and a jar of oil. At first, she thought she was alone, but then she realized there was a shadowy figure kneeling down in the farthest corner from the door.
She coughed loudly, so the priest would know she was there. He rose slowly from whatever it was he was doing and came to her. "May I help you, my daughter?" he inquired softly.
He was an old man, with skin as thin as paper. His hair was white and his eyes were the palest blue, as if they had seen everything and then some. He wore a long beige robe and sandals on bare feet. "I have an offering for Lord Ares," she divulged.
"You may leave it with me," the priest instructed. Ileana handed him the carved animal. "It’s lovely, child. What's your name?"
"I'm Ileana. It’s a stag. I made it," she confided. She smiled at the old man. There was something so gentle about him, so comforting.
"Welcome, Ileana," he announced. "I'm Diamedes."
"Diamedes?" She smiled as she explained, "My father was named Diamedes."
The little priest smiled back. "Is that so? It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it? Lord Ares lets me keep a small garden behind the temple. Would you care to sit there with me for a while?" Ileana nodded and followed him out the back door of the temple.
It was a lovely day and the garden was exquisite. There were more kinds of flowers than Ileana had names for; there were vegetables and shrubs, even an olive tree. Ileana sat on a little stone bench with the priest.
He smiled at her encouragingly. "I can sense you are troubled, child. Would you like to talk about it?"
"Very much," she confirmed. "I did something recently which scared me."
"Tell me," the priest prompted gently. "You will get no judgment, just an ear."
Ileana explained, "My sisters and I were attacked our way home from the town a few weeks ago and I stabbed one of the men."
The priest nodded in understanding. "You were protecting yourself. This is as it should be. You are an Amazon."
"That’s not the part that scares me, it’s the part that happened after." Ileana took a deep breath and admitted, "You see, Kori, that’s one of my teachers, she summoned Lord Ares and when he asked for punishment, I told him to castrate the leader of the men."
The priest eyed her speculatively. "And why does that scare you? Don't you believe in an eye for an eye? That the punishment should fit the crime?"
Ileana nodded. "I do believe that. But you see I was glad I hurt the man. Glad Lord Ares would make him suffer. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to be glad I hurt someone."
The priest thought for a moment. "So, you are not sorry the man was hurt, but sorry that you were glad about it?" She nodded. "It is the nature of things that when someone hurts you, you would want to hurt them back. That when you feel angry you turn that anger on the object of it. That is natural and normal."
Ileana shook her head. "I've been taught it's not right to strike out in anger. But only after prudent thought."
The priest shrugged and asserted, "My child, if the man was going to hurt you, you had every right, a responsibility indeed to hurt him instead. If he hadn’t been stopped, he would have hurt not only you, but also your sisters."
Ileana studied the little priest intently. She mused, "You’re saying it’s all right to be angry with someone who is trying to hurt me or my family. To use whatever means I have to, to protect them?"
He returned her scrutiny with his own as he answered, "Yes, and sometimes that means striking before they have the chance to hurt you."
Now her blue eyes were puzzled. "What do you mean?"
His eyes seemed to bore into hers as he asked, "Do you wait for a snake to strike before you kill it? A scorpion? Or do you kill them as soon as possible to prevent their hurting you. Sometimes one must strike first."
Ileana thought about this before she prompted. "You aren’t just taking about nature’s creatures are you? You’re talking about life."
He nodded. "Yes, child, I am. May I tell you a story?" She nodded her assent.
The priest smiled sadly. "I know I may not look it, but once I was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. I lived in a village not far from here. One day a warlord decided he wanted the town to pay tribute to him. Of all the lads in town, I was chosen to offer him all our gold. I was afraid, but I went. The warlord, who was not one of Ares’ chosen, took the gold and told me to tell the town he would leave the next day. I went back, told the council, and returned to my farm to spend the night. The next morning, the warlord came and demanded more gold. But we had no more. So he pillaged the town, took several of the young women as slaves and left us with nothing. By the time he was finished, no buildings were standing and only a few of us, myself among them, were still living."
His story touched her heart. "That’s a horrible story, but I don’t understand."
He patted her hand and clarified, "Child, I had the chance to strike at the warlord when I brought him the gold. If I had taken the opportunity to kill him then, the town would have been spared. His followers would have been so confused by his death; the townspeople and I could have easily routed them. So you see, sometimes it is better to cut off the head of the snake long before it has the opportunity to strike."
"I understand," Ileana reflected thoughtfully. "But most people can be reasoned with, can’t they?"
The little priest stared at her with cynicism in his eyes and on this face. "Men with weapons rarely have the brains the gods gave them. War and fighting is often all a man with a sword knows. You cannot reason with a snake can you?" She shook her head. "Well, warlords and others are like that. You are an Amazon, trained to fight, trained to kill. These skills you will eventually use. It is a wise person who knows when and how."
She nodded in understanding. "How did you come to be in the service of Lord Ares?"
He smiled; satisfied he had made his point. "That will be a story for another time. If you'll come back and visit me again? I’m sure it must be time for you to join your sisters for the journey home."
Ileana smiled warmly at him. "I will come back, Diamedes. I'd like that."
"So would I, child, so would I." Diamedes showed Ileana to the garden gate. "Anytime you wish to visit you will be welcome. If I'm not in the temple, try the garden. If you don't see me, ring this bell. I'll return when I hear it."
"Thank you for your kindness," she remarked. Impulsively and with a shy smile, she kissed him on the cheek.
After she was gone, his fingers traced the spot her lips had touched, an odd expression in his eyes.
So began a pattern of meetings. Over the next year, Ileana would come and see Diamedes every few weeks. Each time she always brought him an offering for Ares. Sometimes it was another carved animal, sometimes just the ripest piece of fruit she could find. Once as the weather got colder, in addition to her offering, she brought a scarf for Diamedes' neck. Always they would talk. About life and war and service to Ares.
Diamedes would paint her pictures with words. He showed her how there were always two sides to every conflict. Each side believed they were right and sometimes it was even true; there was usually merit in each warrior’s position. How most battles were fought, not over causes, just or unjust, but over property and money. How peace could only be achieved at the price of war. That to conquer was sometimes the greatest gift a warrior could give. Not all conquered people became slaves many prospered. Ileana brought him her questions and concerns.
Why had the God of War killed Thespis and his family for dishonoring his temple? Gods were to be honored; it was the people’s place. What would she do if someone were to dishonor her queen?
Why did Lord Ares allow warlords to slaughter the innocent? Who was to say who was innocent? Was he, Diamedes, or she, so sure they knew better than a god did? Did the gods not create the world? Was Lord Ares not one of the Twelve, the Pantheon? Who were they, Amazon and priest, to doubt his actions?
Why was there war? Mortals often disagreed, were jealous, envious, covetous. Mortal men could not control their avariciousness, their greed. Was it not better to have a God of War who tried to control these sometimes real, sometimes petty grievances? If he did not attempt to mediate by letting the mortals fight it out, who was to say what would happen. The world was a dangerous place, only the strong could survive it. Surely, it was a god’s responsibility to help ensure the survival of the race and the world they created. Did he not owe it to "his children" to protect their survival by making strong champions?
Why didn't he end the conflict without battle? He had the power didn’t he? Would she rather have a god who made all her decisions for her or would she prefer free will? What would she do if she were told you must do this, you must do that, end of discussion?
Diamedes always had answers to her questions. Answers that made sense but still somehow left her with more questions.
They talked of other things as well. Diamedes was well versed in the lore of the gods. He told her of Hephaestus and the wonderful armor and weapons he made. He spoke of other gods too, Aphrodite, Athena, Zeus. On the subject of Artemis, however, he was silent. Whenever she asked about her, he would demur and refer her to her queen. One day, when she came to him with the story of how Artemis had turned Actaeon into a stag so he could be killed by his hounds, just because he had caught her bathing, he got angry. He wouldn't discuss the story, neither confirming nor denying and he refused to judge Artemis. He repeated to her what he often said about Ares, gods are to be worshipped and who are we mortals to question their actions.
She taught him things too. She could always make him laugh. The first time it happened, he seemed as surprised as she did. She was telling him about fishing with Tyr and how they had been so quiet, but still no fish came to nibble their bait. Finally, Tyr, tired, hungry, and frustrated had jumped in the water. It was deeper than she thought and Tyr ended up being soaked. When she finally surfaced there was a fish on her head. Diamedes started laughing, so long and so hard, Ileana thought he would burst. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Fine, child," he mumbled. His eyes were tearing. "It’s been too long since I had a real laugh," he explained.
After that, she would always make sure to have a funny story to tell him. She taught him other things as well; the best way to peel an apple, how to weave a basket, and when he said he didn't know how, she taught him to dance. She would delight him with stories of a normal day in the Amazon village. Each time she came, she brought with her the sheer exuberance of youth and a simple joy and happiness in living. Always, when she left, she would give him a shy smile and kiss his cheek.
Two days before her eighteenth birthday, a different Ileana came to him. She seemed distant and quiet that day, disinclined to talk. She requested story after story and finally when he was all talked out, he asked, "Ileana, child, tell me what is wrong."
She explained, "I have to make a choice and I don't know what to do."
"Well, child, you will either pick Artemis or Ares. It is simple, is it not?" He studied her face, "You told me you vowed yourself to him ten years ago. Why are you having a problem?"
She shook her head. "It's not so simple. You see if I chose the God of War, I might have to leave the village. And I don't want to."
"So your problem is not that you don’t wish to serve him, but if you choose to, you may have to leave home?" Ileana nodded. "Well, is it not possible to serve him and stay?"
Her face was a study in concern. "I don’t know. You see, I’m supposed to be one of his chosen ones, but, he’s never chosen me."
"I see." Diamedes looked at her and asked sternly, "Child, do you wish to lie with the God of War?"
Ileana dropped her eyes from embarrassment. "How would I know? I’ve barely seen him, three times in my whole life, the first time as a child. I’m sure it would be a great honor, but . . ."
"He would never force you." Diamedes rose from the bench where they were sitting. He seemed angry with her. His voice, which usually was a soft whisper, was now strident. "Have you learned nothing from me? Ares is a good master to those who serve him. He protects and cares for his priests, priestesses and especially his chosen ones. Are you afraid of him?"
She rose to face him. "No, I see no reason to be. I have done nothing to offend him. But if I were to choose Artemis, wouldn't he be angry? Wouldn't he make his wrath felt on all I love?"
Diamedes stared at her, trying to read her eyes. "So you think he is an unforgiving god, a vengeful god?"
She spoke softly. "You know he is. It's clear from the stories. He does not like to be disappointed or thwarted. He punishes those who displease him. And I don't wish to do so. But how can I give myself to him without thought? I am not an animal, but a woman, with a woman’s heart. How can I possibly commit myself to him, without knowing what I am committing to?"
She looked so earnest, so serious, and so young. He reached out his wrinkled hand and gently touched her face. "Child, I promise you this. Lord Ares will not ask you to serve him in any way other than a warrior, unless it is your choice to do so. If you wish to serve him as a warrior and I hope you do, he will only ask you give of yourself on the battlefield. He may even allow you to stay with your tribe and act as their protection. If that is your only conflict, don't worry."
Ileana wasn't sure if she believed him. As she left that day, she hugged him as well as kissed his cheek.
His hand rested again on the spot she kissed. He didn't believe he would see her again in this form. When her shadow had long passed the point of looking back at him, Diamedes vanished and the God of War appeared in his place.
‘I was never very good at keeping vows,’ he thought. ‘Still I haven't technically violated it; I didn't contact her directly. I’m sure Artemis would be upset if she knew about this, but . . . ' It had been worth it. He had learned much from the girl, maybe more than she had from him. He had forgotten what it was like to be young, to have joy, to have limitless possibilities in front of one’s self.
‘I have been alone too long,’ he thought, ‘much too long.’
End of Chapter Two
Return to - Chapter One - The Chosen One
Forward to Chapter Three - The Chosen One