Rydion~The Story

 The night sky was the color of twilight.  The dark blues mingling with the darker purples that kiss at the few clouds that pass by the ever consistant moon.  Some say every changing moon.  But Calina would disagree.  She believes that cycles are consistant.  The moon, the tides, the seasons...consistant.  The consistant moon shines down upon the field of battle.  The bodies lying ever so close, too close, to the edge of the Mystic Mountains that protect the great peaceful realm of Adonia.  The lush green grass so pleasing to the eye is now a deep crimson red filled with pools of blood and detached limbs of the fallen heroes and enemies that fought so long, so hard, so diligently this night. 

Most have settled back to the edge of the feild now as the two women circle each other.  One very small fairy watches from the top of Calisto's flaming steed at the entrance to the magestic mountains.  Fear and horror stamped upon her lovely face.  The sound of metal clashing against metal makes her jump.  Her eyes moving over the pair.  One the great amazon queen of Areatis Island.  Her long dark brown hair pulled back into a long braid that sways along her spine as she moves with expert ease around the space where she fights the other woman.  The other woman, if one can call her that, is Sabine the God of Mystique.  She brought her hell landers here this eve to battle her way into Adonia and to kill the Princess Demura. 

Calina's amazons found out about the plot almost too late and met Sabine's hell landers here hours ago.  Though to her tired body it felt like days.  Still she didn't give up.  A sneer of loathing forms from her lush lips as Sabine once again is pushed back from Calina's great blade.  "Giving up, Hell Bitch?  Never thought you were smart enough to do so.  But of course I'll accept your plea and begging for your life."  Calina's blood splattered face showed no mercy and no pain.  Though her large slash across her left side was humming and bleeding freely from fighting one of the shadowkin earlier.

Sabine pushes her dark blond hair from her face and throws her head back laughter mean evil laughter filled the area echoing off of the forest beyond.  The sound so terrible Mystery shivers and trembles as she watches from the great steed.  Her ice blue eyes look Calina over coldly as she takes a step forward her blade rising once again to slice at the amazon Queen.  "You could only wish for such mercy, heathen.  Tonight you die...and with you the amazon.  Then my hell landers take over the Mystics...then Adonia will be mine."

Calina's blade meets Sabines' pushing her back once again for a while there are no words only grunts and sweat and the ringing of their weapons slashing through the air.  Calina blinks just long enough to see Sabine fall back.  Her eyes light up in triumph.  She takes a step forward bringing her blade down harshly in a stabbing motion to the center of Sabine's armor.  The blade thrusts through the armor impaling the hell God into the soil below.  "Always wanting what you can't have.  And never will.  You will die this night, Sabine.  Then I will kill your daughter."

Sabine slips her hand downward grabbing the hilt of a dagger quickly reaching up barely knicking Calina's arm that was thrust forward with her sword.  A smirk rises to her lips as cCalina steps back and gives her a look of annoyance at the little cut on her arm.  "You are already dead, Calina.  Your body just doesn't know it yet."

Calina starts to say something.  To move and finish the job by slicing off the hell bitches' head.  Only to feel dizzy...faint...as if someone or something were pulling her to ther ground.  Her amber eyes open widely her hand moving to grasp her throat she slowly collapses on the ground mere feet from the fallen body of the God.  "Poison."  Her body begins to trembles to jerk around on the ground her face controts with pain unlike that which she has ever felt before. 

Sabine watches all of this with a slight smile.  A true smile upon her lips.  A rare sight indeed.  She rolls to her side watching tilting her head slightly studying the affects the poison has on the fallen queen.  Nodding her head slightly she speaks, "Yes, poison.  My own brew.  Funny but I never thought you'd be alive even this long."  She pulls herself up to side.  One hand grabbing at the wound in her stomache that is healing already.  "But then you are a beast.  Beasts like you tend to fight to the very end.  Tell me, Calina, how badly does it really hurt?  Can you feel your organs melting?  Seriously, I want to know."

Calina blinks her vision coming and going as her heart begins to beat so fast she swears it will burst.  A shadow seems to be coming near.  Is it death?The shadow raises something into the air.  She hears a bloody gurgle then a gasp then shrieks out as the head of the Hell God comes rolling to her feet.  Suddenly her body is lifted.  Herh head is cradled against something soft and warm and loving.  She looks up focusing as much as she can as her body is racked with pain so severe her brain starts to feel as if it could explode in time with her heart.

A sob as she holds her half sisters head rings from her lush lips.  So used to smiling laughing now screaming out.  "No, Gods, No!  Calina why?  Why did you come here this night?  I knew dammit I knew!!  This was my battle.  Calina please Gods Do not die!"

Calina recognizes the voice before finally being able to focus slightly on the face.  "Demura"  She whispers.  "Had to.  She came to kill you, the family.  Couldn't let it happen.  My fate.  My honor.  My tribe."

Tears stream down Demura's cheeks as she holds onto her sister, "I am so sorry, Cali.  Please let me heal you please let me!"

Calina shakes her head though she starts to go numb finally a sense of peace enters her body as her organs begin to stop functioning she offers a soft smile.  She lifts up her hand her fingertips passing lightly over Demura's cheek.  Her voice so soft so gentle so filled with love as she whispers, "Watch over my babies. "  A tear finally falling down her cheek.  "My girls, my heart.  Let me live through them.  I love you.  No healing.  I die a warrior." 

And with those words Calina Princess of Adonia, Queen of Areatis Island, Mother to Torianna, Kylion and Serina, moves onto the realm of the ancients. 

Demura sobs.  Rocking calina's body holding her close.  She stays on that blood soaked patch of grass for what seems like hours.  Finally pulling Calina close to her heart she carries her to the flaming steed.  Mystery flying high above looking down in awe.  She askes Demura, "You took it?"

Demura merely nods her head softly as she places Calina's body on the front of the saddle where she can hold it close.  "Yes, I did.  I had to now.  I was still to late."  She slides onto the back of the saddle and rides off towards the field.  Looking over her shoulder she says to her old friend, "Tell them all.  Tell them Sabine is Dead.  And I have taken her place.  Peace will reign now.  Forever more."

Mystery nods and flies off into the mountain.  Demura rides off heading towards Areatis Island as it was Calina's wish to be buried with her sisters.

No one was left there to watch a single figure covered hidden beneath a cloak walk to the fallen hell God's body.  No one saw her lean down crouch over the body and collect some of the blood.  Then move collecting some hair.  No one saw her lift up a great machete and slice off the woman's hand.  No one but the hell landers that is.  Brigit pulls down the cloak from her face looking into the night sky for a moment her light voice ringing out as she raises her hands high.  "Air that took her last breath, soil that collects her blood, claim her back into the depths of Rydion for she shall rise again." 

The ground begins to shake then finally split around the body of the fallen God.  Her body slowly being consumed by the soil then the rift closes.  Brigit nods slightly and moves back into the protection of the hell landers.  Mother 's body may be dead.  But an immortal soul never dies.

____-___________________________________

Areatis Island is a busy place no matter what time of the day it may be. Servants rush to complete chores. Young amazons train. The warriors spar each other. No one has time to be lazy in the amazon dispite what Jeisen claims.

The boy rushes to Calina's hut. His arms full of supplies. Furs on the bottom of this towering stack. Then wet stones and strips of leather atop of it. He moves his head in a ramming motion to guide the hut door open. His dark blue eyes looking over the hut. A tired sigh escapes from his lips. Calina will not be happy with the condition of her hut. But, thought Jeisen, his Mistress hasn't been that happy for weeks now. Not even close to a bit happy. Jeisen is worried. Jeisen is afraid.

Calina is not the same person he once new. It isn't only that Trevelyn refused to answer her letters which she stoped sending two moons ago. Jeisen knows it wasn't only the attack that killed a fourth of Calina's tribe. Sabine did that. Sabine and her army swept through the amazon a few hours before dawn less than a week ago destroying everything in their path. Queen Irisan whom held the amazon throne for twenty years was killed first. Jeisen's close friend Rinoc who has been with the amazon as a willing slave longer than Jeisen was taken. Rinoc's body was found yesterday. Or rather what was left of the body.

The horror still has the amazon nation mourning. But they are amazons. They accept the fate of the day. They take from an event what they can and learn from their mistakes. Then they do what they have to to move on. In this case, they rebuild. They bury their dead. They named Calina Amazon Queen of the Areatis Island. They ready themselves for war.

As terrible and horrific as these events have been, it is still not the reason for the complete change in Jeisen's Mistress. A day after Sabine and her army attacked the amazon nation King David of Adonia arrived. He came with tidings of an offered alliegence between the kingdoms of Adonia and Treola and the amazon nation of Areatis Island. He added in an almost embarassed whisper that Prince Trevelyn would not enter Areatis Island. But Treola's army would if needed. Queen Calina gladly accepted. He also brought news of the family.

Demura returned to Adonia the same day that Sabine and her army attacked the amazon. She found out about a prophecy that claims she will be the one to remove Sabine from the realm of the Gods. The God Kurtis somehow became ill. His immortality left him and he died. He joined the his ancestors in the land of the elders. Shzazina went into some sort of coma and Sammuel disapeared. No one knows where he is. All the family has to go by is the vision that Shzazina had of Sammuel escaping one of Sabine's temples.

Upon hearing the news of her family all expression left Calina's face. Calina's face once identical to Shzazina's in every way now scared from Sabine's blade. After slaying the amazon Queen, Sabine and her son went after Calina. Sabine's son held Calina down as Sabine attempted to cut her name into Calina's neck. Knowing that amazons collar their slaves. On the collars deaply engraved will be the name of the slaves Mistress or the name of the amazon tribe in which the slave serves. Sabine wanted to brand Calina forever letting the amazon nation know that Calina will always be her slave because of this slaughter. As Calina struggled to free herself from Sabine's sons grip, Sabine sliced Calina's neck. Screaming in anger believing that Calina would die, Sabine sliced her dagger up Calina's left cheek along her nose almost slicing through Calina's eye as the dagger continued up Calina's forehead and stoped midway. A thick purple scar from one jugular vein to the next which looks like a necklace and another marking her face forever.

Sabine and her son left Calina gasping and choking on her own blood without a second glace or thought as they hunted down their next chosen victim. They had special plans for the boy. It took a while for them to find him. Rinoc was well hidden.

Every amazon warrior has scars. Calina is not a vein person. She never was. But then again, Sabine wasn't attacking Calina's vanity. Sabine was attacking the spirit of the amazons as she knew Calina would be chosen as their new Queen. Jeisen realized this but still wept for his mistress. He was always proud of Calina's beauty. He enjoyed the compliments they would recieve as such a handsome pair.

Calina stared straight ahead as if seeing through King David. She took a deap breath and exhaled slowly then turned from King David. King David walked quickly to her side and placed a strong kind hand upon Calina's shoulder.

Calina turned slowly and stood before him. King David said something to Calina that Jeisen will never forget. King David looked at Calina with tears in his eyes and said softly, "Cali, you will never forget what has happened here. We cannot change what happened in Adonia. All we can do is be strong, regroup, and live through the next day and the one after that. These events were not your doing. You and I are mortals. We are not so powerful as to have caused the events that transpired over the last two days. Therefore to take the blame for them would not only be arrogant of us but foolish and time waisting. You be the amazon Queen you are. And I shall be the King I am. That is all our people and the Gods can expect of us. Remember that."

Jeisen's mistress, now amazon Queen, snapped out of her daze. Calina and David looked at each other for a moment. Then for the first time in their days of knowing each other they hugged. They shed a few private tears with each other. They talked as if they were friends. They conversed as Kings and Queens would of what needs to happen next. Then King David left for Treola. Two thousand soldiers from his army stayed behind to help guard the amazon boarders while the amazons rebuild their home.

Jeisen stood off to the side watching his mistress as King David left. He saw something in her eyes. Something that at that time he did not understand. Because though he had been with Calina Princess of Adonia, High-Priestess of the Areatis Island as her slave for years now, he had not been with Calina Amazon Queen of the Areatis Island. Had he realized that he would have understood that what changed in his mistress was her entire world.

The family and tribe that she loved more dearly than anything in these realms was not threatened. It was demolished. Though Shzazina still lives. Though the amazons are rebuilding. Though Demura and not she, Calina, will be the one to kill Sabine. It was Calina's sense of security that died along with her amazon sisters and the slaves of her tribe. It was what she knew to be true that was stolen from her along with her brother Sammuel. It was her view and knowledge of her life that was broken into pieces just as the pieces of Rinoc's body that she personally gathered and returned to their amazon home.

Her life was taken from her. At least the life Calina knew to be hers. Now she is Queen. If someone were brave enough to ask Calina how she felt about this Calina would have told them that she knew this would happen. She always knew that someday she would be given the title of amazon Queen. Though she would never ask for it or expect it. Calina was always embarassed about having a royal title. She always felt that the only worthy titles in this world were the ones that were earned.

Shzazina may have a strong gift of sight. Demura may be the one who will someday be a Goddess. Sammuel may have been gifted god-like strength. But it is Calina that has always been the one whom knows her responsibility and does not back down from it. And in this, out of all of the siblings, it is Calina whom has the greatest most powerful gift of them all. Calina loves. She loves deaply. Her love guides her as Shzazina's sight guides those she advises. Her ability to love, unbeknownest to her, so impressed Calisto that she led Calina to the amazons knowing she would become the warrior and Queen she is today. It will be Calina's love and ability to take on responsibility that leads Sabine to her death. Calina may not be the one whom gives Sabine that death blow. But Calina will be the one responsible for it.

Now as Jeisen replaces the furs on Calina's cot he remembers her laughter. He thinks back to the first day he met Calina. He remembers her endearing arrogance and natural curiousity to understand everything. Jeisen always thought that if there were any single person in this world that he could truely with all of his heart, mind and most importantly his soul claim to know that person would be his Mistress Calina. His best friend. His sister. He misses her and is unsure how to act around this new Calina.

He sighs and starts to straighten up the hut. Perhaps tonight if his mistress does not arrive very late they can talk. He shakes his head and realizes that will most likely not happen. Calina Amazon Queen of the Areatis Island rarely sleeps for more than four hours and is usually up before him. Tears cloud his vision and slowly roll down his cheeks.

Jeisen looks to the ceiling of the hut. His rich voice thick with emotion as he asks, "Why, Goddess Calisto? Why our home? Why is Sabine after my mistress love? I miss her. Now she is so distant. So...different. Why is this happening to us?" He sits down upon the cool earth of the floor and looks to the ground. His tears falling upon his lap.

He expects no answer. As he is used to the Gods only doing and not explaining. Therefore when he hears, "Because it is my will that Calina be the one. It is the will of the Gods, Jeisen." his eyes widen. His breath freezes in his chest. He remains completely still. He slowly, shakily exhales.

Finally he realizes that his mistress was chosen by the Gods for some great task. He understands that the events of this past week will lead Calina to her destiny. It is in this knowledge that Jeisen becomes the friend and servant to Calina Amazon Queen of the Areatis Island. No one would who knows him and Calina ever again call him her slave. At this moment Jeisen realized it was his decision to be at her side and to serve her all along. He could have had any mistress. He only ever wanted to be close to Calina. He always knew she was special. He always loved Calina. Calina was always easy to love and be around. Jeisen knew that if he went up to Calina right now and told her that he wanted to be free that she would remove his collar. And he also knew that she would tell him, in her own arrogant, matter-of-fact, loving way, "You were always free to leave me, Jeisen. You chose to stay."

Jeisen may have not realized what responsibility that he himself took on by his choice. But any that know Calina and Jeisen would say that it would not have mattered to him. Where ever Calina may be, is home for Jeisen.

Jeisen placed the wet stones and strips of leather in Calina's chest. He walked over to his furs at the end of his Mistresses cot and sat down. The hut door opened. Jeisen stood up quickly with a handsome smile on his face as Calina walked into the hut. Jeisen walked over to her. He looked into her eyes those beautiful amber eyes and saw fatigue.

Jeisen kept that smile upon his lips as he knew it pleased his Mistress to see him happy. He said softly, "Mistress, can I get something for you?"

Calina pulled both of her shoulders back. Then rolled her head around in a circular motion. Her neck popping in relief of stress. She dropped her sword upon a small chair and walked over to her cot. Jeisen had come to kneel at her feet waiting to see if he was needed. She sat down and leaned forward. Stretching her legs out before her she began to massage her calves. The muscles in her arms flexing as she slides her hands up and down her calves. Kneeding the muscles.

Her eyes met his only long enough for a glance then turned. She lifts her long legs onto the cot. Knowing that Jeisen was still where he knelt she remained quiet. She turned her head to the side and looked at him. Her rich amber eyes gliding slowly up and down his handsome face then body. A lopsided grin forms from her lips. Then quirks her brows in question. Her husky voice gentle as she asks, "When did you learn patience, brat?"

Jeisen blinks in shock. The expression on his face makes Calina chuckle softly. She raises a hand. Jeisen needs no further offering and climbs onto the cot with Calina. She turns him so that he is facing her. Her left arm circling under him. Her right hand gently caressing his face.

He closes his eyes for a moment losing himself in Calina as he has so many times in the past. He has always been intoxicated by Calina's scent. When she baths she uses an herb from Adonia. It is a soft rich musk with a hint of citrus that clings to her flesh throughout the day and night. He enjoys the feel of her close to him for a moment longer then finally answers, "With all the respect I have for you, my Mistress love, I need to tell you this." Calina quirks a brow. Jeisen grins slyly. "That wasn't patience. I merely enjoyed watching you touch yourself."

Calina's laughter, which hasn't been heard for a while now, fills the hut. It echos into the night and reaching the furthest hut in the amazon. Her sisters hear that sound and smile. A feeling of warmth spreads through them all. Calina, their Queen, is healing. It's time for them to do the same. Besides Calina would be having her first child in less than six moon cycles. The whole amazon nation cheered when the priestesses not only saved their new Queen but also the child. A great celebration has to be planed.

Treola's castle is silent. A silent castle is a deadly one. A castle is too large to be silent. There is too much work to be done in a castle for silence in steal upon it. But nevertheless, the castle is silent.

But the castle is not empty. The conference room that has held talks of diplomatic matters involving Treola by the Elders of the land throughout time is now...full. The servants of the castle are all in the castle most gathered outside of the conference room. Practically a castle full of servants all suddenly having some silent task to complete directly outside the door to the conference room. Brooms that never meet the floor being pushed in mid-air. Dust bins empty. Serving trays resting on side tables. Servants waiting, hoping to hear something from the room which has been occupied more than it even has been over the last two months. Tonight though is the night. She is about to arrive any moment.

Inside of the conference room seated around a great table larger even than the dining table that holds thirty guests are twelve men and one woman. They are all spread out. None seated directly beside the other. A few will occasionally look around to the other guests. The woman seated against the side wall and the man seated at the head of the table look to no one.

All except the woman immediately sit up in their chairs as a noise is heard from the formerly silent hall. A door opening and closing. Servants are heard moving about beyond the door. Finally the door opens. Servants pour into the room with trays covered in edible delights. More bring pitchers of wine. More bring pillows and items to comfort the diplomats. Then finally she enters.

She is a little over five foot tall. She has a velvet gown on of the softest lilac coloring. It is trimmed in gold and a dusky white. Her hooded cloak is the color of cranberries and also made of velvet. The cloak has a train that hides her small feet making it appear as if she has glided into the room. A few silky light brown curls peak out of the cloak onto her shoulders.

A tall man enters behind her. He is over six feet tall. His arms are the size of most men's thighs. He is a dominating force as soon as he enters the room. He is dressed as a royal man would be. His face handsome. His soft black hair curling about his neck as he waits behind her. His skin the color of the woman's hair. A dark caramel. As if he were outside in the sun most of his life.

She turns to him. He gently as if air may harm his charge lifts the hood off of her head. Long satiny caramel lockets pour from the hood and tumble down the back of the cloak and onto her sides. She gives her head a little shake. A soft melodious laugh from her drifts throughout the room. The man walks behind her and removes the cloak. A slender form wearing that lilac colored velvet dress appears. She turns to the crowd. Her large violet eyes, the same color as the man whom accompanied her has, look to everyone at the table in turn. Her soft perfectly angled face, high cheek bones and heart shaped lips with its full pouty lower lip are the vision of beauty. She appears to be a young teenage girl. The man who looks only a hand full of years older than her waits by the door.

She walks to the end of the table. Her tiny silk slipper covered feet barely making a sound. The free chair is the one closest to the door. All at the table, but for the other woman, stand. She looks at the other woman. The other woman is a bit taller than her. The other woman has long dark brown hair and an aristocratic looking face. Aye, the other woman may be beautiful but she was breathtakingly beautiful. And is told so often. The other woman is wearing a short leather tunic and a leather skirt. There is a scar on the other womans face. It almost looks as if someone tried to cut one of the other woman's eyes out and slit her throat. The scar starts on the left side of the other woman's forehead and curves to the inner part of the other woman's eye along the nose then halfway down the other woman's cheek. It is a fresh scar. She nods at the other woman. The other woman who has a cold expression nods back shortly. She notices with slight amusement that the man at the head of the table appears to be looking at the other woman when the other woman does not notice. Or perhaps the other woman just does not care. She sits down. Then the men do as well.

She looks down to the man at the other end of the table, "Prince Trevelyn, thank you for inviting me." Trevelyn nods in respect then eyes the man with a angry expression. She looks to the other woman, "Queen Calina..."

"If you must attach the title to me...make it Amazon Queen. For that is what I am." Calina does not look at her but straight ahead.

She smiles sweetly, overly sweet some would think and nods, "Yes, Calina. Please forgive me. And you do look lovely this evening." Calina stiffens, says nothing and continues to look straight ahead. She continues, now addressing the man sitting diagonally across from Calina. "King David, wonderful to finally meet you."

King David cuts in and replies blandly, "We've already met, Lady Brigit. You are Demura's cousin after all." He too begins to look angrily at the man.

Her left eye twitches at the mention of Demura's name. Then soft melodious laughter spills from her lips. "Why of course we have. Whatever was I thinking." She looks around the table to the Elders and blinks then looks away in a dismissive gesture.

King David, his eyes still on the man, says to Lady Brigit, "He wasn't invited."

The man licks his lips. A lopsided grin appears on his face. He scratches his chin. An amused expression on his face. He looks to Lady Brigit and shrugs. Then settles with his back against the door. Lady Brigit smiles adoringly at the man but does not reply to King David.

Prince Trevelyn is about to say something when Calina, her voice low, calm, deadly, "Brigit, get your murdering heathen brother out of my sight before I kill you both now." Her amber eyes turn to glare at the man.

Everyone begins to talk at once. Everyone but Lady Brigit who is looking offended. Her brother grins at Calina as if daring her to make a move because it would only further amuse him.

Calina stands up. No weapons were aloud in the conference room but that does not mean Calina intends to use one. She has one foot on the chair intending to climb over the table after the man when four Elders forcefully try to sit her down on the chair. She is about to turn and fight them when Trevelyn slams his hands down on the table.

He glares first at Calina then the man. Standing in front of the table. His voice loud and commanding, "This is my home." He looks again to Calina. "You were invited as was Lady Brigit and everyone else in this room."

Calina throws the Elders off of her. Standing still she slams her hands on the table this time she sneers at everyone except King David, points to the man and in a seething voice, "Mikal leads Sabine's army. Mikal's men killed my sisters and our boys. You dare! You dare take that warning tone with me, Trevelyn. I don't give a flying fuck in Mystique if he is Sabine's son. He chose the wrong side and now he is a dead man."

Lady Brigit glares at Calina and taunts in a sweet girlish voice, "Don't you filthy amazon ever insult my brother." Calina moves to stride over to her when she is blocked by the Elders. It is apparant now that Calina was seated near the Elders for a reason.

Trevelyn says calmly, "Lady Brigit has a right to a guard. She chose Mikal. The Elder's approved of this, Calina. There is nothing I or anyone here can do." Calina's amber eyes burn with hatred. Trevelyn glares at her, "There is nothing I can do." He repeats then adds, "And you know, Calina, that if you harm any here you will no longer have the aid of Treola." Trevelyn sits down. He closes his eyes momentarily as if to calm himself. Then looks to Mikal. He waves a hand from Mikal to the seat nearest Lady Brigit. "Please, Mikal, if you are going to be in the room, you need to take a seat at the table. You know the rules."

Mikal quirks a brow then grins, "Well, actually I'd like to sit by scar face over there." He laughs at his own joke. The Elders frown deaply. King David looks at Calina and shakes his head. Mikal shrugs, "Ok, guess I can't." He walks over and pulls a chair out. Flipping it backwards and strattling the chair. He looks at Calina again. "You know." He looks her face over as if admiring it. "I like this look on you. Gives you the rugged man hating amazon beast look." Calina stares at him her face void of expression. Only her eyes show the hatred that she feels.

King David finally speaks. His voice lowered dangerously. He turns in his chair and looks at Mikal. "Adonia will be in alliegence with the amazon nation no matter what is decided here this day. I have no reason to prevent my sister from slicing you up right now. Remember that, Mikal." He looks to Trevelyn. He shakes his head. "You will not threaten or attempt to chastise me. Nor will you do so to my sister, Calina. You are letting your personal feelings worsen this situation." Trevelyn remains quiet. King David continues, "Stop and be a leader."

Prince Trevelyn nods respectfully. He turns to Calina and says honestly, "I'm sorry, Amazon Queen." He looked now to Mikal. "I head this discussion. Not the Elders nor anyone else here. You will not insult or taunt during our time in the conference room. You will follow the rules or be dismissed."

Mikal grins and winks at Trevelyn. "No problem. I'll be good for now."

Lady Brigit chuckles and adds in her sugary voice, "Boring. Don't you mean you'll bore me then, Mikal." She lets out a dramatic sigh. Then looks to everyone. Her eyes lingering over Calina who grins at her. "Ok, I am tired. Let's just do this thingie."

King David quirks a brow, "You mean discuss the release of my wife's brother? Is that what you mean by.......thingie?"

Lady Brigit rolls her eyes and sighs again, "Yes, whatever. I am only here because of mother." She points to Mikal, "and he is only here because I want him to be." She waves her hand in a come here gesture. "So, we can't insult. I am bored. You want my sugarplumhuney back. How much of what are you willing to give me in exchange for him?" The girlish look leaves her face. She tilts her head to the side and smirks.

Mikal laughs. He leans to Lady Brigit and kisses her cheek. "I love you, sis."

Brigit glares at him. "Don't call me that." She looks to King David. "Well?" She says irritatedly.

King David chuckles, "We're not going to give you anything."

Trevelyn looks to David shocked. He says softly, "David, we have to negotiate." David shakes his head.

Lady Brigit coo's. "Oh, David Kinglyone." She says in a playful voice. "Now you know how this goes. You give me all of whatever and more and I give you back Sammiekins. Then..." She tilts her head to the side. Her finger slipping around a silky locket of hair. She continues waspishly. "Then your darling wife can wake-up! Cuz we know," a mock look of saddness, "that she has been all comaish cause of Sam being gone." She leans forward on the table and smirks, "If you want your wife and brother-in-law all back and normal as such, you will give me everything. I want all of Demura's belongings." She laughs. "And you have no choice." She and David stare at each other.

Calina replies softly, camly, "Brigit."

Lady Brigit looks at her and purrs. "Yesssss, oh marked one?."

Calina glares at her, "My sister..."

Brigit rolls her eyes again and cuts in, "Yes, yes, yes. We all know Shzazina is your sister. Blah blah bl.."

Calina grins, "Woke up."

Brigit blinks. She and Mikal look at each other. Mikal glares down the table to Trevelyn. Trevelyn is staring at Calina in disbelief. David is chuckling and smiling. Brigit looks at him. David nods and winks.

Brigit sneers, "What?! How did she wake up?" She looks from David to Calina then back again. "I don't believe you."

David replies softly looking at Calina proudly, "My wife's twin sister woke her up. Calina woke Shzazina up."

Mikal throws his head back and laughs. The Elders jump at the noise and look alarmed. Brigit slaps Mikal on the shoulder.

Trevelyn is staring at Calina, "Cali," which he hasn't called her since they were together in Adonia, "that's wonderful! What happened?"

Calina looks at David who nods to her then says simply in a mater of fact way, "I had David bring my sister to the Areatis Island." A small grin on her face as it is commonly known that Shzazina hates the amazon. "I had her put in the middle of the gathering area on some furs. Then told her I love her. Then warned her that if David tried to remove her from the amazon I'd have him castrated." Trevelyn chuckled. Calina's voice became serious, "I told her she had to come back. That her husband, her babies, her family needs her." Calina shrugged, "She opened her eyes. She's back." Calina winked at David.

David looked to the Elders then to Trevelyn. "Shzazina saw where Mikal has been keeping Sammuel. Lady Brigit never had him like she claims. She has lied to try and protect her brother."

All eyes including Brigit's went to Mikal. He grined lazily and stretched his arms high above his head. "What?"

Trevelyn stands up and says with controled anger in his voice, "You have lied to the Elders. You and your sister."

Brigit snorts, "So! They are not our Elders. We were told by our Elders what to say."

Mikal chuckles and smiles adoringly to his sister, "By Elders she means mother. You know, the God Sabine." He lets that sink in then adds with much amusement in his voice, "I don't know the rule verbatium but I know that a Gods decision is law. It over powers the laws of man." He nods in mock respect to Calina. "Or wo....man." He stands up and offers a hand to Lady Brigit who looks around the table in annoyance and slips her hand into Mikal's then rises. He continues, "If you, Calina," he grins at her, "can tell me right now where Sammuel is and how you plan on getting him home, I will return him."

Calina stands. Her voice is calm, "You, Mikal, have temples all around Mystique honoring you as a warrior."

Mikal nods and looks into Calina's eyes wondering where she is going with this. "I do."

"You sister has the forest of illusion protecting her." Her slender body moving with cat like grace. Her hips swaying naturally enticing to the eye.

Brigit merely looks bored. Mikal nods again. His eyes roaming Calina's body. He replies as if under a spell in a husky voice, "Yes."

Calina smiles and chuckles softly amused by this change in Mikal. She walks calmly around the table. Past Trevelyn who is watching all of this in annoyance and wonder. Past David who has a pleased look on his face.

Calina continues, "Your mother has temples throughout Mystique and Rydion."

Mikal releases Brigit's hand. Brigit calls after him. He ignores her and walks towards Calina. Stoping a foot from her. Calina stops as well.

Her voice softens. Her amber eyes staring directly into Mikal's eyes. Mikal reaches out to brush her hair away from her face. Calina gently takes hold of his wrist before he touches her face holding onto it.

Calina continues, "Sammuel is at home. With Shzazina."

Mikal blinks. He pulls his hand out of Calina's grasp. "What are you talking about?"

Calina stands on her tip toes and leans forward. Her face against Mikal's neck. She inhales deaply. Mikal groans out. Trevelyn stands and starts to walk towards them. David stops him with a shake of the head.

Calina pulls back. Her face inches from his. She grins. "I found my brother last night in your temple at Nycerion. My amazon army killed your men." Mikal blinks. His nostrils flare. "All of them." He looks at Calina in anger and disbelief. "Then I destroyed your temple."

Mikal turns in anger. He growls out. Then turns again to face Calina. His expression murderous.

Calina leans towards him. Her expression triumphant. "When you held me down and your mother tried to brand me with her name, you laughed and said no man would ever want me now. Here moments ago if I would have laid my body on this table you would have gladly taken me." Calina chuckles. Mikal's eyes slide slowly up and down her body in a familiar way. "You will never have me again."

Trevelyn gasps. He looks between the both of them in disbelief. "What? Again? What's going on?"

Mikal sneers at him. "She's a Queen, Prince. What do you think?" He laughs wryly looking at Calina and shaking his head. "So, you have Sammuel back. And you figured it out on your own." He claps his hands. "Good job. I commend you. I killed your amazons. You killed my men. We are even now. Fine." Mikal stares at Calina with a leer. "What about love or passion, Calina? Or is that something you only share with Prince's who won't ever...ever...will never except you for who you are?"

Trevelyn's eyes are wide. He starts to laugh. "Oh, you have got to be kidding!" He looks at Calina and points to Mikal, "What? Did he take my place?"

Calina's head turns to Trevelyn. Her expression one of disgust. "No." She turns to Mikal and sneers, "I could never love you. Be honest with yourself, Mikal. You never wanted my love." She lifts her hand to her forehead. Her fingers trace the scar down to her cheek. "You only wanted to possess me. And that is something no man will ever do."

Mikal turns away from Calina and walks back to Brigit. Brigit is looking at Calina with interest. She turns and asks Mikal increduously, "Is that why you slaughtered the amazon?" She laughs at such a thought. "Because you love..." she looks back to Calina as if Calina were a slimy bug thing, "her."

Mikal turns on Brigit angrily, "Mother ordered me to strike against the amazon." He looks to Calina then back to Brigit. "Calina and I ," He stoped and looked at Calina who just stared at him with amusement. He lets out a big breath and continues, "it was a political thing. I allowed the amazon traders to come onto the land as long as Calina and her warriors were the guard. We had tasted each other before...", he let's his eyes slowly ride up and down Calina's body. "let's just say I wanted more and she didn't disagree. It worked out well for both of us and gave us time to play." Mikal smirks and looks at Trevelyn. "And you thought you were her first. Tsk Tsk."

Trevelyn looks at Calina in disapointment. He shakes his head and says softly, "You never cease to disapoint me."

Calina turns her head to him and says coldly, "Mikal and I having sex was not only a political thing. It was also for mutual enjoyment. This was before you. I never claimed to be a virgin. Though I did find it amusing that most of my family thought me to be one." She chuckles. "Trevelyn, I am an amazon. I've had sex with slaves, men and women, with visiting dignitaries if I found them appealing, Mikal being one of them, and yes, I have had sex with you. I knew from the beginning what you were. A Prince of Treola. You came after me knowing what I am. I am an Amazon warrior and now the Queen. I never asked anything of you other than to accept me for who I am." She shakes her head. "That was obviously something you could not do. I never asked you to be something you weren't. Nor have I ever expected nor asked you to change for me. And I will not now or ever again have you insult my way of life. What we had is over with. You saw to that. I have moved on for myself, my tribe and my family. You need to do the same."

Calina turns to Mikal who merely looks at her. She says commandingly, "Your sister was invited here today, and yes we did expect you to join her, to end this fued. Our armies can gain entry into Mystique. As your men found out last night. We will crush you if you continue obeying your mother's orders. Just because she is a God does not mean what she is ordering is right." Calina pauses, "Do what is best for your people. We all know that if the prophecy is correct Sabine will not be a God forever. She knows this and I believe that is why she is taking action against so many that would oppose her if she would somehow become mortal.

"What we have here, Mikal, Brigit, is a common ground. None of us want a war that will reach across our realms. Sabine has her army, yes. We all know this. Mikal, you and your men do not have to remain with her army." Calina walks over to him, "If there is one thing that I have learned from all of this it is never take what you cannot give back unless that is your intention. What that means is yes, I killed your men that were preventing me from saving my brother and then destroyed your temple. But I took the mens lives to get back my brother's. I can help rebuild your temple. What I cannot do is replace my brother." Calina looks into Mikal's eyes. He nods softly. "Your and Sabine's army killed my sisters and our slaves then destroyed our home. We cannot bring the dead back. We do not have the power to do so nor should we. But together, Mikal, we can rebuild our alliance and that will save lives on both sides. What do you say, Mikal? End this by peace or end this by war?" She raises her hand in offering.

Mikal looks at Calina. He raises his hand and grasps hers. "Peace. You are truely an Amazon Queen, Calina." He bows in respect.

A slight smile forms from Calina's lips. She walks over and sits near Brigit keeping her eye on the men.

Mikal walks over to Trevelyn and David and offers a hand in peace to them both. David accepts first. He shakes Mikal's hand. Saying nothing to him. Then walks over and sits beside Calina.

Trevelyn steps up to him. Trying to control his emotions. "You didn't love her?"

Mikal chuckles wryly and looks to Calina then back to Trevelyn again and replies, "Of course I did. She's Calina."

Trevelyn nods. His face full of anger, "Then why did you help scar her? Why help Sabine with the slaughter of her tribe?"

Mikal swallows looking down at his boots for a moment. When he raises his face to look into Trevelyn's eyes there is a blush on his cheeks, "I am my mother's son. I knew she would not commit to me. I heard she was in love with you." He shrugs and looks up to Calina again. "I was wrong on both matters. One doing it. Two thinking no man would have her now." He pauses. "She's still amazing."

Trevelyn shakes his head, "You need to control that part of you. If she is harmed again.."

Mikal nods, "Yeah, I know."

Trevelyn looks at Calina who is now watching the two of them. "You said she was in love with me."

Mikal nods looking at Calina as well. "Yes, she was."

Trevelyn asks, "Who does she love now?"

Mikal blinks then looks at Trevelyn as if he should know. Mikal chuckles and pats Trevelyn on the shoulder. He nods towards Calina and answers, "She loves her people. She loves her family." He pauses to let that sink in. "She's a queen now, Trevelyn."

Trevelyn sighs and nods, "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Mikal squeezes Trevelyn's shoulder then walks off to join the others. Calina looks down to Trevelyn and smiles softly. Trevelyn realizes then what he lost. Trevelyn also realizes what the world has gained.

David looks around the table. Standing he offers his hand to Calina. Calina gives him an annoyed look and stands up. David grins.

Calina's eyes turn deadly. She whispers, "Don't even think about it. It's not our ways. You know it."

David forces his hand into what would seem a polite tuck under Cali's arm and grins broader. "Sure you dun want me to just..." His eyes go cross.

Calina laughs. Her face lights up. Her amber eyes twinkle merrily. All eyes in the room turn to her. Mikal's mouth drops. He knows how much Calina used to hate David. Trevelyn just stares at the two of them. Calina notices the people staring and glares at them all in turn. They seem to feel comforted by this and go back to what they were doing. David and Calina walk out of the conference room. Trevelyn looks to the door and follows.

As he reaches the front gate, he sees David helping Calina into a carriage. Two amazon warriors guide the carriage out of the kingdom. Trevelyn is puzzled. Calina only travels by horse. He leans walks quickly back to the castle. Then waits by the fountain for David to return.

David smiles and waves as he sees Trevelyn at the fountain. He walks up to Trevelyn who is looking at him curiously. "Saw you follow us. What's up?" David grins.

Trevelyn's brows furrow. "When did you two become so close? I mean..." He blinks. "You made her laugh."

David looks to the ground and chuckles. He looks up with a shrug. "I have that affect on women. They enjoy my company you see."

Trevelyn looks at him blandly. "Alright. Just tell me you aren't cheating on Shzaz."

David's eyes widen. He bursts out laughing. When he finally calms down he replies, "Dear gawd man, you must be insane."

Mikal walks up to the men. He winks at David and looks to Trevelyn. "She's pregnant."

David turns his head and gives Mikal a murderous glare.

Trevelyn's mouth drops. His shocked expression turns to amazement. "What?" He collects himself and turns to Mikal. His hand reaching to his belt where his dagger is usually sheathed.

Mikal quirks a brow and smirks. "To you, idiot." He shakes his head and starts to walk away from the men. They both stare after him. Mikal turns around deliberately slow and says, "You really missed that bump hidden under her leather tunic? Those luscious breasts were bigger? That glow about her?" He clucks his tongue and starts to walk off again. Calling over his shoulder. "Damn, Prince, I am surprised she had sex with you. She usually goes for the ones that actually notice her body."

"I hate that man." Trevelyn turns and grabs David's shoulder roughly. Glaring at him. His nostrils flared in anger. "Why didn't you tell me she's pregnant? You knew!"

David grabs Trevelyn's hand and removes it from his shoulder. He looks at Trevelyn coldly, "Because I respect the fact that Calina is an amazon. And with that respect I understand their laws."

Trevelyn continues to glare. "What the hell does that mean?"

David takes a deap calming breath. "When an amazon becomes pregnant the man is only told about the child if the child is male. Or if the child was the result of a political alliance." He looks pointedly to Trevelyn. "Do I believe that is fair to the man? No. But if the man knew he was sleeping with an amazon he should have been intelligent enough to ask about the consequences if he actually cared about them." David becomes annoyed. "Do you care, Trevelyn?"

Trevelyn looks to the castle gates and nods. "Yes, I do."

David nods softly. "Then why did you let her go?" He asks though he knows the answer.

Trevelyn sighs, "I know. I wanted her to be so in love with me that she would marry me, live in this castle, become my Queen, have our royal children that are raised like I was." He shakes his head. "I won't have any child of mine, regardless of what his or her mother's life style is, kept from me. Calina will just have to understand that."

Trevelyn's face suddenly explodes with pain. His body is thrown to the ground. His nose is bleeding. His vision is blurred. He feels like a boulder just smashed against him. When his vision clears a bit he sees a large form standing over him. He realizes this is David.

David glares down at Trevelyn. His voice cold and harsh, "That arrogance lost you Calina. That same arrogance will lose you any right you have to Calina's child." His voice explodes. "YES! I said Calina's child because unless you humble yourself enough to respect Calina and the amazon laws you will never see that child."

Trevelyn stands up slowly. He blinks his eyes.

David continues, "I understand that it is not easy for a man to be in a situation where a woman has power over him. Especially in our world. But what I had to realize and what the rest of mankind has to realize if we are going to survive in this new age is that women are our equals. They were not born to be submissive to us. Any law or religion that states that is a man written religion only invented to enslave women and control them. Why? Because a woman is life. A woman has in her the power to turn our heads. To make our hearts beat so fast we think the world can hear it. A woman moves us in the way a God can move a mountain. That feeling is so strong in us that it scares us. Weaker men made religions that intend to squash a woman's true spirit. Don't be a weak man." He pauses and looks at Trevelyn. He shakes his head sadly. "Trevelyn, God made women to compliment us. God made us to compliment women. If we do not show women the respect they deserve we are insulting God. If we do not treat them as our equals we are insulting God. Do you really think God is going to put up with such an insult from us forever?" He shakes his head again. "Go to Calina. Know she is your equal. Talk to her as an equal. And make it your goal to understand why she feels so passionately about her ways. An amazon wants respect as we all do. Give her that." David looks at Trevelyn waiting for his response.

Trevelyn thinks about what David just said. He thinks deaply. He is humbled by David's words not only because David is his closest friend. But because he knows those words to be the truth. Trevelyn nods. A deap sigh releases from him. He speaks softly his voice filled with emotion. "Yes." He shrugs and looks at David with a small smile. "That's all I can say. Yes."

On the ninth day of the nine lunar month of the 16th year before Sabine would be cast from the land of the Gods, Torianna, daughter of the Calina, Amazon Queen of Areatis Island was born. For the next twelve days a great celebration was held on Areatis Island. The heir to the amazon throne was born.

The Queen though weaken from childbirth joined the festivities on the second day. Beside her in a cradle made of the finest wood from the forest of Treola lay her daughter. The chubby baby with fire red curls atop of her head slept through most of the days. When she was awake all of the sisters and slaves noted how lovely her eyes were. Babies are usually born with blue eyes. Torianna was born with the palest green eyes any had seen. She would keep that color throughout her life and pass the same color on to her own children.

The Goddess Calisto loved Torianna from the moment she was born. While both mother and child slept the night Torianna was born, Calisto flew down to the amazon upon her flaming steed and entered the hut. She walked over to the cradle and picked up the baby. Torianna opened her eyes and smiled at the Goddess. Calisto was so moved by this that she blessed Torianna.

At that same moment, seers from around the three realms had a vision. This vision was so powerful the seers knew it came from a God. It was so powerful it felt like it came from God. When there was one God. The time before the separation. The seers knew what they saw to mean this vision would affect all time.

Calisto whispered, "Sweet child, there will be much love in your life. And as with your mother much responsibility. For your mother and always one from her bloodline are will be Guardians. Though I am not sure, for it has not even been revealed yet to me, if you are the one that will replace her when Calina passes onto the land of the elders. I do know that it is time for the Guardian to be made to know her fate.

"In the time when we were one, meaning before the only true God became angry and split us all, the Guardians where champions. The heros of myth were real. They were guardians. Calina's children throughout time will have the power to change the world. Perhaps a little at a time, and always through the will of God. The Guardians serve God by guiding the people. Her children will be the story tellers, the warriors, the teachers, the healers and most importantly the defenders of God and by doing so the defenders of others that serve God and only seek to spread God's word and love, to do good by people. They will protect the one."

Calisto placed Torianna upon her sleeping mother's chest. Then walked quietly over to the cradle. An old leather bound book appeared in her hands. She smiled at the sleeping pair as she placed the book into the cradle where the baby had slept before she entered the hut. The front of the book had only one word upon it, 'Guardian'.

Calisto walked to the cot and smiled upon the mother and child. A single tear rolled down her cheek landing upon the mother's hand. Calisto whispered, "Your home will be safe for a while. Raise this child and your other's without fear of your home. Until the day you die, Calina, peace will reign with you throughout the amazon. That peace will follow through most of Torianna's reign. But know you must defend others especially those that have come to your aid in this time."

Calisto left the hut and disapeared into the night on her flaming steed.