Memory
CHAPTER TEN
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Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
CHAPTER SIX
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
CHAPTER TEN
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
EPILOGUE

She returned first to her quarters to change before leaving for the detaining sheds on the east side of the village. With a nearly mechanical upward snap of her wrist Marguerite pulled off her dazzling gown and pitched it aside, allowing the crimson garment to lay limp, discarded and somewhat forsaken on her bed.

Abruptly, she then pulled on her pelted half-top and reached for her unpopular leather skirt. Once again Marguerite critically inspecting its lack of length. She did not know why the Amazon outfit made her feel so uncomfortable, most of the women here were wearing this style, but she just felt it was wrong. ‘You deserve something sumptuous,’ an unapologetic voice murmured in her head, ‘and very expensive.’

Yet, even as these thoughts made her smile Marguerite also felt vaguely guilty. If she were a true warrior shouldn’t such finery be beyond her interest? On an impulse Marguerite turned slowly to the dresser near her bed. Carefully, with an anticipatory eye, she pulled open a drawer. There lay her beige jodhpurs; washed, holes sewn and patched by a gifted Amazon seamstress. Marguerite tugged the garment from the drawer and grinned. She then rummaged a bit more. Hopes were dashed when she could not find her blouse. “Beyond repair.” she murmured.

Never the less, Marguerite was pleased with what she did find. Quickly, she slipped on her pants and sturdy boots. No, it was neither expensive or the height of fashion but she felt much more comfortable.

While pulling her hair out of the elaborate style the serving girl insisted she wear for their dinner event, Marguerite looked at herself in the full length mirror directly across from her large bed. Jodhpured, with a short leather camisole-liked top, bare midriff, and wild brunette hair she was, undeniably, a peculiar sight. “Rather like an untamed beauty.” she snickered, amused by her own curious wit.

For the first time, Marguerite began to feel a strange sense of command. She was taking back her life and was, at least for now, in control. She had forgotten how empowering that was. Of course, Marguerite had forgotten many things but now firmly believed she would eventually remember it all. It wasn’t just lip service. She would remember. Again, Marguerite glanced into the mirror. “If only I had my hat.” she whispered and shook the thought from her mind. Binding her hair to the back of her head in an unfussy braid, she quickly turned to leave.

As an after thought, Marguerite grasped her whip before shutting the bedroom door.

***

Challenger offered to escort Selena back to her quarters

It was early in the evening but the following day would be problematic and busy. Therefore, everyone agreed to turn in at dusk, to be awakened by dawn.

The Professor had seen Roxton leave the dining hall a little earlier, no doubt attempting to catch up with Marguerite, trying to convince the stubborn woman her destiny was with him. Challenger was glad Roxton was making his usual bold effort. If anyone could convince Marguerite she belonged at the treehouse with her friends it was the persuasive Lord Roxton.

Presently, Challenger and Selena walked quietly down the hall, the ginger-haired scientist and elegant Amazon queen thinking separate thoughts but both equally as distracted.

“You have concerns, Professor?” Selena asked, slowing her pace as they came to the door of her quarters.

“Marguerite.” he said, “I’m worried about her decision. Will she come with us or stay with you? And if she stays will she eventually come to regret it? More importantly, will she ever fully recover her memory?”

It was not as complex to Selena, “If she is sincere about her vow, she will stay. It doesn’t matter if her memory is restored or not.”

Not surprising, Challenger disagreed. “She took that vow as a last resort. She had lost faith. She didn’t think we were coming for her. Marguerite is a lady drowning in uncertainty. You know it’s true, Selena.”

“You could be right.” the queen reluctantly nodded, “Be assured, Professor, by tomorrow we will all know Marguerite’s fate. The Amazons have a history of severity but we are not without leniency. Whatever she chooses the greater good will be served.”

“You sound so sure.” Challenger commented.

Selena smiled, dismissing the subject, then unexpectedly looked deeply into his eyes. “Professor, we have unfinished business, I think.” she said, “I would like to invite you to stay with me tonight.”

Startled by this turn in conversation, Challenger averted his gaze and looked down at his boots, “Selena ..”

“We have talked about this before.”

“Serving ones purpose?” he asked.

“Yes.“ Selena‘s tone was a purr as she placed her fingers beneath Challenger‘s chin and lifted until his eyes were looking into her own, “We are a man and woman of intelligence. It is this which drew you to me in the first place. Are you not attracted to me still?“

“Yes, I am.” Challenger confessed without hesitation, “But it would never work because …”

“I wish to have a child and I would like you to father it.” Selena declared and, at his astonished silence, took Challenger’s hands into her own, “Just think of the beautiful, gifted child we would produce together, Professor. She would be a valued force, a new queen for my people when I am no longer able to rule, and she …”

“And what if she turns out to be a he, Selena?”

The woman grew silent.

“You would cast him out of your village merely because of his sex?” At her continued stillness Challenger shook his head back and forth, “No, I could not abide by that. Nor could I yield a child who would never know his or her father. Because, you know, after tomorrow I will never return to this village again, Selena.”

The Amazon queen squeezed his hands, “You are a man of deep conscience, Challenger. I admire that and I have seen it in very few men. Yet, I feel there is something more to this rejection.”

“There is,” he admitted, “Not long ago I was made very aware of how much I miss my dear wife, Jessie. She is waiting for me and I have an obligation to her. I love her, Selena. If it is within my power I would like to remain as faithful as I can to her.”

“But you don’t know what is happening in your world. She may already think you are dead and has moved on with her life. And, all matters considered, you may not ever return to her. Are you sincerely saying you plan to remain untouched by female hands until the end of your days, Professor?”

If it was within him to teach a lesson in propriety at this moment Challenger might have done so but instead he told her, “One day I will see her again. I’m certain I will. And when that happens, Selena, I would like to say honestly that I did my best to resist temptation, as I am certain Jessie is doing at home in England right now.”

“How very devoted of you.” Selena spoke dourly but accepting. She released his hands. Still, there was a small smile as she reached to stroke his beard. “I can only hope one day when you have been on the plateau long enough, finding yourself lonely and in need a warm bed, that you will remember me. Perhaps you will come for a visit despite your oath never to return and we will talk about our desires intelligently -- amongst other things.”

With a shared chuckle, Challenger bowed slightly and took Selena’s left hand in his. He kissed it gently before bidding her a good night.

Selena's eyes followed him with a deep disappointment -- and sincere regret for all things to come.

***

The night was warm and growing quiet as the ladies settled themselves in for a long, restful evening. Only black-clad, armored sentries were taking their shifts in the observation towers far above him. There were also a few women, on foot patrol, who regarded Roxton with ambiguity and a little admiration as they passed him standing outside, looking about the grounds.

Roxton and Challenger’s quarters were positioned close to both the horse stables and the Amazon village’s inside main gate. Seizing an opportunity, Roxton crossed to the stables from his hut and petted the horses gently, amused by their gentle nickers as he pondered he and his friends’ current state of affairs. He looked up at the clear but graying sky, that time during the day when it wasn’t officially dark but the sun had disappeared from the horizon.

Marguerite said she would come to him tonight and they would talk further. He hoped she wasn’t merely casting him off politely, that he had reached her in some profound way. Certainly, it did seem as if she had been emotionally touched by him, with their kiss, and her reaction their contact. He could still feel the warmth of her smooth cheek beneath his hand, her own hand holding his wrist, not wanting their connection to end …

“Roxton!” She strutted slowly but with a certainty in her body language that the hunter could read even before the light overcame shadow to revealed who it was that approached.

“Hippolita.”

“You’ve hardly said six words to me since you’ve been here.”

“There’s been a lot going on.”

She leaned on the fence, standing beside the tall huntsman, and looked at his profile. “I’ve missed you.” Hippolita awaited a response but was silently thwarted when he chose to ignore her last comment, continuing to stroke the nose of the horse before him, “I missed our sword play.” she added and was rewarded with a mild but obviously neutral smile from Roxton. Deciding a change of subject was needed Hippolita asked, “How is Veronica? I’m surprised she didn’t come with you and Challenger on this trip.”

“She and Malone are away, checking on some children we helped a couple years ago.”

“That’s Veronica. Always the little helper.”

Roxton caught the sarcasm, “I take it you and she were never friends?”

“When we were children, when Veronica lived with the Amazons, she and I were very close. She could do anything and everyone was quite fond of her. Including me. But she was never happy. She wanted to find her parents and that was all there was to it.”

“So she left.”

“It felt more like abandonment but yes, Veronica left.”

“It was nothing personal, I’m sure.” Roxton offered.

“I know,” Hippolita acknowledged, “but many of us still considered her a potential Amazon and when she returned to help you and your friends last time it brought back a lot of negative memories.”

“And those abandonment issues, I take it.”

“Yes.” Hippolita sighed, “At times our people are not easy to forgive. Only one of our many flaws, I‘m sure you would agree.”

Roxton raised his eyebrows with good humor, “What? Me? A mere male? I doubt my opinion would mean much to you and yours.”

“Then you would be surprised." With a sudden change of mind-set she said, “Even when we were enemies I valued your opinion, Roxton.”

“And now that we’re friends?” he asked.

Hippolita moved in a little closer to Roxton, “All the more.” she touched his arm seductively and tried to meet his eyes, “Let‘s talk about us.”

Roxton looked down at the lovely blond warrior and tried to calculate what exactly she was up to, “Us, Hippolita?”

“Last time we were together something very special could have happened -- if it wasn’t for Marguerite’s interruption. Do you remember?”

He paused for a moment, expression passive, continuing to look at the woman‘s somewhat deliberate smile. Then, “Yes, a great time could have been had by all if you hadn’t planned to serve me up as an appetizer to a cannibal tribe the following day.” Roxton expression remained unreceptive as he again turned from her. He directed his attention once again to the horses.

“Oh." Hippolita removed her hand and cleared her throat. “I was hoping you had forgiven us for that.” she said, “It was a very complex situation.”

“My people have vivid memories too. Not necessarily about abandonment issues, mind you, but of lies and deceit.” He glanced once again at the woman, “I’m still not sure you and the other women can be trusted, despite the pretty picture Selena paints. It’s hard to change an attitude, Hippolita, a belief your people have lived with for years and years. If memory serves, we‘ve been figuratively and literally burned by your viewpoint.”

They stood in silence for a few more moments.

“Goodnight, Lord Roxton.“ Hippolita excused herself and moved away.

‘No denials or fury.’ Roxton thought, gravely. He did not know whether to be satisfied or afraid. He looked beyond the stable, clear of a few sturdy outbuildings, past a couple of the women who were now lighting torches around the inside village perimeter, and silently prayed Marguerite would soon arrive.

***

“Marguerite, what are you doing here?” Phoebe asked, sword drawn, surprised by the sight of her newest sister, “Why are you dressed like that?” she asked, noting the jodhpurs.

“I want to see Lavinia.”

“You can’t.” The young Amazon insisted, lowering her weapon. “She’s not allowed visitors, Marguerite.”

“Do it for me. It’s important. She has answers to so many of my questions.”

“You should be resting for your test tomorrow.” Phoebe reasoned.

More words were exchanged but in the end, as Circe predicted, Phoebe looked about - her blue eyes darting from one darkened corner to the other - saw there was no one of consequence watching and mimed Marguerite to go inside the small shed where her charge was imprisoned. “But only for a few minutes.”

Lavinia sat in a corner, one toned leg resting on the cot she sat on and the other dangling, her foot dragging on the dirt packed floor below her, “So, you’ve come.” she murmured, not looking at Marguerite but evidently expecting her.

“Circe told me you could answer some of my questions.” Marguerite looked about. The cabin was drab and bare. Only a bed, a tray with barely touched food, and a chamber pot were seen.

“She’s a good woman.” Lavinia sat up on the cot and adjusted her bedding. “I didn’t always think so but time has a way of showing one the truth.“ She then looked at Marguerite and her eyebrows raised, “Nice outfit.” she said.

Marguerite took the comment as the ice-breaker intended and launched in: “Lavinia, when we fought in the arena you said by maiming me you would be saving my life. Did you say that because you were frightened for me? Is it because I’m going out on my own to face the cannibals?”

“If it were that simple I wouldn't care. You have shown you can handle yourself.”

“Thanks.” Marguerite was flattered despite her unease. “I’m asking your help because I think you know what is going to happen to me tomorrow -- if I agree to continue my initiation. Is Selena hiding a vital piece of information from me? I just get the feeling everyone here knows something I don’t.”

“But they will not speak.” Lavinia nearly snarled under her breath, “The cowards. They act so strong but each one is afraid to be chosen ...”

Marguerite came to sit on the cot, now facing the characteristically unsmiling Lavinia. She was amazed to not see the tough warrior she grappled with in the arena or the stalwart soldier she first met in the woods, but a rather torn and bitter woman who was trying to do the right thing but was running aground during the attempt. “Tell me.” Marguerite said, “Show me you are not a coward.”

Lavinia pursed her lips, blinking a couple times, then nodded reluctantly. “All right.” she said, “But know that I am telling you this because there are some things a woman, whether we belong to the same tribe or not, has an obligation to tell another woman.”

Marguerite concurred, “Go ahead.”

“When you and your friends left us a couple years ago we did try to work with the men. Together, we decided to negotiate with the Wantu cannibals, our biggest mutual threat, and we made compromises. The Amazons and man-village would no longer attack each other. But we would aid one another … and make sacrifices to our enemy.”

“What kind of sacrifices?”

Yearly sacrifices.“ Lavinia cleared her throat and met her eyes, “You are going to be that sacrifice this year, Marguerite. That is why it was so important for Selena to declare you one of us so soon. She wants you to be a legitimate Amazon village inhabitant.”

“I’m still not sure I understand.”

“You will be taken beyond the gates, Marguerite. It will be more than an average challenged because the cannibals will be alerted that an Amazon is out and running. They will be hunting you. But not just you. A man will also be running for his life …”

“From the man-village? There will be two of us?”

“Yes and the Wantu will be chasing both of you. Whoever they catch first will be theirs.“

“The sacrifice.” There was a small tremor in Marguerite‘s voice.

“The compromise.”

Marguerite scowled, “In other words one of us will be dinner.”

Lavinia continued, “For the first few hours during the hunt you will be thinking about saving yourself, hiding and possibly building deterrent snares. A simple survival instinct will overcome you. Then, a few hours in, you will start to think: ‘How can I cause that man, my enemy, to be caught first?’ You see, once a runner has been caught the other will be set free ….”

“You speak like someone who has been through this, Lavinia.”

Startled, the woman glared at her, “I do, don’t I?” Her voice was firm but dripped sarcasm when she said, “I was last years winner.”

Marguerite blinked her stunned puzzlement, “You‘ve been hunted? Then that terror is all over for you, Lavinia. You can …”

“No, Marguerite, it‘s not over! In my mind it will never be completely over!” Lavinia looked away from her, controlling an edge of panic threatening to take over, “There are other terrible sacrifices to be made that are not simply the taking of your life. It’s the living of your life under the worst conditions possible. Actually, dying would be a blessing for what is to follow for the winner.” Again she met Marguerite’s eyes, “Perhaps even being caught by the cannibals, roasting over a fire, would be preferable …”

Marguerite was suddenly very afraid. Although speaking with a relative calm she could see it would not take much to push Lavinia into hysteria. “Wha … what are you saying?”

Without warning, Lavinia grasped Marguerite‘s upper arms. “Before I go on with this …. Your men, Challenger and Roxton ...”

“What about them?”

“Once they know what will happen to you they will not stand for it. Selena and Hippolita know this. I sincerely believe, whether you survive or not, they will lose their lives.”

“What?” Marguerite unexpectedly felt Roxton’s hand on her cheek and she internally shivered.

“It‘s either their two lives, the lives of two men, our the entire Amazon village. What do you think Selena will choose?”

“Are you saying she will have them executed?” Marguerite asked, unbelieving.

“Your men will want to protect you -- but in Selena’s eyes, in the eyes of the dominant Amazons, they are mere men and are forfeit, to be given to the cannibals as an extra added bonus; to protect the Amazons during the year when we hunt game on what they consider their lands.”

“No." Marguerite began to feel a deep betrayal, “Selena does not want me to remember them … she keeps them away from me as much as she can … but not too far away because I‘ll get suspicious …“

“And by tomorrow it won‘t matter anyway. She’ll pretend to listen to you, hoping you will agree to finish your initiation, but if you don’t she’ll threaten to kill your men, holding them hostage until you’ve finished. But it will be a lie, Marguerite. And not the first because she will make you believe you’ve passed your test, your men having been sent home, and then … then the true hell will begin.”

Marguerite leaned forward, “Tell me what I need to know, Lavinia. What will happen if … when I survive the cannibals?”

Lavinia stared at Marguerite for a moment, not wanting to relive it but knowing she had to prevent this or any other woman from going through what she did.

**

I'll have to talk with Marguerite tomorrow morning, Roxton thought. A cloak of darkness, highlighted by a multitude of stars, fell quickly over the community and Roxton, discouraged, turned in for the night.

Challenger had returned from the dinner a couple hours earlier and sat upon his cot. On the nightstand beside him rested a singled candle. He was deep in thought, his eyes closed, but not really ready to slumber.

Neither thought to sleep too deeply tonight.

She burst through their door, spotted Challenger first from the candlelight, and cried: “You are in grave danger! You must leave!”

“Marguerite! What …?” Roxton, who had been laying on his side resting, only briefly nodding off, awoke immediately to see her. His delight was only brief when he noticed her anxious expression. She said she would come to him but he never expected it to be quite this way.

She grasped Roxton’s hat and tossed it into his arms, “Don’t ask me how I know but Selena means to do you harm. You must leave!”

“Selena?” Challenger’s disappointment was genuine and somewhat skeptical as he stood, “Are you certain?”

“Yes!” Marguerite grasped Challenger’s coat, laying across the foot of his bed, and jammed it into his arms. “Now, come on.”

“They have our weapons.“ Roxton told her, “We won’t get far in the jungle without them.“

“We will have to try.“

“We? You‘ve decide to come with us?” Roxton took her firmly on the upper arm, pleased despite her desperate manner. “Have you regained your memory?”

“No.” she stated flatly, pulling her arm from him, not admitting she rather liked the touch of his skin against hers. “But I know things and we need to leave.”

“Just like that?” Challenger asked, bewildered.

“Trust me, after everything I’ve learned, I don’t want to be here either.” She lifted a hand to ward off another question, “Don’t ask me. I’ll tell you when we’re safe.”

“That’s good enough for me!” Roxton put on his hat and carried his jacket across an arm, “Did anyone see you coming in here?” he asked her.

“I don’t think so. I kept to the shadows. But we need to be careful.”

“How are we going to get past the main gate sentry?” Challenger wondered.

“Labrada is in the tower tonight. I think she’ll let us go if she knows I am with you.”

Roxton wondered why Labrada, the tough but exceptionally attractive solider who escorted he and Challenger into the dining hall, might let them pass at merely Marguerite's request, but felt it was probably better he did not know all the details at this time. “Lead the way.” He opened the door, allowing Marguerite to move past him while still looking out, checking to see if there was someone close that could cause trouble.

They moved stealthily, the trio creeping their way through the darkness until they got to the main gate. In front of the exit, they stood by the ladder that rose to Tower One, which held the crank and pulleys to open and close the gates.

“I’m going to go up there and talk with Labrada. You two stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“Marguerite, maybe I should …” Roxton started.

“Roxton, don’t start with the chivalry. If you go up there she’ll smash your face in. Just let me handle it, okay?”

Roxton nearly chortled, “I really don’t want my face messed with so I accept your terms. Just be careful, okay?”

His eyes met hers and Marguerite was warmed to see the sincere concern in them, “I will.”

The men stood below, watching as Marguerite made her ascent.

***

She watched them from a distance, hidden in a room on the top most rise of the main house. It had been her responsibility to do this, watch them and alert Selena if matters were going astray.

Their queen had suspected something like this might happen, that somehow Marguerite - a sharp woman even without her memory - would discover the truth and would make a run for it. But they had all hoped it would not come to pass. No one really wanted to see her put in the position of sacrifice but they had all hoped, never the less, it would go off without a hitch. The expectation was Marguerite would eventually return to them, like Lavinia before her, troubled but in good health, ready to add stature to their village and even more if the gods were with them.

With a sigh, she turned to a cheerless Xonya and Belen who had been standing by her side, observing the event as well. “Go tell Selena.”

“Isn’t there another way?” Xonya asked.

“No, there isn‘t.” Hippolita was firm, her tone clearly demonstrating she did not want an argument. She then turned, as the women left her, and once again observed as Roxton and Challenger, standing in the dark below the tower, watching as Marguerite made her way up to the ladder, awaited their fate.

Saddened but resolute she left her station.

***

“I just thought I’d come up to …” Marguerite reached the last rung and pulled herself into the tower. Unexpected, Marguerite realized the cheery redhead was not there but another Amazon. She was fair, had silvery hair and was at least six feet tall. She was also extraordinarily muscular. She held a bow and arrow in her hands, a long arrow pouch to her back, and there was a long, sharp gladius strapped to her side. “Umh, you’re not Labrada.” Marguerite said.

“No, I’m Obera.” she said with a deep voice, “And everyone knows you, Marguerite.”

“Hope that’s a good thing.”

“I’m impressed.” The woman smiled, lowering the bow to her side. “I saw your whip demonstration,” She nodded to the lash at Marguerite’s hip, “I’d like to practice with you sometime. I’m not bad with weapons myself. Oh, and that sword fight with Labrada was extraordinary! She‘s a wonderful swords woman. How you beat her …”

“Just lucky.” Marguerite said, quickly. She was grateful but there was no time for such ego stroking. “Where is Labrada?”

“Not sure. She was supposed to be on tonight but at the last minute they asked me to take her post for a couple hours.” Suddenly alerted to something she hadn’t suspected, Obera smiled, “Are you and she umh…?”

“Friends.” Marguerite said, “Just thought I’d come up and keep her company tonight.”

“That’s really special. Especially considering what you’re going to be doing tomorrow …” Obera never finished the compliment.

Marguerite reared back and punched her so fiercely in the face that the woman did not even have a chance to blink before she collapsed to the floor of the tower. “Sorry.” Marguerite said, nursing her hand and sincerely regretting her action. “But someone once told me ‘the bigger they are the harder they fall’.” she said, wondering who she was quoting.

Yet, Marguerite also knew, in the short run, there was no other way. If she were to merely ask Obera to push the gate crank there would be endless questions, some she could not possibly answer, and Obera would probably be forced to sound an alarm. That was the last thing they needed.

With purpose, Marguerite snatched the bow and quiver of arrows from Obera’s unconscious form and tossed them over the side of the tower. She then took her sword and tossed it over as well. “At least we’ll have weapons.” she murmured before pushing up on the gate release and starting down the ladder.

“Good girl.” Challenger gathered the weapons Marguerite threw to them and watched as she made her way downward. They heard the bolt dislodge, triggered from a spring Marguerite had released from above, and watched as the gate opened a couple inches, readying their escape.

Roxton was about to whisper to the descending Marguerite, to compliment her and tell the beautiful, bold brunette to hurry, when he felt a blade of cold steel press against his throat.

***

Selena, standing above them several inches on a long platform, wearing a golden evening robe, paced. “I am very disappointed in you, Marguerite.” she commented, arms hugging herself as the Amazon queen struggled to sound unruffled. “We gave you the opportunity for greatness and how do you thank us? Treachery. You not only betrayed your sisters, striking one and lying to others, you put these men--” she gestured disparagingly to Roxton and Challenger, “--above us.”

They stood in the core room of the village’s Great Building. Just adjacent to this room was where Selena’s private quarters were situated. Marguerite could still visualize it; the lovely, steaming bath she had taken upon her arrival and the sumptuous bed Selena had allowed her to sleep in before this nightmare started.

She and the men stood side by side, Marguerite in the middle, and Amazon warriors were behind them, holding spears on their captives.

Hippolita remain motionless off to the side, watching Roxton, and was visibly unhappy with the circumstances which brought he and his people to this moment. Labrada stood beside her, staring at Marguerite miserably.

“You said you would let me go, Selena.” Marguerite exclaimed, “From the very beginning you told me you would be happy to help me find my people. If I wanted to go home I could. You said so, Selena.”

Although loyal, both Xonya and Belene glanced guiltily at one another from behind their queen. If they had been successful in keeping Roxton and Challenger away from the village this hearing would probably not be happening.

“That was before you were one of us. You became an Amazon warrior yesterday, Marguerite, and you must remember what I read in our ancient scrolls.” Selena’s expression was more severe then any of the visitors had ever seen it. “To betray one of your sisters is to cut your own wrists.”

“You lied to me. You‘re still lying!” Marguerite could not control her fury and lashed out verbally. “I know what is to happen!” She stepped forward but an warrior was quickly there, grasping Marguerite’s arm, pulling her back again to stand beside Roxton and Challenger.

Selena continued to pace in the silence that followed. Her head lifted in a fanciful manner, much like an human being who had something to hide but was pleased by her cleverness, “We could have discussed this rationally tomorrow, just before you were to go on your quest, to complete your initiation.”

“And if I had refused to go on this quest, what then?” Marguerite asked.

There was stillness again as Selena thought through her reply. “I don’t deem there is an option now. You have made yourself the enemy, Marguerite, and to prove faithfulness once again you will go outside our walls and face your fate.” Selena glanced once at the grim-faced Challenger who was, alas, looking at Selena as if she had misled them all to the worst possible degree. “Once you return, have completed your final test, and are a full fledged Amazon we will further discuss your future … and the future of the men.”

“We don’t need to discuss anything.” Marguerite said, “I know what will happen if I win this perverted sport. You’ll have me …”

“I am beginning to think, Marguerite,” Selena quickly interrupted, her eyes casting a cold stare at the woman, “that your tongue will not be stilled unless you are punished for your actions.”

Roxton and Challenger had been silent up until now, watching and listening before they made any move to state their own cases. “You will not touch her.” Roxton stated.

“I must agree, Selena.” Challenger’s hands had grown into fists. I believed you, he thought but did not verbally state. Yes, Challenger thought he and this remarkable woman had something very special between them which went beyond physical closeness, a unique meeting of the minds, a truth, but now he realized Selena had played him just as she had Marguerite and probably countless others before her.

“Five lashes.” Selena proclaimed, purposely looking away from the professor, one of the few men Selena had ever truly found attractive, miming the warrior behind Marguerite to take her to a wall on her left. “Usually it is more but Marguerite will need her strength and wits for the finality of her initiation tomorrow.”

It seemed like a game to Selena and that infuriated Roxton all the more, “You selfish little ...!” he shouted.

“On the contrary. I’m being generous.”

Marguerite was pushed forward and other Amazons came to roughly place her wrists in cuffs, her face to the stone wall, and not for the first time since losing her memory did she feel afraid and lost. However, Marguerite had already determined she would not cry out. They might try to break her down but she had her pride, what was left of it, and would not give them the satisfaction of hearing her screams.

“Selena, this is barbaric!” Challenger called.

A woman came up beside Marguerite and snatched the whip from her belt, “I’ve been wanting to try this,” she whispered in Marguerite’s ear from behind, a strand of her silvery hair touching her cheek. “So kind of you to provide it. Perhaps I’ll wow this audience as you did in the arena.”

‘Obera.’ Marguerite closed her eye, knowing what pain would follow. She had embarrassed this mighty woman and had stomped on the Amazon’s attempt at friendship. She was angry and out for revenge. In a sense, Marguerite could not blame her.

“No!” Roxton demanded, pushing away the hands that held him.

“This is her atonement, Lord Roxton." Hippolita called over to him, “Not even you can stop it.”

“The hell I can’t!” Roxton ran to where Marguerite was positioned for punishment and threw himself onto her back, his arms hugging her around the waist in an embrace that was both intensely protective and loving. Several Amazons attempted to pull him off but he would not budge, even when one frustrated warrior hit him on the back of the neck with the blunt side of her sword.

“Enough.” Selena called, “I will accept this. But remove his shirt. Since Lord Roxton feels he must be the champion, protecting his lady love, our warrior, he will receive ten lashes, befitting his heroic staus. Do your best Obera.”

Hippolita stood back and watched as the women did as told. The shirt was literally torn from Roxton’s back, revealing tanned skin freckled by the sun and lean muscle marred only by very small scars from previous battles apparently won, since he was alive and here today. Hippolita looked at Selena imploringly. She didn’t want to see this, despite what she had said about Marguerite’s atonement, and was sure others in the room felt as she did.

“It’s going to be okay.” Roxton whispered into Marguerite’s ear.

“Why are you doing this?” Marguerite asked him, “I can bear this. I know I can, Roxton. There’s no reason for you to …”

Roxton softly kissed her cheek, “I know you can take a beating, probably even suffer the pain better then myself, but I swore a long time ago that as long as we both lived I would never watch you come to harm. I could not bear that, Marguerite.”

The whip came down upon his back for the first time and Roxton groaned painfully in her ear. Marguerite could feel the jolt through her own body. “Let me go, Roxton, please.” she pleaded. “You don’t deserve this.”

But he would not move.

****

FINAL CHAPTER COMING SOON.