Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Brought to a Close
Even among their own kind, the Amazons of Tarantula Coast are known for their ferocity and thirst for battle. Instead of simply being trained for war from childhood, even as young children they are pitted against each other in personal combat – often with fatal consequences. Their idea of an easy initiation into the martial arts is allowing the most inexperienced kids to fight young males.This brutal system makes the Teuninochacal Amazons legendarily fearsome (and crazy) in battle, but has greatly reduced their numbers over the years. With an inordinate amount of male children being offered up as sacrifice to the bloodthirsty aspect of Rigg they worship, the Amazons here rely heavily on Miyan slave labour to survive. Following Lyssa's conquest of the more prosperous northern half of the domain, they even find themselves outnumbered by the little halflings.
The only virtue the Teuninochacal respect is strength. They care nothing for bloodlines. Thus when the previous Matriarch of the domain passed away, no one objected to an outsider taking the mantle of leadership. While hailing from faraway Gwangee Valley, Parthenia of the Tollsa clan is brutal, unpredictable and direct. Perfect qualifications for ruling these berserkers.
Two of her kids died in duels before age 6. One was sacrificed to Rigg. Mom of the Year.
Queen Lyssa may have taken territory and villages from the cruel matriarch. She may have gained sympathy for her cause, with her daughter Phaedra spreading tales of her conquests. But to depose Parthenia and bring all of Teuninochacal under her rule, the Queen of the Amazons must do so by strength of arms.
* * *
Fresh from her great victory at Tlax and buoyed by epic celebrations of said victory, Lyssa wastes little time in preparing for the next conquest. As soon as the victory feasts and great religious sacrifices are over, in the early days of 2033, she marches her army eastward.
Warning that the Amazonian forces have not had time to replenish their numbers following the protracted Tlax campaign, Kriemhild is left behind to oversee the recuperation of casualties and continued recruitment. Once more, Inanna and Calypso are the queen's trusted commanders. The Teuninochacal may be fearsome warriors, but Lyssa puts her faith in superior leadership – and numbers.
21.03.2032
Relentlessly, the Teuninochacal forces are driven back before Lyssa's eyes. In the dense jungle, keeping track of the larger battle is difficult – she has no idea if the enemy matriarch is even still on the field. The sensation is unmistakeable, however. Despite their ferocity, the Teuninochacal centre cannot stand against Amazonia's might.
Equally due to the fog of war, Lyssa has minimal oversight over the rest of her forces. Like during the fighting in Pillhuitzloli she trusts Inanna and Calypso to do their part. And yet somehow she finds herself hesitating.
"The enemy is faltering, Your Highness. If we pursue them now we might be able to break them!"
Lyssa acknowledges the commander of her bodyguard, but something keeps her from immediately ordering the pursuit. Without knowing the bigger picture, there is no telling what a rash charge could lead to. On the other hand, a moment's hesitation now means allowing the enemy to regroup. Thoughts of another two-year campaign like in Tlax flash in Lyssa's mind, most unbidden. Slumming it in the jungle – even in the relative comfort of her royal tent – for months on end. Constant guerilla warfare by defiant Amazons and impressed Miyan.
Lyssa nods to herself. There is no time to notify or confer with Calypso and Inanna. Pulling herself up to sit regally in her seat, she replies with due decisiveness befitting a queen: "All warriors are free to pursue at will. Hunt them down."
Striding through the battlefield atop her palanquin, Lyssa notes with approval how few of her shieldmaidens lie dead upon the ground for the survivors to reclaim. While Teuninochacal casualties were higher than amongst her own women, it likewise cheers her to see fewer enemy dead than she had feared. Her mission is to reunite the Amazons, not exterminate them. And, she must admit, even the savage Teuninochacal are of no use to her dead.
Catching everyone's attention thanks to her size and the massive, blood-soaked macuahuitl slung over her shoulder, Princess Inanna strides between her fellow warriors. Some resting, some tending to wounded sisters – or caring for the bodies of those whose wounds proved to great.
"The enemy's completely broken," Inanna announces as she approaches the queen. Her demeanour is matter-of-factly, but there's a measure of disappointment in her voice.
Lyssa smiles and motions for the bearers to lower her elevated platform. The moment it hits the ground she accepts helping hands to alight, impatient with excitement: Hearing her daughter's words somehow makes the victory definitive. Her instincts are proved correct and the day has been decisively won.
"Our cause is just," Lyssa reminds Inanna by way of explanation. She grins: "More importantly, our spears are sharper and our wits too."
Inanna's brow furrows as she attempts to parse her mother's idioms. Before she can fully cogitate they are interrupted by a small band erupting from the jungle nearby. The royal bodyguard assembles to take on any sudden threat, but lower their spears when the newcomers turn out to be friendly. Between them, they carry a makeshift litter with great urgency. Lyssa goes pale when she recognizes their patient.
"What happened??" she blurts out, eyes wide at the sight. Before her, Calypso's mouth spews blood from a weak cough. Lyssa looks around and yells angrily: "Get a priestess! All of them!"
Recognizing Lyssa's voice, the battered matriarch opens an eye and groans, her powerful voice ebbing with failing strength. "It's too... late..."
Falling to one knee beside her friend, Lyssa grabs Calypso's hand: "No. I will not allow it!" She looks up at the onlookers: "Don't just stand there! Do something!"
Another wet cough diverts the queen's attention. Through the blood caking her lips, Calypso manages a reassuring smile: "Thank you... for always being there. I'm afraid... I must let you down... once again. Please..." The mighty warrior's words are drowned in blood before another cough offers a brief respite. "…forgive me... one last time."
Lyssa feels the limp hand in hers grip her tightly.
"Promise me... let me go... and instead... remember..." Calypso's eyes grow bright and distant as happy memories flash in her mind. "...remember affectionate words over good food and good drink."
"Don't talk like that!" Lyssa chokes. Clutching Calypso's hand, she frantically searches her friend's body for some overlooked wound. Something that will miraculously save her if discovered. Anything. "The battle is won. The war is over. We can go home. We'll have plenty of time to talk and enjoy ourselves!"
The fond smile never fades; not so the life in Calypso's eyes. A harrowing scream erupts from the queen as she collapses over her old friend's dead body. It is terrible fury and utter devastation.
Passive bystander to the whole scene, Inanna gapes in shock at her mother's reaction. Completely at a loss, she can only stand there, confused and uncharacteristically helpless.
"Why..." she is barely able to make out amongst her mother's sobs. "Who... "
Inanna's face hardens. Without a word, she slings her huge weapon over her shoulder. Without looking back she stomps off into the jungle, blazing inferno in her eyes.
Relentlessly, the Teuninochacal forces are driven back before Lyssa's eyes. In the dense jungle, keeping track of the larger battle is difficult – she has no idea if the enemy matriarch is even still on the field. The sensation is unmistakeable, however. Despite their ferocity, the Teuninochacal centre cannot stand against Amazonia's might.
Equally due to the fog of war, Lyssa has minimal oversight over the rest of her forces. Like during the fighting in Pillhuitzloli she trusts Inanna and Calypso to do their part. And yet somehow she finds herself hesitating.
"The enemy is faltering, Your Highness. If we pursue them now we might be able to break them!"
Lyssa acknowledges the commander of her bodyguard, but something keeps her from immediately ordering the pursuit. Without knowing the bigger picture, there is no telling what a rash charge could lead to. On the other hand, a moment's hesitation now means allowing the enemy to regroup. Thoughts of another two-year campaign like in Tlax flash in Lyssa's mind, most unbidden. Slumming it in the jungle – even in the relative comfort of her royal tent – for months on end. Constant guerilla warfare by defiant Amazons and impressed Miyan.
Lyssa nods to herself. There is no time to notify or confer with Calypso and Inanna. Pulling herself up to sit regally in her seat, she replies with due decisiveness befitting a queen: "All warriors are free to pursue at will. Hunt them down."
Striding through the battlefield atop her palanquin, Lyssa notes with approval how few of her shieldmaidens lie dead upon the ground for the survivors to reclaim. While Teuninochacal casualties were higher than amongst her own women, it likewise cheers her to see fewer enemy dead than she had feared. Her mission is to reunite the Amazons, not exterminate them. And, she must admit, even the savage Teuninochacal are of no use to her dead.
Catching everyone's attention thanks to her size and the massive, blood-soaked macuahuitl slung over her shoulder, Princess Inanna strides between her fellow warriors. Some resting, some tending to wounded sisters – or caring for the bodies of those whose wounds proved to great.
"The enemy's completely broken," Inanna announces as she approaches the queen. Her demeanour is matter-of-factly, but there's a measure of disappointment in her voice.
Lyssa smiles and motions for the bearers to lower her elevated platform. The moment it hits the ground she accepts helping hands to alight, impatient with excitement: Hearing her daughter's words somehow makes the victory definitive. Her instincts are proved correct and the day has been decisively won.
"Our cause is just," Lyssa reminds Inanna by way of explanation. She grins: "More importantly, our spears are sharper and our wits too."
Inanna's brow furrows as she attempts to parse her mother's idioms. Before she can fully cogitate they are interrupted by a small band erupting from the jungle nearby. The royal bodyguard assembles to take on any sudden threat, but lower their spears when the newcomers turn out to be friendly. Between them, they carry a makeshift litter with great urgency. Lyssa goes pale when she recognizes their patient.
"What happened??" she blurts out, eyes wide at the sight. Before her, Calypso's mouth spews blood from a weak cough. Lyssa looks around and yells angrily: "Get a priestess! All of them!"
Recognizing Lyssa's voice, the battered matriarch opens an eye and groans, her powerful voice ebbing with failing strength. "It's too... late..."
Falling to one knee beside her friend, Lyssa grabs Calypso's hand: "No. I will not allow it!" She looks up at the onlookers: "Don't just stand there! Do something!"
Another wet cough diverts the queen's attention. Through the blood caking her lips, Calypso manages a reassuring smile: "Thank you... for always being there. I'm afraid... I must let you down... once again. Please..." The mighty warrior's words are drowned in blood before another cough offers a brief respite. "…forgive me... one last time."
Lyssa feels the limp hand in hers grip her tightly.
"Promise me... let me go... and instead... remember..." Calypso's eyes grow bright and distant as happy memories flash in her mind. "...remember affectionate words over good food and good drink."
"Don't talk like that!" Lyssa chokes. Clutching Calypso's hand, she frantically searches her friend's body for some overlooked wound. Something that will miraculously save her if discovered. Anything. "The battle is won. The war is over. We can go home. We'll have plenty of time to talk and enjoy ourselves!"
The fond smile never fades; not so the life in Calypso's eyes. A harrowing scream erupts from the queen as she collapses over her old friend's dead body. It is terrible fury and utter devastation.
Passive bystander to the whole scene, Inanna gapes in shock at her mother's reaction. Completely at a loss, she can only stand there, confused and uncharacteristically helpless.
"Why..." she is barely able to make out amongst her mother's sobs. "Who... "
Inanna's face hardens. Without a word, she slings her huge weapon over her shoulder. Without looking back she stomps off into the jungle, blazing inferno in her eyes.