1 Year Later
“My Goddess? Can you hear me? Please, I’m begging you to answer me. I’ve been alone so long now. I haven’t seen another living soul since I arrived. I miss the company of others…my crops flourish, though there are not many, and I have an abundant stock of fish and gems that I’ve found in the area. They are of no use to just one person…please.”
The mist around her clung to her skin, deadening all noise. She felt truly and utterly alone now.
“Oh child.” A soft voice said, seeming to come from every direction. “I hear your pain, but today is not the day. In one weeks time, head due north. Two days journey you will find a village, and there you will find the balm to ease your wounded soul.”
Itdae stood on the edge of the water, gazing across at the civilization she so craved. Her excitement was so high, that had the Goddess not said it was exactly two-day journey, she would have run the entire way. Now her excitement was ebbing, giving way to an apprehension of what lay ahead. She came from a long line of women who didn’t fear men. But she was no warrior, nor did she have one around to help her if she got into trouble. She had no idea if the men were dominating to women or equals or submissive.
She sucked in a deep breath and plunged ahead. If her Goddess said to go there, then she would no matter what. The cold water bit into her bare legs as she slipped her small boat into the water and jumped in, paddling towards the far shore. She glanced around as she got farther out. What she thought was a large river was actually a small bay, which meant the land she just left was a large island. Odd that she never noticed that before now.
She beached her boat, pulling it far enough up onto the shore that high tide wouldn’t wash it out, collected her bad of trading goods and strode into the village with an air of confidence she didn’t feel.
There were five smaller stalls, two on one side and three on the other, and a larger communal building near the back. A large and elegant fountain decorated the center. Idly she wondered how they managed to keep the water so clear and cool.
The first two stalls were almost useless to her. The first stall contained random decorative pieces, not needed right now but later on would prove useful. However, she would probably be able to sell her gems there. The second was filled with children toys and activities, another that was of no use at the moment.
The front stall on the opposite side was a mixture of decorative and practical. She didn’t need the pretty vases with flowers, yet, but she could sure use the seeds sold at the stall. Maybe she could start selling her flowers to the vendor.
The next stall contained an assortment of vegetables and fruits along with their respected seeds and fertilizers. This was what she needs most. There was only so much variety she could get on her island.
She veered off towards the produce stall, it was still early enough to find things still fresh. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of delicious fresh fruits. She haggled with the stall vendor for a little while, coming away with a sack of apples and pears, seeds of various fruits and vegetables, plus some sweet, juicy strawberries to snack on during the journey home.
She turned, smiling at the idea of adding to her little garden, when she spotted two shirtless men standing at attention near the last stall. ‘Slaves. An Amazonian, here?’ She peered at the faces of the slaves, arrogance painted plainly for all to see. She laughed at the idea, slaves who thought themselves better than others. Glancing behind them she soon saw why, no amazon lay lounging on the cushions but someone else.
Her face was painted up like some child’s doll, hair jet black and tinkling with the gems that decorated it as the breeze stirred. Without opening her eyes, a smile turned up on the corner of her mouth. “I was wondering if you would show up here.” She laughed, “I’ve been watching you since you entered the market. You’re obviously not from around here, but we have all heard stories from far off lands. Blood thirsty women called Amazonian’s rule there. Are you of them and come to buy one of these young bucks, perhaps? We have a wager, you see, as to which you’ll choose.”
At her silence, the woman sat up and patted the seat next to her. “Come, sit. Have some food and drink while we discuss matters.”
“So, I’m guessing that I was correct? You’re one of these…Amazon women?” She flashed a wicked grin. “Come now, we’re both the same, you and I. Now let’s see…the one on the right there,” She nodded towards the bald slave, “he cannot do too much around the house and is the weaker of the two, but is a beast in bed.” She giggled seductively, “He would provide you many strong daughters, I assure you of that.
The other one is less…exciting, but he is very handy to have around. He fixes practically everything that breaks, and is strong enough to move stone all day to build you many wonderful buildings.”
“Those two?” Itdea nodded towards the two men. “They hold no interest for me. Your so-called ‘slaves’ would slit my throat as soon as we were out of sight. No, those two can only be contained with armed guards around to put them in their places.”
“Then another? A companion, perhaps, of the female sex? Someone to have intelligent conversations with and take care of your Daughters. hm?” She smiled and gestured behind Itdea. “Or maybe…other ventures, as I have heard you women from the amazon are prone to. You prefer the company of women over men, do you not? She’s a rather pretty thing when she’s all cleaned up.”
Assuming the girl was the woman’s companion, she had never given her a second thought. Upon further inspection, she saw truth written all over the young girls face. Anger raged through her veins. A female slave was unheard of among her people, a servant perhaps if the woman was indebted to another, but never a slave.
“And what did this girl do to deserve the rank of slave?” Itdea said as calmly as possible.
Laughter filled the air. “Oh dear child! She was born a slave. Now, why is she here? That’s a more fitting question. She was an attendant to a very powerful priestess. All of her attendants must to be pure, never to be touched by a man. But this one, had other plans.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “She seduced one of the slaves and led him into her bed. But for the high priestesses intervention, the girl’s life would have been forfeit. I was told to sell her for 1,000 gold pieces since she was blessed by the high priestess, however since she has been tainted…I will allow her to go for 800 gold pieces, as a show of good faith between us.”
“Is that so?” Itdea met and held the woman’s gaze. “Because I see a different story. I have traveled very far, and know the signs well. This one,” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder, “could not seduce even herself, let alone another slave. The damage to her face was recent, as are the bite marks I see on her arm and leg. And, maybe I am mistaken, but I see clearly where the bulge of a child begins to show. Now, knowing your high priestess intervened for her life I doubt anyone would have abused her on the trip here, and that child is far enough along that this went on for some time before she was caught…or maybe the correct phrase should be ‘before she was discarded’.
The woman pursed her lips, back straightening.
“I think that the poor girl was raped repeatedly, probably by a man…or men, of high standing. And when she found out she was with child, she ran to her high priestess, which is probably the only thing that saved her from being left to rot in a dark place. Now, why is it that you brought her to a far away market, instead of one closer to home? More importantly, why you?”
The woman had regained her composure, but the smile had long faded from her lips. “Even if your story were true, it does not take from her worth. Many people would pay much more gold for a prize from the holy temples, even one as tainted as this.”
“Then why have you not sold her?” Itdea chuckled and shook her head. “No, good lady. I believe your covering for a very powerful man who was out ranked by a very powerful woman, and had to bring all the way out here to make sure she didn’t somehow end up back home again. 200 gold pieces, and that is being generous.”
“Generous! You insult me, amazon! Tch.” she flicked her hand in irritation, “You must remember that it’s not just one life, but two. You forget she also has a child.”
“A child no one will want, or even dare to touch? Who will likely be killed as a nuisance if you manage to sell the mother. I will not pay more than 200 gold for damaged goods and her child. Plus I take the chance it will be a boy, of which I have no use and will have to kill myself. So, will you go home with an unwanted girl who no one else wanted either, and displease your powerful man? Or sell her for 200 gold and spin some horrid tale about selling her to the lowest scum you could find?”
Tribe Teoce 