For the Amazon Nation

By Paulina Sánchez

Thalassa, the young and brave princess of the tribe of Lemnos, sees her civilization's future threatened and her world completely shaken by the arrival in her island of Elephthera, an audacious Amazon from Aretias, who seeks help for her tribe and the whole nation of warrior women after a ravaging attack of Sarmatian nomads.

With the aid of their fellow sisters, they will embark on a thrilling mythological journey to save their own lives and their entire race. It will take them from Greek waters to Fezzan in the heart of the Sahara desert, and back to Aretias to face a final decisive battle that will define the course of their culture's fate.

Theirs will not only be a physical, but also a spiritual quest, through which Thalassa's dark secret, hidden in her mysterious eyes, will be revealed, and an unbreakable bond will be created between these two courageous women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 28, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595844555

Paulina Sánchez

Paulina Sánchez (Mexico City 1982- ) After graduating with high honors from the Universidad Anáhuac del Sur with a major in Literature, she started working as a History, English and Literature teacher. She currently works as a writer and translator for several wellknown media corporations. Isabel Forga (Barcelona, Spain 1972- ) obtained a degree in English Language and Literature from the Universitat de Barcelona in 1995. Since then, and given her interest in languages, she has lived and studied in several European countries. Nowadays she resides in Mexico City, where she works as a translator. Isabel and Paulina have published other literary works together, including For the Amazon Nation and The Path of a Queen.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

They’re coming.

So much light and so much darkness. All at once…the beginning and the end. It was a feeling more than a thought for there was no time to think as she ran through the forest carrying life and death in her arms.

Her doom had come along with the night when the mob broke down the temple’s door and searched with anger for their chance to have revenge. She was feeling exhausted from struggling with her mind and soul, trying to find a way to escape the claws of hatred that were getting closer with every second that time stole.

Get her!

The echoes of their voices were daggers through her heart. They were not very far, but giving up was not a possibility, even if her path was already destroyed, smashed by the feet of those who had praised her before.

She tripped with the roots of the trees that surrounded her like an army of executioners and seemed to grow taller as her fear became stronger. The air was so thick that her breathing turned heavy and her heartbeat sounded as thunder in her chest. The leaves felt like sharp little razors cutting the edges of her eyes and lips. She was bleeding. She was hurting.

She couldn’t stop.

The night she had lain with Kaneis was only a dream now. As perfect as it had been, it was the symbol of evil and the beginning of chaos. Had she repressed her love and desire, he would still be alive and she wouldn’t have raped her sacred oath. Yet, she would never regret having loved at least once in her not long life.

She didn’t want to die but it was not her survival that mattered anymore. It was too late for that. And still, she had a reason, the most important reason to throw herself into the forest on a wild attempt to save the only thing that made her heart keep beating in the middle of such despair.

Running, escaping. How much longer could she resist it?

Keep going, keep going, she repeated inside her mind trying to avoid the temptation of letting herself fall in the dark that surrounded her and wait for the furious fangs of the mob to find her like a pack of wolves. For a moment she could almost feel that idea as a relief and she remembered some of the faces that had looked at her with so much respect in the past. But no! That past was gone now and only scorn was left.

She knew she had to find a place to hide before they caught her, but not a single soul would build a house in the forest. Not with the danger of being attacked by wild fearsome beasts without the chance of getting aide in case of need, given that the nearest village was one moon away.

Nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.

Who could be out there to help her? Not even her goddess, to whom she had dedicated her life and youth completely until… oh, no! She didn’t want to remember, the pain was already too intense to bear such an image. Nothing was out there for her now, only fear and emptiness… and her treasure, yes, her treasure to protect.

Closing her eyes to the sharp little branches she focused on the impossible effort of keeping ahead, always ahead, until suddenly she could distinguish, through her lids, some light, the light that meant hope for her agonizing heart. She opened her eyes and a blessed sight stood before her. How much had she longed to find shelter after fleeing away for hours! Perhaps there she could find someone who would help her. Maybe they would save her, or maybe… they would know all about her and kill her the minute she trespassed their property.

Against all odds, she finally made up her mind and ran toward her only chance of safety. As she got closer to the tall imposing building, she prayed that whatever destiny had prepared for her, at least it didn’t mean the death of that who was free of crime. The time had come to face her fate. She couldn’t avoid it nor try to fight it. It had to be.

Once she reached the large structure, she started to go up the few steps leading to the entrance. It was obviously not a humble house because the thread of light coming from inside allowed her to see artistic details carved on the wooden doors. She didn’t hesitate and knocked with all the strength she had left, but nothing happened. Neither a sound nor a voice inside. She didn’t have much time, therefore, she decided to push the doors and go in. They were really heavy, but she finally managed to open them a little and entered the mysterious house with the expectation of getting help as well as the fear of encountering the end. However, once she was inside, she found herself standing in solitude in a cryptic hall slightly lightened by candles.

This is not a person’s home, she realized. It was full of amazing paintings and statues showing events and images associated with the different gods that she was quite familiar with. There was no doubt: it was a temple. As she walked through the aisle that led to the sacrificial stone, she wondered if the deity that was praised there would be one that favoured her or not.

She looked around trying to find a symbol or sculpture that would help her recognize whose temple it was, but the dim light produced by the candles and the moonlight that came through the windows were not enough to clear her sight.

Mythera, whispered a voice that seemed to come not from a human being but from the walls of the temple.

Mythera! she heard her name again, this time pronounced with a firm female voice.

Traitor! How dare you profane my temple?

She could barely see through the penumbra, and so she couldn’t distinguish where the voice was coming from. An intense fear possessed her in that moment, which together with the weakness of her long escape through the woods, prevented her from finding any answer. She just kept silent, as if waiting for a final judgement that could only mean death.

A chill ran through her skin and it finally became unbearable when she reached the sacrificial stone and saw, right above it, a painting of the goddess whose temple she had entered.

Artemis… The word came out of her lips as a sentence of damnation. She grew pale as a winter sunset and felt her legs not being able to hold her any longer. She couldn’t run nor scream. She just stood there frozen as a lifeless sculpture knowing that she would live no more.

As she thought about her imminent misfortune, she sensed a presence behind her. She turned in dismay and saw the magnificent figure that she immediately recognized as Artemis, the virgin goddess of the moon, the brave hunter and mother of the Amazons. She was an awesome sight, like all deities are. Her thin figure made her look even taller than she already was. She had chestnut colored eyes that reflected her wisdom and her strong courageous temper. Her hair, falling elegantly above her waist, matched the color of her piercing eyes. And in her forehead’s center, she wore the symbol of her favourite prey: the deer. It was engraved on a golden trinket tied to her head with a leather strap. She was dressed in a saffron tunic above her knees with a red girdle that surrounded her waist and crossed her chest and back. It held the scabbard in which she carried her arrows and with her left hand she was holding her bow.

You! Unfaithful woman! Disloyal to me and to your goddess Hestia! How dare you come into my temple after disgracing the noble sisterhood of Hestian priestesses with your crime? You are a shame to those who swear to cherish and defend chastity against all earthly pleasures. It’s time for you to pay!

Artemis grabbed an arrow and skilfully prepared it in order to kill the terrorized woman. She aimed at Mythera’s heart and just as she was about to execute the deadly sentence, the priestess fell on her knees trembling but still protecting the precious bulk that she had been carrying in her arms with so much care. She felt the goddess approaching her threateningly and didn’t dare to raise her head to meet Artemis’s eyes. She just opened the blanket she had kept pressed against her chest to show a baby’s face. Then, offering the child to the goddess, she managed to speak:

Almighty, please! Have mercy!

Mercy?! You let Kanei’s filthy touch deprive you from your virginity and purity, and now you want mercy? What mercy can you deserve?

None. But my child is not to be blamed for what I did.

Artemis did not move but her voice sounded more furious this time:

Your child is the product of a woman’s lack of will power! It must not live to see another day for it’s an insult to all those who you betrayed.

Mythera embraced her baby tightly in order to protect her from the goddess’s rage, but Artemis ordered:

Raise your head and face your death.

The priestess obeyed and directed her sight to the threatening archer again. The deep terror she felt paralysed her throat and she couldn’t stop the tears that had built within her eyes from coming down her face. Helplessness possessed her and all that she had been in her past died inside her at that moment, even if her heart kept beating against her desire to stop breathing in this world. With a last desperate gesture to save her daughter, she offered her to the goddess one more time. Then she closed her eyes awaiting the mortal tip of the arrow. However, it was Artemis’s voice what pierced her senses instead.

That child!

The goddess leaned forward to have a closer look at the baby and then she stepped back quickly, her face expressing inexplicable amazement. Mythera hadn’t expected that reaction and as a consequence, she was confused and startled at the same time.

It can’t be, Artemis muttered showing great astonishment on her face.

Mythera didn’t say a word. She just looked at her fixedly trying to understand what was going on.

This child is… her eyes are… it’s not possible.

The priestess stared in awe as Artemis put the arrow she was aiming at them a few moments before back in her scabbard. The goddess stayed silent for a moment and then she said:

Mythera, the gods have favored you this time. I shall not kill your child.

The former priestess felt relieved, although she couldn’t comprehend this change. But she wouldn’t ask a thing being too scared to make the goddess angry again. She just looked down without holding her cry. She grabbed Artemis’s tunic with her left hand and kissed it as a sign of gratefulness.

Don’t thank me, Artemis said. It was destiny that saved her, not me.

Destiny? Mythera murmured.

"Yes. Your child has the eyes of the Chosen One. One is deep green like the ocean waters that she’ll have to sail in search for salvation, and the other one is grey like the color of a warrior’s sword, a sword that she’ll carry in battle to lead the Amazon Nation to its destiny."

Mythera was too impressed to say anything. She looked at her child and then back at the goddess, who now reached out to take the baby from her mother’s arms.

I shall keep this child and protect her as my own, she stated. And as for you, Mythera, I know now that you were a puppet of fate to bring this child into the world. Nevertheless, you are still not welcome in my temple for you’ve been stained by a man. I banish you from my domains for as long as you walk this Earth.

The priestess stood up looking at the doors through which they could hear the voices of the raging Hestian followers gathered outside.

Fear not. Go through that door at the back of the temple and I shall stop them.

Mythera looked at her child knowing that she had to give her up for her own sake. It was too painful. It had all happened too fast.

Goodbye, my sweet baby. I will never forget you, she said as her eyes started crying again along with her broken soul. I love you. And she kissed her one last time.

Go now, Artemis commanded. And never return.

Mythera walked away and with the sound of the door being closed behind her she opened her spirit to all the pain that would haunt her deeply for the rest of her life.

Artemis hid the child behind the sacrificial stone and then she advanced with powerful steps toward her temple’s entrance. She only made a short pause before confronting the mob, and smiled.

Thalassa is born, she thought.

CHAPTER 2

Palene saw the sword coming toward her but didn’t have time to avoid the blow.

Ouch! she complained when it hit her shoulder.

The air felt thick that morning and the usual training had been a little heavier. Even the wooden swords felt like real ones in the hands of the young Amazons.

You have to move faster, Zelei said trying to organize her movements in a more skilful way.

The combat started again and the wooden swords created a clapping sound as they were struck against each other with strength.

Jrisa! Zelei attacked using the war cry that was so familiar to all of them, but this time, Palene managed to elude the blow with a nimble leap and complained:

Come on, who do you want to impress with that? You are not the great Thalassa.

You know? Thalassa taught me her special attack the other day. Do you want to see it?

Zelei changed the sword to her left hand and used it to strike Palene on the right side of her neck. Then, she turned around her, back to back, and as she was standing behind her, she hit her on the left side.

That’s not how it goes, Palene said. First of all that move is not for a sword combat, it’s for a chobos fight, and second, when you’re standing behind me, you’re supposed to hit me first with your left hand on the right side of my neck and then with your right hand on the left side. You have to think that.

.that you’re drawing an x in the air, Thalassa interrupted and surprised the two girls who hadn’t noticed her presence.

Palene’s eyes opened widely when she saw the awesome golden warrior advancing toward them and grabbing their swords.

Jrisa! they heard the original cry that had become so famous among the young learners. One second after, Zelei had her back on the ground.

You see? That’s how it’s done, Thalassa said helping her up. Oh, and one more thing: you have to be more aggressive if you’re going to use a war cry.

Some of the other Amazons on training had gathered around them to see Thalassa’s expertise once again. They stared in awe at her strong and fast movements and then they continued with their exercises, but this time with more energy, trying to imitate the warrior’s style.

The training was very hard and demanding for every member of the tribe. The ones with more experience in battle tried to improve their horse riding abilities day by day. Amazons were splendid riders from an early age. They were able to stand up and hit an enemy at full gallop or even jump from one horse to another. They also endeavoured to have a perfect command in the use of all the possible fighting instruments at their disposal. Amazons were trained in different sorts of weapon use since childhood, and so, young girls like Zelei and Palene had already acquired important skills in sword fighting, the use of chobos, staffs, sais, bows and arrows and hand-to-hand attacks. However, it was not until young adulthood that they were allowed to fight in a real battle. This was because they didn’t need to prove just their fighting level, but also their mental and spiritual maturity as warriors.

When an Amazon was considered apt to become a warrior, she was conducted through an initiation ceremony in order to bless her weapons of choice by submerging them into a caldron filled with a deer’s blood. This act symbolized the power to shed every enemy’s vital fluid without ever having to face defeat. Then, the warrior-to-be had to endure several days of thirst and hunger in order to prove her resistance to the body’s needs, and finally, she was put to test in different fighting events in which she had to demonstrate her skills in using different weapons. At the end, she was awarded with a small tattoo designed with an animal that was chosen by the tribe’s priestess according to the young Amazon’s temper and abilities. With this, the Amazon was declared a warrior for the rest of her life. Even when they got to an age in which they were no longer able to carry a weapon, they were still very helpful to the younger warriors with their advice and wisdom.

Thalassa was watching the girls and helping them improve their techniques. She felt proud of them because she could see how much they had learned since the first time they stood on that training ground.

Thalassa, Jerma interrupted the golden warrior’s thoughts and woke her from her daydreams with her low-pitched voice. Queen Guinais wants to have a word with you immediately.

Where is she?

She said she’ll meet you in her hut.

Thalassa nodded.

Thanks, Jerma, I’ll be there right away. Stay with the girls, all right? They could use a piece of advice regarding your attacking techniques.

All right, Thalassa. Girls! Grab a staff and form a line in front of me. I want to teach you something.

Thalassa started walking toward the queen’s hut with that decisiveness that was so particular about her. All Amazons in general were taught to walk in a firm way, keeping their look ahead and without hesitation, but Thalassa did it with strength and softness at the same time. Her fierce eyes and powerful steps made everybody get out of her way as soon as they noticed her. Yet, she moved in a silent way and by so doing she was able to hear any person or animal approaching her from any angle.

The queen’s hut was located at the center of the village. All the Amazons’ huts were built around it in order to protect it and as a sign of respect for their guide and ruler. It was the second biggest building in the village after the main hut, and it was guarded by two of the fiercest warriors just as the priestess’s hut and Arte-mis’s altar.

The queen was supervising the perfect state of her clothes and ornaments for the Full Moon Ceremony when Thalassa pushed the hut’s door and went in.

Queen Guinais? she called but received no answer. Mother? she asked.

Thalassa, come in, a voice finally answered from inside the hut. As soon as the golden warrior heard it, she saluted the queen in the traditional Amazon way: by crossing her arms in the form of an x at chest height.

My Queen and mother, you sent for me.

Queen Guinais was a strong looking woman. Her height was not that of a very tall Amazon, but her manners and way of speaking surely demonstrated her power and wisdom. She had ruled the tribe of Lemnos for twenty years and she had won more battles than most warriors fight in a lifetime. She was standing near an amazing crest of shiny colored feathers coming from a golden diadem.

Is everything ready for tonight’s ceremony?

Yes, my Queen, don’t worry about anything. Everyone knows what to do and the young girls are quite excited about it.

Excited?

Yes, of course.

Thalassa, the Full Moon Ceremony is certainly something to be excited about, but above all, it is an event that must be seen and lived with profound respect and seriousness. If I put you in charge of the girls, it was because I know how much they look up to you and listen to you, so please, before the ceremony starts, gather them in the main hut and explain this to them.

Yes, mother, I will.

I don’t want any mistakes. The queen walked closer to Thalassa. Please keep an eye on the young Amazons’ rehearsal of ritual dances and their body paintings. I’m sure you remember what a mess they made on our last ceremony, she said with a chuckle at the funny memory.

As you wish my Queen. Is there anything else you need me for?

The queen smiled at her. I count on you as usual. You may go now.

Thalassa saluted her queen one more time crossing her arms in front of her chest and left the hut without a word and without giving her back to the mother who deserved all her respect.

*         *         *         *

By nightfall, all the Amazon tribe had gathered at the seashore. The weather was too cold