The sounds of the hustle and bustle of the tribe outside made Meri homesick. If Meri closed her eyes she could believe the whispered conversations and cries of birds marked a normal day back home. Early enough where Chrysippos would have just started breakfast and Levi would be out on one of his excursions, any excuse to get away from Marcella. She would no doubt berate and a attempt to punish him. Not that she would get away with it anymore.
She missed her home and her friends. She hated the room she was in. It was so small. Her bed was placed against on wall and to the opposite wall a place to shower and relieve herself. It was lonely and cramped. A man used to come in and tend her wounds. He would cover her wounds with a foul smelling greenish paste and bandage them back up. Her wounds healed rather quickly and soon he stopped coming in. She had tried to converse with the man when he dropped off her meal but he didn’t acknowledge her. Neither did the other guard when he brought her next meal.
Meri was lonely. Growing up she felt like an outsider and alone. Most of the time people avoided Meri. Growing up Demetria usually did the shopping. After she was forced out, Marcella did the shopping. Meri learned early that her Mother was considered an oath breaker to the amazons. Other amazons whispered about how Meri was disfavored by the goddesses and was cursed.
Boudica used to tell her to ignore the whispers. That the others were jealous witches and wanted nothing more then to ruin a good day with their bitterness. Meri had listened at first but as time went on Meri couldn’t help but wonder if they were right. Years ago someone tried to kill her by shoving her into the seas. Her aunt, uncle and cousins were sent away and Marcella ruthlessly worked her friends into the ground. Then on her birthday someone had poisoned her and threw her into the rapids. The goddesses had not been kind.
The sounds of the dead bolt unlocking pulled Meri from her thoughts. The heavy door creaked open. Instead of the normal stoic guards a woman stood in the door way.
“You have five minutes” the guard warned the woman. She just laughed.
“I will keep it brief” The woman closed the door behind her and the locked clicked back into place. “Greetings, it is good to see you are awake and doing well”
Meri nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“I need you to answer some questions for me” she sat down on the bed forcing Meri from her position to make room.
“If you lie to me I will know and you will face dire consequences. Do you understand?” The woman’s void was pleasant but gave the impression that it wouldn’t be any trouble to her if Meri would face the consequences.
“I understand” the woman gave her a warm smile.
“What is your name? Where are you from and how did you end up on our shores” the questions were rapid fire.
“I am Meritamun, Creator of tribe Isla” Growing up the title of Creator felt very important but now Meri didn’t feel like it held any power.
“I am from Helike, a small island off the coast, my tribe is…was located on a small mountain top on the island.” She couldn’t be sure if Isla was still there or what had happened to her friends and father. “The last I remember was celebrating my birthday. Someone had poisoned the food. I fell unconscious and ended up in this cell” the woman didn’t replay, but look at Meri, seemingly deep in thought.
“Why would someone poison you? What enemies have you made in such a short time?” She eyed Meri.
“I don’t know” Meri didn’t think she had done anything to purposely hurt someone. Sarai hated her, but Meri doubted she her ability to physically do harm. She didn’t really interact with anyone outside of her home or classroom.
“People didn’t like my mother. She wasn’t a big player in the world of amazons but she made some questionable choices” That’s what everyone told Meri. A soft knocking interrupted the conversation.
“Thank you Meritamun” the woman moved towards the door. “We will speak again soon” Once the door closed behind her, Meri was left in darkened room.
Speaking with Meri had given Pythia a lot to think about. Her story had lined up with the rumors spreading through the land. A sudden attack by an unknown enemy. H0mes left abandoned in the middle of dinner and bodies left strew on the side of the road. Meritamun had shaken off the poison which was impressive but Pythia couldn’t think of anyone who would do this. She would have to commune with the goddess before she brought this to Alkyone.
Isla Amazon Challenge 