16. Set in Motion
Mako
Demetra was dragged Mako through the forests.
“Demetra, we have to go back!” Mako struggled against her hold. “They took Auntie Myrina! They are blaming her for something bad! She didn’t do anything!”
Demetra stopped and turned to face him.
“Mako, you need to listen to me very closely. Someone tried to hurt the queen. I know Myrina didn’t do anything wrong but the queen doesn’t care. We need to hide. Myrina will be fine but bad people will be coming after us and they could hurt us really bad. We don’t want that right?”
Mako shook his head. He didn’t want to be hurt. He really didn’t want anyone to hurt Demetria either. She was really nice and she made Uncle Titus very happy. She had told Mako that she had a surprise for Uncle Titus but he had to keep it a secret. If she trusted Mako with the big secret then he could trust to make sure that they made it home safe.
“Good now I need you to be very quiet and do exactly what I say” Mako nodded. They would be okay. Soon everyone will be home and everything will be okay.
Neferure
Neferure’s hands held Paser in place as the queen’s guard descended on Myrina.
“Do not interfere Paser” her voice was firm. “Things are happening that you can not understand. Come it is time to leave” She began walking into the night. “come along Paser”
“I can’t” he looked back, watching as the armed guard took the attacker and Myrina away.
“We will go back for her Paser” Neferure decided as she studied her brother. He saw in love. She wasn’t sure if he realized it or not. It could have been a simple loyalty to a home he had spent years building or loyalty to the friends he had gained on his travels but Neferure could see it was more than that. Paser seemed ready to set upon the amazon’s with the fury of Montu, the war god.
“We will get her back but not now. Everyone is too on edge, going now would be too dangerous. You would be gutted before you realized what had happened” Neferure gently tugged on his hand, to lead him away. This time he did not fight.
“We need to tread carefully Nefer. This amazon queen is bloodthirsty” Paser had recalled the times he had seen the queen harm people or burn down buildings for no reason.
“She is no queen, more of an annoying creature with the means to be a brute.” Neferure scoffed. “I am a queen. I work for my people”
The duo walked through the quiet pathways a while until they made it to their small .
“This is our family’s lodgings while dealing with these amazons” Neferure spoke as she walked through the archway. Paser was astonished. It was a replica of the palace back home. It would have taken quite a long time to build.
“Mother!” Paser recognized the girl from the ceremonies earlier rush out of one of the buildings to greet Neferure.
“Meketaten” the girl ran into her mother’s arms weeping.
“We thought you were dead mother! the guards couldn’t find you anywhere! Father and Amunhir are ready to wage war upon the amazons!” the girl was trembling. Neferure held held her close whispering calming words to the distraught teen.
“Everything is alright Meketaten, come let us go find your father and brothers” Neferure let her daughter go and walked into the house. Paser had no choice but to follow.
Once inside Meketaten was was taken aside by and consoled by one of the household members.
“Meketaten is my youngest. This was her first public event that we allowed her to go to outside our home. I doubt she will want to go to another after this” Neferure sighed. “None of this was supposed to happen.”
“None of what was supposed to happen Nefer” Paser pressed.
“Not here” She glanced to Meketaten. “There are things Meketaten doesn’t need to hear” She lead Paser to a side room. Three men were leaning over a map table in the center of the room. The eldest of the three looked up when they entered the room. He moved swiftly around the table and gathered her into his arms.
“Neferure, my beloved you are safe” some of the tension seemed to drain from his stance.
“Yes” she replied before kissing him. “We have mush to discuss” she pulled away from him.
“Ramessu please go make sure that Meketaten is okay. Tonight has been far too stressful on us all and I want to make sure everyone is okay”
“Mother who is this” Neferure’s final child eyed Paser distrustfully.
“Amunhir this is Paser, my brother and your uncle” she turned to Seti. “He has been living with the amazons and is no threat to us. He is loyal to our kingdom and family”
“I should hope so. It would be a shame for him if he thought of betraying us. His new home would never survive the battle” Seti threatened.
“I have no love for these amazon’s brother” Paser knew how much Seti hated to be reminded they were family. “They do not treat men or their fellow tribe sisters right. I would not betray them to you nor would I do anything that puts my sister in danger”
Neferure silenced Seti with a look.
“We have much more important matters right now. Our allies from the jungle will attack the amazon’s holding cells. We will be helping them and trying to remove them from battle” Neferure informed.
“How do we know they will fulfill their part mother” Amunhir questioned.
“We must trust our allies. They have more of a reason to hate the amazons. The amazons have taken some of their men, sons, brothers and princes much like they have done to use. Their correspondent, Nyxeris has told me everything about their rivalry with the amazons. We have signed a peace treaty with them this evening Amunhir” The prince frowned but seemed to agree.
“Now, it is late we should get some rest these next few days will not be easy” At these words Neferure turned and exited the room. Paser followed, not wanting to be left alone with his brother in-law or nephew.
Isla Amazon Challenge 