6. Decisions
After the small festivals that Myrina had decided to throw the tribe was running low on food. Demetria did her best to keep the plants in good health so they would produce more food but there was only so much that could be done. Demetria finally wore Myrina down and the young Creator allowed her to go to the markets.
Katsumi was excited to get off the island. She had never been off of Helike in her life. There used to be a small traveling market on the island but the merchants stopped returning to the island a few years ago. The thought of doing something new and adventurous excited her. She felt horribly gloomy and upset since Kale left. Seeing Mahina and Adonis together and happy while she was growing up made her want to have a relationship like they did. She wanted to find love and grow old with someone she was in love with. While amazon law did not usually allow men and women to get together and marry, there were exceptions. That didn’t happen often but she could have hoped.
Katsumi looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. Life was not going to get easier and moping around wouldn’t make anything better. She needed to make her life better and a small cosmetic change could help. A small start to make her feel better.
It took a half hour for her to finish what she was doing. A small change in makeup and a hair cut made her feel like a new person. She was still Katsumi Keiko of Tribe Isla but she felt happier. Happier then she had in a long time.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Katsumi? Are you doing alright” It was Titus. He was joining Demetria and herself when they went to the markets at the mainland.
“I am find Titus!” she turned away from the mirror and walked out the door. Titus gave her a surprised look.
“Katsumi…wow, you look amazing!” Katsumi smiled at him.
Titus and Katsumi walked down to the docks together. Demetria was waiting for them on the boat. Everything for their trip was loaded onto the boat. It would be about three days to get to the market and back home.
They reached the market a day and a half later. Demetria lead them into the markets. She heard Titus gasp in surprise. Glancing backwards she saw both Titus and Katsumi glancing around in awe.
“It is beautiful isn’t it?” she offered, neither answered as they took in the scenery. “Each of the stall should have everything we need”
Demetria pulled a list out and handed it to Kale. That shook him out of his awe.
“This is a great way to explore the markets and have some fun.” she sent Kale on his way to the stalls.
“Why did you send Titus off?” Katsumi asked as the duo sat down on the rim of the fountain. “Wouldn’t it be easier to get everything if we split up”
Demetria shrugged.
“I thought it would be nice to relax and I promised Myrina that I would make sure that you wouldn’t over do it” she paused. “It has been a very long walk from the docks to here.”
“You have a point” Katsumi had to agree. The trip so far had been exhausting. She was excited to leave the island but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t feel great. The boat ride didn’t help the nauseous that plagued her.
The two sat in silence for a while. Demetria never really had a chance to get to know the other woman. They had meals and tribe’s meetings but they never really talked.
“I have never been off of Helike before. The mainland is very beautiful. I would love to travel” Katsumi broke the silence.
“I like the forests but the deserts are very beautiful as well. Most people would think it looks bleak but if you find the right place it can be truly beautiful” Demetria’s mind wondered back to her time growing up. Demetria and her brother Jove, spent their lives wondering the lands. Exploring everywhere they could get with the money they earned.
“Would you take your child?” Demetria asked.
“I am not sure. Helike is safe and it is my home. I want my child to grow up well. Traveling would be nice, maybe when the baby is older we can see the world” Katsumi offered after some thought.
“I know the queen is always looking for people to help her. You could take the child with you if you really wanted to leave. Or the child could stay in Helike and you can come visit the child if you wanted. There are many options” Demetria pointed out.
“There is time for me to think about what I want to do for the future”
Katsumi left a while later, claiming that she wasn’t feeling her best and wanted to get some rest. After Demetria was sure that Katsumi made it to the docks safely, she went towards one of the stands to grab some of the local foods that were to offered. Demetria was happy to discover that there were vegetarian options. After going on her first hunting trip with her brother she was turned off of meat all together. Just the thought of eating meat made her stomach churn.
Demetria ordered her tomato wrap and sat down at the lip of the fountain to eat it. She was hoping to enjoy her meal without having to deal with everyone else but a elder woman joined her.
“Hello, dear” at the elder woman’s greeting she put the food back down on her plate. She greeted the woman with a slight bit of annoyance in her tone. It wasn’t the woman’s fault but Demetria just wanted to enjoy her food.
“It is such a lovely day” the elder didn’t seem to notice her tone. “I wonder why such a lovely woman as yourself, is here alone today”
“I am not alone. I am here with my sister and tribe mate” Demetria interrupted. The woman waved away her reply.
“You say you aren’t alone but here you sit by yourself. Your tribal sister left and the other” she gestured to the crowd. Demetria realized she couldn’t see Titus anywhere. Demetria bit back a curse. She should have been watching out for Titus.
“No need to worry. I have just the thing to help you. My shop at the end of the courtyard has everything you need.” Demetria look in the direction that the woman pointed to. She frowned. It seemed to be a really shifty looking magics shop.
“You could have the power you seek. You can heal the hearts of those close to you that are hurting, raise the dead, or control the heart of the people you love” the woman offered. Demetria swiftly stood up.
“I know of your cursed magics and I want nothing to do with it” She left the woman at the fountain and went to find Titus.
Demetria found Titus on her second lap around the markets. He was sitting on the fountain, a bag resting by his feet.
“Demetria” he greeted at she sat with him. “They had everything we needed. I had to take some of the bags to the ship. This is the last one”
“That’s great. Once I finish we can head home” Demtria’s food was almost finished. She didn’t want to bring it on the boat. She hated eating something that wasn’t light while at sea.
“There is one more shop I want to check out before we leave if that is alright” Titus seemed hesitant. Demetria was in charge but Titus didn’t know when he would be able to return.
“That is fine” They said in silence while Demetria finished her midday meal.
Titus lead her to the shop.
“Titus we shouldn’t go in here. It is a shoddy magic shop. It’s full of odd or cursed objects” Demetria warned. Titus shrugged.
“There is no harm in looking” he stated, walking into the shop. Demetria sighed and followed him in. Inside Demetria saw the woman who had approached her at the fountain. She was speaking to a man. The man was looking for something for his creator and the woman was telling him the properties of a fossil she had.Demetria felt disgusted, the woman was laying it on think.
Titus wondered around the shop taking in everything that was on the shelves. There were potions, spices, crystals and many other items. The one thing that mad him a little weary were the sack dolls. They gave him a bad feeling. He glanced back at Demetria. The normally composed and friendly woman was looking more and more uncomfortable with each passing second.
The elderly woman seemed to appear at his side, startling him when he noticed her.
“Looking for anything in particular?” she questioned. “We have anything you need for any occasion. Potions that could make someone fall in love or cure their heartbreak. If those don’t call to you we have something that can bring back loved ones lost to the reaper”
Those did sound tempting, bringing his mother back would be nice. It could ease tension and help Mahina who seemed overwhelmed. Maybe help Katsumi feel better about Kale leaving. Maybe something to help Mahina as well.
“I don’t think we need anything, thank you” Demetria butted in before Titus could continue. Demetria gripped his arm and tugged him towards the door. “Thank you for your time, Lady”
“Hey! Demetria wait!” Titus cried as she pulled him out of the markets. Demetria shoved the bag of supplied back into his arms and lead him to the boats.
“That place is full of evil things Titus” was the only thing she uttered in explanation as they boarded the boat and sailed home.
Isla Amazon Challenge 