One of the mothers had to follow an old tradition that forbade anyone else from raising this child except for the Amazons. She was their treasure and the future of the village—a little girl who would be raised as a great warrior and eventually lead the Amazons.
Even though little was seen of the future leader today, perhaps the courage of her father and the wisdom of her enchanting mother would eventually unite within her.
The second woman could not bear to be separated from her daughter. Since she had grown up in the Amazon village, no one opposed her request. This woman was Melasa, the daughter of the former leader Alesa.
Long before this time, leadership rights were inherited only by the leader's children. This outsider had helped the village enough with her wisdom, possessing everything they hoped for in a leader. So, Melasa rightfully succeeded Nette.
Since then, the young woman was rightfully titled Queen of the Amazons. Her daughter was 4-year-old Nala, a little princess with honey-colored hair that gleamed golden in the sun, and two eyes as sparkling blue as jewels.
Melasa had a 6-year-old daughter. The red hair of her mother was dark and silky, while her daughter's tended towards blond and often appeared messy. Their characters also differed like night and day. The mother remained calm in many situations, while her daughter could be quite a wild child, challenging to tame.
Melasa was the one who had changed in recent years. The great warrior became a mother after the birth of her child. She rarely reached for her weapon now.
These two children, who could fill the village with joy even in the rain, showed them what they were fighting for. So that every village and city could be filled with such children's laughter. Free and without fear. It was wrong that the burden of parents was carried by such powerless shoulders.
From early childhood, they had to help with hard work to fulfill the demands of their king. No play, no happy hours, only work. The cries of the people were overlooked by the nobles and kings. They were only interested in their own well-being—wealth, a full belly, and indulgent feasts.
Nette revealed this attitude with her escape to the village. Blind and deaf to everything outside her marble walls, she clumsily stumbled among the common people. She had been shielded from any evil since childhood, so it was only here that she learned about the fears of the common population.
How they worried about the next harvest and survival during every storm or drought. When ill, they received the best treatment and family care. Many farmers worked in the fields or went hunting even with a fever.
The possible collapse made it even worse. Unable to care for livestock and farm while lying in bed, always fearing being unable to meet the king's demands or worse.
Just as she was unaware that every soldier who fell on the battlefield had a grieving family. And this girl, pampered by the luxury of her noble life, had to fall into the hands of the Amazons.
Neither today nor earlier were they the monsters the girl had heard about. Although some secretly thought about it, they never wanted to force Nette to return to the altar. To the castle and bed of a tyrant. And even though this other solution might have benefited them, they took the girl in.
The Amazons gave her a home and new tasks that Nette struggled to adapt to. Her hands were no longer as well-kept as before but rough and calloused from work. She had to exchange her elegant clothes for those of a peasant. And despite her efforts, she remained just the noble in the eyes of everyone else.
Years passed, but nothing could take away her pride and graceful demeanor. While she was still tolerated rather than welcomed here, the interest of a foreign warrior grew more and more. He and his comrades had come to fight alongside them.
He was also the first to see in her more than others expected. By his side, she first conquered the battlefield, later the hearts of the villagers. She achieved what no one had thought possible, like the treaty with the kings, which prohibited any army from attacking them abruptly before a battle. Reluctantly, they signed it, and obediently, they adhered to the agreement.
Even before her official appointment, the girl was called the Amazon Queen. Her companion, to whom she owed so much, was neither present at her appointment nor could he hold their child in his arms.
Almost five years had passed since his death. And even though she never spoke about it, her heart was still filled with grief. She pushed everything aside for her duty to the village and her daughter.
Little Nala would only fully understand the significant role fate had assigned her in the coming years. "Marli," called a small lady, quite loud for her size. The girl stretched out the vowels of her name endlessly while tugging at the warrior's skirt until she got all her attention.
Gedana had climbed onto the platform. Now she looked up at the tall woman and pouted. The Amazon immediately crouched down to be at eye level with the child. "What is it?" she asked the girl.
Nala stood below the platform, silently waiting for both. At this point, no one wanted to remind her of her future role. "You promised to go to the lake with us!" complained the red-haired girl. A ray of light from above illuminated her many freckles on her cheeks and nose. "You promised!"
Marli stood up. She exchanged a consultative look with the other guards before she could truly leave her post. "You know you're right?" She hugged the girl tightly. "I could use a bath."
Nala was the same age as her own daughter. Marli handed her over to her parents. Whenever she saw the child, the longing in her heart as a mother burned.
War and battle were one thing; family was another. Just as the child saw it, whose concerned face awaited her below. "What's wrong?" she asked her little princess. That's what everyone jokingly called the child, perhaps even spoiled her a bit.
"When is my mommy coming back?" the girl wanted to know. She looked up at the tall protector with her pretty sky-blue eyes.
This question was interesting. Indecisive about how to answer, she silently passed it on to her comrades, each of whom shrugged.
Net's army had set out weeks ago. Even if they suffered a defeat, they would have received word to evacuate the children from the village. Now all they could do was wait. Wait for news from the battlefield and hope for a victory. The worry did not fade with the overdue message.
That's why she pushed her own fear aside and gave her little princess a smile. "Your mother will surely be back with you soon."
None of it reached its intended goal. The concern would not leave the child, who could only be persuaded with difficulty to accompany them to the lake. Ultimately, it was Gedana who got her way.