Throughout the day, the soldier roamed the forest and the surrounding area of the Amazon village. She dared not enter as long as the returning army was expected daily. Her camouflage would be at risk.
What should she do if the Amazon queen recognized her? How would she react to facing her sister in her realm, without the protective men by her side?
No, that must not happen! It might be inevitable to face her sister again. This fate seemed predetermined for the sisters.
Then she saw the great Amazon queen. How long had it been since the sister encountered her? Wasn't it before their escape back in King Teron's castle?
Nerre nestled in the shade of a large tree, where the grass was tall enough to provide cover. Earlier, everything was open to Nette. She was supposed to become the queen, and many subjects envied her for it. She envied her sister for that!
When she fled and discarded everything, it was like a stab in the heart for Nerre. Nette not only left the king that day but everyone.
After Nerre received the news, she stayed in her room for a day, crying all the time and not wanting to see anyone.
Her fingers closed around the blades of grass. An uncontrollable anger gnawed at her for years. Angry that her sister threw everything away for her own absurd idea of freedom. For joining the Amazons. For presenting herself as their queen. For leaving her family, her little sister.
The hand pulled at the tuft of grass until it tore.
All of this would soon end. If not tonight.
Nerre would show her sister where she belonged. Not among these savages but in Telja Castle, by the side of their honorable king.
But before that, she just wanted to observe.
The two children had already caught her attention in the village. Nerre never thought it would be so easy to sneak into the village. The Amazons were supposed to be so vigilant. But they had the flaw of never turning away a defenseless woman.
Especially after instructing one of their comrades to inflict a few wounds for the charade. Bruises on the arms, a cut on the face - enough to arouse the sympathy of the Amazons. She had rested there until there was no sign of the injuries.
Both children were very young. The red-haired brat was the older of the two. In the village, she bounced around Nerre like a weasel that had found a tasty egg. The situation felt like an interrogation to Nerre. Her suspicious questions could have been dangerous for the soldier.
It was clear whose child it was. Even though Alesa's hair had long since turned gray, she was still depicted as a proud warrior with red, flowing hair in pictures.
And yet, not even the former leader had shown her such distrust as this child.
"What foolish subordinates you have gathered around you, dearest sister," hissed the voice from the grass.
The eyes of the soldier, whose clothing suggested an Amazon, fixed on the figures before her. Nette, still as beautiful as ever despite some flaws. Marli, a tall Amazon who remained as a sentry, skillfully wielding her spear. These two children in their play.
Especially the blonde girl interested Nerre.
Unlike her friend, she kept to herself in the village. The residents isolated the child from the stranger. A treasure to be guarded. This child was shy and only opened up in the presence of her trusted ones.
What would the king do with these two children?
The execution block awaited the Amazons. They were to face public death as a warning to the remaining Amazons not in the camp and all other rebels. But it should also show the people that this path was not the right one.
For the children, it would be more challenging.
People would not calmly watch these children lose their heads.
Their king was wise. He would find a way to discreetly eliminate them or find another way to benefit. After all, these children seemed to represent both old and new leadership. Such a possession was worth more than gold in certain hands.
Nerre carefully distanced herself to avoid attracting the attention of the two women.
Every fiber of her being looked forward to the imminent battle, now that Nette was finally home. She had to go back, change her clothes, and prepare for the battle.