Marli looked up at the sky. Just moments ago, it had been filled with a radiant blue, but now dark clouds crowded in, and a cool north wind made her wet body shiver.
The gloom wouldn't linger for long. By evening, a beautiful ending was certain for them. Just what they needed. Yet, it was the ominous clouds of an imminent storm that dampened Marli's joy. Not something nature offered, but a storm of revenge.
"Nettie, there's something we need to talk about," began the Amazon, after putting back on her leather armor.
The children also put on their clothes.
The leader secured her armor to the saddle of her warhorse without turning to her friend, but Marli knew she already had her full attention.
"A few days ago, one of our guards found a woman in the woods near the village," she reported. "She was injured and claimed that robbers had attacked her. He took pity on her and brought her to the village. She wasn't a farmer. Rather, a young noblewoman with well-defined muscles."
"Did she have short blonde hair?" Nettie inquired. "And about my stature?"
Marli couldn't help but smile.
She never revealed her real name, yet Alesa suspected the same.
"We didn't let anything slip," she said without directly mentioning the name. "She wanted to spy around but got no information that Alesa didn't allow."
"What did you tell the woman?" Nettie asked.
Their leader had marched out with her largest army to face the battle; that should be known even to this girl. The rest were details, sprinkled with a trap.
The girl was told that the army had suffered heavy losses. Even if she dared to attack, she would face not only punishment from her king but also a great surprise.
If Nettie hadn't been victorious, it would have been heard throughout the village. So, the soldier would be facing a prepared army.
Nettie curled her pretty lips into a smile. Not the kind that congratulated this plan; it threatened to turn into despair at any moment.
"Your plan is very close to the truth," Nettie reported. "We won, but our army is weakened. I could only take a part with me. The rest is taking care of the wounded."
Marli's expression fell in shock. This couldn't – no, it must not be!
"The agreement with the kings," she interjected abruptly.
"An agreement with me that the kings signed reluctantly does not protect us if my sister feels the need to restore her lost honor. It has always been my fear that she would raise her own army for that. Even back when I discovered her among the king's soldiers."
For her planned celebration, it would mean that it wouldn't end in joy, but as a farewell.
"My sister is not foolish. She seizes every opportunity to destroy me. But that she would go this far."
It was the first time in a long while that her hand, holding the reins of the stallion, trembled. Her leader had become so strong.
Regardless of what had happened in the past, Nettie loved Nerre as expected of a big sister. The betrayal that the girl would choose to see her sister fall hit her even harder.
"Alesa hinted at something during our meeting," Marli mentioned now. "I didn't know what she meant, but I believe she foresaw it. She said, 'Better to let the enemy believe they've achieved a great victory than to reveal to them the nature of their doom.'"
Just these words brought Nettie's smile back.
"The old one is a wise and cunning fox," she complimented her former leader. "It's better to let Teron think we Amazons are defeated so he executes her quickly, rather than our sisters suffering a painful death through torture."
"What about the children?" Marli's life was the battle. Every day she faced the possibility that it could be her last, whether on the battlefield or for some other reason. She was not afraid and would proudly follow her sisters so that at least the others and their families could live on.
Not only for herself, but her daughter would also be in danger if someone got the idea that there were many more Amazons outside.
Nettie's gaze turned to her own daughter and Gedana.
Both were too far away to hear the women speak. Neither wanted to frighten the children, who were looking at their big catch. They had pulled out ten fish. Gedana managed to get three, for the others, the women had to help them.
"As soon as we are in the village, you take the children!" Nettie ordered sternly. "I know Melasa would like to fight for the village, but her place is by her child's side, I won't tolerate any objection. If my suspicion about the attack is correct, she can rebuild everything with our remaining army."
Marli looked at the little princess.
Nettie said nothing to herself or the child. The words hung unspoken and heavy in the air.
If there was an attack, she would be at the forefront. Alongside her sisters, possibly dying. For the dream of a life in freedom, without tyranny from the kings.
Marli's suggestion to leave and seek safety was rejected by her. Just like Alesa's proposal that only a few of her comrades should stay here, the rest could make their way to their allies.
Nettie rejected that too. She wanted to fight and defend everything that was important to her.
Her child, the Amazons, the people with their desire for peace, and their hope for a strong queen.
Nala cried as she had to say goodbye to her mother again so soon. Nettie gave her a smile and the words that they would see each other again soon.
A heavy atmosphere hung over everything, making everyone aware that it would be a farewell forever.
Marli had to hold the girl tightly to herself and repeatedly tell her to be quiet. During their escape, they couldn't attract attention from the lurking army.
It wouldn't be the soldiers taking their lives and those of the children first on this night.