By, Loa

Once, long before the creation of the Amazon Isle of Wants and Desires, there were many Amazon tribes. In one of the tribes, lived a young Amazon, named Kahari. Kahari had been orphaned at birth, and had been raised by the tribe to become a warrior. Yet, everyday, when Kahari saw all the other young Amazons go home to their families, she felt so left out and alone. She would go home to her small, empty hut, wishing she could be one of the other little Amazons, returning to a hut that smelt of warm food, and filled with warm and happy memories… But Kahari’s wish was far from reality.

On the eve of her tenth birthday celebration, Kahari left her hut late at night, restless and thinking of her lonely life. All her elders cared a great deal about her, but none of them were her mother… None of them shared that bond… That bond that allowed mother and daughter to love each other so unconditionally that nothing else mattered. Thinking of this, Kahari ventured deeper into the dark forest that stretched out from the Amazon Village. Kahari wandered for some time, trying to make herself sleepy. Trying to forget about what was making her unhappy… But nothing was working.

Finally, Kahari sat down at the foot of a large tree. She really didn’t know where she was. She had been wandering for so long, and now she realized she was very sleepy. She was too tired to realize that the woods were unsafe to stay in at night. Too tired to realize that her tribe would have no idea where she had gone. But before she could contemplate such matters, Kahari fell asleep, blanketed by the warm summer air.

The next morning, Kahari awoke at dawn, still at the tree. Looking around, she realized she was in a lot of trouble. She was not only lost, but she had gotten lost while wandering around without permission. What was she going to do? The Amazons might think that she had ran away, that she had abandoned the tribe. Tears came to her eyes. She hoped that she could find her way home, and assure the Queen that she had not meant to wander, that she was so, so sorry. She stood, hoping she could retrace her steps quickly. She tried finding her prints in the soil, but her boots had kept her tracks from being noticeable. I knew I should have paid more attention in field techniques class, she thought. But it was too late to think of that now…

After a few hours, Kahari was hungry and thirsty. She found some berries, made sure they were edible and then found a small spring. She sat down and ate and drank. After she had finished her meal, she washed her face with the cool spring water. She leaned back against a rock and thought. Now what? She asked herself. How am I ever gonna get back? Suddenly, a shrill scream cut through the air.

"Help!!!" the voice cried.

Kahari froze, what was that? She thought. Thinking of her responsibilities as an Amazon, she got to her feet and ran towards the sound of the cry.

"Help!!!" the voice cried again.

Kahari ran as fast as she could, past trees, through the brush. Finally she reached a small clearing. In the small clearing was an Amazon of about seventeen or eighteen, being tied up by two dirty looking men.

"Let go of her!" Kahari yelled at the men.

"Oh look, the little twerp thinks she can do something." The taller man laughed.

"Let’s take her too. The slave traders will pay a good price for two Amazons." The other grubby man said.

Kahari thought fast. She had been trained to be a warrior since she was barely out of infancy. She reached back and pulled her slingshot from her belt. She picked up a sharp stone and fired.

"Owwww!!" the first man screamed, as the stone made contact with his eye.

Kahari fired again, hitting the man’s shin. The man fell to the ground, yelping in pain.

"Enough you little brat!" the other man said. He advanced on Kahari menacingly, and drew a dagger.

Kahari used her size to her advantage. She ducked and rolled over to the side, then dived for the standing man’s knees, tackling him to the ground. Then she kicked the dagger out his hand and picked it up. She then ran over to the other Amazon and undid her bonds.

The other Amazon walked over to the two men and tied the ropes around them.

"Let’s see how you like it." She said coldly.

When she had finished, she took Kahari’s arm and led her away from the clearing.

"Thanks for helping me back there." The young woman said. She turned her brown eyes to Kahari. She smiled. "You’re a good little warrior. Which tribe do you come from?"

"The Northeastern Grecian Mountain Tribe." Kahari recited.

"Really? I was on my way there when those goons grabbed me. I’m usually decent in battle, but they got me by surprise…" she looked down at Kahari again. "Why are you so far away from home? The village is a decent half a day’s walk from here."

Kahari looked down. "I kinda… Got lost… I couldn’t sleep last night, and I guess I wandered away a little too far."

The other Amazon smiled. "I once did that." Her eyes grew round as she recalled the memory. "I was around your age, I guess. By the way, how old are you?" she looked down at Kahari.

"I’m ten seasons today." Kahari said half heatedly. She was enjoying the other Amazon’s company, but she knew that it wouldn’t last. Soon they would reach the village and Kahari would be punished for wandering into the woods.

"You don’t sound too happy about it."

Kahari looked up, surprised. "Oh, oh no. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful… I just feel… I don’t know…"

"Oh, come now, little one! What kind of problem could weigh down such a nice little girl?"

"Nothing much, really… I just wish… That things could be a little different."

"How do you mean?"

"I… Don’t have a family. I was orphaned when I was a little baby, and it’s hard to see all the other kids go home to their mothers…

The other Amazon turned and looked at Kahari. "I know that that must be hard… But you know, when I was seven, my mother went into battle and never came back… I know how you feel."

Kahari looked into the other woman’s eyes. "Really?" she asked, disbelieving.

"Yup." The other Amazon continued walking. "I cried and was very sad for a long time. But then I realized that my mother would want me to grow up happy and to become a great Amazon, just like her."

Kahari walked in silence for some time, thinking how much she liked this new friend, how much they were alike. They could almost be… Sisters.

"So, today’s your birthday?" the other woman asked.

"Yeah."

"Oh, then we’ll have to have a celebration…" she pondered. "Hmmm… Do you like Thorton berries?"

"Yeah, they’re my favorite."

"Then here’s a gift from me to you." The other woman reached into her pouch and pulled out a handful of the greenish-bluish berries. They were plump and juicy, and Kahari ate them gratefully. She had been very hungry.

By the time she had finished, the sun was low on the horizon, and the village was in sight.

Kahari stiffened. "I’m in so much trouble."

"No, your not. You saved me, and that makes up for you being lost. Besides, I don’t think the Queen will care too much." The older Amazon winked. "Leave it to me."

Kahari nodded stiffly. "All right." Then she realized something. "Hey, I never learned you name. I’m Kahari."

The older girl nodded. "Good to meet you. My name is Chloa."

Kahari froze. She had learned all the names of the Amazon leaders when she was five. "Chloa?" she said hoarsely.

"Yeah. That’s me."

"You’re the leader of the Serapihn Mountain Tribe." She squeaked.

"Uh-huh." She said causally.

They had reached the gates of the village.

The two Amazons standing guard bowed deeply to Chloa and peered wonderingly at Kahari.

"I have to go now, Kahari, my friend." Chloa said softly. "You go to your hut, and I’ll see you later."

Kahari nodded. She returned to her hut, feeling the eyes of the other Amazon’s drill holes into her.

The hours passed and night fell. Kahari couldn’t sleep. She had saved an Amazon queen! What a deed! Done by a lowly little girl, from a small tribe. She was a hero! But then she frowned. Chloa was so nice… She hoped she would see her again. She fell asleep thinking of all that had happened that day.

The next morning, Kahari was awakened by footsteps. She opened her eyes to see Chloa and Queen Hesara standing in the hut.

"Little Kahari." Hesara addressed her, formally. "Stand and bow to your superiors."

Kahari hurriedly stood and bowed deeply. "Yes, my Queen. It is an honor and pleasure to be addressed by you and Queen Chloa." She recited from her memory of proper Amazonian etiquette.

"No need for formalities, young one." Chloa said, a broad smile stretched across her tan face.

Kahari straightened. She hoped she wasn’t being punished. Was what she had done been wrong? She swallowed, hard.

Hesara’s serious face relaxed. "Do not worry, Kahari. We are not here to punish you. We are here to tell you something."

Kahari could not conceal here wonderment. "What?" Chloa asked.

Chloa smiled. "Kahari, I like you. I think you would be better off in a bigger village… And that’s why I’m going to take you back to the Seraphin village to live with me, as my sister and as an Amazon Princess."

Kahari could not conceal her delight. She had a family!! She had a wonderful sister, and a real home. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Chloa’s neck and gave her a long hug.

"Thank you so much." Kahari said softly. Tears were coming.

"No, thank you." Chloa said.

And then the two sisters and friends walked out of the empty hut, ready to start a new life as a family.

The End