{"id":1643,"date":"2016-09-14T07:38:11","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T12:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1643"},"modified":"2016-09-17T07:39:52","modified_gmt":"2016-09-17T12:39:52","slug":"ephiny-and-the-battle-for-the-amazons-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1643","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the Battle for the Amazons – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Battle for the Amazons<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ephiny wasn\u2019t sure if she should be insulted or proud to be staying behind after all the flurry of activity earlier in the day. Staying behind meant she would miss the battle yet she was staying behind to guard Princess Gabrielle.\u00a0 Both Melosa and Valaska were leading the Amazons into battle along with some of the Conqueror\u2019s troops.\u00a0 She looked on seeing everyone preparing for the upcoming battle.<\/p>\n

Valaska returned not much longer with even more information. It seemed that the romans had been joined with even more Amazons, those who were probably loyal to Tanis, and were part of the group, Valaska\u2019s Chosen.<\/p>\n

Much to Eph\u2019s surprise she found Gabrielle quite helpful in the entire situation. Eph\u2019s main concern was Valaska who would be out for revenge on Tanis.\u00a0 The princess was angry at Tanis for several reasons, not including using her name for a rebel group after being banished.\u00a0 Passing Valaska, Eph thought she heard her mumble what she would do to Tanis is she caught her.<\/p>\n

Eph continued on to her hut where Eponin was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess its really going to be war,\u201d Eph said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like it,\u201d Eponin replied back to her. \u201cThe Conqueror is already bringing up her support and going to place it under Amazon command.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement shocked Eph, placing her troops under the command of someone else seemed highly unusual especially for someone who appeared to be so controlling. Perhaps they had misjudged the Conqueror all this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the Conqueror, she\u2019s all right with this?\u201d Eph asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s the one who suggested it,\u201d Eponin replied back to her. \u201cLooks like its going to work out though, heard Jana is going to be working with the Centaurs and hopefully things will go well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I get to stay behind and protect the princess,\u201d Eph said, still unsure about the assignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly because her normal guards are going with us,\u201d Eponin stated. \u201cThe Conqueror requested at least one person stay behind with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph nodded her head in agreement knowing that a thousand armed Roman soldiers were on their shore and adding to the problem were several traitorous Amazons which only weakened their position. Melosa called to see how many were missing and found out a dozen were gone, including Koni and Ligeia.\u00a0 The part which worried Eph was she felt sure their defenses were compromised.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like Tanis will stop at nothing to become queen,\u201d Eph stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, and because of that we have to be careful,\u201d Eponin replied.<\/p>\n

Eponin finished and they looked at each other for several seconds before giving each other a good bye. They walked out and saw Gabrielle and the Conqueror standing not far away.\u00a0 Eph watched as Gabrielle gave the Conqueror several pokes, but saw the worry in her face.\u00a0 The Conqueror gently grabbed the hand and pulled Gabrielle in for kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll come back safely?\u201d Eph asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do everything I can,\u201d Eponin replied. \u201cBut you also be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Eph said watching as Eponin then joined the rest of the troops waiting nearby. Ephp hoped they all would return but knew many would not, not with the numbers of soldiers which would be in the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you normally go with them?\u201d Eph heard Gabrielle ask and looked over to see their princess standing there. She was still nude but wore an armband which indicated her rank within the Nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, normally I would, but the Queen has a different mission for me this time, as did the Conqueror,\u201d Eph replied back watching as the warriors left the village.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching them go off into battle is never easy,\u201d Gabrielle said. \u201cIt\u2019s not the first time I\u2019ve done this, and each time I hope she returns back to me safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph thought it was a bit strange to be worried about the Conqueror, one of the most legendary warriors she ever knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be tough,\u201d Eph said, being on the other side for a change. Normally she was leaving, heading into battle but this time it was different for her and wondered what she might do.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever is, come on,\u201d Gabrielle said, heading over to the dining hall which was being set up as a healer\u2019s tent in anticipation for wounded.<\/p>\n

Eph watched in fascination as Gabrielle seemed to almost take control of the tent, never hesitating or waiting to pitch in but seemed to know what to do and where to put things. She realized Gabrielle had a lot of practice in such tents while working for the Conqueror to return from battle.<\/p>\n

Eph felt like an outsider watching ass everything went on around her. She made her way outside to give people room to work and found herself in an empty training area devoid of any warriors.\u00a0 Usually warriors were here from dawn to dusk working, training, sparing with each other or training the younger ones.\u00a0 Even the field where the children play was empty, having gone with the elders to a safe spot.<\/p>\n

Sitting down she lost track of time. Each time her mind went in the direction of the battle she pushed the thought away now wanting to know what might be happening right now.\u00a0 They had the Conqueror helping them, along with a lot of help yet she still thought they could lose.<\/p>\n

Realizing she had been out of it for a while she turned to head back to the dining hut and stopped at the sight of several figures emerged. She thought it might be some warriors returning in injured, yet none of them appeared injured.\u00a0 As she got closer she recognized Tanis and she wondered if the warriors had been defeated.<\/p>\n

She knew she had no other real warriors to help her out against four amazons. She could defeat one, but all four would be difficult and held no illusions of winning.\u00a0 She had sworn to protect the village and that enemy now stood in front of her smirking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well, if it isn\u2019t the queen\u2019s pet Ephiny. What\u2019s the matter, not good enough to join the real warriors?\u201d Tanis taunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just guarding the princess, something more important,\u201d Ephiny replied in anger before mentally kicking herself for saying that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe princess, you mean that slut slave, what a joke,\u201d Tanis replied with a chuckle as the others chuckled as well. Ephiny looked at the others, recognizing Kona, but didn\u2019t see Ligeia even as Tanis continued on.\u00a0 \u201cThat slut will be my ticket to becoming queen like I should be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never had the intelligence to be queen,\u201d Eph replied trying to think of a way out of the situation and still protect everyone. She knew Tanis was far better than she was and wished Eponin was here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had enough intelligence to pull this off, now tell me where the slut is and I might make your death painless,\u201d Tanis said drawing her sword, ready for a fight.<\/p>\n

Eph watched the sword, the sunlight glinting off the metal, knowing she was losing the chance to stall Tanis.\u00a0\u00a0 Eph started to draw her own sword but stopped when a thought came to her.\u00a0 Her actions confused Tanis who hesitated in her attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s your Roman leash, after all you went crawling to them, men,\u201d Eph said hoping to gain some support from the others at the mention of needing men\u2019s help.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no owner,\u201d Tanis growled back, her face a scowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny,\u201d Eph said, taking a more relaxed posture despite the danger. \u201cYou ran to Caesar, and everyone knows he doesn\u2019t share power.\u00a0 Did he promise you something in return?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should realize, I\u2019m already Queen. Melosa and Valaska will die in battle today, and I\u2019ll have the Right-of-Caste,\u201d Tanis said with confidence.\u00a0 Eph had a feeling it wouldn\u2019t matter what anyone said, Tanis figured she was right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen the Nation will cease to exist. All you\u2019ve done is doomed us to be slaves of Rome,\u201d Eph replied back to her privately hoping to get through to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely, I\u2019ve already got plans for Caesar,\u201d Tanis said with confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it won\u2019t work,\u201d a voice said behind Eph. She didn\u2019t have to turn around to know who said it but glanced anyways to see Gabrielle walking towards them.\u00a0 Looking back at Tanis and her group, Ephiny noticed that Gabrielle had the same effect on them as everyone else as they looked the small woman up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Tanis said recovering from shock. \u201cThe Conqueror\u2019s slut shows up at last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably best she didn\u2019t hear you,\u201d Gabrielle replied back calmly and Eph wondered how she remained so calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr what, she\u2019d kill me, I\u2019ve seen her fight and I\u2019m not impressed little girl. Caesar\u2019s told me all about how easily she can be defeated,\u201d Tanis stated swinging her sword a bit to loosen up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that was true why hasn\u2019t Caesar defeated the Conqueror already? Did Caesar tell you he uses everyone around him, or how he allows now else to gain power.\u00a0 You\u2019re more his slave than I am the Conqueror\u2019s slave,\u201d Gabrielle said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bitch,\u201d Tanis said, moving forward, her face red in anger.<\/p>\n

Ephiny almost failed to noticed the aggressive move towards Gabrielle but managed to place herself between the two, which might not be the smartest move she made today.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wish to challenge me? I\u2019m more of a warrior than you ever hope to be,\u201d Tanis said<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not, but I\u2019m more of an Amazon than you ever will be,\u201d Eph said, dodging Tanis\u2019 blade as she attacked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazon, you don\u2019t even know what the words means,\u201d Tanis said, her voice growing louder. \u201cOnly I do, I\u2019ve been chosen by Artemis herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen she\u2019s appeared to you?\u201d Eph heard Gabrielle ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cSilly slave, you know nothing about the gods, no, of course you don\u2019t. She doesn\u2019t have to appear, but I\u2019ve seen her signs,\u201d Tanis stated with confidence.<\/p>\n

Eph managed to dodge another attack before countering with her own attack which was easily blocked by Tanis. Eph barely had time to block another attack feeling slightly better that the others had not joined in.\u00a0 She knew if they all attacked at once she would have no chance.<\/p>\n

She paused as Tanis backed off wondering what would happen next.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not worthy of me killing you,\u201d Tanis said smiling slightly. \u201cKoni, Riga, kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph glanced at the group behind Tanis noticing that Ligeia and another Amazon now stood beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith pleasure,\u201d Koni said, unsheathing her sword and advancing on Eph. \u201cThe Nation is ours, and the warriors to stand in our way are off fighting the Romans.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all of us,\u201d another voice said causing Eph to glance in the direction of the voice. She noticed Erika and another elder standing there.\u00a0 Her first thought was she hoped none of the children had come with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow sweet, has been warriors,\u201d Tanis said with a laugh. \u201cNot that it matters, kill them all.\u00a0 And as for you \u2018princess\u2019, I\u2019d love to sample your pleasure but you\u2019re holding my Right-of-Caste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph backed up a bit giving herself some room to fight as Riga and Koni faced off against her. The arrival of the two elders did help their chances as she noticed Tanis move towards Gabrielle who stood not far away leaning against a staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest you focus on us, unless you wish to die looking at your princess,\u201d Koni spat.<\/p>\n

Eph attacked hoping it would give her an advantage, taking several swings at Riga, forcing her off her feet before turning to block an attack by Koni. She heard the other battles start up around her knowing she could do nothing about it at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, this battle is futile for you,\u201d Eph heard Tanis say. \u201cGive up and I\u2019ll make sure to end your pathetic existence quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph turned to block another attack by Koni as Riga stood up and joined in again. She dodged the swipe and slashed out at Koni forcing her back.\u00a0 The battle didn\u2019t look good.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you lack the ability to understand who is defeated already,\u201d Gabrielle said.<\/p>\n

End part 2<\/p>\n

Continued in part 3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Battle for the Amazons by AJ Marks Part 2 Ephiny wasn\u2019t sure if she should be insulted or proud to be staying behind after all the flurry of activity earlier in the day. Staying behind meant she would miss the battle yet she was staying behind to guard Princess Gabrielle.\u00a0 Both Melosa […]
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