{"id":1661,"date":"2016-09-24T07:23:36","date_gmt":"2016-09-24T12:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1661"},"modified":"2016-09-28T07:16:22","modified_gmt":"2016-09-28T12:16:22","slug":"ephiny-and-the-battle-for-the-amazons-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1661","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the Battle for the Amazons – Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 5<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ephiny looked on at everyone before deciding to change the subject away from Amazons and Centaurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what happens to the Roman prisoners?\u201d she asked Valaska.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrently the Conqueror\u2019s army is watching over them,\u201d Valaska sad. \u201cThey are technically Amazon prisoners that will need to be sorted out as well considering there were two other sides involved in this battle.\u00a0 The only bad news is the Roman prisoner who Komi killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat must have been their mission before joining Tanis,\u201d Eph stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears Elasia and Rita are quite talkative now that Tanis is dead,\u201d Valaska said. \u201cThey thought if Tanis got the Right-of-Caste the Romans would kill Queen Melosa and me allowing her to takeover without a problem.\u00a0 That plan took a detour when Terreis gave Gabrielle the title instead of one of you two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny had to think about that for several seconds knowing that if the Right-of-Caste had gone to someone else the Nation probably would have ceased to exist right now. She wondered if Terreis knew how much it meant right now that the right hadn\u2019t been given to her, or Eponin.\u00a0 They would have received no help from the Greek army.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised we didn\u2019t start killing each other in battle,\u201d Valaska said looking at the Centaur.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had volunteers, and those who came, most of us have talked with Amazons, or have friends who have,\u201d Marcus replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Conqueror demands obedience from her troops,\u201d Eponin said. \u201cShe says which side they are on and they obey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have Amazons fighting for their homes, a strong emotion in a fight,\u201d Marcus said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possible in any other situation we\u2019d be bickering among ourselves losing the battle,\u201d Eponin said, something many of them didn\u2019t enjoy thinking about.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight be,\u201d Valaska said. \u201cWhen the Greek army showed up Paleamon took charge telling me the Conqueror had taken off towards the village chasing a few Amazons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when I left the battle,\u201d Eponin said. \u201cI knew if Gabrielle was in trouble then Eph was as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGee, thanks, don\u2019t know if I should be insulted or flattered,\u201d Eph replied back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered about that,\u201d Valaska said. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t have time to give it much thought.\u00a0 Paleamon and I split the army into two fighting forces feigning an attack in the middle while flanking them.\u00a0 The Romans were shocked at the presence of so many Greek soldiers, and shortly after that they surrendered, capturing their general, Bluto.\u00a0 After that Melosa sent me back to secure the village.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny knew what happened at the village.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this meeting should be very interesting,\u201d she finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, I\u2019ll see you all this afternoon then,\u201d Valaska said walking away.<\/p>\n

Eph turned and headed towards her own hut to relax a bit more after everything which happened in the past day with Eponin following.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Eph stretched a bit as approached the meeting hut and stopped seeing so many standing outside. Looking over at Eponin who shared her confusion at the sight before them.\u00a0 She hoped the meeting was still to go on.\u00a0 She knew the queen had planned a part and hoped the meeting didn\u2019t drag on like it could some days.\u00a0 Approaching a bit closer she noticed the table had been set outside as the people stood around, including the Conqueror, Gabrielle, and Melosa.<\/p>\n

She then noticed the Centaur delegation, Marcus and another Centaur walking up and realized why the set up was outside, to accommodate the Centaurs. They would have been uncomfortable inside the hut.\u00a0 With one last look around headed over to sit down, joined by the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is here, we\u2019ll begin this meeting,\u201d Melosa said looking around then at the Centaurs. \u201cFirst off, the Amazon Nation offers it\u2019s thanks to the Centaurs, and Greece, for their help against the Romans yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

No one said anything, the Centaurs merely nodded their heads as the Conqueror and Gabrielle waited patiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was younger I fought against the Centaurs in our last war, as did Erika. Our young grew up hating the other side due to these differences.\u00a0 I have learned things have changed, the hatred is losing its hold slowly,\u201d Melosa said, looking over at Jana and Marcus.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d the older Centaur said sounding slightly surprised and looking at Marcus as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts true father, many of us have questioned this hatred between us and wanted to know more, see this enemy,\u201d Marcus said. \u201cWhat we found, well, some are very sweet and nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph watched as he looked over at Jana ho smiled back at him before the other Centaur seemed to think about this new development.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, then perhaps time does promote change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a start to lasting peace,\u201d Gabrielle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it the rumors are true, about you being an Amazon princess,\u201d the Centaur said, looking back at Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be all peaceful, some will be against it, but the end result is worth the effort,\u201d Gabrielle said. \u201cPerhaps a village could be built between the two nations where those already involved may stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u201dI see the reports of your wisdom are not exaggerated,\u201d the Centaur replied back looking over at Melosa. \u201cI\u2019m afraid some feelings between the two of us may never be resolved.\u00a0 But times do change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we are now allied with the Conqueror,\u201d Melosa said, everyone knowing how that would have seemed unlikely only a few seasons ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be honest, if it had not been for the Conqueror we might not have helped,\u201d the Centaur said honestly.<\/p>\n

Ephiny had the feeling there were other, unsaid conversations going on all around her. Melosa had led the Amazons against the Centaurs in the last war between the two.\u00a0 Since that war there had been no fighting between the two, but neither had either reached out for diplomacy until now.<\/p>\n

Looking over at Erika and Jana, knowing the elder had fought against the Centaurs yet somehow Jana had managed to rid herself of the intolerance of against Centaurs. The times were changing nad hopefully for the better.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the Amazons can help this process by inviting the Centaurs to our festival tonight,\u201d Melosa replied. \u201cWe\u2019re crowning Gabrielle as a princess of the Nation tonight, a reason for celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabrielle suddenly appeared embarrassed by the sudden attention which confused Eph. A woman who walked around nude, did who knew what and seemed uncomfortable at this.\u00a0 Another mystery which she had no answers for.<\/p>\n

And this brings up the next agenda for this short meeting,\u201d Melosa said. \u201cPrincess Gabrielle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny waited to hear what her queen was thinking. Everyone figured Gabrielle would not stay in the Nation and head back to Corinth when the Conqueror left.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have discussed this with the Conqueror, Princess Valaska and Gabrielle and we have come to an agreement of the current situation. Gabrielle will not live in the village, instead she will return to Corinth along with an Amazon delegation and guard.\u00a0 Heading up this delegation will be Ephiny, and leading the guard will be Eponin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement caught Eph off guard and she almost fell out of her chair. Eponin appeared as stunned as Eph felt before looking back at Melosa who appeared to be waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only ask that in all matters concerning Gabrielle\u2019s safety Eponin works with Paleamon,\u201d the Conqueror stated and Eph had a feeling there would be no debate about that. It was odd to have both wanting Gabrielle\u2019s protection to be a top concern.\u00a0 It was Melosa who continued on.<\/p>\n

\u201cEponin you will decide how many warriors to have on hand, each warrior will be assigned to Corinth and will rotate regularly. Ephiny, you are going as an adviser to Gabrielle. She will need to know the laws of the Nation at times,\u201d Melosa said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Eph replied, she could always ask her mother for advice, she knew the laws very well, or someone who did know.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, the lasts time, the prisoners,\u201d Melosa said, looking over at the Conqueror.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreece will take the prisoners back to Corinth, we have the facilities to hold them in until such times as Caesar sends a delegation to negotiate their release. Any tribute will be split between all parties involved,\u201d the Conqueror said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how do we know we\u2019ll get our tribute,\u201d the centaur said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I said so,\u201d Gabrielle stated standing up.<\/p>\n

Eph watched as the Centaur moved over to tower over Gabrielle who had yet to move but only stood there. The Centaur bent down until his head was even with Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are brave little one,\u201d the Centaur said looking at her, then over at the Conqueror and back at Gabrielle. \u201cYou have kept your promises, because of that the Centaurs will accept this.\u00a0 We value our mutual defense treaty which exists between us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrent events have shown such treaties are worthy, the Amazon Nation will stand by the treaties as well,\u201d Melosa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs does Greece,\u201d the Conqueror said. \u201cAs long as we all respect each other\u2019s sovereign rights this treaty will last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph thought it sounded strange to hear such a comment come from the Conqueror. She heard many stories about the Conqueror\u2019s warlord days she conquered Greece.\u00a0 It made her wonder what the real truth was, or how much she had changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have my scribes write it up and sent out. We might have to meet again over the language of the treaty, but the basics are there,\u201d the Conqueror said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll put my best treaty maker on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph noticed at that comment the Conqueror placed her hand on Gabrielle\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd is this treaty-maker standing right here,\u201d Melosa said, her voice lightly teasing.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is, and the best I\u2019ve seen so far,\u201d the Conqueror said. Eph noticed a slight blush on Gabrielle\u2019s face at the compliment she received.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to reading the treaty then,\u201d the Centaur said speaking up.<\/p>\n

The meeting continued wrapping up a few other points before Melosa stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is nothing else, there is a feast to prepare for. We have things to celebrate,\u201d she said to the group.<\/p>\n

Eph stood as no one else said anything before heading away from the meeting and back towards their hut.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was, different,\u201d Ephiny finally said to Eponin who walked beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, now we\u2019ve go to start packing as we\u2019ll be headed to Corinth for a while,\u201d Eponin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was unexpected,\u201d Eph said recalling that bit of news.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, but should have seen it coming, I mean there was no way the Conqueror and Gabrielle were splitting, it really is the only logical choice, and should strengthen our relationship with Greece,\u201d Eponin stated. \u201cI wonder if I can learn some new movies on the training grounds with the Conqueror?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny shook her head at the slight smile on her lover\u2019s face. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get ready, remember, you talked me into adopting Gabrielle into the Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if you\u2019re mom\u2019s ready for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, don\u2019t remind me, I got suckered into this as well, no backing out now,\u201d Eph said opening the door to the hut and following Eponin inside.<\/p>\n

End part 5<\/p>\n

Concluded in part 6<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Battle for the Amazons by AJ Marks Part 5 Ephiny looked on at everyone before deciding to change the subject away from Amazons and Centaurs. \u201cSo, what happens to the Roman prisoners?\u201d she asked Valaska. \u201cCurrently the Conqueror\u2019s army is watching over them,\u201d Valaska sad. \u201cThey are technically Amazon prisoners that will […]
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