Amazonia - Coming Home

I should’ve known I’d end up returning to the place where it all began.

Jupiter had taken charge of me at once. The rest had remained behind while Ghostdog led us through the Shadowlands to Konstanopolis, where Jupiter had kept me locked up in the temple until early that morning, when his people had secretly brought me to the arena. At least the food had been good and the wine Etruscan.

Now, I stood inside the holding cell with my hands on the rusty bars, looking out over the empty sands where I was about to face whatever monster they’d chosen for my ‘judgement’. What a jest. Jupiter’s already decided my fate; the only question is how I’m going to die, fast or slow. At least it’ll be on my feet, with the roar of the crowd in my ears. They were out there now, every seat taken by men in flowing tunics and trousers, and women in equally flowing dresses, all the colors of the rainbow… except purple, of course.

The emperor and his family were the only ones allowed to wear that color. I knew he sat in the royal box today; Jupiter admitted that he’d be there, with the old Celestial beside him one last time. Lucky me. At least they’re letting me wear my old armor, for all the good it’s going to do me if I don’t get a weapon soon-

“Az,” a familiar male voice said from behind me, “you look like yourself again.”

Letting go of the bars, I whirled around. “Greywolf? What are you doing here?”

“Bringing you a sword to fight with.” He was dressed in blue, tunic and trousers in the northern style, and someone had polished his boots. He held out a sheathed sword attached to a belt. “Here.”

Striding over to the opposite side as I wiped the rust flakes from my hands, I took the sheathed weapon and drew it out. My eyes went wide. “This is your katana, the one Ghostdog made for you.” He nodded, and I shook my head. “I can’t accept this.”

I tried handing it back but he stepped away with empty hands. “Yes, you can. Papa’s making me a new katana, as this one’s getting a little small for me.” He grinned. “I’m growing out of my armor, as well.”

I surveyed him with a critical eye. “Now that you mention it, you are taller, and you’re filling out as well.”

“It’s on account of my merging with the Shadow Warg. Papa told me I would’ve remained stuck where I was if I hadn’t, which was for the best while Asena was still with me.”

I nodded. “Do you miss her?”

Greywolf looked past me towards the arena sands. “I do… yet, not nearly as much as I miss Wysper.”

Reaching through the bars, I grasped his shoulder with my free hand. “I got the whole story from Jupiter while I was getting my strength back. Sorrow.”

His eyes met mine. “Gratitude. Papa told me I’d find her again, someday, but I don’t think I ever will. Papa… isn’t always truthful, especially when he wants to avoid causing me pain.”

I squeezed his shoulder and let go, buckling the sword belt around my waist. “Understanding. At least I’ll be facing whatever monster they’re planning to throw at me with a good weapon.” Guilt stabbed me, and I added, “Apologies for trying to kill you. Twice.”

Greywolf gave me a snort. “You weren’t exactly yourself either time. Besides, Papa planned both fights to happen the way he wanted, so I never was in any danger… at least, according to papa.”

It was my turn to snort. “Typical Ghostdog. Did he really plan out all of this, including my Wardogs and the Runesword betraying me?”

“They weren’t betraying you, just the Shadow Knight. And yeah, he either planned out everything or accounted for it, like the spirit of Antonius becoming upset with her when the Shadow Knight refused to change back. It all happened pretty much like he planned.”

I digested this news for a moment, then let it go with a shrug. “So, what happens now?”

“Papa went back to begin moving the Horde clans north of Bukhara, where Attila can start meshing everyone into a single Khanate under his rule.” He chuckled. “His brother, Varsena, is going to be in for a surprise when Attila and his warriors show up.”

“Not to mention the Lords of Khor,” I added with a smile. “What about my Wardogs?”

“Attila offered the two Nomads a place with Tengri’s Chosen, and they’ve accepted. As for Dancer-”

“Io,” I said, interrupting. “His name’s Io.”

Greywolf nodded. “Io’s joining the Grey Wargs as well.”

I reared back. “What? Has he lost his mind?”

“Just his heart,” Greywolf said with a grin. “During the battle when Troll tried to murder you and Io slashed his throat, my friend, the fire-mage archer Hypam, was watching from one of the windows. Io impressed her, and after Lord Jupiter stole you away, I introduced them.” Seeing my incredulous look, his grin grew wider. “He told me later he loves a strong woman, and they don’t get any stronger than her.”

“Hel’s hairy eyeballs, I still can’t believe it.” A pang of jealousy stabbed my heart, but I tossed it aside. Because after today it wouldn’t matter. “And Fox?”

Greywolf’s gaze slid away from me as his face became a stoic mask. “Papa took her back to Lady Jhadra, and said he’s worked out a deal to make sure Fox leaves me alone.”

“You don’t think the Daemo will honor that deal, though, do you?” Greywolf sighed, confirming my suspicions. Best change the subject. “So what about Osiris?”

“He’s with Jupiter and the emperor, hammering out a deal to return the province of Palmyra to Aegyptus before he and Jupiter return home, according to Titan.” I gave him a puzzled look, and Greywolf added, “The emperor asked Titan to become commander of the Imperial forces, and Titan accepted.”

Az, stop gaping at him and close your mouth. “At least someone’s getting rewarded for surviving this.”

“You will too, once you’ve killed the monster.”

I shook my head. “Greywolf, the only reward I’m going to get is leaving this world with a sword in my hands. Jupiter explained the situation: once Lord Eurax realized his plan had gone to Hel’s underworld, he began undermining the emperor by spreading stories of how I betrayed the empire as a Shadow Knight, and plotted against him. The emperor blinded and castrated his son, Arcadia, for trying to have the emperor killed, and Jupiter told me that Eurax was behind the plot. Even though it was never proven one way or the other.”

Greywolf winced. “Ouch. I guess that means Arcadia’s not the heir, anymore?”

“Not unless someone can regrow his eyes and his manhood. Supposedly, the emperor’s got a younger son who’s been hidden away all this time, who Jupiter’s going to vouch for as being of royal blood.” I sighed. “Regardless, the emperor’s on shaky political ground right now with all these rumors about me, and even though Jupiter insisted that the judgement would be a fair one, my death in the arena will put all those rumors to rest.”

He scowled. “I remember almost being taken to serve Eurax, and I don’t understand how someone so evil can be allowed to live.”

I gave Greywolf my best sardonic smile. “Always remember the golden rule: if you have enough gold, you get to make the rules. No, this is a good day to die, and I’ll get to do it the way I’ve always wanted. On my feet with a good sword in my hand.”

“You don’t have to,” Greywolf urged. He moved until he’s almost pressed up against the metal gate. “I can open a gate into the Shadowlands-”

“And go where? I would be a fugitive not only the Empire of the East, but in the Etruscan empire as well.”

“Not if you joined Attila and the Grey Wargs.” I reared back in confusion as his expression became earnest. “Attila respects you, and even if he didn’t, by his own words he owes me a great debt for the help papa and I have given him. You’d have an honored place in his Khanate, and belong to a people who would gladly kill anyone that tried to take you back.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “You’d become part of the storm that’s going to sweep away all the corruption of the Celestials, and let the people of the Earth rebuild their lives.”

“Including the Empire of the East?”

Greywolf’s face went harsh as the northern steppes. “Attila plans to spare them, but if they truly are so corrupt that the emperor has to dance to the tune Lord Eurax has paid for, then they need to be swept away as well.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but stopped as he held up a hand. “Don’t make any decision until you see just how powerful a monster they’re going to throw at you. Once you enter the arena, I’ll pass through the bars and watch you from inside this cell. If you think it’s a monster you can handle, keep the katana in your hands and I won’t interfere. But if there’s no way you can win, and you decide this isn’t a good day to die, ground the sword in the sand and be ready to pull it out again when I open the gateway. It’ll be your choice.”

Indecision tore at me as trumpets sounded out a blast. “The emperor and his entourage just entered the royal box. Once they get settled, the trumpets will sound a second time and the gate will swing open, my cue to enter the arena.” I stuck my arm through the bars. “Greywolf, gratitude. You’ve been a better friend to me than I deserve.”

He gripped my arm, forearm to forearm. “This doesn’t have to be goodbye. Remember that I’ll be watching.” I nodded as we held each other’s arm for a long moment.

Then the trumpets blew a second time and we let go. “Time to give the crowd a show they’ll never forget.” The gate to my cell began to creak open as I drew the sword from its sheathe and strode out onto the arena sands.

“There she is,” a voice from the stands called out… and the crowd went silent. No cheers, no boos, just a collective, sucked in breath as I walked towards the royal box and knelt before it. My heart gave a lurch as I looked up. I couldn't see faces clearly from where I knelt, but I knew that massive frame standing behind the emperor whether I could see Titan’s face or not. Jupiter stood beside the emperor, who stepped up to the edge and turned on the speaking device.

He cleared his throat. “Amazonia, the last time you knelt before me, it was to take up a secret mission to weaken the empire of the Sasnayams enough so they would leave us in peace while our army was reorganized. In this, you succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, and had you remained only the Reaver Knight you were supposed to be, I would be in the palace right now, rewarding you.”

He gripped the edge of the box with both hands. “However, you went far beyond the quest I laid out for you by becoming a Shadow Knight, who led a host of the dead against the living. Regardless of your being forced into this choice, unknowing of what it meant, or the cost to you, the ancient laws handed down by the gods are clear: to become a Shadow Knight is to be abhorrent in their sight. Therefore, you must be judged, and purged of any and all evil in this trial-by-combat.”

The emperor paused as he looked around at the crowd. “This will be the last judgement Jupiter ever makes.” The crowd gasped, then quieted as the emperor raised his hands. “I know you have heard the rumors of the ancient gods being called into the heavens, never to be a part of mortal affairs ever again… and some of these rumors are true.

“But only some,” his voice boomed out over the fearful cries, quieting the crowd once more. “The younger gods remain with us. Yet, they feel the time has come for them to step back and let mortals decide their own destinies, beginning with a search for the truth about this one, true God, and how He, or She, or They, are to be honored and obeyed. Therefore, next year I am calling the wisest of the holy men and scholars, including those of the mystery cults previously persecuted, to discuss the matter in Nicaea and how best to proceed.”

The crowd began muttering among themselves, but grew still again as the emperor grasped the edge of the box and leaned forward to stare at me. “That is a matter for the future. Today, Jupiter is still watching over us and dispensing his justice to the one kneeling on the sands before us all. I have seen the monster that Jupiter has chosen for this trial, and can tell you it is the most evil creature I have ever seen, of foul continence and habits, and that if you do manage to destroy it, you will have done the empire a magnificent favor.”

The emperor glanced over his shoulder at someone behind him, and motioned for that person to move forward before he looked back at me. “Amazonia, if you survive this trial and are purified, I am making you the official guardian of my son and heir.”

A young boy wearing a red tunic with purple stripes, stops beside the emperor and begins waving his arms. “Az,” he yelled, “it is me.”

I surged to my feet. “Paulus?”

Titan came up behind the boy and placed his hand on Paulus’ shoulder, calming him as the emperor smiled. “Prince regent Paulus from this day forward. The head priest of Jupiter brought out the documents I left with him for safekeeping, attesting that this boy is my own true flesh and blood son, and has shown these documents to the nobles and other dignitaries. All agree that Paulus’ claim is a valid one.”

He looked down at me and sighed. “No one regrets Jupiter’s judgement on the man who thought he was Paulus’ father more than I, yet it was necessary that no one discover the truth until the time was ripe. I took a great gamble, putting him in your care, but you cared for my son as if he was your own child and insured he would eventually return to me. There is no other person I would trust his life to except you… if you survive.”

The crowd had gone so still you could hear a mouse cough as the emperor pointed at the opposite side of the arena. “Amazonia, the creature is about to enter through the Hades Gate. I pray to Jupiter that his judgement is the right one and you survive this day.” He stiffened. “Behold the judgement of Jupiter.” I turned around.

The Hades Gate is open… wait, what’s this? A scrawny, old man in a loincloth, who carried a battered metal shield and rusty short sword, stumbled through the gate onto the sands. I stared at him in confusion as someone sitting on the opposite side yelled, “Praise Jupiter, it’s Lord Eurax!” Others began yelling the same thing and catcalling him as I whirled back around.

The emperor smiled like a cat who finally has a mouse under his paw, while little Paulus jumped up and down. I echoed the emperor’s smile as I raised my black katana. “What the emperor commands, his knight puts into action.”

As I turned back around and started forward, Titan bellowed, “Today is a good day to die!”

I heard my name and glanced to where Greywolf had stepped out of the holding area, and now stood on the sands, pumping his fist in the air as he yelled, “Az! Az! Az!” The crowd picked up the chant as the bars of the Hades Gate slammed shut behind Eurax, and I gave the scrawny man a feral grin as I stalked forward. Yes, today is a very good day to die.

But not for me.