Mortal Combat

     Cassandra pushed herself to fell another tree with her Mahaira, a short curved sword.  Sweat poured down her bare upper body from hours of exertion.  The Mahaira was the same length as the Spartan Xyili but was not double edged.  In this Cassandra's sword was unique, having two sharpened sides.  She had, from the start of her training as a child, seemingly instinctive command over weapons and fighting tactics.  This on occasion put her at odds with her teachers and fellow students until she was afforded an opportunity to prove her ideas and skills superior.  The results of this individuality separated her in a number of ways within a martial community based on group ideals and sisterhood over self.  Cassandra was an Amazon.  While her individual style earned her scorn and abuse as a child, her youth proved this as a means of besting her peers and teachers.  But that was years ago, Cassandra was now in her twenties and though hated by some, she was feared and respected by all.  Cassandra picked up an oiled chamois to wipe the sap off her sword.  Felling trees strengthened her arms for the rigors of battle.  Proof of this in battle were countless decapitations and lost limbs.  One of the rising legends of Cassandra was she would leave a wake of body halves behind her in war.  Cassandra laughed at this characterization because, more often than not, she would get her sword stuck in her opponent's spine.  She took care of her weapon first then picked up a Strigil and went to work on herself.  She made fast work of the sweat and wood dust, wielding the Strigil in the same manner she handled her sword.  Bare from the waist up, like her male counterparts, Cassandra had clean, sharp feminine features hardened by lithe, long muscles.  She had not yet bore any children, so her shoulders cut a strong V over her narrow hips.  Cassandra stepped to the path, making her way back to the city.  Tired as she was from her exertions her keen senses had not dulled.  Somewhere to her left a twig snapped.  Suddenly aware she was not alone, Cassandra slowed her pace and moved her weapon to her back so she could draw easily over her shoulder.  It would be fast when it happened and she would not be spied upon.  She bent to tighten the straps of her sandals, listening for any other signs of her voyeur.  She could sense eyes upon her, then heard an uneasy shift of stance in the leaves.  She vaulted from here position, a full body length before she hit the ground running.  She stepped high so the underbrush wouldn't tear at her legs and slow her pace.  She was close to where she thought she heard the noise when a man stepped from behind a tree.  He was tall, well muscled and handsome, for a man.  He stood for a second or two giving Cassandra time to draw her sword and come to a stop in front of him.  Their eyes met, hers furious and molten, his calm and oddly unafraid.  Before she could killed him, he went immediately to one knee and bowed his head before her.
     Cassandra stayed her sword in recognition of a slaves posture and said angrily, "What are you doing here slave, lurking about in the shadows?"
      "Honestly, it is you that brings me here, great warrior," he said.
     Cassandra did not relax her posture and said, "Do you have a message for me?  Who sent you forth?  Who is your Mistress?"  Cassandra shot these questions at him, knowing that no free man would dare enter the wood surrounding the Amazon city and that no slave would do so without the express wishes or bidding of his Mistress.  "Show me your face slave and answer quickly, as my patience grows short."
     The slave lifted his head to her without leaving his knee, for no man was aloud to look down on an Amazon warrior.  "My name is Danos and I am here of my own accord Mistress," he said.
     "That is a lie slave, you have no according of your own and you are forbidden from entering these woods!  Who is your Mistress?"  Cassandra yelled.
     "Eudora is my Mistress.  If I may explain, please Mistress," Danos said.
     "It really matters not, slave, what your explanation is, you have broken our law and you will answer to me for the offense or to your own Mistress for your absence to commit the offense," Cassandra said.
     Danos had not thought she would take this tactic.  He would have to think fast to escape the fury of both women, difficult.
     In the split second this occurred to Danos, in the distance, shod feet could be heard coming close to their location in the wood.
     Witnesses, Danos thought to himself, perfect.  As Cassandra looked back to the path to see who came near, Danos rose to his feet and struck.  He dropped his loin clothe and stepped into Cassandra.  His foot now behind hers he grabbed her sword arm and pushed.   She behaved exactly as he hoped.
     Cassandra turned back to Danos to see him come eye to eye with her.  She was so surprised by this, that it was almost to late to stop his advance.  She was falling backward, propelled by the grip on her arm and the greater weight of Danos.  That did not make her helpless or at a disadvantage.  She was trained for this kind of attack.  She whipped her free arm under the arm of Danos, grabbed his hair and wrenched his head too the right.  This move aided her shift in position, twisting their bodies as they fell.  When they hit the ground, Cassandra was on top looking down on Danos.  Instead of surprise in his eyes, she was again taken aback as he smiled and pulled her arm out from between them.  This movement sliced a clean, long cut across his abdomen.  Then he started screaming.
     Eudora had asked specifically for Danos.  When he was not to be found, her ire got up and she mounted a full scale search.  He had been taking liberties of late during sex; assuming a dominant posture, speaking without permission and just generally upsetting the other sex slaves with accounts of his prowess and exploits with their Mistress.  Many warriors had bid on Danos for sex due to his muscularity and comely features.  The next generation of Amazons was always in the front minds of these warriors but they were still women and harbored petty jealousies and were always vying for advantage.  Slave numbers were a matter of status, as were the number of children.  Before that, however, age and number of campaigns were paramount.  Eudora had many enemies and was sure that several of her sisters coveted this slave.  Her thoughts were not unfounded but she had overlooked the mind of Danos himself in this drama.  Men had only two purposes in Amazon society, for service and sex.  Men were to have no mind of their own and most Amazons dominated their slaves so exactly, that a man's free will was never an issue.  No slave had gone against his Mistress in years and then, the penalty was so severe, tales were told in the slave quarter for ages.  Eudora thought about these things as she ran up the trail.  A slave had seen Danos follow Cassandra into the training wood.  She held no ill will for Cassandra and wondered what she was doing with her slave.  It became apparent as she rounded the next glade of bushes.
     Eudora halted her run, bunching the slaves behind her.  Their they were, Cassandra on top of Danos.  Danos was screaming for help and mercy. 
     Cassandra rolled off of Danos and leapt to her feet.  She turned to see the surprised and shocked faces of Eudora and an entourage of her slaves.  She knew instantly how this looked and was again surprised at the actions of this slave.  She seethed with anger and flushed red.  Danos scampered to his feet, bleeding from a shallow crease across his belly.  He ran to Eudora and fell to her feet, "Please Mistress, protect me!" Danos cried.
     Eudora looked from her slave to Cassandra.  Not willing to accuse Cassandra outright, she searched for a way to engage her without the appearance of disrespect or challenge.  This would of course be a matter for the Amazon Queen, Hippolyte.  Eudora chose her words carefully, as Cassandra lowered her stance and flexed her right arm, sword in hand.
     "What transpired here Cassandra?  What are you doing with my slave,"  said Eudora?
     "Things are not as they seem, Eudora, there is no challenge to your ownership here," said Cassandra.
     "From the looks of my slave, that might be in dispute," Eudora said.
     Cassandra could see that Eudora was upset but not wanting to initiate a conflict outright.  Eudora was savvy and a sister, Cassandra did not mean her harm but would have to explain the situation to a safe conclusion.  One that, hopefully brought forth the truth.  Cassandra sheathed her sword and relaxed her stance to put Eudora more at ease, then suggested the only real course of action between two sisters in dispute.
     "Let us bring this matter before the Queen, if you are agreeable," Cassandra said.
     "I agree there is much here that is not known and should come to light with her wisdom," Eudora said.
With that, Eudora looked upon Danos, who had much to answer for.  But, that would have to wait.  She tore a strip of loin cloth from the nearest slave and gagged Danos with it.  Slaves did not speak in matters of Amazon law nor would she be swayed by his pathetic cries.  With that done, Cassandra and Eudora led the cadre out of the wood, en route to the Queens temple.  A runner was sent ahead to prepare them for the ministration.  Eudora gave Cassandra side long glances, hoping to divine any animosity or wrong doing.  Trumpets sounded through the valley, calling all the sisters to gather at the temple and signaling the runners mission done.  The sight of the group entering the city confines drew attention and signaled the portent of the trumpets.  There was much debate about what the two needed the Queen for and what dispute there might be.  By the time everyone had gathered, lots were being taken as to what the dispute would be and gossip went like wild fire throughout the growing crowd of women.  The appearance of a gagged slave in their midst was proof to many what it was about, since no man was aloud at any enclave of warriors justice.  Another blare of trumpets quieted the crowd and all turned to face the temple dais.
     Hippolyte was the unequivocal leader, Queen, as ordained by Ares and Artemis.  Her afternoon was interrupted by the summons slave.  A matter of justice was needed and would fall to her wisdom.  This was not the kind of task she relished.  Disputes between sisters commonly were settled among themselves.  If not, it usually came down to mortal combat and she hated the idea of losing a sister.  She hoped this was not that kind of matter.  She robed and set the golden ringlet crown on her head.  Normally, slaves would dress her but she needed the silence and solitude before a matter of justice.  A life would be in the balance.  She strode from her private quarters in the back of the temple, entering the main room of the temple she turned and bowed her head to Artemis for guidance.  She looked up to the sightless golden eyes of the statute and felt no comfort but confident no less in her own judgement.  Slaves opened the heavy oaken doors, a slave on each side handed her the articles of office, a golden javelin and a golden war helmet.  She took each as she walked across the dais and placed them on the arms of her marble throne.  She sat down and faced the the crowd of women.
     "Who calls a matter to be settled among sisters," Hippolyte boomed!  She had a very confident voice and could be heard very clearly above the din of battle barking orders and troop movements.  Everyone afforded her complete attention when she spoke.
     "We do," Cassandra and Eudora said in unison, stepping forward.  Two armored warriors dragged Danos forth behind the two.
     "What part does this slave play, sisters.  You know his presence is forbidden," Hippolyte said.
     Eudora stepped forward and said, "If you please, Most Honored Sister, this slave is at the heart of the matter."
     Hippolyte looked from the slave to the two sisters in front of her and said, "I know of no quarrels between the two of you, no past grievances, even as children, is this not so?"
     This time, Cassandra stepped forward and said, "That is true, Most Honored Sister, we are sisters but seek your guidance so that we may stay that way.  This slave has created the matter at hand and I felt you might best judge for us his portent, purpose and end."
     That last word was summary from Cassandra and Danos had thought his actions wise until now.  He felt no matter the outcome he would be killed.  He had to be able to speak on his behalf.  He would not be left out of this proceeding.
     "While I am at odds with our customs, I think the only departure from our tranquility rests with this slave, as you say."  Hippolyte looked directly into the eyes of Danos and said, "know this slave, no warrior will bear false witness against another and no sister will lie to another, for that is the bond of our society.  If I allow you to speak, any perceived lie or false witness against a warrior will be your death.  Do you understand?"
     Danos nodded in the affirmative.  Danos started to rise but was beaten back to the ground by his guards.
     "You have no standing here, slave.  As such you will stay on the ground with eyes down cast.  Do you understand?"  Hippolyte said.
     Danos cast his eyes down and shook his head again in the affirmative.  His gag was removed but he was left bound.  He repositioned himself to sit cross legged, but with back straight and chest full.  He knew he was pushing his luck but he had his pride, no matter the situation.
     Hippolyte was no fool and recognized the pride in this slave.  Many men had a hard time succumbing to the bond of slavery to women.  It was not a mans usual relationship with the opposite sex, but he would submit.  She would see to it.  "Tell your story slave."
     Danos started in, forming his story as he told it so it would not sound rehearsed or as a lie.  "My name is Danos and I am a son of Troy.."
     Hippolyte boomed, "you have no name here slave and it matters not where you come from, it gives you no honor or standing here!"
     Danos collected himself.  He thought that would warrant a rebuff and hoped it would not get him killed.  He had calculated correctly.  "I am slave to Mistress Eudora, sex slave.  She vied for me over many of her sisters but won my service.  I have been in her service for six months.  In that time several other warriors have approached me for my favors."  He stated this as a matter of fact, when actually only two had really questioned his ownership in that regard, when he was without his mistress in the marketplace on errands.  None had forced the issue but he hoped jealousy was as feminine a fire as it was for men.  "I had recently seen Cassandra eyeing me on several occasions and thought she was interested in me for the same reason.  I am still a man despite my current situation and once had the pleasure of freedom.  Her attention was not unnoticed and I attempted to create an opportunity to offer myself to her.  I saw her heading to the wood and she looked at me with favor.  My assumption was that she wanted me to follow.  I waited for her to finish training then made an attempt to approach her.  Her demeanor did not excite me to sex and she grew angry.  I tried to withdraw but she drew her sword to wound me and then attempted to force herself upon me."
     Eudora watched for any reaction in Cassandra as Danos spoke.  It was a reasonable and plausible story.  Cassandra was stone faced throughout the entire saga.  Eudora was starting to consider this slaves voracity in the telling of his story.  Eudora began to steal herself to the possible outcome if it was true.  Mortal combat.  She, like all Amazon warriors, was skilled in a number of weapons but she favored the javelin which would give her a reach advantage over Cassandra and her deadly Mahaira.  She came out of her thoughts with Danos completing his story.
     "I was favored by the gods that my mistress came looking for me when she did or surely I would have been killed or worse, " Danos said.  The thought, however, that it was not so undesirable to be raped by a woman was what he actually meant.  He had always found the tradition of rape in war very agreeable from his side and was sure that despite any cries or dissension from his conquests, that they had in the end, enjoyed his company.
     Hippolyte eyed the slave, then looked to Cassandra.  "Is his story true, sister?"
     Cassandra didn't hesitate for a second, "No."
     "I told you slave that your life would be forfeit if you lied, Guards?" Hippolyte called.
     "Most Honored Sister, I am inclined to believe his story.  I do not bear any ill will against my sister for wanting the company of this slave.  It is the main reason I purchased him, but I also am fain to let him go for such a minor infraction of our sisterhood," said Eudora.  She did not want to appear weak or that she couldn't control her slaves.  She was not afraid of Eudora and became more confident as she spoke.  "I am willing to forgive Cassandra and will punish this slave severely for his transgressions and wild assumptions.
     Danos smiled inside, this was exactly the direction he wanted things to go.  Both of his options now meant his life would be spared.
     Hippolyte did not like this turn of thought in Eudora.  She was too bonded to this slave.  It would not go well for her or this slave.  She knew Cassandra would not take the offense, despite the easy out.  Hippolyte looked to Cassandra and said, "Do you wish the matter closed or do you stand by your honor?"
     Cassandra saw no down side to this, she would not step down.  But she did not wish too kill her sister over a matter of honor and still bore the brunt of blame on this slave.  What was his purpose?  Why this challenge to their system and their sisterhood.  It was almost like he thought it was a game.  No matter, it would be played out soon.
     "I stand by my honor, Most Honored Sister," said Cassandra.
     Hippolyte sighed and said, "Then its mortal combat."
     Cassandra said, "Most Honored Sister, while I am not opposed to this judgement, it was not my sister who accosted me and gave reason to question my honor.  I would rather suggest that the truth be tested by he who maligned it."
     "If you are suggesting mortal combat with a slave, that is not our tradition.  He is the property of Eudora.  As such, it is she who is responsible for his actions.  What reason do you give for this alternative,"  said the Queen?
     With this, Cassandra turned to Eudora and said, "It would be my contention that the intellect of all slaves is not the same, despite the general behaviors of all men.  I believe this slave to be hiding his intellect and using it for sport against us in this matter.  If you hold to your training of this slave, then his voracity will be held by the gods in combat.  I would rather keep our sisterhood than allow a slave to play us against one another as in a game.  He has nothing to benefit other than his life as a slave, but we will diminish the sisterhood of us all by fighting over him."
     Eudora considered this argument, looking for any cracks in the reasoning that might bear her ill will or make her look bad or as if she were backing down.  She could see no down side and actually thought she might have a bit of advantage.  The sons of Troy were ferocious warriors and were not to be taken lightly.  "I will agree to this course, sister."
     Inside, Hippolyte was jumping for joy.  Cassandra had not let this slave have his way with their society.  She did not fear for Cassandra but instead relished the idea of seeing her take him apart.  "It is so.  Son of Troy, you are challenged to mortal combat.  The truth of your story to be decided by the favor of the gods and the weapons of war."
     This was the outcome that Danos had wanted.  He was a seasoned veteran of many campaigns but had been taken by overwhelming numbers and a clout to the back of his head, taken to Persia then sold to a slaver, who sold him to the Amazon woman.  He had kept up his training in the secrecy of night and using hard labors to keep up his endurance and strength.  While it was not ideal training, he was sure it would be enough to best a woman.
     His bonds were cut and was aloud to stand.  Eudora pulled a sword from the closest guard, then took Danos by the arm and walked him to the other side of the temple square.  While they walked, Eudora spoke in hushed tones.  "You are either the smartest or most foolish of my slaves.  We shall see what the gods have in store for you, but know this; if you best my sister you will live but still be punished.  That being said, Cassandra is skilled with her sword in both hands, though she favors the right.  If you press her, get her to back up, she will fight unbalanced and you may find an advantage there."
     Danos knew with this encouragement that he had Eudora's mind and confidence.  He smiled and thought half the battle won.  Eudora handed Danos the sword and said, "Drop the sword after the death strike.  If you continue to hold it, we will consider it a challenge and you will be attacked."
     "Yes Mistress," Danos said with a smile.  He took some practice swings with the sword.  It had excellent balance and felt like an old friend in his hand.  He looked over at Cassandra and thought of his real reason for this whole mess.  He was attracted to her, had been since one day in the market.  He knew he had to have her.  He knew ahead of time her silence might have to end in her death but slavery wouldn't hold his mind or appetites.  He slapped the bare blade against his broad chest and pointed it back towards Cassandra in challenge.
     Cassandra knew he was over confident.  She could see it in the ease of his stance and the grin on his face.  She would play with him before she killed him.  He had earned as much time with her as she could spare.  Her sisters would see that even sons of Troy fell to Amazon blades.
     Hippolyte stood and descended the steps to the square.  At moments like this she was a fellow sister and warrior, not a Queen.  She raised her hand and said, "Begin."
     Danos moved quickly to close the gap but Cassandra hadn't made a move or even drawn her sword.  Would it be this easy?  He decided to charge.
     As soon as Hippolyte said the word, the throng of women pushed back to give the two room to to join swords.  Also, none wished to be wounded by a wild stroke from the slave.  Men wasted movement hoping that strength and force would win through.  None were worried for Cassandra.  She was their best with a sword and none feared her blade or prowess.
  Danos ran and lunged for Cassandra.  The point of his sword was within inches of her face when she moved.  She spun at the last second and pushed him hard in the ribs, then backed into the center of the square.  Danos saw her, then was falling and off balance.  She moved faster than a man.  He had thought that the hours of training might have slowed her, evidently not.  He caught himself and turned to face her.  She still hadn't drawn her sword, which perplexed him and started to anger him.  This might be harder than he thought.  He advanced on her again, more deliberately this time.  She waited for his advance.  He moved on her like a cat, his sword arm ready.  The gap closed, she stood motionless.  He slashed at her face, she ducked it and moved to her left.  In frustration and without hesitation he back cut towards her middle, thinking she would not be ready so soon for another cut.  She jumped back, forcing him to miss by inched again.  And so went the dance, he would slash and she would evade.  He started to breathe hard with the effort and sweat began to bead up on his chest. She moved effortlessly, pushing or shoving him in the opposite direction she went.  It would be time soon for her to act.  He lunged again giving it all his strength but no speed.  She ducked under his arm, spun around and drew her sword from over her left should at the same instant and cut an "X" on his back in two blinding strokes.  He arched with the pain, unable to see his wound, it was more of a surprise than crippling.  He spun around only to meet her blade as it deepened the wound he had self inflicted earlier in the day.  Blood flowed over the clean crease of the precise cut and a loop of intestine squirmed out.  He howled in pain this time.  That howl was cut short by another blinding cut that originate from over her left shoulder and followed through his neck to over her right.  His head leaped from his body and made a sickening thud as it hit the white marble paving of the square.  Blood arched from the stump of his neck splashing crimson over the marble in stark contrast.  His body hung in mid air, as if suspended like a puppet in the market.  She made a hard front kick sending the inanimate corpse backwards for three body lengths.  She swept the crowd with a gaze of challenge, her eyes coming to rest on Eudora.  She walked back to where Eudora stood and sheathed her sword.  Her cut had been so fast, no blood clung to the blade and it was still freshly oiled from its cleaning earlier.  She stepped to Eudora and eyed her evenly.
     "I am sorry for the loss of your slave, sister.  I will send you my best slave as a replacement," Cassandra said.
     Eudora noticed that Cassandra wasn't even breathing hard.  She extended her hands to Cassandra, who took them, and said, "Thank you sister, I am pleased that the gods favored you."
     Hippolyte was happy with the outcome and confident that justice and honor was had by all.
     Cassandra would be remembered for this fight in years to come as she took the position of Most Honored Sister.  Sister to all women and more than equal to any man.