Free Amazon Companion by Robin Roseau Page A

choice.  Or y ou can imprison me and abuse me until I submit. I am sure I will eventually, and then when opportunity presents itself, I will kill anyone I can. But when I do it, I will be killing the people who abused me and made me their slave, and when you enact retribution on Gallen's Cove, you will let the entire world know all Amazons are rampaging murderers. I will have justice on my side, and you will be honorless."
    Malora surged to her feet, and I thought she would strike me, but she turned her back.
    "Abuse can take a variety of forms," I said after the briefest pause. "I do not deserve any of them."
    "No," Malora said tightly. "You don't. Nori, you brought me a fine puzzle indeed, and I understand completely the gag."
    "I am sorry, Malora," Nori replied.
    "I understand why you brought her," Malora said.
    "Have I outlined the choices?" I asked. "Perhaps I missed a few."
    The queen turned to face me. "There are subtleties, but no, you have outlined the choices quite articulately."
    "We can't release you," Nori said.
    "It would undermine our attempts to resolve a significant problem, with repercussions that extend well past a discussion of fairness to you," Malora explained.
    "You admit freeing me is the fair choice."
    "Perhaps, but it isn't going to happen. I have offered the best choice I have for giving you freedom to return home. Two years."
    "And so again we discuss what happens when I refuse your admittedly-unfair offer. You will murder me?"
    She sighed. "We will imprison you. I do not like this choice, and I would rather we achieve a different agreement."
    "So my choice is between imprisonment for an unspecified period or agree to being your slave for at least two years."
    "It is not slavery!"
    "If I am not offered the option of leaving, and I have been convicted of no crimes that allow you to treat me in this fashion, then it is slavery. You may put whatever fine gloss you want on it, but it is slavery."
    Malora turned away again, pacing the space for a while.
    "I am sorry, Malora," Nori said. "I should have known better."
    The queen stopped and turned to face me. "I will ask you to set aside that word until you know more. I will ask you to consider this: we protect Morehama. Answer a question for me. If we have not lied, what are we owed, by you and everyone else in Morehama? If you can honestly say 'nothing', we will discuss freeing you."
    I thought about it and smiled for a moment.
    "Why are you smiling?"
    "Two can offer unpleasant questions."
    She began to return my smile.
    "I would ask to pace," I said, "but I believe my arms would protest hanging limply."
    "I believe you are correct," she said.
    I turned away from her, studying the walls of the pavilion for a while.
    "Maya," the queen asked, "if we have not lied, what do you personally owe us?"
    I didn't answer. I couldn't. I felt like one of my students, petulant, looking anywhere but at the teacher as I was called to task. But I continued to stare away.
    She let me sit there, but stepped closer and again asked, "What do you owe us, Maya?"
    "Would you abuse me?" I asked quietly.
    "There are aspects of Amazon life you won't enjoy."
    "There are aspects of every life one doesn't enjoy. Would you abuse me, Queen Malora?"
    "Punishments for breaking rules are harsher than you have experienced in the past. We are at war, and we cannot allow a lack of discipline. And I am a queen, which is several steps above a village elder, and I require a certain amount of respect. Our rules are simple, but it is likely you will at time break some of the rules. Everyone does. I did. Nori did. You will take the same punishment any of us would take for the same violation."
    "Would you abuse me on a daily basis if I am doing my best to conform to your rules?"
    "No. I would not abuse you in that way, Maya," she said.
    I turned to face her.
    "Will you treat me with respect and dignity? Or can I expect to be treated as a lesser creature but punished if I complain or respond in a