Free Attack of the Amazons by Gilbert L. Morris

more when Goél and his house crush the Dark Lord.”
    At mention of the words
Dark Lord,
a strange figure suddenly emerged. She was a woman of some sixty or perhaps seventy years, with gray hair and sharp black eyes. She was wearing all sorts of what looked to be jewelry—brass plates with enigmatic markings on them. Her headdress was red and yellow feathers, and the necklace of bone around her neck jangled as she hopped before the queen.
    â€œThese men are the enemies of Maug!” she screamed. “We know no one named Goél. Do not trust them, my Queen!”
    â€œI do not trust them,” Queen Faya said. She stared at the Sleepers, and then her eyes went to her daughter. “How did you find them?”
    â€œI had been captured by Ulla and his band. They were about to sacrifice me to their god when these came to my rescue.”
    At least,
Josh thought,
she told the truth.
He was, however, disappointed when Merle made little of the rescue.
    â€œThey came here with me, and now they are, of course, our captives.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Josh said, “we came on a peaceful mission. After all, we did save your daughter’s life.”
    Queen Faya did not seem impressed. Her blue eyes were cold as polar ice as she studied Josh almost clinically.
    Then a man stepped forward and spoke up. “My Queen,” he said, “these people are not our enemies.”
    â€œZuriel, you are a historian, but
I
will make the decision about captives,” Queen Faya said. Her words fell like blows on the man, and he retreated silently into the crowd.
    â€œI will claim that tall one for my own.”
    The Sleepers turned their heads to see a big woman step out from the throng. She came to stand before the throne. “Sister, I call the blood kin and claim this captive.” She pointed at Dave with an air of possession.
    Queen Faya’s lips turned upward in a rather grim smile. “You are thinking of Ettore, Marden?”
    â€œPerhaps I am. This one is tall and strong, and we need good blood in our line.” She made a motion, anda girl of nineteen or twenty came forward. She had dark hair and black eyes, in contrast to most of the women warriors, who were fair. Her eyes glittered as she walked up to Dave, who watched her cautiously. Carelessly she reached out and felt the muscles of his arm, then commanded, “Let me see your teeth.”
    Dave, outraged, shook off her grasp. “I’m not showing my teeth to anyone!”
    Immediately the girl slapped him, hard. The blow drove him backwards, and the print of her hand was on his face in white.
    â€œKeep your mouth shut, or I will shut it for you,” the girl Ettore said. She turned and nodded. “I will take this one, my Mother.”
    â€œI will decide who will receive the captives!” Princess Merle said. “I captured them. The decision will be mine.”
    Again Faya smiled as she looked at her daughter. “And which do
you
choose, daughter?”
    â€œI
will take the tall one. He is strong and might make a good mate. Come here!” she commanded Dave.
    Dave started to protest, but Josh said hastily, “Better do as she says, Dave. We can straighten it all out later.”
    â€œAll right, then.” Dave moved over to stand by her side.
    Then Merle said, “I will have the young female also.” She pointed to Abbey. “I do not think she will ever make a warrior.”
    Marden cried out again. “Sister Queen, I claim the right of blood. Give me a choice.”
    â€œVery well.” The queen seemed already tired of the scene.
    Marden, with a look of triumph, said, “I will take this one.” She pointed to Josh.
    Her daughter said, “And we will take the tall female. She might make a warrior maid if we toughen her up some.”
    Sarah stayed close to Josh as they walked to where Marden and Ettore stood.
    Queen Faya said, “Who else chooses one of