Free Amazon Challenge by Robin Roseau Page A

being run my way whether you like it or not. I am happy to debate this with you, although I wish you would at least give me a chance to prove my methods will work. If you continue to undermine me in front of our potential companions, I will ask Queen Malora to send you home. You may snipe at me all you want otherwise, but don't do it in front of any of our guests."
    She put her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Perhaps we should settle this here and now."
    My heart immediately began to pound, and I took a half step backwards at the same time Nori stepped forward.
    "Don't be an idiot," Nori hissed. "Are you challenging Queen Malora while we're in the field? Get your hand off that sword, or I guarantee you won't live long enough to draw it."
    Malora must have heard Nori's tone; we hadn't moved far enough away. She glanced over and started to rise. I shook my head slightly, but she watched carefully.
    Tarine glared at Nori, but slowly her hand withdrew from her sword. She turned away and stomped off.
    "I'm not the one who needs a companion!" I hissed. "I'm out here trying to find them for her, and she threatens me like that?"
    "It wasn't a threat so much as an attempt to intimidate coupled with frustration."
    I glanced over. Malora had involved Badra in her discussion with Lia and Tamma, and a moment later she rose and moved to us. As soon as she arrived, I pressed myself against her, and she wrapped her arms around me.
    "You're trembling."
    "I'm a little cold," I replied. "Hold me, please."
    "You are not cold. What happened?" But she pulled me more tightly against her.
    "Nori handled it."
    "Nori?"
    Nori wasn't stupid. She knew Malora would flip out if she had the complete truth delivered all at once. "Tarine feels your companion's recruitment techniques require improvement. The conversation grew heated."
    "Quit playing word games, both of you," Malora said. "Now."
    "She suggested we resolve it with a duel, here and now," I said.
    Malora tightened. "I'll give her a duel if that's what she wants."
    "She backed down when Nori pointed out what it means to challenge the Queen's companion," I replied. "Please let it go, Malora."
    "Did she back down because she realized challenging Maya was a mistake," Malora asked Nori, "or because you threatened to kill her?" Malora wasn't stupid, either. She would know what Nori's reaction would be to any threats against me.
    "That's hard to say," Nori admitted. "For now, she backed down."
    "I understand her frustra tion, but she's undermining me," I explained. "It's hard enough dealing with the villagers without her convincing them we should be feared. She wants them to fear us."
    "Do I need to talk to her?" Malora asked.
    "I don't know."
    "Nori?"
    "Yes. Put a little more fear into her."
    "No," I said. "She's already reacting emotionally. That's the entire problem. If she'd use her head, there wouldn't be a problem. I am happy to debate the merits, but not when the people I'm debating are emotionally tied to the outcome."
    "You're emotionally tied to the outcome, Maya," Malora pointed out.
    "I still debate rationally," I countered. "Do either of you think I'm wrong?"
    "No," Nori said. "Tarine doesn't see the big picture, and she's not willing to look."
    "I'm going to talk to her," Malora said. "Not to scare her, but to let her know she needs to take a longer view. Maya, do I need to warn you about going off with her in private?"
    "No, you don't." I glanced at the girls. "How is it going with them?"
    "They're very nice girls," Malora said. "Tamma asks more questions than Lia."
    "I think tomorrow we should teach them how to hold a staff." I looked at Nori. "You or me?"
    She looked at me, then at the girls. "Badra and ..."
    "Gini," Malora said. Gini was young, only a few years older than Beria, and I thought that was a good suggestion.
    "In the future, I want Bea along," I said. "Her joy is infectious."
    * * * *
    We were using Malora's large pavilion for this trip, not the small tent we used when she