Test of the Amazons

Risto helps with the presentation and the dressing and arming. The firelizards are interested in everything, though Chirrup's crush on Pen has not diminished. Between Robin and Pen, they manage to teach him not to throttle Pen accidentally.

News has gone out that Robin is to be welcomed into the Amazons. The outcome seems foreordained from the greetings and introductions that Robin receives. All the Amazons seem excited to see and meet her if they have not already.

Despite her private nature, Robin returns greetings, engages in conversations and generally lets the Amazons be excited about her. Robin is confident about the contest but does not consider it foreordained; there are always things that could wrong. But given no unexpected... complications, Robin is confident that she can honor Artemis and the Amazons with her performance.

The arena is prepared for the archery contests. It's the same amphitheater where the play was produced last night. Queen Thalaestris and the priestesses of Artemis and Athena and the other goddesses all bless Robin, and all is ready for Robin to shoot the challenges.

Robin takes special notice of the Goddesses invoked. She may need to talk to them later.

The three challenges are distance, stamina, and mounted precision, in that order. For the distance challenge, Robin will start with a short bow, shooting at the target, and the test is to maintain accuracy as the distance increases to longbow length.

Robin feels she could probably do this challenge with her eyes closed.

Risto offers to help Pen squire Robin, and they will have close seats, as opposed to the Amazons who are filling the stands to watch Robin triumph in the contest.

Robin strides assuredly to her mark and strings the short bow, taking care not to break it in the process. While somewhat uncomfortable with the pagentry, shootin' is something she knows and is good at.

When the signal is given, Robin nocks and looses her first arrow in a slow and measured fashion. No need to get cocky while on display.

Having taken the measure of the bow and arrow with her first shot, which lands in the center of the target with a meaty thunk, Robin is certain she can handle this first feat with ease. Robin is an experienced archer; the bow and arrows are quality work; and there is no weather or any other condition that would make the shooting difficult. The Amazons are taking this seriously. Robin has no sense that any of them would interfere. And even if they did, her firelizards are watching closely and would probably sense such a thing.

Probably it would take a Pattern initiate or a sorcerer to really cause a problem for Robin, but as far as she knows, she's the only such person present.

Robin nods to herself as the first arrow finds its mark. While reverence is not usually in her make-up, Robin treats the contest as seriously as the Amazons. This is to honor them and Artemis.

Robin nocks and launches her second arrow at the next furthest target. Another bullseye. A third arrow, a third hit in the center of the third target. As Robin warms to her task, she begins to speed up -- her confidence and natural impatience getting the better of her. The fourth and fifth arrows fly quickly and true. As do the arrows that follow. By the time Robin is to the tenth and eleventh arrows, she is firing the next arrow before the first has landed.

Robin's twelfth and final arrow hits the center of its target and she lowers the short bow with another satisfied nod. She turns over the short bow to her squires with a fond pat on the bow; a good tool for a job well done.

As she takes up the longbow and quiver, Robin smiles again. The longbow is one of her weapons of choice and this is a fine specimen of the type. Robin strings it purposefully and strides over to her mark for the long range targets.

Again her first shot is measured and steady as Robin gets a feel for the bow, the arrows and the wind conditions. All are good and the arrow thunks into the center of its distant target. Other arrows follow, each to its target. And again Robin speeds up, launching ten arrows quickly one after the other as the targets stretch to further and further away. Each arrow finds its mark almost as if the targets wanted them.

Robin pauses briefly before aiming her last arrow at the target distant at the top of the stands. But with confidence, she release the string and the arrow speeds to its destination, another bullseye.

The Ranger lowers the longbow and gives it a little fillip around her hand before unstringing it. Yeah, she's got to get her one of these before she leaves Pontus. Smiling she turns to her squires to return the bow.

Pen cheers Robin on after every shot. At first, the crowd is silent for each arrow drawn out of respect for the archer, but the pace of the arrows speeds up quickly and the cheering and applause grow as each target is expertly met.

Pen is enormously proud of her adopted sister. 'Risto, also cheering, turns to Pen, "I'm glad she's on our side!"

The crowd cheers heartily for Robin. Her success is clearly a delight to the women of Pontus; the young squires whisper about how many love-tokens Robin will receive after this showing, especially if she does more of the same in the next two trials.

Robin waves to the crowd with a bashful smile, thanking them for their cheers. While her natural confidence keeps her just shy of awkwardness, she isn't used to this kind of setting.

The firelizards are also very excited, and fly about the crowd, inspecting everything and everyone, but from a bit of distance. Chirrup and Peep stay closer to Pen, but Oot is brave and flies lower than the others. The Amazons are curious about him; Pen can see them call him, but he does not come to anyone other than Pen.

With the Queen's consent, the first trial is declared a success. The Queen herself begins to prepare a wreath for Robin. She will work on the wreath during the second trial. Which is a trial of stamina: Robin will shoot a dozen dozen arrows. Speed and accuracy are assumed; the test is whether Robin can maintain those qualities over the time needed to fire all the arrows.

New targets are set up and the supply of arrows is prepared. Robin is given light food and water so she's ready, and if she needs a brief break, she can take one now.

Robin doesn't need a break but the food and water are welcome. She can always eat.

Robin's an Amberite. This trial, like the first, is well within her capabilities. During the war, she's done guerilla work that required more stamina than this test. It's a formality, and things could go wrong, but she has every reason to believe she will pass this test with flying colors.

Robin steps up to the line for the stamina test, the long bow once again in her hands. Beside her a table bears the dozen dozen arrows. She glances at the dozen targets in front of her and takes a few moments to consider how to honor Artemis and the Amazons with what seems to her to be an easy task. Finally, she nods and nocking the first arrow, Robin raises her bow.

She looses the arrow to thunk into the target dead center and reaches for her next arrow. This one hits slightly above and to the right of her first arrow. As she warms to her task, Robin begins to speed up again and shortly has fired another ten arrows to form a tight perfect circle around her fist shot.

Without a pause, Robin sets her sites on the second target. Again, she starts with a shot dead center. After that, arrow after arrow flies speedily from her bow until eleven arrows form a small bifurcated square, nice and tight around the original center shot.

No pause and Robin starts in on the third target. Twelve arrows are loosed and fly toward the target rapidly. This time the shots form a triangle with an inverted triangle within it.

From there Robin continues to launch artistic archery at the targets, twelve arrows per each. Geometric shapes, simple figures. A crescent to honor Artemis. A stick figure to honor the Amazons. Her name in written Cadence. Robin loses herself to the rhythm of the bowstring and the thunk of arrows hitting the targets.

When Robin has finished the five pointed star, she reaches for her next arrow only to find there are no more left. A dozen dozen arrows have been launched and twelve targets bear the mark of her work. Robin blinks her eyes and mentally returns to the arena. Yep, that should do, she nods to herself.

The speed and elegance of Robin's shooting have clearly gained her many admirers. The Amazons are cheering, clapping, and whistling. Robin can hear Risto's voice leading a chant of Robin's name in one section of the crowd.

Again, Queen Thalaestris announces the victory, and the crowd can see the laurel wreath that she is working on in anticipation of Robin's complete success.

The third task will be more complicated. Robin will be expected to shoot a target course from horseback. There is a break in which the Amazons will provide Robin some horses to choose from and others will set up the course, which will be in a field near the amphitheater that's obviously used for races and contests of this sort.

Once Robin chooses her mount, Risto walks her through the courses and shows her the targets. Robin knows that if she weren't an Amberite, this wouldn't look as easy as it does. There are a full score of targets and she'll need to switch sides and do a lot of movement in the saddle to make all the shots. She still thinks it's well within her capacity as long as the horse is reliable.

The other thing is that it's 20 targets and 20 arrows. No room for error.

Robin chooses a dappled mare named Chionothýella for her mount. Looking into her dark eyes, Robin feels that the mare seems steady and dependable. Robin sighs to herself, she's never been a 'horsey girl'. She just runs through horses too quickly to form any attachments. She can ride, but she's not a natural at it. And mounted archery she can also do, but it's not one of her strengths and she would like a solid platform from which to shoot. She also pays close attention as Risto walks her through the course, nodding as she goes.

Once the crowd is in place, Robin leads Chionothýella to the starting line. Taking the horsebow and quiver of twenty arrows from her squire, she mounts up. Immediately, Chionothýella begins to prance and side-step and Robin fights for control over her suddenly fractious horse.

Julian, if he were here, would say Chionothýella had a hump in her back: she's wiggly, and there's something off about her that Robin can't quite put her finger on. The horse has bunched her muscles and tensed. It's not just the smell of firelizards, either.

The Amazons have lined up along the course; Chionothýella will be a little less predictable on the course if she continues like this. She's probably not a danger to the Amazons, but this trial will be much more difficult if Chionothýella continues this way.

The Queen has stationed herself at the start of the course with a piece of linen to drop to signal the start of the course. If Robin wanted to stop and change horses, she'd have to do so right now.

Pen was called away briefly to advise the amazons that were preparing everything needed for the boar hunt challenge. She returned cheering and clapping to the roar of the crowd and seeing Robin choose the dappled mare as her mount. Pen is a Captain of the Glorious Cataphract, and thanks to 'Risto's years of instruction, she knows when something is wrong with a horse. Pen has ridden with Robin now on different occasions and at different paces. She knows her Ranger sister is a capable rider. Whatever is happening is not because of Robin. Pen runs to 'Risto to see if her friend sees what she sees and if anything can be done.

Robin spends a few moments atop the wriggling Chionothýella. Since she can't figure out what's bothering the mare, she decides to channel her father; patient yet unyielding. Once her seat is a little firmer, she strings her bow and nods to the Queen. Robin will walk the path she's chosen and will ride the agitated mare through the course. Hopefully, Chionothýella will calm down once she's running.

As the Queen drops her linen square, Robin and Chionothýella are off. It's not pretty but Robin stays seated and Chionothýella stays on course. Soon enough the first target is in range. Guiding the mare with her knees, Robin bobs and weaves to compensate for the mare's antics and looses her first arrow.

Robin is able to correct for Chionothýella's motion and the arrow thunks cleanly into the center of its target. She rides on, still struggling, and puts four more arrows into four more targets, all in the center of the target or close thereon.

There is a murmuring in the crowd at the struggling horse. The Amazons don't like the look of this.

Pen has ridden with Robin. There's something wrong here. Pen recognizes, or maybe intuits that somehow, someone or something has interfered with Chionothýella. Pen knows the mare can be ridden in hunt and battle, so why else would Chionothýella be hopping around like a half-broken horse?

There's no time to check the stables and see if Chionothýella's water or oats had been tainted or perhaps she was tempted with a poisoned carrot. No time to search for Arcadian assassins or worse, local traitors. Pen gets 'Risto's attention and using hand gestures directs her to flank Robin and her mount on one side as Pen takes up position on the other. They may not be able to stop the horse, but one of them might be able to catch Robin if she's thrown. Further, flanking the wild horse gives them a better view of the animal and a chance to spot anything unnatural that might be visible on the outside. Pen doesn't want to interrupt the sacred challenge if she can avoid it, but the threat of Robin being injured is changing her mind about tradition.

Robin acknowledges her flankers with a nod but otherwise keeps her attention on managing the uncooperative horse and putting her arrows where they need to be. Her mind starts to wander to fatalistic acceptance that her bad luck is showing up again. But she swiftly disregards that and concentrates on the task before her, honoring Artemis and the Amazons by doing the best that she can.

Another target, another arrow. Stay seated and moving forward.
Another target, another arrow, stay seated and moving forward.
Another target, another arrow. And so on.

Robin's arrows fly straight and true and hit the targets well, but the mare never develops the smooth rhythm she should.

Pen's inspection of the horse turns up a small trail of blood from under the saddle. Nothing that would be obvious to most observers, but Pen is not most observers.

'Risto signs to Pen: saddle injury? The grooms should have caught that.

As soon as the last arrow finds its target, Pen will move to get Robin's attention and hold the horse steady so that Robin can dismount. 'Risto is ready to secure the reins and calm Chionothýella as best she can, then lead her away somewhere where she can get a closer look under the saddle. Pen is incredibly proud of Robin, but something's not right and Pen intends to get to the bottom of this.

The last arrow does indeed hit its target, as all the arrows did, though some of the shots were less accurate than Robin would have liked. But it's a testament to Robin's skill that they landed at all.

Robin's concentration has been taken up by the horse and the targets; Pen has been paying close attention to what Robin has been doing. But still, Pen can hear the murmurs and cries from the crowd. Everyone can tell that something is badly wrong.

When Robin has completed the course, Risto runs to help her dismount, and to preserve the evidence.

A runner arrives from the Queen with a message: Robin has won her victory, under difficult circumstances. But someone has tried to injure her, breaking the sacred mystery of the Amazons. That someone must be found, which is the priority now that Robin is safely dismounted. The Queen herself is coming to look into the matter.

Robin breathes a sigh of relief as she dismounts from the mare and turns the reins over to Risto. Her main concern now is that Chionothýella has not been harmed -- physically or mentally -- by riding her when she's that fractious. The news from the Queen is both good in that Robin has passed the test, but bad in that someone is working against the Ranger here in the land of the Amazons.

Robin keeps out of the way of the investigating Risto and Pen, but will sneak in a good Listen to Chionothýella to make sure she hasn't been touched by the Green.

Robin reaches out with her senses but there is no Green about the horse. Whatever is distressing her wasn't magical. And if there were Green influence close by, like on the grooms, Robin feels she would sense that, and she does not.

Certain that Robin is alright, and Risto is tending to Chionothýella, Pen heads to the stables as fast as her legs can carry her. She aims to speak with the stable mistress and her grooms in hopes of finding the source of this betrayal. If this is the work of an outsider, the horse tenders could be in great danger as well.

There are so few women of Pontus that if one of them has betrayed the Queen and the sisterhood of the Amazons, it must be someone Pen knows. These are girls and women she has worked with, trained with, even trained herself as part of her duties.

When she arrives, the stable mistress, Menippe, is tending to a girl called Iris, who is barely old enough to have budded breasts and is in training to work with the grooms. Menippe looks up and says to Pen, "Iris was struck down with a blow to the head. I saw what happened to your sister Robin; whoever harmed Chionothýella also did this, I'm sure."

Iris is still only semi-conscious.

Pen is shaken by the cruelty of this unworthy act, and puts a gentle hand on the child's cheek. She looks to Menippe, and promises "I swear to you, sister, I will find the monster who did this and bring them to justice."

Her anger builds quickly and the intensity of it frightens her. She has gone mad with rage before when the last would-be conqueror came to these shores and murdered many of her sisters and friends. It took time to return to herself after she schooled him in what true barbarism is. Just as Achilles, incensed with anger, drug the body of Hector behind his chariot during the Trojan War, so had Pen, later to her shame, cheated this ignoble King of an honorable death. His pain was prolonged as he begged for her to kill him. His kinsmen, who swore they only followed him out of loyalty to their compelled oaths, were denied the promise of their surrender. Pen's burning anger spread like wildfire through her sisters and they strung the soldiers up from every tree that would bear them. No man from that army ever left the island. The crows and ravens fed well before reason returned and the bodies were buried in a pit on the outskirts of the bloodied forest.

Pen looks for any tracks of signs of passage that might indicate which direction the traitor went.

It's hard to find the right tracks, because there are far too many legitimate footprints. Menippe hopes that Iris will be able to tell them something when she wakes, but given the blow to the back of her head, it's probably a vain hope. This place is too busy for any clues to be found, which may be what the miscreant was counting on.

Meanwhile Risto shows Robin what was wrong with Chionothýella: a burr stuck under the saddle works, which wouldn't have harmed the horse until the weight of a rider pushed the burr down into her skin. Her expression is grim.

Robin matches Risto's expression as she assesses Chionothýella's injury. She rubs the mare's nose, apologizing for injuring her. Knowing that she probably has some sweets in her pockets (if the ritual chiton and leggings have such things), Robin will offer up her fair to the poor horse.

Robin has no trouble finding what she needs, though she has three other friends who would like their share, please and thank you!

Robin shares out treats to the firelizards as well, with croons for her well-behaved friends.

"This is sabotage," says Risto, "or a very unlikely coincidence. And if saboteurs can reach here, they are a threat to the Queen. We must find the person who did this and execute her."

While her face remains grim, Robin is a little taken aback by Risto's vehemence. Amazons are fierce she decides. She nods anyway. "Any idea on how to do that?" Robin asks.

Pen stops for a moment, stuck in place. Whoever did this was too familiar with our ways to be an outsider, this has to have been the work of an Amazon. They knew we wouldn’t be able to track them. Pen takes one last look at Iris, and then turns and begins to run along the northwestern path that she remembers from her youth.

Ooot makes to follow Pen unless Robin tells him not to.

Robin waves him on. His curiosity is one of the things she loves about him.

She makes quick work of the hills that lead into the shade of a thick forest, surprising the deer that linger there. Further on she sees the forest mantle thin out to a stretch of smaller trees, carefully distanced and planted ages ago. These are the olive trees sacred to Athena.

Pen keeps up the same breakneck pace as the sun beats down on her and sweat beads from her face and arms. As she approaches the middle of the olive orchard, Pen slows and stops before she reaches the largest of the Olive trees, called the Moriae.

Behind it is the Temple of Athena, constructed in the Ionic style with pentellic marble. The temple is surrounded by eight columns at either end and seventeen at the sides. It's set on a platform with three wide steps. At either end of the building, there stands an enormous statue of Athena, both thirty-six feet tall, on top of a six-foot-tall pedestal decorated in relief with the deeds and gifts of the Goddess of Wisdom and War.

To the north rises the painted statue of Athena Atrytone ("the Unwearying”), also called Athena Promachos ("she who fights in the front"), and Pallas Athenaie ("the brandisher of weapons"). She is decked in full battle armor, wielding her great spear and giant shield surrounded by serpents, the Aegis. Opposite her, the south end of the temple houses a painted statue of Athena Polias ("of the city"), also called Athena Ergane ("the industrious"), and Athena Hippia ("of the horses"). Instead of wielding a spear and shield, this stately figure is clad in a peplos of bright white marble. In her right hand, she holds a distaff, and in her left, she offers purchase to her owl. She is a protector of the people, a craftswoman, and an equestrian.

Pen walks to the center of the temple, equidistant between the figures of the strategic soldier and the industrious diplomat. As she looks up, she closes her eyes and remembers the last time she stood in this place. She can still smell the intoxicating scent of Chirope's hair and feel the warmth of skin. The smell was rose, oil from green olives, almonds, sesame, moringa, honey, wine, and cinnabar.

They stood together here in this place, alone. In the dark of night. In the middle of summer, whispering every sweet thought and aspiration, holding each other close, and swearing their love. Chirope spoke her favorite poetry like a vow:

"...and close by listening
to your sweet voice
and your enticing laughter--
that indeed has stirred up the heart in my breast.
For whenever I look at you even briefly
I can no longer say a single thing,
but my tongue is frozen in silence;
instantly a delicate flame runs beneath my skin;
with my eyes I see nothing;
my ears make a whirring noise.
A cold sweat covers me,
trembling seizes my body,
and I am greener than grass."
(From the Poems of Sappho, translated by Julia Dubnoff)

Pen swore that she would never leave her side. They stood there in passionate embrace confessing their love like an offering in this most reverent hall for two hours, at times in perfect silent bliss, simply comforted by the presence of each other.

Then two weeks later, they engaged in a foolish argument. Pen couldn't remember who started it (though it was probably her) or what it was even about, but they fought and the next day, Chirope's mother left Pontus with her. They were never able to reconcile, and after that Pen settled her sorrows most frequently in a jug of honey wine.

Pen suddenly heard the sound of wings and stirred from her reverie, she opened her eyes and turned to see a little brown and white owl with a flat-topped head, a plump, compact body, and a short tail, perched on the Aegis of the statue of Athena Promachos and the temperature fell in the temple as a powerful westerly wind blew through the columns.

A voice inside Pen compelled her to speak, and so she did. "Grey-eyed Goddess, one of your daughters is in desperate need of your vision. I beg you, heed my call. A betrayer is among our people and has already caused harm and sought to threaten the life of my kin. I cannot discover who they are or where they went on my own, but I must find them quickly and bring them before their sisters and our good Queen for justice before they hide themselves among us or flee. An enemy to one of us is an enemy to all of us."

She catches her breath, and continues, staring into the eyes of the painted statue, "I know this boon must have a great cost, and so I swear an offering to you. I pledge my body to your service for so long as you have need of me, and I will complete whatever labor you ask of me. Grant me this boon, I BEG of you."

Outside, Pen hears the crack of a branch falling from the sacred tree, landing on the ground. When she follows the sign of the goddess, she sees a y-shaped stick on the ground, such as witches among the Amazons sometimes use for seeking water and wells.

Ooot is also waiting; he didn't enter the temple. He chitters at Pen, hovering and circling near where the branch landed.

Meanwhile, back at the stable, Risto, who watched Pen run, tells Robin, "She's headed for the temple of Athena, I think. She'll make an offering and ask for the goddess' aid. She's like that sometimes." Risto shakes her head. "This wasn't her fault, but she'll take the blame. Sister of my friend, if you love Pen, tell her you don't blame her, because she'll always think it's her fault."

"I will." Robin nods, her voice serious.

"And if it's anyone's fault besides the one who set this burr and struck down Iris to do it, it's mine for not seeing what she'd done. I pray your forgiveness, Robin." Risto kneels and places her hands before her, not reaching for Robin's hand: waiting for Robin's acknowledgement.

Inwardly Robin sighs; time to put on the mantle of a Lord of Order. Keeping her face solemn and her manner formal, Robin places her hand on Risto's. "You are forgiven," she says, "but know that I hold you to no blame. As you said, the only fault is on the one who set the burr and injured Iris. None other. Please rise. I would have you as a friend and a tribe sister, not a penitent." Robin smiles warmly as her speech ends and she puts away the mantle of authority.

Risto rises, but it's clear she's not entirely forgiven herself.

"Now, should we track Pen down or leave her to her ablutions in private?"

"A woman who seeks the Goddess alone should be allowed to face Her as she chooses, but it's also said that rules do not apply to goddesses and heroes," Risto says, and gestures in the direction that Pen went off in, clearly ready to follow if Robin leads.

Pen exits the Temple and is pleased to see Ooot as she offers him a shoulder to perch on if he wants it. If he does, she will welcome his company, though she lacks the tasty treats that Robin always keeps at hand.

Pen moves quickly to the Moriae tree and picks up the y-shaped stick. Everything at this point is a matter of instinct. She is no witch, but she's heard stories of how the well-dowsers work. She closes her eyes, raises the branch, and lets the branch point her or even pull her in a direction. A part of her knows this could all be a coincidence and her mind could be clouded by faded revelries and recent outrage, both for Iris and for Robin. If there is a traitor on Pontus, there could be greater mischief as yet unseen, and she cannot allow that, especially if it threatens more of her sisters or the Queen. And so, Pen lets the branch lead the way, her eyes still closed, but mindful of where she steps and hoping that Ooot will warn her if she's about to fall into a hole or collide with an olive tree or something worse.

Pen closes her eyes and moves in the direction that the wand is pulling her. After a moment of this, she feels the weight of Ooot landing on her shoulders, chittering at her in the language of his kind. It's not clear what he's saying, but she's pretty sure he is talking to her, or at her.

Robin stops by the stable briefly to get her sword of variable sharpness, her knives and her plain longbow and quiver. She doesn't want to charge off into the forest unarmed. After all, Pontus has proven to be less than friendly on occasion.

Once she's geared up, Robin gestures to Risto to join her and she sets off down the trail with a ground eating Ranger's lope.

Soon enough, Robin and Risto reach the sacred olive grove and Robin slows in respect. The Moriae and the Temple behind it fill Robin with an awe of their beauty. And she is careful to walk with consideration when entering the Goddess's sanctuary.

Pen is grateful to have Ooot along with her for company, but she's not sure what the chittering means. She opens her eyes for just a moment to make sure that there isn't a threat or obstacle ahead, and if there isn't she closes her eyes again and continues following the pull of the branch, wherever it will take them.

Ooot chitters again, the tone somewhat different. Pen hears the sounds of other fire lizards as well and surmises that his fair has joined him.

Robin, with Risto in tow, sees Pen with a dowsing stick and her eyes closed, letting the stick choose her direction. Based on the direction when the stick dips, it's pointed back towards town.

Risto watches her fellow Amazon, but does not interrupt or call out.

Robin steps off the path to allow the dowsing Pen to get by as needed. She also leans over to Risto and whispers in her ear. "Is this something Pen normally does?"

"No," Risto whispers back to Robin. "I think she's asked the Goddess for help and she's getting it."

The weight of the dowsing rod has started to draw Pen in one direction. Since she was spinning about, of course Pen has no idea what direction she's in; she can only follow, or open her eyes to see what she is doing. But at least she doesn't seem to be walking into a tree, which bodes well for the dowsing.

Robin and Risto and the fair are going to need to get out of Pen's way. Risto is willing, but she's clearly thinking about something, which Robin intuits is how to get Pen wherever she's going safely.

Pen keeps her eyes shut tight and trusts in the dowsing rod to pull her where she needs to be. She's aware of Ooot riding on her shoulder, but no one else nearby.

She thinks about the young Amazon, Iris, who was brutally struck in the stable and she can feel her anger rising. Pen remembers her terrible fall.

when she was around Iris' age, and how weak she had been in the many months recovering from it. The physicians refused to give up on her. When Pen could walk again, she spent much of her time assisting the healers by gathering roots, flowers, and grasses, weaving bandages, and even diving for rare seaweed, sponges, and plankton used in medicines. And when Aiella promised to teach her to ride, Pen spent many long days helping her and the grooms look after the horses. Seeing that little girl injured was just too much for Pen, and she cannot abide her failure if there's a chance this could succeed.

Pen continues to feel the pull of the dowsing rod; she has to be careful with her feet since she has no idea where she's going, but the terrain seems to be smooth so she's on some path. Occasionally Ooot and his colleagues chitter at her or pull her slightly one way or another to help her footing.

Since her concentration is fully on the magic, Pen doesn't know that Risto is close by, following her, ensuring her safety.

Robin has stepped off of the path to allow the dowsing Pen to pass safely by. She is glad to see Ooot again and proud of him for helping her sister. She shares Risto's concerns but Ooot and Pen seem to have a handle on it. So for now, Robin follows Pen quietly (which is very quiet) to see where Pen's dowsing will take her.

Robin and Risto and the fair of flying lizards follow along after Pen, and the dowsing rod. Pen gets more confident in the divine guidance she is getting as she continues to be led by the small impulses in the stick.

It leads to a clearing, which Risto explains is the camp of a group of travelers; women who make their living as itinerate peddlers and horse saleswomen. They aren't well-liked by the settled people. Three of them are sitting near the entrance to the glade. They see Pen coming up the path, and wait for her to approach. The youngest slips of the log she was sitting on and runs off, presumably to announce that there are visitors.

Robin edges out in front of Pen to greet the remaining travelers. "Hail. I am Robin of Arden and this is Captain Penthelisea and Aristomache." Robin gestures to each of her companions in turn.

"We are seeking someone, though we won't know who it is until we meet them." Robin now gestures to the dowsing rod in Pen's hands.

Pen brightens at the sounds of Robin's voice. She finally opens her eyes and looks somehow grateful, determined, and self-conscious all at once, but keeps her hands firmly on the divining branch and will let it pull her any way it chooses. She opens her mouth for a moment like she's about to try and explain how she got there but decides against it as she isn't sure that she hasn't lost her mind. A part of her is clinging to her experience at the Temple, her faith in Athena, and her need to get justice for Iris and Robin.

The group steps back and an older woman emerges from one of the wagons. She comes to speak to Robin in one of the trade pidgin languages the Rangers know from dealings with outShadow folk. (Robin intuits there are probably some men in the caravan, hiding in the round wagons. She's also pretty sure it would be a bad idea to tell Risto and Pen.)

"I am Rosleta and this is my family's caravan. How can we help you, Robin of Arden?" It's clear she knows what Arden is and has some idea what that means about Robin. Rosleta doesn't seem to know Robin's name, though.

In Pen's hands, the rod continues to jerk in one direction, toward the little circle of wagons. It has not occurred to her, nor would it, that men were hiding in the wagons. (Who would do such a thing? Women don't need to have men in their homes!)

Risto is waiting for Robin and the caravan leader to speak, or for Pen to do something, before doing anything herself. She's keeping an eye on the dowsing rod.

If Pen feels a pull from the dowsing rod towards the circle of wagons, she will start moving again and let it direct her toward them. She doesn't recognize the language spoken by the woman, which only makes it easier for Pen to ignore her.

Robin replies in the same pidgin. "We are investigating a crime against Artemis and Captain Penthelisea is being guided by the hand of Athena. We ask" because Robin is feeling some sympathy for Rosleta, "that we may go where Athena directs us."

Robin is being polite but there's strength underlying her words. She'd rather not get into a confrontation, but Pen is already moving and this is going to go down, permission or no.

Robin doesn't think either Risto or Pen understands the pidgin she and Rosleta are speaking.

"I will not stop you," Rosleta says, "nor do I think I could." She's watching as Pen moves toward the wagons. "Please ask your companions to be merciful to anyone they find." Rosleta is clearly a little frightened of whatever Pen is doing. Robin intuits that Rosleta knows something is wrong, but not what, and she thinks whatever is about to happen if Pen goes to the wagons is going to be bad.

"What's she saying?" Risto asks.

The dowsing rod is leading Pen to one of the wagons. They're not unlike giant barrels on wheels, round on the top, brightly decorated.

Robin replies to Risto. "Her name is Rosleta and this is her family's caravan. She's asking us to be merciful." Robin lets her voice carry to where Pen is.

Then she replies to Rosleta in pdigin, "Perhaps if you asked all of the women in that wagon to come out, only the crime against Artemis need be pursued..." Robin puts emphasis on the word 'women' hoping that their culprit isn't a man. Or even worse, a boy.

Rosleta calls out to the caravan in what is clearly her own native language. The doors to some of the wagons open and women and girls come out: mostly old grannies and toddlers, since the adult women and older girls are out preparing food and caring for the horses. Another impatient call from Rosleta and a last couple of sleepy girls come out of wagons.

One is clearly ill, and the granny who came out of the same wagon fusses at her and Rosleta. Robin's fairly sure this girl isn't her culprit; she's ill enough that she couldn't have snuck in and out easily, and probably couldn't have struck Iris down.

The other girl was asleep in her clothes. She's tall and wiry and past the first blush of adolescence, but not fully grown into her womanhood yet. When she sees Robin and Pen, it's clear she knows the jig is up. She's terrified of the dowsing rod, which points straight at her.

"Milena," Rosleta says, and asks a question that none of them need to know the words to understand as what have you done?

Pen lowers the dowsing rod and there's a change to her countenance like she's returned to herself from an almost ecstatic state. "Friend Robin, this girl has caused you the threat of great harm, and injury to a fine horse. Most grievously, she has caused potentially serious injury to the innocent stablehand, Iris. If you can speak to her, I would know why she acted as she did. The laws of Pontus say that the cost for her actions is chosen by the aggrieved parties, you and young Iris."

Robin nods at Pen's comments; she's mighty curious herself.

"Rosleta," Robin says with stern patience, "can you ask Milena what she thought she was doing and why?" Robin leaves it at that. She doesn't want to lead the witness.

Rosleta nods, and asks Milena a question. Milena looks at Robin, then at Pen, and then back at Rosleta as she answers back. It seems to be something of a long explanation. Rosleta barks an order at her, sounding angry, and Milena runs back into the wagon.

"Someone paid her to put the burr under the saddle," Rosleta says to Robin. "Milena admits to hitting the girl, but didn't think she hit her very hard. I told her to get the money so you could see how she was paid."

It takes a little while for Milena to fetch the purse with the money in it, but she comes back with it. She opens it and shows the coins in her hands: silver, and well-made, to Robin's eyes.

Pen recognizes the payment as Soloi coins, the sort that she would expect to be given as gifts to the Queen or, in some cases, to a temple of the Goddess. Risto clearly recognizes them too; she makes an unhappy noise when she sees them.

Rosleta barks a question at Milena, which both Pen and Robin are pretty sure is something like: who paid you?

Milena babbles out an answer, which Rosleta translates: "The one who paid Mileta to do this was a woman of Pontus. Veiled, though Milena might recognize her voice."

Pen looks to Robin, "Soloi were minted in silver by the Cilicians to honor our former Queen, Antiope, and encourage trade with them. Most of my people trade and barter for services with each other, but Soioi coins from outsiders are often accepted. These days they're mostly used for donations to the temples or as gifts to the Queen's Treasury."

Risto adds, "The Cilicians have made other alliances over time, mostly to wage war on their enemies so we've seen fewer coins. Soloi in Pontus were never meant to accommodate this kind of villainy, especially by one of our own."

"Robin," says Pen, "If Milena has any way to recognize the traitor that paid her, we are duty-bound to bring her with us to discover the identity of this false Amazon. There is more to this than mischief against a Ranger of Arden. I can feel it, but you are the aggrieved. The choice of how we proceed is up to you."

"As to the question of justice," Robin pauses. "I am uncertain as to how to proceed. I'd like to see what Iris, whomever speaks for Chionothýella and whomever speaks for Artemis has to say. I fear that my own judgement might be too lenient. So I'd like to see more of Pontus' justice before I make my decision.

"Rosleta says the woman of Pontus who paid her was veiled but that Milen might recognize her voice. Some considered questions might reveal more as well -- height, weight, age, etc. And I agree that we should bring her with us. Pen? Do you think your dowsing rod will continue to work to find the originator of this crime?"

Pen looks down at the Moriaie branch and picks it up again. She closes her eyes and whispers a prayer of revelation in the names of Athena Atrytone ("The Unwearying"), Athena Ergane ("the industrious"), and Athena Hippia ("of the horses"). She closes her eyes so that her comrades know her intent and opens herself to the pull of the dowsing stick. She doesn't know if her divine guidance is already spent, but she has faith and is open to the possibility.

Pen doesn't feel anything immediate; the branch is quiescent at the moment. But she's certain that her request was heard.

"I do not speak for anyone but myself," Risto says, looking at Pen and then Robin, "but someone will need to do her work and to help tend to her while she heals. And the same for Chionothýella."

Robin nods. Her own thoughts are proceeding along those lines as well.

"Rosleta." Robin switches back to pidgin. "Please ask Milena to describe the woman she spoke to -- what was her height, her weigh, her age, the skin tone of her hands? And in what language did she speak to Milena.

"And then tell her to pack a bag and say her farewells. Milena will be coming with us and she might not be back for a while." Robin is sympathetic but firm.

Rosleta and Milena have a discussion in their own tongue and Rosleta offers a description to Robin. The lady wore gloves, but Robin has a good idea of the size of the woman and how she was dressed, and her voice, and what Milena guesses was her age. Milena seems to be following the conversation with Robin; even if she doesn't speak pidgin, she understands it. Which makes sense of the fact that the woman who hired her spoke trade pidgin too.

She corrects Rosleta at least once that Robin and Pen can tell.

Once the description is finished, Milena skitters back into her caravan to pack her things.

"You've done this very wisely, Robin," Risto says in admiration.

"Thank you." Robin says to Risto. "I'm sure it's just my Beloved rubbing off on me." A quick fond smile dances across Robin's lips.

Risto grins. There may be teasing about the Beloved later.

While Milena is packing, Robin relays the girl's description of the woman who hired her to Pen and Risto. "I'm really hoping we have an option to lining up all the Amazons who fit that description and seeing if Milena can identify her former patron. But I don't have any ideas as to an alternative. Do you?" Robin asks.

Risto shakes her head in the negative. "The Goddess may inspire Pen as we go," she says cheerfully.

It takes a few minutes for Milena to pack (perhaps she's getting some help?) but she rapidly returns with her belongings. She hugs several of the women, Rosleta last of all, before presenting herself to Robin and Pen.

Once Milena has joined them, Robin holds out her hand and asks for the Soloi coins. She has a plan for them. Then she turns and gestures for Pen and Risto to lead the way. "Soooo, in Pontus is mucking out stables an honor or a punishment duty?" She asks every so innocently.

Pen loops the branch through her belt and makes a quick hand gesture to 'Risto. They form up and flank ahead of Milena at a measured distance as Robin walks beside her.

Risto answers Robin's question. "In Pontus, necessary work is a responsibility..." Pen and 'Risto share a smile at this, and they finish the sentence together like they're quoting a well-worn phrase from their youth, "...and having a responsibility is an honor."

And Risto breaks into a laugh because, well, that lecture was pretty funny.

Then she says to Pen, "So what's your plan from here? We need to figure out a way to talk to this girl," and she carefully doesn't use Milena's name, "so we can interrogate her. The little bit of that trade cant I know isn't enough." Most Amazons know a little of one pidgin or another, if not more; Pontus gets enough travellers and women refugees that multiple languages are normal.

Robin is interested in Pen's answer as well. Meanwhile, she is thinking of Milena's future. If mucking out stalls is considered a responsibility and an honor, then housekeeping at Artemis' temple probably is as well. Those were her first two ideas. She doesn't think prison time would do well for Milena. And Robin is certainly not considering lashes or some other form of physical punishment. So she's still on the fence and is most curious to see what Iris and whoever speaks for Artemis has to say.

As far as actually finding the source of the crime, Robin is out of ideas and hopes that Athena can guide Pen to an answer.

Risto hopes that Milena can help them find out who did it. At least knowing who paid her would be a step forward.

Pen and Risto are leading the group back toward the stables first to check on Iris and to see what she wants to do with Milena, and then to the Arena, hoping that the Moriae stick may still have something left in it and for Robin to claim her reward for completing the mounted archery challenge.

The group returns to the stables with no trouble. The fair keeps sniffing around Milena, except for Oot, who is still enamored of his new girlfriend Pen. Not enough that he doesn't come back to Robin regularly, though.

When they arrive at the stables, Menippe the Stable Mistress comes out to see what's going on. "I'm glad you're back, Penthelisea. Iris is doing better and might be able to answer some questions." She eyes Milena curiously, but does not ask yet, trusting her Amazon sisters, including Robin, to tell her anything she needs to know.

Pen thanks Menippe, sighing with relief that Iris has improved, and then she and 'Risto lead Menippe into the Stables to see if Iris is still there.

Robin escorts Milena into the stables as well. Though Iris is young, she will have a better idea of Amazonian justice than Robin does. And Iris, as first injured, would have a better claim for that justice than Robin.

Menippe has put Iris on a low bed of straw, covered with horse blankets. Low, so if she rolls over unintentionally, she won't fall far. The horses are attentive and interested, as if they're concerned over the fate of the youth who has fed them.

Iris sits up as the three Amazons come in with Milena. She frowns, as if trying to remember. "I know you," she says.

Milena steps forward and goes to her knees in front of Iris. They're not more than a year or two apart, really. She starts talking in whatever language it is she knows, and when it's clear that doesn't ring a bell for Iris, she starts in trade pidgin.

"I am Milena," she tells Iris, "and I was paid to strike you down so I could injure one of your charges. I am sorry I did this, that I hurt you, and that I hurt the horse, even if it was not a fatal wound to either. I throw myself on your mercy."

Pen stands quietly and focuses on the prayer she made to Athena before as she reaches for the branch tucked into the back of her belt. She's curious to see if she can feel anything from it and wonders if the true culprit will ever be known.

Robin stands by, ready to translate if needed. Or to pull the girls apart -– if needed.

Iris sits up and hits Milena in the head, hard. The blow knocks Milena back on her rear end. Robin, who was ready, is able to intervene if she wishes.

One and done is fine with Robin. After all, she still owes Hartwell a broken jaw. The Ranger just wanted to avoid an extended bout.

"That's for hitting me. And for what you did to Chionothýella," Iris says angrily. "Now who paid you?"

Milena repeats what she said earlier about not knowing the identity of the woman who paid her, and adds that Pen has the money.

Iris then looks to Pen for confirmation of this statement.

Pen doesn't speak pidgin, but she recognizes the sound of most of the words from their previous repetition and context. She tosses the pouch of coins to Iris and nods to confirm Milena's statement.

Pen adds, "We're hoping that Milena might recognize the person who hired her if they're still here."

Robin nods but has nothing to add at this time.

Iris opens the pouch and pours a couple of the coins out on her palm, making an unhappy noise as she sees what they are. Menippe recognizes them as well.

Menippe says, "I can ask the other stable workers, but--" she trails off there and Robin and Pen both read that Menippe strongly doubts any of her stable hands would have bribed Milena. "With the contest happening, and so many Amazons here to watch Robin's success, almost anyone could have come down to the stables at the right time. The Goddess will have to guide your hands."

Pen, who is still holding the stick, feels a slight twitch. The Goddess is not finished with her, even if the answers do not come just yet.

Robin would like to see if Menippe would be okay with Robin 'sentencing' Milena to cleaning stalls for half a year as punishment for risking Robin's life. She'd like to see if the Soleni coins are enough to pay for thrifty room and board for that amount of time. (If they are not or are inappropriate, Robin will find it probable that she has enough coin in her pack to make up the difference.)

Menippe accepts the punishment of stall-cleaning that Robin suggests. Risto suggests that the coins be kept as evidence, because they were probably stolen: not by Milena, but by whoever paid her.

But funds are not an issue here. Someone will house Milena, because there aren't enough Amazons that they'd have trouble finding a place for her. Probably Milena will pay "rent" by helping care for the home. While Risto doesn't explain it in so many words, this seems like a way that women and girls are absorbed into the community of Pontus. Maybe when Milena has served her punishment for injuring Iris and harming Robin and Chionothýella, her family will pass through Pontus again and she'll reunite with them. But it's equally possible that she'll remain in Pontus for the rest of her life.