King George's Kingdom - Amazon Village - 2 Years BDC

[Hollywood Heidi]

Amazon Village

Located in King George's Kingdom

Events taking place 2 years BDC

[Lady Lee-o]

Ephiny had set up a village deep in King George’s forest, a part where not many traveled. This land was not safe, there were no guarantees but she did her best to keep her sisters safe. King George had no idea they were here, they kept a low profile and made sure not to cause any trouble. Ephiny learned a lot since she arrived, that King George only ruled a small part of this vast world. This world had many rulers, it was just as large as the known world she grew up on- if not bigger. Either way, she had all the information she needed for when Ares finally came to check in.

It had been two years since they arrived and Ares had not come to check in. They were given a few objectives before Ares took his leave. Set up camp, scout the area, gather information about this land. Ares wanted to take over many realms and he forced his dead legions to infiltrate these worlds.

This was supposed to be a basic scouting mission, Ephiny and about eleven of her sisters were sent through to scout the area- more would come after a year but none ever did. Had Ares abandoned them in this strange land? Ephiny could not be sure but she would be ready for his return. Being away from Ares helped give them some of their autonomy, it helped the sisters remember who they were.

The night had fallen, the moon was high and the sisters were starting to settle in- all but a few who watched the night for danger. “Be safe, sisters.” Ephiny wished them well before retiring to her hut for the night.

[Storyteller]

She could hear the blood pulsing through her body, delicate veins straining as she pushed herself to her limits. The wolf would have easily been able to outrun her pursuers. The woman was just barely able to stay ahead of them, not able to take the split-second that would allow her to remove her cloak and give her that boost that she so desperately needed.

She could hear them now, shouts and beating hearts entirely too near for comfort. Closing in on her. 

How they had managed to sneak up on her in the first place, she didn't know. Even while asleep Red's heightened senses made her difficult to surprise. But she hadn't been alerted until they were almost upon her. Something wasn't right. Ruefully she realized that her current predicament was more proof that the enemy was becoming more powerful. But she wasn't about to find out what their new weapon was now.

The heartbeats that she had sensed at her back were growing fainter now. Red was not arrogant enough to think she'd outrun them in this form, nor naive enough to think they gave up the chase. However they had managed to ambush her before, they had to be doing it again.

She changed directions, northeast. Immediately she knew that she'd made a mistake.

At least fifty of King George's men stood at the ready, semi-circled in the clearing that Red propelled herself into. She quickly turned on her heel to charge back the way she came but another twenty five or so had already closed the gap.

Knowing she'd been forced to make her stand, Red reached to remove her cloak. At her movement came the sound of at least two dozen crossbows cocking. A knight came forward from the crowd, obviously the leader from the way the other men reacted to him. His helmet completely obscured his face. "Go ahead. I'm certain that Queen Regina will not care whether you are brought to her alive or as a pelt for the floor of her throne room." 

Red's hand lowered from the ties at her neck. These men definitely knew who she was. With a sickening feeling she realized they'd been hunting her.

There was no way in Hades that she was going let herself be taken to Regina alive. But she also had no intention on dying here. She fixed a determined glare at the knight in front of her but remained silent, quietly waiting for the right moment for action.

"What wolf? No cocky words? No inspiring speech about why we should let you go?" The knight's words were laced with contempt. He boldly walked halfway into the circle of men, removing his helmet to reveal a badly scarred face. Rough, ugly claw marks.  "I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. I thought the beast that gave me this would have more fight."

He was nearly to her now. All she needed was a distraction. 

Then she heard it. It was faint, she didn't know if it was friend or foe. But whatever it was, it could be just the advantage she needed.

"Tell me, what do you think Snow White will do when she finds out that her lap dog has been put down?"

It was coming closer. Subtly Red tensed, ready to spring into action as soon as the moment presented itself.

"Win."

It was here.

[Lady Lee-o]

They were a small tribe and if they had the numbers, the women wouldn’t be stretched so thin. Night patrol was well in and Ephiny started to settle in for the night- until she got word of danger. King George’s men were spotted in the deep woods and they seemed to be chasing a woman. Ephiny woke the remaining warriors and they joined with the others, following in the trees. They jumped branch to branch in silence and made sure to keep an eye on the woman. It didn’t take long for her to become surrounded and Ephiny knew what needed to be done.

The alert sounded through the trees, disguised as owl sounds and chatter. It was a code they used and only they would understand. The men outnumbered them but they were hidden well into the thick treetops, “Coo-coo,” Five warriors took aim and the first volley of arrows landed at the lead man’s feet. They each shot three at a time, making it seem like there were more of them. “Far enough, swine.” Her voice called from somewhere, echoing into the night.

Six warrior women snuck around the back, using vines to cascade down the trees. They took hold of a man and brought him up into the trees. Seconds later six bodies fell dead, throats slashed. The soldiers were now on alert, swords ready to strike-

“That was a warning, leave now or we finish the job.” She hoped that they would take the hint, she really didn’t like their odds right now.

“My Queen,” Her second perched beside her, ready to send another wave of arrows.

“Hold,” she whispered.

[Storyteller]

As the bodies hit the ground with a sickening thud, Red's eyes remained fixed on the scarred man. He was the leader of the pack and the one whose weakness would need to be exploited. But the man did not waver as the bloodied corpses fell. 

“That was a warning, leave now or we finish the job.” A woman's voice came from the darkness of the treetops. Not one that she recognized. Though she hadn't truly expected to- Snow was not one to resort to such harsh tactics. It was what made her best friend so beloved by them all...yet sometimes Red wondered if it also kept them at this disadvantage. 

"Our quarrel is not with you." The scarred man responded, his eyes holding Red's glare. "It's the wolf that we are after. Disperse now and live to fight another day."

Red thought it rather cocky, as he was the one whose men now lay dead while the mysterious woman's numbers stayed safely hidden in the trees. But this was not her moment. She stayed quiet, waiting for the woman's next move.

[Lady Lee-o]

"Our quarrel is not with you. It's the wolf that we are after. Disperse now and live to fight another day." Ephiny could see the man, his scarred appearance- Ephiny stared down at this man and weighted the odds and she liked them.

"You were warned," She signaled to fire, six arrows shot from the trees and landed in the chests of the men surrounding the scarred man. Ephiny was sure these men would not discover them, they were hidden well and blended in with the trees. They circled again, changing positions and fired another round on Ephiny's command. "That was your last warning, scum, take your dead and leave now before we finish you off. Unless you wish to fight me alone, winner take all?"

"My Queen, what are you doing?" Nicola whispered in uncertainty.

"Ending this," Ephiny waited for his reply.

[Storyteller]

Fiery rage burned in the leader's eyes. Red could see it begin to cloud his judgement and infect his common sense. "Have it your way, wench!" His eyes flickered toward the other knights as he let out a might bellow, "Men, ATTACK!"

And that is when Red's moment came. Unnoticed in the chaos of the soldiers' fruitless attack against their hidden assailants, the largest wolf most had ever seen stood in the spot where the woman had once been. And by the time the leader had turned back, she was already upon him. There would be no scars this time.

Once she'd finished, the wolf turned to the other men with a ferocious growl, attempting to scare them away before she had to resort to the same gruesome end. Some scattered and ran through the woods, a few stayed focused on the hidden assailants and a small few turned their focus to the beast. Three were dispatched quickly. The others formed a united front. She snapped and snarled at the swords levied at her, managing to pull one from its wielder. She approached him, fangs bared. But before she could pounce, a piercing pain came from her left side and radiated throughout her entire body. The wolf let out a yelp and her head whipped around to see a man standing a few feet away, bow in hand with a quiver of arrows. She didn't need to see the arrows to know what they were. 

Silver tipped.

Her legs buckled beneath her as she tried to back away. But she didn't make it far before the mighty beast fell unceremoniously to the forest floor. And then the world went black.

[Lady Lee-o]

The Amazons use vines to scale down the trees and back up. Grabbing the men, bringing them up, slicing throats and dropping them without care. They could have easily stayed up in the trees and did this but they paused when they caught sight of the woman- a shapeshifter. A wolf.

Ephiny could hear the Amazon's mumbled the name of Artemis, the goddess they worshipped. Ephiny was very skeptical and unsure, especially when she knew that Artemis had made a deal with Ares. "Let's go," She motioned towards the sisters to jump down and defend the now fallen woman in wolf's form. She had scared off most of the men, they could now easily take the rest out.

The Amazon's circled around her, swords drawn. Only one sister stayed in the trees, ready to set off the traps set.

"Leave now, or my sisters hidden will end you."

"Lies." One of the men moved forward and Ephiny signaled the girl hidden. The rope pulled and arrowed fired from the sky and landed by the men's feet. Six dozen, causing the men to flee and run from them.

"Take the wolf back to the village and the rest of you reset these traps. I want this whole area set before the sun fades," She was certain they might need to move locations. She watched as six Amazons lifted the wolf woman and her belongings, she didn't trust they wouldn't come back for her. Who was she? Was this Artemis or just someone cursed by the gods of this land?

---

Ephiny was the only one with any combat experience, so she would be forced to clean and dress the wounds. "who are you." She whispered.

[Storyteller]

There was a dull ache emanating throughout her torso. The woman registered that even before she fully regained her senses, while she still resided in the limbo between dream and reality. She had been shot with a silver arrow...yes that was right. The next sense to return was touch. She quickly realized that the surface beneath her did not feel like the hard dirt floor of the forest. It was much softer with a cushion like spring to it. She had been moved. By the King George's forces or the women who had opposed them? One option was a guaranteed death sentence, the other...unknown. Now fully awake, Red remained still and focused on the sounds around her. Before she opened her eye and gave away her state of consciousness, she needed to have a better idea of what she was dealing with.

[Lady Lee-o]

Ephiny had learned many things after her rebirth, healing was one of them. Kellis had tried to teach Ephiny in life but she had no interest, at least that is what she said. She watched Kellis, making sure to keep close eye on every trick of the trade. She knew enough to get her by and over the last few centuries, she picked up everything she had missed. She hoped to see Kellis again, to thank her for everything. Most importantly she hoped to see her family, her mother, her grandmother, and those she held dear.

Ephiny could tell the woman was awake, her whole being changed. Their eyes connected and Ephiny look at her with an inquisitive look. "My name is Ephiny, I'm Queen of the Telaquire Tribe." Her reign as Queen of The Telaquire tribe was over, it had been many centuries since her death and rebirth. "Though that title means little in this land," She stayed standing and kept her distance, not wanting to crowd her. "You may call me Ephiny," The sisters were all a buzz, believing this woman was Artemis. Ephiny didn't know but she certainly hoped she wasn't, "Who are you and why did The King's men want you so badly? My sisters have a theory and believe you are the Goddess Artemis," For her sake she certainly hoped she wasn't, Ephiny had a few choice words for the goddess.

[Storyteller]

Her wounds were being tended. She could tell that now. King George's forces would not be bothered of that. Red's eyes opened, meeting those of the woman tending to her wounds. The face was not familiar but she immediately recognized the voice of her rescuer. "My name is Ephiny, I'm Queen of the Telaquire Tribe." "Though that title means little in this land,"  "You may call me Ephiny,"

She had never heard of the Telaquire Tribe. They must be travelers, as Red had thought she knew of all the local bands this side of the Enchanted Forest. She remained silent as the woman...Ephiny continued.

"Who are you and why did The King's men want you so badly? My sisters have a theory and believe you are the Goddess Artemis,"

"Believe me, I am no goddess." Her voice was scratchy and hoarse yet not devoid of amusement. Still, the wolf woman did not see the benefit of giving Ephiny her true identity. Not when there were enemies all around...ironically, wolves in sheep's clothing. "You saw what I am. King George wanted to make a prize of me. His men have been hunting me for weeks."

[Lady Lee-o]

"Believe me, I am no goddess." Ephiny was still unsure but if she were the goddess, she would have easily smote those men where they stood. She offered the woman a cup of water, to help with her parched throat. "You saw what I am. King George wanted to make a prize of me. His men have been hunting me for weeks." She nodded, men made a trophy of many things. She was not surprised these men were no different and Ephiny let herself relax for a moment.

"They will not find you, at least not for a while. We reset the arrows and moved deeper into the wood, we now border another neighboring kingdom. You are welcome to stay and regain your strength, we have food, water, plenty of provisions." She cracked a smile, "We have some clothes for you as well." They were traditional Amazon garb, an extra set of warrior leathers that would fit this wolf woman. "You and Sera are the same size," On cue the woman came in and set the clothes beside the table.

[Storyteller]

Red cast a wary glance at the new arrival before her gaze flickered back to Ephiny.

Her hood. She needed to find her hood and then she needed to find Snow. Gods only knew what tales King George was spreading about 'his' showdown with The Wolf. If Snow believed that she was a prisoner of King George, she would come for her. Right into their enemy's trap.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I really need to be going," A chill hit her skin as she pushed away the quilt, the cold air working its way through the thin, rough muslin shift she was clad in. Red had no more than moved to throw her legs over the side of the bed when the sharp pain in her left side knocked the breath from her lungs with a harsh, agonized cry. She fell unceremoniously against the straw stuffed mattress, her vision blurred from the pain.    

[Lady Lee-o]

"Thank you for your kindness, but I really need to be going," And down she went and Ephiny sighed, "You are in no condition to be going anywhere, you need to rest for at least a day- I would suggest two." Ephiny helped her back down and checked on the gash, no stitches were popped. "Rest, Sera will get you some food." Sera headed out of the tent and went to make the woman a plate of food. "I can tell you have somewhere to be but you won't get far- not like this."

[Storyteller]

"I can tell you have somewhere to be but you won't get far- not like this."

Red was loathe to admit that the woman was right. This was not like any other injury she had sustained. The silver was preventing her from healing quickly, as she had become accustomed to. Even more so, it was preventing her from shifting into the wolf. She would be a sitting duck. But that conclusion did not solve the problem.

Quietly, she scrutinized the woman before her. Ephiny did seem trust worthy. Her warriors had fought with honor. And Red was in no position to be overly suspicious.

"You are right. On both accounts. Ephiny, you have done much for me, a stranger. But I have a favor to ask. Have you ever heard of Snow White?"

[Lady Lee-o]

The woman was deciding on her next move, smart, Ephiny would do the same. She would be very wary of strangers and she had every right to be. "You are right. On both accounts. Ephiny, you have done much for me, a stranger. But I have a favor to ask. Have you ever heard of Snow White?" Wanted posters, she had seen the name there during her travels.

"The wanted fugitive, yes, what about her?"

[Storyteller]

"The wanted fugitive, yes, what about her?"

"Unjustly wanted," Red snapped back, her simmering anger gaining the upper hand before she could control herself. But her anger was not focused at Ephiny. With that reminder, Red took a deep breath, allowing the burst of rage to dissipate before she continued, "She made enemies of the wrong people. And now they want her dead because of it."

"Snow isn't what they say she is. She is the kindest, most empathetic and courageous person I have ever known."

[Lady Lee-o]

"Unjustly wanted," There was anger there, the kind of anger she held in her own heart. The hate and contempt she shared towards the god of war. "She made enemies of the wrong people. And now they want her dead because of it. Snow isn't what they say she is. She is the kindest, most empathetic and courageous person I have ever known."

Ephiny didn't know Snow or Red well and Ephiny didn't trust easily. Yet, she was fair and would listen to what she had to say. She would make her decision based on that, Ephiny was a good judge of character. She wasn't always a hundred percent but she was more right than wrong.

"What is your favor?"

[Storyteller]

"What is your favor?"

Red released a breath, relieved at Ephiny's willingness to hear her request before dismissing it. 

"King George is one of those enemies. He will stop at nothing to destroy Snow White. I'm certain that he is already spreading the tale throughout the kingdom...about how his men took down the wolf." Red paused, turning her gaze up to look directly at the Amazon queen. "I need to get her a message that I am safe. If Snow believes I am in danger, she will come after me. And he will be waiting for her."

[Lady Lee-o]

"King George is one of those enemies. He will stop at nothing to destroy Snow White. I'm certain that he is already spreading the tale throughout the kingdom...about how his men took down the wolf." Ephiny knew all too well about King George, they had been watching and listening. She knew the truth in Red's words, the king was scum and a danger. "I need to get her a message that I am safe. If Snow believes I am in danger, she will come after me. And he will be waiting for her."

"If this Snow is in hiding, how would we find her?" Ephiny was willing to help, doing something in the name of good- instead of the biding of Ares. Helping others, it gave her a sense of purpose.