Read Online Amazon Chief by Robin Roseau - Free Book Online

to her." I glanced over at Omie. She and Vorine were talking, but they were watching me, and they weren't smiling. I looked back at Maya, then at the Queen. "You're the queen of the Amazons."
    "Yes."
    "Aren't I beneath your notice?"
    "No, you aren't," she said. "We aren't accustomed to spending this much time with a single prospective companion, but you are my companion's sister, and I agreed with Maya that we would do things her way. This is her way. It is certainly far better than my way was."
    I looked at Nori. "I'll talk to you, but I don't like you."
    "Maybe you'll give me another chance," she said. She gestured with her head, and together we walked away from everyone else. She didn't say anything for a minute or two, then she suggested we sit in the grass at the edge of the field. We sat down facing each other a comfortable distance apart.
    "I understand you believe I owe you an apology. I happen to agree with you."
    I wasn't expecting her to admit that from the beginning. "You do?"
    She nodded. "I believe I know what apologies you are owed, but I would like to hear what you have to say."
    "If I speak plainly, am I going to get into trouble?"
    "No. You and I will either work things out and put everything behind us, or we won't."
    "And if we don't, Omie finds another companion."
    "Yes. I'm sorry. You could find another warrior from another village, but if you are living in Queen's Town, you and I have to get along."
    "I'm not going if I won't live near my sister."
    "I don't blame you," she said. "If she were my sister, I'd feel the same way. Maya is amazing. Everyone at Queen's Town loves her."
    "They do?"
    "Yes. Why does that surprise you?"
    "I love her. And Mama and Father do. Even my brothers love her, but they wouldn't admit it."
    "Ah. But you don't think anyone else does?"
    I didn't answer.
    "I believe your village elder does."
    "She's my grandmother," I said.
    "Juna is your grandmother?"
    "Oh, no. Grandma Alara."
    "Well, I believe Juna loves your sister. She certainly has deep respect for her."
    "Juna doesn't love anyone. She's scary."
    Nori chuckled. "Yes, she is. She is very fierce. She scared me."
    I cocked my head.
    "You don't believe me. I understand. But she did. I bet she's a very good elder."
    "She is," I said with pride.
    "We're getting sidetracked," Nori said. "Will you tell me what apoligies you believe you are owed?"
    "So you'll know what to apologize for? Are you going to just say you're sorry when you're not?"
    She narrowed her eyes at me for a moment, then smoothed her face. "I'm sorry. I'm not used to companions talking to me so bluntly."
    "My sister doesn't talk to you like this?"
    Nori chuckled again. "She's the exception."
    "And you let her?"
    "Yes. Beria, I'll apologize to you for the things I did wrong and I will tell you why I'm not apologizing for the things that aren't my fault. But I can't do that if I don't know what you think I did wrong."
    "Fine," I said with a big breath. "You hurt my sister."
    "Yes, I did. Keep going."
    "You took her from us."
    "Yes, I did."
    "Juna had to teach school for the rest of the year last year."
    She paused. "All right. Do you expect an apology for that?"
    "Juna may be owed an apology."
    "She's already had one."
    "What?"
    "Malora and I apologized to the village council," Nori said.
    "Did they accept?"
    "They said they understood the situation we were in and apologized for being part of the problem we were trying to solve. I think accepting either apology is going to take time."
    "They let you talk to us," I pointed out.
    "Our apologies came after that," Nori said, "but do you think it's possible to say 'No' to Maya when she gets something in her head?"
    I cracked a smile at the thought of my sister ordering the council.
    "What else, Beria? Is that your entire list?"
    "Mrs. Winehouse is a horrible teacher."
    "Ah. Anything else?"
    "You made Mama cry."
    She looked down. "I know. I bet I made you cry, too."
    I didn't answer that.
    "Anything else?" she asked after a