Jeyna: A History

Reyna

The sad thing was, Reyna could instantly see why Hylla had chosen to join the amazons. Besides the fact that they were possibly the most brilliant masterminds behind a global corporation deadset on conquering the world (right behind that mouse over at Disney) they were organized, focused and she swore she could smell brownies.

Reyna was on top of her sister staring into those familiar eyes when she understood what she had done. She had not only lost the element of surprise but also the moral high ground. She had given up a crucial position and she had left herself open to attack.

No, she thought. That was her mother thinking. This wasn't some barbarous monster from the depths of Tartarus, this was her sister. Hylla, with whom she had shared so many years, adventures, and heartache. Of course, none of this seemed to matter when Reyna was being slammed into the ground, hard. Hylla had flipped and rolled Reyna to the side, effectively knocking her weapon out of her hand. Reyna was now at the mercy of her sister and her female assassins.

"What, in the whole of Pluto, do you think you're doing!?" Reyna yelled at the Amazons, more directly at Hylla.

She began thrashing under her sister's tight grip but Hylla quickly stood up and put out a hand to Reyna. Her face was darker than Reyna remembered. She had bags under her eyes and she looked pale, like she hadn't seen the sun for weeks. She still stood with the air of confidence Reyna had come to expect. Reyna didn't realize she was looking for it until she spotted it. A long white scar on her forehead, which, Reyna remembered, she had received from a duel while on Blackbeard's pirate ship. That may have been the single most terrifying moment of Reyna's life...well, just nearly.

"What the Hell are you doing here!?" she cried as she took her sisters hand.

As soon as she stood two guards, women with shields and swords flanked Reyna in a slandered roman grip. A flash of pain quickly appeared on her sister's face, but it soon resided. The older woman who had been speaking with Hylla stepped forward.

"You will watch your tone child! You are in the presence of the Amazon queen!" Reyna's jaw dropped.

She whipped her head around to face her sister more directly, "You?! How? What-" The older woman grabbed the back of Reyna's shirt and swung her round so she was addressing her again.

"No, you foolish girl! Me! Estrada, Queen of the Amazons. Daughter of Liber, God of viticulture and wine, fertility, and freedom!" She rose her hands to the sky as if expecting applause.

Reyna didn't know much about the Roman Gods but this guy didn't sound very intimidating. She glanced back at Hylla best she could but she couldn't bring herself to meet Reyna's eyes. Estrada was staring at Reyna, disappointed with her lack of standing ovation, but she seemed to notice the similarity between Hylla and herself.

"You know each other." She eventually stated.

Reyna had to resist the urge to laugh as that observation was rather pointless and obvious. Reyna decided that despite her strength and physique she was really as old as she looked. A crowd had gathered around Reyna and Estrada. Women ranging from her own age, about fourteen, to sixties. They had begun to murmur as they too realized that the two were related.

Reyna didn't know if Hylla had told them about their past or about the time at the spa but she guessed that her past would be seen as a weakness. Hylla wouldn't let anything follow her from the island. And still, Hylla would not look at Reyna. She didn't know if it was shame or something more complicated.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a small voice.

She stared intently at her sister but Estrada took the chance and answered, "Dear girl, there's a war going on out there somewhere. We are simple tradesmen er...Women, and we are just trying to make our way in this world-"