7. The Challenge
1476 Words
Millay was seething after hearing Melanie"s message that all was well with the Laird and she would return later. As Director of Medicine, Millay had looked forward to pronouncing the alien dead. The man must live a charmed life.
She increased her pace, the Sisters behind her hurried to keep up. It was the tenth day after the Sisters" defeat and her attempt at revenge had failed. Worse, Magda was with her elder lassie, Marta and Marta"s male wee one for a frivolous excursion to Don"s First Center for treats and a bit of swimming.
“Ye could demand they eat treats and swim here as tis proper.” Millay had tried to cast Marta as slighting her Mither and Maca.
“She fears for Timor"s safety. She will come around when Thalia returns to all the eld ways.” Magda had patted her shoulder.
“Ye need have nay fear, Director. Soon Marta will be my Counselor. Melanie tis too young to be Director of Medicine. When that day comes, mayhap we can open a second unit on Rurhran or Ishner.”
Millay"s bitterness since her return from tending the stricken Sisters at Don"s Tower consumed her every waking moment. Beauty had nay been able to issue any instructions when her wrist was injected and a field restraint put on. The next morning had been nay different. Leta, Don"s Director of Enforcers, glowered at both of them while she had removed the restraint. To be ordered out by a Tri was nay sufferable, but Magda would nay interfere with Don"s treatment of prisoners. Magda had sided with Don and Betron during the fight to control Thalia. Her Sisters had lost Army, Don, and then Troy. The occupation of Ishner fell to the siege. Now Don, Flight, and Troy were again ruled by male Macas.
All the Houses relied on Medicine. If they lived in fear of the House of Medicine refusing them, they would compromise. Millay was certain of it. All she had to do was issue the challenge to the Maca of Medicine. Their age discrepancy meant Magda would appoint a champion. Who? It would need to be someone in Millay"s age range between one hundred and two hundred years. Nay could it be someone from outside of Medicine. That left Marta as Melanie was too young. Millay smiled. She was a warrior of the Sisterhood. She would reclaim Medicine and her stride lengthened. They would be at the Center within minutes.
* * *
Magda"s heart sang for she was with her elder lassie, Marta, and Marta"s laddie, Timor. They had strolled the waterfront of Donnick, sat on the sweet green grass of the park around the First Center, purchased those ridiculously priced baked goods offered by the vendor inside the Center, and had been accorded every courtesy by Linan. He had bowed deeply and welcomed them into his Center. Today Magda would nay dwell on the fact that Medicine had but one small distribution Center for food; their continent had been blown away by the Justines. Mayhap she could convince the Council of the Realm to allow them to relocate to one of the larger islands. Her mind raced with plans, chief among them luring Marta back into Medicine. She was too fine a medic to stay away. And what a joy it was to hear Timor"s laugh.
She and Marta were examining the few scarves available. As a courtesy, all of the First Centers of the capital cities carried the different colored scarves of all the Houses, and for Medicine it was a necessity. Curse the Justines into Darkness!
Magda drew back from her black mood and looked for Timor.
“Where did the laddie go?”
“He tis in the gym. There tis a Keeper on duty.”
Marta wasn"t concerned, but Magda replaced the purple sash and hurried to the back door. The Tri Keeper was busy instructing idle Don Tris and their lads and lassies in the art of swimming.
Timor had ventured near the pool and was watching a boy his age getting ready to jump. For a moment they stared at each other, then the Tri laddie leaped into the air, grabbed his legs, and went down into the water with huge splash. Before Magda could move, Timor shrugged out of his one piece suit and boots and emulated the Tri; water splashing over anyone close to them.
The other boy began to laugh and splashed water at Timor. Timor laughed and returned the favor.
“Marta, come quickly. Your laddie tis playing with a Tri laddie.”
“Mither, who else tis there for him to play with at his age?” Marta appeared holding both a purple and orange sash.
Magda stared at her daughter. “Surely there tis a nice director"s lad or lassie he could find as a playmate.”
“Name one from your House or any other.”
Magda frowned. “I have nay been out much, but surely there must be one. Ye are in Donnick now. Does nay in this city or Don have such a laddie? Does Lavina"s laddie attend the Warrior Academy?”
“Mither, he tis eight years older than Timor. His interests lie elsewhere; plus, the Warrior Academy will nay open till later.” She gave a bitter smile. “LouElla was correct. There are nay wee ones in House, nay do there seem to be many among the Tri families.”
She held up the sashes. “These seem to be good quality.” She smiled and changed the subject.
“Mither, will ye visit Troyner and me at Llewellyn"s home when we leave here? We dare nay risk coming to ye. We wish to ask ye to bless us and give your permission to Walk the Circle. If ye grant it, ye can make the announcement at the next Guardian of the Realm Council and we will ask for the Council"s permission. Llewellyn has agreed to help provide the feast at his Maca"s home.”
Magda drew her breath inward. “Ye discussed this with the Maca of Don first? How much of Thalia does he intend to control?”
“Mither, be reasonable. He and Troyner are friends. They were discussing their plans when the offer was made.”
Magda face almost crumbled, but she fought for control. “Ye must come to me. I am Maca.” She turned and walked toward the door. Her House would be made safe for her lassie.
“Hold these.” Marta handed the sashes to Linan and hurried after Magda calling, “Mither, bide a moment.”
Magda had nay intention of biding when suddenly her way was blocked by a hard-faced Millay. Mini and Marj stood at Millay"s side with the same determined look of disdain and hate.
“Magda, so-called Maca of Medicine, I challenge ye to the right to bear the title. Ye have perverted the laws of our Sisters and allowed a young male within our premises. Ye are supporting Llewellyn and Troyner. We fight to the death in two hours at the place of your choosing.”
Marta was quick enough to stop Magda from attacking.
“Mither, she tis but one hundred and eighty-three years to your three hundred and eleven. Ye have the right to pick a champion.”
“I will tear her apart. I have nay entered my decline.”
Marta ignored her mither"s furious outburst and turned to Millay. “Do ye agree? Mither has the right to a champion based on her years.”
Millay scowled, but nodded. She had delivered the challenge in public and she intended to adhere to the rules of a challenge. It was difficult to deny Magda"s grey hair.
“The champion must be of like age and from Medicine.” For a moment a look of triumph crossed her face. “Unless, of course, she tis ready to admit that she has offended Medicine and will ban ye and that man offspring from our door.”
“I will fight for my Mither and for the rights of my laddie.” Marta had doubled her fists in case the attack came now.
Magda"s anger had risen with each exchange and now roiled forth. “Ye despicable creature! I made ye Director of Medicine. Tis this how ye repay such an honor? My lassie will take my place and Melanie will attend her. Now go! Dinna darken Medicine with your presence again.”
“Ye are wrong, Magda. Tis ye who tis banned. I will await your arrival.” Millay turned, her contingent followed, and they marched back to Medicine"s compound.
“Return with me and Timor to Llewellyn"s home, Mither. I"ll contact Melanie. It would nay be safe for her to return to Medicine.”
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