First in Might
It is not only because we are alien to their notion of femaleness that they fear us so. They are soft, these city dwellers; they fight only for what they may win, whether for their own benefit or to advance the position of their own city-states in their constant struggle among themselves.
We are not like that. We value the fight itself, and relish each opportunity to prove our strength. As we struggle and witness one another’s deeds of bravery and prowess, each one of us seeks to do her sisters better, to win the lion’s share of glory that day. Each of us is driven to do her best, and better, in battle. Among the Greeks, only their greatest warriors enter battle seeking the immortality of fame; lesser men fight dutifully and hope to survive. However, we Amazons are all champions; even the Spartans are no match for us.
By the time we arrived in the village I could hardly dismount on my own. Areto helped me to the ground and escorted me to the healers’ tent. Carefully, they drew the spear out of my chest, seared the outside of the wound, and gave me herbal soup to drink. I sat through their ministrations without complaint, though I suspected it to be futile. People do not often survive wounds like mine. The only reason I was still alive was because I am Prothoe, First in Might.
Areto and I returned to our tent and she put our daughter into my arms. I held little Doris quietly, mourning my inability to watch her blossom into womanhood. As I cradled her, Areto cradled me but we did not cry. Soon, I heard a commotion outside. With Areto’s help, I crawled to the flap of our tent and looked.
Pyrgomache and Hippothoe, two of our younger sisters, were fighting. Neither of them had bonded to a life-mate yet. If a young Amazon dies while her partner still lives, those who would take her bond-place battle unarmed for the survivor’s hand. In this situation, we do not wrestle, nor do we box. We brawl. We do not fight to the death, for that would be a waste, but short of killing, we’ll do almost anything to win. Hippothoe screamed as Pyrgomache dragged her across the gravel by the hair.
Three Amazons had died today, but two had been life-mates, and the last dwelt across the camp from here, so I knew these two were fighting over Areto. Grabbing hold of a tent-pole, I pulled myself to my feet and eased open the flap. “I am not dead yet”, I said.
The younger Amazons broke apart and bowed their heads hastily in deference to me. I gestured with my chin, and they fled. I am Prothoe, First in Might, and by now everyone knew that the man I’d killed today was the son of Heracles. I limped back to Areto’s side and lay down in her embrace.
By nightfall, my arms no longer had the strength to hold Doris. Though I am taller and heavier, Areto carried me outside to look once more upon the night sky. “I love you, Prothoe.” she whispered.
She bent down and kissed me, and with my lips I fiercely asserted my own love. I grew sleepy after a time, and she carried me back inside. As I lay there, nearly dead, I wondered what I would do if I had one more day and I realized I would live it exactly as I lived any other day. Though I was only twenty-six and laying on what I assumed to be my deathbed,, I had no regrets. Not a day passed without being lived to its fullest, in an Amazon’s life. I felt content as I closed my eyes. If I could make it through the night, I might live; perhaps.
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I awakened the next day to thirst and pain. “Water”, I said.
Areto smiled as she handed me my waterskin. “You are indeed First in Might.”
I heard many anxious voices outside. The vultures had gathered- not surprising, considering Areto’s beauty and strength but I knew then that I would not die; I had too much to live for; Areto and Doris. I stood jerkily upright, using one of my spears as a crutch, and walked outside. “Away! I am not dead; do you think the mere son of Heracles can kill Prothoe?! Why, I would send the son of Zeus himself to Hades! For all his strength he is only a soft-bellied Greek!”
The crowd dispersed, muttering in amazement, and when they were gone I leaned wearily on my spear. Areto came up next to me and hugged my waist. I looked at her, and a wry grin spread across my face.
” I am Prothoe, First in Might, and it will take more than a spear to keep me from your side.”