Amazonia - The Athenaeum

into applause again.
"For centuries we were dedicated to our patron goddess Artemis and her sister Athena and we
were rewarded with the island of Amazonia. It is a paradise we have enjoyed ever since, and we
have built it into a thriving nation." A murmur of thanks to the two goddesses ran like wildfire
through the audience.
"Under our first great queen, Selene, we vowed to serve one of four clans for our service, but
only one queen. All of the queens and tribes of the Amazons came under Selene's rule to live in
peace in this place. So it was then, and so it is now. Tonight we welcome the province of Selena
and their regent Vivian," Emelda pointed to the red head sitting in the center of her clan. They all
were wearing leather dyed a soft shade of green and none of them carried weapons. They were
farmers and scientists; they had no interest or time for fighting. "We thank our sister and her
people for their hard work and Vivian's leadership in our fields of agriculture and in our places of
healing."
Next she pointed to an older woman dressed in a uniform very much like Bebo's. "We welcome
our sisters from the Argase clan and their regent Leslie, blood sister of Consort Boden. Thank
you, sister, for another great year of competition, and in continuing to train the next generation of
warriors. Your tenure as the guardian of our sacred forest has done honor to our tribe." All of the
serving recruits under Leslie removed their chobos and hit them together making the Consort
smile at the racket.
The youngest regent sat with her clan facing the dais. Their leather was dyed a pale yellow and,
like the women of Selena clan, wore weapons or armor. "Welcome our sisters from the northern
province of Curasso and their regent Rena. The mines of copper and silver pave our way to a
prosperous future and we thank you all for your tireless efforts."
Emelda turned to the last regent to be named and smiled. It was the largest contingency, simply
because this ceremony took place in the capital, and they wore a shade lighter than Boden's blue
leathers. " Princess Sean of the Leon clan, your sisters bid you and yours welcome. From the
capital you drive our main areas of commerce and you welcome outsiders to our lands and
beaches. You also serve our queen and her family well, and because you do, it brings honor to
our tribe."
The blonde bowed slightly to the old woman then more deeply to the throne. Sean controlled the
largest segment of the island, and a tremendous amount of power along with it, but Audrey never
had cause to fear her. They were sisters by blood and devoted to each other.
"We come together tonight as Amazons to welcome a new champion into our fold," continued
Emelda. The drums started slowly and softly again, and all the women rose to their feet. "We
have known her since the time her mother carried her with love in her womb, but tonight she
starts down the road to becoming the woman she is destined to be."
The roar that arose with the priestess' words shook the ground, rising an impossible notch higher
when Bebo stepped into view flanked by Steph, Beth and Max. A sea of flashbulbs went off