“She was only showing us her favorite weapon,” Yen hurriedly said. “It was completely innocent.”
“It always is,” her mother said.
Diana walked back to the table and set the sword down. Her mother didn’t say anything more. She didn’t need to. They’d had the conversation so many times, Diana had practically memorized it. And yet no explanation her mother gave ever made any sense. How could Diana live among the Amazon warriors, the fiercest fighters in the world, and not be allowed to train beyond the basics? The frustration burned inside her.
“Are you ready for duty?” her mother asked them. “You both did an excellent job last time.”
“It’s an honor to serve.” Cylinda beamed.
“The door’s stayed shut as long as I’ve been alive,” Diana insisted. “Maybe they could leave their post for a little while today. An hour or two, just to take a peek at the festival.”
“It’s our responsibility to guard the passage to the Underworld,” her mother said. “And as dull as it can feel sometimes, preventing a problem is less troublesome than fixing one.”
“Update us on everything when we return?” Cylinda ruffled Diana’s hair. Diana nodded and promised she would, and Yen winked as they left to report for duty.
Once the warriors were out of earshot, Diana swiveled to her mother.
“You didn’t have to embarrass me in front of them,” she said. “I was only holding the weapon.”
“And twirling it in the air. Diana, you’re not supposed to handle unfamiliar weapons, especially those specialty ones on the table.”
“But did you see me with it?” Diana insisted. “Both Cylinda and Yen were impressed.”
“Be that as it may, you are not equipped to use it.”
“Then maybe it’s time to let me train,” Diana countered.
“Diana.” Her mother sighed. “Not this again.”
“Why not? I’m twelve. Not two. It’s about time I’m allowed.”
“You have trained plenty. Your aunt taught you all the basics, and you even have a weapon of your own.”
“This lousy sword? It won’t hurt a fly.” Diana gestured to the silver weapon sheathed at her waist. She’d decorated the hilt with emeralds a few days earlier, but it didn’t change the fact that it was still an unremarkable sword. “Besides, I want to know more than the basics. How can I live on an island of Amazons and not be a warrior?”
“That’s precisely why you don’t need to be one,” her mother said. She rested a hand on Diana’s shoulder. “You don’t know what some of these women have seen, the tragedies and scars that brought them to Themyscira. You were born here, safe and secure from the dangers of this world.”
“But what if something happened here and—”
“If anything were to happen, we have plenty of fully trained warriors on hand to help us. Time is a gift, Diana. Use it for other things. Sharpen your mind. Focus on other things that matter.”
Diana knew her mother wouldn’t budge, but her stomach still twisted with disappointment. She studied the golden cuffs around her wrists, the same ones worn by all the Amazons in Themyscira.
“Even if there’s no practical need to train,” Diana said, “why isn’t my wanting to reason enough?”
The queen studied her for a moment.
“Diana,” she finally said. “I love you. You know that, don’t you? I love you so much, I formed you out of clay myself. I don’t enjoy keeping you from your dreams. Perhaps when you’re older we will discuss this again—when you can understand more about who you are.”
“Who I am?” Diana said with a start. This was new.
“I shouldn’t have said anything.” Her mother looked away.
“Please, Mother,” Diana pleaded. “Is there some reason you haven’t shared with me for why you don’t want me to train?”
“The festival is about to begin,” Queen Hippolyta said gently. “After the week concludes, you and I can have a long conversation and—”
“The boats!” a woman cried out.
Diana shifted her gaze. Ships were at last pulling up to the docks. Hulking vessels swaying in the ocean, waves sloshing against their sides. More of them filled the bright horizon in the distance, their sails all different colors—crimson, blue, yellow, and white—and fluttering against the wind. An adviser approached her mother and whispered in the queen’s ear. Diana pushed away her disappointment. The moment was over.
* * *
* * *
Walking over to the wooden docks that stretched into the sea, Diana scanned the insignias of the arriving ships. She recognized many of them from years past. There was the mortar and pestle stitched on the Ruhas’ sails—they were a healing community to the south. The welders of Baltin had pulled in as well, a brazing rod tinged with red etched into the side of their hull. At last, Diana found the ship she was searching for: the white sail embroidered with a golden quill and unfurled scroll. Diana smiled. It was the Scholars’ ship. The Scholars were the keepers of the world’s vastest libraries and proudly boasted the most competitive higher-learning institutions. Sakina was among their people.
“Well, look who it is!” a voice called out. Sakina emerged from the boat. Her dark hair was pulled back, and she wore a maroon tunic, golden leggings, and brown leather boots laced to her knees. Waving to Diana, she hurried toward her.
The girls embraced.
“I seriously thought summer would never come!” Sakina exclaimed, pulling back. “I swear it took triple the time for this week to arrive.”
“I felt the exact same way!” Diana said.
“Even an ocean apart, we’re still on the same wavelength, huh?”
“No surprise there.” Diana laughed.
Sakina glanced down at Diana’s brown belt.
“New sword?” she asked.
“I wish,” Diana said. “It’s the same one as last time. I added these jewels to mix things up.”
“Nice! I’m a sucker for emeralds.” A mischievous look glinted in Sakina’s brown eyes. “And aren’t you going to say anything about my new sword?”
Sure enough, Sakina had a leather belt strapped around her waist, much like Diana. A golden hilt poked out from her right side.
“Really?” Diana exclaimed. “Your parents let you have a sword?”