Amazon Challenge-Tribe Wahine 3/5

Early that morning, Abra and Elue wait next to the Magic Tree as Grim goes in to scare the traitors, Adda and Hanale. To her surprise, Abra's stomach flinches at the sight of Adda. She stares at her with a mix of rage and remorse.



Adda stops suddenly when she sees her former creator, Abra. Quickly, Abra commands, her voice unusually low with an eerie echo, "Adda, Hanale, you will come with me to the Amazon Temple. There you will be tried by the Grim Reaper." The power of the potion Grim had given her instantly works. Adda and Hanale do not try to flee.

Dropping to her knees, Adda pleads for her life. "Oh, wonderful Creator, please don't make us go there. We will go home and meet our fate instead. The Grim Reaper is a merciless bully. He will not give us a fair trial!"



Abra scratches her chin. "I am not without feelings, Adda. How could you betray me and your tribal sisters for such as this lowly slave?"

Adda bows her head in shame. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I could not help myself, Creator. I'm in love."

Hanale looks down at his feet in worry.

The traitorous words burn in Abra's belly. "This love as you call it will be your undoing." Abra's voice booms, "To the temple!"



In a magical flash, the four are transported to the temple.

Abra has Adda and Hanale prepared for trial, shaving their heads and dying their hair blue--the symbol of the Wahine tribe.

The Reaper starts, "Adda and Hanale, I found you in hiding in the Magic Wood. Abra tells me you fled due to matrimony which is strictly forbidden between a Wahine tribemate and a slave. How do you plead?"

Adda looks down. "Guilty."

Grim announces, "Then it is by my power you are sentenced to death by drowning as prescribed by your Wahine creator."

Abra takes a step forward and looks into Adda's eyes. "I would have given you everything my tribe had to offer. Why would you do this when you understood the price?"



Putting her hands together, Adda says, "I was foolish, Creator. If only you would spare my life and allow me to live my days here as a temple slave, I would make amends for my unwise choices."



Abra waves toward Hanale. "And what about your husband? What would you want me to do with him?"

With her head held high, Adda says, "I do not care. He is but a slave. He deserves his fate as he tempted me constantly while at our compound. He flirted and when I told him to stop he would not."

"How could you say such things?" Hanale shouts. "It was you who flirted with me first!"

"Enough!" Abra yells. "You are both guilty! Adda, you are to be put to death by the pit. But as a sign I am not without compassion, if your slave survives the Pillar of Doom after four days, I will spare your life. You may live out your days as a temple slave."



"B-But I am too weak, Creator," Hanale moans. "We've been living off of nothing but bugs and a few fish. I can't possibly last that long."

"It is done," Abra announces. "I have made my decision. If you are worthy, the Maker will spare your life."

Hanale places his face in his hands.



"And you, Adda," Abra goes on. "Pray that Hanale is strong. He is your husband, after all. Didn't you choose him for his strength? Your life will depend on it."

At that, Adda's face falls for she feels the weakness in her own bones of living in the cursed wood for far too long.



"It is time," Abra says, motioning to the Grim Reaper to place Hanale in the Pillar.



Over and over, Adda's words of indifference for Hanale sting his soul. He is determined not to survive, if only to betray her as she has betrayed him.