Inspired by my friend, Ian.

 

Helios’s resplendent beams stretched across the skies, making the beach sand and ocean sparkle, and a small Amazon vessel sailed toward the port of Themyscira, where a contingent of women awaited its arrival, their smiles and nervous chatter creating a noticeable presence. At the horizon, storm clouds flashed, but the weather had broken, giving the craft safe passage home. Standing at the front was a woman in leather armor, a golden eagle embossed on her chestplate, its wings spread wide. The leather pteryges hanging from her golden girdle waved in the seabreeze. Ebon hair was pulled into a bun with a metal hairpiece supporting it, and her pendent garnet earrings framed her face. A longing remained in her eyes, eyes that had experienced so much and for so long, and her face had the slightest hint of a smile. She and those with her anticipated this arrival largely because of one of the passengers who had never been so far out on the wine-dark sea surrounding the island, especially during a storm. As the boat arrived at the dock, the women guided it in, stopping it just before a post where a length of rope would secure it. Those aboard cheered as they extended the platform to disembark. After half a dozen Amazons reunited with friends and loved ones, a ten-year-old girl scampered down the platform, stopping before the armored woman who had crouched to greet her, arms open. They embraced, and then the girl ran off to greet the other women, whose exuberance was palpable. The captain disembarked and approached the armor-clad woman who held her arms in front of her, palms up. Taking hold of the woman’s forearms, iron bracelets clinked together. Then they reversed their arms’ position, with more of a clank.

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“My Queen.” The captain bowed her head.

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The girl, who had observed this greeting, stood amazed, her head cocked, and she witnessed the other women doing the same with the queen. This was something she had not witnessed before.

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“Welcome back, Captain. Was your journey a success?”

 

“Very much so, Your Highness. And I would dare say that there is one among us who learned quite a bit.” She nodded toward the girl. “After we have settled, I will see you and tell you all about it.”

 

The girl approached the queen, flopping her arms outward as she had seen, and the queen, smiling, placed her hands on the girl’s forearms. Unfortunately, the girl wore no bracelets as she had not reached the age of acceptance, so there was neither a clink nor a clank. The girl reluctantly flipped her hands over to complete the greeting, but the initial astonishment had dropped from her face. The queen could see this change and leaned over.

 

“Worry not, my daughter. Soon.” She understood the girl’s disappointment. “Come. I know what will put a smile back on your face,” urging her forward with a hand on her back, she led her from the dock toward the main port.

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The queen’s coterie continued toward the palace, but mother and daughter headed toward the stables. Once they turned down that path, the little girl’s countenance brightened. She knew precisely where they were going. At the stables, an Amazon crossed her wrists in front of her, nodding her head slightly as the queen and her daughter approached.

 

“Good morning, Your Majesty. Your Highness.”

 

The girl repeated the gesture, smiling. She knew this one well.

 

“Good morning, Alcmestra. How is she doing today?” The queen smirked.

 

Alcmestra giggled. “Jumpa is all brushed and ready, my queen.”

 

“Jumpa! Jumpa!” the girl exclaimed, clapping.

 

A few stables down, the girl let go of her mother’s hand and reached up to unbolt the gate. As she went over to her

favorite kanga, she looked back at her mother.

 

“Why did the Captain greet you one way on the dock, but Alcmestra greeted you another way here?” She brushed Jumpa down her back as far up as she could reach.

 

“Well,” the queen began, “there’s a story behind that. Why don’t you ride Jumpa for a bit, and then meet me back at the palace. I will tell you when we sit down for our evening meal.”

 

Nodding and grinning, the girl climbed onto Jumpa’s back and into the small saddle created for her, using her knees to entice her favorite companion to leave the stables and head into the meadow.

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Before she headed back to her royal duties, Queen Hippolyte watched her daughter, the Princess Diana, bounding and bouncing around, the young girl’s infectious laughter encouraging the kanga to play more. Alcmestra joined her sovereign.

 

“She is growing stronger with each day, Your Majesty. How soon before the age of acceptance?”

 

Without taking her watery eyes off her daughter, she replied, “Too soon, sister. Too soon indeed.”

 

“She is at the age of questioning, I have seen. Curiosity has become her greatest pastime. That passion for knowledge bodes well. I am confident the Fates have some wonderful things in store for her.” Alcmestra nodded and headed back to the stables.

 

“That is what I fear the most, dear sister.”

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That evening, Diana skipped through the palace halls until she found her mother in their dining chamber, where Hippolyte had just begun to serve the meal. With the energy of a jackrabbit, the girl reached her plush chair, her wide smile as bright as the torches that illuminated the space.

 

“Did you and Jumpa have a good time? You were gone for quite some time.” Hippolyte put some goat’s cheese and olives on her plate.

 

“So much fun, Mother. We went from the meadow toward the great cliffs, but Jumpa didn’t get too close. She’s a good protector.” Diana popped some olives into her mouth.

 

“You asked me something earlier. That greeting the captain and the other travelers shared with me.”

Diana stopped chewing and looked at her mother with rapt attention.

 

“When one of us travels or will travel a distance, in your case the fishing trip, we hold each other’s forearms as a sign of our bond as sisters. There is always the risk of loss on journeys, so we show our love. Our bracelets touch as if understanding what binds us makes us and our love stronger.”

 

“So if I were ever to leave, we would do that?”

 

Hippolyte was about to put bread in her mouth. She put it back on her plate and reached out to Diana’s hand.

 

“My child, that day will not come unless it’s for another fishing trip.” She tried to smile.

 

Diana nodded as she tore some bread and dipped it into oil.

 

“Does the clink and clank of bracelets mean anything?”

 

Hippolyte stopped her chewing. After she swallowed, she chuckled.

 

“I suppose I never really thought about it, but it does add to the gesture. Hmm.”

 

She noticed Diana’s face begin to scowl.

 

“Soon, Diana. I know you want your bracelets. You remember what they mean?”

 

“They remind us that we were once enslaved by men, but then Athene gave the Amazons strength to break free. They had to wear the bracelets so they would never forget. To remain strong.”

 

Hippolyte smiled and reached out to place her hand on Diana’s again. “Yes. That is exactly it.”

 

“So why did Alcmestra give a different greeting?”

 

“You’ve seen that one before. That is our symbol of mutual respect and strength.”

 

“Why didn’t the Captain give you that one as well?”

 

“You sure do ask a lot of questions.” Hippolyte laughed. “In the case of an absence, the ‘clink clank’ greeting is more appropriate.” She winked at Diana.

 

Diana laughed that her mother used the sound words. She extended her arms, palms up. When her mother responded, Diana said, “Clink,” when their wrists touched. When they reversed the gesture, Diana said, “Clank.” Both laughed more before finishing their meal. Diana put her arms around her mother, resting her head on Hippolyte’s shoulder.

 

“How will I know the difference in the future what to use?”

 

The queen patted Diana’s head. “Nuance, my child. You understand nuance.”

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Diana’s 12th birthday arrived, and with that, the sacred ceremony she had been yearning for as long as she could remember. At sunrise, she dressed in her tiara and ceremonial gown and flew to the temple of Athene. Only the temple priestesses were there at that point, and she crossed her wrists in salute as she landed by the entrance.

 

“Good morning, sisters. I wanted to arrive a little early. I’m a little nervous.” Diana chuckled.

 

Meriope and Sandenia returned the gesture, nodding.

 

“Good morning, Princess,” they replied in unison.

 

“Am I allowed inside?”

 

“Of course.” Meriope gestured for Diana to enter. “You are always welcome.”

 

Once through the double door, the ceiling rose to an expansive height to accommodate the seated statue of the goddess. Garbed in armor, the statue wore the aegis over her breastplate, the semblance of the Gorgon Medusa emblazoned upon it. In her right hand, she held an olive branch, and in her left, a sword—balance of peace and war. Her helmet rested on her brow as her eyes stared straight ahead. Stairs led up to the statue, and on each were offerings to Athene: fruits, bread, and even flowers. Diana crouched and placed a small bouquet of white roses.

 

“Good morning, Princess.” A voice with a soft lilt broke the soft silence.

 

Diana turned and smiled at the high priestess. “Good morning, Pallas. Such a beautiful morning it is. I couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to come early.”

 

Pallas bowed her covered head. “Of course, Your Majesty. It has been so long since we have had this ceremony that it excites us to prepare.” As she approached the statue, she elevated her arms over her head and crossed her wrists, palms facing the statue. Diana raised an eyebrow.

 

“Pallas, may I ask you something?”

 

“Of course you can. How may I be of service?”

 

“I am only twelve, so my understanding of certain things isn’t as strong as it is for my sisters, for you. Some things I have always just done without knowing the reason why. Why do we salute the goddess with open palms above our head as opposed to crossing wrists in front of us?”

 

“Hmm. That is not what I expected you to ask. We gesture as we do as a sign of respect. Open palms show no ill intent. Crossing wrists demonstrates strength in our beliefs. We elevate our arms to show fealty to Olympus. Sometimes, though, we cross our wrists with closed fists and raise them above our heads to show an open heart as well as strength.”

 

“I see. My mother says it is all about nuance.”

 

Pallas smiled. “Indeed, it is, Your Majesty. Now, come. Your sisters are arriving, and your mother will be here soon.”

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Morning brightened, with Helios casting his rays upon all. Diana stood at the base of the steps to the statue, Hippolyte by her side, as the high priestess gestured for the women to enter and surround them all. Ione, a blacksmith, carried the iron anvil on her shoulder, placing it gently before her queen and princess. Pallas took her place on the other side of the anvil.

 

“Sisters, we gather here today to officially welcome our princess, Diana, daughter of Hippolyte, into the sisterhood of Amazons through the rite of acceptance. Today, she will bear the mark of our history and join us. From this day forward, she will show how much we have struggled to reach this place of paradise.” She nodded to Diana.

 

“I place my hands on the anvil to welcome my new station as a sister to you all.” She rested her forearms on the iron and raised her eyes to the statue’s face.

 

An Amazon handed Pallas two iron bracelets, hammered in Ione’s forge. The sides of the bracelets were spread, and they were placed on the anvil next to Diana’s arms. Lifting her wrists, she lowered them into the open metal. Pallas slid her hands underneath.

 

“Goddess of war, goddess of peace, we ask you to welcome this child into the fold of her sisterhood. With your blessing, we proceed.”

 

A rumbling from above made the Amazons gasp as they noticed the statue’s head turn to face them. Eyes of marble took on a fiery glow, and the carved mouth spread into the slightest of smiles. Screeches above signalled a messenger had arrived, and a Little Owl soared around the temple before settling on Pallas’ shoulder. The owl spoke with the goddess’s voice.

 

“Daughter, you are ready to join this sisterhood. Do you swear to uphold the laws and traditions of Themyscira and your people? Do you swear fealty to your mother and the gods?”

 

Diana, her eyes teary, looked over at Hippolyte. “I do.”

 

At that, the bracelets closed around her wrists. Without warning, the eyes of the statue shot beams of energy toward Diana, and—true to her heritage—she deflected them, one with each bracelet. She had passed the test. The inside of the shrine erupted in a euphony of cheers from her sisters and her mother. Diana turned toward them, smiling with tears, and raised her fists and crossed them over her head. Every woman did the same. Diana pulled her mother close to her, squeezing her. She muttered, “I understand, Mother.”

 

Then, the Amazon nation joined the queen and her daughter, their newest Amazon, in a celebration that would last days.

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A decade passed, and Diana grew into the young woman that her mother had hoped she would become—strong, compassionate, thoughtful, and wise. The Amazons had all taught her the lessons of the past, their history, as well as language, mathematics, science, and the ways of Olympus. She trained as a warrior, mastering methods of war, but also learned about diplomacy and peace. The Amazon Nation had not seen a child grow up before them in so long that it made them appreciate their own lives even more. Nothing brought out the qualities of these women than having to teach them to one of their own. Diana had heard murmurs that something was coming, an omen that would bring about a great change to her people, and she spent days in Athene’s temple praying, asking for understanding and wisdom, but the goddess remained silent.

 

She looked at her bracelets, the ones she had yearned for, and wondered if they would be needed for more than ceremonial salutes and sparring. Amazons had a history of battles—would she be called to fight in one? Against whom? For how long?

 

A priestess woke her up. She had fallen asleep at the base of the statue. Diana shared a look with her sister Amazon, and, without words, asked her why the goddess hadn’t replied. The priestess simply smiled and kissed her forehead. When Diana returned to the palace and passed by the throne room, Hippolyte called for her. The queen saw her daughter’s expression.

 

“She will answer when she is ready, my child.”

 

Diana’s expression of surprise softened. Her mother always knew what to say.

 

“What comes will change us all, won’t it?”

 

“Perhaps. But we won’t know until it arrives.”

 

 

 

A year was all it took for that which was foretold to arrive. An American pilot broke through that which protected Themyscira, and the princess brought him ashore. With the help of advanced medical training and the Purple Healing Ray, the man was ready to return home. Hippolyte, with a heavy heart, called for the sacred Tournament of Power and invited all of those willing to participate. Every Amazon knew the risk—leaving her island home, perhaps never to return. Capricious gods would decide.

 

The final challenge—bullets and bracelets—and then, a winner crowned, her helmet removed, revealing the greatest change of all to the sisterhood: their own princess would take up the task. Much to the chagrin of the queen, Diana would represent her people in Patriarch’s World. While the crowds of Amazons cheered her on, an owl swooped down from the clouds and landed before the queen and her daughter, transforming into the goddess Diana had yearned to hear from. All bowed.

 

“Rise, my daughters. Diana, child of Paradise, you now understand why I had to remain silent. You had to discover your path on your own without intervention. Born of the earth, you possess her strength. From Hermes, you were blessed at birth with the power of flight. You have my penchant for wisdom and skills both on the battlefield and off. You have a loving heart and a curious mind.”

 

At that moment, an arrow struck the ground where Diana stood, leaving in its wake, a lasso of gold.

 

“Praise Hestia.” Diana crouched to pick it up, its fiery nature shimmering.

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Athena continued. “Artemis has delivered to you the lasso of truth, forged from the very girdle of Gaea itself. It is a tool, not a weapon. Use it wisely.”

 

The goddess touched Diana’s shoulder, and she then wore the armor that would protect her in the outside world. A crimson breastplate adorned with the sacred eagle, the symbol of the Amazons. Dark blue pteruges hung from a golden belt, adorned with white embossed stars to represent the vastness of the heavens. Her bracelets, once hammered iron, had become silver. She brushed her fingers along the smooth surface.

 

“Forged from Zeus’s aegis, those bracelets show that you stand out among your sisters as the emissary of peace and love that you bring across the wine-dark seas.” Athena smiled.

 

Diana, her mother, and their sisters raised their crossed wrists above their heads to salute the goddess, who then vanished in a cloud of feathers.

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The man had almost healed from his wounds and was placed on an invisible jet, a sacred craft designed with Amazon magic to enter the outside world undetected. Diana said farewell to her sisters, knowing she couldn’t dally too long before she had to return the man to his home. In time, the crowd dissipated, and only a small coterie of Amazons remained. The princess approached her mother, pulled her into a tight embrace, and kissed her on the cheek.

 

“I take your love with me. And I leave mine with you. May it keep your heart warm.”

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She took a step back and extended her arms, palm up. Hippolyte, tears streaming, extended hers over Diana’s, taking hold of her wrists. Their bracelets made the clinking sound Diana had longed to hear, and then she did the same in return for her mother, hearing the familiar clank.

 

“May the Glory of Gaea be with you, Diana.”

 

Diana, in one smiling moment, understood the nuance of this specific time, the gesture that showed a journey lay before them: for Diana, it would be one to a new world, and for Hippolyte, it would be one to a world of absence and longing for when her daughter would return.