Youve never seen Wonder Woman like this.
But thats kind of hard when her mother, Queen Hippolyta, wont even let her hold a sword.
At the start of the festivities, an unexpected and forbidden visitor a boy!
Credit: Penguin Random House
brings news of a threat to Themyscira and all its sacred neighboring lands.
The laughter of the women beneath her setting up tents and stalls for the Chara festival.
The gardeners hurriedly sweeping leaves from the pathways and trimming the last of the rosebushes surrounding her palace home.
Penguin Random House
This was also the day her life would completely change forever.
This particular afternoon, she craned her neck, searching the horizon for the ships that would soon arrive.
Her best friend, Sakina, was almost here.
Visitors were rare on Themyscira.
The Chara festival was the one exception to this rule.
As always, there would be no menthey were strictly prohibited on Themyscira.
Diana had never met one in her life.
Sewing, welding, woodwork .
The girls tried them all.
A battle cry sounded in the distance.
Diana glanced at the grassy coliseum shaded by a grove of olive trees at the islands center.
More than anything in the world, she longed to train alongside them.
Just then a bird trilled near her ears.
She belonged to Sakina.
The bird served as their messenger, shuttling notes to and fro while the girls were apart.
The bird settled on Dianas lap and blinked her silvery eyes.
Diana looked back at the island.
A flash of gold glinted in the distance.
It was Cylinda and Yen, the newest warriors to arrive on the island.
The plain concrete barrier separated Themyscira from the sinister Underworld, ruled by the god Hades.
What are you doing?
Diana demanded once she caught up to them.
Hello to you, too, Yen replied.
She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
At six feet tall, both Cylinda and Yen towered over Diana.
Heading to the door.
Were relieving Lisbeth and Kajol.
But it cant be your turn already.
You were there last week.
The queen asked for volunteers, Cylinda said.
What about the festival?
Everyone wants to attend.
We figured as the newest, we should be the ones to take an extra shift.
The Chara festival is incredible, Diana insisted.
You cant miss your first one!
The bazaar does seem like fun, Cylinda said.
She slid her mask from her face and looked wistfully at the stalls.
From where they stood, the many tables extended beyond their line of sight.
In a few hours they would be filled with weaponry, artwork, and clothing from around the world.
Its not just the bazaar, Diana said.
As recent arrivals, the two women were still learning how to battle and fight.
There are classes and workshops on all sorts of things.
Aunt Antiope is teaching a sword fighting masterclass this year.
You know the kita hold youve been working on?
Shes doing a whole day of lessons on it for the visitors.
Lucky for us, were not visitors.
Well work on it once were back from our duties.
Sweet of you to be concerned, but there will be other Chara festivals in the years to come.
Take notes for us?
Especially on what the most popular weapon is these days.
Yen and I have a bet going.
Its better to focus on what the best weapon is, and thats easy.
She walked to the weaponry table and lifted a bronze sword.
I thought youd point out the Limina.
Cylinda cocked her head to the side.
The jagged edge on that one is three times as long.
Thats the problem with it: its too long.
The butterfly is lighter than any other, which keeps you fast on your feet.
Diana lifted the sword and flung it skyward.
It twirled like an acrobat.
Diana grabbed it and sliced an X in the air.
Yen raised her hands and laughed.
We dont ever want to be on your bad side.
A familiar voice interrupted them.
Diana lowered the sword.
Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, approached the three of them and crossed her arms.
This was usual, too.
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 didnt say anything more.
She didnt need to.
Theyd had the conversation so many times, shed practically memorized it.
And yet no explanation her mother gave ever made any sense.
The frustration burned inside her.
Are you ready for duty?
her mother asked them.
You both did an excellent job last time.
Its an honor to serve.
The doors stayed shut as long as Ive 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.
Its 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 Dianas 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 didnt have to embarrass me in front of them, she said.
I was only holding the weapon.
And twirling it in the air.
Diana, youre not supposed to handle unfamiliar weapons, especially those specialty ones on the table.
But did you see me with it?
Cylinda and Yen were both impressed.
Be that as it may, you are not equipped to use it.
Then maybe its time to let me train, Diana countered.
Its about time Im allowed.
You have trained plenty.
Your aunt taught you all the basics, and you even have a weapon of your own.
It wont hurt a fly.
Diana gestured to the silver weapon sheathed at her waist.
Besides, I want to know more than the basics.
How can I live on an island of Amazons and not be a warrior?
Thats precisely why you dont need to be one, her mother said.
She rested a hand on Dianas shoulder.
You were born here, safe and secure from the dangers of this world.
Time is a gift, Diana.
Use it for other things.
Focus on other things that matter.
Diana knew her mother wouldnt 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 theres no practical need to train, Diana said, why isnt my wanting to reason enough?
The queen studied her for a moment.
Diana, she finally said.
You know that, dont you?
I love you so much, I formed you out of clay myself.
I dont enjoy keeping you from your dreams.
Diana said with a start.
I shouldnt have said anything.
Her mother looked away.
just, Mother, Diana pleaded.
Is there some reason you havent shared with me for why you dont 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.
An adviser approached her mother and whispered in the queens ear.
Diana pushed away her disappointment.
The moment was over.
She recognized many of them from years past.
There was the mortar and pestle stitched on the Ruhas sailsthey were a healing community to the south.
It was the Scholars ship.
The Scholars were the keepers of the worlds vastest libraries and 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.
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!
Even an ocean apart, were still on the same wavelength, huh?
Sakina glanced down at Dianas brown belt.
I wish, Diana said.
Its the same one as last time.
I added these jewels to mix things up.
Im a sucker for emeralds.
A mischievous look glinted in Sakinas brown eyes.
And arent 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.
Your parents let you have a sword?
Id been begging for one ever since last summer.
Sakina pulled out her bronze sword and flicked her wrist.
Out of the hilt of the sword popped a quill.
Its basically perfect, dont you think?
you’ve got the option to write and fight with it.
Well, the pen is mightier than the sword.
Think you could teach me a thing or two about how to use it?
I got it right before we left.
Id love to, Diana said.
She looked at Sakinas weapon and then at her friend.
I cant believe its been a whole year since we last saw each other.
Tell me about it.
And look at you.
You havent changed a bit!
But you have, Diana realized with a start.
She was a half foot taller than Diana.
Her dark curls, which fell below her chin last summer, were braided down to her waist.
Her tanned arms looked unmistakably muscled.
Something soft brushed against Dianas leg.
Its just silly Arya, Sakina said.
Shes really into the element of surprise lately.
This is your kitty?
Diana looked at the spotted snow leopard and petted her gently.
The cat came up to Dianas hip.
I could scoop her up with one hand last summer.
They grow superfast, but shes as much a cuddle bug as she ever was.
Aryas been asking about her since we left.
They had so much fun together last summer.
She had babies, Diana said, warming at the thought of her wolf companion and her pups.
Sakinas eyes lit up.
Theyre the cutest wolf pups ever, Diana said.
A thought occurred to her.
Sakina was a Scholar, but she also had a special ability to speak with animals.
Actually, Bintis been acting strange the past few days.
Maybe you could chat with her and see whats going on?
Sakina the animal whisperer at your service.
She winked and curtseyed.
Suddenly the snow leopard froze.
Her ears pressed flat against her head.
Narrowing her eyes, she raised her tail in the air and growled.
Bintis not the only one acting strange.
Sakina rolled her eyes.
You seriously need to relax.
The cat turned to Sakina and rumbled a deep-throated growl.
Goosebumps suddenly trailed her arms.
She watched the animals tense expression.
Dont get me started.
Sakina shook her head.
She was fine when we left, but mid-voyage she got all riled up.
Snarling and growling at thin air.
All cats are little divas, but Arya is the queen of them all.
Whats she been saying?
Shes mad about the ships en route with us to your land, Sakina said.
Kept saying theyre following us.
Of course theyre following us!
Sorry, Arya, Diana apologized to the animal.
Nobody likes to feel like theyre being followed.
Princess Diana, dear!
Sakinas mother, Queen Khadijah, approached them.
So lovely to see you.
She kissed Dianas cheek.
The queen wore a cream-colored gown with flowers embroidered along the hem.
Mira fluttered alongside her and landed on Sakinas shoulder.
Wonderful to see you as well, Your Majesty, Diana said.
Excited for your week together?
she asked the girls.
And are you ready for all your boring meetings?
Tonight we rest and enjoy; tomorrow we work.
Has Arya calmed down at all?
Sakina shook her head.
Shes still acting like theres a monster about to swoop down any minute.
Shell adjust, her mother said.
There are quite a lot of new people here.
Indeed, more and more people filled the island, walking down long gangplanks from the newly docked ships.
They hoisted banners and carried trunks and carts filled with goods from their homelands.
You know how protective shes always been, Diana added as they began walking toward the main festival site.
Even as a kitten she loved to guard you.
You have no idea.
Shes totally out of control now, Sakina groaned.
Ever since I started apprenticing at the library, she refuses to let me go alone.
So now I have a huge cat prowling past the periodicals to protect me from dust mites.
She just loves you, the queen said.
Shes not even as fierce as she thinks, Sakina said.
Half the time shes snoring by the sunny window near the reference desk.
Youre working at the library?
Diana stared at Sakina.
Yes, I was going to tell you all about it!
Can you believe it?
thats wonderful, Diana managed to say.
She was happy for her friend, truly.
Sakina had wanted to apprentice at the library for as long as Diana could remember.
She was after me about it for quite some time, her mother said.
I finally decided to let her try it so she could see how boring the work truly is.
But I must hand it to her; shes taken to it well.
Was this a part of her mothers hesitation with letting her train?
Women set down sculpted vases and painted bowls.
Silk dresses hung from hooks and fluttered in the breeze.
She was not able to heal people with her words or with herbs.
That was who she had always believed she was meant to be.
But now, with a sinking heart, Diana wondered if maybe she was wrong.
