Last Chapter THE END!!!!!!!!!!

     Vyakles and 6000 of his warriors prepared to come up out from the underground cavern and bring a cloud of death and destruction upon the women of Themiscyra like a plague of locusts. Devouring life with the might of their swords and spears holding the blood lust of revenge burning inside them, dawn signaled the King's Navy to unleash hell-fire upon the walls and gates of the ancient nation.
     Twenty Four warships, the 'fire-ships' as they were called, honed in on the northern beaches of the Black Sea. the warrior women could not believe what they were witnessing for nothing like what they beheld had ever been seen by the the Themiscyrans who stared down from their citadels in shock and awe in utter disbelief. For each of these specialized vessels had, constructed at their bows, huge towers some 30 feet high. These were made of wood and completely covered with the hides of hundreds of slaughtered cattle; which were continuously dowsed with buckets of sea water, so as not to catch fire. Inside there were many platforms with flaps for openings, here the Greeks began a steady barrage as they tossed out small, grapefruit sized, clay balls filed with tallow and olive oil, using leather slings to propel the 'Greek Fire' a great distance, whereupon they smashed hard against the base of the towering walls and massive wooden and iron gates, soaking all with gallons upon gallons of the highly flammable liquid. This process went on for the next hour under the gray and cloudy skies as the archers, all along the watchtowers, sent 1000's upon 1000's of flaming arrows raining down upon the fire towers and the hulls of the ships, but the clever Greeks were well protected and lost not a single man.
     Then, upon the instructions from the Admirals aboard the warships, the signals were sent to unleash a new barrage of the clay pots; which had little cotton wicks and these were lit before being slung out. Now, as these round balls of hard clay smashed open an explosive fire erupted when these 'ancient grenades' came into contact with the tallow and oil, bursting into a massive wall of flames, in a flash an unquenchable inferno began to rage. The Themiscyran's fell into a panic of chaos, for they had no way to come out of the Western and Southern gates to defend their territory and fight the invading Spartan Nation. Soon the huge stones began to fracture and crack under the intense heat and the gates were now a wall of searing flames. This 'Greek Fire' was a terribly destructive thing, that they, themselves, had never heard of, nor seen, so the Themiscyrans could not have prepared, nor planned, a way to stop this diabolical battle tactic.
     "We must go the the gates to the North and the East and re-route our attack!" Cheveria cried out to her some 20,000 troops "We must fight the men of these ships upon the beaches and soak the sands with their hated blood!"
     However, by this time, King Vyakles and his well armed and well trained warriors had already cut a path of death and destruction upon all they encountered. The blood bath began at the Temples of Artemis and Apollo, where they captured and executed all the acolytes and priestesses, young and old. Then they marched to the 'steria' the military training academy where they surrounded the compound like a pack of savage wolves. They were met with little resistance from the young warriors inside ranging in age from 10 to 18, for these young soldiers were no match for the battle harden Spartans. 2000 bodies of the dead littered the land as King Vyakles and his blood drenched Army turned and headed East towards the capital city, burning the crops of corn and wheat, along with the vast orchards, as they went. Here they were set upon by massive ferocious tigers, who leapt out of the fields of burning grasses, but these creatures proved to be no match for the spears of these men who had the strength of lions coursing through their veins, and the Greeks thought it a new and awesome challenge to kill off such wild and fearsome beasts who lashed out with most powerful claws and the sharpest of teeth.
     Now as Cheveria and her numerous troops crested the hill that overlooked the Themiscyran plain, they saw, to their own horror, their land was burning and the bodies of the dead women, both young and old, were scattered about the blood stained ground. Then, off in the distance, the warrior women of Themiscyra spotted the invading enemy. "SPARTANS!" came the cries from the Captains whose soldiers eyes grew wide as their hearts raced with this terrible surprise.
     "But how have they entered!?"
     "From which gate have they thereby come!?" these and more questions came to the Queen's Commander's ears, and so it was Chevria had no answers, but she had to come up with a plan of swift action. Now, though her body was old, her mind was as sharp as her sword as years of successful military strategies filled her thoughts. So came her orders for battle. Thus she arrayed 10,000 of her infantry in an L formation, keeping 2000 back to her left in a chevron formation to prevent lagging from the left wing of the infantry who were prepared to fight with all their force and might and kill off a foreign army, for the first time on their own soil.
     Here the Spartans noticed the massive group of Themiscyrans up upon the hill overlooking the large open plain; which would now serve as their Field of Battle. Vyakles gave a confident smile knowing his Naval troops would soon come pouring in through the ashes of the walls and gates to the West and to the South and 3000 of his men would sneak up behind these fighting women, of which the Themiscyran Army and her Captains knew not. "SPARTANS! PREPARE TO FIGHT!" Vyakles screamed out to his troops "Hold the line, leave none of these women alive!"
     Thus came the orders of Cheveria, she ordered her infantry arrayed in an L formation, some fifty shields deep 500 wide, opposite the area occupied by their enemies left wing; which was only sixteen shields deep and 400 men wide. The Queens Commander ordered the right wing to charge, leaving her center and left wing to stay, momentarily, out of action. Then she ordered her Cavalry and Charioteers with her skilled Archers to maneuver towards the flanks of the Spartans. Here 3000 men turned and this first conflict ended swiftly as the Greeks overtook the women upon their horses, amidst the screams and sounds of shields and swords of the front lines clashing together smashing bones and faces, the Spartans struck down the many steeds with spears, dragging down their riders to the ground, then in close combat the Cavalry and Charioteers, along with all the Archers, whose arrows could not penetrate the Spartans armor and shields, were soundly defeated, all lay dead as the men stabbed at their hearts and stomachs their own armor doing little to protect them, though the women fought bravely and killed off a hundred or so of the Kings men they were no match for the irresistible force and brutality of the Spartans.
     Here leaving the dead and dying Vyakles turned his men back to the front line fighting, whereupon he rejoined his infantry, who pushed and slashed their way through the Themiscyran lines with unstoppable violence and strength. Then, as it slowly began to rain, the Spartans and Themiscyrans fought hard from all sides, the women tried their best to close in around the men, now in a V formation, with burning lungs, aching muscles, their minds solely focused on fighting, as they tried to catch their breath, their hearts furiously racing, but the Spartans, though outnumbered, were faster, stronger and proved to be just too fierce to war against. These Greek warriors they were they most formidable army the Themiscyrans, in their history of war, had ever faced. Soon the Themiscyran division were split apart as the defensive line of the beleaguered infantry was pushed back during the brutal, bloody attack as the Spartans slashed through flesh and bone cutting a clear path to victory. As they stabbed through the bodies of the fierce women, slicing through muscles, tendons, skulls and bones leaving 1000's of bodies of the screaming and dying, drowning in a sea of their own blood and gore.
     Now off to the West and South the warships all came up together safely upon the beach as the Greeks, armed and ready for battle, poured through the breach, as the old stone walls had collapsed and the gates were now but smoldering ashes. Those women left upon the hill in the chevron formation watched as their infantry was being decimated waited for the order to attack, they were stunned when the Queen's Commander, Cheveria, shouted as she turned her back and yelled out "ABOUT FACE!" for here they all were horrified to see some 3000 Spartans advancing up the hill directly behind them led by 40 of the King of Sparta's finest Generals who reveled in the battle, marching upon the remaining Themiscyrans whom the Spartans then hacked to pieces. Though the women fought bravely, they were nearing utter defeat when King Vyakles rushed through the center of the constant  hand to hand combat as the shrill sound of screams and clashing swords rang across the land, as the fighters from both sides fell all around him. Vyakles continued on unabated trampling over the broken and bleeding bodies under his feet. Expertly wielding his sword Vyakles cut through the horde advancing up the hill with his men and General La Quint close at hand as they set upon the Queen's Commander, Cheveria, who was dressed in her daughter, Odessa's, golden armor. In the chaos and confusion of battle she had been separated from her army and King Vyakles took this opportunity to swiftly approach, sword in hand, as the skirmish was coming to a violent and bloody end. With General La Quint fighting just behind him VYakles eyed the old woman and said to her in a loud clear voice "SURRENDER OR DIE!"
     Cheveria paused as her heart sank into sadness for well she knew the day was lost as the chill of the wind and rain wrapped around her, sweat pouring from her fevered brow. Then she cried out "NEVER!" as she adjusted her helmet, taking up her shield and raising her sword she charged forward, here Vyakles took out the head of Odessa and tossed it at her feet. When Cheveria saw this grotesque sight of what was left her child she was frozen for a moment in the shock and horror of her grief. This split second was all the time the great King of Sparta needed as he ran up on her stabbing her in the neck with his deadly cyphos. Vyakles paused to catch his breath as he delighted in watching the life force fade in the old woman's eyes as streams of scarlet pored forth from the wound in a steady flow. As she fell to the ground King Vyakles turned around and in a roar as loud as lion he shouted down across the hill and corpse strewn field "Women of Themiscyra! YOUR LEADER IS DEAD!" breathing hard, fresh blood staining his face, the muscles of the King's arms and legs cramping up in pain he declared "LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS!"
     Now, though the Spartans had clearly won the battle, the Themiscyran's were not trained to surrender, so the few hundred left, still able to fight, would not lay down their weapons and give up their lives to be executed by the Greeks so they stood their ground and fought to the death, until each of them fell, their blood seeping out mixing with the blood of their sisters which stained the wet soil until the shouts and screams of the women could be heard no more. Silence washed over the corpse strewn field as vultures began circling overhead waiting to feast on the flesh of the dead. "Now let us go together and march upon the Capital! My brave and vicious Spartans!" Vyakles ordered his army now 8000 strong, for they had more women warriors to kill. "We shall march upon the city and burn it to the ground!" Vyakles smiled at his men "We shall meet at the Palace, where the treasures of this nation can be found!"
     With this fresh victory the Spartan Army marched forth together through the rainy weather descending upon the capital city of Themiscyra, where many of the women warriors gathered to protect their last remaining territory but, yet again, the better trained warriors of Sparta moved with an irresistible force of strength and might slaughtering the citizens both young and old. When the youngest of those saw the death and destruction moving against them the little girls all fled in terror trying to find someplace where they could hide together. As the slaughter of these women took place each building was set ablaze smoke and fire rising ever higher through the chaos in the streets. Within the hour Vyakles and his Army had served up the Themiscyran's their final defeat. The King took much delight and pleasure from entering the now abandoned palace where his wife, Queen Thera, many years ago would lay awake at night in her royal bed thinking of Vyakles.
     King Vyakles entered the Great Hall where he came upon the empty throne, save for the golden crown of stars waiting for the Queen of Themiscyra to return, but return she would not. Vyakles stood motionless before throne, a thousands thoughts and the images of the battle still fresh in his mind, slowly he reached out picking up the crown, whereupon he set his bronze helmet down in it's place upon the throne. He held the former regal crown of his wife in his hands and spoke to the object saying "I will bring you to my daughter, Queen Thera's child, as a trophy and prize for her to wear for the rest of her life." here a bit of peace settled into the King's troubled heart, his mind now satisfied with the death and destruction his army had wrought against this once formidable nation.
     "My King!" came a call from General La Quint "We have opened up the Western Gate, Admiral Vasha and his men have come to carry away the spoils of war; which we have located in the Treasury in a large chamber beneath the Palace floors..," La Quint paused giving a look joy mixed with sadness.
     "What is it General! You looked bewildered." Vyakles said not liking the look in his eyes.
     "Come and see for yourself."
     "Very well." Vyakles followed 20 of his soldiers down a small stone stairway into the treasury, whereupon, hidden among the hordes of silver, gold and exquisitely made vases and jewelry, the Spartans discovered some 800 little girls under the age of 5, all crying, cowering and terrified, pleading for their lives.
     Now the Greeks, like most of the civilizations at this time, obeyed their code of war; which was to kill off all the inhabitants of the cities they conquered. These acts of complete slaughter was simply a rule that they all lived by, and normally the King would have ordered his men to draw their swords and destroy all the little girls, but when he looked into the eyes of the horrified children, something profoundly changed deep in his heart and mind, it was something his wife had instilled in him the day they came face to face upon the shore of the Island of Hera, and that was MERCY and PITY. For he had seen this same look of fear in Queen Thera's bright green eyes when he threatened to execute her for her crimes against him, and he knew now he could not order the taking of these innocent children's lives. Thera's love and affection had left a deep impact on the Warrior King's soul, and so it was the King of Sparta thought of his own daughter at this time. So out of his love for Thera and Sparta.., he decided to let them go. "Hold your swords!" came his order as Vyakles peered into the tear stained eyes of the little girl kneeling before him. So it was he ignored his ingrained military training saying "General La Quint!" he gazed over at his men "Stand down!"
     "Yes my King!"
     "In loving memory of my beloved wife.., I have chosen to spare these young ones lives." he said in rich clear voice that did the little girls hearts good to hear. "My orders are as follows..," he paused extending his hand to the child crying before him "Take these poor frightened lasses, the last of the Themiscyrans, by way of one of my ships. Sail them safely to Scythia. Tell the King there, what we have done.., here. Send word throughout the region.., tell them all.., the Nation of Themiscyra is.., NO MORE!"
 
                                                                        THE END
     

More Last Chapter

    MORE LAST CHAPTER      Now, just before the sun rose up that grey and cloudy morning, 60 of the Spartan war ships sailed from the cold cove heading east to join up with the King, and his eager, bloodthirsty troops. When the Themiscyrans saw that nearly half of the Greek Armada had departed the warrior women and their captains of war felt a bit of relief thinking the Spartans changed their minds, or their invasionary tactics, but still the Themiscyrans knew these men could not be trusted, so they remained in a heightened state of awareness not knowing just when, or where, the attack would come.
     Here Lucia Vega and Lacuna led King Vyakles and 6000 of his armed warriors to the land a few miles to the east of the walled fortress, unbeknownst to Cheveria, or her troops, that their former compatriots were about to give up the secret; which would ultimately lead to the utter destruction of Themiscyra and all her inhabitants. This area, the Greeks marched slowly through, was called the 'Field of Bones' by the women warriors, for it had been stacked up, over the centuries, with the skeletonized remains of their vanquished enemies long since defeated in battle. Severed heads, the skulls of thousands of their foes, swung low in nets hanging from the branches of the towering birch trees surrounding the silent and gruesome landscape swarming with green flies and black vultures picking through the corpses for fresh, dead flesh. The putrid stench of death permeated the air as the Spartans gazed in horror as they walked down a narrow path that lay between the stack of headless corpses: which came up to their knees. The path was narrow, only large enough for the men to walk two by two, and just large enough to bring a team of horses and chariots through. A long line of well armed men with their swords, shields and spears followed Lacuna and Lucia Vega along with their noble King, marching like a line of ants towards down a path of certain destruction. As they slowly, in silence, walked together in the predawn darkness the Greeks stared out in disbelief with shock and awe running like ice through their veins, for never had they ever seen such a gruesome display of broken bones and shattered skulls. For this place was specifically created to serve as a visual deterrent set up by the Themiscyrans to discourage any would-be intruders or armies to stay away.
     "There." Lucia Vega pointed to a large group of boulders in the very center of this open-air graveyard. Here she instructed the strong men to roll back a large rock some 16 feet high and it took twenty men using their great strength to move the massive heavy stone to the side where they uncovered the secret that was hidden behind. For the rock formation concealed the opening of a large underground cave where Lacuna and Lucia Vega, bearing torches went in. "This tunnel continues some 16 miles and leads to the western city of Colchise, where you can make your way in, unnoticed, before the sun arises." Lucia Vega explained handing her brightly burning torch over to the King. Now this underground corridor had been hand cut from the rock and earth centuries before, the secret passage was excavated as a quick route for the Themiscyran troops, so the warrior women could come out in times of war undetected without having to open up the gates. This served as a clever way to out strategize their enemies by sneaking up behind them and attacking their flanks during times of siege warfare; which the Themiscyrans had been subjected to many times before in the past. So it was the Themiscyran Military would suddenly appear in formation, as if by magic, like spirits from the netherworld they would come, from out of nowhere attacking their foes raining down deadly blows from their swords and arrows. Those of their enemies who had managed to escape the fight would recall the terrible battles telling gruesome stories to their children, in frightened voices, all about the 'Ghost Army of Death' as they were referred to throughout the years, but now the ancient secret had been given up, and this once cleverly hidden tunnel would serve the Themiscyrans enemy in their own crushing defeat. Never had this secret been divulged by anyone, however, Lacuna and Lucia Vega felt, after the tragedy of what Odessa had done, they owed it to their beloved Queen Thera to be the ones to lead her vengeful King and loyal husband. Out of their deep Love, Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor, Lacuna and Lucia Vega felt they had no other choice.
     "When you come to the surface you will find the Temples of Apollo and Artemis to the left and to the right, the acolytes and priestess will be unarmed and easy to kill.., for they do not really know how to fight." Lacuna said with a sigh and a nod of her head.
     "To the south of the lake," Lucia Vega spoke up "you will come across the military training academy, there you should find little resistance, as the majority of the troops will be assemble along the western and southern gates preparing for the Spartan Naval invasion. The capitol city of Themiscyra along with the Royal Palace are a few more miles down the road to the east." here Lucia Vega paused drawing a diagram in the cold wet earth with her finger "To the north and south of the road are vast fields and orchards, here you must beware of tigers, for they are trained to sniff out the scent of men, they will stalk you from the tall grasses; which keep them unseen, and well hidden. You can only kill them with swift stabs of your spears directly into their hearts.., for a wounded tiger will not fall, and will only become more fierce with sharpened tooth and claw."
     "Then there are the daughters of Themiscyra; of whom you should not be deceived, for though they are small in stature they have been brought up in the brutal military, and are as well trained as they are deadly, wielding swords and bows and arrows. Any girls under the age of ten will not be skilled in any sort of defense, they will most likely run away at the sight of you and your well armed men," Lacuna paused knowing full well the Greeks battle tactics were the same as the nations of the Hittites, Assyrians, Israelites, Phoenicians and Egyptians, in that all the living, adults and children would be slaughtered. "But we understand what you must do, and we will not judge you for the blood that you must shed, however young, or innocent those girls might be." Lacuna sighed realizing for the first time that she was now more Greek in her thinking then she ever thought she would be. For she had given herself to this new nation and had sworn allegiance by marriage, so that now the rules of war of Themiscyra no longer applied to her or Lucia Vega in their new lives. Yet they carried on anyway safe in the knowledge that they would not be killing any children themselves, however, by divulging the secret of breaching the walled fortress, they would still have the blood of innocent young girls on their hands. Killing is never easy, but the work of destroying the nation of Themisycra still had to be done.
     "Vyakles," Lucia Vega stared over at her King telling him "your army will have the advantage of surprise, for the warrior women will not be expecting, nor anticipating, any attack from inside their own lands. Your troops shall have the upper hand." here she paused looking past the long rows of men then, turning her gaze back to Vyakles she said "I pray you good luck and protection from the gods and goddesses on your mission, and I hope that you fare well in the destruction of this nation.., until we meet again." then Lucia Vega approached her husband, General La Quint, with a great pain in her heart, the depth of which she herself had not felt since she watched in horror as her dearest friend, Queen Thera, died in the arms Vyakles, Lucia Vega lifted her eyes and said "My brave and noble husband, my one true love, I pray to Zeus you come back to me with your shield.., or upon it." a saying Spartan women had been telling their men for hundreds of years, then she sealed her words with a soft sweet kiss.
      "We shall meet again my wife, my bride. Fear you not, for I shall live to hear the happy laughter of our newborn child." General La Quint smiled rubbing his beloveds belly as he kissed Lucia Vega goodbye.
      Lucia Vega handed her torch over to her husband to help light the way down the long dark passage as she and Lacuna held hands and walked away. They, whom had betrayed their former nation, did not look back as the long column of soldiers went down into the depths of the Earth with their torches aflame, their King leading the way. Both returned to the shore where Admiral Vasha was waiting aboard his ship and when his own wife, Lacuna, rejoined him he held her tight feeling the furious beating within her breast and he kissed her on the lips and said "You have served the Spartan Nation well. Let your heart and mind not be trouble by what shall transpire, for we are here to avenge our murdered Queen. Of this, I know, that Thera would be pleased."
     However it is not right that one human being should suppose what would be seen as good and right, or just, by another, especially the heart and mind of a Queen, for Thera herself would weep an ocean of bitter tears if she were alive to witness the unjustified conflict and down fall of her former sovereign nation. Yet now, lie she there, back in Sparta, steps from her Royal Palace, in her dark and dreary tomb, cradled in her crib of Death, her spirit let loose from the flesh, her broken body unable to raise up her voice against the whirlwind of total annihilation that would soon descend upon her homeland, wrought by the hands of her own husband, who in his grief and revenge believed he was doing her spirit honor. Yet their is no honor in the killing of innocent children, who have no knowledge, nor strength to defend themselves against the tyranny of vengeful men. Oh but if the word of Thera could stand up against the world this black and dismal day.., but now lie she in her tomb with no one to heed her command, for there can be no council from the grave. 

Last Chapter continues

     Three days later, after Odessa was buried alongside the 40 Greeks she had slaughtered, Princess Sparta was safe at home with Amarra, Kayla, Jessa, Scotia, Iona, Ia, Johanna, Katara and La Scoffa, who had escorted the brokenhearted child safely back to the Royal Palace, where they each vowed to raise Thera's daughter and care for her as if they were her own mother. Admiral Vasha sailed with his three war ships and the 560 Spartan warriors under General La Quint's command. Lucia Vega and Lacuna delighted in removing Odessa's severed head from the goatskin pouch filled with ouzo; which served to preserve the macabre trophy of war. All were proud of the destruction they had accomplished in Argolis and they were looking forward to meeting up with King Vyakles and bring him the good news of his daughters rescue, along with the head of the murderous, spurious Queen of Themiscyra.
     On the far eastern shores of the Black Sea, Vyakles had tried to rest aboard his ship but his dreams were all haunted by the memory of his dead wife. So while he waited anxiously for Admiral Vasha's arrival he could be found pacing back and forth upon the decks of his trireme scanning the sandy beach for any sign of Themiscyran scouts. Now far of to the west 100 war ships sailed into view in the cove and the guards all along the watch towers were in awe of the Greek Armada anchored about a mile off the coast, just out of reach of their deadly arrows. Word of the massive Spartan presence was sent quickly to the Queen's Commander, War Councilor Cheveria, who ruled in her daughter Odessa's absence. She herself was shocked by the information, knowing deep in her heart her daughter, Odessa, must have surely failed her mission and was, most likely, dead. With a deep well of pain and bitterness in her stomach Chevria called upon the strength of her ancestors to fill her with courage, for she was a seasoned veteran of hundreds of victorious battles so she called her captains to council and they hurried to muster some 20,000 troops to ready themselves for war. The phalanx, light infantry, cavalry, charioteers, and skilled archers moved to assemble behind the western and southern gates, completely unaware of the presence of King Vyakles and his war ships far off the the east. Cheveria assumed the Spartans would land on the shore in an attempt to breech the walls, at which time she would order the gates to be opened an unleash a brutal onslaught of her well trained, battle hardened warriors, but until such a time as the Spartans made their move the Themiscyrans would just have to wait. However Cheveria and her captains of war had no knowledge that Lacuna and Lucia Vega were sailing ever closer to betray their former nation and give up the secret to breaching the ancient and impregnable walls of the fortress Nation of Themiscyra. So it was, the women warriors stood guard upon the miles of walls, nervous in their citadels, waiting for any sign of movement from the Greek ships and they were made more anxious as the day progressed into night and no movement came as the sun went down that cloudy and rainy day.
     In the wee hours of that moonless night Admiral Vasha's ships came into view pulling up alongside the King of Sparta's vessel. In a moment of sheer pleasure the distraught King's heart was lifted as he boarded Admiral Vasha's trireme and he was overcome with joy when he was informed of his daughter's rescue and the complete slaughter of Odessa and her women. Now when General La Quint presented Vyakles with the severed head of Odessa the King became ecstatic and Lacuna and Lucia Vega noticed a few tears of happiness roll down his cheek so pleased was he. Holding the dead head, drained of life and light, Vyakles held it up by the blood soaked braids and smiled whispering face to face "Justice is Death for you Odessa, no more will you rise up against my nation or my family, no longer shall you fight." here he turned and gazed at General La Quint with a smile upon his face. "You have served myself, and Queen Thera, well, by killing this woman who in a cowardice act of brutality murdered my wife. You all, working together, with the violence of your hands, have brought a great satisfaction to my troubled heart. Such loyalty has made your King very proud." Vyakles congratulated his men then he placed Odessa's head on the end of a spear lifting it high above him for all aboard the ships and those camped upon the shore to see. "The murderer Odessa is dead!" here a cheer rose up from his hundreds of men gathered there. Then he took the macabre trophy of war placing it back in the goatskin pouch slinging it over his shoulder, for he would carry it out into battle as a talisman. Then he took in deep sigh of relief as he went over to Lacuna and Lucia Vega embracing them close to his broad chest, kissing them both upon the cheek. "Our Queen would be proud of your actions, as proud as I am pleased."
     "We shall prove our faith and loyalty to you and your family by more than word of mouth." Lucia Vega whispered in the great King's ear allowing the happiness she felt to melt away a little of the bitterness of her heart.
     Here Vyakles returned his attention to his army of men standing on the beach yelling out loudly above the roar of the crashing waves "Spartans!" he shouted his teeth glistening like fangs "We are a warring people! We through the centuries have learned that killing is never easy! But there is work to be done, this nation of Themiscyra must! Nay! THEY WILL BE ANNIHILATED! We shall.., to honor our most beloved Queen Thera, we will subject this barbarian nation to the force and might of our armed aggression! We shall put all of Themiscyra's inhabitants to the sword and destroy them all with fire. The utter destruction of this civilization is our first priority!" again a thunderous cheer rose up from all the King's men as Vyakles smiled with fiery rage burning in his dark eyes gazing off to the west, where the guards along the eastern gate were completely unaware of his presence for they were too distracted by the threat of the Greek warships out to the south and west. "Let us eat and rest ourselves this cold autumn evening and, before dawn arises, we shall go out and wage our bloody, violent war against the Themiscyrans! We, together, will wipe this race of warrior women from off the face of the Earth! We shall blot out this civilization from the records of history forever! We shall destroy them all, so no one living, or those yet to be born, will ever no that these women even existed!"

Last Chapter begins

     So it was the Spartans and Thera's avengers rested after the destruction and devastation. The dying fires of the Sacred Grove smoldering in ashes throughout the remainder of the day as the group ate and slept in the shade of Mt. Parnon, biding their time until twilight came. At this point the troops of 1000 men, along with their Generals, returned to Sparta, as ordered by King Vyakles, to go home and protect the city. However many of the soldiers wished they could go north with General La Quint, his 600 men and Scotia, Iona, Johanna, La Scoffa, Ia, Katara, Jessa, Amarra and Kayla to carry on with the killing and pursuit of Odessa and her women. But they were all loyal to Vyakles and always obeyed his orders for the greater good of Sparta.
     By the light of a harvest moon General La Quint and the brave men under his command, along with Thera's unified warriors, moved north towards Megara where they knew Odessa had made her encampment. The Greeks mission was to position themselves in a circle, about half a mile outside of Odessa's camp, where the barbarians slept soundly in their tents, unarmed and unaware of the Spartan Army's presence. Here Iona, Scotia, Johanna, Ia, La Scoffa, Katara, Jessa, Kayla and Amarra, all well versed and trained for night time raids, were to ride in, still dressed for battle, charging in atop their war horses, to try and fool Odessa and her troops into thinking they were part of Katarina's group, coming to join up with them. This brilliant act of deception served Thera's avengers well, for when they rode into the campsite, in the cover of darkness, those who were still awake sitting by the fire were completely taken off guard.
     "Katarina's troops approach!" came the voice of one of Odessa's warriors in a jubilant shout just before her heart was cut out by Scotia's swift sword. Here many of the women rose up from their sleep coming out of their little tents to greet them with smiles of great joy and delight. Yet this happiness quickly turned to total shock and horror as they witnessed the mounted riders wielding their weapons slashing and stabbing at all those who approached.
     In the melee of screams and confusion those Themiscyrans loyal to Odessa did their best to retrieve their own spears and swords, having no time during the surprise attack to dress themselves in armor, or prepare for this sudden unexpected battle. Those who tried to defend their lives did their best to fight off their attackers and did so bravely, but all those who remained, and did not runaway, fell to their deaths in pools of blood, shattered skulls and gore. So it came to pass 20, or so, fled on foot as fast as they could only to be cut to ribbons by the waiting Spartans. Here Odessa, realizing what was transpiring, grabbed Princess Sparta, taking up her sharpened cyphos and crescent shaped shield. With no time to stay and fight Odessa sliced open the back of her tent just as it was engulfed in fire by one of Amarra's flaming arrows. With the heat at her back nearly singeing her hair, Odessa managed to find her steed tied up to a tree, throwing Princess Sparta up on its back, she herself climb up wrapping her legs firmly, gripping the horses ribs with her strong thighs as she folded her arms around her captive holding the terrified little girl in her arms. Odessa grabbed the reins as the pair galloped off together at full speed heading to the northeast.
     "No!" Odessa shouted as she spied the line of Spartans, shields and spears raised ready to kill her, as her heart raced.
     "Yes!" Princess Sparta cried out her spirit lifted at the sight of her father's army "They have come to save me!"
     "Quiet!" Odessa commanded as her mind could not think what to do, should she charge through the lines and let her captive go, or make a stand and fight. Here in a seconds long decision Odessa turned her steed around and dismounted pulling her little captive off the skittish horses back, as the animal bolted away, Odessa lashed Princess Sparta's hands to a nearby oak tree. Then she turned, sword and shield in hand, giving up a silent prayer for protection to Artemis as she neared the line of men, whose dark eyes were hidden under their helmets. Odessa raised her shield, half naked with no armor, and lifted her cyphos knowing she was clearly outnumbered and surely would perish, but if she were to die this night it would not be without one hell of a fight.
     La Quint sent out 40 of his warriors to surround Odessa, but she was one of the best trained warriors the Themiscyran military had ever produced, strong, lithe, quick and deadly, yet she had never gone into battle without her armor. However she proved to be quite fierce and agile as she fought off the Spartan warriors as she used her shield to fend off the blows of their swords and spears, using all her great strength and her might striking out at the Greeks, slashing and stabbing, scarlet streams of blood spewing out warm and sticky on her arms, legs, and face when in a few minutes time those who opposed Odessa fell mortally wounded and dying, bleeding to death in the aftermath of the deadly force of her sharpened cyphos. Breathing rhythmically, her nostrils flaring, lungs burning, arms aching, she stood under the light of the moon drenched in blood and sweat with 40 dead Spartans at her feet. Odessa stared out at the hundreds of men, who all stared in awe, absolutely astonished at their comrades sudden demise and defeat. Here Odessa paused to catch her breath then La Quint shouted out across the corpse strewn field and said "Tonight YOU SHALL DIE ODESSA! YOU SHALL PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES!" La Quint cried out in loud clear voice "For you have murdered our Queen Thera and taken the life of the child growing inside her." now Princess Sparta did not know her mother was dead and her heart sank into grief as she began to weep.
     General La Quint's words came as a terrible shock, for Odessa knew she had killed Thera, but that was not her aim, and the fact that Thera was with child was a fact she knew not. This information was a shock to her system and in this split second 100 Spartans encircled the spurious Queen of Themiscyra, slashing and stabbing at her body, slicing open her muscles and smashing her bones, crushing her skull with their heavy shields, cutting her down in a gush of blood and gore and in an instant the conniving, maniacal Odessa fell dead and silent forever. Never would this warrior rise up again, her spirit vanquished to the lands of ghosts and winds, Odessa would fight no more.
     As the bloodthirsty warriors stood back with satisfaction, loudly cheering, they made way for General La Quint who unsheathed his sword where, in clear view of Princess Sparta, he raised his cyphos high, and with one short, sharp striking motion he cut off Odessa's head, severing it from her neck. This would prove to be an excellent trophy of war he would gladly present to his King. Here Princess Sparta gazed out in a daze, her eyes wide in stunned amazement and grief stricken sadness. She had never in her life seen such butchery but she still could not believe her dearest mother had been killed and was no longer living. So Princess Sparta cried out to La Quint "My mother..," she stammered "No longer is alive?"
     "My dearest little Sparta." La Quint raced to her letting her loose from her bondage, cradling the devastated, bewildered child in his strong arms "I am so sorry, but your mother, our Brave and Noble Queen.., is dead." La Quint spoke plainly "That is why we have pursued Odessa, we have killed her, and cut off her head." he paused pointing to the freshly butchered corpse "Look at her Sparta! In this world we live in.., for the crime of murder.., JUSTICE IS DEATH!"
     "JUSTICE IS DEATH!" the hundreds of her father's warriors gathered their shouted out with pride.
     "Your father, our Great King, has sent us to save you and bring you back to your home, where thousands of our people love you and miss you." La Quint tried to reassure her, but the little girl only collapsed in his arms, her tiny heart broken, tears pouring out from the very depths of her soul. "Fear not little one, we have come to set you free! You must be secure in the knowledge that your mother's life will NEVER be forgotten! Thera's memory shall live forever, and remain in our hearts for all eternity. She will be known and remembered as a glorious part of our nation's history." La Quint did his best to calm the princess' shattered feelings of loss, but his words could not fill the empty hole in her heart and the little girl, only five years old, could not stop crying. So he held her long into the night as Thera's warriors came, after their own successful and bloody fight, to give her comfort for the loss of her beloved mother's life.
   

End Chapter 16

     Pursued into a panicked, hasty retreat Katarina and her remaining 33 warriors made it through the mountain pass down into the lush green valley of Argolis managing to elude Queen Thera's riders and the Spartan army, who fell back in their pursuit for well they knew where Katarina and her troops were heading. Nearing exhaustion the defeated Themiscyrans clearly saw the Sacred Grove of Argos, a vast expanse of wilderness covered with pines, cypress and ancient oak trees, whose orange and red leaves were illuminated in the early morning autumn sun. The scent of the evergreens permeated the crisp air, yet the forest was eerily silent, save for the thunderous sounds of the their war horses hooves galloping across the soft soil of the pine straw covered forest floor. Maneuvering slowly now through the thick growth of towering trees the warriors, along with their horses, panted hard trying to catch their breath, there in the inner darkness of the oaks and pines where the sun could not shine through the canopy of trees. The women thought it strange that there came no scurrying of squirrels or deer and, in this bizarre silence, they heard no birds chirping or twittering among the forest leaves. All was deathly silent, as silent as tomb, there in the midst of the overgrowth where a small shallow stream flowed through the still woods.
     Here Katarina ordered her troops to dismount to take rest and the weary warriors were glad of it. As they all climbed down out of their saddles each found their arms and legs weak after hours of fighting and riding. Many were angered and confused after the perilous battle asking Katarina how the Spartans could have known exactly where they had been waiting, and why hundreds upon hundreds of the Greeks had turned out to fight able to devastate their ranks with their overwhelming force and might. For all these fearful questions their leader, Katarina, had no answers. So she did her best to quiet their minds of fear and doubt, telling them it was all over now, that they were safe, bidding them all to rest and wash their bloody bodies in the babbling stream and tend to their overworked horses; which they all quietly did sitting down eating green apples, the only food they could manage to bring. So it was, unknowing of the danger amassing all around them, slowly, silently the Spartan Army were busy surrounding the woods, Katarina and her warrior women did the best they could, calming their hearts and minds trying to relax on the soft bed of pine straw trying to rest and get a little sleep taking a brief respite hoping to have pleasant dreams to escape from the nightmare of reality.
     During the next hour the Spartans took their time maneuvering around the 40 hectares of the grove forming one solid line surrounding the forest with 1600 men, under General La Quint's command, and the 9 women who served to mete out Thera's revenge, who told the Spartans to give Katarina and her troops this time to rest. Then Lucia Vega and Lacuna proceeded with their task each standing to the east and west baring two torches in heir hands. Simultaneously they  touched the flames of fire to the oil soaked perimeter of the grove which they had prepared earlier that day. In a flash with a loud sound of a whoosh a furious fire took hold, engulfing the forest in raging flames and thick black smoke, then with their work done Lacuna and Lucia Vega turned away, walking back down to the coast where Admiral Vasha waited aboard his war ship, and never once did Thera's loyal friends turn to look back at the forest fire they did create that fateful day as the massive inferno raged.
     Awoken from their slumber Katarina and her warrior women heard the crackling of burning timber and smelled the acrid smoke billowing through the trees. Their horses, sensing the approaching danger, reared up breaking loose from their ropes in a terrified stampede, bolting away in every direction leaving the Themiscyrans totally alone and frightened. Here the Spartans ready themselves outside the fiery wall of flames, lifting their shields and swords ready to kill off any of the women who tried to escape. As the heat and choking smoke rose ever higher and closer to their location many of Katarina's warriors fled, chasing after their steeds, many were naked, some wearing only their white tunics they had worn under their armor. Now the horses were overwhelmed with terror and dozens turned back, en mass, when they discovered the fire was all around them and this caused many of the women to be knocked down, crushed under the hooves of their own horses, their broken, trampled bodies scattered upon the ground. Now some of the horses and women broke through the wall of flames, severely burned and suffering in immense pain, however they were greeted by the waiting Spartans who were more than delighted to strike at them and put them out of their misery.
     Screams and cries of horses and women being burned alive echoed throughout the forest as Katarina stood motionless in shock, her heart racing as her mind filled with fear, gripped by terror, and she knew she had only two choices, be burned by the fire or try to out run the flames. The tortured voices, coming from those who lay dying, their skin being scorched by the intense fire was the most horrible noise Katarina had ever heard. Then, those still alive, heard the loud cheers of the Spartan men rise up above the roar of the inferno with this Katarina knew all hope was lost.
     "What shall we do!?" came the calls of the 12 women who remained at their Captain's side. Yet Katarina had no reply, for she, herself, had feared death by fire more than anything else in her short life. So it was Katarina stood motionless, shocked into silence with no orders to give as thick black smoke with the intense heat and the sound of falling trees echoed through the forest to her ears and back again. The fire, moving at a ravenous pace, cornered Katarina, and the 12 women, who could feel the burning heat upon their cheeks. In a deathly panic Katarina watched in horror as she witnessed the soul crushing scene of her beloved sisters in battle plunging their swords deep into the earth, digging, clawing out holes in the ground, holes that were just large enough to place their heads as they all knelt down giving up their last and final prayers to Artemis as they each buried their faces down deep into the earth swallowing mouthfuls of black soil, suffocating themselves, committing a tragic act of mass suicide, rather than die in the flames.
     Katarina, now completely alone, stepped into the shallow stream, her mind reeling her heart racing, as the burning ring of fire slowly closed in all around her. She began shaking uncontrollably with no earthly way to escape, not knowing which would be better, to die by fire, or suffocate. Neither of these was an honorable way for a warrior to die. So Katarina unsheathed the dagger from its scabbard at her side as she knelt in the cool water alongside the corpses of the dead, sweat pouring from her skin, the thick bitter smoke filling her burning lungs as she tried to breathe. Katarina gazed up, offering an apology to her gods and goddesses she cried out in a loud clear voice "PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" her last act of violence she committed was against herself as she grasped the handle of the sharpened knife in her hand. With one swift and precise motion she plunged the blade deep into her chest, painfully slicing into her rib cage, piercing her heart; which ceased its furious beating. Katarina collapsed face down in the water, dead.
     Now all the pain of this world melted away, the panic and terror she had known faded into darkness and she was, at long last, cradled in the warmth of a deep abiding, eternal peace as the flames rose up consuming her body and the corpses of her faithful friends, never would these Themiscyrans ever rise up and fight again. Their life long held ideals of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor died along with them that day. As the Spartans watched with a glorious joy in their hearts knowing that killing was never easy but there was much more work to be done as they stood under the autumn sun.

Chapter 16 continues

     Far off to the north east of Mt. Parnon Odessa and her weary band of blood soaked marauders made their way to their campsite just to the west of Megara. Here she dismounted her black war horse letting Princess Sparta out of the burlap sack, where she found the little girl terrified, thirsty and dripping with sweat, her hands still bound, the gag remained in her mouth.
     "Now." Odessa spoke, her eyes painted black, her long hair pulled back, dressed in full armor, looking ever so much like a demon sent from the depths of hell as she towered over Thera's child. "You have done well on this long, hard ride, but fear not little one, for you are but a child." Odessa smiled "My warriors are here to protect you and keep you safe. No harm shall come your way. We will give you food to eat and fresh water to drink while we rest here until tomorrow." Odessa explained as she untied the wet piece of cloth from Princess Sparta's mouth, letting her loose from the ties that bound her wrists, offering her a small cup of water, holding it up to her lips.
     Princess Sparta spoke not a word as she drank down the cool refreshing liquid offered to her by her captor. Then with a wild, fearful look in her green eyes she spun around on her heels and quickly tired to run, but Odessa reached out, snatching her back, grabbing a fistful of her long red hair, pulling little Sparta hard, nearly knocking her off of her feet. "There is no point in running away, for there is no escape." Odessa said with a look as severe as the grave.
     "LET ME GO!" the scared girl screamed "Why have you taken me from my family!? I want to go home!" Princess Sparta implored tears streaming down her cheeks.
     "We will take you to your new home presently." Odessa spoke calmly then peered down at the royal child then asked "Has your mother ever spoken of Themiscyra?"
     "No.., never." the frightened girl spoke truthfully, nor did Princess Sparta herself have any memories of her mother's former nation, for she had been taken away when she was just a babe.
     "Ah..," Odessa sighed sipping some of the water, towering over her "well, that is a shame, for one day soon, my little Princess, you shall be our leader and rule over our warrior nation, as our one true Queen." Princess Sparta gave a look of confusion mixed with disdain as Odessa continued "You must know, and be told the truth." Odessa paused "You are the last, in a long line, of Royal Themiscyran Queens, who have ruled over our beloved country, unopposed, for over 700 years and countless generations." Odessa then bent down coming eye to eye with the defiant child. "Your mother, Thera, was our Queen, and above all this., she was my friend. However, your mother chose to abandon her nation and her people, most selfishly, abdicating her throne to me." again Odessa paused letting this information wash over Princess Sparta's mind. "Though, I, myself, am not of a Royal Pedigree and have descended from no Royal Blood Line. But you are the last remaining daughter of the Royal House of Themiscyra. So we have come to reclaim you, for the future benefit, and welfare and stability of our beloved nation. So you will rest here with us a while, then, soon, you will find yourself living in your mother's, former, palace; which shall serve as your new home."
     "I would rather die than serve as your Queen!" Princess Sparta sneered a familiar look of hate in her eyes as she spat, like a pit-viper, into her captors face as the mass of warriors surrounding her only laughed.
     Wiping away the warm, wet saliva from off her cheek Odessa ordered her guards "Take her away to the safety of my tent, feed and clothe her, for I have plans to make!"
     Doing as they were told two of  the warriors escorted Princess Sparta out of Odessa's presence as one of her troops approached her with news "My Queen! We have re-grouped, but three of our women were taken as captives during our raid, surely they have already been killed off by our Spartan enemy." this information caused Odessa a bit of distress as she placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head as the warrior said "That leaves ninety seven of us that made it out alive and are present and accounted for. We stand ready to serve you still, after our long and dangerous ride."
     "May Zeus and Artemis be praised." Odessa said softly "We shall rest here all day and night until the dawn arises." she instructed them wiping her brow, shielding her eyes from the bright morning sun. "If Katarina has not returned with her troops to us, by then, we shall ride down to Argolis in their defense, and aid in their escape, should the Spartans have discovered their hiding place." Odessa informed her loyal warriors, dried blood streaking and staining their skin, caked in their long braids "Let us rest ourselves and our horses. Go now, we will wash away our enemies blood in the lake, then we shall eat and sleep and wait to see what tomorrow, and the Fates, shall bring."
     So it was the tired women warriors of Themiscyra unburdened their war horses from their heavy saddles and bridles, before stripping themselves of their weapons and armor, cooling their weary bodies, as they swam naked in the cold fresh waters of the mountain lake beside their small encampment. Where they told each other stories of their victorious night time raid, boasting and bragging of the number of dead bodies, and trail of devastation, they left in their wake, never ever knowing the utter destruction that would soon be coming their way.

Chapter 16 begins

     Katarina sat atop her war horse in the cold night just before dawn and she had a deep feeling of dread, for she knew something was terribly wrong. Odessa had said the Spartans would hurry to assemble their troops to give chase and pursue the invading group of Odessa's raiding party, yet hours had passed and still the Spartans had not come.
     "Where are they?" came a call from her warriors poised and ready to fight.
     "They will come." Katarina reassured them and still they waited, growing uneasy and impatient. However, they had no idea they had been betrayed, their plans given away by the three captured warriors, whose bits and pieces of their remains, the last remnants of their bodies, scattered and scavenged by the ravenous wolves.
     Then it came, a noise as loud as thunder, as they all heard the Spartan Army on the move, marching in a steady cadence that shook the Themiscyrans and the Earth. Katarina peered out in the pale-blue early morning light and she, along with her small band of infantry, cavalry and charioteers, were amazed and in awe to see a massive wave, column after column, of soldiers, spears and shields advancing towards them. There were hundreds, if not thousands, coming to destroy Odessa's women. Clearly they were outnumbered.
     "Ready yourselves my brave warriors! Hold the line!" came Katarina's battle cry. "Wait for my signal to retreat!"
     Then all the women noticed Thera's determined ladies, in full armor, in front of the Spartan Army, riding on horseback out to the field of battle. As the former Themiscyrans neared Katarina's position they clearly heard and recognized the voice of Scotia shout out "Odessa has killed Queen Thera! And she had murdered the child that was growing inside her royal person!" Scotia screamed with furious anger and rage. "Now you all have a decision to make! SURRENDER OR DIE!"
     This was the moment when this devastating information, in a split second, planted the seeds of shock and self-doubt and were sewn in their hearts, in a sudden flash fear crept into their minds. This was all the time it took for the fog of war to settle inside of Odessa's women. The two armies came silently close to one another as Katarina's warriors raised their shields, twelve deep, and began a forceful attack as thousands of pounds of flesh, bones and weapons smashed together with such a clash of impact that many of their spears snapped in half. The two armies pushing with their heavy shields at each other could now only use swords and daggers fighting in close combat. The men and women fought desperately, slashing skin, muscles and bones, the Spartans hacking their way through Katarina's army of women who fell dead in an ocean of blood and gore. Many who fought for Vyakles, side by side, though were themselves wounded, they fought back with valor and those of their hated enemy who were captured were quickly put to the sword, executed on the spot.
     Katarina's division was split in twain as the front line was engulfed by the vicious, blood-thirsty, vengeful Spartans, along with Scotia, Iona, Jessa, Johanna, Katara, Kayala, Amarra, Ia and La Scoffa, who themselves took no pleasure in killing their former compatriots. Katarina cried out loudly "RETREAT! RETREAT!"
     But the call came too late for the outnumbered infantry as the cavalry and charioteers withdrew in a panic, with what was left of the team of archers and frightened horses, their hearts pounding with fear and terror. They were beaten back by the might of the Spartan Army and quickly Katarina and her overwhelmed army fled the scene, fleeing as fast as they could up along the mountain pass. Here Thera's noble warrior women followed closely pursuing them through the thick growth of pine trees, for well they knew King Vyakles, and his Spartan warships, under Admiral Vasha's command, had already set sail for Themiscyra and Argolis  to the east, where General La Quint would be ready and waiting with 600 of the King's men, along with Lacuna and Lucia Vega who would themselves drench the soil of the Sacred Grove with olive oil ready to burn it, along with Katarina and what was left of her army, to the ground.

End Chapter 15

                                                                   End Chapter 15                                                                                           It was just a few hours before dawn, that cold autumn night, when Thera's loyal, faithful women went back to their homes to prepare themselves for war as the helots throughout the city cleared away the corpses of the dead. Many of those murdered, as they slept in their warm beds, were members of the Senate and their wives, along with their servants who were not prepared and ill-equipped to fight off the Themiscryan assassins. Funeral pyres were amassed, as ordered by the king, to burn the bodies of the dead quickly to prevent the stench of rotting flesh and disease to spread. This included the fallen members of the King's body guards who failed to keep him and his family safe; which served only to bring Vyakles to furious anger and bitter disappointment. Katarina and her warriors saw the flames and black smoke rise high as they waited anxiously for the arrival of the Spartan Army, who gathered together with King Vyakles planning their counter-attack.
     Now when Lucia Vega, Lacuna, and the rest of Thera's brave ladies, assembled with the soldiers and sailors the Spartan men stood in awe for many had never seen the women arrayed in their battle armaments. They stood tall and fierce, eyes painted black, hair pulled back into braids, their armor gleaming by the torch lights, swords at their sides, shields and spears in hand, looking like warriors sent from hell, leading their massive war horses behind them, with a look as severe and devastating as an earthquake. Their appearance was as ominous and terrifying as any demon, the spirit of evil personified. However when La Quint and Vasha saw their wives, who were newly with child, ready for war they protested loudly "My King! Do not allow our brides to join in this battle, for this action could gravely jeopardize the tiny lives growing inside of them."
     Vyakles turned and heard the concern in his friends voices and he said "Lacuna and Lucia Vega have been given their orders. They have not come to fight. You, Admiral Vasha, are to sail them up to the Gulf of Argolis, along with 3 of my warships and 600 men. We have come to know that Captain Katarina and her rear guard will take refuge in the Sacred Grove of Argos believing they will be safe until Odessa returns with more of her troops. You and your men are to lay in wait and surround those woods.., where Lacuna and Lucia Vega have volunteered to burn the forest down to the ground." Here many of the Greeks grew fearful of such sacrilege against the gods and goddesses, but none spoke one word of protest. "If any of our enemy try to escape the flames and choking smoke you are hereby ordered to cut those women up into little pieces, upon which the vultures shall surely feed." Vyakles said almost with a smile as he could picture this in his mind's eye. "Whereupon General La Quint will lead my soldiers on the march to Megara where Odessa is to re-group with her troops. Your mission, General, is to find Odessa, kill her, and return Princess Sparta home safely to myself and our people." he paused thinking of the terror his little girl must be suffering and this caused a great pain in his heart. "Admiral Vasha, you are then to escort Lacuna and Lucia Vega aboard your ship and join the rest of my fleet in the Black Sea, sailing swiftly to Themiscyra where we will lay siege." Vyakles paused glancing at Lacuna and Lucia Vega who would disclose the secrets to breaching the walled nation. "As for now I will send out 10 of my Generals with 1000 of my infantry to face Katarina, who will accompany Jessa, Katara, Iona, Scotia, Ia, Johanna, La Scoffa, Kayla and Amarra so they may fight in battle alongside my warriors. You are to smash apart Katarina's division and force them into retreat, follow them to Argolis where you will join ranks with my Army. When these women have been butchered and burned alive you will return to Sparta to defend the city, while I and my Navy are fighting in Themiscyra." King Vyakles paused turning his mind back to his own tragedy "Before we leave, we must all go, before sunrise, and pay our last respects to our fallen Queen. For my beloved Thera now lies in my own tomb, she has been prepared for her royal burial with her sword and shield, where my priests give up prayers and burn incenses as we speak."
     A solemn look came over the face of Thera's warriors and Iona spoke saying "We will go and bid our brave and noble Queen farewell and pray that.., one day, we will again meet, face to face, on the other side of the gulf that separates the living from the dead. Then we shall go and send those who follow Odessa to the land of the damned!" a cheer rose up from Thera's women whom were brokenhearted just as much as the King.
     "YES! We shall go out and fulfill our sacred mission to show the whole of the world and the pantheon of the gods and goddesses the depth of our Love, Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor for our murdered Queen, who gave up her life only to save me! WE WILL DESTROY the entire Nation of Themiscyra! We, together, will wipe away the memory of their culture and heritage from the face of the Earth! We shall remove any, and all traces, of their existence from the records of history! So that even two thousand years from this day forward no one will ever know, or believe, these Amazon warriors ever existed! We shall cast the Themiscyrans into the World of Myth and Legend!" the king roared with all his might, his voice filled with furious anger lifting the hearts and minds of his warriors preparing their spirits for the long and arduous fight.

  

Chapter 15 continues

     Soon the fires were finally put out with buckets of earth and water as the Spartan soldiers and sailors gathered together in the forum readying themselves for war, polishing their armor and sharpening their spears and swords.Whereupon King Vyakles carried the body of Queen Thera to the temple of Hera where he lay her cold corpse upon the stone altar, here he ordered the physicians Jessa, and Caderios, along with the high priest, to prepare her for ritual burial. Then he turned away leaving the side of his dead wife to prepare his body and mind for battle to avenge her unexpected death.
     At this same time Iona, Scotia, Johanna, Ia, La Scoffa, Katara, Amarra, and Kayla had three of the marauders from Themiscyra they had successfully captured, strung up by the heels, hanging naked upside down together, side by side, from the boughs of a massive oak tree on the outskirts of the city. Their hands tied behind their backs, their faces and bodies cut, bloody and bruised from much deserved abuse.
     "You should NOT have come here this night!" Scotia screamed, spitting in their swollen eyes.
     As Lucia Vega and Lacuna approached the violent scene they both looked as if someone had just walked over their graves. The women, loyal to Thera, felt an uneasy feeling creep into their hearts and they stilled themselves to listen as Lacuna spoke. "Lend your ears a moment.., my sacred sisters of Sparta, for I bring you all grievous news." Lacuna said in a low clear voice her expression as cold as a tomb. "It pains my heart to tell you.., our brave and noble Queen, our beloved friend and leader in battle..," here she paused  a hard lump forming in her throat as she felt a stabbing pain in her chest, for with the overwhelming emotion of great loss, Lacuna found she could not bring herself to finish her own sentence.
     "Queen Thera is dead! Murdered by Odessa's own treacherous hands." Lucia Vega informed them "She gave up her life, in a noble sacrifice, to save the life of her beloved husband, our King." Thera's good ladies were shocked and many tears began to fall, mixed with their confusion as outrage filled their souls. Even the assassins felt a sudden sadness in their black hearts. "Odessa has taken away Princess Sparta and the spirit of Vyakles is utterly crushed!" Lucia Vega paused as Lacuna turned away weeping trying not to show the depth of her devastation. "But what is worse than all of this, my friends..," Lucia Vega shook her head then said "Queen Thera was newly with a royal child, growing inside."
     All gathered their together stood for a moment shocked and stunned by this revelation "Damn the Fates! Damn Odessa and her followers!" came up a loud cry of anger and dismay from the women.
     "No." were the words of one of the assassins with the knowledge of this heart wrenching news. For well they knew, in their society, to murder a child the punishment was death, for this was a crime against all humanity, but to kill an unborn, defenseless baby was a crime against all the gods and goddesses, a vile and vicious unforgivable act, as evil and abominable as any human being could get. "We did not know this!" came up a truthful cry from one of the doomed warriors "Had we been aware of this, never would we have volunteered for this diabolical mission!"
     "LIAR!" Scotia shouted as she kicked the marauder in the mouth, knocking her front teeth out as the warm blood ran, dripping down to the ground.
     "You have helped Odessa and have betrayed the precious unborn life of a royal child!" Kayla spewed forth her rage "So you will tell us all the information we require! Tell us all of it now! Tell us everything you know about Odessa's mission and we shall make your deaths quick and painless!" she seethed lying. .
     "Where are the rest of her troops?" Scotia yelled.
     So the captured women told them all they knew, readily and wholeheartedly, as the blood pulsed to their aching heads; which pounded with every beat of their cruel hearts "Odessa has taken Princess Sparta back to Themiscyra to set her upon as the throne as our new Queen, where Odessa will serve as her advisor until she is eighteen and finished with her military training. Katarina waits outside the city now, at the base of Mt. Parnon with 100 infantry, cavalry, archers and charioteers, to serve as the rear guard while Odessa and her other 100 women make their escape."
     "Where is Odessa meant to regroup with her troops?" Lacuna demanded to know.
     "In Megara.., tomorrow." came the truthful answer.
     "What else!" Lucia Vega asked glaring down at them.
     "Odessa has ordered Katarina to take refuge in the Sacred Grove of Argos, should their division be split by the Spartan Army, and they are forced to make a retreat."
     "Why there, of all places?"
     "Odessa knows the Greeks will not enter that holy place, nor will they burn it down, for fear of offending their gods."
     Here the women shook their heads, some of them laughing diabolically, as Lucia Vega spoke saying "Odessa is correct, these superstitious Greeks will not desecrate that ancient and holy ground.., but we .., we are not of Greek blood and WE FEAR NO GODS! We will go and force Katarina and her group to retreat, then we will burn those woods down!" here a cheer rose up from the broken hearted ladies, whose minds were brimming with the anticipation of exacting and perfecting their revenge, armed with this information  the seeds of hate and vengeance grew strong.
     Lacuna, smiling like a fiend, with a rich clear voice she said to the doomed warriors swinging in the breeze "We thank you for your cooperation." then she gave the following orders "My sacred sisters, who have loved Queen Thera and served her well in battle, and in her short life, we must avenge her death! It is our obligation and duty to serve her still. We will ready ourselves for war against Odessa and destroy all those who are loyal to her throne! With SWORDS and FIRE we shall annihilate all of those who oppose us!" Lacuna paused then she said "Take these villainous traitors, slice them open, finish them off, drag their warm bodies out in to the center of the woods, let us make them food for the wolves!"
     "Do not let us die this way!" came the cries of the terrified women "This is not an honorable death for a warrior!" their prisoners implored.
     "HONOR!?" Lucia Vega screamed in rage taking the sharpened cyphos from Kayla's hand "YOU HAVE NO HONOR!" with that she slit open the bellies of all three women, who cried out in sheer agony as their blood and intestines disgorged forth upon the ground. These deaths would be extremely painful as they were violent, then each woman was cut down, one by one, and dragged out into the deep dark forest, it would take them a little while longer to die. They were, in fact, still half alive when they heard the ravenous wolves howling as they approached slowly circling with sharp teeth and hungry eyes.
     

Chapter 15 begins

     Now this tragic event had crushed the King's spirit but his will for revenge and the urge to kill were only heightened, he looked up at his Admiral of the Navy and commanded him "Vasha, my loyal subject, and faithful friend, ready my ships, alert the sailors, General La Quint assemble my army for their orders to march! For this cowardice act of Odessa.., is a Declaration of War!"
     "Yes my King!" both men shouted in agreement and obedience going off to prepare the men for battle.
     "Call for my physicians! Bring out my priests!" Vyakles cried to Lacuna and Lucia Vega as he tried to shake awake his dead wife.
     Lacuna and Lucia Vega knelt down in the earth with him, holding the cold lifeless hands of their brave Queen, their friend of thirty years "Vyakles.., no." Lacuna said in a whisper as tense as wire "You have to let her go." Lacuna cried for the first time in anger and grief for such a devastating loss of life.
     "There is no medicine, there is no spell which can call up the dead." Lucia Vega said softly taking his bloody hands off the corpse and into her own as she stared into the heartbroken man's eyes. "We have three of the Themiscyran marauders in captivity. Amarra and Kayla are torturing them for information as we speak."
     "I promise you Vyakles! We will clad ourselves in our armor, saddle our horses and take up our swords and fight! WE WILL bring back Princess Sparta, and that coward Odessa.., WE WILL KILL!" Lacuna said vowing to the king with all confidence of the goddess Athena.
     "Do not fear Vyakles! We know where they are going, we know the secrets of our walled fortress." Lucia Vega informed him saying "Fear not for the safety of your daughter! For it goes against all Themiscyran law to harm children, the punishment is death. Your child will remain safe."
     Here Vyakles gave an angered bewildered look as his eyes flashed with fury "Not harm children!? This is your code of Law!" with tears for blood staining his cheeks he yelled "Then what of MY CHILD! That has now died inside of my dearest THERA, in the belly of my DEAD WIFE!?"
     Shocked into silence this news swept over the women like an icy wave. Then Lacuna stammered "She.., Thera was.., with child?"
     Vyakles cried out "YES!" as he collapsed in a heap, covering Thera with his body, weeping.
     "Damn the Fates!" Lucia Vega cried her eyes on fire with burning rage "When the women of Themiscyra hear this, they will gladly kill Odessa themselves."
     "We will send out our riders with this abominable news. I guarantee you they will not fight for Odessa! We can, and shall, defeat her! We will put to the sword, and spear, all those who have served her this night. There is no escape from our vengeance! For Odessa, and all those who came to fight alongside that Barbarian Queen, no longer have the right to life!" thus Lacuna spoke loudly and boldly, as thoughts of the total annihilation of the Nation of Themiscyra were in the King of Sparta's head as the cold wind blew carrying away the spirit of Queen Thera to the Land of the Dead.
   
      

End Chapter 14

 End Chapter 14                                                                                                                                         Vyakles and Thera went out the open window, running through the courtyard to the back of the palace where they burst through the rear gate where, to their shock and horror, they saw a dozen blood soaked riders, armed for battle, galloping away down the hill to the city; which was filled with smoke, fire, and the screams of the dying and those trying desperately to put out the flames and fight off the rest of the attackers. Thera instantly recognized the marauders by their armor and she yelled "Themiscyrans!"
     Here Odessa turned, hearing the voice of her former friend, with Princess Sparta tied up in a burlap sack slung over the back of her war horse like a saddle bag. She spied Vyakles and Thera standing a few yards away, swords in hand, a look of furious anger etched upon their faces and she cried out in a loud voice, javelin in hand saying "Thera! You traitor! I have come for your daughter!"
     Astonished to see Odessa atop her war steep she screamed "Odessa! Stop! DO NOT DO THIS!" Thera implored all her words filled with anguish as she tried to run towards her, but King Vyakles held her back.
     "I will kill this terrorist myself!" just as Vyakles took one step forward Odessa raised her right arm and threw, with all her might, the deadly weapon and in a flash Thera pulled Vyakles by the shoulders moving in front of him holding her husband in a tight embrace, placing her body in the way as they now stood face to face. He saw her green eyes grow wide as she screamed out in intense pain as the sharpened iron tip of the javelin shattered her ribcage, piercing her heart.
     With her last breath Thera said to her beloved husband "Save Sparta!"
     Vyakles could not believe what had just transpired in that brief moment of time as his wife, the mother of his children, and his unborn child, collapsed in his arms and died, having saved his life with the ultimate sacrifice of her own, out of her Love, Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Sacred Honor. "Thera! My Queen! Do not leave me!" he screamed in grief and utter disbelief as he laid her body down, pulling the javelin out as her royal blood spewed forth from the gaping wound staining the ground. Then he took the javelin throwing it as hard as he could towards Odessa, but his aim was not true missing his target and Odessa only laughed, as she galloped away atop her war horse at full speed into the deep woods, leaving behind the death and destruction caused by the violence of her hands and the villainous act of her mind.
     Here Admiral Vasha, General La Quint, Lacuna and Lucia Vega came running up upon the horrific scene seeing their brave and beautiful friend was dead. So it was Queen Thera of Sparta, former ruler of Themiscyra, Royal Daughter of Queen Ethera died, along with the precious life growing inside her, both were engulfed by Death's Dread Shadow on that dark and terrible night. As Vyakles held the corpse of his beloved wife in his arms he cried out like a wounded lion, bitter tears streaming down his face knowing he would never hear her sweet voice again, nor feel the warmth of her touch and the gentle kisses of her mouth. So it came to pass, King Vyakles shed his tears for blood, for the blood of his beloved wife and he shouted out "Odessa! YOU BETTER RUN! For I, and the might of my ARMY and NAVY, shall come with SWORDS and FIRE! We will take back Princess Sparata! And together we will BURN YOUR EMPIRE DOWN!!" 

Chapter 14 continues

     When the time was right, in the dark of night, Queen Odessa and her troops easily gained access to the sleeping city of Sparta. Odessa was still astonished a people could live in a city that was not protected with walls, for if the Greeks had constructed protective defensive walls they would have done a fine job of keeping Odessa and her assassins out. Yet the Spartans in their arrogance, and self-serving superiority, thought they were invincible, and history had proved that they were, however they were not prepared for a surprise attack, for they truly believed no one would dare use such dastardly tactics. Yet this was exactly how the Themiscyrans won a vast majority of victories against their enemies, for they would appear like a thief in the night ready, able and willing to take their adversaries lives.
     So they had marched north along the banks of the Eurotas, taking to the cover of the deep dark forests when they approached the vast fleet of Spartan ships in the harbor. With sharpened swords Odessa and her warriors donned their armor, the physical manifestation of their sacred honor. Carefully Queen Odessa and her agents of annihilation positioned themselves, dressed for battle, whereupon they were able to slip into the quiet city undetected; which proved surprisingly easy for, as the Fates would have it, the Themiscyrans had come at a time of the harvest celebration when most of all the citizens were curled up in their beds having consumed gallons of Petzina, a strong wine fortified with pine resin, along with lashings of barley beer and honey mead swimming in their heads. Even the night watchmen could be found asleep at their posts.
     So it was Captian Katarina waited outside the city at the edge of the woods at the base of Mt. Parnon with chariots, bows, spears, shields, swords with their horses of war and the division of 200 under her command. Soon they saw the smoke and flames rise up from the center of the city and they heard the tumult of screams and cries of 'Fire! Fire!' along with the lamentations of the dying who were cut to pieces as they tried to douse the flames as the inferno consumed the market place and royal stables. Panic and chaos rained down upon the terrified people of Sparta who rose from their warm beds, running out into the streets, some naked, and still half asleep, unsure of what was happening. King Vyakles and Queen Thera awoke throwing on their silken scarlet robes calling for their guards, but none came as the market place and stables went up in flames. 100 frightened horses galloped, at full speed, in a wild stampede trampling over the men and women who had come to try and stop the madness that was transpiring. Vyakles and Thera stepped out into the hall with warm sticky blood covering their bare feet.
     At this point the Captain of the Kings Guard, Haithor, sword in hand ran into the Great Hall calling out for his men but they were already dead, killed by the 20 warriors under Odessa's command. He saw a tall, dark figure lurking in the shadow of the throne "Show yourself!" he shouted ready to strike then he saw to his utter dismay a face that he recognized instantly appearing like a specter from the grave "Odessa!?"
     "Sweetheart." Queen Odessa smiled, a sharpened spear in hand as she rushed forth skewering Haithor in the head splitting his brain in two, his teeth smashed into his mouth, as he began choking on his own blood,  spitting the rest of his teeth out in a gushing stream of blood and gore that spewed forth from what was left of his face. Odessa's former lover collapsed at her feet in a gruesome heap, an awful way to die. Then in an instant he lay there, dead, at Odessa's feet as Death's Dark Cloud closed around his corpse "Ah." Odessa grinned with sheer delight "What terrible beauty."
     With that Odessa and her warriors regrouped moving through the palace cutting to ribbons any and all who stood in their way. Now Vyakles and Thera were not prepared for the melee of blood, screams and terror they came upon, but both armed themselves with the swords they took out of the hands of their dead, the bodies of their many servants and soldiers scattered throughout the palace and city streets.
     "Our children!" Thera shouted her her heart racing as she and her husband fled down the long hall to the nursery where they found the oaken door smashed in and their son cowering under the bed.., but Princess Sparta was no where to be found.
     "Therakles! Where is your sister!?" they both screamed clutching the boy to their chests.
     "A demon came and grabbed her! It took her out the window and escaped up the olive tree!" the frightened child exclaimed tears running down his cheeks.
     "Stay here!" King Vyakles commanded him as he and his wife gave chase.

Chapter 14 begins

     Now the women dressed and warmed themselves by the fire in the early light that morning, Queen Odessa brought out the maps of Sparta and the surrounding terrain as she instructed her warriors having hand selected everyone for each prescribed task on this perilous mission. "I shall send 30 of you to the market place, in the center of the city, after midnight, when the Spartans are asleep and dreaming of tomorrow in their beds. Your objective.., set the market place on fire and kill all those who come to put out the flames." Odessa paused drawing in the sand with her a finger a large diagram of the streets for all to see "The palace sits atop a small hill overlooking the Spartan plain, now I shall send 30 more of you to the royal stables, near the palace.., when you see the flames rise up from the center of the city you are to let loose all the horses out into the street, then burn the stables to the ground. This stampede will send out sheer panic and chaos  to everyone, including the Captain of the King's Guard, Haithor, and his security force, they will all be in utter disarray. 20 of you, whom I have especially chosen, shall go into the palace with me, and we will slay all those we find, who try to stop us, or defend Thera and her children from us. We shall take Thera by force, but if she is to fierce in the fighting.., I will be forced to slit her throat." Odessa paused seeing this scenario play out in her mind."I.., I will be the one to take Princess Sparta out. When this is accomplished we shall ride out together and make our escape out into the wheat fields and up into the mountains." Odessa paused seeing this all in her head "Captain Katarina will lead the rear guard, you shall assume battle formation and wait for the Spartans, and any of Thera's women.., our former sisters if any of those traitors have survived the surprise attack. Now the Spartans will need at least half of an hour to suit up for combat and assemble their troops of retaliation, however, that might take a little longer with their town burning down!" Odessa laughed along with the rest of her eager and willing assassins.
     "Well said! Well said.., my Queen." Katarina smiled.
     "Ah yes, fire has been a friend to us, indeed." the Queen reflected upon their tactics. "Now.., when they come you may be out numbered." Odessa paused a look as serious as the grave came over her face along with a glimmer of the thrilling horror of killing lit up her blue eyes. "Listen you all.., listen well, should your division be separated, and you are forced to make a retreat, then flee to the north east, across the Parnon mountains in to Argolis." here she drew the area in the sand adding this to her battle field diagram "Where there grows the Sacred Grove of Argos, this is a holy, sacred place to all the Greeks, never would any of them ever dare to enter therein, nor trod the sacrosanct ground, you will be safe there until we wait until morning to regroup. If we do not all meet up at Megara.., then we will know to come back for you."
     "We shall protect you, oh Queen and your brave warriors, with all the power and might of our bodies and our mind's determined will! Our lines shall not be broken and we will slaughter all the Spartans soaking their fertile ground with a river of their own warm blood!" Katarina shouted feeling the excitement of warfare boiling up in her heart. All the women shouted in full and total agreement with the Captain's statement and they all felt the surging rush of energy flowing through them in their mutual lust for blood. 'The thrilling horror of killing', as they were used to calling it. This was, in their minds, necessary for well they knew, life feeds on life, feeds on strife, feeds on life. Yet these Themiscyrans still had much more living, and killing, to do.
     "99 warriors shall fight with you Captain Katarina, and I pray that when we met in Megara I shall have 99 warriors with which to embrace and reward." Queen Odessa said looking over the many enthusiastic faces of those who would go out and fight, and possibly loose their lives, all in the name of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor for a Queen and a Nation they loved.
     "We shall come, fervently to kiss your sweet face, and bow at your feet, drenched in the blood of our enemies." one of her brave ladies shouted over to her from across the warm bonfire her voice lifted above the crash of the waves on the beach.
     "That leaves 20 of you." Odessa sat back her hands in her lap as she knelt in the sand bathed in the orange glow of the flames as the sun reflected off a few wisps of amethyst clouds hanging low in bright blue sky. "You all have the most important job.., for you must break camp as we march, traveling up over the mountains and have everything ready for us when we ride in, bloody and weary from battle." So it was, each and every last one of them had a job, and served a purpose, this was how they formed a well trained and better disciplined fighting unit than any of the men who ruled the world during this time and age. 700 hundred years of warfare, military expeditions and victories, the battle tactics and secrets of their ancient lineage would serve these vicious ladies well, for they were bound and determined to serve Queen Odessa and the Nation of Themiscyra with the terrible violence of their hands. Odessa gave the order to feed and water their  horses and to prepare their hearts, minds and bodies for battle, as they had a long march north to Sparta ahead of them, where Death was surely waiting to open up that dread door to the threshold of his dark, eternal world.
   
     

End Chapter 13

     Katarina sat on the edge of the little bed gazing at the cold, naked corpse of Ambassador Gaetano, a man she had grown to admire, however, her feelings for the charming man did not matter for she had been ordered to poison him by Odessa and it was only out of Katarina's extreme loyalty to her Queen and Country that she, along with the others, fully and completely obeyed. Now this loyalty was to such an extreme destructive extent that had Queen Odessa commanded her to chop up Gaetano's body and cook up a nice stew of him, she would have done that too. For Katarina and all the rest of the Themiscyrans were so deeply indoctrinated into their ancient culture and belief systems that they would always obey, without question the orders of their leaders, both religious and military and, most especially, the Royal Command of a Themiscyran Queen.
     "Captain Katarina." Odessa, standing at the entrance to the small tent, called out to Katarina "It is time." she spoke in a calm clear voice a few hours before the sun would rise. Saying nothing in response Captain Katarina only nodded her head yes as she stood up and walked out into the cool autumn air which lifted and spread out her long red hair upon the gentle breeze coming in from off of the cold mountains. She took in a deep relaxing breath, but her mind could not be stilled, so she remained silent surveying the scene on the windswept beach.
     She watched as the many warriors went in and carried out the bodies of the dead from the little tents grouped together by the bonfires along the shore, then two of her fellow soldiers passed beside her, going in to bring out the body of Ambassador Gaetano, Katarina averted her eyes looking at the ground for she suddenly was overwhelmed with a strange feeling she had never experienced and that in a word was, SHAME. Yet she remained silent not wanting to upset Queen Odessa, whom had ordered the dead Etruscan men to be placed back on their ships in the cargo holds, where the nude corpses were covered with hay, to be soaked in highly flammable olive oil later. It seemed strange to Katarina that the task of moving fifty naked, dead men from the tents up the wooden ramp of the ship and laid in the vast cargo holds went by so quickly, for she thought it would surely take much longer than it actually did. It was at this point she came out of her daze realizing she herself was still naked standing next to the Queen, who was speaking to her but to Katarina it was difficult to hear clearly and understand, for some reason it sounded as if Odessa was very far away, or speaking underwater. "Katarina, do you understand these commands?"
     Katarina looked into the face of her Monarch but she could not answer for none of Odessa's words had registered in her brain or had any meaning "Forgive me my Queen, I..," she rubbed her temples then said "Please, I am here with you now."
     So she received her next orders, for Odessa selected Katarina to finish the sacrifice with her; which was a very high honor in their society. So it was the two boarded each ship bare breasted and bearing  torches as a group of ten warriors, dressed in white tunics, boarded each ship with them, they were bearing large jars of the sacred green oil which they would use to destroy the trusting Etruscan men, whom thought the Themiscyran's were their friends. When the time came the heavy wooden ramp was slipped up and back on board then, a short while later, just before the sun arose, that dreadful day, the tide surged up and back out to the sea again, lifting the massive wooden vessels from off the beach. Now the women had been instructed to soak the sturdy canvass sails tied to the masts, along with the human pile of flesh and hay. As the ships drew farther away from the shore, Odessa commanded the sails to be hoisted up; which required great force and brute strength as the north wind filled the great white sails, the ships both gaining speed, Odessa, her torch held high above her head, gave the signal with a loud cry, then each woman began diving over board splashing down in the dark cold waters about 300 yards off the coastline. Katarina knew it was time to go below deck with the heap of the bodies of the dead, she was supposed to count to 100, then set their sacrifice ablaze. Katarina opened up her blue eyes wide gazing at those good men, whose naked skin was glistening by the flickering light of the orange and yellow flames of her torch, as she searched over those faces she could see, there beneath the mass of tangled arms and legs of those once fine, living, breathing human beings so unceremoniously thrown together, stacked up like firewood. Then, there in the stillness, Katarina spied the face of Gaetano underneath the torso of one of his fallen comrades, their among the bodies of the dead, and in the long black shadows which danced over that dreadful sight, Katarina thought, for just a moment, she saw Ambassador Gaetano open up his dark eyes, but it was just her imagination, nothing more. So then the battle hardened warrior gave up the prayers of her heart and mind to the will of the Fates as she waited, counting off the numbers in her head from one to one hundred.
     Then, over on the sister ship, Queen Odessa was below decks with the victims of her sacrifice as well, yet there was one man she had specially prepared for this astonishing gift of dead men to the sea, and that was Prince Thane, whom Odessa had treated with utmost respect.., even in death. For she had, herself, dressed him back up in his regal robes of purple and gold, and had him placed sitting upright in one of the ships heavy oak chairs, to serve as his throne, where upon his head she placed his magnificent, finely crafted golden crown of grape vines and leaves, the finest crown Odessa had ever seen. So there she stood lifting up her arms offering  her prayers to Zeus, Hades and Poseidon, beseeching them to accept her gift of human flesh, asking for their blessings and protection on this vital mission,  and she prayed for a safe journey home. Queen Odessa's prayers were veiled in hushed whispers so only the gods, and the ghosts of the damned could hear her. Holding her torch she stood as still as a statue, gazing down at the ashen face of the would-be-king. Then Odessa opened her mouth and spoke to the dead man "Goodbye. Sweet Prince. I thank you.., for you have made for my fathers a noble and beautiful sacrifice and with your royal blood, they shall be appeased ." slowly Odessa turned as she climbed carefully back up the slippery wooden steps. Without looking back she touched the flames to the trail of oil on the deck then, in a bright flash with a loud whoosh, the oil ignited in a roar as loud as a thousand lions, licking up in yellow flames which fled below deck setting the cargo hold, and the corpses within, ablaze, thick black smoke billowing up in a hot choking blast of wind. Odessa looked to her right and she saw Katarina doing the same on the other vessel, quickly the two ran toward the sails setting the main masts on fire, as they made their way, running swiftly, to the prow of the ships the Queen, and her Captain, lit up the oil-soaked front sails, which fueled the raging flames. With this destructive task over, and the fires quickly spreading, they both in unison jumped from the vessels with the smell of burning wood and roasting flesh permeating the air. The sudden shock of the cold water was like a slap in the face as they struggled against the waves to swim back to shore, where all the other 198 warrior women watched and waited for their Queen, and Captain. both to return.
     So it was the crowd on the beach stared out at the spectacular display of fire, smoke and light, as the red flames stabbed the sky, just as dawn was breaking and the souls of the dead staggered to their eternal rest. Soon the twenty women at last made it back to land collapsing, frozen, exhausted and shivering and they feared for Odessa and Katarina's return, for the current was strong, however, Odessa was clever, and a fine swimmer, and knew to swim parallel to the shore. Yet, even so, they were still about half a mile out in the deepest waters as the sun arose over the vast expanse of the Aegean. Finally, after constant struggling in the waves their arms, legs and lungs cramped and tired, Odessa and Katarina made it out of the foaming waters not far off from where they had made camp. Now when they came up behind the crowd, who were still gazing out at the fiery ships, Queen Odessa and Captain Katarina said nothing just watching the light and smoke far off on the horizon as they both admired the work of their hands, each hoping their prayers traveled to the god's chaotic realm. So it came to pass, the murderous Themiscyran's witnessed the two, once mighty ships, ablaze in an inferno of fire and smoke, slowly disappearing beneath the waves along with the blood, bones and ashes of their victims as a golden sun rose up over the dappled waters bringing forth a new day.
     "Now our sacrifice has been made!" Queen Odessa shouted, startling all the women who turned to see her standing by the bonfires her hair a long wet mass, resembling kelp hanging off her shoulders, and she looked like a naked maiden from the sea, a glorious, mysterious creature of the deep. "I have returned to you a daughter of Poseidon!" the women all delighted by her powerful presence "I have come to tell you all.., we have made my father very happy! For with the slaughter of these fine, worthy men.., Poseidon is greatly pleased!" here a victorious cheer of elation issued forth from the determined group of warriors. "I tell you this, my brave, blood thirsty ladies! Our mission is just beginning.., there is still work to be done, this shall not be easy, but we are fit for the killing! So by the light of Apollo and Helios, let us all gather together and discuss our plan of attack once again, so it is clear as crystal in our hearts and minds!"