Chapter 5 continues

     "Sire! Sire!" came the shouts from the men, who had fathered sons with the Themiscyran women, as the king entered the forum; which was filled to capacity and very warm, lit by torches on this humid summer night. The men clamored about Vyakles all asking excitedly when they would be allowed to see their newly returned sons and when they might be reunited with their women. Before he answered the king thought it strange how the men described Thera's ladies as 'their women' and he thought it stranger still that these men were even gathered here within the senate at all.
     "Calm yourselves gentlemen." The king gave a bemused look telling them "Your sons have been well fed and are now resting in the palace, the Mother's of the Sons of Sparta are sleeping, in their gynaikon, safely in the arms of Morpheus as we speak, for theirs was a long hard journey and I, along with General La Quint, have returned them all home safe to Mother Greece."
     "Silence in the Forum!" called Agregis the highest ranking member of the senate shouted out. "The Physician Caderios is giving testimony." Agregis said as a hush fell over the 100 or so men gathered there. "Please.., continue Caderios."
     "As I was saying.., the children were all well cared for, properly nourished, strong, bright eyed and full of health and vigor, and I found them all to be highly intelligent as well. For as I have testified the men who remained on the island did so not against their will. Vasha and his crew stayed to watch over and protect and provide for the Sons of Sparta insuring no harm would come their way."
    "So it is your belief that had these.., women, being left to their own devices would not have survived on the island of Hera without the help of our Spartan warriors."
     "That is correct, and furthermore, were it not for Admiral Vasha, along with his faithful crew, these boys would never have learned to speak Greek, why the men even took the time to teach the children how to write our Alphabet. They have also taught them many tales from our illustrious histories. Why four year old Therakles himself even regaled me with the story of the Battle of Plataea and the tale of King Leonidas and the 300 at Thermopylae. I was absolutely amazed!" the old physician exclaimed to the Senators who also seemed quite impressed with the testimony.
     "Very well.., we have taken into consideration all the knowledge of the matter you have imparted here today. Thank you for your cooperation in this most serious matter. You are free to go." Agregis said with a wave of his hand. "Next! The council calls upon the newly appointed General La Quint to give us a full report on these.., women."
     "I am here!" La Quint announced as King Vyakles stood next to him patiently waiting to see where this line of questioning would lead.
     "General La Quint.., and King Vyakles! Welcome to this meeting may you find it pleasing." the elder statesman greeted them both then he spoke. "Pray you General, tell us of each of the women."
     La Quint had 10 scrolls, one for each of the ladies, so he began "When I call the name of your breeding partner please step forward." La Quint then unrolled the first scroll and said "I shall start with Amarra." here, her breeding partner, the father of her son, came forward standing on the Generals right hand side "Amarra is 27 years of age, a former officer in the Themiscyran Cavalry, she began military training at 11, and has been on over 100 victorious military campaigns under Queen Ethera's reign, she is fluent in Greek, Thracian, Egyptian  and several Babylonian Languages. Amarra is also well versed, as are all the women, in a dead language called Hattushan, this they use to speak in code in times of war. Amarra has only one son, and he is of Spartan blood, she is a skilled warrior and fine horseman, who has killed thousands in battle. It is my recommendation, if she is indeed made a citizen of Sparta, that the warrior Amarra be allowed to continue to work with the war horses and perhaps teach our sons how to ride in the agogi."
     Here a gasp arose from the old men of the senate for no woman was ever allowed to train warriors in the Spartan military. "We shall take your recommendation under advisement, please continue."
     So it was King Vyakles stood there watching and listening as La Quint went through the list of ladies as if he were discussing the sale of horses or cattle. This was frustrating to Vyakles and he kept wondering why they kept saying 'if they are allowed to become citizens'. This was very confusing to the King, however, when the name of the mother of his son was finally called, things were made perfectly clear to Vyakles. "Then there is Queen Thera herself."
     "Do we still recognize her as the true Queen of Themiscyra?" came a question from one of the neophyte senators.
     "This is a matter for another debate, let us then call her Thera." Agregis explained.
     "Thera, is 33 years of age, the Former Queen of Themiscyra, Queen's Commander and Royal Daughter of Ethera.  Former Captain of the Cavalry, she began military training at the age of 10, highly decorated warrior in over 100 battles. Skilled in war and cunning and deadly on the battlefield an expert in all forms of combat with a strategical military mind. She has given birth to twins, a boy and girl, both of Spartan blood, Royal Spartan blood" here La Quint gave a nod to Vyakles who was suddenly overcome by a loud cough as he stood before the Senate.
     "Yes.., King Vyakles.., you took Thera as your breeding partner in secret." Agregis asked with a disapproving look.
     "I took Queen Thera as my breeding partner.., unofficially." here the king knew there would be a price to pay for his adultery, betraying Queen Keeva, and he felt the weight of the disapproving stares of the men gathered there.
     "Vyakles.., tell us the true purpose of your adultery."
     Vyakles did not have the proper words to respond but he did not have to for Caderios, who had not left the senate chamber, came forth, and spoke on the King's behalf "I believe I put the idea into his head." gasps arose from the forum and Caderios told them all of the first night of the breeding came when Thera had come to the city complaining of stomach pains. "When I examined her, fully, I found she had a womb as fertile as the crescent valley. I also told King Vyakles in all confidence, and privacy, that due to an extreme case of endometriosis Queen Keeva might never be able to conceive." more gasps followed by whispers echoed throughout the chamber.
     Here Vyakles bowed his head for he had loved Keeva with all his heart, but if she were unable to produce an heir this would only leave him looking like a weak and worthless king. "It is true.., my Queen was a nymphe, a childless mother to me, and for this I had sorely grieved.., and kept her condition a secret, but I needed to breed, I needed a male heir to carry on the lion of Sparta's seed."
     Agregis gave a strange, almost relieved look when he exclaimed "So you mean to say you committed adultery against your wife, forsaking your sacred honor in marriage, for the greater good of the nation?"
     "Yes, I wanted a son for Sparta so desperately, but Keeva never knew of anything."
     "I see..," Agregis said holding a hand up his to chin "Then you were willing to dishonor your marriage for the greater good of the community?"
     "I, as all anointed kings, am required, by law, to lead and bring forth a male heir to continue the sovereignty of our great nation! And I had chosen among all the virgins, I had taken a barren bride into the royal thalamos of my palace, but alas, even so, I have managed, through deceit, regardless, brought forth a royal heir to the throne and for this I am not ashamed!" Vyakles proclaimed.
     "Yes, yes.., this is the very reason why we have gathered here today. To determine the lawfulness and legitimacy to your son, indeed all the sons, and the rights of their mothers, if they are to be made citizens."
     "Why do you keep saying that? After all the legal rights of the children were established long ago in the breeding treaty!" Vyakles said the anger in his voice rising with his temper.
     "A TREATY that has been BROKEN, and nullified, by the very actions of the former Queen! No Vyakles, there is only one way the elders of the council will accept these sons as well as their mothers as legal citizens..," here Agregis paused then said with a sharp look in his eyes "and that way is through holy matrimony."
     Just for a moment Vyakles stood there in silence shocked by the words that came forth from the old man's mouth then he shook his head and said "That is impossible! The women of Themiscyra do not believe in marriage! Marriage goes against their laws."
     "So is turning your back on a nation and abdicating a throne, and abducting children,  your sailors and taking a royal ship! Vyakles, Themiscyran culture is based on the principles of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor! So tell me Vyakles, where was their concern for the laws of their nation when they drugged you and your men and vanished in the night? If these women were so quick to abandon their way of life traditions and beliefs, what makes think they will be loyal to this nation, and serve our community?" Vyakles said nothing for he had nothing to say "You see.., if these women wish to be protected under our laws they must be citizens, to establish any, and all rights, they must commit themselves in marriage to the father's of their sons, this is the only way our society will allow them to become members of our Democracy, and that is through sacred matrimony. Think of it Vyakles, you will have a legitimate heir and Sparta shall have a new queen."
    Vyakles looked distraught and confused so he turned to the men and said "Is this something you would all agree to.., to take your breeding partners as your brides?" he shook his head and added "How can this be true when I, myself, have seen each and every one of you cavorting naked at the drinking parties with the hetaira on many a dark and drunken night."
     "Sire," one of the men sighed giving a serious look and said "A whore is no substitute for a wife."
   

Chapter 5 begins

     "Sire..," came the voice from the king's chief attendant, who stood in the half-opened doorway of the private royal bedchamber, the king , however, was fast asleep curled up next to his beloved, and had been so for several hours as the sun began to set in the far western horizon. "Vyakles!" came the urgent voice awakening the king from his gentle peaceful slumber.
     "Go away." came the voice of the king in a hushed whisper so as not to stir his good lady from her rest.
     "Admiral Vasha approaches the shore, in command of your missing sailing vessel."
     "Vasha!" Vyakles sat up, naked, in his bed as Thera opened her eyes and there she felt warm and safe in the comfort of the king's bed.""Dearest Thera," the king turned, his eyes as bright as the setting sun "I have brought your precious cargo of your horses and armor back to Sparta for you and your ladies, my love." with a sweet kiss upon her pink lips Vyakles leapt up saying "Fetch my uniform I will go to greet my men, summon the people, for we must all welcome back our, long lost, returning hero's." Vyakles stood there his arms out as his attendants quickly dressed him in his official wardrobe and he told all gathered in the room "For these brave and honorable men have kept the blood of the children of Sparta and their loyal, beautiful mother's safe."
     "Shall I come?" Thera asked sitting up in the comfort of the king's bed covering her nakedness with a fine  silken blanket.
     "Rest my darling, for later.., I have a surprise for you." Vyakles brushed his attendants hands off of him as he approached Thera taking her by the hand and kissing it longingly and lovingly, then the king smiled and said "I will send in the matrons to draw you a hot bath and show you all the fine fabrics for your new clothing. You shall have the most exquisite silks from Persia, and the finest linens and perfumes from Egypt and incense and golden bracelets from Jerusalem." here he paused and turned asking his chief attendant " "Speaking of precious objects.., where are my children?"
     "The children have all been well fed and are presently fast asleep in the nursery, shall I wake your son, Therakles, so he might accompany you down to the harbor?"
     "No.., my son needs his rest after such a long adventure living in the wilds of the island of Hera..," Vyakles shook his head "Besides my son does not yet have a proper uniform. Send for a tailor first thing in the morning." Vyakles commanded adding "For my son, and heir, must look the part of a prince when I introduce him to my court."
     "Yes Sire, tomorrow's festivities have long been awaited by your people and now your lineage shall continue in perpetuity. Thanks be to Zeus"
     "Yes!" the king laughed in a jovial mood which Thera was delighted to see "With all thanks to the courageous Thera, the last Queen of Themiscyra!"
     Here Thera felt a twinge of a deep pain in her heart when Vyakles referred to her as the last queen of Themiscyra, for his words only underscored the true nature of Odessa's plight, for know one, save the Scythian Nation, recognized her right to rule, but Thera said nothing of this sadness in her heart to her loving and most gracious king. "I will send Amarra and Kayla to oversee the matter of the horses and everything." Then she smiled sweetly as Vyakles turned to leave. Thera fell back in the bed now alone in silence and she could still feel the warmth of her beloveds body and smell his scent upon the sheets, and Thera was so grateful and pleased to be back in civilization, sleeping in a comfortable bed, living in such luxuries of fresh fields and orchards filled with sweet fruit and whole foods, wine, strong ouzo, clean running water, thermal springs and latrines. Thera curled up under the covers and drifted back to the deep abiding peace of sleep.
     Out in the busy streets Vyakles noticed his newly appointed General, La Quint, hurrying towards the forum in a seemingly distressed mood, so the king called out to him. "What is the matter with you?"
     "Sire! The Senate has called for an emergency meeting, I am to present my full report upon our successful endeavor." he replied dropping a few of the scrolls from his armload of parchments and pertinent documents.
      "I have not been informed of any such, meeting." Vyakles said with a concerned look as he could not stand the, continuously bickering, oligarchs and democrats trying to make all the decisions and policies in HIS kingdom, but, unfortunately for the king, those politicians of the Senate were a vital part of their ancient society's Sacred Democracy.
     "Well then, I would kindly suggest you accompany me.., so you, as King, may ascertain for yourself the urgency of this matter." General La Quint said and the two men walked into the forum together. Alas, Vyakles could have no earthly idea what the outcome of this unexpected gathering could ever possibly be and the dramatic changes to his life this gathering in the Senate would bring.

End Chapter 4

     Seven days had passed quickly for the women of Themiscyra, bound for Sparta, and each and every last one of them were extremely apprehensive and on edge for, though they had been to Sparta before on the breeding campaign that began all of their interminable troubles,  they were not citizens and the women of Sparta detested the Themiscyran's and the very idea of a breeding campaign between the two nations and it was made clear they were not welcome in Sparta. Even part of the treaty required the lot of them to camp outside of the city. So they were all on a long journey of uncertainty as to whether they would be welcomed with open arms by the community or ostracized by it. This, along with the devastating news from home left Thera, Kayla, Amarra, Jessa, La Scoffa, Ia, Scotia, Iona, Katara and Johanna fearing for Odessa and the daughters, the very future, of their former nation. However, Thera reminded her worried ladies that they must not be afraid of anything that waits them in the future, nor should they, for any reason, look back into the past. "For what we do today, here and now, will determine the outcome of tomorrow." Thera would remind them as they made a safe journey of smooth sailing along with their children of Spartan blood.
     Just as the sun was breaking the women stirred from their rest curled up under thick wool blankets on the decks of the salt and sea soaked deck of the ship as dawn arose in robe of golden splendor of purple and pink streaks across the eastern horizon as the war ship pulled into the harbor. Vyakles paced back and forth excitedly for he had been looking forward to this day of great triumph over Queen Thera. The king was delighted to see a few of the old men from the Senate, who would stare up and down at the foreign women as if they were shrewd farmers sizing up cattle for a feast, there they stood waiting anxiously on the shore surrounded by a row of the kings finest soldiers. Thera and her ladies gathered up the children and made their way off the ship their hearts beating faster than lambs being led to slaughter. It all seemed so strange for this great moment of dread, coming back to Sparta, flashed by so quickly in a whirlwind that soon the women found themselves in the palace of the king, where they along with the young children were shown to a large table outside in the inner courtyard, under the shade of three ancient olive trees, here the weary group were served up a delicious breakfast of fresh baked wheat berry bread drizzled with honey, baked goat cheese covered in toasted almonds, grilled pork loin smothered in roasted cherries and apricots, along with fresh warm goats milk with ginger, artesian spring water and sweet red wine. The women and children all sat feasting upon the divine sustenance, their mouths watering and stomachs filling with the satisfied warmth of a long sated hunger fulfilled, the like they had not known for so long, living off of the lettuce, melons, tomatoes and cucumbers they had grown, a very sparse, bland diet for three years was all forgotten after this exquisite meal. Even the old women who served them seemed delighted by the sight of these, much spoken of, women, for they served the king and his household for many years and knew all the gossip and lurid tales therein, and they could not wait to see, and be apart, of the next few days for King Vyakles had finally found, and captured, Queen Thera and the women of Sparta were all a twitter like little birds up in the trees over this new piece of gossip, and they were very excited to see where the rest of this long told story would lead.
     After the meal was over and Vyakles had finished with his brief meeting with a few of the higher ranking members of the Senate he entered out into the courtyard sitting at the table looking 'round at the women he had finally managed to gather there inside the walls of his palace. So he smiled with bright eyes and a full flush to his cheek as he felt a warmth rise up in his heart while he observed his children both sitting upon their mother's knee. "Ladies, children, I can not begin to tell you how pleased I am to have you all, at long last, here with me." he said giving Thera a loving smile and a wink "Poseidon has granted us safe passage upon the sea and for this we give him high praise, indeed.., now my Captain tells me Admiral Vasha and his crew are soon to arrive later in the day with my ship you had so ruthlessly taken away." Vyakles gave a little wicked look over at Thera who blushed and looked away. My, reassembled, ship will return home to port and the cargo hold is filled with all your weapons, armor, animals, plants, seeds, your documents, artifacts and belongings. So you still might have a little something to remind you of your island home."
     "King Vyakles, you are most gracious and kind. I  can truthfully speak for myself, and my brave ladies.., when I say that we, here now, give you thanks and praise you highly for the affection you have lovingly bestowed upon us." Thera said as her son smiled up at her playing with a strand of her long hair.
     "You are most welcome! Welcome in my heart and in my kingdom." Vyakles said then he stood telling them "Now, we have had a long and arduous journey across the high sea, rest assured my dear ladies I have comfortable, quiet bedchambers for you all, for it is imperative you get enough sleep, for tomorrow my city will prepare a great feast in your honor so my people may welcome you all to the community and I shall present my heir to the Spartan throne to the people of my nation. So, if you are ready, I shall have my attendants escort you to the thermal springs so you might all enjoy a nice, long, hot bath."
     "Yes please!" came a shout up from the end of the table as if the suggestion was the end to some exquisite dream.
     Thera stood up and began following along with the women and children but Vyakles grabbed her by the hand whispering in her ear "No Thera, you are coming with me." Vyakles smiled as he bade one of his attendants to take care of his son, Therakles and his daughter, Sparta. Then the king led his rebel Queen back into the palace, down the long corridor to his private bedchamber, a place where Thera had never been before. Slowly they stepped inside as he kissed her sweetly as they stood over the threshold and then Vyakles quietly, with great self satisfaction, he closed the door.
   
     

More Chapter 4

      As Thera listened in anguish and horror while Vyakles told her all, at the very same time, half an ocean away, Queen Odessa sat upon her throne in the Great Hall of the Royal Palace of Themiscyra in the middle of a large island peninsula on the north shore of the Black Sea. It had been a long, cruel and brutal summer with hot southern winds blowing in hard from the Persian Deserts, harvest would soon be approaching, but sadly many of the crops and orchards had withered in the drought and blistering heat. Such was the luck of Odessa who had many difficulties, bloody battles, with few victories, leaving her and her people in their walled fortress, surround by nations of enemies and kings who would wish to overtake Odessa's vast territories, vanquish her from the throne and rule over the women of Themiscyra once and for all. As many men have longed to do for centuries, but it was not until Odessa's, sudden, unexpected rule; which all deemed in the region as illegal and spurious, when vast armies from Thrace and Lydia had risen up against her weakened nation; which she and her mighty warriors would defend at all cost, though their were many who did not survive some of the battles lost, whose blood was shed where there bodies were buried, where now vast fields of flowers grow. Yet still they defended their walls and the massive fortified structures were never breached, but it was also through cunning military strategy and blood and bravery that Themiscyra was not soundly defeated, the nation was still whole, battered and bruised, but not broken or beaten. All this death and strife left a deep well of bitterness in the new queen's heart for the pain caused by her once sacred friend, Thera. Though secretly Odessa knew the real reason for her anger was simply that Thera did not take her away with her, she felt completely and utterly abandoned and betrayed by Thera and the women who escaped along with the former Queen. Gaining a royal throne and the power of a crown was, to Odessa, not worth losing her friend and the pleasantry of life they all once knew. Odessa would do anything to go back in time to the simple life she knew before of breeding and war, she would choke the river Styx with thousands of bodies of the damned and she would make the world scared, she would do this all, only if she could just have back her friend the True Queen and just be the Queen's Commander again.
     "Odessa..?" Cheveria said sitting behind the long table strewn with old documents and broken treaties. "Are you even listening to me?" the old war councilor asked with a concerned look.
     "Yes mother, I am listening.., go on." Odessa said holding the royal crown as she stared at the finely crafted golden object, she thought it interesting that the jeweler who lovingly made it did so, shaping and arranging  the petals of the flowers so they looked like the shapes of stars. This proved far more interesting to Odessa than another round of bad news from outside the walls of her nation.
     "Word has been received by the king of Macedon." Cheveria paused seeing her daughters eyes sharpen like a hawk.
     "Do NOT speak his name!" Odessa said standing up, slamming the crown on top of the table, sending parchments to be scattered  upon  the floor. The scribes in attendance hurried to scoop them up as the Queen paced back and forth.
     "Now my child, you should not have so much hatred for the father of your son." Cheveria spoke in kind, soft, gentle words only mothers know how to speak.
     "Oh mother. I do not hate Phillip..," Odessa paused and gave a smile, one might very well find on the face of a lunatic, as she continued "I LOATHE and DESPISE him!"
     "You are a Queen now, and have been so for three seasons, Odessa you must learn to be more diplomatic."
     "I was raised for WAR! Not DIPLOMACY!" the Queen said her voice rising with the redness in her cheeks. The look in her old mother's grey eyes let Odessa know she had best calm herself down, or she would have a lashing from her mother's tongue to answer to. Taking in a deep, long calming breath Odessa said "Very well.., pray tell me, what terrible news do you have from the father of my son?"
     Cheveria picked up the document handing it over to one of the scribes in attendance, who stood at attention and read the following: "A letter from Phillip, the King of Macedonia.. It is hereby proclaimed that all trading will now, until this time forward, cease and end between Macedon and Themiscyra. King Phillip, in his great wisdom, has chosen to ally himself with the King of Thrace and the King of Dardina. He has agreed to sign any, and all, trade embargo's against the Themiscyran Nation and her people. King Phillip also hereby bans any, and all, breeding campaigns between our two nations, in the Great Plain, the Western Region and the Themedon Region. King Phillip recommends you send any of the daughters of the Macedonian men back to their fathers in times of hardship or famine, the King further states that he feels the children should not suffer during this difficult time. He further implores you to allow anymore women to leave the Nation of Themiscyra to return to their former breeding partners. The King has also ordered his army and generals to stand down, should any military skirmish arise between Themiscyra and any, and all, warring nations." a short  pause came "There is one more item, my Queen.., the King sends a token of his gratefulness to you, for providing him with a male heir to the Royal Throne of Macedonia and wishes you to know the boy is well, strong, exceptionally intelligent, a healthy bright-eyed boy. The King states the object  was molded out of clay by your son, for the benefit of his mother's happiness and love." here the young scribe knelt at the side of the throne and handed over a small figure of a horse, painted white, that fit in the palm of her hand.
     There was a tense moment of silence as Odessa stared down at the tiny object in her hand and she herself wanted nothing more to do than burst into tears for, even though she knew she was trained not to miss her male offspring, right now she would have slaughtered a thousand men just to see him. Odessa opened her mouth to speak but it took a  moment before she could talk over the hard lump in her throat and the pain in her heart she said softly, at first, "Please, every one, out, leave." but her voice was so weak they did not clearly hear her so she shouted in a loud clear voice "Out! Now! ALL OF YOU! Go! Leave me and my shattered heart in peace!" Odessa leapt up from her throne with eyes all a fire with rage and humiliation. The three scribes, her ambassadors, along with her mother, she chased all of them out. Now, alone, she returned to her unwanted throne and sat with all the weight of a collapsing world on her shoulders.
      Staring at the special gift from her beloved son, the one she abandoned to be cared for by his father, as was the custom of her people for generations, Odessa's mind sank into a deep chasm of thought and contemplation. In the lives of this ancient tribe of warrior women, as it was now in Themiscyra, all of their world was trembling on it's foundation. For when Thera forsook her nation, in her quest for freedom and liberty, it was her people, her warriors, the daughters of Themiscyra who suffered greatly for they all paid the high price for Thera's abdication. All the nations, far and wide, save only for the Scythians, refused to sign any treaties with them, nor would they even allow Odessa to send her emissaries and diplomats to entreat the kings and queens of the regions, for Odessa was what they all called the 'Spurious Queen of Themiscyra', leaving her alone on a throne, unable to trade, or continue any more breeding campaigns, failing crops, with life becoming harder and harder to sustain for the thousands who remained.
     So it was, in Odessa's mind, as if Themiscyra, a once mighty nation, had been buried as if it were dead, and long forgotten, with the women warriors all suffering great losses in the many fearsome battles waged in Thera's absence. So they all cried to heaven, the warrior priestess sacrificing tigers in the temples to Artemis and Apollo, bathing themselves in the holy warm blood just to try to make themselves worthy of divine favor and blessings from Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades. And these acts of blood sacrifice filled many of the women's hearts with guilt, shame, self hatred and rage. For the departure of their true Queen left the whole of the nation broken by the force of some unforeseen blow which racked their heads with heartache and sorrow.
     So, in her absence, the years had passed and the name of Thera was hardly ever spoken, or mentioned of to the children of Themiscyra, so it came to pass that the young daughters talked about Thera as if she were merely a figure out of legend and myths. This left Odessa always on edge and vexed and she could often be found with her blue eyes all ablaze, and they shone like sapphires with her bitter tears. For she was filled with a great longing for Thera, her friend, to return and rule over Themiscyra again. For Odessa was filled with humiliation and degradation, even though she was legally made Queen by Thera's own hand and sworn documentation, Odessa had no royal blood, none whatsoever within her, so she was treated like a usurper of Thera's throne. There were also whispers and rumors that Odessa had murdered Thera, and until such a time as Thera's was revealed to be alive those whispers and rumors would persist like the hot Sirocco Winds .This left Odessa in a word, DEVASTATED. So it was Odessa's sadness was ultimately felt by the daughters of Themiscyra, so much so, they would leave her side in the palace to go pick early spring violets with their cold wet fingers, leaving trails with bare feet in the fields of grass covered in dew. The little girls would kneel at her throne and all looked forward to the sight of Odessa's radiant face and happy eyes when she smelled the little bunches of fragrant flowers and thinking of this now Odessa wept, for she never realized violets could mean so much.
     Even this beautiful memory of spring enraged Odessa's heart further still, for it hit hard to her heart, in truth, that nevertheless, Odessa, sitting upon the ancient throne, felt SHE WAS an intruder, and she knew now she did not belong. Odessa did not like admitting to this sort of feeling, for she knew all the weight of her depression, frustration and humiliation belonged upon the head of her friend Thera's and not her own. So her heart hardened further still against Thera and Odessa wished now, more than ever, for Thera to wear her own self-loathing, misery, shame and scorn, like a painful, piercing crown of thorns. However, deep in her hard heart, Odessa knew Thera would NEVER return to rule over them and the future of the once fierce warrior nation was in great jeopardy of dying out forever.

Chapter 4 begins

     As twilight descended upon the forest with the gentle sounds of crickets coming to life in the trees under an amethyst sky, Vyakles could be found resting peacefully next to Thera, atop his crimson cape he had spread out over a soft patch of ferns beside the stream. This is where La Quint found them curled up together tight in, what to the the couple, seemed like a thousand year long sleep. Trying to awaken the king and not Thera, La Quint reached out slowly with his right hand and gently nudged the shoulder of the king. Vyakles in a flash opened his eyes snatching the wrist of La Quint "Oh.., it's you." he said rolling over staring up at his new General.
     "King Vyakles, we feast shortly, but I have brought you apples, grapes and water.., in case you would prefer to sleep out here tonight." La Quint said as Vyakles sat up while Thera kept fast asleep lost in a dream. "I take it you have both have.., ceased your strife?" La Quint gave a wry smile looking down upon the nakedness of the two.
     "Oh, aye, you should have seen it La Quint..,  she was a thing of beauty and she supplicated herself to me many times." the King of Sparta said, telling no lie. "We will join you directly. See that the reports of our voyage are ready"
     " There is one, other matter.., my Lord." La Quint gave a somewhat worrisome look.
     "What of this.., other matter?" Vyakles asked looking none too pleased.
     "The women.., they continue to press us, all, for information, or any news of their former nation."
     "My orders remain, unchanged. No Spartan will speak of the terrible news from Themiscyra, until such a time as I have spoken to Queen Thera. She must hear the sad news from my lips, then she will be able to tell the women herself. That is her right." Vyakles said with a heavy sigh not looking forward to telling Thera the story of Odessa and her spurious reign.
     "Tell my women what" Thera spoke awoken by their hushed voices as she sat up yawned and rubbed her eyes.
     "General La Quint! You may go now!" Vyakles commanded as La Quint went back through the woods, the way he came.
     "What news of my homeland do you have for me Vyakles?" Thera asked with a foreboding sense of trepidation surging through her heart and mind.
     Vyakles took in a deep breath as he reached out and held her hands telling her "Prepare yourself., the information I have to share is not good, in any way shape or form. For Odessa has had much trouble and turmoil laid upon the Themiscyran Throne."
     "Odessa?" Thera said the name of her most sacred friend, the one she chose to take over her reign, bestowing upon Odessa all the Power and Glory of her Royal Crown making her the new Queen of Themiscyra by Royal Decree. "What of the new queen's troubles? Tell me more. Vyakles. Now. Tell me all of it now, tell me everything." Thera said getting up on her knees staring into the dark eyes of the king.
     Vyakles averted his eyes from her gaze as he looked down shaking his head he said "Oh my dearest Thera.., heavy is the head that wears your crown."
   

End Chapter 3

     Vyakles quickly took his weight off of Thera's body as he slammed his knees into the mud between her legs placing his head upon her chest, pressing his ear against her bare breast the king was delighted to hear the gentle rhythm of her heart beating. Then Vyakles felt her lungs fill with a deep inhalation of air, just as he was about to turn his head and look up Vyakles felt Thera's hands gently touching his head, her fingers running through his short black hair as she caressed his cheek lovingly, with much gentleness. Then she spoke in a soft warm whisper, her words melting away the pain in his hardened heart when she said "Oh, my Vyakles, how I have longed to hold you close.., your skin pressed against me tight." as she gazed in his eyes his body came to rest upon her fully in all his naked glory and the warmth of him felt good to the Queen, for she had missed him dearly.
      Feeling the rush of arousal fill his entire body, his face a full flush of red, the eyes of the king as bright as two stars. As Vyakles tenderly ran a finger over her soft moist lips telling her "Hush.. Lie still. Close your eyes." with that Thera obeyed the command of her king and he placed upon her soft pink lips a deep wet kiss that seemed to last for ever. Then Thera, overwhelmed by the great passion of the king, stopped him for a moment, trying her best to catch her breath. Vyakles, wiping his mouth, paused with a severe stare, asking her "Are you still mine?"
     "Yes." she gave a soft sweet smile telling him "No one else has come into me. No one else. I can promise you this, above all else."
     Here Vyakles gave a satisfied smile as big as a warm blooded lion eating its dinner as he set himself upon her naked, warm, wet body with all the vigor and determination of soldier going off to make war. And this is exactly where, and how, Thera wanted Vyakles, naked on top of her, with her legs free. As the king brought himself to bare upon her with mighty thrusts of his body, pushing ever deeper, slipping harder in and out of her body, Thera slid her muscular thighs around his torso, locking her ankles together in the process, and when Vyakles was at the maximum height of his climactic aggression, she squeezed with all her might around his lungs, pressing all the air from his body, her powerful legs felt like two angry boa constrictors as the king felt all the blood drain away from his head as the light faded away to black. Thera rolled him over and off of her. Vyakles could hear Thera's  wicked laughter so enraptured by her own clever deception of the king. Yet again she had tricked him and, luckily for Vyakles, Thera would not have dare killed him.., like she did to the unlucky Thracian General many years before on one of her former, disastrous, breeding campaigns.
     Now a moment or so later Vyakles awoke to the sound of Thera splashing around in the clear mountain stream, rinsing the dirt, sand, sweat and mud from off her skin and he screamed "Thera!" naked, enraged and covered in mud Vyakles leapt to his feet running down the bank towards her in furious anger, for now Vyakles had the sudden urge to hold the rebel queen's head under water. As Thera watched Vyakles clambering down the embankment; which she knew it to be a slippery slope indeed, but the king did not care, nor would he take any heed, tripping and falling a few times, Thera watched in horror as the king slipped one last time, this time he fell backwards, the full force of his body came down hard smashing his skull against a fallen tree.
     "Vyakles!" Thera screamed seeing the king flat on his back, as he lie perfectly still, not moving, his eyes closed. Thera kept screaming his name as she swam quickly over to him, she climbed up out of the water, dripping wet, kneeling down beside the unconscious king, who was bleeding from a small gash on the back of his head. Thera cradled Vyakles in her arms as she began weeping holding his face in her hands imploring him "Awaken to me my love!"
     Here a flutter came to his eyelids, and in a deep voice that was soft as a whisper he said to her "So it is true. You do love me." Vyakles smiled not really hurt at all by the fall, but happy to hear her words.
     "Vyakles!" Thera said with astonishment mixed with embarrassment in her eyes she gave a little nod of her head and she told him "Yes.., I have loved you since the first time I set my gaze upon you." Vyakles embraced Thera taking her in his arms, pulling her close to his body as she whispered in his ear "Please forgive me of my transgressions against you."
     The two, whom had been separated by  many years, and much turmoil, whom had laid awake at night for ages thinking of the other's face, missing each other sorely, their passion turning to anger and rage. Now the King of Sparta and the Queen of Themiscyra were here together on this forbidden island in the middle of a lush green forest and Thera took Vyakles by the hand, leading him into the still water where she rinsed and washed his body, cleansing his skin and washing the blood from his wound. Then together in the cold, refreshing waters they held each other in a long passionate kiss, alone, at last, together again.

More Chapter 3

     Throwing his sheathed cyphos upon the fertile forest floor, Thera watched, with baited breath, as the King of Sparta untied his long crimson woolen cape casting it off without restraint, exposing his nice strong arms, whereupon he unlaced his gauntlets from his forearms, tossing them down as Vyakles, with the body of a Titan, appearing as a bronzed muscular demi-god stood before her. He, with much focus and quickness, untied his lightweight bronze leg shields throwing them down and as Vyakles looked at his sandals he paused, but Thera gave a sly look as if to say 'yes, those must come off as well'. So it was, the embolden and brazen king began to untie his breast plate and remove his white linen tunic when there he stood before the last Queen of Themiscrya and she was quite delighted and aroused by the sight of his pure, perfect body of which she had not seen in many years. Suddenly, seeing Vyakles in all his naked glory, Thera realized what she was about to do to him would be very difficult, for her, indeed.
     Naked, with his black eyes fixated upon Thera, there under the bright canopy of green leaves under the trees, the two great warriors came face to face, though they had come from the ends of the Earth. "Now, I have satisfied your request..," the king said so close to her face she could feel his hot breath upon her lips and peering into her emerald eyes he continued "and now, you shall satisfy mine."
     "No..," Thera shook her head in defiant determination. "This fight between us, would still not be fair."
     Vyakles laughed at her suggestion and asked "Why..? Is it because I am BIGGER and STRONGER?" he said with a smile and laugh.
     Thera met his smile and laugh with one of her own as she replied "No.., for you see, Vyakles, any physical confrontation between us would never be on equal terms..," here she took a tiny step back as the heat emanating off his naked flesh was far too distracting then she added "because I am YOUNGER and BETTER TRAINED!"
     Vyakles was not amused by her comment and Thera could tell by the look on his face and the anger in his eyes "I'll be the judge of that!" he snapped as he slapped the queen for her impudence. Her reaction was only to smile and turn her face offering him her other cheek to strike; which he did with such a painful sting it brought a tear to her eye. "Damn you Thera!" he shouted loudly his voice echoing through woods stirring the birds from the trees.
     "Too late." she said turning her back to him.
     "That's right! Turn your back!" Vyakles shouted in the midst of her passive defiance. "Yes, well I was wrong about you Thera! I thought your mother raised a brave warrior! And not a coward! A coward who turned her back on her own people! Disgraced your throne, abandoned your home!" Vyakles chastised and derided her, but Thera stood strong and still remaining calm, and not hearing any words that came from the king after she heard the word 'mother' come from his mouth.
     Mother. Mother is the word GOD whispered upon the lips of children. At this moment there was no one on the face of this Earth Thera longed to see more, than the face of her beloved, long departed mother, Ethera. Oh, what she would give to look into her old eyes once again. Thera would give anything, and as for now, the Queen of Themiscyra would give up a good fight to King Vyakles. Thera cleared her throat as if to speak yet, instead of any brilliant speech, she quickly and swiftly, with all the speed of a lightning bolt, bent forward slightly, kicking back, as hard as a warhorse, landing her heel right in the king's belly with a mighty thrust of force from her strong body{a trick she learned in the Cavalry}. Before Vyakles cold comprehend what had happened he found himself flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him, trying to breathe as Thera stood over him laughing before she turned and ran away.
     Gasping for air the stunned and enraged king leapt to his feet bounding through the woods after her like a gazelle and, though she ran as fast as the north wind, Vyakles caught up to her near the slippery banks of a clear mountain stream; whereupon he reached out and she could feel the king closing in on her as she tried to make it to the water. However, Vyakles, swifted-footed, focused, and solely determined, caught Thera by her long flowing hair and with one tight grip the king had her by a handful of her silken tresses. Yanking with a hard, sharp shock, Vyakles had stopped her dead in her tracks. He violently pulled her down to the Earth and she fell flat on her naked back on the cold muddy banks beside the rushing water and she could hear the king's laughter. She struggled to breathe as Thera felt the king leap on top of her, his knees pressed in the ground firmly, as he sat upon her chest, grabbing her by the wrists, pinning her arms and body to the ground. Thera felt the pressure from his massive weight of muscles and bones and her vision was filled with tiny white stars. Vyakles laughed down at her like a hyena, so delighted with his prowess was he. However when he saw Thera open her eyes, her body became very rigid, as hard as stone, then she let out a deep gasp of air as her bright eyes went dim, rolling up into her head, then Vyakles felt her body go limp underneath him as frightened terror arose in his heart for he was afraid Queen Thera, the mother of his children, was no longer breathing. 

Chapter 3 continues

Vyakles strutted along behind Thera, feeling as proud as a conquering hero returning home from a glorious battle, as he took Thera by the wrists, restraining them tightly behind her back  so she cold not run away as they made their way through the dense, deep forest of junipers, cypress, poplar and chestnut trees, the noonday sun illuminating the canopy of leaves in all shades of bright green. Vyakles heard the chirping of thrushes and swallows echoing through the woods on this ancient island of myth and legend, where the king had never been, nor seen. He remembered the ghost stories his grandmother used to tell of the Island of Hera, just north of Crete, where her children built a magnificent temple to her, but when her children discovered gold up in the mountain they selfishly, through their own greed and avarice ways, took the gold and sold it to all who would come and give up their money for it. Their mother angered, and incensed, by her children's lust for power and wealth set her mind against her beloved offspring. So Hera sent a race of half-men, half-animal beings she created, calling them Troglodytes, to live in the caves and guard the gold for all eternity. However her disobedient children hunted down every last one of the hairy, inhuman beasts. Enraged further Hera sent a massive earthquake to destroy the temple built by her  unfaithful followers, destroying all of her offspring, Hera annihilated them, completely. When the rubble and blood settled Hera sent her mighty gryphon's to guard the mountain and secure the gold forever. Vyakles could not believe Thera had chosen this, of all places, to hide, but the king knew her to be as clever, as she was crafty, and Vyakles realized as he marched the disgraced, naked queen through the haunted forest this was the utmost perfect place for her to hide her party, here the king felt so stupid for not looking here first.
     Thera stumbled through the thick undergrowth of ferns and wild orchids as the sweat began to drip out of every pore seeping, with a painful stinging sensation, into her long, bloody scratches gouged into her body, courtesy of the king "Vyakles, please, wait, give me a moment to breathe." she implored her words coming in quick panicked gasps as her heart raced in the heat of the day and the face of the king's rage.
     "Lead me to fresh water woman! And be quick about it!" Vyakles commanded her as he knocked her down to the soft moss covered earth.
     "There is a clear mountain stream a little bit further to the east." she said as she rested for a moment on her knees.
     "Show me!" Vyakles shouted in indignation grabbing her savagely, once again, by her long golden-red hair forcing her back up to her feet.
     "Let go of me! Allow me one iota of dignity! For I was once a Queen!" Thera barked back like a rabid dog, and here Vyakles thought she might jump up and bite him.
     Vyakles, in a snap decision, pushed Thera in the chest, just to see if she would push back and put a fight, for the king had the sudden overwhelming urge to punch her in the face, even though that went against all his better judgement. Thera, with the force of the king's jolting thrust to her upper body, collapsed back nearly falling, but she was able to catch herself by grabbing hold of fallen fir tree. She gave him a sudden look of shock and awe when she felt the weight of his furious gaze upon her. Her natural inclination was to go over and give a swift quick to his testicles, but Thera knew the sole proof of strength, lies in a commanding will, so she willed herself not to kill him with her bare hands. The betrayed king came closer pushing her again knocking her down, commanding her to fight. Thera fell back twisting her left knee and ankle but she felt no pain as the warrior blood in her surged forth like water pouring down a mountain.
     "Get up and fight!" Vyakles screamed as he reached up and pulled off his helmet throwing it down in front of her nearly smashing her right foot in the process.
     "NO!" Thera exclaimed as she tried to get back up to her feet "You are the father of my children! I will not put a fight!"
     As Thera stood up once again, Vyakles strode over getting face to face with her and Vyakles said "You are the mother of MY children and you will do as I command you!" he said with a severe look and a hard slap across her cheek "You will fight me!"
     "Never!" the former queen snapped back adding "I will never raise my hands, nor will I ever bare arms against you! You are the father of OUR children and you should NOT abuse me!" now here is when the clever mind of our crafty queen began to work against Vyakles. "Besides..," Thera said rubbing her red, swollen cheek. "How fair of a fight would it be? A well armed, armour clad king, versus a naked woman with no weapons! Come on Vyakles would you have any satisfaction in that, in all honesty?"
     Vyakles gave a grievous glare as he said removing his sword and sheathe "Very well Thera, I will remove my armaments.., fair is fair." the great king said as he stripped bare in front of Thera who could not help but stare, as Vyakles played right into Thera's hand.

Chapter 3 begins

     Thera waited for the pain, but none came as she trembled before the king her eyes shut tight, body rigid in preparation for the blade, as she let out a soft, hot breath. Slowly Thera opened up her eyes to see the sword plunged into the sand just between her knees, not deep inside her chest cavity. Thera realized this could only mean one thing.., that Vyakles, instead of plunging the deadly cyphos through her neck and heart for a quick, rather painless, death, had decided to take her life by strangulation, then Thera stared at his massive hands; which the king balled up into fists as he stared down at her, with such a crazed angry look, Thera did not know if Vyakles wanted to spit at her or punch her in the face.
     Alas, Vyakles did neither, for he turned back to his men, as the women of Themiscyra gave a confused look of worry and uncertainty. "I am the King of Sparta!" he proclaimed once more "And I can not break one law, to uphold another!" his voice carried over the roar of the waves and the minds of the people for they had not expected this Warrior King to show mercy and pity. "Thera!" Vyakles shouted down at her, his voice loud as thunder in her ears, and she could feel the vibrations of his words through her entire naked body "You have stolen a Royal Ship, abducted fifteen of my of my soldiers, one, of which, Admiral Vasha, the highest ranking officer in my Imperial Navy, you have kidnapped eleven children of Spartan blood, you have broken thirteen treaties between our two nations, the punishment for such action is Death!" Vyakles paused for a brief moment gazing into Thera's bewildered eyes "However.., under these extenuating circumstances, you are also the mother of a Spartan Son, the Law of Lycurgus states you have seven years to raise him before he is to be given up in sacrifice to our Military. So, as ruler of my Nation, I will grant you a stay of execution, temporarily! You will return to Sparta with me! Thereafter, at such time as I have secured Therakles into the Agogi, then, and only then, will your legal matter be tried and dealt with, accordingly, in our court of Law."
     Here another gasp issued up from the women behind Thera who whispered among themselves as their Queen stared up in awe at Vyakles who drew nearer to the Queen. However, Thera was so stunned by his ruling, she was shocked into silence all she could manage to do was to stare up at the king, all the color drained away from her face and she gave a dismayed look as if someone had just walked over her grave.
     "However!" the indignant king continued "I shall not take your life this day, oh, Thera! However..," the king paused reaching out with his right hand grabbing her chin and squeezing it hard "You shall.., can.., and will be punished!"
      "Vyakles.., I understand.., I wish to continue." Thera spoke in a voice as small as a bird, her words audible only to the king.
      Vyakles let loose of his grip of her face reaching down pulling his sword from the sand in one swift motion then he turned shouting "Commander La Quint!" the leader of the expedition drew nearer to the king awaiting his instruction. "Escort these.., Themiscyrans aboard ship, present them to my physician, have them examined along with the others, signal the triremes, have the captains bring the warships ashore, then see to it that the men, children.., and women are all fed and cared for accordingly. We shall make camp here tonight." Vyakles said as he slapped his tall and brave Spartan warrior upon the back as he shook his hand. "Congratulations La Quint, after all these long years, you have located my son and saved the Spartan Throne for another generation! You shall be highly praised and promoted upon our safe return home." Vyakles gave a relieved happy smile for the first time, in a long time."For I intended to make you a General!"
     "It is my pleasure and honor to serve you my King!" the look of relief and confidence both equally the same in the young commander's eyes.
     "Oh and one more thing..," Vyakles said as his commander stood at attention "Inform Admiral Vasha that he, along with his men, have three days to reassemble my ship and sail back home to Sparta!"
     "Yes King Vyakles I shall see your orders are carried out quickly and efficiently!" the commander said proudly.
     "Good, this is good..," the triumphant King glanced over at Thera still kneeling before him then with a bemused look of delight he smiled and continued "as for me, I will take this 'rebel queen' off into the woods, I may be gone a while, for her corporal punishment might take some time." Vyakles laughed, along with his soldiers, but no joy came from the women of Themiscyra who watched in horror as their beloved queen was dragged away, pulled by hair up onto her feet with Vyakles pushing and shoving her in the back as he marched Thera up the trail, off into the deep dark woods, away from the beach.
  

End Chapter 2

     "Vyakles..," Thera paused looking up into his dark, unforgiving eyes and when the king heard her speak his name the king felt a warmth fill up his heart once again "I know my actions are very difficult for you, or any Greek citizen to understand, as you have been raised in a land of freedom, protected by the laws of your people's Sacred Democracy.., where, even your Spartan women are free and allowed to come and go where ever, with whomever, they please. Alas.., it is not so, in my Nation, a walled fortress where we are only ever allowed to come out of to fuck or fight!" the last Queen of Themiscyra proclaimed "Forced to give away our sons for generations, upon generations, upon generations.., 700 hundred years of oppression and aggression, bloody war, thousands of dead women, the forgotten children..," here she trailed off, the Warrior Queen's mind casting her back to the scenes of former days of gore and corpse strewn battle fields, marching her enemies, naked in chains into the sea. "It was I! Vyakles! I am the one who, the only one who, let the situation get this far. I commanded my women to drug the food and lace the wine with opium at the feast, so that we could take our children and leave. It was I, who forced your men, along with your admiral, to sail us away, upon pain of death at point of swords and spears. I ordered them to leave us here.., on this forgotten, haunted island.., but your Spartan Warriors, out of their extreme Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor refused to leave the children of Sparta, pledging to protect them and insure that no harm should ever come their way. Admiral Vasha and his crew dismantled your Royal ship, building shelter, providing security to the children.., our children.., Vyakles." here Thera paused a little so that perhaps the man she betrayed might have a better understanding. "We, the Mother's of the Son's of Sparta, will be forever indebted to your men, we pray you, oh Great King, that their Nation should hold them in highest of praise, and not be punished by their king, this is the wish of us, who.., if we can not be free, would gladly give up our lives which we have found to be both bitter, and sweet." Queen Thera cleared her throat as she spoke a few words more "As for myself, I will go first, but I pray you, your eminence, shall you make me taste your blade with my flesh and blood.., or, would you rather wrap your hands firmly around my throat and choke the life out of me, as you look into my eyes, watching me die, as you feel my warm body go limp, in your arms?" she said with a sparkle in her emerald eyes.
     A sudden chill went through the king's body, like a little thrill to him as she spoke her, carefully, chosen words and he thought her suggestion was quite enticing as the thought of it flashed in his mind like lightning across the sky. Vyakles stepped forward, his cyphos still in it's sheath as he reached out with his left hand gently caressing the defiant queen's cheek. Not once did the king take his eyes off of her, nor did she avert her stare from his piercing gaze as he bent down moving his face so very close to her, the look they gave each other was as tense as wire. As Vyakles moved his hand over her mouth lightly touching her soft lips with his fingertips of which she gave a slight kiss. Thera felt the king stroke her long silken hair, then the touch of his hand moved across her soft supple shoulders, as her heart began a furious pace as she felt Vyakles move his strong hand over her firm, naked breast as he squeezed with much force, and this caused her a bit of pain, the king felt her soft skin, could feel Thera's beating heart, and he wanted to tear her apart. Vyakles  formed his fingers into that of a claw and with his long, dirty fingernails the furious King of Sparta scratched four long, crimson gashes in her flesh, from her abdomen all the way down the left side of her body to the top of her knee as she cried out with the king showing absolutely no sympathy. Vyakles stood back seeing how quickly it took her to bleed. Then, to the disgust of the women of Themiscyra who were forced to bare witness to the sickness, he took his left hand licking off a little of Thera's blood from his finger with a fiendish smile which did not linger. Casting his sight on the line of women behind the naked, bleeding queen, the king gripped the pommel of his sword once more and in one quick flash of motion he withdrew the cyphos turning his head back over his shoulder, the sharpened steel, fatal blade held up high in his hand as he yelled to the remaining soldiers gathered there "I AM THE KING OF SPARTA!"
      Gripping the cyphos with both hands, slowly the king turned the weapon downwards, towards Thera, just inches from her throat, and he could see now at this moment, as her death approached, Vyakles clearly saw a glimmer of sheer terror in the queen's eyes, and this was what the king had been waiting so long to see, for then he realized that Thera was not of the gods but was a mere mortal, a human being, just as he. Thera pointed her chin up so she could no longer see the face of Vyakles nor his deadly blade, so she gazed up into the clear blue sky, closed her eyes took in one, last breath which smelled of salt, violets, and seaweed. With a firm hold of his sword, with the full force of the strength of his body Vyakles exerted all his energy with one mighty thrust downward, and Thera heard and felt the rush of the blade as her heart beat furiously within her chest. Then, within the span of three seconds, it was all over as a gasp arose from the hush of the crowd gathered 'round the king that terrible day.