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.
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.
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