End Chapter 6

     "I remember that day, on that pure perfect morning, when Vyakles, with his troopships on the tide, discovered our hiding place on that lush isle.., I remember that day well.., for when I walked down to the beach I discovered you all kneeling before King Vyakles, you were each poised and posed for your voluntary execution." here Thera paused the thought of that memory alive before her eyes as she spoke "You, my friends, my sacred sisters.., so honorable, so loyal, with such a show of respect and unity.., unlike the World has ever seen. So it was by the divine wisdom of my beloved Vyakles, this Great King bestowed upon us his mercy and pity and grace, sparing our lives, putting all our transgressions aside, bringing us here to the luxury of his palace, reuniting us with our breeding partners, we now have the father's of our sons!" here a loud cheer arose from the spirited women. "Ah yes.., those fine men! So brave! So handsome! So strong! With hearts of warriors which beat like our own!" here more cheers and a round of wine for everyone, and the men hidden from sight, wished to cheer for themselves but they remained silent with wide smiles flashing across their faces. "Those god-like men, our vigorous lovers! The fathers of our priceless sons!" Thera continued cutting into the meat of her story. "So listen to me, my ladies, and I will tell you about those Spartans.., for they have all made it perfectly clear to Vyakles and his councilors that, in order to demonstrate their love and loyalty for us.., those Spartan men wish to make us their wives, so we may be welcome as citizens and provide us with homes to raise our children together, united as a family against all adversities. They wish to pledge us their troth in matrimony." Thera's words were swallowed up by gasps from the stunned women who sat there now in a shocked silence.
     Ia, the scholar, and most learned in the group stammered "Ma..rr..i.age??" Ia looked up at Thera eyes wide in disbelief "Please forgive me.., I am.., confused.., I thought men only married young virgins brides, with dowries from their families of gold, silver, land and riches? And clearly, there are no virgins here!" a few laughs came up from the uncomfortable shift in the mood. "And what dowry do we have to offer.., our horses?"
     "Our dowry is our heritage; which we have proved by more than word of mouth! Our dowry is our warrior blood, remember this society had held our nation in myth and legend. Our dowery is our sons! I ask you this my most dearest sisters! Are not we, ourselves, as living, breathing, beautiful creatures worth more than the price of rubies, are we not more precious than gold or pearls stolen from the sea?" Thera spoke clearly and plainly knowing even a warrior was not above flattery.
     "But Thera.., no one in our culture has EVER entered into marriage. It is against the laws of our nation." Johanna added to the discussion.
     "Oh my sweet sister, the laws of our former nation no longer apply to us. Besides, we have already broken so many laws by now.., what does one more broken law matter?" Thera asked and no one had an answer but they still sat and listened. "Prestige, Power and Honor that is what every Spartan bride receives from her betrothed for that is her right by the laws of THIS nation, the nation of our son's fathers, this magnificent place.., Greece. Marriage is not like death, it is not such a frightening thing."
     "Must we?" Kayla asked the trepidation of this new prospect sitting unsettled in her thoughts.
     "No, Kayla.., if even one of you is opposed we shall all tell them no." Thera said with a concerned look.
     "If we all agreed, then for you, indeed, this would mean you would become the new Queen of Sparta if you become the wife of the King." Amarra commented taking this into careful consideration.
     "Aye.., and in doing so shall secure aid to be sent out to those in our former nation who suffer from hunger and disease." Thera reiterated.
     "This proposal could prove most effective." came the words of Scotia.
     "Marriage?" Iona said the idea filling her mind for the very first time in her short life.
     "Yes, marriage, for this is what happens in the real world. All the civilizations on the face of the Earth are based upon marriage, for the unification of the family is the only hope that keeps them going. So we have changed our way of life, so we must change our way of thinking."
     "And what say you Thera?" Katara asked "What does your heart tell you?"
     "My heart says to listen to my head.., and I must admit.., I think it would be most pleasing and satisfying to wake every morning beside Vyakles." Thera said with a clever smile as she went back to her seat at the head of the table telling them "Take sometime to discuss this amongst yourselves while I drink my wine."
     Now Thera sat back and watched and waited and it was curious to her as all her words and the idea of marriage had left them all in a complete silence there under the trees in the warm summer night. Each of the women spoke not a word to one another, nor did they ask any more questions of Thera, who sat there amazed staring at her brave ladies who all sat in the stillness of deep contemplation, going over each scenario in their mind of a future with, or without, the father's of their sons. Those Spartan men anxious in anticipation of a pleasing outcome waited on baited breath. Then after several tense minutes of unsure uncertainty it was Scotia who spoke up "It is true Thera.., we had all agreed to follow you to our deaths, that day.., just to give you a little a company in the eternity. For we told Vyakles that we would rather die beside you than live our lives without you. So I, myself, would follow into the mouth of hell, even if that hell is called matrimony!" Scotia raised a cup in tribute and then to the great happiness of Thera's warrior heart she watched as her friends, her sacred sisters all stood up, one by one, raising there cups.
     "For the the deep love we hold in our hearts for you! Thera, the last daughter of the Royal House of Themiscyra! And we shall hail you with our husbands as we salute you, the next Queen of Sparta!" Jessa said with a delight in her voice lifting the hearts of those who witnessed the joyous scene.
     "To our FUTURE! And our FUTURE HUSBANDS!" Queen Thera said in reply as a few tears of happiness fell from her green eyes.
     So it was, the answer the Spartan men had long awaited, at last, had been delivered much to the sheer delight of their hearts and they found they could not contain their extreme pleasure any longer. So with great excitement and many cheers they leapt from their hiding places, sweeping the women into their arms. Surprising them with kisses on the mouth and the cheeks. Vyakles could not have been more pleased and he came off the roof climbing down one of the olive trees, just behind Thera, who turned and she kissed him sweetly as he held her tightly and Thera knew now how good it felt to be in the arms and affection of the king.

More Chapter 6

     "Oh we few.., our little tribe, this happy band of sisters.., I tell you this! Our bond has been forged in war and blood. For life is never easy.., there are our individual sacrifices we have made.., all for the greater good." Thera began as she paced slowly around the table meeting the eyes of all those she had come to change their minds "Oh the sacrifices we have made... Tell me, how many men have we all slaughtered in battle? How many men have we left in the trail of the wounded and dying? How many rivers have we choked with the bodies of the dead?" Thera asked with a solemn tone in her voice as she answered her own question "Calculating that infinitesimal number would be like.., wielding a broken spear..., POINTLESS!" here a few laughs arose from the table but the voices were quickly stilled for Thera's sever gaze let her ladies know this was no time for laughter. "We have made a career out of killing in the name of our nation Themiscyra.., for Unity, Loyalty, Respect, and Honor. Each of us more than willing to give up our lives in sacrifice for the protection and security of our home and families, to die out on the fields of war. Yet I ask you my brave, courageous warriors, how many of our sisters and cousins did not come home to a triumphant return? COUNTLESS! Yes, they all gave the ultimate sacrifice, gave up their lives, nourished the earth with their blood, all this has been done for the love of a nation." Thera took in a deep breath staring over at Johanna " Dearest friends, I tell you this! If we love our nation deeply enough, there is a part of it within us to the very end. Our Themiscyra suffers as we sit here now sipping Spartan wine, our lovers in our beds, our children sleeping safely in comfort nearby... Now, though we have turned our backs on our nation, I still worry greatly for her and the daughters of Themiscyra, but life is never easy, for we too have sacrificed our long held notion of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor for the sake of the pursuit of happiness and freedom, we have betrayed a nation for our own Independence and Liberty. And in doing so we have stored away our weapons and given up our urge, or need, to kill our enemies. We have turned our back on our one true nature, so that we may nurture our children and become proper mothers."
     "Mothers." Jessa said as a rush of warmth and joy lifted up her warrior heart for she had so much love for her son.
     "Yes, we have sacrificed everything for our offspring.., although, I still can not help to worry greatly about our nations fate and their Queen, Odessa and the daughters of Themiscyra we left behind. For the gods and goddess have been most unkind to our former homeland, where the heat has brought years of drought and the crops wither on the vines. Vyakles has informed me that thousands of women have taken the mark and fled Themiscyra with their daughters. Many have found refuge in Scythia and Macedon.., but now King Phillip has sided with the Thracian's and no longer will he allow trade with Odessa. Oh how our nation suffers! Yet above all my concerns I am secure in the knowledge, that IF we had the opportunity to give help and aid to our troubled sisters, then we out of the Unity, Loyalty, Honor and Respect that still remains in our hearts, along with the deep Love for our nation, we gladly would provide our much needed assistance in any way shape or form."
     Here Ia turned and spoke up saying "Yes, of course, we would gladly help.., but we are no longer warriors, we are only mothers. We have no army at our disposal, no wealth, no land, no silver, no gold. For we are now strangers in a strange land, with only our children and our wits to serve us.., we have no power, authority or control."
     Here Thera gave a cunning look saying "Aye.., dear ladies, every word Ia speaks is true.., but, what if I told you there was way?" she smiled.
     Now it was true the men had gathered out under the eaves of the palace, hidden from view by a thick overgrowth of honeysuckle vines, as the breeding partners stilled their voices listening in on Thera's little speech. All sent prayers up to Aphrodite and Hera with great hopes of a matrimonial outcome. Even Vyakles himself had gone up to the flat topped roof spying down on the women, he too with an anxious mind, nervous for the unknown outcome of which he had no control. This was not a feeling the King of Sparta was accustomed to. So the men strained to hear as they all paid close attention to what was said next.         

Chapter 6 continues

     Slowly Thera made her way back inside the palace with her mind focused, surely determined to have an outcome to this dire situation that she, and her former nation, might find pleasing and beneficial, so she walked with great purpose whereupon one of the older women attendants, up late fetching an amphora of wine for one of the many guests in the king's household that hot summer's night, stopped and smiled letting Thera pass and she thought to herself that this foreign, legendary, 'Amazon' woman had a powerful countenance about her that let a person know clearly you had two choices with her: one was to get behind Thera for she will PROTECT you.., or two run away from Thera for she will DESTROY you. Happy to be in the good and gracious presence of such a brave and noble warrior queen the old gray maid bowed with courtesy to the tall green-eyed Thera, nearly spilling the wine out of the vessel in doing so.
     "Careful, dear lady, the blood of the grape is sacred." Thera said as she reached out and tilted the neck of the bottle up as the two laughed a little. "I pray thee, good woman, please bring a vessel just as this out to the courtyard, for I must awaken my ladies now, there is bad news I must impart to them. I pray thee hurry."
     "Yes, right away." the servant replied hastening her steps. Having sent the gentle woman about her task, Thera set about hers. Going down the long corridor to the gynaikon, the woman's quarters of the palace, Thera stopped at the first door she came to, unsure which of the women were inside, she knocked upon the chamber door thrice.She paused hearing a stirring from within the room, followed by whispers and giggles, mixed with laughter, then Thera clearly heard the shuffling of bare feet coming to the door; which opened up slowly groaning slightly under it's own weight. "Ah.., good evening Katara."
     "My Queen." she smiled her face radiant in the warm glow of the flickering torches in the hall, her blue eyes gleaming, hair a disheveled mess of copper strands covering her breasts "Please forgive my appearance, as I..," she blushed "you remember my breeding partner, the father of my son, Temenos." Katara said as she opened up the door exposing the sight of the handsome, naked Spartan lying atop her bed. "Vyakles brought out our partners around to us all.., hours ago."
 Thera was a little shocked by this information, for she did not know that, nor had Vyakles bothered to mention that fact, however this to her seemed brilliant and Thera only thought this would better her cause in matrimony, so she paused to get a good look at the handsome, muscular Temenos, his bare skin glistening with beads of sweat as Thera smiled slyly, giving him an approving nod of her head, then she said "Forgive the intrusion, oh Spartan, I must take your good lady away for a brief moment." Thera explained.
     "Good, good.., for that will give me time to catch my breath and rest." Temenos smiled with a laugh.
     "Come, Katara, dress yourself and summon our Themiscyrans, meet me in the courtyard, for I have interesting news." Thera said with a serious gaze.
     "Yes my Queen." Katara replied made anxious in her heart by the look in Thera's eyes.
     So it was with much excitement Katara threw on her white linen shift just barely covering her naked body as she ran barefoot down the hall banging loudly on all the doors calling out each of Themiscyran women by name loudly shouting " Johanna, Ia, Iona, Scotia, Jessa..," etc as the ladies all leapt from their warm beds and off of their partners. Each of them beginning to grow concerned as they covered their nakedness and went outside to meet with Thera, who sat at the head of the long table under the ancient olive trees swaying in the warm summer wind as moonbeams filtered in through the leaves. Thera was smiling, pouring out the wine into little cups as she bade them all sit down and have a drink before she began speaking. Here Thera had already consumed three, or seven, cups of wine before the women had assembled before her. Now the wise, former queen knew there were many paths to the truth and red wine was one of them."Drink up my fine ladies! For I have a very sad story to tell you all.., and the saddest part of my tale is that.., it is.., in fact.., the Truth. Not some twisted figment of my disturbed imagination, no, this is no tale of drama." Thera paused as she stood to her feet, cleared her throat, then clasping her hands behind her back, she began to walk slowly around the table as each of the women drank up the wine and listened intently, all suddenly feeling extremely ill at ease.  

Chapter 6 begins

     In the middle of the night Vyakles awoke from his restful, pleasant sleep when he spied Thera standing by the window looking out into the night underneath the pale-blue moon light. "Thera, are you alright?"
     Thera turned wrapped up in his scarlet-red silk robe and she sighed "I am worried about my horses and cargo, for I do not know where they have gone." she explained in a voice as small as the cooing of a dove so as not to wake their children.
     "Come." Vyakles said taking her by the hand escorting her out of the thalamos so the little twins would not be disturbed in their sleep. "I sent orders for your horses, goats and sheep to be taken to my stables. As for the rest of the items..," Vyakles paused as they entered the great hall, where, by this time of night, all the cargo had been carefully placed by the King's command. "yes, here you are my good lady all your weapons, swords, spears, javelins,etc..." Vyakles gave a sweep of his hand as Thera was thrilled to see the shields, breastplates, all of the armor, clothing, documents and artifacts, the last remnants of her culture all gathered there before her in the dimly lit chamber. "As promised, I have delivered all the items you have required me to." Vyakles gave a boastful smile as he observed Thera walk over to a long table where all of the sharpened swords were laying side by side, then without a moments hesitation of uncertainty Thera went over and picked up her own sword off of the table with a tremendous smile and gleam in her bright green eyes holding the pommel of her cyphos in her hand. Now it was true each of the swords were finely crafted and identical in every way, but Thera knew her own sword, with which she had slaughtered countless men, for this was no ordinary object, no, not to Thera, for her sword was like a dear old  friend.
     "Thank you Vyakles." she said her voice lifted to a cheerful mood. "Though I pray to all the gods and goddess my days of war and killing are all through." Thera confessed for the first time in her life, for now she was a mother and had lived in such peaceful life of solitude on the island of Hera among her ladies, the urge to fight had been drained away like rain drying up on the desert plains.
     "You are safe in Sparta here with me, where my Army and Navy will always protect you." Vyakles tried to reassure her, but he knew this was not entirely true, so with a gentle embrace the king kissed her on the lips then whispered in her ear "Thera.., there is something I must explain to you." Thera said nothing, as she felt an uncomfortable knot twisting in the pit of her stomach suddenly, and when Vyakles took her by the hand escorting her outside, to the inner courtyard, her blood began to pulse as her heart raced anxiously beneath her breast.
     Thera felt the cool night wind rush against her face lifting her long soft hair up across her shoulders and there, under the moonlit shadows of the trees, in the fragrant jasmine-scented breeze, Vyakles sat Thera upon his knee. The look in her eyes told a story of concern and confusion though Vyakles knew he could not wait any longer. "What is it Vyakles? You look very worried indeed?" she asked with a troubled little laugh.
     A sigh followed her question then Vyakles opened up his mouth and the truth of the matter came pouring out. "Before I came to bed tonight, I had just come from a meeting with the Senate."
     "Ah.., yes, your politicians." Thera said with a bit of sarcasm in her tone as politicians did not exist where she was from. "I can tell you plainly, politics is something I really have no knowledge of."
     "Yes.., well here in this Democracy.., the Senate enacts laws and I uphold and enforce them. Not like in your country where the Queen and her Royal House make all the decrees and treaties."
      "Vyakles why are you speaking of this? For what matter does your Senate make to me?" she asked squirming in his lap as she stood to her feet.
     The King of Sparta bowed his head, as if in defeat, then he sat there looking up at the now distressed Thera and said "The elders have made their own decree and it affects you, our children, your ladies, my men and me."
     "What is this decree you speak of Vyakles?" Thera asked with a furrowed brow a deep red color coming to her chest and cheeks.
     "It concerns the legitimacy of the children, and you.., and your ladies rights as citizens under the protection of Spartan Law." Vyakles paused a moment, got up and went over to a clear running fountain of water, where he took in a long drink, then he continued "You see, the way we live our lives in my country is far more different than what you have known or seen."
     "Vyakles! Tell me what is the matter? Speak plainly!" Thera said her voice raising slightly.
     "The Senate does not recognize the legitimacy of the Sons of Sparta, nor will they recognize you and your ladies right to citizenship and protection under Spartan Law.., unless..,"
     Thera's eyes grew wide and the pit in her stomach sank ever deeper "Unless what Vyakles?! Now! Tell me all of it now! Tell me everything Vyakles!"
     "Unless all the breeding partners agree to be joined in matrimony." Vyakles spit out the truth to her, and to Thera his words were like a viper spewing forth toxic poison.
     Here Vyakles watched a change come over her face, going from anger and confusion to an uncertain despair and shame which had no name."But.., you and I.., you were my breeding partner." Thera stammered.
     "Yes, and the Senate only wants to ensure that we REMAIN breeding partners.., for as long as we both shall live, so our children will have a legitimate claim to their birthright as heirs which will entitle them to the fortunes of their fathers and mothers, lawfully."
     Here the sudden shock of the situation surpassed all of Thera's reason and so she said in her confusion "Are you saying you want me.., to marry.., you?"
    Vyakles approached Thera slowly as he stood before her and here at this moment he looked her in the eyes and smiled then, with all the graciousness of a noble king, Vyakles knelt down before Thera, for in his heart and mind she was still a Queen "Yes Thera. I want you to marry me." Vyakles took her trembling hands in his, waiting for any such reply, a word, a kiss, a sigh "For I have loved you for so long and I want you to be my bride and my Queen."
     All his words left Thera uncertain sending her mind on what seemed a thousand year long race, but the overwhelming presence of the king brought her back to this place. Now she felt, for the first time in her life, that the past was in its grave and she must be the one to decided her own fate. She could not let the ghosts, and arbitrary laws, of her former nation haunt her, or hold her back. Thera's heart leapt with excitement as her clever mind reeled and she realized at once that, perhaps, this arrangement might serve her better to help save her dying nation. For Thera knew well of the trouble she had caused Odessa who had dealt with war and famine. So she, being of noble birth and royal blood, the former Queen of Themiscyra felt obligated to try to help her people by any means necessary and if it that required Thera to sacrifice her freedom for the sake of legitimate children and citizenship, through matrimony, then so be it "Vyakles, arise, for now I can not answer you." she said as the look in her beloveds eyes cried out for an explanation, so she told him "I can say that I am perfectly willing to marry you. However.., I must tell my ladies of the decree, and if they ARE ALL willing then we will have our weddings, but I have learned much of your Sacred Democracy.., so I will put the matter to a vote, as you call it, and then we shall see. But for now, please leave me be, for my mind must be left in peace, I must summon up the courage to go and wake my ladies." here Thera gave a deep gracious bow to the king and when he tried to reach out to kiss her, Thera turned her cheek saying "Please Vyakles, just bid me goodnight and go back to sleep."
     "Very well my dearest, beloved Thera, I will say goodnight to thee, but please.., do your best with the clever words of your mind to convince your ladies, for the sake of the children and all of my men, especially me. I want so very much for you to stay here, and live out your life in Sparta, so we might be a happy little family. For I promise to you now, and avow with the royal blood in my heart, from this day forward I will love you for all eternity! May the god's never tear us apart!"

End Chapter 5

      "Very well..," Vyakles said taking this unexpected situation all in, stunned by the outcome of the meeting "If you all are in agreement.., then, I have no choice but to follow your lead, after all," the king turned glaring at the aged members of the Senate "This is still a Democracy." he said sarcastically. "Come, gentlemen, I shall bring you back to the palace where our ladies await."  a happy cheer arose from the men who longed to have a mythical warrior bride by their side and now it seemed all there prayers of supplication had been heard by Aphrodite as they all hurried through the quiet streets in the evening shade of the sunset. "I will allow you to come into them, but DO NOT mention a word of our scheme, say nothing of matrimony! I will broach the matter with Queen Thera first, and foremost, to gauge her reaction to the idea. Now you Spartans, you must remember, always.., these women have all been raised, and reared, with the belief that marriage is a fate worse than death, and they view the whole arrangement more like a form of slavery. So come now, so you may greet your ladies, and you will see your sons, but promise me, not a word about this to anyone." Vyakles was given rest assurance by the anxious men.
     So it was as a pale crescent moon arose in the east Vyakles led the men into the palace through the great hall down the dark corridors to the women's quarters, where each lady rested quietly alone in each of their appointed chambers, where here in the solitude and silence each woman felt for the first time, in a long time, just how wonderful it was to be alone with only the sound of your thoughts and heart beat filling your ears. Yet the quietness and tranquility of their dreams was interrupted, one by one, as King Vyakles knocked softly upon each of their doors. Now when each, and every one, of the Themiscyran's opened up the door their faces lit up and their eyes shone like stars when they beheld their former breeding partners, of whom they had not seen in nearly four years time. Vyakles need say nothing, nor make any introduction, as these healthy and lustful women embraced the men covering their cheeks with kisses of delight as they took them into their room and quickly shut the door for the night.
     After the well pleased king had reunited each of the men with their prospective brides, Vyakles was thankful and satisfied, now if only this plan of action could take course and leave his Spartans joined in marriage with these Themiscyran women of myth and legend. As the king stood in the long hallway, lit by flickering torches, he gave up a silent prayer to Hera, asking for her blessings in the form of weddings for each of the men and women: Kai and Kayla, Anias and Amarra, Tyrinthus and Iona, Venice and Jessa, Kyus and Ia, Anaias and Scotia, Nava and La Scoffa, Temenos and Katara, Theo and Johanna, and of course he prayed for Thera's hand in marriage avowing to the goddess Hera  he would protect Thera and keep her and his children safe from all harm at all costs. Now here he was giving up his prayer for marriage and though Vyakles was never sure if she could hear him, Vyakles prayed to Hera all the same. So with a prayer in his heart and great hope in his thoughts Vyakles approached his inner bed chamber where he found, to a true father's delight, his children having crept from the nursery now curled up in his bed with their mother, warm and cozy under the covers. It took a moment for Vyakles to move as he stood there as still and as silent as tomb, gazing proudly at his son and daughter wrapped up in Thera's arms sleeping as sweetly as gentle little lambs. He dared not wake them, nor stir them from their peaceful rest, so quietly the king slipped off his sandals removing his sword and belt as he climbed up into bed with his most precious, sacred family, placing his arm around Thera's waist and soon Vyakles was fast asleep as happy as a man, or a king, could ever possibly be.