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!"
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!"
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