Over the next following few days Katarina and her Elite Guard bided their time in Sparta waiting for news from Queen Thera's messengers. They did their best to get along with the citizens learning of their way of life, taking in all the information they could, spending a day at the Agoge, where boys of seven are subjected to a rigorous education in military training, hunting and punishment for ten years, it was as brutal and harsh as it was enlightening, much like the Steria in Themiscyra, where daughters are sent at the age of ten to begin battle training for eight years. Though the concept was strikingly familiar, and similar, the training techniques and savage treatment of the students was not. The boys were sent out to steal from the temples, take lashings from the whip on their naked backs for hours, taught to commit murder, as well as beat each other in the face bare-fisted; whereas the daughters of Themiscyra were trained in the ideals of strength of mind, body, and will, taught to be as clever as they were ferocious killers, trained to fight with swords and spears, atop horses with bows and arrows, fighting alongside Atremisian tigers trained to sniff out the scent of men and bring down the enemy with claws and fangs. Oh there was much for Katarina to see and she took this opportunity of moving freely through Sparta and was able to create her own secret map of the city, as per Queen Odessa's request. Now, during their stay, Queen Thera tried to provide the Elite Guard and their Captain a few helots for the benefit of the little camp, but Katarina refused saying they were quite capable of bearing their own water, washing their own clothes, and cooking up food on the open fire. Thera understood Katarina's reasoning but she still thought Captain Katarina was indignant in her attitude, but the great Queen Thera let it go from her thoughts for she had greater problems than this to deal with, for when the Royal messengers returned they did not bring welcome news.
The kings of the region would not relent nor give their approval of Odessa's right to rule and would not turn their minds from conquering the Nation of Themiscyra. Only the rulers of Ionia, Megara, Athens and Thebes would sign the Act of Succession. King Sunder of Thrace sent word to Vyakles telling him the only reason his army had not laid siege to the walled fortress was due to the drought and heat, for the land of Themiscyra had become depleted and weak. This unfortunate weather was the only saving grace of Odessa and her country. King Phillip of Macedon sent back word to the Spartan Throne vowing they would not intercede in times of war on Themiscyra's behalf. For he, nor his army, would take up arms against the enemies of Themiscyra. King Vyakles and Queen Thera were angered by this information, however they were not shocked or surprised by the reply. Now it was up to Thera to tell Lacuna, and Lucia Vega, along with Katarina and the Elite Guard that they were partially unsuccessful on their mission and that Odessa should prepare for war soon, as Sunder was determined to overthrow her and take the throne and control of the nation. So she called all the Themiscyran women to council, in the din of this troubling year, imparting all this information for their ears to hear. What they all heard was like a blow to the heart for they all knew well, the world as they had known it was changing all around them more and more each day, those who had abandoned Themiscyra had learn to accept this fact in their new lives in Sparta, but those who were still entrenched in the old ways of sacred Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor still suffered for they could not see any future that did not embrace the past, the way of their fore-mothers, their ancient ancestors, their culture and history.
Thera had escaped all of this demagoguery and she had at long last become free, however if there were still those who wished to live under such controlling authority, who was she to stop them, she would not ridicule, nor mock them for their beliefs, simply and only BECAUSE Thera knew what it meant to live and breathe free. So she did her best to reassure the women, who would be returning to Themiscyra soon, that the Nation of Sparta would send ships and troops to support Odessa and her nation during times of war. However Vyakles was unaware his Queen had made such an offer. "Now, Odessa has sent her message and you have our answer. Send word to your Queen our most felicitous greetings of peace and love between our two nations.., we shall send further word of the proposed breeding campaign in the spring. Our nation awaits the out come of reallying our blood lines in the future so we may bring forth the finest, fittest warrior men, and women, the world has ever seen!"
All gathered there with Thera gave up a cheer for the prospect of the mutually beneficial future but Katarina knew, full well, Odessa had no intention of honoring any proposed breeding campaign agreement with the Spartans, but Katarina said nothing of this nor did she complain. Here Thera informed the women tomorrow would be their last night in Sparta so the Queen proclaimed there would be a day long celebration as they would mark the occasion of their departure home with much libations, jubilation and praise, this proved to be just the thing needed to lighten the mood then all went, late that night, from the council room of Queen Thera, save for Lacuna and Lucia Vega, who sat beside their friend with a worried look upon their faces as cruel as the grave. "From the frowns upon your foreheads, I would chance a guess as to say.., there is something more, troubling you this day?"
"Oh Thera!" Lucia Vega cried out as if she were in pain as she threw her arms around Thera's neck and began bitterly weeping.
"There, there, my warrior child, tell me what haunts your mind." Thera said wrapping Lucia Vega in her arms embracing her with warmth, concern and love not knowing the shocking news to come.
The kings of the region would not relent nor give their approval of Odessa's right to rule and would not turn their minds from conquering the Nation of Themiscyra. Only the rulers of Ionia, Megara, Athens and Thebes would sign the Act of Succession. King Sunder of Thrace sent word to Vyakles telling him the only reason his army had not laid siege to the walled fortress was due to the drought and heat, for the land of Themiscyra had become depleted and weak. This unfortunate weather was the only saving grace of Odessa and her country. King Phillip of Macedon sent back word to the Spartan Throne vowing they would not intercede in times of war on Themiscyra's behalf. For he, nor his army, would take up arms against the enemies of Themiscyra. King Vyakles and Queen Thera were angered by this information, however they were not shocked or surprised by the reply. Now it was up to Thera to tell Lacuna, and Lucia Vega, along with Katarina and the Elite Guard that they were partially unsuccessful on their mission and that Odessa should prepare for war soon, as Sunder was determined to overthrow her and take the throne and control of the nation. So she called all the Themiscyran women to council, in the din of this troubling year, imparting all this information for their ears to hear. What they all heard was like a blow to the heart for they all knew well, the world as they had known it was changing all around them more and more each day, those who had abandoned Themiscyra had learn to accept this fact in their new lives in Sparta, but those who were still entrenched in the old ways of sacred Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor still suffered for they could not see any future that did not embrace the past, the way of their fore-mothers, their ancient ancestors, their culture and history.
Thera had escaped all of this demagoguery and she had at long last become free, however if there were still those who wished to live under such controlling authority, who was she to stop them, she would not ridicule, nor mock them for their beliefs, simply and only BECAUSE Thera knew what it meant to live and breathe free. So she did her best to reassure the women, who would be returning to Themiscyra soon, that the Nation of Sparta would send ships and troops to support Odessa and her nation during times of war. However Vyakles was unaware his Queen had made such an offer. "Now, Odessa has sent her message and you have our answer. Send word to your Queen our most felicitous greetings of peace and love between our two nations.., we shall send further word of the proposed breeding campaign in the spring. Our nation awaits the out come of reallying our blood lines in the future so we may bring forth the finest, fittest warrior men, and women, the world has ever seen!"
All gathered there with Thera gave up a cheer for the prospect of the mutually beneficial future but Katarina knew, full well, Odessa had no intention of honoring any proposed breeding campaign agreement with the Spartans, but Katarina said nothing of this nor did she complain. Here Thera informed the women tomorrow would be their last night in Sparta so the Queen proclaimed there would be a day long celebration as they would mark the occasion of their departure home with much libations, jubilation and praise, this proved to be just the thing needed to lighten the mood then all went, late that night, from the council room of Queen Thera, save for Lacuna and Lucia Vega, who sat beside their friend with a worried look upon their faces as cruel as the grave. "From the frowns upon your foreheads, I would chance a guess as to say.., there is something more, troubling you this day?"
"Oh Thera!" Lucia Vega cried out as if she were in pain as she threw her arms around Thera's neck and began bitterly weeping.
"There, there, my warrior child, tell me what haunts your mind." Thera said wrapping Lucia Vega in her arms embracing her with warmth, concern and love not knowing the shocking news to come.
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