Chapter 11 continues Now it was a long hard ride back east through the mountains of the Peloponnese then up north through Illyria where, to steer clear of Macedon and Thrace, Katarina and the Elite Guard sailed along the Danube in a large river boat provided by the King of Illyria, who was still friendly to the Nation of Themiscyra. With a brief stop in Scythia to rest for one night Katarina and her Elite Guard made a safe crossing at the Dinieper river then, shortly thereafter, they made an arduous journey south at the base of the Eurasia Steppes when at long last they found themselves at the north gate of their walled empire. They were home, tired and exhausted as the secret sign was given up to the sentinels then the massive wooden and iron gates were opened up to Katarina and her women, whom all were relieved to be safe at home once again but they were not looking forward to relaying the terrible news to the Queen.
"We must go to the palace at once! Though we are weary from riding in the saddle, we must present ourselves before Queen Odessa and tell her all we have seen." Katarina commanded knowing they had failed the mission having had lost Captain Lacuna and Captain Lucia Vega to the Spartan ideals of marriage, family and freedom. None were looking forward to seeing Odessa's face when she learned the news of losing her two brightest and bravest military leaders. However, upon entering the palace in the center of the city, Katarina found Odessa was not in residence at the palace that day. Now when the little group entered the great hall they found the space was filled to capacity with all manners of tall painted vases, life size statues of horses and lions, of such a high order of artistry the likes of which no one in Themiscyra had ever seen. The realistic representation of the nude figures on the massive vases and amphora were the finest quality of art their amazed eyes had ever beheld, they had seen works of art from as far away as Egypt, Israel and Babylon, but nothing could compare to these wondrous sculptures, paintings and vases, however there was more treasure in store than this. For they found Cheveria sitting at the long council table with a few young scribes who were examining long ropes of gold chains and carved boxes of alabaster inlaid with emeralds and rubies. There upon the table were broaches, earrings , necklaces, rings of silver and gold, bracelets of twisted intricate gold, strands of rare pearls as long as an arm, and it took a moment before Cheveria noticed the dust covered Elite Guard standing in awe in the midst of such other worldly treasure.
"Councilor Cheveria!" Katarina called out as the old War Councilor looked up from the jewel in her hand, a large unpolished sapphire the size of robins egg. "We have returned from Sparta and wish to impart the news of our long journey to the Queen!"
"Katarina!" the old warrior exclaimed as she smiled standing to her feet to welcome home the Elite Guard and their Captain. "Praise be to Hera you have all returned safe from your adventure." she said as she went over embracing the five women. "But now.., tell me.., where are the others? Lacuna and Lucia Vega?" the long serving Councilor of War asked with a terrible feeling of foreboding creeping up her spine.
"They refused to return home." Katarina said plainly "What is worse, they have become impregnated with Spartan seed and now wish only to take their lovers as their husbands and together, in Sparta, raise a family."
Now as the words of Katarina's mouth spilled into the old woman's ears she gave a confused look as if she was not sure if she heard clearly so she stammered "What's that? Come again."
"Lacuna and Lucia Vega, have put down their swords and taken up their breeding partners hand in marriage..," Katarina sighed with great distress in her eyes. "They have vowed never to return to war for the sake of Themiscyra, they have taken up their allegiance with Thera and the the Greeks."
Now their they stood, the Elite Guard watched and waited, they could see the anger rise up in Cheveria's face with the sudden realization that her daughter Odessa had been betrayed! Yet again! Yet again! The anger and exasperation which coiled up in her heart like a viper that day led her to act in the following way. "Betrayed! What traitors!" she exclaimed as she took the stone in her hand, not thinking just how rare and precious it actually was, throwing it as hard as she could upon the marble floor where it smashed into little pieces. "How could you let this happen Captain!? You were responsible for their safety and well being, and that includes their safe passage back home! Back home to their Nation! Back home to their Queen!" Cheveria yelled indignantly, the anger and rage not dulled by her old age.
"We could not force them to go! The Spartan King and his vast army would have cut us up into red ribbons if we tried to abduct them and bring them home! No! Cheveria..," Katarina spoke softly with a great love and abiding kindness in her eyes "You yourself, if you were there, would have not been able to turn their minds from the path they chose. Cheveria, this has broken my heart and left my mind in a whirlwind, in a fiery rampage of vengeful hate.., but I made a promise to both of them, along with Thera and Vyakles.., I swore to them there would come a day when they would have a high price to pay for turning so many against this nation and our one true Queen!" Katarina took in a breath so filled with animosity was she. "Tell me, Councilor, where may we find her, Odessa must know of this at once of this treachery, before I retire to my bed and take my leave?"
"Ah, the Queen." Cheveria tried to calm her breath along with the rush of disturbed emotions swirling in her mind "She has set up her Royal Tent on the North Shore, outside the gates.., she is.., entertaining."
"Who?" Katarina asked with a concerned curious tone in her voice.
"Prince Thane of Etruria, and his Etruscan warriors.., why look around you, these are his many gifts he has bestowed upon our beloved Queen." Cheveria smiled as if the horde were her own dowry. "They came with ten ships full of grains, livestock and wine for the good of the people.., but these wondrous works of art were brought expressly for my daughter.., the Queen" Cheveria said proudly "So it was, Odessa invited Prince Thane, along with fifty of his finest warriors, along with two of their ships to remain, so they might begin the breeding season between our two nations early, before the spring." she explained and even though this was highly unusual in the customs of their society Katarina said nothing of her misgivings, for she was not in charge of the Nation, she was only a Captain, and not the Queen.
"Then allow me to depart so I may go out to her at once." Katarina said with a slight bow.
"Oh no Katarina!" the old woman shook her head "Not like this.., look at you, covered in dust and dirt from your long journey home, dressed in your battle armament, sword at your side. No.., if you wish to go and meet Queen Odessa and her most favored guests.., you must first retire to your bath, wash your body, wax the hair from your skin, put on your lotions, balms and perfumes, comb out your long hair, put on a flowing silk dress and then you can go out to see her. For you will be amid the breeding festivities, you must not go dressed as a warrior, but as the beautiful maiden you are.., and if you are in the mood, you might want to take out some of your pent up frustrations and hostilities on one of the strong Etruscan men, I have heard there is much satisfaction to be gained in their beds." Cheveria said with a little laugh, a nudge, a wink and a smile "There will be plenty of time to decided what to do about those traitorous women.., Lacuna and Lucia Vega." Cheveria said and Katarina gave her a knowing look then she dismissed the Elite Guard under her command and departed to her little house where she prepared for herself a nice cool fragrant bath where soaking in the jasmine scented water, for just a few moments, the road weary Katarina was able to relax and forget about the past.
"We must go to the palace at once! Though we are weary from riding in the saddle, we must present ourselves before Queen Odessa and tell her all we have seen." Katarina commanded knowing they had failed the mission having had lost Captain Lacuna and Captain Lucia Vega to the Spartan ideals of marriage, family and freedom. None were looking forward to seeing Odessa's face when she learned the news of losing her two brightest and bravest military leaders. However, upon entering the palace in the center of the city, Katarina found Odessa was not in residence at the palace that day. Now when the little group entered the great hall they found the space was filled to capacity with all manners of tall painted vases, life size statues of horses and lions, of such a high order of artistry the likes of which no one in Themiscyra had ever seen. The realistic representation of the nude figures on the massive vases and amphora were the finest quality of art their amazed eyes had ever beheld, they had seen works of art from as far away as Egypt, Israel and Babylon, but nothing could compare to these wondrous sculptures, paintings and vases, however there was more treasure in store than this. For they found Cheveria sitting at the long council table with a few young scribes who were examining long ropes of gold chains and carved boxes of alabaster inlaid with emeralds and rubies. There upon the table were broaches, earrings , necklaces, rings of silver and gold, bracelets of twisted intricate gold, strands of rare pearls as long as an arm, and it took a moment before Cheveria noticed the dust covered Elite Guard standing in awe in the midst of such other worldly treasure.
"Councilor Cheveria!" Katarina called out as the old War Councilor looked up from the jewel in her hand, a large unpolished sapphire the size of robins egg. "We have returned from Sparta and wish to impart the news of our long journey to the Queen!"
"Katarina!" the old warrior exclaimed as she smiled standing to her feet to welcome home the Elite Guard and their Captain. "Praise be to Hera you have all returned safe from your adventure." she said as she went over embracing the five women. "But now.., tell me.., where are the others? Lacuna and Lucia Vega?" the long serving Councilor of War asked with a terrible feeling of foreboding creeping up her spine.
"They refused to return home." Katarina said plainly "What is worse, they have become impregnated with Spartan seed and now wish only to take their lovers as their husbands and together, in Sparta, raise a family."
Now as the words of Katarina's mouth spilled into the old woman's ears she gave a confused look as if she was not sure if she heard clearly so she stammered "What's that? Come again."
"Lacuna and Lucia Vega, have put down their swords and taken up their breeding partners hand in marriage..," Katarina sighed with great distress in her eyes. "They have vowed never to return to war for the sake of Themiscyra, they have taken up their allegiance with Thera and the the Greeks."
Now their they stood, the Elite Guard watched and waited, they could see the anger rise up in Cheveria's face with the sudden realization that her daughter Odessa had been betrayed! Yet again! Yet again! The anger and exasperation which coiled up in her heart like a viper that day led her to act in the following way. "Betrayed! What traitors!" she exclaimed as she took the stone in her hand, not thinking just how rare and precious it actually was, throwing it as hard as she could upon the marble floor where it smashed into little pieces. "How could you let this happen Captain!? You were responsible for their safety and well being, and that includes their safe passage back home! Back home to their Nation! Back home to their Queen!" Cheveria yelled indignantly, the anger and rage not dulled by her old age.
"We could not force them to go! The Spartan King and his vast army would have cut us up into red ribbons if we tried to abduct them and bring them home! No! Cheveria..," Katarina spoke softly with a great love and abiding kindness in her eyes "You yourself, if you were there, would have not been able to turn their minds from the path they chose. Cheveria, this has broken my heart and left my mind in a whirlwind, in a fiery rampage of vengeful hate.., but I made a promise to both of them, along with Thera and Vyakles.., I swore to them there would come a day when they would have a high price to pay for turning so many against this nation and our one true Queen!" Katarina took in a breath so filled with animosity was she. "Tell me, Councilor, where may we find her, Odessa must know of this at once of this treachery, before I retire to my bed and take my leave?"
"Ah, the Queen." Cheveria tried to calm her breath along with the rush of disturbed emotions swirling in her mind "She has set up her Royal Tent on the North Shore, outside the gates.., she is.., entertaining."
"Who?" Katarina asked with a concerned curious tone in her voice.
"Prince Thane of Etruria, and his Etruscan warriors.., why look around you, these are his many gifts he has bestowed upon our beloved Queen." Cheveria smiled as if the horde were her own dowry. "They came with ten ships full of grains, livestock and wine for the good of the people.., but these wondrous works of art were brought expressly for my daughter.., the Queen" Cheveria said proudly "So it was, Odessa invited Prince Thane, along with fifty of his finest warriors, along with two of their ships to remain, so they might begin the breeding season between our two nations early, before the spring." she explained and even though this was highly unusual in the customs of their society Katarina said nothing of her misgivings, for she was not in charge of the Nation, she was only a Captain, and not the Queen.
"Then allow me to depart so I may go out to her at once." Katarina said with a slight bow.
"Oh no Katarina!" the old woman shook her head "Not like this.., look at you, covered in dust and dirt from your long journey home, dressed in your battle armament, sword at your side. No.., if you wish to go and meet Queen Odessa and her most favored guests.., you must first retire to your bath, wash your body, wax the hair from your skin, put on your lotions, balms and perfumes, comb out your long hair, put on a flowing silk dress and then you can go out to see her. For you will be amid the breeding festivities, you must not go dressed as a warrior, but as the beautiful maiden you are.., and if you are in the mood, you might want to take out some of your pent up frustrations and hostilities on one of the strong Etruscan men, I have heard there is much satisfaction to be gained in their beds." Cheveria said with a little laugh, a nudge, a wink and a smile "There will be plenty of time to decided what to do about those traitorous women.., Lacuna and Lucia Vega." Cheveria said and Katarina gave her a knowing look then she dismissed the Elite Guard under her command and departed to her little house where she prepared for herself a nice cool fragrant bath where soaking in the jasmine scented water, for just a few moments, the road weary Katarina was able to relax and forget about the past.
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