Katarina sat on the edge of the little bed gazing at the cold, naked corpse of Ambassador Gaetano, a man she had grown to admire, however, her feelings for the charming man did not matter for she had been ordered to poison him by Odessa and it was only out of Katarina's extreme loyalty to her Queen and Country that she, along with the others, fully and completely obeyed. Now this loyalty was to such an extreme destructive extent that had Queen Odessa commanded her to chop up Gaetano's body and cook up a nice stew of him, she would have done that too. For Katarina and all the rest of the Themiscyrans were so deeply indoctrinated into their ancient culture and belief systems that they would always obey, without question the orders of their leaders, both religious and military and, most especially, the Royal Command of a Themiscyran Queen.
"Captain Katarina." Odessa, standing at the entrance to the small tent, called out to Katarina "It is time." she spoke in a calm clear voice a few hours before the sun would rise. Saying nothing in response Captain Katarina only nodded her head yes as she stood up and walked out into the cool autumn air which lifted and spread out her long red hair upon the gentle breeze coming in from off of the cold mountains. She took in a deep relaxing breath, but her mind could not be stilled, so she remained silent surveying the scene on the windswept beach.
She watched as the many warriors went in and carried out the bodies of the dead from the little tents grouped together by the bonfires along the shore, then two of her fellow soldiers passed beside her, going in to bring out the body of Ambassador Gaetano, Katarina averted her eyes looking at the ground for she suddenly was overwhelmed with a strange feeling she had never experienced and that in a word was, SHAME. Yet she remained silent not wanting to upset Queen Odessa, whom had ordered the dead Etruscan men to be placed back on their ships in the cargo holds, where the nude corpses were covered with hay, to be soaked in highly flammable olive oil later. It seemed strange to Katarina that the task of moving fifty naked, dead men from the tents up the wooden ramp of the ship and laid in the vast cargo holds went by so quickly, for she thought it would surely take much longer than it actually did. It was at this point she came out of her daze realizing she herself was still naked standing next to the Queen, who was speaking to her but to Katarina it was difficult to hear clearly and understand, for some reason it sounded as if Odessa was very far away, or speaking underwater. "Katarina, do you understand these commands?"
Katarina looked into the face of her Monarch but she could not answer for none of Odessa's words had registered in her brain or had any meaning "Forgive me my Queen, I..," she rubbed her temples then said "Please, I am here with you now."
So she received her next orders, for Odessa selected Katarina to finish the sacrifice with her; which was a very high honor in their society. So it was the two boarded each ship bare breasted and bearing torches as a group of ten warriors, dressed in white tunics, boarded each ship with them, they were bearing large jars of the sacred green oil which they would use to destroy the trusting Etruscan men, whom thought the Themiscyran's were their friends. When the time came the heavy wooden ramp was slipped up and back on board then, a short while later, just before the sun arose, that dreadful day, the tide surged up and back out to the sea again, lifting the massive wooden vessels from off the beach. Now the women had been instructed to soak the sturdy canvass sails tied to the masts, along with the human pile of flesh and hay. As the ships drew farther away from the shore, Odessa commanded the sails to be hoisted up; which required great force and brute strength as the north wind filled the great white sails, the ships both gaining speed, Odessa, her torch held high above her head, gave the signal with a loud cry, then each woman began diving over board splashing down in the dark cold waters about 300 yards off the coastline. Katarina knew it was time to go below deck with the heap of the bodies of the dead, she was supposed to count to 100, then set their sacrifice ablaze. Katarina opened up her blue eyes wide gazing at those good men, whose naked skin was glistening by the flickering light of the orange and yellow flames of her torch, as she searched over those faces she could see, there beneath the mass of tangled arms and legs of those once fine, living, breathing human beings so unceremoniously thrown together, stacked up like firewood. Then, there in the stillness, Katarina spied the face of Gaetano underneath the torso of one of his fallen comrades, their among the bodies of the dead, and in the long black shadows which danced over that dreadful sight, Katarina thought, for just a moment, she saw Ambassador Gaetano open up his dark eyes, but it was just her imagination, nothing more. So then the battle hardened warrior gave up the prayers of her heart and mind to the will of the Fates as she waited, counting off the numbers in her head from one to one hundred.
Then, over on the sister ship, Queen Odessa was below decks with the victims of her sacrifice as well, yet there was one man she had specially prepared for this astonishing gift of dead men to the sea, and that was Prince Thane, whom Odessa had treated with utmost respect.., even in death. For she had, herself, dressed him back up in his regal robes of purple and gold, and had him placed sitting upright in one of the ships heavy oak chairs, to serve as his throne, where upon his head she placed his magnificent, finely crafted golden crown of grape vines and leaves, the finest crown Odessa had ever seen. So there she stood lifting up her arms offering her prayers to Zeus, Hades and Poseidon, beseeching them to accept her gift of human flesh, asking for their blessings and protection on this vital mission, and she prayed for a safe journey home. Queen Odessa's prayers were veiled in hushed whispers so only the gods, and the ghosts of the damned could hear her. Holding her torch she stood as still as a statue, gazing down at the ashen face of the would-be-king. Then Odessa opened her mouth and spoke to the dead man "Goodbye. Sweet Prince. I thank you.., for you have made for my fathers a noble and beautiful sacrifice and with your royal blood, they shall be appeased ." slowly Odessa turned as she climbed carefully back up the slippery wooden steps. Without looking back she touched the flames to the trail of oil on the deck then, in a bright flash with a loud whoosh, the oil ignited in a roar as loud as a thousand lions, licking up in yellow flames which fled below deck setting the cargo hold, and the corpses within, ablaze, thick black smoke billowing up in a hot choking blast of wind. Odessa looked to her right and she saw Katarina doing the same on the other vessel, quickly the two ran toward the sails setting the main masts on fire, as they made their way, running swiftly, to the prow of the ships the Queen, and her Captain, lit up the oil-soaked front sails, which fueled the raging flames. With this destructive task over, and the fires quickly spreading, they both in unison jumped from the vessels with the smell of burning wood and roasting flesh permeating the air. The sudden shock of the cold water was like a slap in the face as they struggled against the waves to swim back to shore, where all the other 198 warrior women watched and waited for their Queen, and Captain. both to return.
So it was the crowd on the beach stared out at the spectacular display of fire, smoke and light, as the red flames stabbed the sky, just as dawn was breaking and the souls of the dead staggered to their eternal rest. Soon the twenty women at last made it back to land collapsing, frozen, exhausted and shivering and they feared for Odessa and Katarina's return, for the current was strong, however, Odessa was clever, and a fine swimmer, and knew to swim parallel to the shore. Yet, even so, they were still about half a mile out in the deepest waters as the sun arose over the vast expanse of the Aegean. Finally, after constant struggling in the waves their arms, legs and lungs cramped and tired, Odessa and Katarina made it out of the foaming waters not far off from where they had made camp. Now when they came up behind the crowd, who were still gazing out at the fiery ships, Queen Odessa and Captain Katarina said nothing just watching the light and smoke far off on the horizon as they both admired the work of their hands, each hoping their prayers traveled to the god's chaotic realm. So it came to pass, the murderous Themiscyran's witnessed the two, once mighty ships, ablaze in an inferno of fire and smoke, slowly disappearing beneath the waves along with the blood, bones and ashes of their victims as a golden sun rose up over the dappled waters bringing forth a new day.
"Now our sacrifice has been made!" Queen Odessa shouted, startling all the women who turned to see her standing by the bonfires her hair a long wet mass, resembling kelp hanging off her shoulders, and she looked like a naked maiden from the sea, a glorious, mysterious creature of the deep. "I have returned to you a daughter of Poseidon!" the women all delighted by her powerful presence "I have come to tell you all.., we have made my father very happy! For with the slaughter of these fine, worthy men.., Poseidon is greatly pleased!" here a victorious cheer of elation issued forth from the determined group of warriors. "I tell you this, my brave, blood thirsty ladies! Our mission is just beginning.., there is still work to be done, this shall not be easy, but we are fit for the killing! So by the light of Apollo and Helios, let us all gather together and discuss our plan of attack once again, so it is clear as crystal in our hearts and minds!"
"Captain Katarina." Odessa, standing at the entrance to the small tent, called out to Katarina "It is time." she spoke in a calm clear voice a few hours before the sun would rise. Saying nothing in response Captain Katarina only nodded her head yes as she stood up and walked out into the cool autumn air which lifted and spread out her long red hair upon the gentle breeze coming in from off of the cold mountains. She took in a deep relaxing breath, but her mind could not be stilled, so she remained silent surveying the scene on the windswept beach.
She watched as the many warriors went in and carried out the bodies of the dead from the little tents grouped together by the bonfires along the shore, then two of her fellow soldiers passed beside her, going in to bring out the body of Ambassador Gaetano, Katarina averted her eyes looking at the ground for she suddenly was overwhelmed with a strange feeling she had never experienced and that in a word was, SHAME. Yet she remained silent not wanting to upset Queen Odessa, whom had ordered the dead Etruscan men to be placed back on their ships in the cargo holds, where the nude corpses were covered with hay, to be soaked in highly flammable olive oil later. It seemed strange to Katarina that the task of moving fifty naked, dead men from the tents up the wooden ramp of the ship and laid in the vast cargo holds went by so quickly, for she thought it would surely take much longer than it actually did. It was at this point she came out of her daze realizing she herself was still naked standing next to the Queen, who was speaking to her but to Katarina it was difficult to hear clearly and understand, for some reason it sounded as if Odessa was very far away, or speaking underwater. "Katarina, do you understand these commands?"
Katarina looked into the face of her Monarch but she could not answer for none of Odessa's words had registered in her brain or had any meaning "Forgive me my Queen, I..," she rubbed her temples then said "Please, I am here with you now."
So she received her next orders, for Odessa selected Katarina to finish the sacrifice with her; which was a very high honor in their society. So it was the two boarded each ship bare breasted and bearing torches as a group of ten warriors, dressed in white tunics, boarded each ship with them, they were bearing large jars of the sacred green oil which they would use to destroy the trusting Etruscan men, whom thought the Themiscyran's were their friends. When the time came the heavy wooden ramp was slipped up and back on board then, a short while later, just before the sun arose, that dreadful day, the tide surged up and back out to the sea again, lifting the massive wooden vessels from off the beach. Now the women had been instructed to soak the sturdy canvass sails tied to the masts, along with the human pile of flesh and hay. As the ships drew farther away from the shore, Odessa commanded the sails to be hoisted up; which required great force and brute strength as the north wind filled the great white sails, the ships both gaining speed, Odessa, her torch held high above her head, gave the signal with a loud cry, then each woman began diving over board splashing down in the dark cold waters about 300 yards off the coastline. Katarina knew it was time to go below deck with the heap of the bodies of the dead, she was supposed to count to 100, then set their sacrifice ablaze. Katarina opened up her blue eyes wide gazing at those good men, whose naked skin was glistening by the flickering light of the orange and yellow flames of her torch, as she searched over those faces she could see, there beneath the mass of tangled arms and legs of those once fine, living, breathing human beings so unceremoniously thrown together, stacked up like firewood. Then, there in the stillness, Katarina spied the face of Gaetano underneath the torso of one of his fallen comrades, their among the bodies of the dead, and in the long black shadows which danced over that dreadful sight, Katarina thought, for just a moment, she saw Ambassador Gaetano open up his dark eyes, but it was just her imagination, nothing more. So then the battle hardened warrior gave up the prayers of her heart and mind to the will of the Fates as she waited, counting off the numbers in her head from one to one hundred.
Then, over on the sister ship, Queen Odessa was below decks with the victims of her sacrifice as well, yet there was one man she had specially prepared for this astonishing gift of dead men to the sea, and that was Prince Thane, whom Odessa had treated with utmost respect.., even in death. For she had, herself, dressed him back up in his regal robes of purple and gold, and had him placed sitting upright in one of the ships heavy oak chairs, to serve as his throne, where upon his head she placed his magnificent, finely crafted golden crown of grape vines and leaves, the finest crown Odessa had ever seen. So there she stood lifting up her arms offering her prayers to Zeus, Hades and Poseidon, beseeching them to accept her gift of human flesh, asking for their blessings and protection on this vital mission, and she prayed for a safe journey home. Queen Odessa's prayers were veiled in hushed whispers so only the gods, and the ghosts of the damned could hear her. Holding her torch she stood as still as a statue, gazing down at the ashen face of the would-be-king. Then Odessa opened her mouth and spoke to the dead man "Goodbye. Sweet Prince. I thank you.., for you have made for my fathers a noble and beautiful sacrifice and with your royal blood, they shall be appeased ." slowly Odessa turned as she climbed carefully back up the slippery wooden steps. Without looking back she touched the flames to the trail of oil on the deck then, in a bright flash with a loud whoosh, the oil ignited in a roar as loud as a thousand lions, licking up in yellow flames which fled below deck setting the cargo hold, and the corpses within, ablaze, thick black smoke billowing up in a hot choking blast of wind. Odessa looked to her right and she saw Katarina doing the same on the other vessel, quickly the two ran toward the sails setting the main masts on fire, as they made their way, running swiftly, to the prow of the ships the Queen, and her Captain, lit up the oil-soaked front sails, which fueled the raging flames. With this destructive task over, and the fires quickly spreading, they both in unison jumped from the vessels with the smell of burning wood and roasting flesh permeating the air. The sudden shock of the cold water was like a slap in the face as they struggled against the waves to swim back to shore, where all the other 198 warrior women watched and waited for their Queen, and Captain. both to return.
So it was the crowd on the beach stared out at the spectacular display of fire, smoke and light, as the red flames stabbed the sky, just as dawn was breaking and the souls of the dead staggered to their eternal rest. Soon the twenty women at last made it back to land collapsing, frozen, exhausted and shivering and they feared for Odessa and Katarina's return, for the current was strong, however, Odessa was clever, and a fine swimmer, and knew to swim parallel to the shore. Yet, even so, they were still about half a mile out in the deepest waters as the sun arose over the vast expanse of the Aegean. Finally, after constant struggling in the waves their arms, legs and lungs cramped and tired, Odessa and Katarina made it out of the foaming waters not far off from where they had made camp. Now when they came up behind the crowd, who were still gazing out at the fiery ships, Queen Odessa and Captain Katarina said nothing just watching the light and smoke far off on the horizon as they both admired the work of their hands, each hoping their prayers traveled to the god's chaotic realm. So it came to pass, the murderous Themiscyran's witnessed the two, once mighty ships, ablaze in an inferno of fire and smoke, slowly disappearing beneath the waves along with the blood, bones and ashes of their victims as a golden sun rose up over the dappled waters bringing forth a new day.
"Now our sacrifice has been made!" Queen Odessa shouted, startling all the women who turned to see her standing by the bonfires her hair a long wet mass, resembling kelp hanging off her shoulders, and she looked like a naked maiden from the sea, a glorious, mysterious creature of the deep. "I have returned to you a daughter of Poseidon!" the women all delighted by her powerful presence "I have come to tell you all.., we have made my father very happy! For with the slaughter of these fine, worthy men.., Poseidon is greatly pleased!" here a victorious cheer of elation issued forth from the determined group of warriors. "I tell you this, my brave, blood thirsty ladies! Our mission is just beginning.., there is still work to be done, this shall not be easy, but we are fit for the killing! So by the light of Apollo and Helios, let us all gather together and discuss our plan of attack once again, so it is clear as crystal in our hearts and minds!"
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