Thera called for the massive iron gates of the city to be opened for the returning warriors who marched in together two by two. First the cavalry followed by the charioteers and the archers, followed lastly by the phalanx; whom were always first in, last out, just like Thera. She waited on her battle steed for the last rider to return, Odessa had ridden out with the boy and should be returning soon but until she did Thera waited at the gates on the bluff that overlooked the sea. The gates were hers to open as the gates were hers to close she had done so for nearly ten years in the Queen's stead, as she had grown old and ill and so she chose Thera to command and lead. Thera had enjoyed her role and the might and power she had used to reduce men to broken bones and pools of blood, but now Thera had been late in her duty to breed and provide daughters for the military. Many thoughts came to her mind as she waited. Thera wondered what was taking Odessa so long.
Far off across the hills Odessa had reached the little road that snaked beside the sea just as dusk was approaching. Odessa bid the boy farewell but before Elgar turned to lead his team of horses away he spoke to the Themiscyran Warrior saying with the bold and proud voice of his people "When I see you again yours will be the first head I take on the field of battle."
To this Odessa only laughed as she gazed down at the small ambitious boy then she removed her left gauntlet and giving it to him said "Here Elgar take this and wear this, so when we meet again, when you come to kill me, I will recognize you!" The boy took the lightweight bronze armor and slipped his thin arm into it. Elgar had to push the band all the way up to his upper arm and it still was a loose fit. Odessa laughed as she watched the young, fortunate boy as he headed off down the road to his home. Then she turned her horse riding west through the forest of oaks and elms. Odessa felt excited a rush in her blood as she knew soon the troops would be given three months in which to breed. This would be Odessa's third year to partake in the campaign and thus far she had not been successful at bringing forth a daughter, her only child a boy had been given to his father to raise, as is the custom of her people. Odessa greatly enjoyed the procreation and passionate efforts in breeding and she longed for the arms of Amyntas and she looked forward with much anticipation to journey back to Macedonia to try again with the handsome, strong breeding partner she had established. Odessa urged her white horse on as she neared the walled cities of her people.
Thera took in deep, rich breaths of the ocean air as she waited on this hot early Spring evening as the warm southern winds blew up from the deserts of Syria and Persia. Thera felt uneasy knowing the breeding season would begin soon, and after what happened last year Thera looked forward to the future with much dread. She was not certain how to proceed but she knew she would never be welcomed back in the cities of Thrace. Thera was strong, tall, beautiful and intelligent, well skilled with weapons, well crafted in the art of war, gifted with the knowledge of many languages, a sly and cunning military leader, but of all the greatness of her mind and body she knew deep in her heart loving was an art. To be passionate with a man a woman must posses a certain, deep, and needful talent and skill; which Thera believed she lacked.
No comments:
Post a Comment