Chapter 3

     Before Thera spoke to Odessa she determined the best discourse should be that as Odessa's Commander and she her officer, so she spoke in a sharp, direct tone, for Thera well knew the sole proof of power lies in a commanding will. "Officer Odessa come now with me to the temple, the Queen's Deputy demands your presence!" Thera ordered her officer.
     Now a hush fell over the other brave warriors at the tables. Odessa was quite confused but stood placing her wine back on the table next to her empty plate and followed her Commander into the temple as the full face of Atremis the moon shone down in the pool of water in the center of the round, columned, open- roof structure. Odessa found the the Queen's Deputy sitting on one of the benches that surround the small silvery pool. "Officer Odessa reporting as ordered!" she said trying not to slur her words as she had consumed a great deal of sweet wine but she stood erect hands at her sides, at full attention.
     "Officer, I must bring forth news to you from Macedon." Thera stood looking at her friend watching the look on her face.
     "My son?" Odessa said without thinking, as the rule was when you give up your son he is and shall always be dead to you, as nothing, as if they never were. And here Odessa showed concern for her boy.
     Thera and Cheverria were shocked but not phased. "You have no son Odessa, and you know this. You gave him away, a great sacrifice for our Country." Thera paused seeing a great look of fear mixed with sadness and Thera's poor heart sank as she had seen this look before.
     "Then what news Commander?"
     "The King has taken to marriage and now has a wife, and Phillip." Thera said the name of Odessa's son as the same fearful sadness swept over Odessa's face her whole body seeming to shrink down and she appeared very small, drawn into herself as she stood before her Commander.
     "I see..," Odessa said in a low voice barely audible.
     "Now, you shall come with me this season to Megara and not Macedonia as you had been anticipating."
     "Am I not even allowed to breed amongst the other Macedonian men?" Odessa asked shocked to learn she was banned from ever returning.
     "This is King Amyntas's decision and we must respect his decree." Deputy Cheveria said as she rose and stood by her only daughter.
     Now the wine took hold of her mind and Odessa spoke without thinking saying whilst weeping. "Am I never to lie in the arms of the King? He would have given me seed for a daughter, for Artemis."
     "At attention officer!" Thera said striking Odessa hard across the cheek with the back of her hand. The Queen's Deputy said nothing simply shaking her head as she sat back down hands on her knees enraged so that she could not speak. "Odessa, at ease officer." Thera sighed "Have a seat next to your mother."
     Odessa slowly went over and sat on the marble bench there in the pale blue moonlight, her long white linen gown being lifted slightly, spread by the warm breeze. Thera stared down at Odessa who rub the red mark on her swollen cheek as she stared down at her feet unable to meet Thera's disappointed gaze. Thera stood there a moment then clasped her hands behind her back as she began to pace back and forth her bare feet on the cold marble floor. Cheverria and Odessa said nothing waiting for Thera to speak. When she stopped her pacing and stood very close in front of Odessa whom she bade look at her. "Odessa? Who am I?"
     "You are the Queen's Commander."
     "Odessa, who am I?" she asked again.
     "You are Thera?" she answered.
     "Odessa.., who, am I?" Thera waited but received no reply, so Thera answered the question for Odessa saying "I am your friend."
     Here there came a pause as Thera smiled at her close friend. Odessa felt the numb of heartache fade a bit with the warmth in Thera's eyes, for they had been through much in the world together and Odessa knew she could rely on the great well of strength Thera had contained within her heart and mind. And so Odessa told her all, confessing the deep feelings she held within her heart for a man and her abandoned son, Odessa felt ashamed and enraged at herself. Of all this Odessa was most uncertain and then Thera said as she stood there shaking her head, hands on her hips saying "Do you see what has happened to you Odessa? Do you know what is wrong with you?" Thera said raising her hands up to the sky in disgust.
     "No Thera, I do not know what is the matter with me." Odessa said as a piercing pain came to her heart and a hard lump seemed to form in her throat, so much so, she could no longer speak.
     "I have seen it before, and it never ends well." Thera looked at mother and daughter sitting there beside one another in the center of the temple "Yes, you are ill, and I am certain you are sick with love." Thera spoke with regret as she had lost many brave warriors who could not leave behind their men and sons. Seven times now she had to sear the mark of the triangle into the flesh of their right hand, and cast the lovesick out of the cities, closing the gates to the lovelorn forever.