End Chapter 2

     As the night drew on a rider came out of the east from Themiscyra, the Queen's Deputy, coming for Thera's report on the day's battle. "Alas my brave ones!" Thera said standing on her chair once again to be heard by all. "Stay here and eat and drink for now I have a duty to our Queen." Thera went over speaking to Cheverria, a tall woman about twenty years older than she, former Captain of the Phalanx. "Come Deputy Cheverria have something to eat." Thera offered for when she was not in battle she was always calm, relaxed and hospitable to her people.
     "No, I have come for your report." the green eyed, battle harden warrior replied.
     "Well.., as you can clearly see," Thera paused extending a hand out to the women gathered together there. "We won." Thera laughed a little. Then she became serious in her tone explaining the phalanx's use of the V- formation. "Then when we pulled the line back the poorly armed enemy advanced, thinking they had broken our line, as we pulled them back, then we were all around them and they could go no further. The archers and the charioteers  rode into the rear out flanking the enemy charging into the melee, we sent in two tigers and then it was pretty much over. The cavalry mainly held our flank position and saw no real combat. We will use the captured wooden shields and wicker armor for firewood. We captured eleven chariots, which need to be modified, and the twenty two horses will prove useful in the vineyards and orchards. All of our own weapons are at the armory being cleaned and sharpened. Our horses have been fed and put up in pastures. As for our soldiers, few were wounded, not one of us fell in battle, and of course the gold my raiding party brought to the treasury." Thera smiled as the red wine made her feel much more relaxed.
     "Yes an extremely large amount, even for you Commander Thera." The Queen's Deputy Cheverria nodded her head. Then a strange look came across the old warrior's face a look of deep concern.
     "What thoughts trouble you this night, is our Queen alright?" Thera's heart raced, so deep was the look of trepidation on the Queen's Deputy's face.
     "Our Queen is well.., no there is a certain matter."
     "Of what do you speak?"
     "A messenger came to the western gate on the orders of King Amyntas of Macedon." The Queen's Deputy explained in a hushed voice by the temple away from the tables of ladies.
     "Are we now forbidden to breed there as well?" Thera asked bemused rolling her eyes.
     "No you and your party may settle there for the season but the king will not welcome back my daughter."
     Thera was shocked, her close friend Odessa had established Amyntas three years before and delivered unto him a strong son. Thera knew Odessa would not find any satisfaction with this information. "Why? What offense has she committed against the king?"
     "No offense has been given, but the king has taken a wife." the old warrior shook her head.
     Thera sighed deeply as she put her hands on her hips shaking her head saying in whisper as tense as wire. "Ah, marriage.., a fate worse than death."
     "She will be very angry Thera, but we must tell her before she consumes too much wine; which will only serve to fuel her anger further."
     "Yes, every word you speak is true.., wait a moment I will bring her to you." Thera made her way over to Odessa who sat laughing trading tales of war and love. As she approached Thera realized in a few moments the happy smile on her friends face would fade and many days would pass until she would see her smile again. So Thera called Odessa over to the steps of the temple not wanting to deliver this bad news, but deliver the news she must.