End Chapter 3

     Now here Thera took her leave feeling a rush of unfocused energy as if she had just come from battle,her heart racing. Thera stood on the steps of the temple of Artemis gazing up at the full face of the moon hanging in the apex of the star filled sky. She took in a deep, cleansing breath then went out down to the shore of the lake where the party of warriors had gathered round the three raging bonfires.
     As with all victorious parties all gathered there had taken each their fill of wine, much drunkenness abounded as Thera walked down to the beach, and she too felt the need for more wine. She called out for more amphora's of the sweet, red wine to be opened. Thera knew there were many paths to relaxation in celebration and red wine was one of them. "Now my good friends we are gathered here this evening in the presence of Artemis herself. Her brother Apollo has told her the story of our victory this day and she has come to see us smile and drink the wine." a cheer came up from the ladies there and Thera spoke once more saying "Now we must enjoy this victory and prepare ourselves for the enjoyment to come, as soon we will be off to our chosen cities to be with those strong, and brave, daring young men." a louder cheer arose then Thera quieted them as she said "Now where are the virgins?" she gazed at the ladies who all sat in the sand by the fire drinking the wine. "Stand all you virgins who are coming with us!" Thera commanded and they all, twenty two,stood a far fewer number this year. "Now you will hear many stories from your fellow soldiers about men, and their ways of romance, sex and love..," Thera smiled then a look as serious as the grave came across her face there by the firelight she said the following "Now I will be the one brave enough to tell you that there is only one flaw in men." Thera paused to let her words melt out over the buds of their minds and then she said simply "They all want to rule the World. But the World is not enough for them. They also wish to rule your heart and mind." Thera paused again, for dramatic effect. "So you must enjoy the flesh of the men and the purpose they serve. For our Great Nation needs strong daughters and it is up to us to be with these strong, handsome and brave men. We must seek them out and show them what it means to be embraced in the naked arms of a Themiscyran woman!" Now a louder cheer came up from the drunken ladies who had cleansed themselves from the gore of war and gathered there on the sandy shore by the silver lake; which was lapping just behind them as Thera smiled and drank up as much wine as she could take sitting there beside the lake. All her officers enjoyed this time together telling stories of naked romps with men. Singing old battle songs. Thera was reluctant to go this season but go she must, so she prepared her heart for the men of Megara, but little did our dear Thera know the Queen had other plans. Soon Thera would be sent instead to a different land. For tonight Thera drank to her hearts content, stripping off her white linen gown and going for a moonlight swim. Out in the water Thera felt so relaxed not a trouble or worrisome thought in the world could come to her mind here. Not here in the cold blue water underneath the light of the moon. The wet embrace of the water helped to ease her heart and mind but she knew tomorrow would come too soon.