Thera stood at attention as she and Queen Ethera were left alone in the, now silent, Great Hall. The oil lamps flickered a warm glowing light upon the Queen as she sat at the long table, countless papers strewn about in front of her. The good, gracious old woman stared up at Thera with a look of confusion and disappointment as she spoke. "Commander Thera. Why must you feel the need to question me in the presence of my loyal subjects?"
"I submit my apology for your approval. It was not my intention to give offense to you Great Lady. I only wish to understand better the terms and conditions of our new alliance." Thera said realizing she had, with her impudence, shown much disrespect to the Queen of Themiscyra.
The old blue eyed woman, aged beyond her fifty years sat behind the table pulling out the letter from Sparta and gave it to Thera so she could read for herself all the terms and conditions of the newly ratified peace treaty. "Here.., all your questions will be answered."
Thera read as a puzzled look came upon her face. "We are to encamp, outside the city?"
"As not to cause offense to the married ladies of Sparta, to show them our respect and honor."
"We are forbidden from taking married men." Thera sighed not liking this certain detail of the new accord. Thera read more and she said "They do not have enough men for their army. Too many daughters and not enough sons." Thera pondered this and her heart stirred a little for the men of Sparta and less for the men of Megara.
"An opportunity like this is a lifetime in the making." Ethera smiled her old blue eyes lighting up, deep in her heart wishing she were still young enough and able bodied to take advantage of the prospect. She was well familiar with the legends of the fighting men of Sparta. "This will be most sufficient for you to breed with one of these strong warriors. For I tell you this dearest Thera, the men from Sparta are legendary fighters. Strong, handsome, virile, the likes of which this world has never seen. The tales of their battles will live on for centuries." the Queen smiled a sparkle in her eyes.
Thera stood there shoulders back hands at her sides as she thought for a moment about these brave men. She said nothing then the Queen gave her a discerning look saying "At ease commander. Come sit here at the table with me." a warm, glowing smile came to the old woman's face making her golden crown beam. Here Thera took in a deep breath relaxing her body as she walked over and sat down in the empty chair next to the Queen. "Now tell me Thera are you still looking forward to your journey, even though the destination has changed?"
Thera felt a strange numbness come over her, she had a certain sense of foreboding and the Queen noticed this.
"Thera." she said reaching over taking the young commander's hand in hers "There is fear in my heart, and this fear in my heart is for you."
"What fear?" Thera asked a look of doubt flashing on her face.
"I fear I have driven you from your desire to breed." the old woman sighed shaking her head. "You assumed command in my stead ten years ago now, and I fear your heart has been hardened on the field of battle, where you can show no compassion for men." Queen Ethera paused as she let this information settle in Thera's mind. "Dearest Thera in order for you to have passion for a man, you must first have compassion for him."
Now here Thera was quite offended by these words. "Mother..," she paused taking in a deep breath shaking her head saying "If I were allowed by our society, I would ride from city to city everyday of the breeding season, bedding as many strong, brave men as I could. Why I would even make a sport of it seeing how many men I could bed in one day! I would do anything to better my chances of bringing forth as many daughters that Artemis would allow!" Thera said with a lustful, wanting look on her face and this settled any compunction in the Queen, her mother's, heart as to Thera's commitment to the cause. "What happened in Thrace was just a miscommunication and I have written my apologies to the King! I will go to Sparta to breed in service to you, oh Queen!" here Thera stood and with a deep, respectful bow she brushed her long soft red hair off her shoulders, as she looked down at her worried mother, with her bright green eyes. She felt a pain in her heart as every time she saw her mother she looked older and smaller than the strong brave warrior she had been. Now, ten years after her leg injury, the Queen could no longer run or ride, and Thera felt more determined than ever to bring forth a daughter to make her mother smile like before. "Mother, as Artemis is my witness, I shall show you my Spartan Daughter this time next year. Fear not for me in your bravest, and noblest of hearts. You shall be proud of me yet old woman." Thera said with a laugh as she embraced her frail, old mother kissing her on the cheek as she whispered something in the Queen's ear causing her to laugh a little.
"Now I must take my leave and rest, for on the morrow I must see to the journey of myself and our dear ladies. We set off at dawn and we are all longing to be on our way.
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