Chapter 6 continues

     This moment would be etched in Thera's mind forever. The bright blue, cloudless sky, the new day sun just beginning to rise far off in the east, a cool wind blew down from the Dinaric Alps to the left on the western shores of Greece, the air sweet with apricot blossoms; which opened up their soft pink petals like eyes in the sun. A rapid pulse in her blood increasing the pace of her heart. Thera's mouth became as dry as the desert and her palms became wet as a slight perspiration came to her lip and she felt her brow fever as the forty or so armored men approached. King Vyakles sat atop a finely bred silver stallion dressed in full military regalia, the rays from Apollo shining brightly on his gold breast plate and his golden crown; which was a crown of laurel leaves, each leaf hand crafted in pure gold. King Vyakles rode towards Thera, and the group of women, at full gallop his crimson cape flowing behind him, a golden light surrounding his head like a halo. His black eyes gave a mixed look of pleasure and intrigue as he stopped next to Thera who had ridden out on the road to greet him ahead of the women. The two sat in their saddles eye to eye, alone on the road together for a moment.
     "Great King of Sparta!" Thera said speaking clearly with purpose, although she was incredibly nervous so she had to choose her words carefully as not to appear flummoxed or stupid in front of the king of Sparta. "I bring you greetings and salutations from Queen Ethera of Themiscyra." Thera said, having never met a Spartan, she looked upon the handsome King with his dark eyes ringed with green, black hair and beard, a small scar above his left eye, muscular arms and legs, massive hands, dark skin tanned by the sun, full pink lips, a deep voice and a flashing smile.
     "I bid you and your ladies welcome in my kingdom." the great king spoke as he took Thera in for a moment only knowing of Themiscyran women from tales and legends. The deep red color of her long flowing hair intrigued him, for never had he seen a woman whose hair was not black, like his. The deep emerald color of her bright eyes fascinated him, who had lived only amongst dark eyed people. Vyakles also noted her great height as she sat in the saddle, eye to eye with him both of their mighty steeds standing shoulder to shoulder, and the horses sniffed at one another sensing each were of a foreign breed. Her long lean muscular arms and legs, her thick thighs, muscles; which had developed over years in the saddle, her smooth soft skin, he noted here the women did in fact wax all the hair from their body, just as the Spartans. This part of the legend was true. The great king took Thera in with his eyes and Vyakles was well pleased.
     Now as each party came up from the north and the south in the road Thera and her ladies eyed the group of the most handsome, strong warriors they had ever beheld. The virgins all became filled with the nervous anxious energy of lust, and the Spartan men, too, looked upon these brave, beautiful, red- headed, tall, armor clad, strong women who had just walked out of their ancient myths and legends as if from a dream.