Chapter 6

     The band of women traveled along the old coastal road that hugged the northwestern shore of the Black Sea, whose deep blue waters were still as light warm winds drifted up smelling of salt and seaweed. After a little while they made their way up to the great river basin of the Danube. The Riverine forest was thick and lush with bright new green foliage on this placid Spring afternoon. The air was permeated by the fresh mountain breezes coming down off the Carpathian's to the north. Birch, Juniper and Spruce forests stretched on for miles around the sand and gravel beaches of the great river Danube. The forest alive with the sounds of the many birds stirring in the trees Thera saw a party of brown bears across the shore catching salmon from the water with their massive paws as a white tailed eagle flew back to it's tree top perch on one of the many islands their in the wide cold river. Thera and all the ladies loved this leg of the journey as the scenery was serene and quite pleasing. Utopas.
     Here a few hours into the long journey, around lunchtime, the group halted their progress to sit and gorge on fruit and water themselves and their animals. Now they were only a little while away from the northern border of Scythia and would reach the city by sundown. As Thera sat talking with Lucia Vega and Lacuna upon the soft green grass under the shade of an ancient Beech tree a riding party approached the ladies. This was an escort sent by the King and Queen of Scythia. All the ladies stood in a long row as the men rode closer.
     Thera was always enraptured by Scythian men, for they were all blond, tall, handsome and all carried the same magnificent trait, the most brilliant green eyes, the most piercing, sparkling green eyes of any man she had ever seen. Thera always found it difficult speaking with these green eyed men when looking at them directly in the eyes. Yet she was on a mission as an envoy of Queen Ethera, so speak to them she must.
     "I am Thera, Daughter to Our Royal House, and I thank you on behalf of our Queen." here all her ladies cheered with a warm welcome.
     The men there, twenty or so, all dismounted and stood making a deep bow to the women whom they were all more than delighted to see. On the ride up from Scythia all the men had spoken with lustful boasts and bragging and now here all eyed the ladies wanting to know desperately which of the beautiful women would come and stay for the season. "Commander Thera, you my Royal Lady need no introduction and may I say, and I feel I can speak freely for all the men of my country, when I say what an honor and distinct pleasure it is to finally meet with you." the tall green eyed stranger said as he stood close to Thera. "I am General Nadinos sent by our Great King to escort your party to the palace where a feast shall be given in your honor. We do this out of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor for our Peace Accord between our two Glorious Nations."
     A cheer rose up from all as the two parties co mingled together and the women shared with the well pleased men grapes, apples, dates, cherries, apricots, wheat bread with honey and wild Turmeric goat cheese along with a small portion of wine. Thera was then able to relax and lounge about on the grass talking with the men and here in the presence of the men and women Thera felt most comfortable as the light from Apollo shone down on her face through the green leaves of the trees.