They had all traveled on for a long while and finally the party neared the city of Sparta; which the Themiscyran women marveled at for there were no walls around the city for protection. Sparta was a strong nation of warriors their skill in battle and deadly reputation the only requirement for protection. These women lived within walls 96 feet high, surrounded with guard towers, filled with soldiers at all times. These women only ever allowed to leave in times of battle, or for breeding. Here they had finally made it to the place where they could end their long journey and rest and relax with these fine men.
However, as stipulated in the peace treaty ratification, the women could not enter the city of Sparta. They could barely catch a glimpse of the columned buildings; which seemed the color of red from the rays of the setting sun. Apollo rolling on into night, his golden beams casting coral and amethyst colors in the low clouds on the western horizon. The fresh green wheat fields swaying in the light wind like a wave upon the ocean. Thera was none too pleased with this stipulation in the ratification. In fact, she and her women, had been welcomed in the palaces of every city they visited dining with the royalty of those nations. Yet here in Sparta the strong willed women were totally opposed to the ratification of the ancient treaty, and, not only were they filled with the angry spirit of jealousy, but they were ashamed and embarrassed for their reputation. For they had been stricken with much infertility and, for the last twenty years, the overall majority of births resulted in girls. Now all of the Peloponnese, and half of Asia, knew of the barren women of Sparta. This was a very tense and difficult situation so Thera would respect the women of Sparta, as she respected all good women, and abide by their wishes.
King Vyakles led Thera and the large party down to a small lake; which was reflecting the snow capped peaks of the Parnon mountains, just a mile or so from Sparta, south of the city just up from the shores of the Aegean Sea. The turquoise waters of which stretching on endlessly for as far as the eye could see. Here a small encampment had been erected for the far- away visitors, a little city of tents set up under the full blossomed limbs in a cherry tree orchard. The sickly-sweet scent of the bright pink blossoms permeated the air then the group caught wind of the aroma of roasting lamb, onions and garlic and other mouthwatering scents coming from the food wagon. The king's own cook had come from the palace hours earlier preparing herb encrusted lamb, boiled shrimp and seafood stew etc... There was much excitement in the air and all in the group felt very comfortable with one another, and so, before their dinner was ready to be served, the women of Themiscyra went into each of their private tents and emerged completely naked. Having stripped off their armor and linen garments they felt dirty and sweaty from their long journey. So, in the presence of the men and King Vyakles, the naked women went out into the refreshing waters fed by the mountain streams. The King and all of his men were well pleased to see the wet, naked forms of the fit women and were further delighted to see they, in fact, did wax and remove all the hair from their entire body.
King Vyakles eyed all the slippery, naked women swimming in the shimmering waters, and out of the 40 women gathered there together laughing and splashing in the water, the King's attention returned again and again to Thera who had a smile from the light of heaven and something stirred deep in his heart and mind for this beautiful foreign woman. Vyakles was aroused and intrigued.
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