Thera sat on a long table while the old physician Kaderios stood next to her giving her a full medical examination. First he examined her eyes, throat and tongue, then he checked the lymph nodes of her throat and under her arms. He pressed his head against her chest listening to the beat of her heart and the sound of the breath of life in her lungs. The gray haired man bade Thera to lie back on the table and bend her knees as he gave her a pelvic examination, as Thera had complained of a sharp pain on her right side. After removing two fingers from out of her the old physician diagnosed her with an inflamed right ovary due to ovulation. Kaderios thought it odd for her to come all the way to the palace for a common ailment. To this Thera only replied her own physician was far too drunk and engaged in her tent with one of the Spartan men.
Now as she sat up and adjusted her long thin gown to cover herself, the physician Kaderios cleaned his hands in a fresh bowl of water, then he took Thera's wrist in his feeling her pulse rate. This is when King Vyakles entered into the chamber where he had a look of deep concern for his guest. "Kaderios, what is her ailment?"
Here the good physician noticed a remarkable change in Thera, physiologically speaking, as her heart rate nearly double in the presence of the King. Indeed the pupils of her eyes began to dilate as a flush came to her face and chest, a fullness to her lips which reddened as she smiled, a light coming to her eyes. "Sire, I pray you step outside for but a moment until I have called for you." the king did as his physician requested and as he left the room he took note Thera's pulse rate and bright complexion faded back to normal. Waiting a moment longer he bade the king enter and, again, the same bright flashes of excitement and a full flush returning to her cheeks old Kaderios knew at once what to tell the king.
"Thera, dearest Thera how are you feeling now?" Vyakles asked as he reached out taking Thera's hands in his as he looked down into her bright green eyes.
"My body aches, but my spirit has been lifted by your presence oh King!" Thera smiled warmly as he bent down kissing her sweetly on both cheeks which felt warm to his lips.
"Have you a fever?" he remarked.
"No my king she has but a common ailment as her body readies itself for breeding, this is normal in very fertile women." Kaderios explained "She need only drink a strong mint tea with honey and hemp flowers and she will be made to feel well by morning." here the king smiled relieved the Royal Lady was safe and well in his care. "If I may speak with you, my king, in private." The physician Kaderios requested.
"Excuse me sweet, dearest Thera. Wait for me here and then I myself will personally escort you back to your camp." King Vyakles gave her a smile as soft as a kiss and she was delighted for his company.
Standing down the hall the king listened as his physician gave him a strange look opening up his mouth saying. "This woman Thera."
"Yes, Commander Thera, Daughter of the Royal House of Themiscyra." the king added.
"I fear there is a bit of bad news about your.., dear Thera." he said a worried look in his eyes.
"Has she a sickness?" King Vyakles said in a whisper as tense as wire.
"Aye.., she is, I am afraid, sick with Love."
"Love?" he asked as if this word were of some strange foreign language.
"I fear this Love she has in her heart, is for you." the old man said plainly, for he had helped to deliver the king into to this world and had watched him grow from a baby into a man, as close as his own father was he to the king. A look came across the king's face, a look of uncertainty and disbelief. "Now this could prove to be a good fortune to you oh king. You must put away any thoughts you have as a loyal husband, and put first the needs of Sparta. Sparta requires of you an heir, and you have yet been able to do so, lo these many years. Now with Keeva's condition you will never be able to bring forth a child, for her womb is a barren place, where your seed can find no purchase. Now here this woman, strong, broad shoulders, small waist, wide hips, as fertile as the Crescent Valley, you must put your mind to this task. For Sparta needs an heir to your throne and, as our Great King, you must think of the needs of your people and put your own thoughts and feelings to the side of your mind. Now, dearest king, I tell you all this, only to be kind."
Vyakles said nothing as he took in a deep calming breath as he looked in the old man's dark eyes. He knew he was right. Vy knew every word he spoke was the truth, but betraying his wife was not something he felt he had the courage to do. "I shall take all your words in advisement, as for now I can not say whether I can comment on this development, but now I must escort the good lady back to her bed.
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