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     Now, the King of Sparta, and his Admiral understood the women's superstitious nature and mistrust of the Sea but they both felt compelled to assuage any notions of foreboding or fear the women had. It was imperative to high Thera away to her throne, lest the King of Thrace make war upon her Nation in her absence. Vyakles knew surely the word had spread to the Thracian borders. So he went over to Thera sitting beside her, taking her hand in front of the men and women gathered there under the stars and the bright full moon. With a look of solace and gentleness he said to Queen Thera "This is a most sad history, now if I, and my men, were there on Samos that day we would have fought to defend your brave, good ladies. We would have drown the king and his entire army in the depths of the sea. There are only two glimmers of hope in this tragedy. In the first telling, Poseidon wrecked the slave ship on the shores of Scythia, saving the lives of all the women. In the second story, there was a lone survivor from the massacre on Samos. Otrere was saved from the cold water by Poseidon in the form of a passing fishing vessel and her crew." Vyakles paused as he saw the information working it's way through the Queen's mind. "It seems clear that when in desperation upon the Sea, Poseidon has done his best to save and protect your people. Yet, it is Poseidon you blame for the actions of a few, cruel men."
     Admiral Vasha continued upon the King's train of thought. "I have heard many ancient tales of the Seas and Oceans, and I must say I agree with King Vyakles.., perhaps this ancient fear of the open water has served to hinder your culture in some, small way." he paused then approached his dear friend and spoke saying "For if this fear did not exist in your heart and mind I, and my men could sail you half way home by the morning's sunrise." Vasha gave Queen Thera a concerned look then he stepped back as Vyakles began to speak.
     "You, yourself know the danger of an empty throne. Thrace is only a few hours from the west coast to your shores. My dearest Queen Thera, I will send an army to protect your women upon the long journey home, but say you will allow my ships to escort you home safely to your throne, for the safety and welfare of your people." he gave one last impassioned plea.
     Queen Thera said nothing, her eyes giving away no sign of her thoughts or emotions. She took in a deep, calming breath as she looked into the dark eyes of King Vyakles, whom she held in the highest regard in all her heart and soul. Queen Thera did not wish to travel by Sea, Thera did not wish to keep her illegal affair with the King a secret, Thera did not wish to do a great many things. However, she was no longer Commander Thera, she was the Queen and so, like all the great rulers before her, Queen Thera put the needs of her people above her own. For in her Realm she had many subjects to the East and West, North and South, Queen Thera would prove her faith in her Nation's Heritage by more than word of mouth. Then she spoke. "You have shown myself and my people much Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor oh Great King." Queen Thera paused as she stood, standing atop her chair at the table calling out to all the ladies bidding them to come closer and listen "I, Queen Thera, Servant of Apollo and Artemis, Daughter of Queen Ethera, must return home to our Nation, who at this very hour could be under threat of invasion from our neighbor Thrace. It is imperative I must travel upon the waters, trusting in Poseidon the God of the Sea. Now, you, my dear ladies, I promise we all shall meet again, but you must go within the hour, under armed escort by our gracious host and most honorable King."
     The King's heart filled with joy at her decision and answer, but here a grumbling came up from her ladies and there were many whispers amongst the superstitious women. Queen Thera listened as she stood above their heads looking down on the crowd. Then, when the Themiscyran women had reached a consensus, Captain Lexa approached her Queen and said in a tremendous show of Loyalty. "We will not let you go upon the waters alone. If Poseidon wishes to keep you in his arms forever, then we would all gladly go down to the depths of the ocean to keep you company in death. For we will not live without our Queen."
    

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     Now here, many of the women got up and left the table as they themselves did not wish to hear the re-telling of that tragic day. Their newly crowned Queen excused them, instructing the women to prepare for the journey home. Queen Thera herself sat back pushing the endless papers away from her on the table as she sat back and listened with the Spartan men and their King, as Amara  told the tale.
     "I shall tell you this tragic story and you, yourselves, all of you must forgive the telling if I weep a little during the story." here Amara paused taking in a deep cleansing breath as she said " So it was, some two hundred years ago, during the breeding season. Three ships came sailing to our island peninsula to the North beside the Black Sea. The King of Samos came forth upon the waters to escort some four hundred of our ladies to his island for the Spring. However, the King of Samos had called upon the women of Themiscyra with deception in his heart and mind." here Amara paused exhaling a look of contempt and disgust flashing in her bright blue eyes. "For it was the King had the gnawing thought to make war upon a neighboring island nation and overthrow the tyrant king, off the coast of Asia Minor in the Gulf of Kusadasi. Now, when the, unarmed, maidens arrived they were given an ultimatum by the King, take up arms against his enemy and take part in his war, or die."
     Queen Thera watched the expression upon Vy's face as Amara continued with the thread of the story.
     "Now, as is a custom in our culture, the women of Themiscyra will only go to war and risk their lives and blood in battle for the enemies of Our Nation. So, of course, our laws would not allow us to take part in the King of Samos' war. Now, the women had no escape from the island of Samos, there in the heart of the Aegean. With no armaments to fight and defend their lives with, outnumbered by the Kings Army. So they were all cut down, put to the sword, there upon the hills beside the shore. Only one of our women escaped, Otrere, jumping from the high cliffs, head first into the rocky waters. Otrere only survived because she was found by the fisherman of a passing ship that rescued her, half-drowned, from the cold sea. Now there was so much blood shed, back on the island, by our dear departed fore mothers, that horrible morning, the soil is still stained bright red by their blood to this very day." Amara said as she paused a glistening tear or two forming in her eyes.
     Admiral Vasha had been sailing 'round all the islands in the Aegean and he remembered clearly, and knew, distinctly, this part of the tale could be true, for the ground there, only on that island, was the color of dried blood, no crops or orchards would grow there. It was a land of ghosts and wind. Then King Vyakles said as he sat shocked and saddened by the tale "I am deeply moved by this story, of your heritage. I will speak for all of Sparta when I say, our hearts are touched with sympathy and loving kindness for this great dishonor and deception brought upon you, and those good ladies, whose blood remains in your veins here today." the King of Sparta paused turning to look at his beloved foreign Queen "I can state most assuredly of Our great affection for you, Queen Thera and all your good ladies. Know that We, my men,  Our Nation, would rise up, forever in your defense, to provide help, assistance and protection for you, our cherished Queen Thera at any such time as you should need." here the King and his men arose in a great cheer of unity and steadfastness of affection for the women of Themiscyra.
    

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     Amara began to tell the sad tale as she set close to the King of Sparta, so close she inhaled his scent. Now this was a certain odor she had smelled before, the pungent sweet scent of olive oil and bay leaves. Amara was shocked when she recalled his scent permeating from Thera's sheets. Amara said nothing of this while she told the men gathered there at the table a brief history of her people. "One dark day, about seven hundred years ago, our fore mothers lived in the port city of Haifa by the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A raiding party of slave traders from Lydia laid waste to the city. The men did their best but the women and young girls, of breeding age, were taken. About sixty women altogether." Amara paused as she let this new information soak into the buds of their minds. "They were placed on a large sailing vessel, shackled and chained as slaves, until in the evening, as the ships sailed North, one of the clever women, named Ephesia, seduced the ships captain out of her chains, and as she lay there giving him pleasure she stabbed him in the side with his own dagger. Silently, Ephesia crept back down into the cargo hold where she unlocked all the women, letting them loose upon the sleeping men. The enraged women took their revenge beating the men to death as they slept, slitting throats and slicing open bellies, blood was as wet as dew upon the ropes, deck and unfurled sails." here she paused again for dramatic affect, as Amara, a master story teller, was want to do. "Now our poor, dear ladies had no knowledge of the sea, or sailing, or steering, so they were tossed about upon the water at the will of the wind. Swiftly drifting to the north and east, past Hellespont and Troy, through the Bosporus into the Black Sea, where a raging storm left the remnants of the ship, and her survivors, stranded upon the Scythian shores."
     Thera looked up from the list of items in her treasury at this point in the story, as she watched the reaction upon the face of the King whilst hearing the tale for the very first time. Queen Thera delighted in Amara's telling of the tale, as her dear old friend loved to be the center of attention, and here, this table under the cherry blossoms would serve as her stage.
     "Now, the half drown ladies sought shelter in the caves by the shore. They were forced to make their way by making night time raids upon the neighboring villages taking, food, cloth, goats and horses, whatever they needed. They survived for about five years in this way, until one day the King of Scythia, who could not eradicate these tempestuous thieving ladies, decided to form an Accord with the wild women."
     "What of the bargain?" King Vyakles wanted to know.
     "They decided upon a breeding campaign. For the women refused marriage to the Scythian's, who were poor horsemen, terrible fighters and required their women to be obedient and docile. Yet these women had won their freedom through blood, domestication was out of the question. However, they needed to breed, for without children the women would die out and be forgotten to History. This is the time when they offered up all their sons for provisions, horses, crops and orchards, keeping only their daughters with them, teaching them their ways, how to ride, and hunt, think, weave, cook and fight." again Amara 'the story teller' paused then she smiled and turned to Vyakles looking deeply in his dark eyes "Now, here it is six hundred years later and here I am, a direct descendant of those brave ladies! As we all are here the women Themiscyra!" Amara proclaimed with hearty good cheer to the applause of Themiscyran women.
     "Praise Zeus those brave ladies survived the tragedy! We, ourselves, feel now more blessed than ever by the Gods and Goddesses to share in your culture and knowledge." Vyakles said as he turned to give Queen Thera a sympathetic look of care and understanding.
     "What of the Island of Samos?" Admiral Vasha asked still intrigued. "You have neglected to tell this part of your tale."
     Here the mood shifted from one of elevation in the women, to a deep and somber sadness seen in their faces and felt in their presence as Amara said sadly shaking her head saying "Ah, the Island of Samos.., our saddest tale to tell."

Chapter 13 begins

     Now Thera had only just bade her ladies arise when Drea presented a large leather saddle bag of which Thera opened. Here she found a thick stack of papers for her, sent by the Queen's Council, her envoys and ambassadors, emissaries, as well as letters from the departments of Treasury, Agriculture, Defense, Armories and the Themiscyran Council of War. Thera had not even had time to mourn the loss of her dear mother before she found herself sitting at one of the large tables, there under the cherry trees as the sun set and the moon arose. Thera found herself pouring over all the letters from her Captains in the field, who returned at once from Dardina, Macedon, and Illyria. Captain Lucia Vega had returned to Themiscyra with the women under armed guard from the King of Scythia, as would all the ladies as a threat was posed by the King of Thrace, who could at anytime try to lay siege to the vacant throne. Thera ordered her ladies to begin to pack up all the tents and their belongings as they would depart that evening under the light of the full moon, Artemis guiding their way to the border of Illyria by sunrise. However, the King of Sparta offered the use of his ships to see the women safely home, so instead of seven days on the long hard road, they would be safe in their homeland in two days. Now Vy, along with Vasha thought this was the perfect solution.
     Now, when King Vyakles spoke of this aloud in front of Queen Thera, and her newly estsablished council as they sat at the table going over the documents, each of the twenty or so women gathered there all gave the look of a terrified nature, the color draining away from their sun kissed faces, as if someone had just walked over their graves. Vy, as well as Admiral Vasha, were shocked by the ladies reaction at the offer to travel upon the sea. "Have we offended you, dear ladies, with our efforts to see you home in a timely and safe manner?" Vyakles asked giving  Thera a confused look.
     "Dearest King, we are most delighted by your generous offer. You show us great honor by your willingness to assist us in our great distress. However, my dearest King Vyakles, you must forgive us of our deep superstitious nature of the open waters. Our people have found much pain and loss brought by the sea. We are not an ocean going nation. Although we have made a great many sacrifices to Poseidon to achieve his blessings, we dare not tempt the Fates." Queen Thera replied leaving the king with the overwhelming urge to know what cruel fate had befallen her people. Thera could see the king, her lover, was intrigued so she sighed with a little smile and said. "Who here will tell our story? The story of Haifa? The story of the Island of Samos?"
     "I will tell the tale." Captain Amara said as she went and sat next to the King of Sparta and his Admiral Vasha.

End Chapter 12

     Thera and those gathered along the road watched in shock as the massive horse collapsed under it own weight from sheer exhaustion. The rider unhooked her feet from the stirrups and stood upon the firm ground as she quickly stepped away from the panting beast; which was immediately tended to by two cavalry officers who were near by. They brought the thirsty animal a large bowl of sweet water to drink removing the saddle, hassock and reins from off the tired horse.
     The rider a slim, tall red headed messenger tried to catch her breath as she stepped towards Thera and the men and women gathered there. "Commander Thera. I am Drea, sent by Commander Odessa." Drea said in gasps as she tried to breathe. Here all watched as Drea removed the pack slung over her back as she knelt down in front of the awestruck Thera. Drea opened the large leather satchel pulling out a purple silken fabric; from which Drea unwrapped the contents there in. Thera and the Themiscyran women were shocked and saddened by the sight of the golden crown, golden belt and golden sandals of Queen Ethera. Now Thera's poor heart sank and saddened wholly and she felt dizzy the blood of her veins like ice water flowing through her body. She was in a word, Heartbroken.
     Drea bowed her head as she knelt raising the royal items to the new Queen. Thera sighed closing her eyes as she stripped her white linen garment off her body there in front of all the people. Then she took the purple silk and placed the fabric covering her body. Thera took the long belt, made up of little gold and silver rings; which she wrapped around her waist. Thera took the golden sandals and placed them on her feet, they were, of course, a perfect fit. Now, lastly she reached out with her hands to take possession of the golden crown, a mass of gleaming stars surrounding a white pearl, the size of a robins egg, set in the center. She herself had seen it many times upon her mothers bright and shining face, Thera did not want to be in this world without the love and support of her mother, but the great lady was gone. So, with much pain and loss in her heart, Thera took the crown and with an ethereal nobility, dressed in her flowing purple robes she lifted up her mother's crown, her crown, and placed it upon her head.
     Now as she did this all the ladies knelt down upon their knees, backs straight, heads tilted up, eyes fixated upon the new Queen of Themiscyra. In a loud voice, all in unison came the cheer "Queen Ethera is dead! Long live Queen Thera!" Thera smiled at the heartfelt show of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor by her dear ladies. The men of Sparta would bow to no Queen, save their own, so they stood off to the side of the road allowing the ladies to be gathered together amongst their own during this, Thera's coronation. Here Vyakles came from the path in the woods from Sparta to see what had transpired. When he beheld Thera, he was in awe, she was there long shiny hair, a golden smile upon her face, in her Royal robes,  wearing the Crown of the Royal House of Themiscyra. The King of Sparta felt a sadness to his heart with the news of the old Queen's passing. Yet Vyakles was delighted to see, for himself, his lover Ethera elevated to such a Royal Status, for this could only better his endeavors when breeding with Thera, the new Queen of Themiscyra.

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     As the days passed Thera bade most of her time during the day with Admiral Vasha, as to keep up the pretense of a mated couple. She found much pleasure when he would take her out in a little boat upon the waters of the mountain lake; where Vasha taught her how to cast a net into the water and they gathered many fresh water carp; which fed the encampment that evening. Thera grew close to Vasha through their long conversations, and stories of battles and clever deceptions which led to victories. She greatly enjoyed the long horseback rides through the mountains and newly blooming forests and orchards of apple and pears, the endless groves of citrus trees. Yet, all the while, Thera felt no closeness for him sexually for he was more of a kin to her, as if he were an older, protective brother. Now Vasha himself felt a great deal of feelings for Thera and he did indeed feel the need to watch over her and keep her safe. So one morning he told Thera with a smile "As long as I am alive, I will see no harm shall come your way." With this pledge of eternal friendship Thera felt much more relaxed and at ease.
     So it came to pass, one warm Spring day, King Vyakles commanded a handful of artists and sculptors to come down from Arcadia to create a testament to the 'Amazon Women', as they were referred to by the Greeks; which meant in the Greek language One Breast. Now of course this was due to the breast plates the women wore into battle, so Thera could understand the confusion. However, when the artists demanded the women warriors pose nude holding only shields and swords, Thera thought this was naturally preposterous as they did not fight, ever, without proper armor. One of the older sculptor's, whom Thera posed for, convinced her the depictions painted on the large vases were merely an idealistic representation of her ladies, not a realistic portrayal of a battle scene. Thera acquiesced, doing her best to be a good model for the artist of the king. So he told her to relax the left side of her body, leg straight, arm down at her side, next he had her move her hips all the way to the right, leg slightly bent at the knee, toes resting on the ball of her foot, then he positioned her shoulders moving all the way to the left, as she moved her head back to the right, in the direction her hips were pointed. He had her bend her right elbow and point with her right hand twisting her wrist slightly.  The old man, with the hands of master artisan , explained this was the secret to all Greek statues, for in this posing of the model, the body seems almost ready to step forward, the angles providing motion without movement. Thera took in this knowledge, but art was not too much of an interest for her so she listened to the stories Vasha told her of his time at war upon the sea. The Admiral was good to come and keep her company as she waited for the artist to render a small figure of her in clay. Now when he had finished his prototype Thera was amazed at his rapid skill and the grace and beauty of the work, for she had never beheld her image captured in any form, other than the highly polished bronze mirrors of her home.
     Now, as the day was winding down, just as the sun began to set far off in the west, Thera looked off on the eastern horizon where she watched, in awe, as Artemis the full moon arose in the heavens large, big and bright and white, shining in the reflection of her brother Apollo's golden rays of the setting sun. Never had she, nor many of her ladies, witnessed such a phenomena and this moment to her was in a word, spectacular. Now, off from the north, the Fates had conspired against Thera as a rider came down charging fast on a swift silver horse with urgent news from the Royal House of Themiscyra. Within the next three minutes Thera and lives of her warriors would be changed forever. All the women and men gathered along the road as they watched the rider approach galloping hard and fast towards Commander Thera.

Chapter 12 Begins

     The afternoon found Thera in her tent, in her bed with a sickening feeling deep in the pit of her stomach and she wanted to vomit. However, she did not. She took no food all day, though many of her dear ladies came to check in on Thera, just trying their best to receive any information she would impart of Vasha and his skills at the art of lovemaking. Thera would give no such knowledge to them, she did not bother to make a story up, as she did not wish to deceive them further. Although, Amara had no trouble regaling Thera with her stories from the previous night. Thera was left speechless by her graphic description and seemingly unachievable positions Amara described.
     When Thera could hear no more she bade her old friend to depart and leave her in peace to sleep the day away, for she was very tired and exhausted by her vigorous sex with the king. Finding herself alone once more Thera drank a little sweet buttermilk mixed with cinnamon and ginger; which Kayla had brought for her earlier and the soothing liquid did help quell her nausea. Yet Thera had no elixir to soothe her trouble mind, for she spent the next week doing her best to hide her illicit affair, though she never refused to be with the king; which was always at night, always in secret, always with Vasha acting as their guard.
     This was too much for her to bare, for when Thera was not with Vyakles her heart and mind were greatly trouble. Trepidation invaded all her thoughts and she sought, in her clever mind, how to refuse the king, but any and all logic failed her. For Thera, when in the King of Sparta's presence, she found the world was all light and sunshine and moonbeams, where no care or concern trouble her soul. Always, when breathing his air,  kissing his lips, swimming naked in the moonlight, in the ocean, Thera found no trouble, or ill will, or displeasure. Yet in the morning, when left with her own thoughts, the fear of the disgraceful affair came back to her once again, as an unwelcome visitor come to pull her back down to Terra Firma with the heavy weight of guilt and shame.

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     This is how the night passed over the next hour or so. Now, when the king had exhausted himself in the physical gratification of the vivacious Thera, Vyakles held her in his arms once again, as before, until she fell into a deep and pleasing sleep. Here he crept up from her bed, so as not to disturb her rest, then exited the quiet serenity of Thera's tent. Vasha stood on guard, as Vyakles had left him, yet upon the king's return Vasha smiled cheerfully congratulating the king on his conquest, saying a prayer aloud to Apollo and Artemis that the King of Sparta indeed be successful in breeding. Vyakles shook Vasha's hand as the two old friends shared a laugh, a great joy in the king's heart as they bade each other farewell, for the king would return to his unknowing queen. However, Vasha did not depart, for he turned and entered the sleeping beauty's tent.
     A small flame from the remaining oil lamp flickered softly casting a warm glowing light over Thera's face and naked body; which was just barely covered by the white sheet, as Vasha stood in the shadows watching her sleep. He could, easily, have her now, strip himself of his garments and force himself upon her. Yet, Vasha was only forceful in battle, if she would not give herself freely to him, then Vasha did not want Thera. Besides, the Admiral, as most of the men of Sparta had been made privy to, knew of the rumors of Thera's time in Thrace last season and this was a danger Vasha was not prepared to taste.
     So Vasha curled up on the floor beside her bed. This is where Thera found him in the morning when she awoke from fevered dreams. "Vasha!" she cried out in confusion as to his presence. He explained that because of the affair they must now have a practice at the art of deception. Vasha, and he alone, must be seen by the Themiscyran women coming out of Commander Thera's tent. Thera had to collude with Vasha as not to reveal her own impropriety, for she would utterly be disgraced and condemned by her Nation for breeding with a married man. Had the Queen, her mother, known of this affair Thera would be banished from the city walls and branded with the mark of the triangle on her right hand. But worst of all, her own friends and family would proclaim through the ages 'Thera's mind no longer thinks the same way as ours. Thera does not believe what we believe in. She is no longer one of us.'
     Here, even through her great passion and excitement and the enticements of the king, the thoughts of her mind turned to this affair, as a disgrace. Her reason began to outweigh her deep passion for Vyakles.  Her mind grew more troubled with Vasha's presence, so she bade him leave most discourteously. Before he departed he turned, giving her a smile he said to her in a whisper "Remember, dear Thera, I was the only one with you last night." Vasha paused with another warm, charming smile "I will return here again tonight, by orders of the king. He wishes to come to you once more, if you so agree."
     Thera stopped for a moment in her perilous thoughts and stared at the handsome Admiral and she asked him. "Vasha, why are you helping me betray your Queen?"
     A chill ran down the length of his spine at this turning of the phrase of her question. Then he replied "My loyalty is to my King. Keeva is unable to give Sparta the son she needs." this was not new information to Thera, as Vyakles had given this knowledge to her. Vasha went and opened the tent,  as light flooded in from the bright and shining, noon day sun Vasha said "Sparta will have her heir."

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     Thera heard hushed voices outside her tent yet she did not move from her bed as the voices continued. The King of Sparta spoke to Admiral Vasha telling all of what had transpired the night before. Vasha was disheartened but not surprised. Vy confessed to his old friend he must have an heir and he would do this by any means necessary, even if that meant betraying his wife. Here Vasha swore his allegiance to his king and vowed to keep this affair a secret.
     "Should she bring forth a son I will raise him as my own." Vasha said shaking the king's hand as he placed the little lion statue in the palm of Vy's hand.
     "I will leave a letter telling of these events so he shall be made king at the time of my passing." the two men promised this to one another as Vy went in to Thera as Vasha remained outside keeping his eyes open making sure no one could follow the king inside.
     Thera lie there in the flowers her long cascade of hair covering her breasts as she stared in amazement at the sight of Vyakles who stripped off his crimson robe standing naked before her. "I have come again for you Thera." he smiled brightly as he beheld her, as he inhaled the intoxicating scent of the cherry blossoms there in the flickering light. Vy held out the little statue for her to see.
    Thera found no words could be ushered forth from her mouth, until she managed to speak saying "You would have me dishonor my promise to a king?" she said shocked to see him there, for she had indeed promised to take Vasha into her and forget about Vyakles.
     "I command you to break your promise to me. Please let me come into you, again."
     "What of your Admiral?" she asked intrigued.
     "He waits outside keeping watch. For these things we do can only be achieved in secret. Will you take me into your bed, into yourself?" Vyakles asked as he drew closer to her.
      Thera's heart raced with a deep passion coursing through her veins as she raised up in the bed on her knees as the Great King embraced her kissing her fully on the mouth. So it was the two came together once more as poor Vasha stood at the closed door listening to the sounds of ecstasy issuing forth from the darkened chamber. He sighed wishing he were in there with Thera, and the king was home with the queen. Yet Vasha was an honorable, noble man and he would gladly give up his life in protection of the king, so the passion of a woman was but a small sacrifice he could give up to show his loyalty to Vyakles.
   

Chapter 11 begins

     The King of Sparta said his goodbyes to all the ladies then he went over to Thera to shake her hand farewell and to wish her luck with Admiral Vasha. Thera took his hand but averted her gaze as not to look Vyakles directly in the eyes lest she lose all courage to breed with Vasha. Vyakles felt her discomfort in this matter so he quickly made his departure, even though this brought a great pain to his heart and jealous thoughts to his mind.
     Now shortly thereafter Thera sat back at the table with Vasha as the rest of the group dispersed off to the lake for a swim, or to help clear away the dishes and clean up after the feast; which Thera was surprised to see a few of the men of Sparta assisting the ladies in these chores. She sighed sweetly giving Vasha a luminous look of happiness as she unhooked the little golden statue from her belt placing it on the table in front of him. Vasha was extremely pleased by this gesture and he picked up the small golden treasure in his hand. He had heard of these tokens of love by his men. The archers gave out little golden coiled snakes, the members of the phalanx gave out little golden bulls, the cavalry, of course, their symbol was a horse, however, Thera's was a little golden lion a symbol only afforded to the Royal House of Themiscyra. Now Vasha held the, one and only, little lion statue in the palm of his hand as he smiled at Thera kissing her cheek sweetly.
     "Now Admiral, if you will allow me but a moment to to prepare my bed and my body to receive you, come to me in my tent in just a little while." she said as she gave him a soft warm kiss on the mouth as Amara and Lexa escorted her back to her tent under the full sweet blossoms of the cherry trees.
     In her tent, under bright stars and a sliver of the waxing moon, Amara and Lexa set about preparing their dear friend and leader for the act. They combed out her long red hair, stripped her naked, and rubbed an aromatic lotion of acacia, lemon zest, and olive oil into her supple skin. Thera applied the balm of peppermint, honey and beeswax to her lips, as the oil lamps were dimmed in her room. Amara took out a small dagger and went out returning with a few branches of the cherry tree; which she placed in a vase of water the fragrant blossoms filled the air with the sweet scent of nature. Thera reclined back in her bed atop the clean white silk sheets, to which Lexa and Amara scattered handfuls of pink and white cherry blossoms. They carefully combed Thera's shiny, silky hair down around her shoulders in a cascade of soft chestnut. There in the golden flickering light of the oil lamps she looked like Aphrodite resting upon a bed of flowers. Thera bade the women to leave her in peace thanking them for their efforts. Amara and Lexa both gave their dear friend an excited loving smile and then they departed. Thera lie there for what seemed an eternity before she heard Vasha approach.
     The excitement raging through Vasha's heart, at this point in time, was unrivaled by any deed he had committed in his life. Not even the thrill of watching your enemy die at the end of your sword was as exciting and enticing as this moment. Now, as he held tight to the little statue in his left hand, he reached up with his right to open the tent when he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
     "Admiral Vasha." came the voice of King Vyakles.
     Vasha said not a word as he turned, startled and he dropped the little statue of the lion from his hand as he came eye to eye with his king. He knew now Thera would never be his that he would never be permitted to come into her. Vasha knew and understood this by the determined look in the eyes of the king. Here Vasha's mighty heart sank and saddened for he knew the wishes of his king would supersede any of his desire to breed.

End Chapter 10

     So it was the day passed, Vy with his wife and Thera with Vasha. Thera had resigned herself to Vasha,  so she tried to do as much as possible to encourage her heart and mind so this requirement of her promise to the king should be as joy and not a chore. Vasha was well pleased with the change in her attitude, but he resigned this to the fact that she was not in the presence of his king. Had Vyakles been out on the ride with them, Vasha knew he would have been totally ignored. However, Vasha did enjoy her smile and stories and brightness in her eyes, so he filled his mighty heart with a deep affection for her and he would gladly take Thera's attention anyway he could get it.
     It was just before sunset when all those participating in the breeding campaign returned to the encampment of women, who had prepared a feast in honor of the king's gracious hospitality the night before. About eighty or so sat at the long tables the women had arranged in the shape of a U. The King of Sparta sat at the middle of the table facing the party and seated next to him were the two remaining virgins, who sat beside the men they had finally selected as their partners. So the seating went each next to the chosen one of their desire. Thera sat nearby with Vasha, off to the left of the king, and he kept a close eye on the two. Sitting from afar, not being the object of her attention, gave the king pause to realize just how beautiful and charming Thera was.
     The king and all who had gathered there feasted upon the delicacies and delicious dishes made by the hands of the women from Themiscyra. The food prepared was a marvel to the men and they delighted on the roasted tender lamb in a crab, feta, spinach sauce. There were mushrooms simmered in sweet red wine stuffed with crab meat and goat cheese. The goats the Spartans raised did not give milk as sweet as the goats brought from Themiscyra and the goat cheese; which was served baked, coated in crushed almonds, smothered in a tomato basil sauce was especially enjoyed by the king. He also delighted in a dish of grilled pita bread stuffed with baked cheese, roasted black olives and tomato sauce. The meal was one of, if not the best, the men had ever had in there lives. The men drank the wine but as for the women, who had procreated last night, did not imbibe, just in the slim chance a life had been created inside them. Now for Thera this was difficult as everyone believed she had sent Vasha on his way without a smile. Fearful she may have a life inside her Thera refused the wine, saying she wanted to be alert and sober for every move that Vasha would make with her, in her bed. This served to flatter the Admiral but created much jealousy for the king.
       So King Vyakles arose having taken his fill of food and Thera's charm and flirtations with his Admiral. King Vyakles addressed the crowd, giving Thera a few glances "I wish to thank all you, dear fine ladies, who have prepared for us, here tonight, the most exquisite delicious meal." a hearty cheer rose up from all the men. "I wish to also pay my respect and honor to you, who have come from a far distant land to be with us. To breed with us." another cheer arose from the enamoured Spartan men. "I must tell you the immense pleasure I have in my heart here tonight. For, though we know you require daughters, we too require sons. So I pledge my allegiance and my name and honor by avowing to you, good ladies, who would give up your sons to Sparta. All the boys of your womb shall be brought back here to Sparta and I will insure they lack nothing, I will treat them as if they were my own. Their fathers shall be the most highly regarded men in all of Greece and we will teach them, we will train them in the Art of War. As for our Spartan daughters, you raise in Themiscyra, should the threat of war arise, we would ally with you in the defense and protection of our children." Here all  stood up from their seats applauding the promise of the king. Many smiled and embraced their lovers with the thrill of the prospect of  fighting side by side with one another on a blood soaked battle field someday. However only Future knew a cruel, ill- fate would find them fighting against one another on that particular day. One Nation would destroy a Nation, but as for now all was love and fair game.

More Chapter 10

     Thera and Vasha rode on talking of common things with one another and she thought he was pleasant enough company. Thera could see herself naked with him, but one thing was lacking in her vision, there was no passion or danger with the Admiral, like the feelings which stirred in her heart for King Vyakles. Now, no matter the subject, war, horsemanship, her homeland etc... Thera's thoughts always flowed back to the king. Thera found herself for a great while wondering what had become of Vy since he crept from her bed.
     As it so happened the King of Sparta did creep from her bed, but it was not to his bed that he returned. The King, instead left the path which led to his home and he ventured down to the sea. Vyakles walked into the cold, moonlit waters wrapped with the red crimson, stained fabric around his waist and he washed the scent of Thera from his skin and beard. Many thoughts raced through his mind as he swam in the cold deep blue sea. After awhile, when he could stand the cold no longer, Vy swam back to shore soaking wet as he, exhausted, fell fast asleep on his back on the sand with sound of the waves crashing against the beach. In what seemed to him but a moment of rest he awoke to the rays of the sun warming his skin and he awoke to see the glorious sunrise as he sat up to behold the magnificent scene. The fresh ocean wind was strong with the warm air currents up from Africa, from the Sahara. Vyakles awoke with a deep sense of unrivaled satisfaction in his heart and mind. However, when the guilt of shame was realized again all his happiness was dashed away and he knew that happiness he had achieved would never return again.
     So the king had at this point resigned to return to his wife and face her pains. When he did finally return to the bedchamber, he had been hours gone from, he found his wife Keeva asleep in her bed. Here he noticed a cup of medicine dispensed by Kaderios, this was a common sight as his wife's excruciating endometriosis kept her in much pain most of the days of her life. Vyakles often wondered what curse had befallen him that he should be rewarded with the most beautiful, intelligent, barren woman out of all the women of Greece. Now the king did love his queen but had Vy known of her ailment he would of chosen the younger Arcadian Princess instead. But the king knew the past was long in it's grave and so he bade his wife to awaken, nudging her gently. She awoke with a deep yawn and a stretch, a bright cheerful smile upon her face as she hugged her husband, who smelled of salt and the sea, saying " Good morning my king." she kissed him softly and sweetly. "Your guest, the Princess Thera how is she? Your Physician said she was in terrible pain and you had to escort her  back to the encampment." she asked with great concern in her voice for the welfare of his guest. "I was so worried, I myself was unable to sleep."
     "Your concern is deeply appreciated and as you, she could find no rest. I stayed most of the night talking of common things with Commander Thera." Vy smiled, lying to his wife. "I finally brought her to rest with one of my boring stories, then I went for a swim before dawn then fell asleep on the beach." he smiled with a laugh.
     "Yes my king, come I will draw a bath for you and wash your body, for reek of seaweed." Keeva laughed as her husband embraced her transferring the odor onto her night gown and long black hair. So it was, the king found himself but moments later in his large marble tub naked with his wife who  knelt in the water behind him as he reclined back onto her as she washed the ocean from his hair. He sighed deeply realizing what a perfect wife Keeva could be, but the one flaw she had was she could not bring forth a child unto Vyakles.
     Then as she rinsed him off she asked Vy  "Has Thera selected a partner from your warriors as of yet?"
     "No. Thera has not chosen a partner from among my warriors yet." the king answered his queen, skirting the truth from her with her own words, a clever trick he learned from a politician.

Chapter 10 continues

     Now, after the ladies had their fill of food and frolicking in the water, some went back to their tents and slept off the exhaustion of too much drink and too much sex, if such a thing exists. However, Thera and about twenty women, most of the 'former' virgins, remained resting upon the warm wet sand, as they lie in the sun, the women's bodies coated in rich nourishing olive and jojoba oils. The relaxing rays of Apollo glistening off their golden skin as the soft soothing sound of the waves of the Aegean washed upon the shore. Now as Thera calmed her mind there beside the blue sea she heard a familiar voice and she knew it was he.
     "Admiral, I believe the lady you seek has fallen asleep in the sun." Thera heard the blue-eyed Kayla tell Vasha.
     "I am not sleeping." Thera said as she opened her eyes standing to her feet naked.
     Vasha took in a deep breath as he stood there in front of the magnificent naked woman as he held the reins of two of the horses Thera had brought from Themiscyra. "I would like you to take a ride with me, so that we may have a better understanding of one another, for I feel I offended you in some way." he paused as Thera smiled hands on her hips shaking her head.
      Thera interrupted "No good sir, it is I who has caused the offense, you must forgive me for last night, for it is true. I was brought under the spell of your King." she paused knowing Vasha had know idea of what degree. "I see you have brought Clarion and Octavius."     
      "Yes, dear Thera, if you would accompany me on a ride, so we might speak further before tonight's feast." he smiled seeing a true warmth of feeling coming from the naked, red- haired, green eyed lady.
       "A moment please, and I will be more than honored to ride with thee." Thera bade Vasha wait and he watched as she bent down rubbing the sand into her soft smooth skin, doing this to remove the dead skin and oil from her body. Then she went for a dip in the open sea, that was shining smooth as silver as she rinsed the grit and grime from her body. Thera walked up out of the ocean, wet and glistening, hair dripping like seaweed as she went to the fire where a few maidens helped her dry herself on the long gauze linen hanging by the fire. Vasha watched as the women put a mixture of lanolin and olive oil in her wet hair, combing it back gathering the wet red mass of tresses out of her face. Thera opened a jar rubbing a soothing lotion on her face and a peppermint balm on her lips. She chewed a few mint leaves to freshen her breath and then slipped into a long linen gown. She girded up her loins by pulling the back of the dress up between her legs to the front slipping the material up underneath the golden belt around her waist. Then, and only then, was Thera ready to take a ride with Vasha through the cypress and pine covered mountains, beside the lake surrounded by endless meadows of violets, tulips, peonies, primrose and blue bells. Now this all helped open up Thera's hard heart to Vasha but this was only because of her promise to King Vyakles.

Chapter 10

Now, as Dawn arose in a robe of golden splendor issuing forth Apollo in the ever brightening sky, the women of Themiscyra began to stir in their beds. After the night of their drunken debauchery many awoke next to one of the fine strong men of Sparta, some awoke alone in their cold bed, as did Thera who when she opened her eyes saw the Great King was gone; which brought a strange little pain to her heart and she thought it strange how she herself had grown so attached to Vyakles in such a short while. Thera heard the voices of Captain Amara and Captain Lexa outside her tent. They had come bearing a pitcher of fresh goat's milk and spring water. Thera bid them both to enter and Thera shielded her eyes from the light as Amara opened up the flaps of the tent to allow the morning air and sunlight into the cold, darkened chamber. Her two captains were in fine spirits having taken their fill of Spartan seed.
     "Thera tell me, how did you find the Admiral, was he pleasing?" Lexa asked as she handed Thera the pitcher of milk; which she gladly drank in the sweet nourishing liquid wetting her dry mouth, then she wiped her lips and said "I did not, I shall make him wait until tonight to bring him to my bed."
     Now Amara thought this was strange for her to say, being that as Amara sat on the end of Thera's bed she could clearly and distinctly smell the scent of a man coming from the sheets. Amara knew well the smell of sweat, salt, and semen. Amara could also smell the underlying odor of bay leaves. She knew Commander Thera was keeping the truth from her and Lexa, but out of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor she said nothing, instead changing the topic altogether "Thera come down to the ocean with us, all the women have gathered their for breakfast and the bread is almost done baking. Come we all need a swim in the bright blue sea." Amara said as she dragged the naked Thera out of her bed as they laughed.
     The three went down to the sandy beach where a large bonfire was blazing as the women in charge of food preparation busied themselves making huge portions of egg and goat cheese dishes mixed with olives and tomatoes and mushrooms. The heavenly aroma drifted up of the sweet honey wheat berry bread baking in the iron pans. Sea gulls cried out above encircling each other in the bright blue cloudless sky hoping for a morsel of food. Most of the women were out swimming in the salty water and Thera here too, along with her Captains of the Archers and Cavalry stripped off their thin linen gowns and ran naked into the cold ocean splashing one another sharing in a moment of fun, this served Thera well to keep her mind off of the king. Thera would keep her promise to him and she would, indeed, take Vasha into herself, but only to breed. Thera having no clue the seed of the king had all ready taken root in her womb.