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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