Sunday, February 13, 2011

Chapter 15 continues

     Now this day, sailing on the Black Sea in the slowly setting sun, Queen Thera grew more anxious by the moment, not knowing what awaited. She hoped there would be no war with Thrace. This uncertain, fast approaching, future was not 'important business for tomorrow', so Queen Thera ordered all of her ladies to prepare themselves for battle.
     Admiral Vasha and his crews, as well as King Vyakles, were astonished to witness the warriors of Themiscyra's ritual. Here most of the women came out of the tents on both of the ships; which traveled in close proximity to one another. There upon the fighting decks about thirty women in total disrobed each rubbing olive oil into their skin and hair. Doing so each women began chanting an ancient prayer of protection, each voice soft as if in a whisper, it was in a word, Entrancing. As they attired themselves in their fighting garments and bronze armor, the archers took up their bows and quivers of deadly arrows, the cavalry women took up their swords and crescent shields, but alas upon the ocean had no horses or javelins. The few members of the phalanx took up their massive round shields, swords and spears. Each woman then combed back their long red hair, pulling the hair back as they plaited the strands for one another. All except for Queen Thera, for she sat in the King's chair combing her own copper colored tresses back, securing her hair with a golden wire. Vyakles watched Thera sitting there in the sun as it glinted off the Queen's armor as every muscle was flexing in her forearms as she braided her long, dark, hair. Vyakles at this moment felt overwhelmed with joy in his heart and troubled mind, for he could think of no better woman in existence to bring forth a strong, brave son to Sparta. The King's mind wandered to another time and place in the future, where he imagined their son sitting upon his throne, a brave young lion, a King.
     Queen Thera's mind had no thought of the far off future, or children, hers or otherwise. No, she had a duty to prepare her ladies for battle, and this set her mind ill at ease. For Queen Thera did not wish to fight upon the Sea. This was all just too much to take, but take it she must for the weight of her Great Nation rested squarely upon her shoulders. So, our dear, Queen Thera summoned up the ancient courage of her people, and the strength of the wisdom of the ages as she fortified her heart and mind against any distraction or path of destruction that would endanger her beloved Themiscyra. The two ships sailed on Northward as the sun began it's long journey into night as the Spartan ships drew nearer to the West coast of Themiscyra. Now here upon the dark waters, under a black sky and endless stars, the waning moon far off on the eastern horizon the women on the each of the ship's bow began signing an ancient song of their people. In sweet voices combined in unison they sang "We honor Our Nation. We honor Our daughters. We honor the Moon, oh Artemis. We honor the sun, oh Apollo, We honor the Sea, oh Poseidon. Through our blood we pledge our Unity, Loyalty, and Respect. We pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, our sacred Honor."

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