Now, true to his word, Admiral Vasha and his crew did have the ladies half way home by sunrise. Most of the women remained in the tents and did not see Apollo rise up over the deep blue sea. Queen Thera, though, awoke from a terrible dream in her private quarters provided by the King. She went up on the fighting deck where she found Vyakles still sitting in his chair as he watched a pod of dolphins swimming ahead of the ships. The sky was clear and bright, a gentle warm wind filled the sails as the crew ate a light breakfast of boiled eggs and bread and honey. Queen Thera had no stomach for food as the rocking of the ship made her ill at ease. However, upon sipping a bit of goats milk mixed with ginger she began feeling much better.
The King of Sparta spent the morning pointing out a few of the islands as they sailed passed. Queen Thera had never seen such beauty before. She had a deep desire in her heart to go to one of the peaceful islands in the sea and live out the rest of her life untroubled by war and the massive responsibilities which awaited her. She often thought of her mother, whom she had watched over the years delegating orders, going over the endless documents required to run a Nation. There were treaties, proclamations of war, etc... which kept Queen Ethera from spending time with her daughter. This was difficult for Thera growing up as she learned most everything she knew about language, battle, horses, history, and the like from her mother's officers and councilors. Now thinking back on her life she vowed to herself that, should she have a daughter, Thera would teach her child all she knew herself.
Putting this from her mind Queen Thera's thoughts turned to her great nation and she said a silent prayer to Zeus and Poseidon to keep the King of Thrace from the shores of Themiscyra, as Queen Thera no longer had the desire to make war. It was here she became convinced her change in attitude could only be attributed to the fact that she was, in fact, pregnant. Then there came a loud cry of distress from one of her ladies in the tent. Queen Thera went in and found the Physician Jessa tending to one of the young 'former' virgins who was beside herself with anguish.
"What is the matter?" Queen Thera asked of Jessa.
"She has begun her blood cycle, her womb has not taken the seed." Jessa said opening her bag of potions and bandages.
Queen Thera here smiled sweetly taking the young woman in her arms saying "Fear not little one, when the time is right you shall have your child." Now Queen Thera realized she herself should have begun her own cycle, but had not. This gave Queen Thera much encouragement and her heart was lifted as she returned to the King of Sparta on deck telling him in a whisper she did, indeed, believe she was with child. Now this news was a joy to the King's mighty heart and Vyakles said a silent prayer entreating the Gods to deliver unto him a son. Now the Fates heard his prayers and would indeed bring forth a son from the Queen of Themiscyra's womb, but little did anyone aboard the ship realize the birth of this Spartan son would tear these two Nations apart. As for now all was tranquil as they sailed closer to home, through the Bosporus into the Black Sea.
The King of Sparta spent the morning pointing out a few of the islands as they sailed passed. Queen Thera had never seen such beauty before. She had a deep desire in her heart to go to one of the peaceful islands in the sea and live out the rest of her life untroubled by war and the massive responsibilities which awaited her. She often thought of her mother, whom she had watched over the years delegating orders, going over the endless documents required to run a Nation. There were treaties, proclamations of war, etc... which kept Queen Ethera from spending time with her daughter. This was difficult for Thera growing up as she learned most everything she knew about language, battle, horses, history, and the like from her mother's officers and councilors. Now thinking back on her life she vowed to herself that, should she have a daughter, Thera would teach her child all she knew herself.
Putting this from her mind Queen Thera's thoughts turned to her great nation and she said a silent prayer to Zeus and Poseidon to keep the King of Thrace from the shores of Themiscyra, as Queen Thera no longer had the desire to make war. It was here she became convinced her change in attitude could only be attributed to the fact that she was, in fact, pregnant. Then there came a loud cry of distress from one of her ladies in the tent. Queen Thera went in and found the Physician Jessa tending to one of the young 'former' virgins who was beside herself with anguish.
"What is the matter?" Queen Thera asked of Jessa.
"She has begun her blood cycle, her womb has not taken the seed." Jessa said opening her bag of potions and bandages.
Queen Thera here smiled sweetly taking the young woman in her arms saying "Fear not little one, when the time is right you shall have your child." Now Queen Thera realized she herself should have begun her own cycle, but had not. This gave Queen Thera much encouragement and her heart was lifted as she returned to the King of Sparta on deck telling him in a whisper she did, indeed, believe she was with child. Now this news was a joy to the King's mighty heart and Vyakles said a silent prayer entreating the Gods to deliver unto him a son. Now the Fates heard his prayers and would indeed bring forth a son from the Queen of Themiscyra's womb, but little did anyone aboard the ship realize the birth of this Spartan son would tear these two Nations apart. As for now all was tranquil as they sailed closer to home, through the Bosporus into the Black Sea.
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