Friday, February 18, 2011

Chapter 16 continues

     After a time Thera was brought up out of the water. Her long wet red hair combed out, rare oils from the region of Nubia and Egypt rubbed into her skin by the three acolytes as the high priestess chanted out prayers of protection from all corners of the Heavens and Earth. Queen Thera was arrayed in the finest vibrant purple silk garments, her long golden belt wrapped around her waist, her golden sandals slipped on her feet, as the crown of Themiscyra was placed back atop her head. Queen Thera had cleared her mind of any troubled thoughts as she let her road-weary body relax easing her tense muscles of all stress. She herself thought of her mother who went through this very same ritual twenty seven years ago when Thera was but a child of five. Here Queen Thera remembered the aged ancient priestess who encanted prayers of supplication now, for it was she who led the rite 'lo those many years long ago.
     Then Queen Thera went out of the Temple by moonlight robed in her flowing purple attire as she was led by the three acolytes of Artemis and Apollo. Here Queen Thera was taken to the Queen's Royal Tent; which was located directly behind the Temple away from the Lake, the beach, the long dining tables and the kitchens. The large tent was always kept at the ready for a Royal visit but the former Queen had not ventured out to Colchise in many years, due to her infirmity. Queen Thera had not been in this residence by the lake in many months but she was glad to see as she entered in the room not much had changed. There were large vases of fresh bouquets of flowers everywhere the air was filled with the scent of lilacs and gardenias. All the oil lamps lit up filling the room with a soft warm glow. The tent was separated into two halves by long panels of tapestry, the back portion had a large bed of silken cushions, pillows, soft cotton blankets, silk sheets atop comfortable thick feather mattresses. However the front of the room was not relaxing in any way shape or form. Upon entering there were two long benches on each side in front of a long table where an intricately carved chair made of the sacred Birch tree was pulled out from the table ready for the Queen to sit down and tend to the business of ruling an empire. This was a sight Queen Thera was not prepared for. Yet I am too tired to address matters of State, she thought as she eyed the seven, tall stacks of neatly piled documents, letters, etc... before her.
     As Queen Thera felt even more tired than she was, exhausted from her journey, and absolutely famished she was bade to sit in the chair behind the table by the old high priestess. Queen Thera let out a heavy sigh then, taking in a deep cleansing breath, Queen Thera sat herself down. She informed the ancient priestess to send in her Councilors and Ambassadors, who had been eagerly awaiting an audience with the new Queen.
"Let them come, I am ready for them now." Queen Thera gave the command hoping she could eat and rest soon, but as the twenty or so civilian women entered into the Royal Tent with even more documents in their hands, Queen Thera wondered just how long this first meeting was going to take.

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