Here, underneath the moon's light, the little wagon and her sturdy team of horses went up the narrow wooden ramp leading directly up onto the wide deck of the massive Spartan ship. Jessa and Lascofa were warmly greeted with much praise and adulation as Thera came up out of the back of the wagon. The ten women gathered there together were anxious and nervous, yet all their hearts were made strong by the presence of Thera and their children. For, though they had finished phase one and phase two of their clever and cunning plan, phase three had yet to be complete. However, Thera had secured the most important key to the escape and that was Admiral Vasha, who now would serve as their hostage. Thera, of course, did not wish to kill her friend, but she would commit this violence by her hand if need be. For Thera would make any sacrifice so she and her dear ladies could at last be free. She was pleased to see her ladies had already seduced the crew to sleep with the opium laced wine; which the Queen had sent out earlier in the day. Now the drunken Spartans, some twenty or so, lie fast asleep naked and chained to one another in the hold of the ship.
Now Thera, although she was no longer Queen, was still in charge of the diabolical operation. So she ordered all the women to prepare for battle by donning the armaments and weapons that had been hidden away with the cargo. Preparing themselves for battle the women hurried donning their bronze breast plates, gauntlets, sharpened cyphos, shields, spears, bows and arrows, helmets, leg guards etc... However, even if the Spartans could loose their chains, the women had removed all the Spartan weapons and armaments placing them on the deserted ship. Thera knew the high tide would be fast approaching, so they listened, watched and waited gazing up at the watchtowers 'til they were certain the guards had quieted down and were lacking in their duty to keep watch. This is when Thera and her women pulled up the heavy stone anchor as the cold waters in the cove began to rise. With the greatest satisfaction and faintness of heart the ladies worked together to lift the massive sails with the new found knowledge ascertained through the endless flirtation with the sailors they had supped with hours before. A strong chilling wind blew from the North pushing the trade ship with her Royal cargo out to sea. Here the women smiled silently, embracing each other and all sending up prayers to Poseidon to keep them safe upon the water. With much pain in their hearts this little band of warrior women turned looking back at the shore of their home land, as the ship drew ever father away from the land of their birth. As the massive towers disappeared and the bright torches were but a spark on the horizon the women watched knowing deep in their hearts of this place, Themiscyra, they would never return again. Though none gathered on the deck of the ship, in the cool ocean breeze, had any doubt in their heart, for they were seeking a new way of life, they knew they would find a way to something better, it was there absolute, unwavering, trust in one another that kept them headed in the right direction, but they knew the road to a new, free society would be long and hard. The Rebel Women of Themiscyra knew, forever, with hard work and dedication all things are possible.
It was this night the cruel heart of the Fates took mercy and pity upon these mothers, allowing them to pass into the future they so desired. It would prove that Vasha, when he and his men came to, they also had mercy and pity in their warrior hearts for these rebel mothers who had risked death, by the hand of their own people, to bring about a better future for their son's. Of Queen Thera, the Spartan Warriors were most assuredly impressed that she would give up her crown and suffer the looming wrath of a King. So Admiral Vasha ordered his men to chart a course for a small uninhabited island in the Aegean of which he knew had a small fresh water spring and lake and good soil for crops. He was also well aquainted with story of the island where a former temple to Hera lay in ruin, a place giant bones of ancient creatures legend said was to be guarded fierce griffins. However, Vasha told none of this to Thera for he himself held no creedance in ancient stories of monsters and giants. This is where he brought Thera, the children, and all her ladies, unloading all the supplies: 4 horses, 6 goats, 12 chickens, 4 cats, 3 beehives sealed in large clay jars, 14 giant pots of lavender honey, various live medicinal plants, many herbs, several grapevines all in clay pots, 50 sacks of wheat and grain, 40 amphora of wine, 12 jugs of Ouzo, 40 jars of olive oil, 60 large amphora of fresh water, along with apple, olive, lemon, and orange saplings, fabrics, textiles, tents, cushions, pillows etc... along with a massive horde of gold and silver; which were meant for the Nation of Sparta. Of all this, Thera was well pleased seeing that no one, on either side had to die. Though she was most grateful, as were all her ladies, Thera still harboured fear in her heart when she ordered that the men leave and return to Sparta, never telling of their location to the enraged King.
"I, myself, can not leave." Vasha said to Thera as his crew made the ship ready to sail back home.
"You, must return to the King." Thera implored.
"I swore a sacred oath to King Vyakles. I promised to protect his heir with my life."the Admiral informed Thera, who gave a confused look to Vasha. "So, as long as you keep my King from his son, and rightful heir to the Spartan throne, I am not going to go anywhere. For I pledge to make sure his son, as well as all these children, you, and your brave ladies, are protected and cared for as any Royal Encampment should be."
Thera had no words to say, but when the men from the ship heard of their Admiral's pledge and, realizing that Thera had been with Vyakles, they too swore an oath to Vasha, promising to help protect the life of the future King. So it was the women of Themiscyra and the men of Sparta stayed together for as long as the Fates would allow. However, when King Vyakles was awoken that horrible morning by a loud and terrible scream, he ran half naked from the Royal tent where those who, bleary eyed, gathered at the throne of the Queen. Where there sat Odessa, dressed in the golden crown and armor holding the letter in her hand as she glared at the King.
"Your son?! This is all your fault! You are the one to blame!" Odessa spit at Vyakles as she threw the crumpled letter at his feet. Vyakles felt a wave of nausea and a pounding in his head as he reached down to retrieve the letter, a deep sinking feeling in his heart as he read the letter, written by Queen Thera's own hand, the blood in the King's veins turned to ice and he thought he would cry when he read:
'I must serve the interest of my children. I can no longer live in my Nation, under laws I can no longer abide by. I give up my crown. I give up my throne. All this I do by the fault of mine own. The King of Sparta had no knowledge of my misdeeds. My last order is, No harm shall come the Spartans way. I proclaim Commander Odessa shall now be the ruler of Themiscyra and I pray my dear friend, Queen Odessa tell the King of Sparta I could not give him his son. I would rather give up my life than be separated from my children.'
"That can be arranged!" King Vyakles shouted as he gathered his drunken men who took possesion of the twelve remaining sons of Sparta before returning to the last remaining ship, under armed escort by the enraged, heart sick new Queen; whose mood was only angered by finding all the officers at the Western gate asleep at their posts. Hastily then King Vyakles gathered all his men on the last ship. Now when all this set in, his missing son, his stolen ship and kidnapped men, any love or admiration he had for the beautiful Queen Thera melted into hatred and he shouted out to Odessa, who watched them from the beach, "Odessa! I do not recogonize you as the Queen! I will find the true Queen of Themiscyra and I will send her body back to thee!" Vyakles taunted Odessa whose eyes burned with rage.
"Vyakles!" she screamed "You pray you never see my face!"
The King ordered his men to row the ship out as the bewildered crew did their best to get the great ship out to sea. King Vyakles could not believe what had transpired, Thera's deception, his son's abduction, Thera's abdication, it was all just too much. Yet, Vyakles knew he had been betrayed, then vengence began nesting in his broken heart, so the Great King swore to Zeus, Poseidon and Hades that he would find his son and return him to Sparta by any means necessary. Until that day King Vyakles would have ample time to plot the death of Thera.
THE END
Now Thera, although she was no longer Queen, was still in charge of the diabolical operation. So she ordered all the women to prepare for battle by donning the armaments and weapons that had been hidden away with the cargo. Preparing themselves for battle the women hurried donning their bronze breast plates, gauntlets, sharpened cyphos, shields, spears, bows and arrows, helmets, leg guards etc... However, even if the Spartans could loose their chains, the women had removed all the Spartan weapons and armaments placing them on the deserted ship. Thera knew the high tide would be fast approaching, so they listened, watched and waited gazing up at the watchtowers 'til they were certain the guards had quieted down and were lacking in their duty to keep watch. This is when Thera and her women pulled up the heavy stone anchor as the cold waters in the cove began to rise. With the greatest satisfaction and faintness of heart the ladies worked together to lift the massive sails with the new found knowledge ascertained through the endless flirtation with the sailors they had supped with hours before. A strong chilling wind blew from the North pushing the trade ship with her Royal cargo out to sea. Here the women smiled silently, embracing each other and all sending up prayers to Poseidon to keep them safe upon the water. With much pain in their hearts this little band of warrior women turned looking back at the shore of their home land, as the ship drew ever father away from the land of their birth. As the massive towers disappeared and the bright torches were but a spark on the horizon the women watched knowing deep in their hearts of this place, Themiscyra, they would never return again. Though none gathered on the deck of the ship, in the cool ocean breeze, had any doubt in their heart, for they were seeking a new way of life, they knew they would find a way to something better, it was there absolute, unwavering, trust in one another that kept them headed in the right direction, but they knew the road to a new, free society would be long and hard. The Rebel Women of Themiscyra knew, forever, with hard work and dedication all things are possible.
It was this night the cruel heart of the Fates took mercy and pity upon these mothers, allowing them to pass into the future they so desired. It would prove that Vasha, when he and his men came to, they also had mercy and pity in their warrior hearts for these rebel mothers who had risked death, by the hand of their own people, to bring about a better future for their son's. Of Queen Thera, the Spartan Warriors were most assuredly impressed that she would give up her crown and suffer the looming wrath of a King. So Admiral Vasha ordered his men to chart a course for a small uninhabited island in the Aegean of which he knew had a small fresh water spring and lake and good soil for crops. He was also well aquainted with story of the island where a former temple to Hera lay in ruin, a place giant bones of ancient creatures legend said was to be guarded fierce griffins. However, Vasha told none of this to Thera for he himself held no creedance in ancient stories of monsters and giants. This is where he brought Thera, the children, and all her ladies, unloading all the supplies: 4 horses, 6 goats, 12 chickens, 4 cats, 3 beehives sealed in large clay jars, 14 giant pots of lavender honey, various live medicinal plants, many herbs, several grapevines all in clay pots, 50 sacks of wheat and grain, 40 amphora of wine, 12 jugs of Ouzo, 40 jars of olive oil, 60 large amphora of fresh water, along with apple, olive, lemon, and orange saplings, fabrics, textiles, tents, cushions, pillows etc... along with a massive horde of gold and silver; which were meant for the Nation of Sparta. Of all this, Thera was well pleased seeing that no one, on either side had to die. Though she was most grateful, as were all her ladies, Thera still harboured fear in her heart when she ordered that the men leave and return to Sparta, never telling of their location to the enraged King.
"I, myself, can not leave." Vasha said to Thera as his crew made the ship ready to sail back home.
"You, must return to the King." Thera implored.
"I swore a sacred oath to King Vyakles. I promised to protect his heir with my life."the Admiral informed Thera, who gave a confused look to Vasha. "So, as long as you keep my King from his son, and rightful heir to the Spartan throne, I am not going to go anywhere. For I pledge to make sure his son, as well as all these children, you, and your brave ladies, are protected and cared for as any Royal Encampment should be."
Thera had no words to say, but when the men from the ship heard of their Admiral's pledge and, realizing that Thera had been with Vyakles, they too swore an oath to Vasha, promising to help protect the life of the future King. So it was the women of Themiscyra and the men of Sparta stayed together for as long as the Fates would allow. However, when King Vyakles was awoken that horrible morning by a loud and terrible scream, he ran half naked from the Royal tent where those who, bleary eyed, gathered at the throne of the Queen. Where there sat Odessa, dressed in the golden crown and armor holding the letter in her hand as she glared at the King.
"Your son?! This is all your fault! You are the one to blame!" Odessa spit at Vyakles as she threw the crumpled letter at his feet. Vyakles felt a wave of nausea and a pounding in his head as he reached down to retrieve the letter, a deep sinking feeling in his heart as he read the letter, written by Queen Thera's own hand, the blood in the King's veins turned to ice and he thought he would cry when he read:
'I must serve the interest of my children. I can no longer live in my Nation, under laws I can no longer abide by. I give up my crown. I give up my throne. All this I do by the fault of mine own. The King of Sparta had no knowledge of my misdeeds. My last order is, No harm shall come the Spartans way. I proclaim Commander Odessa shall now be the ruler of Themiscyra and I pray my dear friend, Queen Odessa tell the King of Sparta I could not give him his son. I would rather give up my life than be separated from my children.'
"That can be arranged!" King Vyakles shouted as he gathered his drunken men who took possesion of the twelve remaining sons of Sparta before returning to the last remaining ship, under armed escort by the enraged, heart sick new Queen; whose mood was only angered by finding all the officers at the Western gate asleep at their posts. Hastily then King Vyakles gathered all his men on the last ship. Now when all this set in, his missing son, his stolen ship and kidnapped men, any love or admiration he had for the beautiful Queen Thera melted into hatred and he shouted out to Odessa, who watched them from the beach, "Odessa! I do not recogonize you as the Queen! I will find the true Queen of Themiscyra and I will send her body back to thee!" Vyakles taunted Odessa whose eyes burned with rage.
"Vyakles!" she screamed "You pray you never see my face!"
The King ordered his men to row the ship out as the bewildered crew did their best to get the great ship out to sea. King Vyakles could not believe what had transpired, Thera's deception, his son's abduction, Thera's abdication, it was all just too much. Yet, Vyakles knew he had been betrayed, then vengence began nesting in his broken heart, so the Great King swore to Zeus, Poseidon and Hades that he would find his son and return him to Sparta by any means necessary. Until that day King Vyakles would have ample time to plot the death of Thera.
THE END
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