Chapter 17 continues

     Vyakles, King of Sparta and his men some forty or so, among whom twenty two new fathers waited anxiously, sailing North on the Black Sea, they saw the island peninsula and the great walls and watchtowers of Themiscyra. The two trade ships pulled in just before dusk that Summer day. Admiral Vasha ordered the ships loaded with tribute to run aground on the white beaches of the Cove of Still Waters. Here the excited King of Sparta climbed down on the beach, where he had often dreamt of returning and at long last 'Gods be praised' he thought as a flutter came to his stomach with an uneasy feeling, similar to the nerves of a warrior before going into battle. Yet here Vyakles had come to retrieve a life, the life of his new son. The King was consumed with a nervous energy though, when he was met by the Queen's Commander Odessa atop her war horse unatirred in her armor for war, he felt more at ease as she smiled down dressed in a white flowing, nearly sheer, gauze-like garment, and her silken hair, a perfect cascade of chestnut, flowing in the breeze.
     "Welcome, oh King of Sparta!" she shouted her strong voice carried across to the men on the ships who began the task of unloading all the goods from ship to shore before sunset. "My Queen, Thera, sends forth her deep wishes of Respect and Honor."
     Now, as glad as the King was to hear this news, Vyakles was disturb the Queen herself had not come out to greet them. "How fairs Queen Thera? Is she ill and unable to come and bring these wishes of Respect and Honor to myself and my men, herself?"
     Here Odessa smiled and laughed a little saying "Sire my Queen is capable of all things!" Odessa said giving the King a wink as she continued. "However, you and your men have been invited in. For Queen Thera wishes you to come inside and be treated to a lavish feast and an array of entertainment, the likes of which you have never seen. So is the wish of my Glorious Queen and her wish is my utmost honor to fulfill."
     Vyakles gave a look of uncertainty as he said, in front of Vasha who too was confused "I am aware that no man has step foot inside these walls, is this not true?" the King asked in wonderment as a terrible feeling crept into his troubled heart.
     "Yes, every word you say is true." Odessa said as all the bewildered men gathered there stared in wonder on the shore beside the water; which was lapping just behind them, smooth as silver, white as snow reflecting the setting sun off along the Western horizon, then she explained saying "As I say, Queen Thera can do all things. So she has amended our law which bans men from entering, she will allow you to stay with us for three days, and three days only. We as a people came to a consensus and agreed to the law's ratification, under one condition."
     Admiral Vasha wondered what game his clever friend Thera was playing, as did the King who said in a voice as tense as wire "Pray tell , what condition might that be?"
     "Our Nation requires you lay down your arms and leave them on your ships, outside of our walls. As a token of Peace and Love." Odessa paused to let this information sink in then she continued "Unless you would rather camp out here on the beach with the hermit crabs and sand fleas in the Summer sun and heat for the next three days. The choice is yours to make."
     King Vyakles thought this over for but a moment then he withdrew his sword thrusting it deep into the sand, removing his breast plate and armor he told Odessa he would agree, for the welfare and benefit of Peace amongst the mothers of Themiscyra and the fathers of Sparta. Here Admiral Vasha ordered all his men disarm, all the weapons and armor were stored back on board. Then Odessa  opened a small leather pouch and gave each man one of little golden rings of the Themiscyran people. All except Vasha, for he had already been given Queen Thera's ring. She instructed all the men to place the ring on the ring finger of their left hand, this was a sign to the gatekeepers that whomever wore the ring might pass. As Odessa ordered the gates to be opened the four Themiscyran officers were astonished to wittiness history in the making as the men came through. This was a moment they would tell their grand daughters about, the day a small group of men, the King of Sparta and his unarmed warriors were allowed inside the gates. However, the cruel Fates would intercede and within a few years there would be no Themiscyra of which to speak. For Thera herself was not about to give up her boy and so she had plotted and colluded with a few loyal, like minded mothers, this is why Queen Thera ordered for the men to come in unarmed. Now of course, she had led everyone to believe this would be for the good of the Nation and in ratifying the law she would make the men of Sparta concede. For, after all, it is only a lie if you can make someone believe, and why should her subjects feel misled, or disagree with the will of the Queen.

Chapter 17 begins

     So it was a warm Spring passed into a long hot Summer for the women who were beleaguered by the heat during their pregnancies. Of the 212 women who returned from the breeding season, 189 were great with child. It was well after a bountiful harvest in the Autumn winds which turned to a short cold winter; which brought forth all the women to bare the fruit of their wombs. 127 daughters and 62 sons, of these boys 22 were of Spartan blood. Queen Thera, herself, was the mother of one of these strong Spartan Sons, for when she came into her painful labor, she bore a boy then, to her amazement, she carried forth in childbirth issuing a twin girl from her body. Now as the coldest month passed, there beside the Black Sea, when freezing winds blew strong from the North the Themiscyran people were elated the new Queen had brought forth an heiress to the Throne. A Winters celebration was given in honor of the new member of the Royal House of Themiscyra, though through it all Thera herself dreaded the day when Vyakles and Vasha would return for her baby boy, whom she knew she could not give up. Something inside Thera had changed, her mind began to think differently from the ancient laws of her nation, and as the warm winds returned, during the first few days of Spring, blown in from the Persian Deserts, Queen Thera began to work her clever mind on a scheme to save herself from parting with her child. It was in the month of March Queen Thera's ambassadors sent out the list of children to all the Kings of Scythia, Dardina, Macedon, Illyria and Sparta. The documents listed the names and ranks of the mated pairs and the product of their unions.
      King Vyakles received word from a returning Spartan trade ship back from Themiscyra loaded with textiles of the finest silk and linen, wine, acacia honey, lavender oil, jugs of olives, cherries, apples, etc...
He had been sitting out in the sun in his palace garden by the fountain when a messenger hastily came out to give him the letter. The King hurriedly opened the wax sealed document and read the list. Quickly he skimmed the lines seeing a total of 22 new Spartan Sons listed. Then, there on the last line was written Admiral Vasha of Sparta, Queen Thera of Themiscyra = twins, one male, one female.
     Of course Vy, himself, knew this written lineage was incorrect and his heart was lifted up out of the depression of sorrow he had suffered, 'lo these many months, worrying every night and day about Thera and her child. He himself was proud and pleased that each would have a child, someone to inherit their thrones. This was the King of Sparta's greatest kept secret and he summoned for Vasha to give him the good news. Whereupon the Admiral congratulated the King and swore his allegiance to forever keep the truth of the matter from the light of day. So it came to pass, twelve weeks later in the early days of June, King Vyakles and Admiral Vasha and the new fathers of Sparta sailed east to Themiscyra with two small trade ships loaded with precious gold and silver and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, amphoras of Ouzo, hundreds of jars of Calamata olives soaked in garlic, olive oil and rare spices, along with live chamomille plants, and hemp seed oil, etc... The three day journey was an anxious time for all the fathers who traveled back to Themiscyra with their King, who was overwhelmed with joy, but he had be reserve in his emotion for everyone had been led to believe Vasha was the father of Queen Thera's son. Yet Vyakles knew he was the King so it was alright if he put the 'lie' in believe.

End Chapter 16

     Now, at her first meeting as Queen with her Councilors, much was discussed, much was accomplished. However, the Queen was tired and hungry and only wanted to eat and sleep. During her discourse with her Councilors the Queen's stomach rumbled loudly and some grapes, bread with baked goat cheese was brought for her to eat. Then as she was being informed of the new trade policy with Scythia and Sparta the Queen had actually fallen asleep with her head resting on her hand, elbow on table. It was here that the Queen's Commander Odessa entered the tent, whereupon Queen Thera awoke with a start as the sound of her dear old friends voice filled the space of the crowded chamber. "My Queen!" Odessa said as she bowed deeply to the new Monarch. "All of you have taken too much time away from our Great Queen, here so late in the night!" Odessa spoke standing over the politicians sitting on the long row of benches, clad in her battle gear, hair pulled back, a flash of anger in her eyes as Odessa scolded them for she was upset seeing her Queen so tired and stressed. "Out now all of you!" Odessa unsheathed her sword pointing with it towards the exit. "My Queen I will see to your comfort and rest. Out now! All of you Politicians." here, with grumbled voices, the many of her Councilors and Ambassadors departed, a few not having the chance to present their reports to the Queen and so they would have to try again another day.
       "Thank the Gods for you my Commander and dearest friend." Queen Thera exclaimed elated to have Odessa come in when she did. Thera rose from her chair as she went over holding her arms open to her friend and the two embraced, kissing one another on the cheek as a show of love and admiration.
      "My Queen, your Military leaders will have an audience with you tomorrow, at your leisure. For now I can report there were no skirmishes or need for battle in your absence. Your troops have been training and are ready to wage war at your pleasure. As for now, your nation and her glorious people have Peace among ourselves and our neighbors. So this is the part of your long journey where you lay your head down and go to sleep, safe in your homeland." Odessa went over parting the long curtains opening up the bedchamber where Queen Thera was eager to fall asleep. However, before she did she paused and said to Odessa "I must arise early and go out to see the King, Vyakles of Sparta. You must insure the men camped to the West and the North are brought out a massive, sumptuous breakfast before their journey home." she paused giving thought to her dear friend Vasha, whom she now felt a tinge of sadness in her heart when thinking of his departure. "As for the Admiral in charge of the King of Sparta's fleet, Admiral Vasha, who is most honorable, handsome and brave, and also my breeding partner." Queen Thera lied to her friend, who smiled brightly believing the Queen had indeed engaged in the fertility season with this Admiral Vasha. "Bring him this ring." the Queen slipped the little golden ring from her left hand, the ring being the sign of admission of entrance back through the gates. She placed the ring, a small token of affection for Vasha, in Odessa's palm and her Commander gave a bright shining smile.
      "Excellent news my Queen!" Odessa's face and eyes lit up with the prospect her friend might, finally, conceive. She threw her arms around Thera giving her a great big hug. "Oh, I shouldn't squeeze you so tight." Odessa said releasing her strong embrace. Here she rubbed the Queen's belly; which was a little bloated since the last Odessa had seen her, and when Queen Thera told Odessa how she had begun to have strong cravings for goats milk and honey Odessa took all this as an encouraging sign that Thera was with child. Now, being she had been with the fertile King of Sparta almost every night of her adventure, she was indeed pregnant. Commander Odessa stopped and thought for a moment how terribly sad Thera's mother, Queen Ethera, was unable to live to see her daughter return home. Odessa led her new Queen to the plush, luxuriant bed and saw her to her rest.
      "Be sure to wake me when Apollo arises, I must bid farewell to our new friends from Sparta."
      "Yes my Queen." Odessa said as she exited the tent extinguishing all the oil lamps, leaving her Queen to the quiet comfort of darkness. However, though she did tend to the list of commands from the Queen, Odessa failed at the most important task and that was to wake the Queen. She deliberately let her sleep as she knew the Queen needed her rest. Commander Odessa further believed seeing her breeding partner, Admiral Vasha, leave might cause some trauma to the Queen's heart and mind. So she let her sleep.
       Commander Odessa went out herself, with the women, and met the Spartans and the handsome King Vyakles. Of whom Odessa was thoroughly impressed. She found Admiral Vasha both delightful and intriguing. In a word Odessa's feeling on the matter was, Pleased. She apologized for the absence of her Queen and she could tell all the men were disappointed, for they all held a deep affinity for Queen Thera this made Odessa happy to see the respect and honor the men had for her Queen. After the Spartans were treated to a feast and given presents as tokens of friendship to take home to Sparta, they departed with the knowledge they would return, in one years time, to take home any sons that may have come from a fertile union between the women of Themiscyra and the warriors from Sparta.
       Commander Odessa and the women watched as the men sailed back to the massive warships anchored off the coast. As Odessa watched them go she felt in her heart a burning desire to go to Sparta next year for the breeding season to try her luck with these strong, handsome, dangerous men. With this delightful thought Commander Odessa traveled back to Colchise where she sat in the Queen's tent waiting for her to rise. And when she did Queen Thera was beside herself with rage as she screamed at Odessa for not waking her. Odessa was brought to suffer the Queen of Themiscyra's wrath for the Queen was most displeased and heart broken she did not say goodbye to the King and her dear friend Vasha, whom had delivered her and her ladies home safely upon the waters. But it was no matter for the King and his men were gone and it would be one year to the day before King Vyakles and admiral Vasha and the warriors of Sparta would step foot on the shores of Themiscyra. So in the meantime Queen Thera ran her Nation and nourished the twins growing in her womb.
   

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.

Chapter 16

     King Vyakles was left on the shores of Themiscyra outside the gates. He watched and waited upon the beach as Admiral Vasha sent his crew out back and forth from the ship to the shore with the cargo of tribute for Queen Thera and her nation. A tent was erected outside the walls for the King of Sparta and his body guards. Admiral Vasha and his crew spent the long night aboard the war ships. Now here, gathered around a large camp fire, Vyakles sat eating olives and drinking a bit of wine commenting to a few of his men sitting on the sand next to him. "These walls are immense!" Vyakles remarked at the height and length of the massive structure; which by what Thera had told him were 4 miles long, eight feet thick with nearly fifty thousand women inside.
     "All those women and no man has ever step foot inside there?" Kai, one of Vyakles most favored guards said as he stared up the three story structure where he saw a few officers walking about next to the watchtowers; which were lit up by four torches on each of the four corners of all the towers.
     "So they say." the King of Sparta said with a stretch and a yawn.
     "Surely these women could not have possibly constructed these fortifications. Is such a task even possible by a race of women?" Kai balked at the very notion.
     "Who can say?" Vyakles wondered.
     Now, as the men sat chatting before they rested for the night, the evening found Queen Thera on the other side of the wall. A silver war horse was brought out from the Royal Stables for the new Queen to ride in to Colchise on the West Coast of her territory. When the animal was led to the Queen she refused to climb up in the saddle saying loudly so the hundreds gathered there could hear her voice "I have journeyed far and slept little, but I will walk with my good ladies, and all you gathered here. So I might lead you back to our home." a great cheer rose up from the crowd, a roar so loud King Vyakles and his men pricked up their ears at the sound.
     True to her word Queen Thera walked ahead of her people there on the road. Amara the Captian of the Archers, Lexa the Captain of the Cavalry walked just behind the Queen and the rest of the returning breeding party from Sparta followed in the long procession to the Artemisian Lake in the center of Colchise. Here the women joined the returning parties from Scythia and Dardina, the groups from Macedon and Illyria would not return for three more days. Now here Captain of the Phalanx, Lucia Vega delighted to see her dear friend Thera, who was now Queen. She approached Queen Thera who was attired for battle in her armor, hair slicked back, golden crown upon her head. "My Queen!" Captain Lucia Vega shouted loudly as she drew nearer to her and with a deep bow Captain Vega reached out and embraced the Queen. "The hands of the Fates have brought you home to us a Queen! Our New Leader!" she said in a joyous voice which was met with praise of cheer. Queen Thera was pleased to see the Captain of the Phalanx, the only one missing was Lacuna, Captain of the Charioteers.
     "Captian Vega!" the Queen said in a serious tone "Tell me at once! What news of Thrace?"
     "The King, and Queen of Thrace have sent a message of condolence for Themiscyra's great loss. He, and his wife send greetings of Peace and gifts of rare spices and myrrh." Captain Vega was proud to impart this news to her worried Queen. "Also the returning women have been sent by armed escort from Scythia and Dardina, along with messages of hope for new treaties on trade and commerce between our Nations. The armed guards are encamped outside the North gate, and await your word. Commander Odessa is riding out from Themiscyra with your Councilors with the documents,"
     "Are the Scythians and Dardinans not a mite bit presumptuous to wish to begin to discuss these matters?" Queen Thera remarked feeling a bit insulted.
     "Well my Queen, with new leadership comes changing times. Many of our customs have been cast to the wayside over the years." Captain Vega informed her noting to herself their new Queen walked in and did not ride into the city, as was the custom of all Queens. Here Queen Thera placed her hands on her hips and shook her head a little. Putting the future of trade agreements and peace treaties far from her mind Queen Thera and her ladies were brought into the city for the ritual cleansing as was the custom for those returning from battle or breeding. However, Thera was brought into the Temple of Artemis where she was taken by the priestess into the clear circular pool in the center of the columned temple and there under the stars by the light of the waning moon Thera, Daughter of Artemis, Servant of Apollo, Heiress of Ethera, Ruler of Themiscyra was placed naked in the cold holy waters of the temple and blessed by the acolytes of Artemis and Apollo as ancient prayers were given up to the Goddess of the Moon and her brother the Sun Apollo.

End Chapter 15

      The ships drew ever closer to the Themiscyran West Coast, here upon the dark seas under a blanket of endless stars, cast across the blackness of the Heavens Admiral Vasha and his Navigators saw no sign of Thracian ships of war on the horizon. The mighty Spartan ships sailed on with their most precious 'cargo' the women of Themiscyra, whom, in fact, the majority of were with child, some even carrying twin fetus in their nourishing womb. But here these 'warrior mothers' were dressed and ready for battle. Here many of the Spatan crew, warriors themselves, were thankful for the peace between these two Nation's, as the fighting men of Sparta did not like the thought of having to wage war against these beautiful, deadly women. Who all were opposing in stature, commanding of will, eyes as piercing and sharp as an eagle,  possessing and displaying the heart of a lion with the fierce look of a pack of hungry wolves. Though these women were to these men charming and delightful, they also knew them to be clever and cunning, in a word Dangerous. Oh, hapless the armies that make war upon these brave ladies, was the thought of Vyakles as he sat in his quarters below deck going over a document he entreated the Queen of Themiscyra to sign. This was a new Proclamation of Peace between the the two Nation's, who had no contact with one another according to the Hundred Year Peace Treaty. Here now, 'lo these many decades later, the two Great Nation's had come together in Sparta, in more ways than one and Queen Thera, herself, was delighted by this momentous occasion, made even sweeter having the King of Sparta's child growing strong in her belly. This new Treaty of Peace and Allegiance would ensure her daughter would have a fast ally in her father, the King of Sparta. Now as Queen Thera signed her name in squid's ink upon the parchment the terrible thought occurred to her, what if I bare him a son? Queen Thera banished this horrible thought from her mind as quickly as it came. Then from above all those gathered in the King's stateroom heard the call "Land ho!"
      Queen Thera rushed from the room flying up the ladder to the deck where she and her ladies gathered again at the bow of each ship where clearly they saw, there in the night, the ancient, fortified walls of Themiscyra, where torches were lit up at each watchtower, a soft faint spark on the horizon, but not so far away that the women could not recognize their home. So they shouted great noises of jubilation, their home sick hearts lifted and filled with joy. Now any fear of threat of war from Thrace was dashed upon the rocks as they sailed closer for the Spartan crew and the warrior women of Themiscyra clearly saw no Thracian ships in the still waters of the cove.
      Now here shouting voices in distress could be heard coming from the walls as the officers stationed all along the watchtowers did not recognize these foreign ships of war. Now, just before a slew of deadly arrows were to be let loose on command, the defenders of the ancient walls heard coming out from across the water the rhythmic beating of swords against shields. Queen Thera led her women in this as the sound grew louder and louder in  rhythmic beating; which was a sign unto the defenders of the walls of Themiscyra. Here the archers slipped their arrows back into their quivers and they all gathered along the watchtowers unsheathed their cyphos, beating them against their shields in unison with the sounds coming from the great ships, the likes of which the warriors upon the walls of Themiscyra had never seen. It was a great spectacle to wittiness, it were as if these mighty ships were sent by Poseidon himself to deliver these ladies home across the sea.
       When Queen Thera and her women heard the beating of swords against shields coming back to them from the walls a great cheer arose up from the heartened women who sheathed their swords embracing one another, with kisses on the cheeks, bright beaming smiles, none was more elated than their Queen and Admiral Vasha watched her as she seemed to glow, radiating a light of pure delight there upon the deck of his ship underneath the moonlight. As pleased as he was for his dear Thera, Vasha felt the pain of her loss already, for soon he would give the order to drop anchor and send the women to shore in three small landing vessels. And, as Vasha knew he would, King Vyakles went with the landing party as his men rowed all the ladies onto the shore.
     Everything seemed to rush by for Queen Thera, for, though she had waited for this moment to be standing on the sands of her homeland, for what seemed an eternity while she was away all was a rush of voices and cheers and laughter. Now, before Thera could stop and appreciate this moment, the Gates were thrown open to her as cheers and praises of love were shouted  by the elated women inside the walls who had come from the far corners of Queen Thera's realm to welcome their new Queen home. However, before Queen Thera entered in, she paused telling King Vyakles to wait until morning when she would see that he and his men would be served breakfast on the beach in the light of a new day. The King watched as the mother of his child went into her walled city in a shower of rose petals and strawberry blossoms as the mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins rejoiced at the sight of the new Themiscyran Queen, who was beloved amongst all of her people.
     

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."