So it was, Officer Sparta rode on and on, mile after mile, in the saddle, harsh winds blowing in a gale force down Mt. Parnon. Only through her determined will, and super-human strength, Sparta, astride her faithful steed Saxet, made it to the main road of the sleeping city; which was covered in a fresh blanket of snow, late that night as the citizens all nestled down in their warm homes in front of the hearth in the glow of the fire, still unknowing, completely unaware of the tragedy which had befallen their brave king. At long last Officer Sparta arrived at the palace, in an exhausted heap, Saxet collapsing to his knees breathing hard, Sparta took a tumble knocked to the ground before the great doors, where the stunned guards lifted up the bloodied corpse of their king. An uproar of voices echoed up from the city streets for when the charioteers stopped, resting their teams of horses at the garrison, informing the remaining Captains of the Army stationed just outside the city, the news traveled like a wildfire. Sparta, weighed down by her heavy armor and weapons, removed her helmet tossing it in anger at the ground, here she suddenly felt a severe pain in her leg as she knelt for a moment, a loud ringing in her ears, her body utterly numb, then Officer Sparta realized she had a serious gash above her right knee as she struggled to stand. There before her eyes her loyal horse, Saxet, let out loud gasps of hot breaths, against the freezing ice and wind. Sparta stood in great discomfort as she commanded her steed to rise, using her last bit of strength to assist Saxet in doing so, quickly Sparta let him lose of the burden of his saddle and reins, calling for the stable hands to take charge as she limped towards the guards.
Here the Captain of the Palace Guard, Brittas, ran out into the cold dark night bearing a flaming torch and his old eyes were sore afraid for he saw the dead body of his lord and master being carried off, then out upon the snow covered ground he found young Sparta, half dead, and freezing, soaked in the blood of her father, mingled with her own. "Princess Sparta!" he cried out against the blowing north wind.
Here Sparta turned, moving slowly towards the tall, broad shouldered man she knew since childhood, whereupon she threw her arms around his neck for support, falling into arms shivering like a frightened animal crying out with a loud voice "Oh Brittas! My father is no more! Never again shall I see his sweet smile, or hear his laughter, nor see his face alight with joy!" Sparta wept burying her head on his shoulder.
"There, there, my dearest girl, you have done well to bring your father home, let that be a small bit of warmth to seal deep in your heart forever." Captain Brittas encouraged her doing his best to comfort her with his strength and love, though his heart was devastated by this tragic turn of affairs. "Yet you, yourself, are wounded and must be attended to by the physicians, come let me help lead you inside, to warmth and comfort, where you shall have a nice hot bath and wash away the gore of war."
"Brittas, I fear I cannot move, for my heart is truly broken, my bones are frozen, my mind is in a haze, as if I have been overcome by a poisonous wine. An unholy vintage, procured in blood, of which I have been found by the gods most worthy to drink."
"One day, Dear Sparta, you will find peace," he reassured her "Yet until that day, you must come inside and be tended to, for today you are a Princess, tomorrow you shall be Queen." here he ushered her forth into the warmth inside the walls of the palace, supporting her every step as the task of walking was almost impossible, her muscles tight and aching with every movement or each step she tried to take.
"Lead me to the bedside of my father, Brittas, I pray thee, I must to be there to watch over him."
Captain Brittas paused turning her in the opposite direction of the King's bedchamber. "I am afraid you shall not be permitted to take part in the death ceremony, the Holy Rites of Sanctification." he said in a low calm voice much to her disdain "No one but the priests shall pass." here a terrible look of furious anger swept over her face with a bitterness old Brittas had never seen as she spoke in a loud voice.
"I have come to my family's home, the Royal Palace, bearing the body of my father, the most highly exalted King, who has given his life out of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor to his Country and her people. Yet, even-still, I, as his Royal Daughter, Rightful Heiress to the Ancient Thrones of Laconian and Themiscyra, shall not pass!?" she said with much indignation.
Here a passing priest ran to the calamity of her plaintiff voice, explaining to Sparta that she was yet still soaked in blood, unclean, not worthy for the ancient ceremony for the dead.
"If I am unclean and not worthy.., as you say, then let me return to the fighting once again."
"No.., you must NOT return to the field of battle, until you have been purified, anointed and wear the crown" Captain Brittas exclaimed. "You, yourself, must be cleansed and purified for the coronation ceremony which will come to pass at the first light of dawn.
"My brother Prince Therakles still remains fighting." she countered.
"He is being recalled from battle, presently."
"Then I shall retire to the military barracks, and await the returning troops of my division and the Generals commands." Sparta swayed her speech coming in short breaths
"Oh no, you most loyal and noble warrior, you are the Royal Daughter of King Vyales and Queen Thera, no longer will you keep company with the troops, you shall return to live in the palace, for this night your entire world, and way of living, will change forever, it shall soon be you who gives the orders. You shall be given the Ritual Purification baths, to be cleansed and anointed with oils, you will be draped in gold and jewels, many presents shall your people bring, you shall be dressed like a Noble Queen.Tomorrow, in the first light of morning you are to be brought before the altar of Zeus, alongside your brother, you both shall be crowned, together, before all the people. So you will no longer be required to sleep in the military barracks with your fellow officers of your division. No.You must take up residence here to take control over the Reign of your father, upholding the policies King Vyakles has been able, with great courage, to maintain. So now, away with you, let the priests perform their sacred tasks as you, yourself, must prepare your heart and mind for the monarchy. Use the anger and rage brewing inside you as a force of energy, a useful source, you can focus into leading this Great Nation through these troubling times. For you, Dear Sparta, have the strength and courage of a lion, let there be only Death and Misery to those who oppose you. Now come hither, let the maidens of the house entreat you with a warm bath, you must eat and drink of the living water, you must rest. Tomorrow shall find you with many decisions to be made, as you shall be engaged by the Council of War all day. Go here with Traverios." he paused beckoning to the young Royal Physician.
"I have now only heard! Princess Sparta, come let me cleanse and tend to your wounds."
"I am in great pain Traverios, my head spins, my sight grows dim." she said nearly fainting, here the tall and able bodied physician swept her up into his strong arms telling her in a soothing voice "I will wash away the blood and sweat from your body, and give you medicines to ease your pain. We shall easy your misery, for you have been blessed by the Fates with the Supreme Honor to Rule by the hand of Destiny." here Sparta closed her eyes and for the first time that long, misery filled, day she finally felt safe.
Here the Captain of the Palace Guard, Brittas, ran out into the cold dark night bearing a flaming torch and his old eyes were sore afraid for he saw the dead body of his lord and master being carried off, then out upon the snow covered ground he found young Sparta, half dead, and freezing, soaked in the blood of her father, mingled with her own. "Princess Sparta!" he cried out against the blowing north wind.
Here Sparta turned, moving slowly towards the tall, broad shouldered man she knew since childhood, whereupon she threw her arms around his neck for support, falling into arms shivering like a frightened animal crying out with a loud voice "Oh Brittas! My father is no more! Never again shall I see his sweet smile, or hear his laughter, nor see his face alight with joy!" Sparta wept burying her head on his shoulder.
"There, there, my dearest girl, you have done well to bring your father home, let that be a small bit of warmth to seal deep in your heart forever." Captain Brittas encouraged her doing his best to comfort her with his strength and love, though his heart was devastated by this tragic turn of affairs. "Yet you, yourself, are wounded and must be attended to by the physicians, come let me help lead you inside, to warmth and comfort, where you shall have a nice hot bath and wash away the gore of war."
"Brittas, I fear I cannot move, for my heart is truly broken, my bones are frozen, my mind is in a haze, as if I have been overcome by a poisonous wine. An unholy vintage, procured in blood, of which I have been found by the gods most worthy to drink."
"One day, Dear Sparta, you will find peace," he reassured her "Yet until that day, you must come inside and be tended to, for today you are a Princess, tomorrow you shall be Queen." here he ushered her forth into the warmth inside the walls of the palace, supporting her every step as the task of walking was almost impossible, her muscles tight and aching with every movement or each step she tried to take.
"Lead me to the bedside of my father, Brittas, I pray thee, I must to be there to watch over him."
Captain Brittas paused turning her in the opposite direction of the King's bedchamber. "I am afraid you shall not be permitted to take part in the death ceremony, the Holy Rites of Sanctification." he said in a low calm voice much to her disdain "No one but the priests shall pass." here a terrible look of furious anger swept over her face with a bitterness old Brittas had never seen as she spoke in a loud voice.
"I have come to my family's home, the Royal Palace, bearing the body of my father, the most highly exalted King, who has given his life out of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor to his Country and her people. Yet, even-still, I, as his Royal Daughter, Rightful Heiress to the Ancient Thrones of Laconian and Themiscyra, shall not pass!?" she said with much indignation.
Here a passing priest ran to the calamity of her plaintiff voice, explaining to Sparta that she was yet still soaked in blood, unclean, not worthy for the ancient ceremony for the dead.
"If I am unclean and not worthy.., as you say, then let me return to the fighting once again."
"No.., you must NOT return to the field of battle, until you have been purified, anointed and wear the crown" Captain Brittas exclaimed. "You, yourself, must be cleansed and purified for the coronation ceremony which will come to pass at the first light of dawn.
"My brother Prince Therakles still remains fighting." she countered.
"He is being recalled from battle, presently."
"Then I shall retire to the military barracks, and await the returning troops of my division and the Generals commands." Sparta swayed her speech coming in short breaths
"Oh no, you most loyal and noble warrior, you are the Royal Daughter of King Vyales and Queen Thera, no longer will you keep company with the troops, you shall return to live in the palace, for this night your entire world, and way of living, will change forever, it shall soon be you who gives the orders. You shall be given the Ritual Purification baths, to be cleansed and anointed with oils, you will be draped in gold and jewels, many presents shall your people bring, you shall be dressed like a Noble Queen.Tomorrow, in the first light of morning you are to be brought before the altar of Zeus, alongside your brother, you both shall be crowned, together, before all the people. So you will no longer be required to sleep in the military barracks with your fellow officers of your division. No.You must take up residence here to take control over the Reign of your father, upholding the policies King Vyakles has been able, with great courage, to maintain. So now, away with you, let the priests perform their sacred tasks as you, yourself, must prepare your heart and mind for the monarchy. Use the anger and rage brewing inside you as a force of energy, a useful source, you can focus into leading this Great Nation through these troubling times. For you, Dear Sparta, have the strength and courage of a lion, let there be only Death and Misery to those who oppose you. Now come hither, let the maidens of the house entreat you with a warm bath, you must eat and drink of the living water, you must rest. Tomorrow shall find you with many decisions to be made, as you shall be engaged by the Council of War all day. Go here with Traverios." he paused beckoning to the young Royal Physician.
"I have now only heard! Princess Sparta, come let me cleanse and tend to your wounds."
"I am in great pain Traverios, my head spins, my sight grows dim." she said nearly fainting, here the tall and able bodied physician swept her up into his strong arms telling her in a soothing voice "I will wash away the blood and sweat from your body, and give you medicines to ease your pain. We shall easy your misery, for you have been blessed by the Fates with the Supreme Honor to Rule by the hand of Destiny." here Sparta closed her eyes and for the first time that long, misery filled, day she finally felt safe.
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