As the sun began slowly setting in the clear western sky, over Mt. Taygetos, casting long dark shadows of the snow covered pines, Queen Sparta and King Therakles, arrayed in their royal apparel, stood at the Temple of Hades, the body of their father lay before them upon the altar dedicated to the worship of the god of the underworld. The multitude of mourners, some thousands, watched with weary eyes, their hearts filled with great joy upon seeing their newly crowned young king and queen their golden faces shining in the fading light of day. Then a silence befell the crowd, save the scream of eagles overhead in search of prey before the onset of night, King Therakles, his heart heavy, his words filled with fires of vengeance as he spoke unto all the people saying in a loud, rich clear voice.
"Citizens, noble men and women of Sparta, the Fates have delivered unto us an unspeakable tragedy.., yet speak of this tragedy we must." he paused clearing his throat "The sacred life of King Vyakles, our brave and noble ruler, was taken yesterday on the field of battle, during the Siege of Thebes, killed by the weaponry of our enemy the Macedonian Army and their Tyrant King!" Therakles felt his pulse quicken with the rapid beat of his broken heart. "Now as I stand here before you all, seeing the body of my father arrayed in his finest armor, sword and shield, I am reminded of his spark of life, the brightness of his eyes, the fierceness of his gaze, the love of a father for his children, now all this and so much more has gone away forever, memories banished to the land of the ghosts and winds. On this long cold winter's day my soul is vexed by desolation, my thoughts wrought with sadness, yet even still I feel hopeful, for my heart is lifted by the warmth and joy as I see you all gathered here in memorial honoring our illustrious king. You citizens, of this most favored nation, you; whom have been burdened to suffer the stunning loss of our leader, as a terrible mantle of anguish draped over our people, who loved and served King Vyakles well, 'lo those many years he walked the earth, flesh of man, a living breathing soul. A soul purified in the absolute resolution to serve and protect you, his beloved people, who now, at the time of his death, honor him so with your tears and tokens of love." the people hearkened unto every word of their newly crowned monarch, intently they listened all those assembled, members of the military, political elite, farmers, lawyers, merchants, helots, children and babes on mothers hips, and so forth.
"Our dearest Father, and King, was found always to be a just man, a righteous man, a man whom feared the gods and goddesses, but fearing no person or nation, nor threat of war. King Vyakles was a lover of Peace and a destroyer of nations. He hath brought forth many historic victories home to Sparta, Commanding the Armies and Navies with valor and distinction. Whose spoils of war hath provided mountains of wealth in gold, silver and slaves. Yet, alas, his life has thusly been taken away, by our hated enemies, Macedon and Thebes, whose imminent destruction shall soon be close at hand, a votive offering to our dead!" here a roar of cheers arose up from the people who had an ancient taste for blood and revenge bred into them over the centuries, they could find communal solace in their grief by uniting together in a deep seeded hatred of their enemy. King Therakles and Queen Sparta were delighted by the shared emotion of the multitude. "So we grieve deeply our loss of such a brave and noble man, this maker of war, bringer of peace, full of mercy and pity, father unto me, leader to us all. Yet, no one can truly know, nor fully understand, the suffering the Fates have bestowed upon this nation, this dark day, at this hour. Such is the depth of our conjoined sorrow. Let us now declare before the gods and goddesses the greatness of King Vyakles' generation to all the Earth. Proclaiming the name of King Vyakles of Sparta, Destroyer of Nations, whom hath poured out his soul and spirit, given up his ghost in pools of blood in the white winter snows. Whom has given up his life in service to his country, whom has made the ultimate, sacred sacrifice, serving with glory and honor. Ever ready, willing and able, to answer the call to arms, at a moments notice, eager to show his devotion to his citizens, whom he so loved, the people he was proud to shield in loving protection from the danger of swords and arrows. You all here gathered presently, the very people, I see gathered here all together, on this chilling day, huddled together against the cold in the presence of the body of our fallen, beloved king. He, whom has united us in an eternal bond of his blood, shed for our sake, the memory of his sacrifice forever burned in our hearts and minds, for all eternity,.This his blood covenant, a covenant of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor." King Therakles bowed deeply as the applause form the audience lauded him enormously his heart filling with warmth chasing away the chill of Despair and Misery therein.
Now Queen Sparta, whom had sat back, was enraptured by this eulogy as her brother spoke passionately leaving her speechless upon hearing Therakles' deep thunderous voice; which did her noble heart good to hear, for his oratory skills were a remarkable and gracious gift from the gods whereas she, herself, had not the talent for public speaking. Even so she had a duty to speak to her people and comfort them, so Queen Sparta summoned up all her courage, her cheeks red with icy winds and anxiousness. Taking her cue from her brother she also spoke in a rich clear voice, full of passion and emotion; which did well to lift the hearts of the citizens of Sparta as the heavy burden of grief eased up a little with each of her carefully chosen words.
"I stand here before you with eternal steadfast love and affection for my father, my world, my king, before you his beloved people for whom he sacrificed his life upon the altar for the sake of our freedom from tyranny. So that we may, ourselves, come together once more under the banner of his love and protection. Yet now lies he there.., yet I tell you this! I, along with my brother, seed of his loin, carriers of his royal lineage, whom have come before you so grieved, but vowing this promise of our own eternal love and protection under our new banner; which, by the grace of the gods, we have lifted up for whomsoever will, of this nation, for those whom so choose to serve our ancient throne vowing allegiance unto us forever. For it is with boldness and braveness that we raise up our new generation. For our father, and king, has now served his entire nation from the cradle to the grave, by the will of the gods and goddesses he fell into an eternal sleep his spirit sent to commune with his forefathers in their tomb. Be it known unto you, dearest brethren and beloved women, who weep for the love loss of our king, pray you find a little comfort within your hearts, for the loyalty shown by your tender love and mercy is a blessing unto all the people of the earth. Surly goodness and mercy shall be granted unto this nation by the pantheon of the gods, whom we pray shall smile upon us in favored grace, now at this time of our sacred sorrow. So that we might take the threads and fringes of our pain and weave around ourselves a warm cloak of comfort to shelter us from the pain, by the grace of the gods we pray for guidance, good omens as signs of constant vigilant reminders of the life and legacy of King Vyakles." Queen Sparta stepped back taking in a deep cleansing breath as the words fell from her mouth like warm honey in the summer, she was well pleased with her speech as King Therakles embraced her tightly, kissing her upon the cheek, as the people cheered.
So it came to pass, as the somber funeral procession began slowly winding down through the dimly lit streets of the city in mourning, brother and sister walked silently behind the horse drawn caisson. By the end of day's light, that bitter winters night set in, as the body of King Vyakles and the ashes of Queen Thera were laid to rest in peace, sealed up in the ancient tomb, together, forever. All performed under the strict guidance of the chief priests in a private, torch lit, ceremony at the twilight's last gleaming. Those two children of the dead Queen and King, who were born into this world under such controversy, whom had survived the assassination of their blessed mother, were at long last brought back to the palace to be left alone with their grief for only one hour before the Coronation Feast, so that they might rest for a moment and change before the festivities, yet Queen Sparta would be late as she had fallen onto her bed and into a deep peaceful sleep
"Citizens, noble men and women of Sparta, the Fates have delivered unto us an unspeakable tragedy.., yet speak of this tragedy we must." he paused clearing his throat "The sacred life of King Vyakles, our brave and noble ruler, was taken yesterday on the field of battle, during the Siege of Thebes, killed by the weaponry of our enemy the Macedonian Army and their Tyrant King!" Therakles felt his pulse quicken with the rapid beat of his broken heart. "Now as I stand here before you all, seeing the body of my father arrayed in his finest armor, sword and shield, I am reminded of his spark of life, the brightness of his eyes, the fierceness of his gaze, the love of a father for his children, now all this and so much more has gone away forever, memories banished to the land of the ghosts and winds. On this long cold winter's day my soul is vexed by desolation, my thoughts wrought with sadness, yet even still I feel hopeful, for my heart is lifted by the warmth and joy as I see you all gathered here in memorial honoring our illustrious king. You citizens, of this most favored nation, you; whom have been burdened to suffer the stunning loss of our leader, as a terrible mantle of anguish draped over our people, who loved and served King Vyakles well, 'lo those many years he walked the earth, flesh of man, a living breathing soul. A soul purified in the absolute resolution to serve and protect you, his beloved people, who now, at the time of his death, honor him so with your tears and tokens of love." the people hearkened unto every word of their newly crowned monarch, intently they listened all those assembled, members of the military, political elite, farmers, lawyers, merchants, helots, children and babes on mothers hips, and so forth.
"Our dearest Father, and King, was found always to be a just man, a righteous man, a man whom feared the gods and goddesses, but fearing no person or nation, nor threat of war. King Vyakles was a lover of Peace and a destroyer of nations. He hath brought forth many historic victories home to Sparta, Commanding the Armies and Navies with valor and distinction. Whose spoils of war hath provided mountains of wealth in gold, silver and slaves. Yet, alas, his life has thusly been taken away, by our hated enemies, Macedon and Thebes, whose imminent destruction shall soon be close at hand, a votive offering to our dead!" here a roar of cheers arose up from the people who had an ancient taste for blood and revenge bred into them over the centuries, they could find communal solace in their grief by uniting together in a deep seeded hatred of their enemy. King Therakles and Queen Sparta were delighted by the shared emotion of the multitude. "So we grieve deeply our loss of such a brave and noble man, this maker of war, bringer of peace, full of mercy and pity, father unto me, leader to us all. Yet, no one can truly know, nor fully understand, the suffering the Fates have bestowed upon this nation, this dark day, at this hour. Such is the depth of our conjoined sorrow. Let us now declare before the gods and goddesses the greatness of King Vyakles' generation to all the Earth. Proclaiming the name of King Vyakles of Sparta, Destroyer of Nations, whom hath poured out his soul and spirit, given up his ghost in pools of blood in the white winter snows. Whom has given up his life in service to his country, whom has made the ultimate, sacred sacrifice, serving with glory and honor. Ever ready, willing and able, to answer the call to arms, at a moments notice, eager to show his devotion to his citizens, whom he so loved, the people he was proud to shield in loving protection from the danger of swords and arrows. You all here gathered presently, the very people, I see gathered here all together, on this chilling day, huddled together against the cold in the presence of the body of our fallen, beloved king. He, whom has united us in an eternal bond of his blood, shed for our sake, the memory of his sacrifice forever burned in our hearts and minds, for all eternity,.This his blood covenant, a covenant of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor." King Therakles bowed deeply as the applause form the audience lauded him enormously his heart filling with warmth chasing away the chill of Despair and Misery therein.
Now Queen Sparta, whom had sat back, was enraptured by this eulogy as her brother spoke passionately leaving her speechless upon hearing Therakles' deep thunderous voice; which did her noble heart good to hear, for his oratory skills were a remarkable and gracious gift from the gods whereas she, herself, had not the talent for public speaking. Even so she had a duty to speak to her people and comfort them, so Queen Sparta summoned up all her courage, her cheeks red with icy winds and anxiousness. Taking her cue from her brother she also spoke in a rich clear voice, full of passion and emotion; which did well to lift the hearts of the citizens of Sparta as the heavy burden of grief eased up a little with each of her carefully chosen words.
"I stand here before you with eternal steadfast love and affection for my father, my world, my king, before you his beloved people for whom he sacrificed his life upon the altar for the sake of our freedom from tyranny. So that we may, ourselves, come together once more under the banner of his love and protection. Yet now lies he there.., yet I tell you this! I, along with my brother, seed of his loin, carriers of his royal lineage, whom have come before you so grieved, but vowing this promise of our own eternal love and protection under our new banner; which, by the grace of the gods, we have lifted up for whomsoever will, of this nation, for those whom so choose to serve our ancient throne vowing allegiance unto us forever. For it is with boldness and braveness that we raise up our new generation. For our father, and king, has now served his entire nation from the cradle to the grave, by the will of the gods and goddesses he fell into an eternal sleep his spirit sent to commune with his forefathers in their tomb. Be it known unto you, dearest brethren and beloved women, who weep for the love loss of our king, pray you find a little comfort within your hearts, for the loyalty shown by your tender love and mercy is a blessing unto all the people of the earth. Surly goodness and mercy shall be granted unto this nation by the pantheon of the gods, whom we pray shall smile upon us in favored grace, now at this time of our sacred sorrow. So that we might take the threads and fringes of our pain and weave around ourselves a warm cloak of comfort to shelter us from the pain, by the grace of the gods we pray for guidance, good omens as signs of constant vigilant reminders of the life and legacy of King Vyakles." Queen Sparta stepped back taking in a deep cleansing breath as the words fell from her mouth like warm honey in the summer, she was well pleased with her speech as King Therakles embraced her tightly, kissing her upon the cheek, as the people cheered.
So it came to pass, as the somber funeral procession began slowly winding down through the dimly lit streets of the city in mourning, brother and sister walked silently behind the horse drawn caisson. By the end of day's light, that bitter winters night set in, as the body of King Vyakles and the ashes of Queen Thera were laid to rest in peace, sealed up in the ancient tomb, together, forever. All performed under the strict guidance of the chief priests in a private, torch lit, ceremony at the twilight's last gleaming. Those two children of the dead Queen and King, who were born into this world under such controversy, whom had survived the assassination of their blessed mother, were at long last brought back to the palace to be left alone with their grief for only one hour before the Coronation Feast, so that they might rest for a moment and change before the festivities, yet Queen Sparta would be late as she had fallen onto her bed and into a deep peaceful sleep
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