Refreshed, dressed and ready for the bright new day, Queen Sparta and King Therakles entered the crowded Great Hall, where all there did rise and shout cheers of adulation as the newly crowned monarchs came into together, hand and hand, with smiles of delight upon their shining faces contented in the show of love from their friends and extended family.Gathered were those who had been issued a private invitation to come and dine at the Palace, whom were seated at the long tables laden with a feast of roasted lamb, grilled beef with sauteed peppers and onions, fresh baked breads with honey and butter, figs, dates, apples, pomegranates, a variety of cheeses, hot wine mulled with spices and mixed with spring water to help keep out the chill of winters grip along with the two roaring fires keeping the room warm and filled with light.
These gathered together then were the men and women whom had all known Queen Thera and King Vyakles and had also suffered much with them, along with their offspring; whom were all the spawn of the last breeding campaign of the Royal House of Themiscyra. Those, said sons, who grew up alongside Queen Thera and King Sparta, were cherished by both, of whom they were well pleased. It was a loving tribute to the memory of their departed parents. Well, it was, and a joy filled the monarchs mighty hearts as they gazed out across the tables to see those shining happy faces of those so beloved unto the hearts of the King and Queen. For this group of people were all Therakles and Sparta really had left of a family. For it was these brave and gracious ladies assembled here, who raised up Sparta and Therakles as if they were their own children, being mothers to them when their own was so brutally murdered. There was Ambassador Lacuna, wife of Fleet Commander Vasha along with their son Vasho, to their right sat Ambassador Lucia Vega and her husband General La Quint and their son Vego, those two young Captains close friends to King Therakles. Next was Councilor Johanna, wife of Theo, Katara and Temenos, La Scoffa and Nava, Jessa the Physician, wife of Admiral Vinici, Anaias husband of General Scotia still at the ongoing Siege of Thebes along with General Iona whose husband, War Councilor Tyrinthos sat beside Ambasaador Ia, who was accompanied by her husband Kias whose son Ios shared a smile with the couples son Kai. There were also the sons Tyrenos, Savas, Nathan, Naffa, Nostaro, and Raio. Here also Captain Sinos was invited to join the feast for he too was part of that first bred spawn of the Nation of Themiscyra and the Nation of Sparta.
So greetings and salutations issued up from the some thirty guests joined their in remembrance of the late king and much praise and many stories were served up along with the delicious food and drink. Then the conversation turned to, as often in a warrior culture, the battle and the ongoing siege.
"We have beaten our enemies into submission on the field of battle! We shall besiege Thebes, and starve out her desperate people! We shall destroy that hated city with fire cleansing her from the face of the earth!" King Therakles shouted across the table over the many voices; which created a loud noise and, for poor Queen Sparta, this did little to benefit the aching in her head, though she smiled politely showing no sign of ill-ease or discomfort. Talk of war brought those young officers and captains who had been recalled, briefly, from the theater of war for the day, to begin regaling all with stories of the bloody battle and Queen Sparta, herself, had many tales she could tell, as well, but she was content to sit back and listen today, a rare occurrence.
Here the discussion turned to the Macedons and their tyrant king, as Fleet Commander Vasha spoke in a deep voice, his face worn from a lifetime of ocean salt and harsh sea winds "King Phillip has taken the whole of Greece by surprise and I, myself, am shocked. For, in such a short time upon the throne, he has somehow managed to pull that backwards nation of his together, and amass a vast army, new weapons and a new style of formation fighting." he shook his head scratching is black and white beard.
"It would seem he has set his heart upon conquering the world." Queen Sparta sighed eating a little food for the benefit of her stomach.
"Perhaps it is time we consider fortifying the city, as well as those cities of our allies in the region." King Therakles broached the subject; which was seldom discussed with any favor or fervor, as the city had never any need for walls due to the might of the invincible Spartan Army which had kept her citizens safe for over a thousand years. Yet well King Therakles knew, and had seen first hand for himself, that this was a different day and age, the world was changing. Alas the King's comment went unanswered and mostly ignored.
Queen Thera spoke as if her brother had merely cleared his throat "How is it, indeed, possible that Phillip has taken those.., elitist, wine swilling, layabouts, sons of the aristocracy and shaped them into such a fearsome fighting machine? For this horde, of his, lacks any real sophisticated training or military strategy. The Macedonians are not a warrior class of people, such as ourselves."
"He has called up the huge population of farmers, labourers, slaves, any young man old enough to hold a sword and shield are said to be conscripted into his army, on pain of death. They are poorly trained.., yes, however they are vast in numbers." Ambassador Lacuna answered the young Queen's query.
"Our spies have sent word this morning, that Phillip has joined his forces, some 30,000 men on the northern border of Thrace, rich with its silver and gold mines deep in the mountains. Perhaps he will busy himself with an invasion into old King Sunders territory, and remain out of the Peloponnese, so that we might have a little peace." Ambassador Lucia Vega informed the intrigued monarchs.
"Well..," King Therakles smiled with a gleam in his eye "once we have reduced their friend, and ally, Thebes to the scorn and shame of history, then our message shall be made as clear as crystal when Thebes has been burned to the ground!" he said pounding his fist on the table.
"Ah..," Queen Thera closed her eyes, seeing a picture clear in her mind, stating "I foresee.., that glorious day, not far off, when the elderly will be left starving, abandoned in blood soaked clearings, quietly weeping for the dead as the children wail with grief in the sight of that city Thebes which lay in ruin. Blood, bones, smoke and ash shall be all that remains. The ruins of the ancient city will serve as a mass open grave! All this killing will be done so willing in the name of brave King Vyakles!" here uproarious cheers rose up from the guests as Queen Sparta stood to her feet her heart racing, the urge to return to war becoming overwhelming.
These gathered together then were the men and women whom had all known Queen Thera and King Vyakles and had also suffered much with them, along with their offspring; whom were all the spawn of the last breeding campaign of the Royal House of Themiscyra. Those, said sons, who grew up alongside Queen Thera and King Sparta, were cherished by both, of whom they were well pleased. It was a loving tribute to the memory of their departed parents. Well, it was, and a joy filled the monarchs mighty hearts as they gazed out across the tables to see those shining happy faces of those so beloved unto the hearts of the King and Queen. For this group of people were all Therakles and Sparta really had left of a family. For it was these brave and gracious ladies assembled here, who raised up Sparta and Therakles as if they were their own children, being mothers to them when their own was so brutally murdered. There was Ambassador Lacuna, wife of Fleet Commander Vasha along with their son Vasho, to their right sat Ambassador Lucia Vega and her husband General La Quint and their son Vego, those two young Captains close friends to King Therakles. Next was Councilor Johanna, wife of Theo, Katara and Temenos, La Scoffa and Nava, Jessa the Physician, wife of Admiral Vinici, Anaias husband of General Scotia still at the ongoing Siege of Thebes along with General Iona whose husband, War Councilor Tyrinthos sat beside Ambasaador Ia, who was accompanied by her husband Kias whose son Ios shared a smile with the couples son Kai. There were also the sons Tyrenos, Savas, Nathan, Naffa, Nostaro, and Raio. Here also Captain Sinos was invited to join the feast for he too was part of that first bred spawn of the Nation of Themiscyra and the Nation of Sparta.
So greetings and salutations issued up from the some thirty guests joined their in remembrance of the late king and much praise and many stories were served up along with the delicious food and drink. Then the conversation turned to, as often in a warrior culture, the battle and the ongoing siege.
"We have beaten our enemies into submission on the field of battle! We shall besiege Thebes, and starve out her desperate people! We shall destroy that hated city with fire cleansing her from the face of the earth!" King Therakles shouted across the table over the many voices; which created a loud noise and, for poor Queen Sparta, this did little to benefit the aching in her head, though she smiled politely showing no sign of ill-ease or discomfort. Talk of war brought those young officers and captains who had been recalled, briefly, from the theater of war for the day, to begin regaling all with stories of the bloody battle and Queen Sparta, herself, had many tales she could tell, as well, but she was content to sit back and listen today, a rare occurrence.
Here the discussion turned to the Macedons and their tyrant king, as Fleet Commander Vasha spoke in a deep voice, his face worn from a lifetime of ocean salt and harsh sea winds "King Phillip has taken the whole of Greece by surprise and I, myself, am shocked. For, in such a short time upon the throne, he has somehow managed to pull that backwards nation of his together, and amass a vast army, new weapons and a new style of formation fighting." he shook his head scratching is black and white beard.
"It would seem he has set his heart upon conquering the world." Queen Sparta sighed eating a little food for the benefit of her stomach.
"Perhaps it is time we consider fortifying the city, as well as those cities of our allies in the region." King Therakles broached the subject; which was seldom discussed with any favor or fervor, as the city had never any need for walls due to the might of the invincible Spartan Army which had kept her citizens safe for over a thousand years. Yet well King Therakles knew, and had seen first hand for himself, that this was a different day and age, the world was changing. Alas the King's comment went unanswered and mostly ignored.
Queen Thera spoke as if her brother had merely cleared his throat "How is it, indeed, possible that Phillip has taken those.., elitist, wine swilling, layabouts, sons of the aristocracy and shaped them into such a fearsome fighting machine? For this horde, of his, lacks any real sophisticated training or military strategy. The Macedonians are not a warrior class of people, such as ourselves."
"He has called up the huge population of farmers, labourers, slaves, any young man old enough to hold a sword and shield are said to be conscripted into his army, on pain of death. They are poorly trained.., yes, however they are vast in numbers." Ambassador Lacuna answered the young Queen's query.
"Our spies have sent word this morning, that Phillip has joined his forces, some 30,000 men on the northern border of Thrace, rich with its silver and gold mines deep in the mountains. Perhaps he will busy himself with an invasion into old King Sunders territory, and remain out of the Peloponnese, so that we might have a little peace." Ambassador Lucia Vega informed the intrigued monarchs.
"Well..," King Therakles smiled with a gleam in his eye "once we have reduced their friend, and ally, Thebes to the scorn and shame of history, then our message shall be made as clear as crystal when Thebes has been burned to the ground!" he said pounding his fist on the table.
"Ah..," Queen Thera closed her eyes, seeing a picture clear in her mind, stating "I foresee.., that glorious day, not far off, when the elderly will be left starving, abandoned in blood soaked clearings, quietly weeping for the dead as the children wail with grief in the sight of that city Thebes which lay in ruin. Blood, bones, smoke and ash shall be all that remains. The ruins of the ancient city will serve as a mass open grave! All this killing will be done so willing in the name of brave King Vyakles!" here uproarious cheers rose up from the guests as Queen Sparta stood to her feet her heart racing, the urge to return to war becoming overwhelming.
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