A short while thereafter, when Queen Sparta had managed to get a few restful hours of sleep in her lessening state of inebriation, a loud rapping came at her chamber door followed by the deep booming voice of Chief Captain Brittas "My Queen! I implore you to arise at once!"
"What?" she sat up wiping her eyes, disturbed by being aroused from such a placid dream she was having, where she swam, naked, in silver lake bedside purple mountains, under the light of a full blue moon. "Are we at War!?" she shouted through the door under the warmth of her blankets.
"No your Excellency!" he waited for her to summon him in further.
"Then go away! Leave me to my rest! And, unless the market place is on fire, pray let me go back to bed!" she exclaimed in exasperation.
"You have visitors my Queen." Captain Brittas said growing ever impatient, as always.
"I have summoned no one to come and bring me company on so early a morning!" she replied wondering who it was waiting to see her outside. She fretted it might be Captain Sinos, having changed his mind and come to resign his post.
"Open the door Officer Sparta!" came the familiar voice of her comrade in arms, La Vada, eldest daughter of Lucia Vega and La Quint, whom had been called upon by Chief Captain Brittas, himself, under his growing duress.
"Come!" Sparta shouted delighted to know a true friend had wanted to see her.
Here she saw, not only the tall, blue eyed, raven haired warrior enter but alongside of La Vada, she spied Syndra, a fellow Cavalry Officer, and also a dear friend of her heart, both dressed in their standard short white military tunics and sandals, long hair pulled back into tight little braids, ever ready to don their armor, sword and shield e'er the trumpets of war begin to blow. Such was the readiness of the warrior class.
"My blessed Queen!" Syndra, only daughter of Lacuna and Vasha, spoke smiling and in good cheer, as always, saying "My Queen, let us bring in some light for hard it is to see you in all your radiant splendor!" she said her topaz eyes sparkling as she went over to the dark window, throwing back the curtains as bright spring sunshine flooded the darkened chamber, where Syndra gazed out at the view of the columned courtyard covered with pink bougainvillea, birds a twitter in the branches overhead where olives hung plump from the trees.
"Close the door Captain Brittas, pray send out some breakfast forth from the kitchen, for I find myself hungry, making sure there is enough for my best and dearest friends." here Brittas did as instructed and as soon as he shut the door Sparta tossed back the blankets uncovering her nakedness, she stood smiling saying "Syndra, hand me my robe. Then we shall sit and visit for a moment." the delight in her noble heart grew as Queen Sparta had not seen much of the two lately since her quick ascension to the Laconian Throne. For it was these two brave warriors whom rode out with her in battle, clashing with the Macedonians over her father's body. For it was Syndra and La Vada whom had fought off the horde long enough for Sparta to retrieve the corpse of King Vyakles, her father, safely away, out of the hands of their enemy. So it was, she embraced them both tightly, kissing them upon the lips quickly as they sat next to her. "I am so thankful to the gods for bringing you both here thusly here to the Palace today!"
"We are both most happy to see you, our brave and noble Queen! Yet we shall not waste your time, for your responsibilities are many.., but, I must confess, there is a grave matter of importance that we, both, have come forth to see you for a certain reason, my friend and Royal Lady." Officer Syndra spoke softly in a serious tone.
"Well, of course, you require my assistance in some manner.., pray tell me, how may I be of aide?" she asked not knowing the full, personal, scope this discussion would entail.
"Many of the citizenry have growing concerns, as there are whispers and rumors swirling about the city, and therefore we, ourselves, have come to see with our own eyes, hear with our own ears, so that we may have a clear understanding of the state of mind of your spirit and body." Syndra explained with all the loving kindness of a true friend.
Queen Sparta only sighed, rolling her eyes saying "What rumors, of what are my people gossiping NOW?"
"'Tis merely the wives of the Oligarchs who complain to their husbands that you are wanton to drink too much, share too close of company with your Personal Guard. They believe you consort too much with foreign dignitaries." La Vada said plainly.
"And what do you believe, La Vada?" Queen Sparta directed her question immediately.
"Why.., I believe the Queen of Sparta should do as she please." her good friend answered in all honesty; something Sparta prized highly.
"Your words are well chosen." Sparta laughed slapping La Vada on her firm thigh. "As for you, dearest friend, Syndra, tell me the opinion of your mind."
Syndra, sitting ever erect, turned her head looking up at the Queen's shield, spear, and sword hanging upon the wall next to her bow, above a long table containing her helmet, armor, gauntlets, greaves. "I believe a warrior Queen ought to live every moment of her life, both day and night, ready, and fully prepared, to commit to fight in battle." she pasued then turned her full gaze upon her Royal Monarch stating "We, in the Military, rarely see you at the garrison continuing your daily training, nor have I been witness to you investing any time at the gymnasium." Here Syndra stood going over to the wall, lightly touching the string of the bow with her fingertips, then she turned casting her full gaze back upon Sparta, who sat hunched over pulling her robe around her shoulders "Pardon the freedom of my speech, dearest friend, my comrade in arms, my Warrior Queen, but as I look upon you now I see you have put on weight and appear to have lost some of your muscular tone and, dare I say, a little of your legendary strength?"
Queen Sparta's face changed to that of astonished shock, and embarrassment, as she clutched at her robe covering up a large portion of her body "Why Syndra, hush the words of your mouth for they are like a slap in the face to my senses!"
"Why I mean not to offend.., but perchance, open up your eyes a little to the truth of the matter. The TRUTH; which I know you hold more valuable, nay more precious, than gold." Syndra explained gently holding her hand with the deepest look of sympathy and understanding in her amber eyes.
"Dear Friend, pray tell me, when was the last time you even put on your uniform?" La Vada interceded "Can you even still fit into it?" La Vada laughed, however the Queen was not amused!
"You over step the mark La Vada!" Sparta hissed. "How dare you come here and confront me like this! How dare you tell me the truth!" she snapped then, realizing what she had just said, only could laugh at herself.
"Come now, tell me in all honesty how long has it been since you shot an arrow? Can you, even still, string a bow?" here this question sent the Queen's eyes afire with anger then Syndra spoke softly "Please, I only wish to bring this predicament to your attention and I do not wish, nor choose to cause you any offense."
"I do not take offense by your words, for I know no offense was given. For there is much sincerity in the truth of your words, and everything that you say is true." Sparta sighed, for the deep grief she had suffered through, at the loss of her father, had affected her in more ways than she knew. So she stood and began pacing the floor telling them "I have been troubled much.., and found great comfort in food and wine and harmless flirtations.., all, if only, to ease my fragile mind and restless soul."
"Ah, Queen Sparta, let your heart be not restless, for you are the sole Captain of your life, that precious ship, that you must take care to steer clear of the rocks." La Vada spoke in the colorful way she was apt to; which Sparta adored. "Let us settle the matter of this discussion with a wager."
"What game of Gambit do you wish to challenge me?" Sparta asked intrigued always one to love a good bet.
"I wager you can not string this bow." La Vada said taking the Queen's weapon off the wall, whereupon she, herself, rested the end of it on the floor at her sandaled feet, using the strength of her hands and arms, bending down, with enormous force, the stiff ash as it gave out small audible creaks of distress, as she unhooked the taut string, unfastening the instrument of death and then handing it over to Sparta to re-string.
"If I, for the sake of your argument, CAN string this bow, upon your request.., what then?" she asked hesitating. "What do I get?"
"We shall come here and trouble you no further, only lovingly supporting you, and everything you stand for or wish to destroy, in your Royal endeavours, both public and private for as long as you so shall live."
"If I CANNOT? What do you two win?"
"If you cannot, then we win the chance to have you come and meet with us, in one hour, at the Steria, where we shall practice our skills with sword and shield, bow and arrow." here this was a playful challenge, to go back to the arena at the Themiscyran Military Academy, where La Vada and Syndra had only graduated from three years prior, and Queen Sparta, herself, having successfully completed ten years of training having also graduated nearly five years hence. "We can put on a demonstration for the young cadets, let them see how a Queen defends herself when challenged."
"I accept, however.., there is only one caveat. When I string this bow, here and now, you must go running naked through the city streets, and fetch me back a green apple from the marketplace." she laughed. Whereupon Sparta set the end of the bow down, taking the straight stiff shaft of ash and pushing down with all her might, to try and make the bow bend thusly to the floor, so that she might slip that thin hemp and linen string up and over the notch. She struggled mightily, every muscle in her arms quivering, as she shook with little tremors, her face turning a bright shade of red, as loud sounds issued forth up from her mouth, like that of cow struggling in deep wet mud. It was clear the three months of fine foods and endless kraters of strong wine had reduced her strength to that of half of what a warrior's should be. No, Queen Sparta would not string the bow, nor would she see her two young friends go running naked through the streets today. "GRRR!" she shouted throwing the weapon upon the stone floor exclaiming loudly "I give up! You have won your victory!"
Here a loud knock came upon her chamber door Captain Sinos calling out hearing the noise and shouts "My Queen! Are you in any need? For your hand maidens bring forth fruits and food."
"Come!" Sparta sat back on the bed as her friends stood arms crossed over there chest taking no satisfaction in finding their Queen, and fellow Warrior, in such poor physical condition. "As for you, La Vada, Syndra, go and await my arrival at the Steria, I shall dust off my sword and shield and meet you there presently, where we shall endeavor to retrain my body in the ways of the warrior."
"What?" she sat up wiping her eyes, disturbed by being aroused from such a placid dream she was having, where she swam, naked, in silver lake bedside purple mountains, under the light of a full blue moon. "Are we at War!?" she shouted through the door under the warmth of her blankets.
"No your Excellency!" he waited for her to summon him in further.
"Then go away! Leave me to my rest! And, unless the market place is on fire, pray let me go back to bed!" she exclaimed in exasperation.
"You have visitors my Queen." Captain Brittas said growing ever impatient, as always.
"I have summoned no one to come and bring me company on so early a morning!" she replied wondering who it was waiting to see her outside. She fretted it might be Captain Sinos, having changed his mind and come to resign his post.
"Open the door Officer Sparta!" came the familiar voice of her comrade in arms, La Vada, eldest daughter of Lucia Vega and La Quint, whom had been called upon by Chief Captain Brittas, himself, under his growing duress.
"Come!" Sparta shouted delighted to know a true friend had wanted to see her.
Here she saw, not only the tall, blue eyed, raven haired warrior enter but alongside of La Vada, she spied Syndra, a fellow Cavalry Officer, and also a dear friend of her heart, both dressed in their standard short white military tunics and sandals, long hair pulled back into tight little braids, ever ready to don their armor, sword and shield e'er the trumpets of war begin to blow. Such was the readiness of the warrior class.
"My blessed Queen!" Syndra, only daughter of Lacuna and Vasha, spoke smiling and in good cheer, as always, saying "My Queen, let us bring in some light for hard it is to see you in all your radiant splendor!" she said her topaz eyes sparkling as she went over to the dark window, throwing back the curtains as bright spring sunshine flooded the darkened chamber, where Syndra gazed out at the view of the columned courtyard covered with pink bougainvillea, birds a twitter in the branches overhead where olives hung plump from the trees.
"Close the door Captain Brittas, pray send out some breakfast forth from the kitchen, for I find myself hungry, making sure there is enough for my best and dearest friends." here Brittas did as instructed and as soon as he shut the door Sparta tossed back the blankets uncovering her nakedness, she stood smiling saying "Syndra, hand me my robe. Then we shall sit and visit for a moment." the delight in her noble heart grew as Queen Sparta had not seen much of the two lately since her quick ascension to the Laconian Throne. For it was these two brave warriors whom rode out with her in battle, clashing with the Macedonians over her father's body. For it was Syndra and La Vada whom had fought off the horde long enough for Sparta to retrieve the corpse of King Vyakles, her father, safely away, out of the hands of their enemy. So it was, she embraced them both tightly, kissing them upon the lips quickly as they sat next to her. "I am so thankful to the gods for bringing you both here thusly here to the Palace today!"
"We are both most happy to see you, our brave and noble Queen! Yet we shall not waste your time, for your responsibilities are many.., but, I must confess, there is a grave matter of importance that we, both, have come forth to see you for a certain reason, my friend and Royal Lady." Officer Syndra spoke softly in a serious tone.
"Well, of course, you require my assistance in some manner.., pray tell me, how may I be of aide?" she asked not knowing the full, personal, scope this discussion would entail.
"Many of the citizenry have growing concerns, as there are whispers and rumors swirling about the city, and therefore we, ourselves, have come to see with our own eyes, hear with our own ears, so that we may have a clear understanding of the state of mind of your spirit and body." Syndra explained with all the loving kindness of a true friend.
Queen Sparta only sighed, rolling her eyes saying "What rumors, of what are my people gossiping NOW?"
"'Tis merely the wives of the Oligarchs who complain to their husbands that you are wanton to drink too much, share too close of company with your Personal Guard. They believe you consort too much with foreign dignitaries." La Vada said plainly.
"And what do you believe, La Vada?" Queen Sparta directed her question immediately.
"Why.., I believe the Queen of Sparta should do as she please." her good friend answered in all honesty; something Sparta prized highly.
"Your words are well chosen." Sparta laughed slapping La Vada on her firm thigh. "As for you, dearest friend, Syndra, tell me the opinion of your mind."
Syndra, sitting ever erect, turned her head looking up at the Queen's shield, spear, and sword hanging upon the wall next to her bow, above a long table containing her helmet, armor, gauntlets, greaves. "I believe a warrior Queen ought to live every moment of her life, both day and night, ready, and fully prepared, to commit to fight in battle." she pasued then turned her full gaze upon her Royal Monarch stating "We, in the Military, rarely see you at the garrison continuing your daily training, nor have I been witness to you investing any time at the gymnasium." Here Syndra stood going over to the wall, lightly touching the string of the bow with her fingertips, then she turned casting her full gaze back upon Sparta, who sat hunched over pulling her robe around her shoulders "Pardon the freedom of my speech, dearest friend, my comrade in arms, my Warrior Queen, but as I look upon you now I see you have put on weight and appear to have lost some of your muscular tone and, dare I say, a little of your legendary strength?"
Queen Sparta's face changed to that of astonished shock, and embarrassment, as she clutched at her robe covering up a large portion of her body "Why Syndra, hush the words of your mouth for they are like a slap in the face to my senses!"
"Why I mean not to offend.., but perchance, open up your eyes a little to the truth of the matter. The TRUTH; which I know you hold more valuable, nay more precious, than gold." Syndra explained gently holding her hand with the deepest look of sympathy and understanding in her amber eyes.
"Dear Friend, pray tell me, when was the last time you even put on your uniform?" La Vada interceded "Can you even still fit into it?" La Vada laughed, however the Queen was not amused!
"You over step the mark La Vada!" Sparta hissed. "How dare you come here and confront me like this! How dare you tell me the truth!" she snapped then, realizing what she had just said, only could laugh at herself.
"Come now, tell me in all honesty how long has it been since you shot an arrow? Can you, even still, string a bow?" here this question sent the Queen's eyes afire with anger then Syndra spoke softly "Please, I only wish to bring this predicament to your attention and I do not wish, nor choose to cause you any offense."
"I do not take offense by your words, for I know no offense was given. For there is much sincerity in the truth of your words, and everything that you say is true." Sparta sighed, for the deep grief she had suffered through, at the loss of her father, had affected her in more ways than she knew. So she stood and began pacing the floor telling them "I have been troubled much.., and found great comfort in food and wine and harmless flirtations.., all, if only, to ease my fragile mind and restless soul."
"Ah, Queen Sparta, let your heart be not restless, for you are the sole Captain of your life, that precious ship, that you must take care to steer clear of the rocks." La Vada spoke in the colorful way she was apt to; which Sparta adored. "Let us settle the matter of this discussion with a wager."
"What game of Gambit do you wish to challenge me?" Sparta asked intrigued always one to love a good bet.
"I wager you can not string this bow." La Vada said taking the Queen's weapon off the wall, whereupon she, herself, rested the end of it on the floor at her sandaled feet, using the strength of her hands and arms, bending down, with enormous force, the stiff ash as it gave out small audible creaks of distress, as she unhooked the taut string, unfastening the instrument of death and then handing it over to Sparta to re-string.
"If I, for the sake of your argument, CAN string this bow, upon your request.., what then?" she asked hesitating. "What do I get?"
"We shall come here and trouble you no further, only lovingly supporting you, and everything you stand for or wish to destroy, in your Royal endeavours, both public and private for as long as you so shall live."
"If I CANNOT? What do you two win?"
"If you cannot, then we win the chance to have you come and meet with us, in one hour, at the Steria, where we shall practice our skills with sword and shield, bow and arrow." here this was a playful challenge, to go back to the arena at the Themiscyran Military Academy, where La Vada and Syndra had only graduated from three years prior, and Queen Sparta, herself, having successfully completed ten years of training having also graduated nearly five years hence. "We can put on a demonstration for the young cadets, let them see how a Queen defends herself when challenged."
"I accept, however.., there is only one caveat. When I string this bow, here and now, you must go running naked through the city streets, and fetch me back a green apple from the marketplace." she laughed. Whereupon Sparta set the end of the bow down, taking the straight stiff shaft of ash and pushing down with all her might, to try and make the bow bend thusly to the floor, so that she might slip that thin hemp and linen string up and over the notch. She struggled mightily, every muscle in her arms quivering, as she shook with little tremors, her face turning a bright shade of red, as loud sounds issued forth up from her mouth, like that of cow struggling in deep wet mud. It was clear the three months of fine foods and endless kraters of strong wine had reduced her strength to that of half of what a warrior's should be. No, Queen Sparta would not string the bow, nor would she see her two young friends go running naked through the streets today. "GRRR!" she shouted throwing the weapon upon the stone floor exclaiming loudly "I give up! You have won your victory!"
Here a loud knock came upon her chamber door Captain Sinos calling out hearing the noise and shouts "My Queen! Are you in any need? For your hand maidens bring forth fruits and food."
"Come!" Sparta sat back on the bed as her friends stood arms crossed over there chest taking no satisfaction in finding their Queen, and fellow Warrior, in such poor physical condition. "As for you, La Vada, Syndra, go and await my arrival at the Steria, I shall dust off my sword and shield and meet you there presently, where we shall endeavor to retrain my body in the ways of the warrior."
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