So it came to pass, King Therakles and Queen Sparta were reunited, both so happy to see one another safe and sound, and his return was a great joy unto the people, whom, though they worshiped and loved their Queen, they all felt a little safer under the close, watchful eye and leadership of their King, for he was a man far better suited for ruling. For this is what they had been taught for generations, so that is what they believed. Now during his absence King Therakles had been sent disturbing, and distressing, reports of his sisters unconventional behavior and the rumors therein, a web of lies and half truths for that is what he hoped for in his beliefs, but King Therakles felt rest assured, and much better, seeing his sister waiting at the docks to greet him, dressed in her military uniform, bowing to him, then later professing her positive change in attitude towards her continued physical training, and her desire to turn away from the seduction of strong drink and the delights of the symposia; which was good in his eyes and this confession of hers, help to assuage his concerns and ease his mind a little, for his concerns for his sisters well being and welfare grew daily while he was away.
Now, after her brother and his party had been given ample time that night to relax and unwind from their long journey, Queen Sparta arose before the sun the next day, in a show of love and affection towards him, and their gods.For she was seen going out through the city streets, to the all the temples, leading the sacrificial animals, bulls, rams, and lambs, behind her, whereupon she would slit their throats, with the aide of the priest and priestess, in blood sacrifice, upon the altars, in a faithful display. A show of thanksgiving, unto the heavens and the earth, for the safe return of her brother, the King of Sparta, whom she loved with all her heart and soul. Now when Therakles, himself, had heard of this holy religious act, upon waking, Therakles was well pleased, so he ordered one of the lambs, of her blood devotion to the gods, to be roasted and prepared for a private luncheon to be served to his sister and he alone, in the courtyard under the shade of the ancient olive trees amongst the flowering fragrant garden that warm late spring day. Word of the private meal was sent forth unto Queen Sparta, who could be found swimming naked in the cool waters of the river to wash away the blood of her sacrifice, where Syndra and La Vada sat sunning themselves on the shore, in the noon day sun, olive oil shimmering off their golden skin. Whereupon Captain Sinos, who had come to deliver the invitation, could not help but stare at the sinuous lines of Syndra's naked flesh, her firm large round breast, pink nipples erect from the chill of the sea breeze. Here Queen Sparta could not help but notice the distraction in his eyes as Captain Sinos stumbled with his words, so, to put a stop to this, Queen Sparta, herself, arose up out of the shimmering waters revealing the wet nakedness of her own fine voluptuous physique and as Captain Sinos stared at his Monarch, emerging from the waters like the goddess Aphrodite rising up out of the sea, long golden hair clinging to her skin, across her soft breasts and rounded hips, like ribbons of copper colored seaweed. "Captain Sinos!" she shouted out to him above the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore "Close your mouth, lest the bees fly in!" here the three naked maidens laughed "Tell my dearest brother I shall prepare myself and arrive presently, for my swim in the river has made me quite hungry! Also tell King Therakles, I am so very anxious to see the gifts, and tales of his adventure, he has brought back for me!"
Within the hour Sparta had freshened up, combing her long soft hair, dressing in a flowing dress of the finest silk dyed a bright shade of amethyst, thereafter she went out into the courtyard in bare feet leaving her golden sandals on her bed instead. There under the shade of the olive trees among the fragrant garden, in full bloom with red roses, white gardenia, sunflowers and the overgrowth of oleander surrounding the tall columns as the birds alighted in the trees with their ever present, and pleasant, tweets and chirping, the bees gathering their precious nectar from soft petals and orange blossoms, spiders waiting patiently for flies to visit their silver webs as ladybugs made proper meals out of the aphids invading the orange trees. Whereupon the two sat together once more, sharing a meal at each other sides, smiling with delight, the warmth of joy, everlasting, coursing through their veins, talking of a great many things. "Pray my brother tell me of the tales of your journey, but first.., show to me the presents you have brought forth from the nations for me, for I am as curious as a cat to see!" Queen Sparta said her eyes beaming with intrigue as she smiled enthusiastically.
"Curiosity killed the cat!" he laughed.
"Ah, but satisfaction brought it back! A cat can have nine lives, why so than can not we?" she retorted laughing at herself for a moment "No do not tease me! Show the gifts you have brought forth with which you wish honor me!" she said nudging him under the table with her knee.
"Look.., see what I did bring." here he placed a large unpolished sapphire, the size of a robins egg, in the palm of her hand. "This is a present from the Queen of Argos, she bids you greeting and salutations.., and entreats you to visit her palace this summer for a chance to meet with her handsome and single sons.., upon the subject of, in a word MARRIAGE." he smiled with a little laugh.
"Never! NO.., not those two hot heads!" she balked at the very idea, adding "For I have heard from the ladies at her court that her sons have all the warmth and charm of a pit viper!"
Now here, having met the two young men in question himself, Therakles knew this rumor to be, indeed, a point of truth. "I did not say you would come, dearest, I only agreed to deliver her message and present."
"What else have you for me?" she asked holding the gemstone in her closed fist and in doing so she felt it slowly warming in her hand, drawing heat from her body, then feeling a strange form of energy generated therein, and suddenly she began to feel a deep sense of calm. Then her brother set out a small box made of carved rock crystal where, set forth inside, were a pair of delicate earrings made of gold, rubies and emeralds created by a master jewelers hand from the lands of Judea. As she smiled slipping them into her pierced ears, her brother uncovered a rare mosaic bowl; which was hid under a small piece of cloth. It was made of yellow, white and black, hand blown, glass, inlaid with minute silver tiles resembling a serpentine pattern, coiled up on the inside of the bowl, crafted in the artisans works shops in Attica. Then he pulled out from a silken bag an exquisite necklace, a two foot strand of turquoise and gold beads from the royal craftsmen of the palace of Lydia. "Blessed are you among all the men of the Earth! You who love and care for your only sacred sister, showering me with these gifts with which you truly honor me!" here she jumped over onto his lap threw her arms around his neck and kiss him sweetly, quickly on the lips, resting her head on his shoulder inhaling his scent, saying a silent pray to her Unknown God offering up her love and thanks for the life and love of Therakles.
"You are more than welcome, my sweetheart, my dearest darling sister." he gave her a little squeeze of the knee saying "Come let us eat, for I have so much to tell you of my adventure upon the sea."
"Did you find calm waters, or did you find the waters treacherous, dangerous?" she asked sitting herself back down taking a sip of cool water as he began to regale her with the tales of his journey.
"As we set sail for Argolid, Poseidon had been most kind to us much of the way, as our ship sailed across the sea, smooth as liquid silver, our spear fishers and sponge divers returning daily to our decks with bucketfuls of their silvery fresh catch, spilling them across our tables for our nourishment and consumption. I have found that Poseidon will give up his secrets.., but he does so grudgingly." he sighed then continued "For no sooner had we disembarked at Argos, where we had thus stayed one day and one night, we had ventured down to the shore of the Argolid Gulf, whereupon we made an offering to Poseidon, pouring out wine and olive oil into the ocean in hopes of being granted calm waters, but instead the sea had conjured up brutal storms, so we made our way to back to the edge of the cliff where sharp rocks cut at your ankles, I struggled to keep my footing as the wind howled past our ears, so violently we wondered, for a moment, if we would all be blown right of the cliff, as we looked close from the edge, where we dared gaze down at the crashing waves which the gales had churned up into a frothy sea foam of milky white waters."
Queen Sparta stared wide eyed at the story. "Oh dear brother how I worried day and night for your safety, no matter how far you roam." she sighed heavy with relief "I am so thankful to the gods and goddesses for you sitting her now, next to me." she smiled sitting up hugging him tightly "Now tell me, for I have wondered these many long nights.., tell me of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, the Ephors and the Oracle, and the most important part of your story. Tell me of her prophesy."
Now, after her brother and his party had been given ample time that night to relax and unwind from their long journey, Queen Sparta arose before the sun the next day, in a show of love and affection towards him, and their gods.For she was seen going out through the city streets, to the all the temples, leading the sacrificial animals, bulls, rams, and lambs, behind her, whereupon she would slit their throats, with the aide of the priest and priestess, in blood sacrifice, upon the altars, in a faithful display. A show of thanksgiving, unto the heavens and the earth, for the safe return of her brother, the King of Sparta, whom she loved with all her heart and soul. Now when Therakles, himself, had heard of this holy religious act, upon waking, Therakles was well pleased, so he ordered one of the lambs, of her blood devotion to the gods, to be roasted and prepared for a private luncheon to be served to his sister and he alone, in the courtyard under the shade of the ancient olive trees amongst the flowering fragrant garden that warm late spring day. Word of the private meal was sent forth unto Queen Sparta, who could be found swimming naked in the cool waters of the river to wash away the blood of her sacrifice, where Syndra and La Vada sat sunning themselves on the shore, in the noon day sun, olive oil shimmering off their golden skin. Whereupon Captain Sinos, who had come to deliver the invitation, could not help but stare at the sinuous lines of Syndra's naked flesh, her firm large round breast, pink nipples erect from the chill of the sea breeze. Here Queen Sparta could not help but notice the distraction in his eyes as Captain Sinos stumbled with his words, so, to put a stop to this, Queen Sparta, herself, arose up out of the shimmering waters revealing the wet nakedness of her own fine voluptuous physique and as Captain Sinos stared at his Monarch, emerging from the waters like the goddess Aphrodite rising up out of the sea, long golden hair clinging to her skin, across her soft breasts and rounded hips, like ribbons of copper colored seaweed. "Captain Sinos!" she shouted out to him above the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore "Close your mouth, lest the bees fly in!" here the three naked maidens laughed "Tell my dearest brother I shall prepare myself and arrive presently, for my swim in the river has made me quite hungry! Also tell King Therakles, I am so very anxious to see the gifts, and tales of his adventure, he has brought back for me!"
Within the hour Sparta had freshened up, combing her long soft hair, dressing in a flowing dress of the finest silk dyed a bright shade of amethyst, thereafter she went out into the courtyard in bare feet leaving her golden sandals on her bed instead. There under the shade of the olive trees among the fragrant garden, in full bloom with red roses, white gardenia, sunflowers and the overgrowth of oleander surrounding the tall columns as the birds alighted in the trees with their ever present, and pleasant, tweets and chirping, the bees gathering their precious nectar from soft petals and orange blossoms, spiders waiting patiently for flies to visit their silver webs as ladybugs made proper meals out of the aphids invading the orange trees. Whereupon the two sat together once more, sharing a meal at each other sides, smiling with delight, the warmth of joy, everlasting, coursing through their veins, talking of a great many things. "Pray my brother tell me of the tales of your journey, but first.., show to me the presents you have brought forth from the nations for me, for I am as curious as a cat to see!" Queen Sparta said her eyes beaming with intrigue as she smiled enthusiastically.
"Curiosity killed the cat!" he laughed.
"Ah, but satisfaction brought it back! A cat can have nine lives, why so than can not we?" she retorted laughing at herself for a moment "No do not tease me! Show the gifts you have brought forth with which you wish honor me!" she said nudging him under the table with her knee.
"Look.., see what I did bring." here he placed a large unpolished sapphire, the size of a robins egg, in the palm of her hand. "This is a present from the Queen of Argos, she bids you greeting and salutations.., and entreats you to visit her palace this summer for a chance to meet with her handsome and single sons.., upon the subject of, in a word MARRIAGE." he smiled with a little laugh.
"Never! NO.., not those two hot heads!" she balked at the very idea, adding "For I have heard from the ladies at her court that her sons have all the warmth and charm of a pit viper!"
Now here, having met the two young men in question himself, Therakles knew this rumor to be, indeed, a point of truth. "I did not say you would come, dearest, I only agreed to deliver her message and present."
"What else have you for me?" she asked holding the gemstone in her closed fist and in doing so she felt it slowly warming in her hand, drawing heat from her body, then feeling a strange form of energy generated therein, and suddenly she began to feel a deep sense of calm. Then her brother set out a small box made of carved rock crystal where, set forth inside, were a pair of delicate earrings made of gold, rubies and emeralds created by a master jewelers hand from the lands of Judea. As she smiled slipping them into her pierced ears, her brother uncovered a rare mosaic bowl; which was hid under a small piece of cloth. It was made of yellow, white and black, hand blown, glass, inlaid with minute silver tiles resembling a serpentine pattern, coiled up on the inside of the bowl, crafted in the artisans works shops in Attica. Then he pulled out from a silken bag an exquisite necklace, a two foot strand of turquoise and gold beads from the royal craftsmen of the palace of Lydia. "Blessed are you among all the men of the Earth! You who love and care for your only sacred sister, showering me with these gifts with which you truly honor me!" here she jumped over onto his lap threw her arms around his neck and kiss him sweetly, quickly on the lips, resting her head on his shoulder inhaling his scent, saying a silent pray to her Unknown God offering up her love and thanks for the life and love of Therakles.
"You are more than welcome, my sweetheart, my dearest darling sister." he gave her a little squeeze of the knee saying "Come let us eat, for I have so much to tell you of my adventure upon the sea."
"Did you find calm waters, or did you find the waters treacherous, dangerous?" she asked sitting herself back down taking a sip of cool water as he began to regale her with the tales of his journey.
"As we set sail for Argolid, Poseidon had been most kind to us much of the way, as our ship sailed across the sea, smooth as liquid silver, our spear fishers and sponge divers returning daily to our decks with bucketfuls of their silvery fresh catch, spilling them across our tables for our nourishment and consumption. I have found that Poseidon will give up his secrets.., but he does so grudgingly." he sighed then continued "For no sooner had we disembarked at Argos, where we had thus stayed one day and one night, we had ventured down to the shore of the Argolid Gulf, whereupon we made an offering to Poseidon, pouring out wine and olive oil into the ocean in hopes of being granted calm waters, but instead the sea had conjured up brutal storms, so we made our way to back to the edge of the cliff where sharp rocks cut at your ankles, I struggled to keep my footing as the wind howled past our ears, so violently we wondered, for a moment, if we would all be blown right of the cliff, as we looked close from the edge, where we dared gaze down at the crashing waves which the gales had churned up into a frothy sea foam of milky white waters."
Queen Sparta stared wide eyed at the story. "Oh dear brother how I worried day and night for your safety, no matter how far you roam." she sighed heavy with relief "I am so thankful to the gods and goddesses for you sitting her now, next to me." she smiled sitting up hugging him tightly "Now tell me, for I have wondered these many long nights.., tell me of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, the Ephors and the Oracle, and the most important part of your story. Tell me of her prophesy."
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