Now when Queen Sparta was alone with her three handmaidens, she instructed all of them to depart, dismissing them from the morning dressing routine for now she would perform the sacred ritual of donning her uniform and armor as if she were preparing to go off to war, for she had not done so since the battle of Thebes, this was a most holy and solemn occasion unto her mind, body and soul.
"Go now!" she said ushering the young women to the door yelling at them. Then, speaking to her Guards, she said with all due enthusiasm "Send forth word to the Quarter Master of the Royal Stable, have my steed Saxet saddled and tacked with the accoutrement of War." she said directing her orders to Captain Sinos "I am to go out to the Steria for a demonstration, see to it that General Scotia and General Iona are notified of my arrival, for I shall prepare myself to depart within the hour! Make haste good Captain Sinos! The young cadets await."
"Yes your Highness!" he answered in a curt fashion but of this Sparta no longer had the time, nor the want, to care.
So she shut the door softly as she entered the bathing chamber to the left of her bedroom, whereupon she bathed herself in a cold, refreshing bath, scrubbing her face and body thoroughly with lavender scented sea salts, then she rinsed off the exhilarating mixture before rubbing sacred, virgin olive oil into her wet, naked skin. Then Sparta dried her body with soft white cotton towels, doing so with calm thoughts and deep cleansing breaths. She was thankful she had recently been to the Bath House, having her body fully waxed, as this was the only part of her training regime she had kept up with over the last few months. Next she sat at her dressing table combing back her hair tightly behind her head, every muscle flexing in her forearms as she created little braids in her long hair. Then she opened up a small pot of black kohl whereupon she placed three fingers from her right hand into the grease paint smearing it from temple to temple as she closed her green eyes, opening them up again, gazing into the highly polished bronze mirror where her face now took on the appearance of a demon from hell, achieving this, desired, effect somehow transformed her posture, her confidence. Looking upon the fierce, and quite frightening, face staring back at her, Sparta felt invincible, fearless. Officer Sparta let out a loud cry, familiar to her troops, whereupon her guards, standing at their post outside her door and windows, pricked up their ears, their faces smiling for listening to her war cry did their loyal hearts good to hear.
Donning her tight fitting white military tunic, Sparta calmly strapped on her breast plate, greaves and gauntlets, then slinging her quiver full of deadly arrows, and bow, over her shoulder, Sparta sheathed her sharpened cyphos on her right thigh. Taking in one last long, calming breath she took up her shield in her left hand picking up her helmet in her right hand. "Live to Fight! Fight to Live!" she exclaimed aloud then she called out "Captain Sinos open up the door unto me, for today I.., at long last, remember what it means to be a Warrior Queen!" here the old oak door was opened and Queen Sparta strode confidently down the corridors of the Palace her guards, four on each side, marched along with her their hearts swollen with pride, for they too had great concern over her ability to face the challenge of ruling an Empire as a Queen and not as magnanimously as her brother, King Therakles.
Hence Queen Sparta rode out astride black Saxet, whom had NOT been kept from his daily exercise, fed fresh barley, apples, oats and hay, the stable grooms keeping the animal in fine shape. If only Sparta was as fit as her horse, her afternoon in the saddle might have gone a better way. Hence forth she galloped into the center of the arena, surrounded by the small amphitheater that could seat about 500 spectators, wherein stood cheering all the cadets of the elite military academy, young girls in ages ranging from 10 to 20, whom had been sent by their families to train for battle in the Themiscyran Way. This was only done so, as to insure the daughters of the next generations, as women, would have equal rights under the law, civil rights, normally, only guaranteed to free men. Whereupon completion of the strict discipline and curriculum would afford them certain inalienable rights as a warrior in service to the Nation. So it was, Queen Sparta rode out before them circling the arena radiant in magnificent splendor before her adoring admirers who all marveled in awe at the sheer sight of their Noble Warrior Queen, regaled in her uniform, helmet and shining armor, as they all gave hail sending forth their voices filling the air with shouts of well wishes and good cheer.
General Scotia and General Iona were gathered there in witnesses to the display as Officers, La Vada and Syndra sat atop their warhorses, on opposite ends of the arena, waiting for Queen Sparta to accept her accolades in her own time, then she stilled Saxet's cantor, coming to a full stop in the center of the ring, speaking out in a loud rich clear voice that did all their earnest, little hearts good to hear. "My little Children! My brave cadets training for the Glories of War! I bid you hail!" here the crowd grew in voluminous cries of delight "I have come here today in the name of Our Great King Vyakles, Destroyer of Nations! My Father! Whom has gone to live on Mt.Olympus in eternal rest with Our Loyal Queen Thera! My Mother.Whom gave up her life in sacrifice to save the life of her husband, our departed King Vyakles., killed by the Macedon Army on the Thebean Plain" here she paused finding it hard to swallow as she spoke with great emotion. "For it did come to pass, by the might of our Army we have sent the forces of Phillip II, that Tyrant King, fleeing and have annihilated the population of Thebes! Killing off her people, and reducing that ancient city to dust and ashes, smoke, bones and blood!" here again the young cadets shouted out with great conviction at hearing the first hand account of the Siege of Thebes from the Queen herself. "Our Great King completed his life long task, a lasting achievement, a permanent testament, for he had vowed to protect this invincible nation, and her people, by the violence of his hand and give up his life if need be. For so it was the gods saw fit to take his life on the field of battle that day.., and through his deep well of courage and conviction he fought for the greater good of Sparta! Trusting in Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor!" louder voices and applause at hearing the motto of the Themiscyran Division.
"You see how the people adore her?" General Scotia whispered to General Iona.
"Queen Sparta not only resembles her mother in appearance, but also in speech.., it is quite eerie, the similarity between mother and daughter. It is as if Thera were here now before us, with the glow of youth upon her cheeks.., it gives my skin chills to see."
Sparta continued "For it is a Warrior's Sacred, Solemn Vow to Fight, to Live and Die by the sword, hoping to achieve eternal glorification in the eyes of the gods and goddesses, as well as live on in the eternal realm of history itself! This can only be achieved by shedding our blood and giving up our spirit on the battlefield." here she began walking Saxet slowly around the arena, close to the young ladies looking them directly in the eye so all could see and hear. "Blessed are you, who have come here to learn, for you have all pledged your sacred honor to the study, and rigorous training, of WAR! For the Themiscyran Division is the last Military Corps of my Mother's Ancient Race. We are unique, unlike any warriors the world has ever seen! They called us AMAZONS! Warrior women of MYTH and LEGEND!" here laughter met her ears and the Queen, herself, smiled "But I tell you this, oh my sweet sisters in blood, WE are NO Myth! WE are No Legend! WE LIVE TO KILL! WE LIVE FIGHT!" now she had whipped the audience into a frenzy as her words filled their souls with excitement.
"FIGHT! KILL! FIGHT!" the girls began chanting.
"Oh my little Children! How it does my heart good to see your bright and shining faces, for I, myself, appear before you this day, for 'lo it has been too long since I have come to visit my brave young troops. For in truth, the death of my father has been difficult and I must confess, I, your Queen, have been filled with sadness, sorrow and grief. Thereby I have become lax in my diligent training, and fat with much eating and drinking. Pray, I have come to take up my sword and shield, bow and arrows to practice once again in full view, for your encouragement is what I sorely need, as I return to this arena where I, myself, have trained for ten years under the supreme leadership and command of General Iona and General Scotia. Whom hath brought forth many victories for Themiscyra and Sparta, whom both serving Queen Ethera and Queen Thera, the last ruling dynasty of Themiscyra, and serving faithfully the Laconia Throne, with distinction, intelligence and bravery. Countless is the number of our enemies bodies that have been piled up high, their deaths brought forth unto them by the skill of weaponry, that killer instinct honed and masterfully crafted by these two legendary women, whom have both been like a mother to me since I was but a child of five." now all the cheers of adulation arose up for the Commanders of the Academy, those two old Generals, who stood waving in good hearted acceptance of their due praise. Then, as the crowd quieted once again, Queen Sparta moved to center stage shouting "Now, if you shall allow my honorable Officers Syndra and La Vada an hour, or so, of your time this beautiful, spring day, you shall wittiness a brief demonstration of our skills and later we shall tell tales of battle and blood and the Glories of War!" here she sat up in the saddle as Saxtet reared up on his hind quarters clicking his front hooves together as Sparta showed off a few of his tricks. "Let the Games begin!"
So it came to pass the attendants of the training arena quickly set the arena floor with the various targets needed for the demonstration, for this was not merely done for sport but was serious training for the student to constantly hone the skills needed to aim an arrow, toss a javelin, cut and stab with sword, smash skulls with shield, all while mounted atop a 1000 pound animal whilst riding at break neck speeds. For the Themiscyran equine was a special breed, loving nothing more than to run, they could travel twenty miles before breaking a sweat. The result ending in the perfect addition of horse and rider which equaled a finely tuned killing machine. Queen Sparta felt the anxiousness arise in her stomach like fluttering butterflies and she knew by the end of the 4 events she would be quite sore and in dire need of a hot oil massage and a krater of wine.
"Go now!" she said ushering the young women to the door yelling at them. Then, speaking to her Guards, she said with all due enthusiasm "Send forth word to the Quarter Master of the Royal Stable, have my steed Saxet saddled and tacked with the accoutrement of War." she said directing her orders to Captain Sinos "I am to go out to the Steria for a demonstration, see to it that General Scotia and General Iona are notified of my arrival, for I shall prepare myself to depart within the hour! Make haste good Captain Sinos! The young cadets await."
"Yes your Highness!" he answered in a curt fashion but of this Sparta no longer had the time, nor the want, to care.
So she shut the door softly as she entered the bathing chamber to the left of her bedroom, whereupon she bathed herself in a cold, refreshing bath, scrubbing her face and body thoroughly with lavender scented sea salts, then she rinsed off the exhilarating mixture before rubbing sacred, virgin olive oil into her wet, naked skin. Then Sparta dried her body with soft white cotton towels, doing so with calm thoughts and deep cleansing breaths. She was thankful she had recently been to the Bath House, having her body fully waxed, as this was the only part of her training regime she had kept up with over the last few months. Next she sat at her dressing table combing back her hair tightly behind her head, every muscle flexing in her forearms as she created little braids in her long hair. Then she opened up a small pot of black kohl whereupon she placed three fingers from her right hand into the grease paint smearing it from temple to temple as she closed her green eyes, opening them up again, gazing into the highly polished bronze mirror where her face now took on the appearance of a demon from hell, achieving this, desired, effect somehow transformed her posture, her confidence. Looking upon the fierce, and quite frightening, face staring back at her, Sparta felt invincible, fearless. Officer Sparta let out a loud cry, familiar to her troops, whereupon her guards, standing at their post outside her door and windows, pricked up their ears, their faces smiling for listening to her war cry did their loyal hearts good to hear.
Donning her tight fitting white military tunic, Sparta calmly strapped on her breast plate, greaves and gauntlets, then slinging her quiver full of deadly arrows, and bow, over her shoulder, Sparta sheathed her sharpened cyphos on her right thigh. Taking in one last long, calming breath she took up her shield in her left hand picking up her helmet in her right hand. "Live to Fight! Fight to Live!" she exclaimed aloud then she called out "Captain Sinos open up the door unto me, for today I.., at long last, remember what it means to be a Warrior Queen!" here the old oak door was opened and Queen Sparta strode confidently down the corridors of the Palace her guards, four on each side, marched along with her their hearts swollen with pride, for they too had great concern over her ability to face the challenge of ruling an Empire as a Queen and not as magnanimously as her brother, King Therakles.
Hence Queen Sparta rode out astride black Saxet, whom had NOT been kept from his daily exercise, fed fresh barley, apples, oats and hay, the stable grooms keeping the animal in fine shape. If only Sparta was as fit as her horse, her afternoon in the saddle might have gone a better way. Hence forth she galloped into the center of the arena, surrounded by the small amphitheater that could seat about 500 spectators, wherein stood cheering all the cadets of the elite military academy, young girls in ages ranging from 10 to 20, whom had been sent by their families to train for battle in the Themiscyran Way. This was only done so, as to insure the daughters of the next generations, as women, would have equal rights under the law, civil rights, normally, only guaranteed to free men. Whereupon completion of the strict discipline and curriculum would afford them certain inalienable rights as a warrior in service to the Nation. So it was, Queen Sparta rode out before them circling the arena radiant in magnificent splendor before her adoring admirers who all marveled in awe at the sheer sight of their Noble Warrior Queen, regaled in her uniform, helmet and shining armor, as they all gave hail sending forth their voices filling the air with shouts of well wishes and good cheer.
General Scotia and General Iona were gathered there in witnesses to the display as Officers, La Vada and Syndra sat atop their warhorses, on opposite ends of the arena, waiting for Queen Sparta to accept her accolades in her own time, then she stilled Saxet's cantor, coming to a full stop in the center of the ring, speaking out in a loud rich clear voice that did all their earnest, little hearts good to hear. "My little Children! My brave cadets training for the Glories of War! I bid you hail!" here the crowd grew in voluminous cries of delight "I have come here today in the name of Our Great King Vyakles, Destroyer of Nations! My Father! Whom has gone to live on Mt.Olympus in eternal rest with Our Loyal Queen Thera! My Mother.Whom gave up her life in sacrifice to save the life of her husband, our departed King Vyakles., killed by the Macedon Army on the Thebean Plain" here she paused finding it hard to swallow as she spoke with great emotion. "For it did come to pass, by the might of our Army we have sent the forces of Phillip II, that Tyrant King, fleeing and have annihilated the population of Thebes! Killing off her people, and reducing that ancient city to dust and ashes, smoke, bones and blood!" here again the young cadets shouted out with great conviction at hearing the first hand account of the Siege of Thebes from the Queen herself. "Our Great King completed his life long task, a lasting achievement, a permanent testament, for he had vowed to protect this invincible nation, and her people, by the violence of his hand and give up his life if need be. For so it was the gods saw fit to take his life on the field of battle that day.., and through his deep well of courage and conviction he fought for the greater good of Sparta! Trusting in Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor!" louder voices and applause at hearing the motto of the Themiscyran Division.
"You see how the people adore her?" General Scotia whispered to General Iona.
"Queen Sparta not only resembles her mother in appearance, but also in speech.., it is quite eerie, the similarity between mother and daughter. It is as if Thera were here now before us, with the glow of youth upon her cheeks.., it gives my skin chills to see."
Sparta continued "For it is a Warrior's Sacred, Solemn Vow to Fight, to Live and Die by the sword, hoping to achieve eternal glorification in the eyes of the gods and goddesses, as well as live on in the eternal realm of history itself! This can only be achieved by shedding our blood and giving up our spirit on the battlefield." here she began walking Saxet slowly around the arena, close to the young ladies looking them directly in the eye so all could see and hear. "Blessed are you, who have come here to learn, for you have all pledged your sacred honor to the study, and rigorous training, of WAR! For the Themiscyran Division is the last Military Corps of my Mother's Ancient Race. We are unique, unlike any warriors the world has ever seen! They called us AMAZONS! Warrior women of MYTH and LEGEND!" here laughter met her ears and the Queen, herself, smiled "But I tell you this, oh my sweet sisters in blood, WE are NO Myth! WE are No Legend! WE LIVE TO KILL! WE LIVE FIGHT!" now she had whipped the audience into a frenzy as her words filled their souls with excitement.
"FIGHT! KILL! FIGHT!" the girls began chanting.
"Oh my little Children! How it does my heart good to see your bright and shining faces, for I, myself, appear before you this day, for 'lo it has been too long since I have come to visit my brave young troops. For in truth, the death of my father has been difficult and I must confess, I, your Queen, have been filled with sadness, sorrow and grief. Thereby I have become lax in my diligent training, and fat with much eating and drinking. Pray, I have come to take up my sword and shield, bow and arrows to practice once again in full view, for your encouragement is what I sorely need, as I return to this arena where I, myself, have trained for ten years under the supreme leadership and command of General Iona and General Scotia. Whom hath brought forth many victories for Themiscyra and Sparta, whom both serving Queen Ethera and Queen Thera, the last ruling dynasty of Themiscyra, and serving faithfully the Laconia Throne, with distinction, intelligence and bravery. Countless is the number of our enemies bodies that have been piled up high, their deaths brought forth unto them by the skill of weaponry, that killer instinct honed and masterfully crafted by these two legendary women, whom have both been like a mother to me since I was but a child of five." now all the cheers of adulation arose up for the Commanders of the Academy, those two old Generals, who stood waving in good hearted acceptance of their due praise. Then, as the crowd quieted once again, Queen Sparta moved to center stage shouting "Now, if you shall allow my honorable Officers Syndra and La Vada an hour, or so, of your time this beautiful, spring day, you shall wittiness a brief demonstration of our skills and later we shall tell tales of battle and blood and the Glories of War!" here she sat up in the saddle as Saxtet reared up on his hind quarters clicking his front hooves together as Sparta showed off a few of his tricks. "Let the Games begin!"
So it came to pass the attendants of the training arena quickly set the arena floor with the various targets needed for the demonstration, for this was not merely done for sport but was serious training for the student to constantly hone the skills needed to aim an arrow, toss a javelin, cut and stab with sword, smash skulls with shield, all while mounted atop a 1000 pound animal whilst riding at break neck speeds. For the Themiscyran equine was a special breed, loving nothing more than to run, they could travel twenty miles before breaking a sweat. The result ending in the perfect addition of horse and rider which equaled a finely tuned killing machine. Queen Sparta felt the anxiousness arise in her stomach like fluttering butterflies and she knew by the end of the 4 events she would be quite sore and in dire need of a hot oil massage and a krater of wine.
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