Now just before the treasures, and tokens of friendship were given out by the Rulers of Sparta and the Emperor of Rome, he himself paused saying "Yet.., wait a moment longer, so that I may embrace my dearest friends, your country's most beautiful Ambassadors, Lacuna and Lucia Vega!" Cyrillus exclaimed his eyes bright, smiling just as they had remembered him, as he extended his arms out in welcome, holding them both close to his body, giving each other little kisses upon the cheeks "How can it possibly be.., every time I am blessed with your radiant presence, the sun seems to shine a little brighter out of competition."
"Ah, Emperor Cyrillus, the kindness of your words brings such light to our faces, bathed in the warm glow of your Eminence, that leaves us blushing by your flattery's." Lucia Vega spoke sweetly, happy to see him, whom both women had not seen since their last journey to the Eternal city one year hence. "You remember our husbands" she paused turning the Emperor's attention to the rest of the party who waited patiently to be acknowledged by him.
"Ah, Emperor Cyrillus, the kindness of your words brings such light to our faces, bathed in the warm glow of your Eminence, that leaves us blushing by your flattery's." Lucia Vega spoke sweetly, happy to see him, whom both women had not seen since their last journey to the Eternal city one year hence. "You remember our husbands" she paused turning the Emperor's attention to the rest of the party who waited patiently to be acknowledged by him.
"War Councilors..," the Emperor said in a serious look replacing the jovial smile upon his face "Field Commander, La Quint, good to see you again, and who could forget, Fleet Commander Vasha, most trusted friend of Great King Vyakles and Queen Thera!" Emperor Cyrillus said shaking hands with the men who had aged as well as he, and it was with great joy in his heart that the Emperor beheld them all once again, for he had long known these dignitaries of Sparta, loyal friends to King Vyakles whom was much respected and admired. "It is with a deep sadness though, I can say plainly, for my Royal Friend and Ally King Vyakles cannot be with us here today, aboard this mighty ship, I had hoped he would have lived to see this day, the meeting of our children for marriage.., but, alas.., my heart is truly lifted at the sight of you, young King Therakles." he remarked as all turned to gaze upon the son of Vyakles "For is he not, my fellow friends, is he not the living image of his father when he was the same age?" here all agreed as the Emperor continued in his speech "I can tell you all gathered here beside me, I will say truthfully.., I can feel the presence of the spirit of your father, that brave and noble King, here with us this very day."
"Blessed are the gods and goddesses." came the replies from all gathered at the throne of Cyrillus.
"Come let us sit together, in good cheer, on this most spectacular afternoon, the sunshine coming warm upon our faces, the fresh salt scented breeze in our hair, let us sit and exchange gifts while we wait for my daughter, whom shall join us presently. Then we shall eat, a feast of delicacies from across the lands and the seas."
Whereupon the group sat themselves down on large comfortable couches made of wood and bronze the headrests decorated with lions, with a mass of silken cushions in vibrant hues of purple, red and blue. Here the Emperor called forth a few of his many servants aboard, who brought out fine wine from the Tuscan Valley, a new territory of Rome whom had driven out the Ancient Etruscan civilization. Here then four golden chests full of treasures were opened up for King Vyakles and Queen Sparta, who were given the following: small figurines of horses, bulls and lions carved in ivory and ebony from the lands of Egypt, colorful mosaic drinking vessels of the finest Roman glass from Murano, along with small glass vials of rare perfumed oils from Lydia on the northwest coast of the Mediterranean, there were tiny carved rock crystal pawns for a board game common to both cultures. The next two chest contained 1000's of solid gold and silver coins bearing the image of an eagle in flight. The last chest contained two identical drinking vessels of silver in the form of the head of the wine god Dionysus, whom the Romans called Bacchus; which had trimmed in gold the eyebrows, beard and grape leaves adorning the rim of the cup like a garland. Next were two large conch shells which had carved into the pink surface was the portrait in silhouette the image of King Vyakles and Queen Thera; which the Emperor had commissioned from an artist from Acadia familiar with the likeness of the monarchs, and when their children saw this they wept a little to themselves. "These cameos are exquisite, the artist has captured their likeness truly, it is as if I am looking at a portrait of myself." Queen Sparta marveled of all this the young rulers were greatly impressed, along with their guests telling Cyrillus "You honor us with these glorious riches from your treasury. Blessed are you Emperor Cyrillus! Long may you rule Imperial Rome and her people who love and worship you. Salutations to the Emperor!" here all raised up a glass, drinking down the sweet blood of the grape.
"Let us now so honor you and your family in kind." King Therakles spoke "As a token of the alliance formed between our two nations upon my fathers diplomatic efforts, we give these gifts as a show of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor." the young Grecian King signaled his guards who brought forth two heavy wooden chest taken from the palace, here they handed over a sword and scabbard to their King who, himself, smiled saying to Cyrillus "For your delight." here the Emperor was presented with a trove of treasures crafted by Themiscyran master artisans hands, whom themselves had no rival in the world when it came to the crafting of weaponry and the making of jewelry. "Your own personalized Themiscyran cyphos bearing the mark of the eagle as your cypher."
"Absolutely exquisite." the Emperor of Rome marveled for Themiscyran blades were the finest ever made, both strong as it was flexible, unlike the weapons crafted by other nations who had not quite yet mastered the secretive art of crucible steel "Ah to hold this fine sword, ornately crafted is one thing.., but to possess the secret of its construction would be even better." Cyrillus teased with a crafty smile.
"Come see what else we did bring for your pleasure " Queen Sparta said turning his attention to the chests taking out in her hands two solid gold bracelets, weighing some 2 pounds each, wrought in the image of a serpent winding its way down the wrists, like two exquisite gauntlets, the intricacies of the design meticulous down to each scale of skin and tiny little sapphires for eyes. This was just a small sampling of the stunning jewelry brought forth along with a hoard of necklaces, earrings, pearls, rubies and emeralds from across the seas as well as a stash of cosmetics and beauty products for his wife and daughters "What fine gifts are these, with which you honor me! The Empress will be well pleased!" he declared then, pointing with his left hand "Hark! Here comes the World's, and my, greatest treasure." All heads turned to see as the young and beautiful Princess Gianna appeared silently, as if out of nowhere. Now when King Therakles laid his eyes upon her face his eyes brightened and his heart lifted, his pulse quickening its pace, as he squeezed his sisters hand tightly in excitement for truly, as he lived and breathed, he was now standing face to face with the woman who had filled his visions of the future and haunted his dreams.
"Blessed are the gods and goddesses." came the replies from all gathered at the throne of Cyrillus.
"Come let us sit together, in good cheer, on this most spectacular afternoon, the sunshine coming warm upon our faces, the fresh salt scented breeze in our hair, let us sit and exchange gifts while we wait for my daughter, whom shall join us presently. Then we shall eat, a feast of delicacies from across the lands and the seas."
Whereupon the group sat themselves down on large comfortable couches made of wood and bronze the headrests decorated with lions, with a mass of silken cushions in vibrant hues of purple, red and blue. Here the Emperor called forth a few of his many servants aboard, who brought out fine wine from the Tuscan Valley, a new territory of Rome whom had driven out the Ancient Etruscan civilization. Here then four golden chests full of treasures were opened up for King Vyakles and Queen Sparta, who were given the following: small figurines of horses, bulls and lions carved in ivory and ebony from the lands of Egypt, colorful mosaic drinking vessels of the finest Roman glass from Murano, along with small glass vials of rare perfumed oils from Lydia on the northwest coast of the Mediterranean, there were tiny carved rock crystal pawns for a board game common to both cultures. The next two chest contained 1000's of solid gold and silver coins bearing the image of an eagle in flight. The last chest contained two identical drinking vessels of silver in the form of the head of the wine god Dionysus, whom the Romans called Bacchus; which had trimmed in gold the eyebrows, beard and grape leaves adorning the rim of the cup like a garland. Next were two large conch shells which had carved into the pink surface was the portrait in silhouette the image of King Vyakles and Queen Thera; which the Emperor had commissioned from an artist from Acadia familiar with the likeness of the monarchs, and when their children saw this they wept a little to themselves. "These cameos are exquisite, the artist has captured their likeness truly, it is as if I am looking at a portrait of myself." Queen Sparta marveled of all this the young rulers were greatly impressed, along with their guests telling Cyrillus "You honor us with these glorious riches from your treasury. Blessed are you Emperor Cyrillus! Long may you rule Imperial Rome and her people who love and worship you. Salutations to the Emperor!" here all raised up a glass, drinking down the sweet blood of the grape.
"Let us now so honor you and your family in kind." King Therakles spoke "As a token of the alliance formed between our two nations upon my fathers diplomatic efforts, we give these gifts as a show of Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor." the young Grecian King signaled his guards who brought forth two heavy wooden chest taken from the palace, here they handed over a sword and scabbard to their King who, himself, smiled saying to Cyrillus "For your delight." here the Emperor was presented with a trove of treasures crafted by Themiscyran master artisans hands, whom themselves had no rival in the world when it came to the crafting of weaponry and the making of jewelry. "Your own personalized Themiscyran cyphos bearing the mark of the eagle as your cypher."
"Absolutely exquisite." the Emperor of Rome marveled for Themiscyran blades were the finest ever made, both strong as it was flexible, unlike the weapons crafted by other nations who had not quite yet mastered the secretive art of crucible steel "Ah to hold this fine sword, ornately crafted is one thing.., but to possess the secret of its construction would be even better." Cyrillus teased with a crafty smile.
"Come see what else we did bring for your pleasure " Queen Sparta said turning his attention to the chests taking out in her hands two solid gold bracelets, weighing some 2 pounds each, wrought in the image of a serpent winding its way down the wrists, like two exquisite gauntlets, the intricacies of the design meticulous down to each scale of skin and tiny little sapphires for eyes. This was just a small sampling of the stunning jewelry brought forth along with a hoard of necklaces, earrings, pearls, rubies and emeralds from across the seas as well as a stash of cosmetics and beauty products for his wife and daughters "What fine gifts are these, with which you honor me! The Empress will be well pleased!" he declared then, pointing with his left hand "Hark! Here comes the World's, and my, greatest treasure." All heads turned to see as the young and beautiful Princess Gianna appeared silently, as if out of nowhere. Now when King Therakles laid his eyes upon her face his eyes brightened and his heart lifted, his pulse quickening its pace, as he squeezed his sisters hand tightly in excitement for truly, as he lived and breathed, he was now standing face to face with the woman who had filled his visions of the future and haunted his dreams.
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