So forth they went, hand and hand together, over to the small temple where they knelt at the altar, before the high priest, giving up their sacred, secret prayers to their token gods, before presenting a small amphora of wine for the priest to bless. Here the couple went to the side of the massive ship pouring out the blood of grape as a votive offering of respect and love to the god of the sea, as was the custom of their religious practices, of which they both held in great respect, an admirable quality of youth. Here, were it not for the fact that Therakles was a full grown man, he would have easily been distracted by the huge floating palace the boy in him wanting to run off and go exploring the mighty ship to discover the secret rooms and chambers therein, however Princess Gianna was a remarkable beauty and he could not take his eager eyes off of her. As the sound of the gentle waves were lapping against the hull of the vessel seagulls cried out overhead flying by in the clear blue sky, Therakles turned back to see the priest had now departed the temple, small though it was, with 12 columns supporting a tiled roof where there were four large colorful mosaic scenes of the gods and goddesses relaxing on Mt.Olympus, strange it was that the living breathing creature standing before him now so pure and pious, looking more exquisite and ravishing than any goddesses portrayed thereof.
"Come, let me show you something." the living goddess of his dreams spoke and Therakles knew, at that moment, he would follow her where she would lead. Walking down the long deck of the starboard side of the ship, the flirtatious Princess led him to a small garden full of fragrant roses and lilac bushes, where, in the center, set upon a large pedestal was a small statue of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, as babes, suckling at the teats of a great black she-wolf, whom had rescued the children according to the legendary tale.
"It is remarkable, the talent of the artisans of Rome might lead our artists of Greece a little lonely in the shade of shame, for this work is so lifelike." he opined with an artistic eye.
"Ah.., poor Romulus" Gianna said pausing, gazing at the sculpture "Betrayed later by his jealous brother, who was so ambitious he could not share power or the throne.., there could only be one king, in his mind, so he murdered his brother in cold blood.., what a tragedy." she said solemnly her thoughts deep and far reaching the mind of King Therakles.
"So to honor him'" the King spoke "the city was named after him.., Rome.., and that murderous, King Remus, must have been despised and feared by his people." he paused then added "To the glory of Rome and ALL her citizens." Therakles smiled.
"Come, let me show you something." the living goddess of his dreams spoke and Therakles knew, at that moment, he would follow her where she would lead. Walking down the long deck of the starboard side of the ship, the flirtatious Princess led him to a small garden full of fragrant roses and lilac bushes, where, in the center, set upon a large pedestal was a small statue of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, as babes, suckling at the teats of a great black she-wolf, whom had rescued the children according to the legendary tale.
"It is remarkable, the talent of the artisans of Rome might lead our artists of Greece a little lonely in the shade of shame, for this work is so lifelike." he opined with an artistic eye.
"Ah.., poor Romulus" Gianna said pausing, gazing at the sculpture "Betrayed later by his jealous brother, who was so ambitious he could not share power or the throne.., there could only be one king, in his mind, so he murdered his brother in cold blood.., what a tragedy." she said solemnly her thoughts deep and far reaching the mind of King Therakles.
"So to honor him'" the King spoke "the city was named after him.., Rome.., and that murderous, King Remus, must have been despised and feared by his people." he paused then added "To the glory of Rome and ALL her citizens." Therakles smiled.
Here the Princess did not return his smile with one of her own, only saying, as if speaking the true thoughts of her mind "Ah the glory of Rome.., where sometimes it is better to be feared than loved." here there came an untouched note of sadness to her voice then she said "Ah.., but then again are not fear and love just the same emotion only given a different name, two sides of the same coin?"
Now this seemed a strange comment for her to make so the much learned King offered up his own philosophical explanation immediately. "No, dearest Princess, on this idea of yours.., we must agree to disagree. For I believe, as I have been taught by my father.., There is NO FEAR in LOVE. For Love; which is Perfect, casteth out Fear, because Fear is full of torment. So, thereby, whomever feareth can not be made perfect in Love." here he paused then looked deep and longingly into her eyes trying to peer into the depths of her soul and said "For if you FEAR me, dearest Princess, you can never LOVE me."
"I can only love you, dearest King, when you love me." she said and her words filled his heart with hope.
Then he gave a serious look as serious as the grave telling her "Yet we have only just met and know nothing of each others, heart, mind or habits. Although this marriage arrangement between our nations does not require love in any way shape or form in this matter" again he paused for dramatic affect as he was want to do "However, I tell you this.., in all truth and honesty.., I, myself would very much like to possess your love and hold that forever in my heart, for my very own." again he paused but this time he stepped closer to her, taking her dainty little delicate hands in his, pulling her closer whispering in her ear "With you my bride, I wish to play, I will give you gifts if you will stay, I will pick you flowers and presents bring and you shall be my Royal Queen."
She heard his well chosen words of purple prose, feeling the hot breath; which smelled of honey, coming from his moist lips, standing oh so close then she pulled her head back slightly gazing up into his intense dark eyes telling him in a voice so sweet and kind "I have no desire for any of the gifts, with which you wish to honor me. All I desire, all I require, in life is pure unconditional love which is faithful and true."
"I am a King, as you know and can see for yourself, I rule over men and land, but I can not, nor will I force anyone to love me, I can not buy your love, nor bribe you, because that would be false, untrue. Yet I tell you this much, my dearest, sweetest Gianna, of your love, I desire this one true thing, and I shall be restless in spirit until I obtain that of you which I so desire." here he once again moved very close to her body, his lips nearly touching hers as she took in a deep breath as he progressed "I feel a stirring of deep emotion generated in my restless heart and of this one true desire I shall be wholly satisfied if the Fates are in my favor. I pray one day you will let me come into you filled with the Spirit of Love, let me come into you." he sealed these words with a kiss, sweetly and gently without force with great restraint, causing a surge of energy to rush throughout their entire bodies and in this powerful connection the young maiden felt herself melt into the heated moment of gentle, tender loving passion. Were it not for the continuous rapid beating of her heart she might have very well thought she was lost, as if in a dream, or on the verge of dying.
"PRINCESS GIANNA!" came the loud shout from General Cothus, her escort on the voyage, whom had been sent by the Emperor to find out the delay in the return of his absent daughter, and he gave King Therakles a disgusted look of disapproval of which the young ruler of Sparta was most embarrassed and displeased.
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