It was nearly three hours later when Queen Sparta retired to her private bedchamber, after many long hours in meetings and discussions with her various chiefs of council concerning important matters of state. Whereupon she, being received by her maid servants, Queen Sparta relaxed comfortably as she was soon pampered by the young women, who hurried to undress and bathe the tired Queen for her dinner engagement with the handsome foreign General.
In doing so the maids imparted all the secrets and gossip they had overheard eavesdropping on the soldiers of General Cothos, who, himself, had returned from his riding lesson complaining of many aches and pains. Whereupon Captain Brittas, hearing of this, entreated them all to take treatments at the baths and spa of the palace, where the men were found to discuss much.., as to the 'close nature' of affection displayed between the General and the Queen. He was overheard boasting to his men 'I am confident I shall be inside the Queen's bedchamber by the nights end.'. Now such talk and speculation was, of course, completely unacceptable, rude, brazen as it was unwise, defying all common courtesy. However Queen Sparta, ever playing the part in her act of deception, scolded her ladies, dismissing his words as well as defending him, telling them "General Cothos is a guest in our Nation! He is the Uncle of the Roman Princess Gianna, whom is engaged to marry my Brother, she will soon be Queen Consort of King Therakles.., but more than this, General Cothos is a man, first and foremost. So, be not ignorant in your understanding of men, for they are all alike, in one respect, they are most desirous of those things they can never posses, which leads them to boast and brag among themselves." Queen Sparta said with truth making her point clear. "Women should not take offense, where none is given. Yet, even more so than this, General Cothos is a brave and noble leader, in lifelong service to Emperor Cyrillus. So have some discretion ladies, let not your speech bare any ill words of contempt for him, and let us all speak no more this.., these rumors and idle gossip. For gossip is for old men and women filled up with regret and bitterness." here the Queen paused giving a warm smile "For I tell you this, my lovely ladies. Above all this I have spoken of him, General Cothos.., is now, unto me, a welcome friend." her she received a cool cautious look of concern and care for true it was, in the hearts of her servants, they did not respond well to Cothos feeling uneasy and uncertain of his intentions for their young Queen, whom could easily be misled by the charms and affections of an older man, he being far more sophisticated in the ways of the world than she still in grief for the death of her father King Vyakles. Here, sensing immediately their disapproval of her statement Queen Sparta asked "Is it not the truth that you, who are here with me now, only live to serve and obey my commands?"
"Yes, oh Great Queen!" came their quick response in unison, all pledging once more their solemn vows of allegiance to the Laconian Throne swearing to give up their lives, if need be, to protect her and keep her from harm of any kind , be that of the body, or heart, or mind. To wit they again cautioned Queen Sparta in the matter of her new friendship with the foreign born General.
"He is my friend, good ladies, and will soon, by marriage, be a part of my Royal Family. My dear friend Cothos is .., quite pleasing company for me, for in my trouble spirit I have grown restless.., he has given my heart ease. Of this, we all should rejoice and praise the gods, for I now find myself.., HAPPY!" she smiled lying through her teeth, but Sparta was well pleased her ladies had taken the time and courage to speak, and were audacious in their concern for her well being. "Now, I am most anxious of heart and spirit for tonight!" she squealed, feigning delight instructing them thusly "Bring forth my green silken gown from out my wardrobe, fetch my fine golden belt and bracelets, my emerald earrings and my crown of stars, oh and my sandals of gold. Comb my hair and weave the braids with a few strands of pearls, and black kohl for my eyes, and red pigment for my lips.Oh and tell my gardeners to set out more bouquets of flowers! I want roses, gardenias and jasmine in every vase in every room! Oh and I can not forget my perfume!"
So it was with great excitement as the women flitted about her much like a hive of bees buzzing around their Queen, as the sun set over the mountains in the west, a bright blanket of stars covering the black sky as a full moon slowly rose up over the river, filling the courtyard with its heavenly light.
In doing so the maids imparted all the secrets and gossip they had overheard eavesdropping on the soldiers of General Cothos, who, himself, had returned from his riding lesson complaining of many aches and pains. Whereupon Captain Brittas, hearing of this, entreated them all to take treatments at the baths and spa of the palace, where the men were found to discuss much.., as to the 'close nature' of affection displayed between the General and the Queen. He was overheard boasting to his men 'I am confident I shall be inside the Queen's bedchamber by the nights end.'. Now such talk and speculation was, of course, completely unacceptable, rude, brazen as it was unwise, defying all common courtesy. However Queen Sparta, ever playing the part in her act of deception, scolded her ladies, dismissing his words as well as defending him, telling them "General Cothos is a guest in our Nation! He is the Uncle of the Roman Princess Gianna, whom is engaged to marry my Brother, she will soon be Queen Consort of King Therakles.., but more than this, General Cothos is a man, first and foremost. So, be not ignorant in your understanding of men, for they are all alike, in one respect, they are most desirous of those things they can never posses, which leads them to boast and brag among themselves." Queen Sparta said with truth making her point clear. "Women should not take offense, where none is given. Yet, even more so than this, General Cothos is a brave and noble leader, in lifelong service to Emperor Cyrillus. So have some discretion ladies, let not your speech bare any ill words of contempt for him, and let us all speak no more this.., these rumors and idle gossip. For gossip is for old men and women filled up with regret and bitterness." here the Queen paused giving a warm smile "For I tell you this, my lovely ladies. Above all this I have spoken of him, General Cothos.., is now, unto me, a welcome friend." her she received a cool cautious look of concern and care for true it was, in the hearts of her servants, they did not respond well to Cothos feeling uneasy and uncertain of his intentions for their young Queen, whom could easily be misled by the charms and affections of an older man, he being far more sophisticated in the ways of the world than she still in grief for the death of her father King Vyakles. Here, sensing immediately their disapproval of her statement Queen Sparta asked "Is it not the truth that you, who are here with me now, only live to serve and obey my commands?"
"Yes, oh Great Queen!" came their quick response in unison, all pledging once more their solemn vows of allegiance to the Laconian Throne swearing to give up their lives, if need be, to protect her and keep her from harm of any kind , be that of the body, or heart, or mind. To wit they again cautioned Queen Sparta in the matter of her new friendship with the foreign born General.
"He is my friend, good ladies, and will soon, by marriage, be a part of my Royal Family. My dear friend Cothos is .., quite pleasing company for me, for in my trouble spirit I have grown restless.., he has given my heart ease. Of this, we all should rejoice and praise the gods, for I now find myself.., HAPPY!" she smiled lying through her teeth, but Sparta was well pleased her ladies had taken the time and courage to speak, and were audacious in their concern for her well being. "Now, I am most anxious of heart and spirit for tonight!" she squealed, feigning delight instructing them thusly "Bring forth my green silken gown from out my wardrobe, fetch my fine golden belt and bracelets, my emerald earrings and my crown of stars, oh and my sandals of gold. Comb my hair and weave the braids with a few strands of pearls, and black kohl for my eyes, and red pigment for my lips.Oh and tell my gardeners to set out more bouquets of flowers! I want roses, gardenias and jasmine in every vase in every room! Oh and I can not forget my perfume!"
So it was with great excitement as the women flitted about her much like a hive of bees buzzing around their Queen, as the sun set over the mountains in the west, a bright blanket of stars covering the black sky as a full moon slowly rose up over the river, filling the courtyard with its heavenly light.
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