Cothos asked a simple question "Do you enjoy your role of new leadership?" he looked over at Queen Sparta with fresh beads of sweat upon her brow, her long braids cascading down her back as they walked along the dusty trail, white billowing clouds overhead gently blowing west in the bright blue sky
"Life is never easy, there is work to be done." Queen Sparta replied quoting her father, King Vyakles, whom she still ached in her soul to see his smile once again. Here General Cothos instantly noticed, and recognized, a soft stroke of sadness in her green eyes.
"I must tell you, that I, myself, am completely amazed by your presence, for you are like no woman, NO ONE, I have ever known!" he said, hoping his complements would help her cope with this sudden sadness. "So beautiful, and powerful in your authority over those your rule. You, who, with deep emotion and a delicate heart, are so dangerous and deadly. I can see how the vast numbers of your Army and Navy admire you and worship at your feet, willing to sacrifice their lives at a moments notice. Such devotion, it does my heart good to see." he smiled.
"Unity, Loyalty, Respect, and Honor." Queen Sparta said quoting her mother, Queen Thera, "This is the creed we live our lives by. For we are just as willing to give up our lives for each other.., this is our sacred devotion, the protection of our land, and all her people, from the lowliest slave to highest of the oligarchy." she continued in their discourse.
"I, myself, have no experience of Royal Authority, but I can only imagine the difficulties of ruling a nation, so highly favored throughout the World." he added.
Queen Sparta sighed as a warm breeze swept across her face, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she thought for a moment remembering the long conversations she had with her dearly beloved father. So it was recalling the words he spoke, she imparted the wisdom of King Vyakles unto General Cothos who, himself, held to the understanding of the knowledge gained Sparta spoke saying "I have, through the hands of the Fates, selflessly agreed to shoulder that heavy mantle of leadership, bravely casting aside the ease and comfort of apathetic indifference. In exchange for a life of service and sacrifice." Queen Sparta paused staring off across the fertile plain then continued. 'Leadership requires character, common vision and caring. Then, and only then, unparalleled leadership can thrive. There must be, at its core, an unyielding resolve, passion, perseverance, courage, along with empathy, that empowers us, as a nation, to expose and defeat the darkest parts of humankind by any means necessary and with violence by our own hands if need be. It is only through great Compassion and sheer Resilience, in the midst of Fear and Uncertainty WE, as a Nation, uphold Integrity and embody virtues of altruistic service. For my brother, King Therakles and I, have a brighter vision of the future and we have the passion to make our vision a reality."
"These are admirable qualities in a natural born leader." General Cothos commended her.
"I have been born and bred to live my life by a code of honor, never to be stained by a desire of personal or material gain. For when tragedy arises, when circumstances call for Sacrifice.., then we Sacrifice." Queen Sparta spoke but of this Cothos had no personal knowledge, nor had he understanding, she was speaking of sacrificing him. "We, as noble rulers, give our warriors strength to move forward through the tumult of War. Our Royal Throne has built a relationship with our Army and Navy on a strong foundation of TRUST.., a trust, so PROFOUND, that even the possibility of Death can not severe its hold. General Cothos said nothing, thinking for a moment about his own situation , oh how he wished Emperor Cyrillus would extend this sort of Trust and Unity to himself, but well Cothos knew how the Emperor hated him. "Yet, you, yourself, General Cothos, you are a highly successful military man, well respected by your great Emperor." the Queen lied, telling him "You, now, through marriage, are a member of a Royal Household, you are the blessed father to the nephew of Cyrillus, who speaks in such high regard of you.., who ARE a leader of men. You should know well of what I speak."
"Yes." he paused his face turning a little pale, for he could not believe Cyrillus had said anything good about him. Of course the Emperor had not, but he had no inclination that the Great Queen Sparta would be lying. So he took in a deep calming breath, licked his lips and said "I, in my country, am a man of authority. Having under me legions of soldiers. Yet still, my duty is to uphold the laws, not create or enact them. Nor will I ever govern like Royalty. However, when I say unto one of my warriors, to one I say, go and he will goeth, and to another come, and he will cometh, to where ever I so desire. And to my servants I say, do this and that , and they doeth any task I require of them. So as you see, there exist certain limitations to my authority." he sighed deep in his heart wishing he cold be king.
"All of which you speak does not seem to be very satisfying to you. If you were to be given more power.., do you believe you would rule wisely?" she asked plainly
General Cothos remained silent with many thoughts of his mind colliding together like a sudden storm of thunder, and clear as day the cunning Queen could see the flames of devious ambition alight in his eyes.
"Alas, the Fates have conspired against me." Cothos sighed as the stables drew nearer in sight. "If only I were of noble birth.., I would pledge my troth to you, beautiful Sparta, and take you as my wife." here he paused bowing to kiss her hand.
Queen Sparta only smiled, feigning delight, holding back her contempt as she played her part in the act of his deception, as she leaned in to give him a kiss upon the cheek, whispering in his ear. "Come, visit me again tonight. I would like to have a private dinner with you in the courtyard underneath the stars in the moonlight, for we have much to discuss."
"Life is never easy, there is work to be done." Queen Sparta replied quoting her father, King Vyakles, whom she still ached in her soul to see his smile once again. Here General Cothos instantly noticed, and recognized, a soft stroke of sadness in her green eyes.
"I must tell you, that I, myself, am completely amazed by your presence, for you are like no woman, NO ONE, I have ever known!" he said, hoping his complements would help her cope with this sudden sadness. "So beautiful, and powerful in your authority over those your rule. You, who, with deep emotion and a delicate heart, are so dangerous and deadly. I can see how the vast numbers of your Army and Navy admire you and worship at your feet, willing to sacrifice their lives at a moments notice. Such devotion, it does my heart good to see." he smiled.
"Unity, Loyalty, Respect, and Honor." Queen Sparta said quoting her mother, Queen Thera, "This is the creed we live our lives by. For we are just as willing to give up our lives for each other.., this is our sacred devotion, the protection of our land, and all her people, from the lowliest slave to highest of the oligarchy." she continued in their discourse.
"I, myself, have no experience of Royal Authority, but I can only imagine the difficulties of ruling a nation, so highly favored throughout the World." he added.
Queen Sparta sighed as a warm breeze swept across her face, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she thought for a moment remembering the long conversations she had with her dearly beloved father. So it was recalling the words he spoke, she imparted the wisdom of King Vyakles unto General Cothos who, himself, held to the understanding of the knowledge gained Sparta spoke saying "I have, through the hands of the Fates, selflessly agreed to shoulder that heavy mantle of leadership, bravely casting aside the ease and comfort of apathetic indifference. In exchange for a life of service and sacrifice." Queen Sparta paused staring off across the fertile plain then continued. 'Leadership requires character, common vision and caring. Then, and only then, unparalleled leadership can thrive. There must be, at its core, an unyielding resolve, passion, perseverance, courage, along with empathy, that empowers us, as a nation, to expose and defeat the darkest parts of humankind by any means necessary and with violence by our own hands if need be. It is only through great Compassion and sheer Resilience, in the midst of Fear and Uncertainty WE, as a Nation, uphold Integrity and embody virtues of altruistic service. For my brother, King Therakles and I, have a brighter vision of the future and we have the passion to make our vision a reality."
"These are admirable qualities in a natural born leader." General Cothos commended her.
"I have been born and bred to live my life by a code of honor, never to be stained by a desire of personal or material gain. For when tragedy arises, when circumstances call for Sacrifice.., then we Sacrifice." Queen Sparta spoke but of this Cothos had no personal knowledge, nor had he understanding, she was speaking of sacrificing him. "We, as noble rulers, give our warriors strength to move forward through the tumult of War. Our Royal Throne has built a relationship with our Army and Navy on a strong foundation of TRUST.., a trust, so PROFOUND, that even the possibility of Death can not severe its hold. General Cothos said nothing, thinking for a moment about his own situation , oh how he wished Emperor Cyrillus would extend this sort of Trust and Unity to himself, but well Cothos knew how the Emperor hated him. "Yet, you, yourself, General Cothos, you are a highly successful military man, well respected by your great Emperor." the Queen lied, telling him "You, now, through marriage, are a member of a Royal Household, you are the blessed father to the nephew of Cyrillus, who speaks in such high regard of you.., who ARE a leader of men. You should know well of what I speak."
"Yes." he paused his face turning a little pale, for he could not believe Cyrillus had said anything good about him. Of course the Emperor had not, but he had no inclination that the Great Queen Sparta would be lying. So he took in a deep calming breath, licked his lips and said "I, in my country, am a man of authority. Having under me legions of soldiers. Yet still, my duty is to uphold the laws, not create or enact them. Nor will I ever govern like Royalty. However, when I say unto one of my warriors, to one I say, go and he will goeth, and to another come, and he will cometh, to where ever I so desire. And to my servants I say, do this and that , and they doeth any task I require of them. So as you see, there exist certain limitations to my authority." he sighed deep in his heart wishing he cold be king.
"All of which you speak does not seem to be very satisfying to you. If you were to be given more power.., do you believe you would rule wisely?" she asked plainly
General Cothos remained silent with many thoughts of his mind colliding together like a sudden storm of thunder, and clear as day the cunning Queen could see the flames of devious ambition alight in his eyes.
"Alas, the Fates have conspired against me." Cothos sighed as the stables drew nearer in sight. "If only I were of noble birth.., I would pledge my troth to you, beautiful Sparta, and take you as my wife." here he paused bowing to kiss her hand.
Queen Sparta only smiled, feigning delight, holding back her contempt as she played her part in the act of his deception, as she leaned in to give him a kiss upon the cheek, whispering in his ear. "Come, visit me again tonight. I would like to have a private dinner with you in the courtyard underneath the stars in the moonlight, for we have much to discuss."
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