Here Lucia Vega, herself being much older and wiser than the three young women combined, gathered up her long flowing gown sitting herself down beside her guests soaking her feet and long legs in the pool, speaking along with them in the same ancient foreign tongue.
"General Cothos, from my own understanding and direct dealings with him, is surely a loyal soldier to the Throne of Rome. Though.., that is not to say he is wholly ambitious, for ambition is like the breath of life to him. Here me now, therefore with wisdom and understanding." the older warrior turned ambassador, whom had know Sparta's mother, Queen Thera for decades before Sparta was ever born, spoke out of love and respect for the daughter of Queen Thera and King Vyakles. So it was with care and delicate tender mercy Lucia Vega expressed her opinion without alienating Sparta from the truth. Pushing back her long white hair, the wise aged ambassador, former Commander of the Themiscyran Division, opened up her mouth letting her words pour out like an avalanche coming down the mountain. "He is a seeker of social status, born to a wealthy merchant Roman family, the second son of his father, Cothos was said to be, by many who knew him, to be a wicked child, filled with mischief. He lost his father at an early age whereby his older brother inherited the wealth and status of his father, leaving Cothos to join the army to try to make a name for himself. However, as a soldier Cothos was best known for his off color humor, swordsmanship, gambling and.., dancing." she paused as her speech was interrupted by the gasps of her guests.
"Dancing?" the three young women said in unison as this seemed quite strange to their warrior state of mind.
"Yes, yes, I know. Well it appears, now, he wishes to try his hand at horsemanship, under your close instruction, Sparta." Lucia Vega added teasing her a bit.
"Tell me Lucia.., you knew my mother better than any of us here.., do you suppose my mother and father would approve of the General?"
"I can not, and will not, base any opinion on supposition. So, therefore, I am unable to speak for the dead." the old woman shook her head as she bowed in remembrance of her departed friends.
"Then speak for yourself." Sparta gave a serious look asking "Do you approve of General Cothos?"
"I can honestly say, without hesitation, my answer is NO." Lucia Vega sighed then with eyes as clear and bright as two stars she said to her "However.., you, yourself, are Queen of this Nation, let not your own opinion be swayed by others. For you are wise, and a word the wise is sufficient."
"Yes, yes, but confess the true reason you do not like him." Queen Sparta pushed the question further.
"There are many reasons.., However you seem to require an explanation and so you shall have one, but it is important to note that I will speak of this, truthfully." Lucia Vega, a most sagacious councilor, turned to her Queen explaining "General Cothos is a braggart and a boaster, he is a lover of adventure and advancement. As for his military career, he was awarded his commission as Captain, he did not EARN it through military skill or prowess. It was his older brother that was left to do his best to keep Cothos out of trouble, paying off his many debts and covering up the many scandals that plagued him. His brother going so far as to bribe many members of the commanding officers, finally securing the rank of Captain for his brother, whom, somehow, while stationed at the Royal Palace he caught the eye of Princess Priscilla, sister of Emperor Cyrillus, whereupon, by marriage to her, he was again awarded the rank of General." Lucia said shaking her head in disgust. "Yet, wait there is more..," she said with a little laugh of her own disbelief "As for those military campaigns he regaled us with endlessly.., well, he was not fully accurate in his rendition of the tales. For, in truth, the vast territories gained by Rome from the Etruscans in the north, were taken, not by force or violence, and seized with little to no resistance from Etruria. It was through the threat of Roman aggression at the borders when many citizens of the villages and cities abandoned their homes, choosing to flee to the safety of their larger cities up in the mountains.Whereby, it is only through total and utter capitulation, by the Etruscans, that the vast majority of land gained by the Romans was taken. It is only through these extreme acts of cowardice by Etruria that Rome has now tripled in size." here she sighed again her political mind focused on growing concerns for the future and Romes new influence in the region. "Now, Emperor Cyrillus sends forth his legionnaires to Illyria to suppress and quell any threat of Macedonian incursion along the border. Leading me to believe that once his soldiers get settled into the country.., they will never leave, thereby occupying lands from the Mediterranean all the way to the Danube.
"Even if that is so," Queen Sparta replied "I am certain the Romans will be splendid allies and good neighbors, for we must be united against any threat from Phillip and his intentions on ruling the world." Sparta paused thinking of the future. ''Our King shall, by marriage, cement our alliance with Rome, whatever comes we shall all face the future together. Our Armies, Our Imperial Navies, merging as a combined force of hundreds of thousands united against Phillip, FOREVER. We must all think of the future."
"So.., you have thoughts that include the General in future plans of marriage, for some political gain?" Syndra spoke up "Forgive my impudence, my dear friend Sparta, of whom I have the greatest love and admiration, but I must say this does not sound like something you would ever think to do, this is not like you. Your behaviour seems out of character and I wonder if this foreign general has practiced some sort of witchcraft upon you, for you seem somehow not yourself, in this matter of love. You must see.., this man is completely wrong for someone of such a regal and noble bearing as yourself.".
"Politically..," Ambassador Lucia Vega digressed to her favorite topic "It would prove far better for you to marry one of the princess of Argos or Acadia. Why even the King of Illyria himself is need of a new wife as his present one can not carry a child to term. Whatever your choice in marriage it should be later in life, wait five more years, then wed whomever you like. Though you should limit your selection to exclude any man born to a common family." she advised her to which Queen Sparta did not reply, only gazing down at the reflection of the ancient moon shimmering in the clear water with a sad look of despondence in her eyes. For she had set her heart on marriage years ago, but it was Captain Synos whom she could envision as her faithful husband and she his loving wife.
"Sparta?" Why will you not answer?" Syndra asked as her question fell on deaf ears as the Queen was lost in a deep peaceful thought. Here Syndra reached out with her toe in the water gently nudging her leg when La Vada said.
"She is thinking about Synos." La Vada announced knowing well her dearest friend, for she had seen that familiar look in her eyes many times when she was a young cavalry officer pining away for officer Synos.
Now it happened, perchance, that Captain Synos, himself, had wondered where his Queen had disappeared to, so he set about the house going from room looking for her, when he heard, through an open window, his name being spoken. So he went over to the open window, he being concealed by the white linen drapes billowing up in the cool breeze, as he looked out into the courtyard where he spied, very close by, the four women sitting at the waters edge relaxing and speaking together in their secret language, though he understood his name clearly when it was spoken. Here his heart felt raw as he saw clearly the sad look of loneliness upon Sparta's sweet face as she heard her friend speak his name again. So filled with love sickness was she for he. His first natural reaction, as a man, was to go to her side, and hold her tight to give her heart comfort and ease. However Synos knew his rank and place, for his station in life was far beneath royalty and this one fact would always keep him down and bound to the laws of tradition. She was a Queen, high upon her pedestal, he was merely her acolyte, worshipping on bended knee, at her feet ,eternally.
Here, in order to make his presence known Captain Synos cleared his throat the sound sending the women sitting up straight, pricking up their ears. "Queen Sparta. Forgive my intrusion on your privacy, I have only come to see if you are in need of anything, some refreshments perhaps, as your audience asks after your disappearance. Perhaps you are in need of my assistance." Captain Synos asked in the confident manner of a military man.
"Why Captain Synos!" she turned her head "I did not see you standing there." she gave a warm smile her eyes lighting up at the sight of his handsome face. "Please, dearest Synos.., you are here as a guest of Lucia Vega, you must try to relax, for you are not on duty. My watchmen are posted at the doors. I am well, though I thank you for your concern. Please trouble your heart not with my comfort, for I am well." she lied through her smile. "Go back inside, enjoy the entertainment, for the women dance for you, the single men's, enjoyment." she said instructing him to leave her presence.
To which he only said, as his heart grew cold as a stone "As you wish my Queen. I shall leave you alone."
Here after his quick departure there was a moment of dreadful silence that hung in the air as the sound of the crickets chirping became louder and louder, her friends giving her a disapproving look. "Sparta, why will you not even consider the love you have for Synos?" La Vada spoke up.
"Do not even begin to speak of it to me! I CAN NOT BEAR IT." Queen Sparta exclaimed.
"No!" Syndra defied her Queen. "You said speak as friends, so let me speak as such and I pray, to Hera, you will here." Sydra said as she watched the cheeks of her Queen grew red.
"General Cothos, from my own understanding and direct dealings with him, is surely a loyal soldier to the Throne of Rome. Though.., that is not to say he is wholly ambitious, for ambition is like the breath of life to him. Here me now, therefore with wisdom and understanding." the older warrior turned ambassador, whom had know Sparta's mother, Queen Thera for decades before Sparta was ever born, spoke out of love and respect for the daughter of Queen Thera and King Vyakles. So it was with care and delicate tender mercy Lucia Vega expressed her opinion without alienating Sparta from the truth. Pushing back her long white hair, the wise aged ambassador, former Commander of the Themiscyran Division, opened up her mouth letting her words pour out like an avalanche coming down the mountain. "He is a seeker of social status, born to a wealthy merchant Roman family, the second son of his father, Cothos was said to be, by many who knew him, to be a wicked child, filled with mischief. He lost his father at an early age whereby his older brother inherited the wealth and status of his father, leaving Cothos to join the army to try to make a name for himself. However, as a soldier Cothos was best known for his off color humor, swordsmanship, gambling and.., dancing." she paused as her speech was interrupted by the gasps of her guests.
"Dancing?" the three young women said in unison as this seemed quite strange to their warrior state of mind.
"Yes, yes, I know. Well it appears, now, he wishes to try his hand at horsemanship, under your close instruction, Sparta." Lucia Vega added teasing her a bit.
"Tell me Lucia.., you knew my mother better than any of us here.., do you suppose my mother and father would approve of the General?"
"I can not, and will not, base any opinion on supposition. So, therefore, I am unable to speak for the dead." the old woman shook her head as she bowed in remembrance of her departed friends.
"Then speak for yourself." Sparta gave a serious look asking "Do you approve of General Cothos?"
"I can honestly say, without hesitation, my answer is NO." Lucia Vega sighed then with eyes as clear and bright as two stars she said to her "However.., you, yourself, are Queen of this Nation, let not your own opinion be swayed by others. For you are wise, and a word the wise is sufficient."
"Yes, yes, but confess the true reason you do not like him." Queen Sparta pushed the question further.
"There are many reasons.., However you seem to require an explanation and so you shall have one, but it is important to note that I will speak of this, truthfully." Lucia Vega, a most sagacious councilor, turned to her Queen explaining "General Cothos is a braggart and a boaster, he is a lover of adventure and advancement. As for his military career, he was awarded his commission as Captain, he did not EARN it through military skill or prowess. It was his older brother that was left to do his best to keep Cothos out of trouble, paying off his many debts and covering up the many scandals that plagued him. His brother going so far as to bribe many members of the commanding officers, finally securing the rank of Captain for his brother, whom, somehow, while stationed at the Royal Palace he caught the eye of Princess Priscilla, sister of Emperor Cyrillus, whereupon, by marriage to her, he was again awarded the rank of General." Lucia said shaking her head in disgust. "Yet, wait there is more..," she said with a little laugh of her own disbelief "As for those military campaigns he regaled us with endlessly.., well, he was not fully accurate in his rendition of the tales. For, in truth, the vast territories gained by Rome from the Etruscans in the north, were taken, not by force or violence, and seized with little to no resistance from Etruria. It was through the threat of Roman aggression at the borders when many citizens of the villages and cities abandoned their homes, choosing to flee to the safety of their larger cities up in the mountains.Whereby, it is only through total and utter capitulation, by the Etruscans, that the vast majority of land gained by the Romans was taken. It is only through these extreme acts of cowardice by Etruria that Rome has now tripled in size." here she sighed again her political mind focused on growing concerns for the future and Romes new influence in the region. "Now, Emperor Cyrillus sends forth his legionnaires to Illyria to suppress and quell any threat of Macedonian incursion along the border. Leading me to believe that once his soldiers get settled into the country.., they will never leave, thereby occupying lands from the Mediterranean all the way to the Danube.
"Even if that is so," Queen Sparta replied "I am certain the Romans will be splendid allies and good neighbors, for we must be united against any threat from Phillip and his intentions on ruling the world." Sparta paused thinking of the future. ''Our King shall, by marriage, cement our alliance with Rome, whatever comes we shall all face the future together. Our Armies, Our Imperial Navies, merging as a combined force of hundreds of thousands united against Phillip, FOREVER. We must all think of the future."
"So.., you have thoughts that include the General in future plans of marriage, for some political gain?" Syndra spoke up "Forgive my impudence, my dear friend Sparta, of whom I have the greatest love and admiration, but I must say this does not sound like something you would ever think to do, this is not like you. Your behaviour seems out of character and I wonder if this foreign general has practiced some sort of witchcraft upon you, for you seem somehow not yourself, in this matter of love. You must see.., this man is completely wrong for someone of such a regal and noble bearing as yourself.".
"Politically..," Ambassador Lucia Vega digressed to her favorite topic "It would prove far better for you to marry one of the princess of Argos or Acadia. Why even the King of Illyria himself is need of a new wife as his present one can not carry a child to term. Whatever your choice in marriage it should be later in life, wait five more years, then wed whomever you like. Though you should limit your selection to exclude any man born to a common family." she advised her to which Queen Sparta did not reply, only gazing down at the reflection of the ancient moon shimmering in the clear water with a sad look of despondence in her eyes. For she had set her heart on marriage years ago, but it was Captain Synos whom she could envision as her faithful husband and she his loving wife.
"Sparta?" Why will you not answer?" Syndra asked as her question fell on deaf ears as the Queen was lost in a deep peaceful thought. Here Syndra reached out with her toe in the water gently nudging her leg when La Vada said.
"She is thinking about Synos." La Vada announced knowing well her dearest friend, for she had seen that familiar look in her eyes many times when she was a young cavalry officer pining away for officer Synos.
Now it happened, perchance, that Captain Synos, himself, had wondered where his Queen had disappeared to, so he set about the house going from room looking for her, when he heard, through an open window, his name being spoken. So he went over to the open window, he being concealed by the white linen drapes billowing up in the cool breeze, as he looked out into the courtyard where he spied, very close by, the four women sitting at the waters edge relaxing and speaking together in their secret language, though he understood his name clearly when it was spoken. Here his heart felt raw as he saw clearly the sad look of loneliness upon Sparta's sweet face as she heard her friend speak his name again. So filled with love sickness was she for he. His first natural reaction, as a man, was to go to her side, and hold her tight to give her heart comfort and ease. However Synos knew his rank and place, for his station in life was far beneath royalty and this one fact would always keep him down and bound to the laws of tradition. She was a Queen, high upon her pedestal, he was merely her acolyte, worshipping on bended knee, at her feet ,eternally.
Here, in order to make his presence known Captain Synos cleared his throat the sound sending the women sitting up straight, pricking up their ears. "Queen Sparta. Forgive my intrusion on your privacy, I have only come to see if you are in need of anything, some refreshments perhaps, as your audience asks after your disappearance. Perhaps you are in need of my assistance." Captain Synos asked in the confident manner of a military man.
"Why Captain Synos!" she turned her head "I did not see you standing there." she gave a warm smile her eyes lighting up at the sight of his handsome face. "Please, dearest Synos.., you are here as a guest of Lucia Vega, you must try to relax, for you are not on duty. My watchmen are posted at the doors. I am well, though I thank you for your concern. Please trouble your heart not with my comfort, for I am well." she lied through her smile. "Go back inside, enjoy the entertainment, for the women dance for you, the single men's, enjoyment." she said instructing him to leave her presence.
To which he only said, as his heart grew cold as a stone "As you wish my Queen. I shall leave you alone."
Here after his quick departure there was a moment of dreadful silence that hung in the air as the sound of the crickets chirping became louder and louder, her friends giving her a disapproving look. "Sparta, why will you not even consider the love you have for Synos?" La Vada spoke up.
"Do not even begin to speak of it to me! I CAN NOT BEAR IT." Queen Sparta exclaimed.
"No!" Syndra defied her Queen. "You said speak as friends, so let me speak as such and I pray, to Hera, you will here." Sydra said as she watched the cheeks of her Queen grew red.
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