Dawn the next day, Queen Sparta awoke early, going out with her brother to the temple complex for the morning sacrifice. She then met with Brittas, Captain of the Palace Guard, along with King Therakles concerning the matter of Synos. King Therakles, himself, being more than eager to agree to send the young man packing back to the military, so glad to be rid of him was Therakles that he promoted him to the rank of Major, as he was quite anxious to get him away from his dearest sister. Queen Sparta, herself being quite relieved her plan of deception was going so well, naturally, as she had imagined it would be. However, moments after Major Synos departed, word came for the King and Queen to meet with their Councilors of State at the Halls of Council immediately, where disastrous news came sweeping in over the region. Leaving that, ever so brief, moment of sweet happiness Sparta had allowed herself to feel to be completely, and utterly, dissolved like honey in hot water as all was soon revealed.
Firstly, a great tragedy had befallen the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, where that sacred religious center thrived for hundreds of years, a holy place among all cultures where pilgrims would travel to worship in the immense temple coming from as far away as Phoenicia, Egypt, Persia, India and Gaul. For Artemis the goddess, herself, was recognized by many religions as the mother and nurturer of humankind. There at the temple was stored up a vast treasure of votive offerings, a trove of riches, exotic metals and exquisite jewelry, crowns of gold, weapons of silver. This all came to an end, just days before, during a violent thunderstorm that blew in west from Egypt. The storm lasted three days, and as many nights, ravaging the vast temple complex with its 60 foot high columns towering upward to the sky, sitting upon a hill overlooking the shimmering bay where the massive structure, the gleaming white marble temple, shown bright in the sun and could be seen from nearly ten miles out at sea, was struck by lightening, over and over again, the flashes of blazing heat illuminating the hundreds of painted statues along the frieze of the building. Whereupon the intense heat and flames setting the ancient temple ablaze and the moment the raging inferno reached the marble pediment and vast wooden roof structure the building was burned to chalk dust and ashes.
This information was ill received and especially devastating to Sparta and Therakles, whose ancient ancestors, the scattered tribes of Themiscyra, whom had erected the temple to Artemis on the site of a sacred grove, hundreds of years ago, was now, according to reports, reduced to a heap of ruins.
"I, myself, feel in a cold state of devastation by this terrible news." Queen Sparta spoke her voice clear and loud above all those gathered there. "I remember traveling there.., only last year.., where I, myself, set forth on my adventure of worship on my last pilgrimage to the sacred house of Artemis." she exclaimed recalling."For when I saw that holy temple; which towered above my head reaching towards the clouds, all the wonders of my eyes had ever beheld, paled in comparison and were left in the shade, for the sun, itself, has never shown down upon its equal.., outside the Temple of Zeus in Olympia." she shared her true feelings on the matter.
"How, by the grace of the gods , could this have happened?" King Therakles said beginning to pace back and forth as Queen Sparta remained perfectly still upon her throne listening to all with an open heart and a perceptive mind.
"What more.., pray tell, my learned council." Queen Sparta said in a loud voice with a look as serious as the grave saying "Why do I have the feeling there is much more tragedy in store.., or have I finally reached my breaking point of madness?"
Here among those many ambassadors and agents of council kept their mouths shut, however it was Ambassador Lacuna who opened up her mouth, saying. "Secondly, my King and Queen.., there is distressing news from our trade partners in Caria, for King Mausolus has been assassinated and chaos reigns in the region."
"Well.., that was bound to happen." King Therakles said unfazed by the revelation "It would appear his social experiment, his idea of a multi-cultural Utopia has failed."
"Yet, King Mausulos was worshipped as a god by his subjects." Queen Sparta said shocked by this turn of events, as the kingdom of Caria was a favored trade partner with the whole of Greece.
"Not that I am aware of." came the stone faced reply "Due to the upheaval in the region of Ephesus and Caria, Emperor Cyrillus sends word he will be returning in 7 days time after he visits the Oracle at Delphi."
Here the doors to the council hall were thrown open by another messenger out of breath panting excitedly "There are, now, two envoys back from Athens, here outside."
"Send them forth with their message and answer." Queen Sparta said sitting up straight, her heart racing. "What news of you?" she asked her eyes wide, clear and bright.
The Spartans were informed that the Athenians have refused to commit any land troops to defeat King Phillip and take back the gold and silver mines. Now with the region of Caria to the south of Thrace the Macedonian Army is pushing down into the region. Athens offering only to support the Spartan troops with food and weapons for the siege of the city. The Nation of Sparta and her wise rulers refused, themselves, to commit any warrior troops to the conflict in the region, instead they ordered their Generals of War to send forth 25,000 soldiers to the northern borders with Macedon where 40 new garrisons were to be constructed to house the Army, all to insure any attempt at incursion into Greece by the Macedonian King would cease and desist.
This was a very bad day leaving Queen Sparta worried about the future, however her brother, King Therakles, was not concerned in the slightest for he had been given the gift of foresight, though his sister, Queen Sparta, could not be so sure as he. For her mind was dully troubled and she had no appetite for lunch that day, so she retired to her bedchamber complaining of a headache and a sour stomach, whereupon the Physician Traveros was summoned forthwith. Escorted by her guards, excluding Synos, who was happy to be back in his military division having been promoted to the rank of Major, just as Sparta entered her quiet room she was met by a companion of General Cothos, whom had sent him forth with a letter. Her pulse quickened as her heart raced, she sat herself down on her large soft bed and read the following:
Firstly, a great tragedy had befallen the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, where that sacred religious center thrived for hundreds of years, a holy place among all cultures where pilgrims would travel to worship in the immense temple coming from as far away as Phoenicia, Egypt, Persia, India and Gaul. For Artemis the goddess, herself, was recognized by many religions as the mother and nurturer of humankind. There at the temple was stored up a vast treasure of votive offerings, a trove of riches, exotic metals and exquisite jewelry, crowns of gold, weapons of silver. This all came to an end, just days before, during a violent thunderstorm that blew in west from Egypt. The storm lasted three days, and as many nights, ravaging the vast temple complex with its 60 foot high columns towering upward to the sky, sitting upon a hill overlooking the shimmering bay where the massive structure, the gleaming white marble temple, shown bright in the sun and could be seen from nearly ten miles out at sea, was struck by lightening, over and over again, the flashes of blazing heat illuminating the hundreds of painted statues along the frieze of the building. Whereupon the intense heat and flames setting the ancient temple ablaze and the moment the raging inferno reached the marble pediment and vast wooden roof structure the building was burned to chalk dust and ashes.
This information was ill received and especially devastating to Sparta and Therakles, whose ancient ancestors, the scattered tribes of Themiscyra, whom had erected the temple to Artemis on the site of a sacred grove, hundreds of years ago, was now, according to reports, reduced to a heap of ruins.
"I, myself, feel in a cold state of devastation by this terrible news." Queen Sparta spoke her voice clear and loud above all those gathered there. "I remember traveling there.., only last year.., where I, myself, set forth on my adventure of worship on my last pilgrimage to the sacred house of Artemis." she exclaimed recalling."For when I saw that holy temple; which towered above my head reaching towards the clouds, all the wonders of my eyes had ever beheld, paled in comparison and were left in the shade, for the sun, itself, has never shown down upon its equal.., outside the Temple of Zeus in Olympia." she shared her true feelings on the matter.
"How, by the grace of the gods , could this have happened?" King Therakles said beginning to pace back and forth as Queen Sparta remained perfectly still upon her throne listening to all with an open heart and a perceptive mind.
"What more.., pray tell, my learned council." Queen Sparta said in a loud voice with a look as serious as the grave saying "Why do I have the feeling there is much more tragedy in store.., or have I finally reached my breaking point of madness?"
Here among those many ambassadors and agents of council kept their mouths shut, however it was Ambassador Lacuna who opened up her mouth, saying. "Secondly, my King and Queen.., there is distressing news from our trade partners in Caria, for King Mausolus has been assassinated and chaos reigns in the region."
"Well.., that was bound to happen." King Therakles said unfazed by the revelation "It would appear his social experiment, his idea of a multi-cultural Utopia has failed."
"Yet, King Mausulos was worshipped as a god by his subjects." Queen Sparta said shocked by this turn of events, as the kingdom of Caria was a favored trade partner with the whole of Greece.
"Be that, as it may.., it would seem the extreme taxation of his people to fund his monumental buildings and the construction of his grandiose tomb to house the body of himself and his sister/wife Queen Artemesia, proved to costly and has ultimately cost him his own life" the messenger relayed more information to those gathered together there in the hall, waiting on baited breath for more news. "There are rumors that Queen Artemisia, his wife and sister, had a portion of her brothers ashes, still warm from the cremation ceremony, having his remains mixed in a jug of wine and spices, whereupon she drank the elixir so that there flesh, brother and sister, husband and wife, could be mingled together one last time."
"Have you any GOOD news to impart?" King Therakles asked disgusted by the tale, his stomach churning at the thought of a man who could marry his own sister, making her his incestuous queen, lording over his people, enslaving his citizens to unfair taxation and extreme poverty, Therakles could see now this god-king was murdered in cold blood for many good reasons."Not that I am aware of." came the stone faced reply "Due to the upheaval in the region of Ephesus and Caria, Emperor Cyrillus sends word he will be returning in 7 days time after he visits the Oracle at Delphi."
Here the doors to the council hall were thrown open by another messenger out of breath panting excitedly "There are, now, two envoys back from Athens, here outside."
"Send them forth with their message and answer." Queen Sparta said sitting up straight, her heart racing. "What news of you?" she asked her eyes wide, clear and bright.
The Spartans were informed that the Athenians have refused to commit any land troops to defeat King Phillip and take back the gold and silver mines. Now with the region of Caria to the south of Thrace the Macedonian Army is pushing down into the region. Athens offering only to support the Spartan troops with food and weapons for the siege of the city. The Nation of Sparta and her wise rulers refused, themselves, to commit any warrior troops to the conflict in the region, instead they ordered their Generals of War to send forth 25,000 soldiers to the northern borders with Macedon where 40 new garrisons were to be constructed to house the Army, all to insure any attempt at incursion into Greece by the Macedonian King would cease and desist.
This was a very bad day leaving Queen Sparta worried about the future, however her brother, King Therakles, was not concerned in the slightest for he had been given the gift of foresight, though his sister, Queen Sparta, could not be so sure as he. For her mind was dully troubled and she had no appetite for lunch that day, so she retired to her bedchamber complaining of a headache and a sour stomach, whereupon the Physician Traveros was summoned forthwith. Escorted by her guards, excluding Synos, who was happy to be back in his military division having been promoted to the rank of Major, just as Sparta entered her quiet room she was met by a companion of General Cothos, whom had sent him forth with a letter. Her pulse quickened as her heart raced, she sat herself down on her large soft bed and read the following:
Your Royal Excellency Queen Sparta, I offer up my sincerest apologies for any offense I may have caused to you in my over zealous fraternization with the dancers, I was only amusing myself in your absence, and I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn you had departed. Whereas I beg of you to allow me to see you once more again, tonight, perhaps. As to our wager let us try again some other time, for one sweet kiss from you would be of the purest delight.
Greatly pleased by this Queen Sparta would use this information to her advantage, letting the General believe she was, indeed, angry with him out of jealousy, so she sent back her own letter saying she was still upset that he had embarrassed her in front of her friends and loyal subjects refusing to see him for several more days. This was an effective delay for it was Queen Sparta's full intention of leaving a fresh corpse of her victim, so, upon Emperor Cyrillus' return he could see with his own eyes General Cothos laid out on a cold slab of marble in the crypt beneath the Temple of Hera. So it was, after five days of ignoring General Cothos at all costs, Queen Sparta sent out another message to him, inviting the General to go out riding once again asking him to meet her at the Royal Stables where she would teach him to ride her war horse, Saxet, the very next morning. With this General Cothos found it hard to sleep that night, so excited was he at the prospect of meeting once more, alone, with the beautiful Queen. As he lie in his bed staring up at the ceiling a rush of feelings of nervous anticipation filled up every fiber of his being, Yet, alas he, himself, never knowing this evening would be his last chance to sleep and dream for by this time tomorrow he would be stone cold dead free from life and breath.
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