The sea was calm with hot winds blowing in from the vast arid desert sands of Africa to the south. Emperor Cyrillus gazed out at the tranquil turquoise waters as he stood at the stern of his colossal sailing vessel, his heart filled with an intense nervousness he had not experienced in years. Question after question raced through his mind like a tempest... Did Queen Sparta live up to her end of the contract? Had she succeeded in her plans of deception? Did she make the murder look like an 'accident' as she proclaimed she would? Was Cothos still alive, sleeping and dreaming in the comfort of his bed in the Royal Spartan Palace? The Emperor was clearly distressed and his elite group of guards could not help but notice as their Emperor paced back in forth upon the decks of the massive ship, and they thought it odd that Cyrillus did not wish to eat any breakfast, nor had taken any dinner the night before, and so his entire entourage worried the weeks spent upon the sea and the tragedies in the eastern region had left their beloved Emperor sick and ill at ease. It was not until the captain and her crew brought the ship along the southern coast of Greece, docking at the mouth of the River Eurotas, did their troubled Emperor seemed more relieved.
His pulse racing the Emperor was brought ashore along with a small entourage of Roman Diplomats and his most loyal Legionaries whom were all greeted by the Harbour Master, whom himself had sent word to the Palace as soon as the Emperor's ship, the Coronet, was seen far off on the horizon. The news sent forth set the mood of the sleeping Palace household into one of life and excitement as the loyal servants, in service to the King and Queen, arose early going about the business of getting the Royal Residence ready for a long day of feasting and social entertaining. Here the King and Queen were alerted immediately, along with Princess Gianna, of the Emperors pending arrival, she herself sent forth word to the Roman delegation. Now these certain men, friends loyal to Cothos stirred uneasy in their beds.
Quickly all the drapes and shutters in the rooms of the Palace were all thrown open letting in the pale blue early morning light and fresh air filled with the soft sounds of dawns chorus of birds stirring in their nests high up in the green leaves of the trees in the forests and orchards surrounding the Palace. King Threakles hurried with his dressing and grooming, swatting at the hands of his attendants as they combed his hair, fumbling with his golden crown; which he placed upon his own head in a rush to greet the Emperor. Princess Gianna was so thrilled to have her father back safely in her company she began to rush to get ready as she ran from the room neglecting to place any shoes upon her bare feet moving quickly through the long corridors of the Place to the Great Hall to meet up with her father, so pleased was she. However, the men of the Roman delegation were dreading this day, for their departed friend General Cothos was, formerly, in a high seat of authority; which allowed him to elevate his friends in military rank and social status; which they, themselves did not earn by merit. All of his actions not the choosing of the Emperor, who tolerated their presence at best. Now Cothos was dead and they were sure the vengeful Emperor would demote them in rank, or worse send them all to fight on the front lines in Germania to the West.
Whereas Queen Sparta did her best to contain her extreme excitement, for she had waited for this moment for weeks. So she did her best to gather up her words and courage to supplicate herself before her own court at the Emperor's feet. She went over her words carefully knowing she would have to give a convincing speech. Knowing she must show the greatest display of penitence, contrition, compunction, self reproach, remorse, grief and pain of suffering. Demonstrating her mental anguish so that all present would be believing of the most humbling scene of her sincere apology. So it was Queen Sparta sat in silence as she was groomed and dressed by her maidservants who appeared very nervous and anxious themselves. Here Sparta thought it best to shed a few tears of sorrow just to add to the tension and drama.
Now when Princess Gianna arrived in the Great Hall she found King Therakles seated upon his throne next to the empty throne of Queen Sparta . "My sister is being made ready she will join us shortly." King Therakles said rising to his feet embracing his future wife tightly giving her a loving smile and gentle kiss doing his best to calm her nerves as well as his. "Your father is being escorted by my charioteers he shall arrive any moment now." as he said this there followed a loud commotion of voices as the Emperor of Rome entered in the Palace appearing in the Great Hall. Cyrillus stood there with all the presence and confidence of a conquering hero returned to victory and triumph. He gazed over at his beautiful, most precious, daughter he rushed towards her sweeping Gianna up in his arms clutching her in a tight bear hug of an embrace lifting her up off of her feet "My dearest, sweetest child!" he said with a grin from ear to ear "I am so glad to see you again you are a lovely sight for these old eyes."
"Oh father I have missed your bright eyes and sweet smile!" Princess Gianna proclaimed laying her head on his broad chest throwing her arms around his neck.
"Pray tell, my good King Therakles, is all well here the Peloponnese, no rumblings of war from Phillip in the North to speak of?" he said bidding hail to the Grecian King "I hope the weeks have found you and your Nation well.., and not filled with terrible tragedy like that which has shaken the Eastern Regions." Cyrillus commented half jokingly.
Here King Therakles gave a strange look of grief and it took him a moment to respond in brief "Well.." now as he spoke he was interrupted by the entrance of the Roman Delegation as they made their way pensively to the presence of their leader. The Emperor quickly noticing the room was suddenly filled with a solemn somber mood and he felt like he was attending a funeral. Here he spied around the room not seeing the face of his most hated enemy and his heart leapt up in his throat when he realized General Cothos was not in attendance. So Cyrillus asked of his men "Tell me," he spoke in a calm voice going over to the Roman Delegation, who found it hard to look their Emperor in the eyes "Where is your General this morning? Do not tell me he has consumed too much wine last night and is still in his bed asleep?" he laughed but his question was met with silence.
"Father." Princess Gianna said in a small voice "Come, sit beside me, rest a little, let us discuss the matter of General Cothos."
"Matter? Of what matter do you speak? Why is General Cothos not standing here before me?" the Emperor asked in a harsh tone "Where is he!?"
"There has been an accident." King Therakles informed him.
"An accident?" Cyrillus asked with furrowed brow. "What has happened to the man?" he asked his heart racing, beads of sweat coming to his forehead.
"General Cothos is dead." came the loud voice of Queen Sparta who entered the Great Hall in robes of golden splendor her crown of silver stars shining upon her head as a hush fell over the crowd.
Emperor Cyrillus looked upon the glory of Queen Sparta seeing a disheartened look upon her once radiant face now ashen and pale with sadness as she approached, ever playing the part to deceive. The mighty heart of Cyrillus was full of relief and not grief, for he was exceedingly full of happiness not regret at the successful assassination of General Cothos. However the Emperor too had to play his small part, so he acted as if he were truly deeply saddened "DEAD?!" he cried out in feigned shock and horror.
Whereupon Queen Sparta walked slowly towards the grief stricken Emperor and here she did something which no Spartan Ruler had ever done, hence or since, when she took the hand of Cyrillus, the Emperor of Rome, beseeching him to sit upon her own throne. Reluctantly Cyrillus did as she requested filling her empty seat there beside the King. As he did the Queen of Sparta got down upon her knees before him gazing up into the Emperor's eyes with great sadness then she opened up her mouth describing in full detail what had transpired that fateful day of the 'accident' perfectly and all of this she explained through a constant stream of tears.
"I am shocked and saddened by this news." Cyrillus lied "Tragedy after tragedy after tragedy have I been beset by, on all sides, these last days." came his disheartened reply then Queen Sparta, kneeling before him, placed her head in his lap weeping bitterly, heaping up her lamentations one after another speaking of her guilt and grief taking responsibility for the terrible event telling him.
"Oh Emperor! Whom all men fear, trembling before thy power, your threatening, full of anger. Yet there is inside you, even still, a merciful promise that is in itself immeasurable.., unsearchable. For thou are the most high Emperor Cyrillus of Rome, of great compassion, long suffering, very merciful, you who can absolve the evils of men with a stroke of a pen. Oh Emperor, you who are always abiding in your great goodness. I beg for your promise of mercy, out of my repentance, as I require your divine forgiveness to be given to I, whom have sinned against you, unknowing, unthinking and blind. I beseech thine infinite compassion and mercies that you might accept my repentance so that my heart and mind might be kept from the oppressive depression weighing upon my very soul." she paused to take a breath wiping back tears "I feel as if I am held down by chains of iron I can not lift up my head in confidence. There is no escape or release from the grip of guilt and madness. My heart aches.., I feel as if I can no loner breathe, for I am full of agony. I do not wish to provoke thy wrath. I now, therefore, bow my knees before you beseeching thy grace. I humbly beseech thee so that you may forgive me. Destroy not that bond of love and friendship we have built up between our two Great Nations. Let us remain together as allies forever in a Universal Peace. Be not angry with me forever, today and tomorrow yea, but be not angry with me forever by reserving evil thoughts for me to condemn me or, my iniquities; which run as deep as the sea. For you, Emperor Cyrillus, you yourself, are like a god unto me. So therefore I respectfully prostrate myself before you, kneeling at your feet humbly. I plead that you will show all the goodness of your merciful wisdom and understanding, for only your love and forgiveness can save me from my despair, though I know I am unworthy of your great mercy and pity. Therefore shall I be left suffering in the abyss of this infinite sadness forever all the days of my life? For all the power of the heavens resides in thee, that you may be glorified eternally would that you forgive me." her she bowed her head in his strong hands and wept.
Emperor Cyrillus shook his head, deeply moved by her speech; which to him sounded more like a prayer unto his ears as if he, himself, were sacred, godly. "I am not provoked to anger." he replied lifting up her chin gazing into her tear stained eyes "I am shocked and saddened as I have stated.., but I understand accidents will happen, Cothos was reckless, he should not have been out riding... Though I know in the fullness of time all things end." here Cyrillus took her hands in his and he made her this pledge. "You have committed no crime, nor sin, against myself, my family, or my Nation. Be light of heart for there is nothing for you to fear, no harm shall come your way. Rest easy your mind. Be of good cheer. Be strong, be confident and you shall overcome the world and all of its problems. For there shall be Mercy for Penitence, Mercy for Contrition, Mercy for Compunction, Mercy for Remorse, Pity for Grief and Pain, Pity for Mental Anguish. But above all this there shall be FORGIVENESS!" here he stood helping the Queen up to her feet as she smiled with the greatest of relief embracing the old Emperor who whispered in her ear "Well done my lovely."
"Blessed are you Emperor Cyrillus.., but will I ever be able to FORGIVE myself for what happened that day?" here she rested her head on his strong shoulder weeping like a small child.
"There there, dearest Royal friend, come dry your tears." he said comforting her "Come perhaps it would be better for you if we spoke together, alone, in private. Let the words of my mouth douse the hatred you have for yourself raging like an inferno in your heart."
So it came to pass, at long last, Queen Sparta and Emperor Cyrillus left the presence of the stunned crowd, meeting together in her private council chamber where they could speak freely and openly. Now when the two were shut up in the room the doors securely closed behind them the grief stricken look upon both of their faces changed to one of sheer delight and happiness "My dearest Queen , my sweetest assassin! Congratulations!" Cyrillus said embracing her tightly giving her little kisses upon the cheeks and forehead "You have served your faithful ally well!"
"It was not easy." she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Life is never easy, there is always work to be done, wars to wage and peace to keep." he smiled his eyes shining bright like diamonds "Oh rapturous joy! For my Royal House had been set in order! Aristicus my nephew shall be adopted as My SON and legitimate heir to my throne! Cothos is gone and can no longer conspire against me. You have helped my Nation and my Family immeasurably! And now you shall receive the reward on which we have agreed!"
"We shall tell my brother, the King, to help restore my sanity, I shall return to Rome with you for the summer, to get a change of scenery and to get away from the memory of what happened that day. I shall invite my friends La Vada and Syndra to keep me company and of course our new Prince of the Realm, General Cothos, whom I shall take as my husband during the Gameon festival in January." Queen Sparta smiled serenely as all her plans and acts of deception and the violence of the blood had brought to fruition all that she had dreamed. Her world had been set in order, according to her will, and she could at last breathe easy, for tomorrow she would be sailing off to Rome, the Emperor paying for all her expenses for the journey for she had negotiated with him to send her across the known world, on a lavish adventure. Sparta would travel as far as the Pillars of Hercules in the West down to North Africa, then East to Egypt, Judea and Persia. Queen Sparta wanted to see the world and everything in it and she would do anything to get out of Greece. When she shared the news with her brother, King Therakles he was surprised but relieved and he granted her permission to leave the Kingdom only under one condition. Queen Sparta must return, at a moments notice, in the event war broke out in the Peloponnese. To which she wholeheartedly agreed. When word was sent to Syndra and La Vada they were both left speechless and anxious to go on an oversea adventure for they had themselves never left the safety of Greece. Prince Synos could not believe when Queen Sparta told him of the exciting trip they would make together and he kissed her lovingly his heart full of gratitude and joy. So it wold seem all was right in the world of the Queen as she prepared for her adventure yet she had no idea what the Fates and Destiny would have in store for her and her companions as they explored the surrounding countries, for soon the World's War Trumpet would blow bringing changes to everything the Ancient World had known.
THE END
His pulse racing the Emperor was brought ashore along with a small entourage of Roman Diplomats and his most loyal Legionaries whom were all greeted by the Harbour Master, whom himself had sent word to the Palace as soon as the Emperor's ship, the Coronet, was seen far off on the horizon. The news sent forth set the mood of the sleeping Palace household into one of life and excitement as the loyal servants, in service to the King and Queen, arose early going about the business of getting the Royal Residence ready for a long day of feasting and social entertaining. Here the King and Queen were alerted immediately, along with Princess Gianna, of the Emperors pending arrival, she herself sent forth word to the Roman delegation. Now these certain men, friends loyal to Cothos stirred uneasy in their beds.
Quickly all the drapes and shutters in the rooms of the Palace were all thrown open letting in the pale blue early morning light and fresh air filled with the soft sounds of dawns chorus of birds stirring in their nests high up in the green leaves of the trees in the forests and orchards surrounding the Palace. King Threakles hurried with his dressing and grooming, swatting at the hands of his attendants as they combed his hair, fumbling with his golden crown; which he placed upon his own head in a rush to greet the Emperor. Princess Gianna was so thrilled to have her father back safely in her company she began to rush to get ready as she ran from the room neglecting to place any shoes upon her bare feet moving quickly through the long corridors of the Place to the Great Hall to meet up with her father, so pleased was she. However, the men of the Roman delegation were dreading this day, for their departed friend General Cothos was, formerly, in a high seat of authority; which allowed him to elevate his friends in military rank and social status; which they, themselves did not earn by merit. All of his actions not the choosing of the Emperor, who tolerated their presence at best. Now Cothos was dead and they were sure the vengeful Emperor would demote them in rank, or worse send them all to fight on the front lines in Germania to the West.
Whereas Queen Sparta did her best to contain her extreme excitement, for she had waited for this moment for weeks. So she did her best to gather up her words and courage to supplicate herself before her own court at the Emperor's feet. She went over her words carefully knowing she would have to give a convincing speech. Knowing she must show the greatest display of penitence, contrition, compunction, self reproach, remorse, grief and pain of suffering. Demonstrating her mental anguish so that all present would be believing of the most humbling scene of her sincere apology. So it was Queen Sparta sat in silence as she was groomed and dressed by her maidservants who appeared very nervous and anxious themselves. Here Sparta thought it best to shed a few tears of sorrow just to add to the tension and drama.
Now when Princess Gianna arrived in the Great Hall she found King Therakles seated upon his throne next to the empty throne of Queen Sparta . "My sister is being made ready she will join us shortly." King Therakles said rising to his feet embracing his future wife tightly giving her a loving smile and gentle kiss doing his best to calm her nerves as well as his. "Your father is being escorted by my charioteers he shall arrive any moment now." as he said this there followed a loud commotion of voices as the Emperor of Rome entered in the Palace appearing in the Great Hall. Cyrillus stood there with all the presence and confidence of a conquering hero returned to victory and triumph. He gazed over at his beautiful, most precious, daughter he rushed towards her sweeping Gianna up in his arms clutching her in a tight bear hug of an embrace lifting her up off of her feet "My dearest, sweetest child!" he said with a grin from ear to ear "I am so glad to see you again you are a lovely sight for these old eyes."
"Oh father I have missed your bright eyes and sweet smile!" Princess Gianna proclaimed laying her head on his broad chest throwing her arms around his neck.
"Pray tell, my good King Therakles, is all well here the Peloponnese, no rumblings of war from Phillip in the North to speak of?" he said bidding hail to the Grecian King "I hope the weeks have found you and your Nation well.., and not filled with terrible tragedy like that which has shaken the Eastern Regions." Cyrillus commented half jokingly.
Here King Therakles gave a strange look of grief and it took him a moment to respond in brief "Well.." now as he spoke he was interrupted by the entrance of the Roman Delegation as they made their way pensively to the presence of their leader. The Emperor quickly noticing the room was suddenly filled with a solemn somber mood and he felt like he was attending a funeral. Here he spied around the room not seeing the face of his most hated enemy and his heart leapt up in his throat when he realized General Cothos was not in attendance. So Cyrillus asked of his men "Tell me," he spoke in a calm voice going over to the Roman Delegation, who found it hard to look their Emperor in the eyes "Where is your General this morning? Do not tell me he has consumed too much wine last night and is still in his bed asleep?" he laughed but his question was met with silence.
"Father." Princess Gianna said in a small voice "Come, sit beside me, rest a little, let us discuss the matter of General Cothos."
"Matter? Of what matter do you speak? Why is General Cothos not standing here before me?" the Emperor asked in a harsh tone "Where is he!?"
"There has been an accident." King Therakles informed him.
"An accident?" Cyrillus asked with furrowed brow. "What has happened to the man?" he asked his heart racing, beads of sweat coming to his forehead.
"General Cothos is dead." came the loud voice of Queen Sparta who entered the Great Hall in robes of golden splendor her crown of silver stars shining upon her head as a hush fell over the crowd.
Emperor Cyrillus looked upon the glory of Queen Sparta seeing a disheartened look upon her once radiant face now ashen and pale with sadness as she approached, ever playing the part to deceive. The mighty heart of Cyrillus was full of relief and not grief, for he was exceedingly full of happiness not regret at the successful assassination of General Cothos. However the Emperor too had to play his small part, so he acted as if he were truly deeply saddened "DEAD?!" he cried out in feigned shock and horror.
Whereupon Queen Sparta walked slowly towards the grief stricken Emperor and here she did something which no Spartan Ruler had ever done, hence or since, when she took the hand of Cyrillus, the Emperor of Rome, beseeching him to sit upon her own throne. Reluctantly Cyrillus did as she requested filling her empty seat there beside the King. As he did the Queen of Sparta got down upon her knees before him gazing up into the Emperor's eyes with great sadness then she opened up her mouth describing in full detail what had transpired that fateful day of the 'accident' perfectly and all of this she explained through a constant stream of tears.
"I am shocked and saddened by this news." Cyrillus lied "Tragedy after tragedy after tragedy have I been beset by, on all sides, these last days." came his disheartened reply then Queen Sparta, kneeling before him, placed her head in his lap weeping bitterly, heaping up her lamentations one after another speaking of her guilt and grief taking responsibility for the terrible event telling him.
"Oh Emperor! Whom all men fear, trembling before thy power, your threatening, full of anger. Yet there is inside you, even still, a merciful promise that is in itself immeasurable.., unsearchable. For thou are the most high Emperor Cyrillus of Rome, of great compassion, long suffering, very merciful, you who can absolve the evils of men with a stroke of a pen. Oh Emperor, you who are always abiding in your great goodness. I beg for your promise of mercy, out of my repentance, as I require your divine forgiveness to be given to I, whom have sinned against you, unknowing, unthinking and blind. I beseech thine infinite compassion and mercies that you might accept my repentance so that my heart and mind might be kept from the oppressive depression weighing upon my very soul." she paused to take a breath wiping back tears "I feel as if I am held down by chains of iron I can not lift up my head in confidence. There is no escape or release from the grip of guilt and madness. My heart aches.., I feel as if I can no loner breathe, for I am full of agony. I do not wish to provoke thy wrath. I now, therefore, bow my knees before you beseeching thy grace. I humbly beseech thee so that you may forgive me. Destroy not that bond of love and friendship we have built up between our two Great Nations. Let us remain together as allies forever in a Universal Peace. Be not angry with me forever, today and tomorrow yea, but be not angry with me forever by reserving evil thoughts for me to condemn me or, my iniquities; which run as deep as the sea. For you, Emperor Cyrillus, you yourself, are like a god unto me. So therefore I respectfully prostrate myself before you, kneeling at your feet humbly. I plead that you will show all the goodness of your merciful wisdom and understanding, for only your love and forgiveness can save me from my despair, though I know I am unworthy of your great mercy and pity. Therefore shall I be left suffering in the abyss of this infinite sadness forever all the days of my life? For all the power of the heavens resides in thee, that you may be glorified eternally would that you forgive me." her she bowed her head in his strong hands and wept.
Emperor Cyrillus shook his head, deeply moved by her speech; which to him sounded more like a prayer unto his ears as if he, himself, were sacred, godly. "I am not provoked to anger." he replied lifting up her chin gazing into her tear stained eyes "I am shocked and saddened as I have stated.., but I understand accidents will happen, Cothos was reckless, he should not have been out riding... Though I know in the fullness of time all things end." here Cyrillus took her hands in his and he made her this pledge. "You have committed no crime, nor sin, against myself, my family, or my Nation. Be light of heart for there is nothing for you to fear, no harm shall come your way. Rest easy your mind. Be of good cheer. Be strong, be confident and you shall overcome the world and all of its problems. For there shall be Mercy for Penitence, Mercy for Contrition, Mercy for Compunction, Mercy for Remorse, Pity for Grief and Pain, Pity for Mental Anguish. But above all this there shall be FORGIVENESS!" here he stood helping the Queen up to her feet as she smiled with the greatest of relief embracing the old Emperor who whispered in her ear "Well done my lovely."
"Blessed are you Emperor Cyrillus.., but will I ever be able to FORGIVE myself for what happened that day?" here she rested her head on his strong shoulder weeping like a small child.
"There there, dearest Royal friend, come dry your tears." he said comforting her "Come perhaps it would be better for you if we spoke together, alone, in private. Let the words of my mouth douse the hatred you have for yourself raging like an inferno in your heart."
So it came to pass, at long last, Queen Sparta and Emperor Cyrillus left the presence of the stunned crowd, meeting together in her private council chamber where they could speak freely and openly. Now when the two were shut up in the room the doors securely closed behind them the grief stricken look upon both of their faces changed to one of sheer delight and happiness "My dearest Queen , my sweetest assassin! Congratulations!" Cyrillus said embracing her tightly giving her little kisses upon the cheeks and forehead "You have served your faithful ally well!"
"It was not easy." she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Life is never easy, there is always work to be done, wars to wage and peace to keep." he smiled his eyes shining bright like diamonds "Oh rapturous joy! For my Royal House had been set in order! Aristicus my nephew shall be adopted as My SON and legitimate heir to my throne! Cothos is gone and can no longer conspire against me. You have helped my Nation and my Family immeasurably! And now you shall receive the reward on which we have agreed!"
"We shall tell my brother, the King, to help restore my sanity, I shall return to Rome with you for the summer, to get a change of scenery and to get away from the memory of what happened that day. I shall invite my friends La Vada and Syndra to keep me company and of course our new Prince of the Realm, General Cothos, whom I shall take as my husband during the Gameon festival in January." Queen Sparta smiled serenely as all her plans and acts of deception and the violence of the blood had brought to fruition all that she had dreamed. Her world had been set in order, according to her will, and she could at last breathe easy, for tomorrow she would be sailing off to Rome, the Emperor paying for all her expenses for the journey for she had negotiated with him to send her across the known world, on a lavish adventure. Sparta would travel as far as the Pillars of Hercules in the West down to North Africa, then East to Egypt, Judea and Persia. Queen Sparta wanted to see the world and everything in it and she would do anything to get out of Greece. When she shared the news with her brother, King Therakles he was surprised but relieved and he granted her permission to leave the Kingdom only under one condition. Queen Sparta must return, at a moments notice, in the event war broke out in the Peloponnese. To which she wholeheartedly agreed. When word was sent to Syndra and La Vada they were both left speechless and anxious to go on an oversea adventure for they had themselves never left the safety of Greece. Prince Synos could not believe when Queen Sparta told him of the exciting trip they would make together and he kissed her lovingly his heart full of gratitude and joy. So it wold seem all was right in the world of the Queen as she prepared for her adventure yet she had no idea what the Fates and Destiny would have in store for her and her companions as they explored the surrounding countries, for soon the World's War Trumpet would blow bringing changes to everything the Ancient World had known.
THE END
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