When a delegation of Amazons accidentally crosses the borders to the Conqueror's realm, they get captured by the Royal Guard along with the object of their mission: the sacred Girdle of Ares. Queen Melosa of the Amazons threatens to declare war against the Conqueror's empire if she won't release the captured Amazons along with the girdle. But the Conqueror has other plans.

Trying to avert an all-out war, the Amazon's young princess Gabrielle convinces the Queen to give her a month to find a peaceful solution to the problem. Together with the King of Thieves she thinks of a plan to return the Girdle of Ares and the delegation to the Amazon village. But how willing will she herself be to return to the Amazons?

Prologue

Six horses trudged along a cobble stone road on their way to the northern Amazon village. Their riders were dressed in peasant clothes, as not to draw suspicion, but under their cloaks they were well-armed.

"Anaxilea, there's a fork in the road a few miles ahead. Which route should we take?" Commander Eurybe asked the dark-haired scout riding next to her. Eurybe was a guest to the northern tribe and wasn't familiar with the area.

"We are to take the road that leads right, otherwise we'll near the border of Greece." Anaxilea answered. The commander nodded slightly in agreement, her big golden earrings clinking with the movement.

The Amazon party rode in silence through the dense, overgrown forest until they neared the intersection. "That's strange…" The commander noted while narrowing her eyes. "The road to the right seems to be blocked by a work crew."

"Blocked? I haven't heard of renovations in the area at this time." The scout whispered thoughtfully to herself. "I'll ride ahead and check things out." She offered. She kicked her horse in a canter and rode up to one of the men. "Excuse me sir, is it possible for our group to pass through?" The old warden turned toward her, giving her a toothless smile.

"I'm sorry lass, but last week's thunderstorm struck some ol' oak trees and they've blocked and damaged the road." The scout frowned.

"Is there another way for us to reach the main road to Saray?" The man rubbed a hand over his chin.

"You could take the road to the left, to Feres, then head north to Tichero. Any other route would take 3 days extra, the least." Anaxilea sighed.

"Thank you, sir."

The scout headed back to consult with the commander. "It's dangerous, Commander. With this route we will be less than a mile from the border. If the Royal Guard finds out we're there, they could arrest us for trespassing."

"I know, but we are to arrive in the village in 5 days. If we lay low and stay on the right side of the border, then they have no reason to do so. This is too important." The scout dropped her head in silent acceptance and followed the commander.

And so the Amazons made their way to Feres.

The horses' footsteps died away in the wet leafy soil, leaving enough room to hear the absence of forest sounds. "It's really quiet out here…" Noted commander Eurybe.

"Hmhm, too quiet." Whispered the scout as she scanned the woodland. Even the birds had ceased their singing. An unruly gust of wind rustled the leafs of the trees and bushes nearby. Anaxilea gripped the hilt of her sword that was hanging from her hip. Something didn't feel right. Then there was a whooshing sound and the Amazons were covered by a huge and heavy net. The horses bucked and threw their riders, causing some of the Amazons to get trampled in the progress.

"Soldiers!" Commander Eurybe screamed. Anaxilea tried to cut a hole in the net with her sword without getting kicked by a horse. But the soldiers came running from their hiding places with weapons raised. The scout saw one of the men swinging his club at her and then there was only darkness.

1| Hybris (Overconfidence)

Drip…drip…drip… A muffled groan sounded from across the room. Drip…drip…crash! An arm dropped back onto the heavy blankets after having released a bronze bowl, followed by a relieved sigh. But the precious silence only lasted for a few moments. Plonk! Plonk! Plonk! "Aargh! Blasted rain!"

The Conqueror was not amused. Not only was she not in her palace back in Corinth, but she also had to tolerate the presence of her obnoxious regents, who would literally kiss her ass in the rally for a promotion. For that very reason, and being nearly bored to death by all the paperwork that had to be done, she had drunk herself into unconsciousness last night. As a consequence, every drop of rain that fell through the creak in the shutters felt like a sledge hammer having a go at her brain. The Conqueror sat up in the bed, holding her head with both her hands, as if afraid it would fall off. An unfortunate fool chose that very moment to knock on her door. "Go away! Or I swear I will gut you alive!" She yelled while cringing at her own booming voice. The door opened just a few inches. Wary grey eyes darted from the left to the right to make sure no projectiles were flying his way before he entered. "Good morning Conqueror." The old man spoke softly, knowing well enough in what kind of state his lord was.

"Oh, it's just you." She dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "To what do I owe your bright presence in my otherwise gloomy existence?" She asked with an upmost bored expression on her face and her hair a complete mess. Prixus tried his best to stifle a smirk.

"The regent from Alexandropoulos just arrived, my Lord. He wishes to speak with you in a candle mark." The Conqueror narrowed her eyes.

"Does he now?" She knew that meant more ass-kissing. She'd have to get rid of him before she would lose her nerve and just throw him in the dungeon. Prixus felt already sorry for the man. With the Conqueror's mood as it was, he didn't stand a chance. The Conqueror sighed. "Tell me again, Prixus, why am I wasting my time here in Thessaly listening to incompetent fools?"

"Because you killed three of your regents last month, my Lord."

"Ugh! Well then remember me next time I want to kill off regents that it'd better be worth it, will you?"

Prixus chuckled lightly. "Of course, my Lord."

The man had been babbling on for the better part of a candle mark, bragging about all his accomplishments. And there were a lot of 'm… The Conqueror got irritated to the point she wanted to give the man the damn job just so she could send him away. Of course, she'd rather kill him, but then she'd have to pick yet another new regent. "Enough!" She yelled all of a sudden. The regent cowered and finally stopped his insistent chattering. The Conqueror flashed him her most charming smile. "You know Dymos, I would gladly give you Hyron's position in Xanthus…" The man lifted his head with a hopeful expression on his face.

"Y…You would?" He stammered.

"I would. But first… I'd like you to lend me a hand." Dymos looked at her, confused.

"You need my help with something, my Lord?" The Conqueror narrowed her eyes as she unsheathed the huge sword on her back.

"No, I'd literally like you to lend me your hand. Left or right, you may chose." She smiled wickedly at him.

"My…My hand?" The man swallowed as he understood what she meant.

"Well it only seems fair to me, Dymos. I give you something of mine…you give me something of yours." She spoke matter-of-factly. The man's eyes widened and sweat started to drip from his forehead. Oh, she loved to see them squirm.

"Y…You know, Lord Conqueror. I… I think it might be better for me to stay regent of Alexandropoulos after all." He stuttered. The Conqueror feigned surprise.

"Really? But I thought you wanted the position." Dymos started to back away from the throne, looking over his shoulder to judge his chances of escape.

"Well uh… I uh… have to think about the children… They have friends at home. They'd hate to have to move. So uh… I think I'll just go back to Alexandropoulos…"

"If you think that would be best…alright then." She sighed in disappointment, then waved him away. Dymos took his chance and hurried out the door. The Conqueror chuckled.

"Was that necessary, my Lord?" Prixus spoke from his place at the scribes table. "He is clearly one of the most qualified for the position."

"I know that, Prixus." She sighed in annoyance.

"Then why didn't you…?" He didn't dare finish his sentence. Speaking against the Conqueror never did anyone any good, even if you were her trusted advisor.

"Because I don't like his face." She scrunched her nose in a childish fashion, leaving Prixus murmuring his discontent and shaking his head.

A knock on the massive doors of the throne room broke the tension. "Enter!" Yelled the Conqueror. The door opened and a messenger fell gasping on the marble tiles.

"Lord…Conqueror! I…bring news…from Feres!" With the way the man was panting from exertion the news couldn't be good. She wasn't in the mood for this. Her head hurt, her throat was parched and she was annoyed as Hades!

"Spill it!" She called. The messenger scrambled to his feet as well as he could, then spoke.

"The soldiers at the outpost… captured six Amazons… who were trespassing." The Conqueror rose as she heard the news. Like a panther she approached the man, who was still doubled over by his efforts.

"Trespassing huh? Hmm… And why must you bother me with pathetic Amazons? Can't the guards handle a few women?" She feigned boredom. The messenger swallowed.

"Because among them…was commander Eurybe… my Lord." She smiled inwardly as she understood the importance of the situation. She knew Feres was under jurisdiction of Alexandropoulos and Dymos was supposed to take care of the problem. But Dymos was here now, wasn't he? He couldn't possibly take care of them now, could he? How convenient! Her smile grew. It actually scared the messenger whom she was circling.

"Have them sent here." She simply said. "I'll take care of this situation myself."