The Javelin's engines thrummed beneath their feet, subtle vibrations shaking up the soles and into the bones of their legs.
Normally, the sensation was subtle and brought the user a lulling relaxation.
But in the silence that now stifled the Javeline's hollowed insides, Kara Zor-El found it only served to emphasize the lack of conversation to the point of pain.
She wasn't stupid, she could deduce that Diana's sentiments towards her homeland would be sensitive and so brought a fair degree of tact and caution when approaching it in conversation which explained why her Cousin wasn't saying anything at the moment.
Clark was good at a lot of things dealing with uncomfortable conversations was not necessarily one of them.
And as for Bruce.
Well...for all she knew the Dark Knight was happy to simply have everyone stay quiet no matter what, so he was no better.
But that left her so bored. Clark was a great listener, but she didn't think it would be appropriate to discuss the latest movie she'd seen or something equally as frivolous, given the circumstances.
So, with ever increasing awkwardness and effort, she fought down the overwhelming urge to ask Are we there yet?
She was eventually rewarded for her efforts, because within the next few minutes, they were touching down.
Antheia struggled all day to hide her nervousness at the Justice League's impending arrival. Philipus and Artemis' scouring of the palace and interrogations of the staff had not helped her nerves much either.
Neither had the fact that she'd been the one to actually find the queen.
The only one's who resided over the queen now were Philipus' elites, 'The Companions' Those who guarded the Queen herself rather than just the palace. Amazon's who, Like Philipus, Captain of the Guard, and Artemis, Captain of the soldiers, had walked the path of the Warrior for millenia and would be walking it still, a millenia hence.
Needless to say, they were intimidating.
And all servants who entered for the queens medications and treatments were screened and searched thoroughly. They also needed to give two doses from the same bottle, one to an appointed Companion, and one to the queen. If the various healers Philipus had at her side found the medications and herbs doing anything out of the ordinary to either the queen, or the companion, the servants would have to answer for much.
But still, for all of Philipus' anger and harsh methods of extracting information, none knew what had happened, and none knew what would happen should the Queen's end come. Hipolata had led her people since before their exodus, her leadership was invaluable and pivotal. With her daughter gone, and with no means of contacting her; Antheia could easily deduce what would happen after the Queen's death.
She'd seen it enough in Patriarchs world when she still resided there.
Civil disruption, conflict over who should lead. Which would lead in the end to war and bloodshed.
This needed to be avoided.
And so, though wary, and frightened of those in Patriarchs world, she'd made her attempt to contact the Justice League, remembering the rumor that one amongst them could read the thoughts of others.
She hadn't been certain that her attempt would succeed.
But succeed it did, and now she didn't know what she would do once Philipus and Artemis found out that she'd blatantly broken the laws of their home and called back, not only men, but an exile of their people as well.
The only thing she could think to do to at the very least stall; was asking them to approach from the far side of the island, away from others. So that she would meet them there.
Only now, as night crept up on her and the shadows snaked their way across the ground, and the chittering noises of the islands wildlife made itself known, did she begin to regret the choice.
She shook her mind from it, waiting in the shadow of a tree as she saw a glimmer appear in the distance.
She squinted through the darkness. And gasped as the ship came to full view. She'd seen it during the day, when they came here the first time, but with the backdrop of the night sky, trailing white fire behind its pointed tip. It glimmered like the spear thrown by Myrina herself into the heart of a Gorgon. Shining and beautiful. She could scarcely imagine that the world of men could make something so splendorous and graceful.
It looped through the sky, its trail of fire curving behind it before she saw it halt near the next clearing.
With hurried steps, she made her way closer, palms sweaty, heart hammering in her chest, and trying to recall just what the hell she'd been thinking when she sent out that call for help.
As the loading ramp descended from the back of the Javelin, the four heroes marched down, taking in their surroundings, devoid of any illumination save the half obscured moon
"Certainly not a big welcome huh?" Supergirl commented, her head swiveling to and fro.
"What you should be asking is, why ask us to drop down here?" Batman cut in. "As subtle as we were, the Amazonian's at the palace must have seen us."
Whether he was being sarcastic or not in the mention of their subtlety, none knew. Regardless, Clark answered.
"Antheia was probably scared at having called us and wanted to bring us somewhere where she could at least brace herself before we meet the other amazons."
"Possibly." Bruce responded. Suddenly, his hand snaked out, clasping around Diana's bracelet covered wrist with what would have been bruising strength to a Non-Meta, stopping her just seconds before she took off to the castle. "We'll be walking there Princess."
Scowling, the Dark haired heroin pulled her arm out of his hand.
"I need to see my mother." She said, her voice firm and unyielding.
"And you will." He answered, calm as ever, as his hand returned to the folds of his cape. "But whoever this is, clearly targeted Hipolata, she, or possibly he, must have known you'd be coming. They may have lain a trap. So we're going together."
She knew he was right, he usually was. But her anxiety over her mother's condition was wreaking havoc on her nerves and his so sure attitude did not help at all.
"You cant stop me."
"I cant." He conceded. "I'll follow you into the town square with the Javelin though. I bet that wont go over too well with your sisters."
She sighed through her nostrils, crossing her arms before all of them descended the ramp before sealing the ship.
"Someone's coming." Supergirl said, her ears giving a subtle twitch as they caught sound of footsteps and a beating heart.
"I hear her too." Clark verified.
"Congratulations." Bruce snarled. "Where is she coming from."
Both gestured to the right.
Seconds later a woman, dark haired, wearing a simple white tunic with a blue sash shambled her way through the foliage, panting for breath.
"Princess Diana!" She breathed, a nervous smile that spoke of all her fears and insecurities about this plea for help visible with every line on her face.
"Antheia." Diana greeted, a strange mix of relief and apprehension running through her chest. "What has happened?"
But the handmaiden didn't look as though she'd heard her question, her eyes rested on Superman and Batman, her worry; already having been visible before, became an almost a palpable thing now.
Deciding to break the ever increasing tension Kara chose to take the initiative. Stepping forward she extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Supergirl."
Blinking, as if just noticing the young female, Antheia looked to the extended hand for a moment before deducing the form of greeting. Extending her own hand she, to Supergirl's mild surprise, gripped the blond's forearm instead of her hand. In reflex the kryptonian did the same, watching her strength.
"Antheia." She answered "I had not seen you during the Princess'...previous return to Themyschera."
"Nah, I'm new." The Kriptonian said with simple honesty.
The lighthearted nature of the conversation ceased, as Diana walked right up next to the two. Being taller than both women, brought a new level of intimidation to the words that were all but bitten out of her mouth. "What has happened, Antheia?"
The royal handmaiden stiffened, warily watching Batman and Superman who still stood within earshot. "Princess, are you certain yo-"
"What happened?" The Champion of the Gods all but snarled her patience running thin. Bruce hid a smirk.
Realizing that the princess did not care of the men present, and was more than anxious to hear of what could be so dire that she would be summoned back to the island in this manner, the handmaiden reluctantly relented.
"The queen has been poisoned."
Though she felt as though she'd been kicked in the chest by Kal El himself, the discipline of her upbringing kept her features relatively stoic and composed. "By whom?" The only thing that gave her away, were the clenched fists at her side, which shook with thoughts and promises of retribution and vengeance.
"We do not know. But...the possibility that..." She trailed off.
"You think its another Amazon." Batman put forward the most obvious conclusion. "And you don't know who to trust now, so you called in a third party outside the island"
Antheia though she hesitated, nodded. "Exactly. As you well know my princess, all of us are allowed to see the queen should we request an audience. It could have been anyone! Anywhere! Sister Philippus is tearing the palace apart searching for any clue that may be found. Sister Artemis has doubled the guard in every corner of the castle."
Batman stepped forward, his shoulder to hers as he looked through the lenses of his cowl. "We've already wasted too much time." Bruce said. "If any evidence from that crime scene, which is completely contaminated at this point, is going to be salvaged, we need to move now."
Diana nodded, suddenly very grateful she'd brought Bruce with her. If anyone could do this, it would be him. She could think of no one better.
"That may have to wait a bit; the welcoming party is here." Clark announced
About thirty seconds later the three non kryptonians heard it, the dull thunder of hooves striking dirt.
Horses.
A lot of horses.
In a rush of glinting steel blades, armor of bronze and hundreds of pounds of raw muscle and power, the group found themselves surrounded, spear-tips and arrowheads held at the ready to strike on a single word or suspicious gesture.
Then one Amazon broke through the throng, having dismounted from her horse, her armor was plated in shining silver, fine craftsmanship, by blacksmiths that had spent hundreds of years perfecting their art. A fact which showed in every gentle curve and fold of the metalwork.
"Princess Diana." Said the Warrior, bowing once before removing her helmet, revealing hair the color of the setting sun.
"Artemis." Diana greeted back.
"Your exile is still in effect Princess." It was not a taunt, or a threat. It was a matter of fact. The woman's green, razor sharp eyes swiveled over to Antheia. "I am curious to know how it is your arrive immediately after this...development."
Antheia shrunk back, as though trying to make Artemis look away by seeming incredibly small.
She was soon shielded from the warrior's sight by Superman's broad chest as he stood protectively infront of her.
"It doesn't matter. We're here now to help discover who did this to the queen and help resolve the situation." He said, staring at the woman who matched his height.
Artemis narrowed her eyes at the Superman, though there was no real anger or malice there. More like...annoyance.
"You would be 'The Superman.' I imagine." It was half a question, half a statement. When Artemis looked to Diana it was full of scathing disdain. "I thought I and your other tutors had taught you more respect for the laws of your people than this. You repeat the crimes that brought forth your exile to begin with."
"You taught me very well." Diana answered back, not shaken in the least. "I remember every law of our people. Even 'Magnatorse aveporvou'
As though those words were a physical blow, Artemis reeled, visibly flinching as she looked at the Princess.
Kara, confused, opened her mouth to ask-
"Law of the empty throne."
The blond looked to Bruce, who hadn't even looked at her as he answered her, as yet unspoken query. Was J'hon helping him or something?
Diana for her part, looked rather pleased with herself as she stared at her old mentor. A smirk tugging at her lips despite the situation. "When the ruling queen is no longer fit, or is unable to fulfill her duties, the heir to the throne can and must assume stewardship of the lands until such a time comes when the monarch may return to her station."
Artemis, narrowed her eyes on the Princess, her disdain for such a tactic clear enough in her gaze as she put her helmet back on and returned to mount her horse.
"Come with us then, Princess."
And though, none could see her face, the sneer was all but impossible to miss.
Nearly an hour later, as she knelt at her mother's bedside, one hand gripping the clammy, coldness of her mother's, the other resting across her bent knee in a fist, the princess tried again to beat back her tears by strength of will alone.
She was succeeding; but slowly.
When they'd arrived, at the head of nearly two hundred female soldiers on horseback, needless to say, the civilians of Themischera had been in quite a state.
She barely offered Philippus an explanation before marching through the castle to the royal bedchamber.
When she'd finally reached the room, had she not been their princess, she was sure the Companion's would not have hesitated to cut down such an unguarded opponent, who's only focus was to reach her mothers side.
As it was, she'd been kneeling there for almost thirty minutes, doing little more than praying litanies of faith to Asclepius. Hoping that her mother could hear her voice in her unconscious state.
Too soon however, the black talon fell onto her shoulder. "Princess...I'm going to need the room cleared." He said as gently as he allowed himself to be, clad in the suit of the Bat.
Though part of her was annoyed by the interruption, another part of her took comfort in his reassuring presence. A rock against the tide. He was always sure, always certain. And more importantly, she knew he already had something in mind to distract her with. Always two steps ahead.
She stood, nodding in compliance. And, as expected he spoke again.
"While I'm doing this, you and Superman should go and round up all the names on this list." He handed her a slip of papyrus, on which were scrawled several names. "These are all the people who had access, and still have access to this room. Round them up, bring them to one of the rooms in the palace. Then, I need you to head back to the mansion with Superman. Pick up all the equipment from Vault four, Alfred will let you in."
"Go back to the mansion?" She echoed, caught completely off guard. "Bruce, I think it'd be best if-"
"Trust me Diana." He interrupted, just the barest hint of a plea in his voice. "Go back, and get the equipment."
He never needed to ask for her trust. She knew that. And so, without further hesitation she nodded, and stepped out of the room, seven of the eight companions following her. One would remain. That was not up for debate with the captain of the Guard.
"What do I do?" Kara asked from her place by the door, watching as her cousin followed the Amazon's out.
"Stand in the corner and watch." Bruce answered, beginning to turn off the candles around the room as he pulled a UV light from his utility belt. "You might learn something."
Well, here ya go, hope you enjoy it. For those of you waiting on LS's chapter it should be out in two to three more days while I finish proofreading and ironing out the kinks.