EARTH AND SKY

Chapter Four

The God of War stood in his lair, the Aeropagus, looking upon the Amazons of Themyscira via a reflection pool. He folded his arms and his red eyes seemed to glow.

So, his father was trying to keep him in his place by trying to even up the odds by anointing a Champion? How strange it was that mankind seemed to love to war. No matter how sophisticated they got, how many gifts the Gods gave them, they were bent on destroying each other. Was it his fault mortals were greedy and grasping and easy to manipulate?

Zeus was a pompous old fool but he was still King of the Gods and had the backing of the majority of the Gods on Olympus. Ares could not touch the Amazons without reprisal. He had to respect the eternal law of balance.

A voice sounded behind him. "Come to bed, beloved. It is only Zeus playing games as usual."

He turned to see a very beautiful, voluptuous, golden haired woman lounging on the bed behind him. She was wrapped in a thin sheet and from the way she was sprawled it was clear she wanted him to pay attention to her and not the images of the Amazons.

Ares faced his lover, Aphrodite, and said scornfully, "Does he really think these women can even make a dent in the hearts of men? Or even face me?"

Aphrodite smiled, "Of course not. But you know, Zeus, he does not like anyone getting too powerful. In fact, none of us do. "

"Even you."

"Even me. I am the Goddess of Love. You triumph and where would I be?" she smiled coyly. "You must be reined in."

He smiled dryly. "Is that why you are here? To rein me in?"

She laughed silkily. "I am here because I want you and my husband, Hephaestus, is a hideous bore who prefers stoking the fires of a forge than me. "

Ares laughed. "You can thank Zeus for that."

Her eyes grew hard at that for a moment. She would never forgive Zeus for binding her to Hephaestus because he thought her too beautiful.

She shrugged. "He did me a favor. My husband does not even know what is going on in front his nose. He adores me. A possessive husband would bore me to death. You and I know where we stand."

Ares went to sit near her. "Indeed, we do. That is why I enjoy you."

She pulled him down upon her and they shared a deep kiss. When he lifted his head, she said throatily, "We could make it more interesting. More of a challenge."

He looked at her warily. "Make what interesting? "

"Would you not prefer a champion worthy of your might? Someone blessed by the Gods themselves? Someone who is not just some random Amazon who will be of little import if and when you do defeat her?"

He pulled back and narrowed his eyes. "If and when? Ah, so this is the game you want to play now? You really think the little Princess worthy? Love and beauty does not make one a champion, Aphrodite."

Aphrodite retorted, "She has more than that. And what a waste of all that power just to be used in paradise. Come, my love, it will be a game we will both enjoy. I am so very bored and Queen Hippolyta always seems to prefer that prude Athena to me. Why does she have to be so against love? Always preaching about discipline and rules and how bad men are… What a fool she is." She kissed Ares again, biting his lower lip. "Hippolyta needs a jolt to reality. It would be so delicious to see if the only creature I have been patron to can win that contest and see if she can hold her own against you."

"You cannot interfere in the contest."

"I have no intention of interfering. She has been banned from taking part. All she needs is a chance."

Ares laid back and folded his arms under his head. His eyes seemed to gleam. Truth be told, he too was rather bored. Living for all eternity required the ability to amuse oneself as well as ensuring one was relevant. Aphrodite was smart. If he did triumph she would suffer too. It was in her interest that he be kept in line and she was never one to lie or deceive. She was selfish and vain but he knew always where he stood with her.

He said, "Very well. But I leave to you to do what needs to be done."

She purred and lapped the skin at his neck. "Leave it to me. The next twenty four hours will be most interesting."

Mala and Diana were riding their horses deep within the mystical regions. The contest was the following day and Mala wanted to hone her equestrian skills. What better way was there than riding in the wild, magical forest.

Diana was ahead of her making sharp turns and jumping wide streams with a speed and ease Mala was hoping to acquire. Diana was a superb horsewoman and her steed was a spirited black stallion called Argo. Mala was on a mare called Narcissus. Diana and Argo rode ahead of them, easily sailing over a fallen tree.

Mala confidently prepared to take the obstacle, as it was no bigger than the fences she normally took in the arena. Just a few seconds before the jump, the animal's ears seemed to prickle and Mala could feel the tension on the reins. The mare suddenly stopped and dug her front hooves in the earth and Mala went sailing over its head. She fell heavily onto the ground. Narcissus backed away and instead of bolting, very docilely walked to a nearby grassy plot and began to graze as if nothing had happened.

Diana suddenly pulled up and cried, "Mala!"

She hurried back and dismounted and dropped to her knees. "Oh Hera, are you alright?"

Mala's face was pale and her expression pained. She was assisted carefully to sit upright and as she did she gasped and held her right arm. "My arm. Gods, it hurts. I think it is broken, Diana."

Diana examined it and she looked up soberly. "I think is, Mala."

Mala grimaced and looked at Narcissus in bewilderment. " Why would she throw me? She is such a steady horse and this log is not impassable… I did not see or hear anything amiss."

Diana looked around warily and went for the sword in her pommel. "Maybe something frightened her. We are in the mystical areas after all. There are strange creatures lurking in the forest. We should go. Epione has the healing ray…"

Mala winced. "Diana the ray heals at a fast rate, yes, but it will not set my bone in less than a day. And after having treatment with it one needs to rest. I think I may not be able to participate tomorrow."

They stared at each other with dismay. Diana touched her arm as if to comfort her. " I am so sorry, Mala."

Mala sighed and allowed her to help to her feet. "It seems it is not my destiny to be Champion…"

Diana said briskly, "We need to tell Phillipus and Euboea so they can get a replacement. There are many sisters who would be eager to take your place. Come, let me help you up on Narcissus."

Mala stared at her pensively as she went to draw the mare forward. "Yes, that is true. Many sisters."

With her superior strength Diana hoisted her easily unto the saddle. "Let us go quickly. We should not stay out here too long."

Mala's hand grasped hers and she blurted out, " Diana, you can take my place."

Diana blinked. "What? Do not be silly."

"How is it being silly? You wanted to participate..."

Diana said wryly, " I cannot and you know why."

Mala said earnestly, "Diana, your mother did that because she wants to keep you safe. It has nothing to do with the will of the Gods or your skill. She is just being a mother."

Diana looked at her almost in disbelief. How bizarre. A few minutes ago she was just enjoying a canter with a friend and now she was being urged to join the contest that could change her destiny.

Mala continued gravely, "If you do not participate then Artemis will likely win the title and you know that is not what we want. If I had a chance I would have tried my best but look at me now. I cannot. Please, Diana, let us decide now what we are going to do. I freely give my place to you. If you want it you can go guised as me. The Queen will be none the wiser."

Diana stared at her in silence.

"Diana?"

Hippolyta, Queen of Themyscira, watched the two remaining warriors select a sword and walk out onto the arena to face each other. Both were wore helms and armor as specified by the rules of the contest. It was deemed best sisters not know whom they fought as this might influence how they competed. The day had started out with fifty of the best warriors participating in the tournament; now it was late afternoon and only two contestants were left.

The Queen's expression was grim though. She was not entirely convinced that this tournament was even needed. It was not of her making. But then Hermes himself had appeared as the mouthpiece and messenger of Zeus. It must come to pass, he had said. It was foretold and written in the stars that an honored sister would go out into the world and her name would be wreathed in glory for eons.

Hermes had left two gifts that would be given to the winner. Two silver bracelets, reputedly molded from Zeus' Aegis, and a golden rope, weaved with magic from Gaea herself, laid on a golden platter on Hippolta's right. This along with Pallas' armor would be the uniform of the new Champion.

Hippolyta sighed. One could not go against the Gods. Especially after they had been so generous to them. They had given them all, especially her, everything they could ask. The least she could do was obey their will.

She suddenly turned to Phillipus who stood behind her. "Phillipus, have you seen Diana?"

The General shook her head. "No, your Majesty. The last I saw the Princess was yesterday accompanying Mala to the stables."

Hippolyta craned her neck to scan the crowd. "I thought she would be here. Cheering on her sisters. She has such hopes for Mala." She turned to Penelope, seated behind her. "Have you seen her, Penelope?"

The Oracle said mildly, "Maybe she is around. The arena is very full. It has been a very exciting contest and keenly fought. Especially by those two now about to duel."

The Queen nodded. "Yes…The one with the blue colours on her shoulders is very nimble on her feet. Almost graceful. What do you think, Phillipus?"

Phillipus replied, "The other one with the red band on her arm is more robust though. Her technique is very good and she is decisive. You can see she has experience on her side."

They watched the blades clash and the two contestants fight. Hippolyta tilted her head and watched in appreciation as they pushed, parried, thrust and feinted, using all the skills they had been taught over the years. She leaned forward to watch closer as the one with the red armband used her foot and tripped over her opponent.

The one in blue fell heavily on her face, her sword falling. Her rival kicked the fallen weapon far from her reach. She sensed the blade coming down behind her and reacted swiftly by rolling away. She raised her arm and the blade hit her bracelet. It rose again and again, hitting the metal, driving her back to the dusty ground.

The warrior above had the advantage now but the one on the ground grabbed a handful of dust and flung it in her opponent's eyes.

The one in red staggered backwards, seemingly blinded from the dust and the other in blue scrambled from the ground. She searched for her sword but it was beyond her reach. She seemed to dispense with grace and lurched forward and grabbed her fellow Amazon around the midsection and took her to the ground. They wrestled for control of the one sword, punches and kicks being exchanged, until the one in blue head-butted the other so hard she fell backwards, the sword falling from her hands.

She grabbed the sword and put the tip of the blade to the fallen woman's throat. The Amazon in red seemed too dazed to get up.

A roar of approval went up as the audience rose to their feet and clapped. The one in blue put her hand out to help the loser to her feet but she impatiently waved her away.

Penelope remarked, "It seems we have our Champion."

The Queen rose, looking relieved, and said, "Well, it has been a long day. Let us get this over and done with. Call them forward."

The General beckoned to the two women. The loser took off her helm first and everyone saw it was none other than Artemis of the Bana-Midghall.

Hippolyta's brows rose and she glanced at Phillipus. "Someone actually bested Artemis? Interesting."

Artemis walked up the steps to the box and bowed. Her face did not look entirely happy. Hippolyta put a wreath on her hair. "Well fought, Sister. May fortune smile on you the next time so you may be victorious."

The titan haired woman said stiffly, "The honor of fighting for my tribe is victory enough for me."

Hippolyta embraced her and she turned and walked back down the steps. Many eyes were focused on the other warrior. The arena went silent as they waited to see the victor's identity.

When she lifted the helm off there was an instant buzzing and gasps. Artemis' face turned red with suppressed anger.

"It's the Princess!"

"It's Diana!"

Hippolyta's face turned white as the gown she wore as she watched her daughter acknowledge the claps and cheers of her sisters. Diana walked up the steps, her smile dazzling with pride of knowing that she had won this day.

Diana went down on one knee and waited for her Queen to crown her and give her the gifts she had so rightfully won. But Hippolyta stood as if frozen.

"My Queen…" Phillipus' voice could be heard almost prodding her out of her silence.

"How could you?" demanded Hippolyta angrily.

Diana looked up at that and said softly, "Because you were wrong."

Hippolyta snapped, "You do this for what? To defy me? You entered a contest that you know you ought never to have even participated!"

Phillipus coughed and said, "My Queen, the audience…"

Hippolyta tightened her lips and gestured for Diana to step aside for a moment.

Diana rose slowly. They stepped behind a large column at the side, just out of sight and hearing of the crowd and guards nearby.

Diana's face was rigid but voice unwavering. "What rules have I broken?"

"What?"

"What rules have I broken?" Her eyes turned to Phillipus. "Tell me, Phillipus, have I broken any rules of entry?"

The General looked at Hippolyta who gave her a warning look. But she replied steadily, "You broke no rules, Princess. I am sorry, my Queen, but your saying you did not want her in the contest is not a rule."

"Did I win this contest fairly?"

"It would seem that way."

Diana turned to her mother and stated, "I won this day, your Majesty. Fairly and honorably. You cannot take that away from me. I am the Champion."

"How did you even enter? We had fifty set contestants?'' began Hippolyta.

"Mala gave me her place. As far as I am aware there is no rule to say that one entrant cannot take the place of another."

Hippolyta stared at her in some annoyance. She was right. But that did not make matters easier.

Hippolyta said, as one trying to reason with a stubborn child, "Just because you have the ability to best others in an arena does not make you right for the task. You know nothing of the world outside that you would be confronting or trying to change. You will be out of your depth."

Her tone only served to make Diana more defensive. "That may be but I have worked long and hard to prepare when the Oracle announced that one of us would be expected to go out. I have learnt their history and I already mastered their universal tongue. As for my powers, I did not even have to use them in the contest to prove myself and you cannot be so blind to see that they would prove an asset in my role as Champion."

"Being able to fly and lift heavy objects does not make you capable, Diana…"

The Princess clenched her fists." Why are you being so unfair? Why must you try to keep me cosseted like some pampered princess? Some bird in a cage? I was not born to stay here for all eternity. Can you not see that? I have gifts and they can be used for good and the benefit of all beings."

Hippolyta stared at her in amazement. Her voice seemed hurt. "So you want to leave us…leave me?"

Phillipus began, "My Queen, this is not helpful."

"Don't you say a word, Phillipus. It all is clear to me now," she said coolly. "You had a hand in this."

Diana cried, "She did not! Mother, Phillipus did not know…"

Penelope had risen by this time and intervened. "Majesty, you cannot stop what the Fates have pre-destined. The Princess is the Champion here and you must acknowledge that and set her feet down upon her chosen path."

Hippolyta spun around and glared at her. "You too? You knew that was Diana out there!"

Penelope sighed. "I am an Oracle. It is not my duty to interfere with the will of the Gods. Diana is our Champion and by right you must crown her."

Hippolyta looked at her daughter with a face full of disappointment and she turned and picked up golden tipped laurels. She stepped out into the middle of the podium where all could see and set coolly, "Come before me."

Diana obeyed and went down before her. Hippolyta set the crown on her hair. Her face and tone was expressionless as she said, "Rise, Champion of the Gods and Emissary of the Amazons."

Diana stood up slowly. Penelope took up the tray with the silver bracelets and lariat.

Hippolyta said stiffly, "Gifts bequeathed to the champion from the Gods themselves. Bracelets forged from Zeus' shield and are indestructible. They can deflect all manner of attack. The rope is forged from Gaea's girdle, is unbreakable and has many uses as any lariat but anyone bound within its confines must speak the truth."

Diana undid her old bracelets and donned the new ones and took the lariat reverently in her hands. She carefully looped it at her waist.

Hippolyta commanded, "Go and do your walk of honor. You will be expected to do one more test."

"Mother, I…" Diana felt a twinge of guilt and discomfort. Somehow this was not how she imagined victory would feel like.

"Go, Diana, before I say something else I will regret."

Diana turned and walked back down the steps. Her sisters who had been none the wiser about what took place on the balcony cheered as she began her walk of honor around the arena. Artemis glared at her.

Phillipus looked at Hippolyta who was now turning to leave. "I have had enough…"

"But what of the test with the bracelets?"

The thought of a Patriarch's weapon being fired at Diana was too much. She said huskily, "I…cannot…You oversee it. I am going back to the Palace."

She was about to leave when suddenly someone's voice shouted. "Look! Up in the sky!"

Everyone seemed to halt and look up at the clear blue sky above the open arena.

Diana titled her head back. It looked like something actually burning high up in the heavens and now arching across the sky like a shooting star. Its speed was gathering and the Amazons gasped as it sped across the arena and hit the ground some two miles away. The sound of it hitting seemed to rock the arena.

"Gods…What was that?"

Diana hovered off the floor. "I am going to find out."

Phillipus cried, "You shouldn't go alone…Princess!"

But she was already cresting the top of the arena.

Hippolyta looked at Phillipus irately. "And there she goes without a thought. Take your best warriors and deal with this."

Diana flew towards the smoke and dust now thickening the air. She pulled up abruptly for a moment in mid-air as she realized that whatever it was had hit the Temple of Apollo.

She flew on and when she came to the mount where the religious temple was supposed to be,she gasped, "Merciful Minerva!"

The temple was destroyed. The once gleaming white marble columns and blocks were now gray rubble. The trees surrounding the building were burnt and flattened and a deep crater seemed to have been carved out of the land.

Diana flew down slowly. In the center of the crater which extended over half a mile in diameter was a smoking object. She drew closer and caught the glimpse of something crimson and blue. She frowned, perplexed, as she noted the giant eagles circling above. The Sentinels had not even had time to react. But it was odd they did not attack even now.

Diana dropped several feet now, brushing the smoke and dust from the air. Her feet touched the ground. It was hot. Steaming. It was fortunate she was blessed with extraordinary abilities and the extremes of heat did not affect her, unlike her sisters who would not even be able to walk the ground without feeling the soles of their sandals melting. She tentatively floated towards the object and suddenly froze. Lying face down was a body. A human body. It was clad in blue and had a red cape like a Spartan. She could see dark hair. It was not moving. Was it dead?

Diana knelt next to it and very carefully turned the body over. Her eyes widened. It was a man! Diana stared. Was this what men looked like? Granted, she had seen them in books and sculpture, but nothing had quite prepared her for the sight of him. Even though he was covered in dust and dirt and blood, she could see that he was far from repulsive looking. His body was large and well proportioned and she could see he must be very tall. When her fingers brushed his bicep, she was startled to feel muscles that felt rock solid and a promise of unyielding strength.

Her eyes fell on the black serpentine insignia on his chest. What was it? Some emblem of his nation? Some family crest? Who was he and why had he fallen from the sky onto Themyscira?

She swallowed and bent over him to see if he was breathing. He smelled of the earth and sky and fire. As her fingers touched the pulse at his neck, his eyes seemed to flutter open.

Diana gasped as a large hand grasped at the piece of cloth tied at her shoulder and she was pulled down so that she was mere inches from his face. Her eyes were suddenly drowning in pools that seemed to reflect the stark blueness from the skies above Themyscira.

His voice was weak. "Who are…?"

Diana's fingers went to pry his from her scarf and she heard a sharp voice shout behind her.

"Princess! Get away from him! Now!"

Phillipus and a group of ten Amazons on steeds, headed by Euboea, Captain of the Guard, stood on the lip of the crater looking down at them and the destroyed temple in disbelief and amazement.

Diana flung his hand down and backed away as if she had been scalded by the contact.

Her sisters drew their swords.

He seemed to shift and groan and try to lift his head. But it seemed to take the last reserves of energy he had. His head dropped back and his eyes rolled over as he faded into unconsciousness.