Chapter 17

Authors note: hey everyone a small time skip in this chapter enjoy.

Great city of Babylon

469BCE

Queen Kassandra now 29 years old had spent the last 2 years expanding further east when she realised something her army had been away for 4 years; they had been on campaign it was time to return home loyal Greek Egyptian and Persian nobles had been installed as governors of her lands.

Preparing her legions, she would begin the long march west back to Ionia from there she would return to Greece to her beloved Sparta.

Of course, when Ikaros arrived in Sparta which had changed a lot in 4 years with news of Kassandra's return from the east the news spread through the land quickly.

The empire was quickly becoming very connected as the vast manpower of the empire was being used to build roads outposts and border forts the city of Kassandria was coming along nicely and much to Kassandra's shock the capital Sparta whose expansion and upgrade had been ordered by her mother was also finished.

It took a month but the spartan army made its way to the coast in Ionia where ships were waiting to take her back to Sparta for the first time in years, she had to admit she wondered what changes her mother had made to the city.

She stood at the command deck of her ships as her fleet made its way across the Aegean Sea the seas were calm and her troops in high spirts for many of the men on the ships, they were returning home for those from Egypt or Persia they would see the Birthplace of their beloved Queen.

Hours into the voyage Kassandra sat in the tent that had been set up on the deck looking at various documents about the security of her territory Afterall she now ruled an Empire that spans from Greece to the borders of the lands known as India.

But one thing was clear equipping an army large enough to protect her lands in full heavy Armor would be hugely expensive she would need to find a way to outfit her army's she would have to look for other means of outfitting her troops.

(Port city of Gytheion)

A few years ago, this city was just a small fishing village however during the first 5 years of Kasandra's rule it was now a major port for Sparta with walls to protect it and docks large enough for 20 ships at a time.

It was a normal day for the people trade had increased greatly due to the conquest of Egypt and Persia which brought the wealth to the people had their day interrupted by the sea-tower horn blowing strong alerting the people to joyous news their Queen had returned.

Kassandra smiled as the sounds of her people cheering could be heard as the ships made their way to the harbour as the ships captain made walked up to her. "Your majesty we are 10 mins from docking welcome back to Sparta the city has missed you."

With the ships now docked Kassandra was greeting by her subjects as she and her forces made their way from Gytheion to beloved Sparta about halfway there she witnessed a group of you Spartan recruits in the middle of Training hearing the sounds of marching the young men looked up as did their trainers to see the Lioness of Thermopylae the true image every Spartan wanted to live up to.

Giving an approving nod she greeted them. "Greeting children of Sparta stay true to your purpose and you will live to count yourselves among my Legions glory to the gods glory to Sparta!"

"AHOO AHOOO AHOO!"

She smiled the future for Sparta was looking up as they came within view of the city the division halted this was no the Sparta she remembered the city was expanded to encompass a large chuck of the Valley it called home large White Stone walls had been built at the gates to the city stood 2 statues of her in full Armor holding her spear Infront of her as if guarding the entrance to her Capital.

4 Hours later

Kassandra couldn't believe it but the reports were here Persian forces that had fled Thermopylae were in the lands North of Greece conquered the local barbarian tribes and had begun to Raid into Spartan lands looking up she saw her mother council and military officials awaiting her commands. "well this is interesting it seems Xerxes power over his former solders still holds some sway".

"your majesty what are your orders" asked one of her officers a general who was given command of the army in Athens. Kassandra sat there she had only returned to Sparta a few hours ago but her people were under threat looking up at her gathered council. "Send word to our forces in the North I will march an army into the Lands of the North and purge the last bastion of Xerxes legacy.

(Later that night)

Both Queens sat together alone for the first time in years enjoying some refreshments they had not really done this since the early years of Kassandra's rule as she had been dedicated to improving her city-state but now she ruled an empire and would soon march North to the lands unknown to face Persians and barbarians and gods know what else.

"my darling I'm so proud of you and I know your father is as well you have taken our nation to new hights and now you will tame the lands of the North the First Greek monarch to do so" Gorgo smiled at her daughter who had a small blush from the praise she had been given it felt good to know that even thought her daughter was the equivalent of a demigoddess who had conquered most of the known world that she was still the same baby girl she had raised and loved.

"Mother I promises I will return soon after I have crushed the Persians and the barbarian army, they have gathered they will regret the day they refused to die At Thermopylae with their King"

Standing up she hugged her mother one last time and whispered. "I love you always" before heading out to the courtyard where her cavalry escort awaited her giving one last look at the palace, she rode for the north gate to the frontier border forts of her Empire.

(Authors note: right sorry it's a little late guys thing have been a little crazy the Europe period of her conquest have started as for her current empire she currently rules if we were to look on a modern map is as follows: Greece/Turkey /Cyprus/Lebanon/Israel /Syria /Jordan /Egypt /Iraq /Iran /Afghanistan /Turkmenistan /Uzbekistan /Tajikistan /Kyrgyzstan/Pakistan.

Until next time.

Revan Shan 2077