Chapter 3
480BCE
Riding towards the city of Sparta was a contingent of Persian troops lead by a trusted advisor of king Xerxes upon reaching the gates he drew from his back the heads of dead kings of conquered cities showing them to the guards. The man smiled as he saw a solder run to find the Spartan king.
Kassandra was following her family to the main gates of Sparta the scouts had reported that Persian riders were seen heading there way, it worried Kassandra greatly would Sparta be at war again.
The messenger wore golden silk robes as did his guards it looked frankly horrible the man was speaking with Theron a member of the Spartan council Kassandra hated him the way he looked at her or her mother with lust in his eyes. Oh the many times she thought about killing him but sadly it was illegal to do so.
The Persians messenger bowed with a sly grin on his face. "Greetings Leonidas king of the Spartans I bring a message from the god king Xerxes" he spoke with a superior tone as he looked at the gathered Spartans with distaste.
Not wanting the Persians here any longer he nodded "well what is this message from your king?"
The messenger smiled "earth and water" Kassandra and Gorgo looked at each other was this fool serious or had he been in the sun to long even Leonidas looked annoyed.
"You came all this way for earth and water" the messenger was about to respond when Gorgo stepped forward "do not be coy or stupid Persian, you can afford neither in Sparta"
Kassandra had a smile her mother was a true Spartan blunt and straight to the point.
The messenger turned to Leonidas with anger burning in his eyes, "what makes this women think she can speak among men"
Gorgo gave him a smug grin" because only Spartan women give birth to true men"
The messenger was angry he looked to Kassandra " you the one your oracle spoke off speak sense to your king or watch Sparta fall to the god kings armies, he has heard much about you princess of Sparta,"
Kassandra felt a shiver of disgust run down her back but for appearance sake she allowed him to continue. " is that so Persian and what has your king heard of me " she saw the 300 slowly move into positions ready to strike the messenger and his men down. " he has heard of your future your skills as a warrior and your beauty you would make a fine concubine to him give him many strong sons".
Leonidas stopped in front of his daughter preventing her from killing the messenger "come let us walk and discuss your message.
While walking in the direction of an old well that had long run dry the messenger continued his threats "if you value over your complete annihilation listen carefully Leonidas, Xerxes conquers and controls everything he sets his Eyes upon. He leads an army so massive it shakes the ground with its march, so vast it drinks the rivers dry, all the god king Xerxes requires is a small token of earth and water a symbol of Sparta's submission to the will of Xerxes"
Kassandra stood by his mother both already knew Leonidas answer who turned to look at the fields around the city " submission, well that's a bit of a problem you see rumour has it that Athens has already turned you down, if those philosophers and boy lovers have found that kind of nerve"
Theron quickly walked forward "Your majesty we must be diplomatic" he flinched when Leonidas looked at him his eyes narrowed "and of course Spartans have their reputation to consider"
The Persian who now stood in front of the king with the well behind him didn't look very impressed "choose your last words carefully Leonidas they may be your last as king."
Leonidas turned from the messenger looking at his wife and daughter in their eyes he saw there answer and he fully agreed, in seconds his blade was drawn and pointed straight at the messenger's neck.
Before the other Persians could come to their commander's aid they too had Spartan swords or in the case with Kassandra had a spear at their necks.
Leonidas smiled as the messenger declared him a madman "earth and water you say well you will find plenty of both down there Persian". The messenger was panicking his eye wide with fright "no man Persian or Greek no man threatens a messenger".
Leonidas could feel his blood burning as he snarled at the Persian dog. "You bring the crowned heads of conquered kings to my city steps, you insult my queen and daughter you threaten my people with slavery and death, oh I have chosen my words carefully Persian perhaps you should have done the same".
"This is blasphemy this is madness!" Came the cry of the messenger praying to his gods to save him of for Leonidas to see sense, for a few moments it looked like his prayers had been answered as Leonidas lowers his blade and turned towards his city the messenger did not notice Queen Gorgo nodding to Leonidas.
As he turned back to the messenger he caught his daughter giving him a knowing look. "Madness… THIS . IS . SPARTA!" With a powerful kick the messenger went flying into the well while his soldiers were cut down by Kassandra and members of the royal guard the dead or injured body's falling into the well never to be seen again.
Some hours later
Leonidas was fuming the oracle had forbid Sparta going to war with Persia lest the Sparta lose the favour of the gods. If he could not bring the might of the Spartan Army he would go on a walk with his 300 bodyguards.
" father please my forces are ready say the word and we march with you to the hot gates" Kassandra begged her father he had told them he was marching with the 300 to war however he was not allowing Kassandra or her troops to join him . Looking at his daughter he spoke strong and firm, "no Kassandra you will remain here in Sparta the oracle has spoken"
"Screw the oracle here and those deformed freaks with her are most likely being paid by Persia!"
Kassandra yelled her anger at her father's blindness starting to boil. Her father stood having enough of this argument ignoring his wife,
"Enough Kassandra! I have made my choice you will remain in Sparta and not say such blasphemy again you would know that if you were a true Spartan!"
Kassandra's heart broke why would he say that she refused to show weakness and tear she stood and marched out ignoring her parents or brothers calls.
Leonidas sat down rubbing his head why did he say that of course she was a true Spartan hell she was more Spartan then most Gorgo sent one Of the Helots to find her it would take an hour to release she had left Sparta. With her army to the borders of Arcadia to deal with bandits and to get away from her family.
The next day all 300 Spartans marched on with their king unaware of his heavy heart while his wife and son were there to say goodbye his daughter had not returned he prayed that he would see her before he went to battle. He would get his wish as they were passing into Arcadia they saw the sons of Sparta dealing with bandits with Kassandra watching over them.
She turned to Leonidas and smiled nodding her head to which he returned, they would see each other again but not until the final hours of the battle of Thermopylae when the legend of the immortal Queen would begin.
